Port Hotel, Port Washington Wisconsin [Pictures]

LTHForum,

A recent family gathering in Milwaukee prompted visits to old favorites, Pandl's, lovely room solid supper club food, Heinemann's, best egg or tuna salad on white toast for three states, and the Port Hotel, a charming supper club in a recently refurbished turn of the century hotel.

Om a recent Saturday night the Port Hotel was jumping, convivial bar packed with conversation friendly people and even though the restaurant was full multiple dining rooms lent a sense of intimacy.

Port Hotel


Gratis relish plate provided sustenance as we perused the menu, quickly followed by mounds of of crisp fried onion rings and a perfect pair of meaty moist Smoked Chubs.

Relish Plate


Onion Rings


Smoked Chubs


The arrival of the smoked cubs led to the funniest moment of the evening. My Marin county born LA living fashionista niece was, to put it mildly, off-put by the arrival of the chubs, not too demurely declining when they came her way. I suggested she try them when in Rome and to her credit she took a teeny tiny taste. Funny thing is the moment the smoked fish hit her mouth her eyes lit up, a smile broke upon her face and she said......"Now I get it, Midwestern sushi!"

Smoked Chubs


Saturday night in a Wisconsin Supper Club means Prime Rib, big juicy hunks of slow roasted cow, though in an insane burst of moderation I went for the 20oz portion instead of 32oz.

Prime Rib


Prime rib was terrific, but one taste of Uncle Jerry's Gourmet Pepper Steak, a bone in Kansas City strip with fresh cracked peppercorn and a side of hash browns had me wishing I'd followed his lead. Uncle Jerry knows his way around a fork and knife, he's the one who introduced European Homemade Sausage to LTHForum.

Gourmet Pepper Steak


Hash Browns


Service was smooth and professional with a liberal does of pure Wisconsin hospitality, our our youthful waitress exhibiting patient charm with our mildly dipsotic party of 12 that belied her age. Speaking of charm, we had a chance to chat with the genial owners of the Port Hotel, Joseph and Susan Zankl, who are enthusiastic and justifiably proud of the restaurant and recent full scale refurbish of the hotel. My bride has already decided a Port Hotel weekend is a summer '08 must.

Joseph and Susan Zankl


Enjoy,
Gary

Port Hotel Restaurant & Inn
101 E Main St
Port Washington, WI 53074
262-284-9473
www.theporthotel.com

Pandl's
8825 N Lake Dr
Milwaukee, WI 53217
414-352-5887

Heinemann's
333 W. Brown Deer Rd
Fox Point, WI 53217
414-352-2244

European Homemade Sausage Shop
1985 S. Muskego Ave.
Milwaukee, WI
414-384-7320

Thanks, GWiv! Nice review and those pictures look scrumptious (I can only imagine the taste!). Port Washington is close enough to consider a nice relaxing three-day weekend...gotta speak to LDC about our plans.

Wow, those hash browns look great! I wish my breakfast place would get them that crisp. Got to love Wisconsin supper clubs and their relish plates!