Gluten free in Milwaukee: The Rumpus Room

I’m having a hard time keeping up with all of the gluten-free options in Milwaukee. Can hardly believe I’m saying that, but it’s true.

My “Dining Out” list gets new additions on a regular basis (I wait to list them here until I’ve tried them out myself.) and there are emails, texts and Facebook updates of more gluten-free options popping up in Milwaukee all the time.

Plenty of Milwaukee food friends had been talking up The Rumpus Room, so it was time to get in there and see what all the chatter was about.

The Rumpus Room opened in 2011, a European-inspired gastropub, part of the Bartolotta group. (I’ve always had good gluten-free luck with their restaurants.) The decor alone is reason enough for a visit — each piece fits perfectly and was the talk of our table.

The bar area welcomes you when you arrive, with a trendy atmosphere and choice of a high top table or the bar — our bartender, Micah was outstanding. Their list of beers and cocktails was impressive, and while I stayed with a tried-and-true hard cider, my husband and our friends took advantage of the unique cocktails they had to offer.

Trendy, yet welcoming bar (with a ladder, how cool is that?)

New-to-me cider: Ace Hard Cider, the Joker

Any time there is a new cider, I feel obligated to check it out.(Yes, even if it’s not Crispin.) This one was refreshing and not too sweet, I would order it again.

We started things off with an appetizer that was easily adapted to gluten-free — no major changes, they just put the crackers and breads on a separate plate. Our sever was on the ball and assumed there would be no problem with this appetizer, but made a trip to the kitchen to double check. And he used none of that “I’m sure it’s fine” or “You should be okay with that” business.

Ploughmans Board

The menu was a meat-lovers paradise, but there are plenty of salad options too. Again, no problem finding an option for me. (and nothing to modify – just real food, prepared fresh, with no fillers or additives needed)

Braised Pork Shoulder with Brussels Sprouts, Sweet Potato Puree, topped with apple shavings

This was the best meal I have had at a restaurant in a long time — it was one of those moments where you take the first bite and then you let out this deep sigh of “oh, my… this is good.” Followed by “Mmm…this.is.amazing.”

The meat just fell apart, it was that tender — big fan of braised anything, especially pork.

My gluten-eating tablemates were just as happy with their selections of Pork Schnitzel, and Strauss Veal Meatloaf. To be honest, I think anything you order from The Rumpus Room would be a win. You can see their whole menu here.

I didn’t save room for dessert, but luckily my buddy Has did — so I scored a couple bites of his sorbet. (My only regret was that I didn’t get to indulge in the PB & Grape: Peanut Butter Ganache, Chocolate Cookie Crust, Concord Grape Gastrique, but I sure can try to make it at home!)