There’s a restaurant in downtown Milwaukee that’s been there for at least 40 years called Pieces of Eight.  It is the only restaurant in Milwaukee that looks across the harbor towards downtown.  It has gorgeous views of the Calatrava addition to the Art Museum, Veteran’s Park and the Milwaukee skyline.

The problem?  The interior had become dated, the service was hit or miss, and the food also had become hit or miss.  My wife and I love the views so we roll the dice and go there occassionally anyway.  Such was the case last Saturday.

Much to my surprise the interior is been remodeled.  The bar area has expanded and might have even better views than the rest of the restaurant.  Additionally, the patio area has been re-done and is scheduled to open in May.  It’s a larger area complete with outdoor fire pits and outdoor patio heaters.  Plus, the views.  They’ve also renamed the restaurant to Harbor 550.  All that was left was the service and the food.

Well, I can tell you the salmon I had was really good and my wife really liked her lobster.  And when you compare the per plate costs of meals there to other restaurants in the downtown area, they tasted even better.  Most of the entrees are under $20 — with the exception of the lobster and a seafood pasta dish that includes lobster, crab, scallops and shrimp.  How about the service?  The were almost too fast with the food.  Granted we were dining a little earlier than usual to make it to my nieces play so they weren’t real crowded yet.  But, still I have no complaints about the service whatsoever.

We’ll have to go back this summer and try the patio.