Ardent Milwaukee
EXECUTIVE CHEF JUSTIN CARLISLE GREW UP ON A SMALL BEEF FARM IN RURAL WISCONSIN.
Food has played a major part in Carlisle’s life ever since his humble beginnings on the farm and in small restaurants (where a passion for cooking, a love for local food, and a hard work ethic sprouted and thrived). These foundations developed into perennial James Beard Award nominations for Best Chef: Midwest along with countless accolades among the top restaurants in North America.
Justin’s flagship restaurant, Ardent, opened on Milwaukee’s East Side in October of 2013. Since its inception Ardent has been named among the nation’s 15 best new restaurants by Condé Nast Traveler; Best Restaurant in the State of Wisconsin by Business Insider; semifinalist for Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation; #1 Restaurant in Milwaukee by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; The Forward 50: Our Favorite Restaurants Right Now by Wine Enthusiast; 19 Great Restaurants to Work for in Food & Wine; and among the Top North American Restaurants (2021, 2022, 2023) in Opinionated about Dining.
ARDENT EVOLVES
A decade after opening Milwaukee’s first-ever tasting room, Ardent expanded its square footage to offer an exceptional wine bar along with two distinct dining experiences: an eight-course tasting menu on one side (with a moodier, more intimate fine dining experience) and a new lounge (with approachable, convenient and casual evening and Sunday Brunch menus) on the other.
Combined, the new dual-concept restaurant continued to offer the fine dining experience and dynamic tasting menu guests have enjoyed for over ten years, but with the introduction of a new neighborhood bar + lounge for more casual, spontaneous outings and celebrations.
