‘Small Batch, From Scratch” is a good way to start describing Precinct Tap & Table in Germantown WI. The seats at the counter of this modern eatery are not to be avoided if you want to watch the concentrated, quietly choreographed creativity of the open kitchen. The Thursday night special was a ‘TV Dinner’ serving Chicken & Walffle or a classic French Dip with sides all served in properly compartmentalized trays, dessert and beverage included!
The Crab Cakes were tender with a more moist than crispy coating which was complimented by a light, sweet pineapple chutney/remoulade.
Seared Scallops were perfectly prepared and bedded in a good size citrus salad featuring wedges of fried polenta that looked a little over-fried but were perfectly disguising a warm creamy polenta center.
I’m seemingly always craving salad, especially when someone else prepares it, and the Press Salad was light and fresh with treats of candied bacon, honey almonds and feta. I wouldn’t order it again with the Seared Scallops, only because they were very similar. How did I miss the Maple Roasted Beet & Squash Salad? That’d be the ticket to try next time! Sounds seasonably perfect.
When we asked our server for a next course recommendation, she definitely said ‘The Walleye‘ without hesitation. Great choice and two of us happily split this ‘Main Streets’ dish. The fish comes atop a wild rice pancake with oyster mushroom cream, Brandy Old Fashion apple bacon salad and absolutely shimmering, perfectly cooked green beans. It is interesting how with all that nuanced cuisine, those green beans harkened back to a similar dining experience at ‘The Girl & The Goat’ in Chicago. Seated at the counter, watching a frenetic, well orchestrated crew whip through hundreds of dishes, was a delight. Yet it is the green beans that I remember best. When its simple, it has to be done to perfection, I suppose.
The place is perfectly located for someone like me, new to the area and curious to find her way around. Downtown Germantown had become something of a White Whale for me. I’ve lived in the area for a while now, and it’s existence alluded this geographer’s reasoning. Find Main Street, and you’ll find this gem of a Precinct is tucked away in the former Germantown Police Station on Church Street, where it will welcome you and make you want to return. Let’s say, “Go to Precinct. Go Directly to Precinct. Do not pass Go. Enjoy.”
W161N11629 Church St, Germantown, WI 53022