Photo by Matthew Warren
nines American Bistro is located at the corner of casual and elegance. Figuratively, of course, but the establishment did go as far as installing two custom, intersecting street signs bearing both words at its entrance to ensure there are no mixed messages. In other words, the restaurant at the River Club of Mequon wants everyone to feel welcome. Why would an otherwise members-only club open its dining doors to the public? Because it values the benefits of being inclusive more than the status of being exclusive. Hard to argue with that.
It’s also hard not to feel at home in a dining room where almost every table takes in panoramic views of the golf course and countryside.
nines serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday, plus brunch on Sunday. The menu (recently renovated) is expansive. The many categories offer plenty of variety to accommodate just about every taste or occasion, including vegetarian and gluten-free offerings to satisfy even the heartiest carnivore and carbivore.
nines’ message of casual elegance strikes a balance throughout the menu. Crispy calamari with lemon aioli and marinara sauce ($11) shares space with trendy but old-school deviled eggs (local organic egg, creamy Dijon yolk, bacon dust, chives, $3.50-$6.50). The soup du jour at a recent visit, carrot ginger bisque, hit the mark—creamy and rich with a pronounced freshness from the subtle bite of ginger and sweet carrot.
Entrée salads run the gamut—Caesar, wedge, Caprese, spring, pear and goat cheese. The latter ($10) features mixed greens, Bartlett pear, pickled shallots, goat cheese, crispy parsnips, toasted almonds and apricot vinaigrette. The entrée salads will give you a new appreciation for what vegetarian and gluten-free can deliver. Any salad can be enhanced with your choice of protein (chicken, salmon, shrimp, steak $3.50-$5) or can be made into a wrap for a buck more.
Burgers are half-pound certified Angus beef. For those who proclaim everything gets better with bacon, try the nines burger ($12), which includes jalapeño bacon, beer cheese sauce and onion strings.
Speaking of sauces, steaks are prime grade and are the foundation of a fully customizable entrée paired with your choice of sauce (balsamic demi, brandy peppercorn, blue cheese butter or apple butter) and selection of two sides (whipped or baked potato, seasonal vegetable, white mac & cheese, onion strings or roasted mushrooms). All sides are available a la carte as well.
If that’s not enough nines also features a slew of weekly specials from Taco Tuesday to all-you-can-eat Pasta Wednesday and Friday Fish Fry to Chef’s Special Selection Saturday. Thursdays are not overlooked and feature live music. From ingredients to price point to occasion, nines has something for everyone.
nines American Bistro
12400 N. Ville du Parc Drive, Mequon
262-518-0129
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Handicap accessible: Yes
