Ryan Braun's Waterfront is a swank new addition to riverside dining

Ryan Braun took full advantage of Opening Day in Milwaukee. April 5 was not only the official home opener for the Milwaukee Brewers but it was also day one of the left fielder's newest side project, if you will.

Ryan Braun's Waterfront, 102 N. Water St., opened its doors in the former Fratello's spot along the river in the Third Ward.

Upon arrival, the first impression doesn't fall short. Aesthetically, the space is classy and clean with sleek, modern decor and an upscale vibe that might make you think twice about what you're wearing. It's not fine dining, but it's often packed with people who are dressed for it.

The menu is as distinctly American as Braun's sport of choice and is divided between seafood, poultry, steak, beef, pizzas and pasta. Nothing here is a total standout, at least not on paper.

The dishes -- fire grilled chicken, strip steak, crispy shrimp, to name a few -- are classically prepared and come with side dish choices you might expect at a supper club: baked potato, butter smashed potato, vegetables, pasta with cream sauce and the more modern garlic Parmesan fries.

The menu feels familiar, which is comforting to many diners, but that's not to say it doesn't define itself. The Waterfront trout grill, for example, uses fish from Wisconsin's own all-natural trout farm, Rushing Waters Fisheries. And the complementary appetizers were an impressive, non-traditional plus. Warm bread comes with two spreads: roasted vegetable sun-dried tomato butter and a homemade roasted vegetable relish. Presentation didn't slack and both were delicious.

The bar area offers a plethora of casual foods, such as burgers, chicken tenders and farm fresh Wisconsin cheese fries. For the late-night diner, the bar stays open to offer seven varieties of personal, eight-inch specialties, such as the barbecue roasted, which features homemade tomato basil barbecue sauce and chicken, and the sundance oven, which smothers the thin crust in a goat cream cheese, spinach artichoke spread, mozzarella, plum tomatoes, roasted chicken and garlic.

For those hoping to catch a glimpse of Braun and his buddies dining here on a Saturday night, don't count on it. In fact, save for his name on the signage, there is nothing about the restaurant that implies it has any sports affiliation.

Regardless, the place looks poised to be a success. It's popular with the Third Ward / Downtown business crowd and it's prime waterfront locale makes its gigantic outdoor patio a guaranteed hotspot on sunny, warm days.