Description: 4th Base is another surprise when you consider that from the outside it looks like just about any other neighborhood bar in West Allis. I first had the dining experience here about ten years ago when out of town members of our board of directors suggested it for dinner. I thought, "You guys come from all over the US to these meetings and all you want to do is go to a bar for dinner?"
Over $500 later for six of us, I understood why they suggested "this" bar for dinner!
While I've always known about this place, it wasn't really until we moved into the neighborhood that we started going there as one of our favorites for special occasion dining. Back in May we were here for David's birthday . . . and this month we were back for our anniversary. Both times Robert was our server and the dining experience did not disappoint.
When you arrive at 4th Base you can usually find curb-side street parking. They do have a small lot in the back of the building but we frankly prefer the parking right on National Avenue. This is actually a very pretty area of West Allis with the VA Complex and Hospital right across the street creating a nice park-like setting. I will warn you, however, if you are in this area immediately before or after a Milwaukee Brewers' game beware. National Avenue between Greenfield Avenue and Miller Parkway can be a zoo with the cars and the pedestrians.
As you enter the building, the first thing you'll see is your typical Milwaukee bar. Nice bar with lots of folks laughing and drinking, probably shaking the dice too. This part area also has about five or six high top tables with the appropriate tall bar stools. If you wish, you can dine in the bar area although I find that the bar stools are not quite comfy enough for me and my short legs, so we opt for the back dining area which in our experience is rarely used. It is nice to sit back there in the privacy of your own room. They have a couple of TVs back there too so if you want to catch a ball game or whatever is on ESPN, you pretty much have the place to yourself. The exception would be when the Brewers are home. I frankly avoid that entire area of West Allis on those days.
The next thing that you should be aware of when dining at 4th Base is that there really is no menu. Of course you will enter and see the traditional menu board with some evening specials or recommendations, but part of the experience is going to the four foot deli case and see what is possible. You can just look at what the ingredients are, steaks, fish, shellfish, veggies, etc. and just create your own dining delight.
For this most recent dining experience, it was just David and me and we went somewhat conservatively with our choices. For David, he opted for the blackened tuna with a mix of steamed veggies. I had the 8 oz filet mignon that was encrusted with peppercorns and covered with sautéed mushrooms, along with two large grilled shrimp and a baked potato.
We started with salads, which was actually a first for us there. David really enjoyed his Caesars and I had the crumbled blue cheese house salad which was also outstanding. The salads were accompanied with a parmesan and butter crusted Italian loaf of bread. It was really outstanding!
Robert was once again very attentive to our beverage needs as well as to check in on us throughout the meal to make sure all was good. We really do enjoy dining at 4th Base and frankly can really only afford them because they participate in a couple of dining discount programs. If you are a local in the Milwaukee Area, keep your eyes peeled for the "Dine4Less" certificates offered by BrewCrew97. For $50 you can buy $100 worth of gift certificates. 4th Base has also just recently joined the Restaurant.com site where you can buy a $25 gift certificate for $10. I typically buy from them when they have their 50-70% off promotions, getting you a $25 gift certificate for as little as just $3!!
On our anniversary dinner night, our bill came to $88 for dinner and two rounds of adult beverages. Not bad, in our opinion given the high quality of our meals.
Follow-up . . . we returned to 4th Base the following year with our friend Marney. It was as good as ever!
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