Tess – American
Tess invites guests into a vibrant, light-filled space where the air hums with conversation and the enticing aromas of coastal seafood and slow-braised meats. The kitchen masterfully balances rustic textures and bold flavors, from the delicate crunch of a golden crab cake to the melt-in-your-mouth richness of 24-hour pork belly. Every plate, whether a crisp harvest salad or a perfectly seared bistro steak, reflects a commitment to seasonal freshness and soulful, contemporary cooking.
2499, North Bartlett Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53211 +14149648377 https://tess2499.com0Cuisine: American
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, high-protein, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, pescatarian, plant-based, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free
Currently open
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Menu
Appetizers
- Steamed Mussels - $14: Coconut milk, chipotle broth, cilantro, warm bread Dietary tags: Dairy-Free, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Crab Cake - $15: Creole remoulade, red pepper coulis, Idaho chip Dietary tags: Pescatarian, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Feta Toast - $12: Whipped feta, lemon, Aleppo pepper, roasted tomato, extra virgin olive oil, pistachios, crostini Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber, Volumetrics Available at: brunch, dinner, lunch
- 24 Hour Pork Belly - $13: Black bean puree, zucchini salsa verde, pickled radish, cotija cheese, cilantro, chicharrón Available at: dinner, lunch
- Lamb Empanadas - $14: Moroccan spiced ground lamb, sun dried tomato hummus, tzatziki, pickled red onion, cucumber Dietary tags: Mediterranean Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
- Tess Salad - $8: Field greens, cucumbers, cherry tomato, shredded carrot, croutons, roasted tomato vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based Available at: dinner, lunch
- Rocket Salad - $9: Baby arugula, dried cherries, bleu cheese, spiced walnuts, molasses vinaigrette Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Harvest Salad - $9: Mixed field greens, maple roasted delicata squash, goat cheese, pickled pomegranate seeds, honey crisp apples, dijon apple cider vinaigrette Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Grilled Faroe Island Salmon - $30: Creamy polenta, sauteed kale, sweet peppers, pearl onions, mushrooms, lemon caper sauce Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Bistro Steak - $38: 8 oz. USDA Choice top sirloin coulotte, sauteed green beans, truffled mushroom & red wine sauce, butter mashed potato Available at: dinner, lunch
- Black Vinegar Braised Short Ribs - $30: Choice beef short ribs, roasted grape tomatoes, lemon garlic risotto, sauteed spinach, crispy jalapenos, pan sauce reduction Available at: dinner, lunch
- Seafood Pasta - $31: Shrimp, scallops, PEI mussels, fettuccine, broccoli, asiago, sundried tomatoes, basil, mushroom medley, sherry lemon butter sauce Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Jamaican Jerk Chicken - $26: Frenched chicken breast, roasted cauliflower, cremini mushroom, poblano jasmine rice, pickled red onion, zucchini salsa verde Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Mahi Mahi - $29: Bleu cheese crusted, toasted walnuts, sweet potato puree, sauteed carrots, zucchini & yellow squash, balsamic reduction Dietary tags: High-Protein, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- San Francisco Cioppino - $30: Seared salmon, scallops, wild shrimp, PEI mussels, white wine, chili flakes, herbs, classic marinara sauce, crostini Dietary tags: High-Protein, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Housemade Ravioli - $24: Blend of fresh & aged cheeses, herbs, lemon zest, garlic, tomato sauce, Italian sausage, white wine Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Rice Risotto - $23: Broccoli, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, ginger soy black garlic sauce, crispy wontons Available at: dinner, lunch
- Friday Fish Fry - Lake Perch or Barramundi - $18.95: Panko breaded lake perch or tempura beer battered barramundi, sweet potato fries, Asian-style cole slaw, buttered rye bread, housemade ketchup & tartar sauce Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Combo Fish Fry - $20.95: Tempura beer battered barramundi & panko breaded lake perch, sweet potato fries, Asian-style cole slaw, buttered rye bread, housemade ketchup & tartar sauce Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Add-ons
- Add Grilled Chicken - $4 Dietary tags: AIP, Lectin-Free
- Add Shrimp - $6 Dietary tags: Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Lectin-Free
- New England Clam Chowder (Cup) - $6 Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- New England Clam Chowder (Bowl) - $9 Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
Desserts
- Flourless Chocolate Cake - $10: Housemade colectivo coffee custard Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Butterscotch Budino - $10: Caramel sauce, whipped cream, pink salt Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Dessert of the Week: Changes weekly Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly
Beverages
- Earth Rider ‘Tap Shack’ Caribbean Style Lager - $6.75: Superior, Wisconsin Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- 1840/Mikerphone ‘We Go Together Like…’ PB&J Berliner Weisse - $6.75: Strawberries & Peanuts Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Side Project ‘La Belle Fleur (Blend 2)’ Farmhouse Pale Ale - $7.5: St.Louis, Missouri Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Side Project ‘Smooth (2024)’ Wild Ale - $8: California Nectarines Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Renal
- Hop Butcher For the World ‘Riwakamania I’ IPA - $7: Citra & Riwaka Hops Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Lectin-Free
- Sprecher Root Beer Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal
- Cutwater Ginger Beer Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
Restaurants near Tess
- Yo Factory — American
- Blooming Lotus Bakery — American
- Brewing Grounds For Change — American
- Mad Chicken — American
- AXE MKE — American
- Beans & Barley Cafe — American
- Comet Café — American
- Henry's Pub & Grille — American
- Roast Coffee Company — American
- Wolski's Tavern — American
- Colectivo Coffee Lakefront Cafe — American
- Black Husky Brewing — American
