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“You eat with your eyes first” is an old adage I have appreciated throughout my life. Perhaps it is why I have been taking pictures of food for so long — to capture that first feeling when a plate comes to the table. It is truly when you make your first judgment of a dish.

How many of us have said “Oh, this looks great!” or conversely been disappointed before we have taken our first bite? Draft Gastropub in Appleton fully understands the concept of “feeding the eyes first.”

Since re-opening at their new location on Ridgeview Drive last September, Draft has been thrilling diners – and me – with not only the taste of their food, but the beauty of the dishes.  It has become a favorite for my family and, as evidenced by the packed parking lot, many others as well.

Our recent visit to Draft started with the small plate tuna tartare. I can hear the whispers and see other patrons pointing as this dish is walked to our table under a smoking dome. The waiter wafts away the fragrant wood smoke to reveal a gorgeous nest of fresh tuna over avocado hosting a single quail egg on the top. The balance of the smoke, truffle oil and sesame seed is perfect. As for the quail egg, that disappeared the second the smoke cleared.  My son dove right in with his crispy plantain and stole it before I had a chance. It was a truly great dish that fed our eyes first and backed it up with amazing taste and freshness. An undeniable home run.

Tuna Tartare

Our main dishes ranged from a creamy lobster mac and cheese complete with a small, actual lobster tail to a bourbon glazed salmon that I would put up against any piece of fish I have ever had. Draft’s menu also has a wide variety of other dishes including pub burgers, sandwiches and fabulous artisan pizzas, all the way up to their Tomahawk 24-ounce aged bone-in ribeye. With dishes like these, Draft is definitely worth a “look.”

Bourbon Glazed Salmon

Hakkaido Scallops

Lobster Mac & Cheese

Steak Chimichurri

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