Room Service sits in Bay View’s Ground 59 development, serving Thai-Japanese fusion that’s earned Milwaukee Magazine praise since its April 2024 opening.
The 2159 S Kinnickinnic Ave location features green velvet seating and gold accents within a $2.5 million complex that feels like it was dropped into historic Bay View from the future.
Chef Joey Phadungsil from Bangkok, working with Head Chef Martin Baxin, creates signature tamaki handrolls that diners call the best food they’ve ever had in Milwaukee.
What Makes Room Service Special
Chef Joey Phadungsil brings culinary adventures from bustling Bangkok restaurants to sophisticated Thai and Japanese restaurants in New York, and felt a calling to share this expertise with Milwaukee.
Head Chef Martin Baxin builds raw beauty behind the sushi bar, bringing a wealth of Asian cuisine experience to create exquisite Japanese dishes that have already earned Milwaukee staple status.
The partnership with the Rice N Roll Bistro owners created a chic restaurant with gorgeous modern details and sexy, dimly lit quarters that underscore its date-night-worthy urban charm.
The Story Behind the Restaurant
Room Service opened on April 11, 2024, when Chef Joey Phadungsil brought her vision of authentic Thai and Japanese fusion to Bay View as the second opening in the Ground 59 complex.
The restaurant represents a journey that began in Thailand, where the goal is to showcase Thai food the way it actually is in Thailand—creating the true flavors of Thai cuisine alongside expertly crafted Japanese dishes.
The Bay View location in the newly built retail space on Kinnickinnic Avenue is eye-catching from the outside, with towering industrial ceilings and slate flooring creating a stunning atmosphere inside.
Food Highlights
- Royal Flower Dumplings (Chor Muang) – These butterfly pea flower dumplings create a striking violet color, and their carved flower appearance showcases traditional Thai preparations worth experiencing.🥟
- Chashu Bao Buns – Fatty soy-braised pork belly combines with crunchy peanuts, cucumber, scallion, and hoisin in pillow-like buns stamped with the Room Service logo for explosive flavors.🥢
- Osaka-Style Gyoza – These pan-fried Japanese pork dumplings are served crispy-side-up with a crepe-like “skirt”—a thin layer of batter creating textural masterpiece earning standout status.🥟
- Tom Yum Soup – This authentic Thai soup demonstrates Chef Joey’s goal to showcase true flavors, creating unadulterated Thai cuisine worth experiencing.🍜
- River Prawns – The Thai preparation showcases fresh, expertly crafted dishes that represent the culture and cuisine, creating memorable flavor profiles.🦐
- Signature Tamaki Handrolls – These Japanese specialties demonstrate Head Chef Martin Baxin’s sushi bar expertise, where fresh ingredients create cultural harmony on your plate.🍣
Atmosphere
The Bay View location features sumptuous green upholstery and elegant gold accents with a striking mural behind the cocktail bar, creating refinement that doesn’t end according to diners.
Soft lighting, exquisite tableware, and stylish, comfortable seating create a cultivated and pleasurable experience where eating with your eyes first becomes reality.
Service includes education about Thai and Japanese preparations, with staff walking you through the potentially intimidating menu and making suggestions to guide your gastronomic journey that transcends borders.
Bottom Line
Room Service delivers Chef Joey Phadungsil’s Thai-Japanese fusion vision, where Chor Muang dumplings and Osaka-style gyoza have earned Milwaukee Magazine recognition just months after opening.
The chashu bao buns and signature tamaki handrolls prove the April 2024 opening in the Ground 59 complex has created what reviewers call the best food they’ve ever had in Milwaukee.
This Bay View location brings Bangkok authenticity to Milwaukee through Chef Joey’s journey and Head Chef Martin Baxin’s sushi expertise, all within a $2.5 million complex featuring sumptuous green velvet and elegant gold that make it an instant Milwaukee staple worth the reservation difficulty. 🌟
Address: Room Service, 2159 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Unit A2, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Phone: (414) 414-9789
Hours: Daily 4:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Features: Opened April 2024 | Chef Joey Phadungsil from Bangkok | Head Chef Martin Baxin | Thai-Japanese fusion | Ground 59 complex | $2.5 million development | Signature tamaki handrolls | Milwaukee Magazine featured | Green velvet seating | Gold accents | Reservations via Tock
Links: Website | Reservations | Yelp | Milwaukee Magazine Review | Instagram