First time in with my husband and our experience was great! Pricey but remember you're getting a personal chef & one server experience. We had the place to ourselves for the first hour or so very quaint and we had the pick of a table. The server was superb with her knowledge and suggestions on what to try. We had a bottle of wine "Nebbiolo" which was so good and our meals (pork w/mushrooms) & Bolognese with all fresh ingredients. The only thing we did notice was the amount of food served on very large plates. Could have had a bit more of everything just saying. Also complimented the Chef throughout to the server and she said he loves to hear people's compliments but when leaving and he just barely acknowledged our compliments. Maybe he was tired but how often do you get a chance to compliment someone especially "The Chef" on their expert cooking. Anyway would we come back in the future but it does have a limited menu so best to check before making any plans. read more

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Actually ZERO stars. I put in a request for reservations, thru their email as directed by their website, for either a Friday or Saturday night on a Wednesday. I NEVER received a response back. NOTHING. Not a chirp. If your response to requests is this poor I can understand why there are negative reviews about the service. Good luck surviving with this lack of professionalism. I will not be attempting another reservation. read more

We stumbled into Bistro Millard on a whim and really enjoyed our meal. They have a really cute restaurant. We started with the mussels and two of the house salads and they were both delicious. Our waitress was very helpful in helping us narrow down what we wanted to eat. The sauce with the mussels was so good. We all go the same pasta dish- house made white wine and mushroom sauce which was incredible. The star of the show was their chocolate mousse which was some of the best we have had in a long time! read more

Bistro Milliard - Chocolate Mousse - Italian Near Me - Hallowell, Maine

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Met a friend there for dinner last night. I'd called the day before and secured the last reservation. The dining room is cozy, but a little awkward- the tables and chairs weren't great- we kept kicking one another because of spacing. The menu was small, but not offensive. I ordered the appetizer salad for dinner while my friend got the oysters as an appetizer and the fish entree. We finished with a chocolate mousse, no wine or beverages. The service was awfully slow, especially considering that we were their last seating and everyone else had started to leave. My salad was ok- certainly not worth $20- it had about an ounce of shredded tuna- Under seasoned, underdressed salad. Dessert was good. The total bill was over $130. We split the check and both put down our cards. It was too dark to look closely at the bill, so I just paid. Today I saw my receipt and we were charged for an extra entree that neither of us ordered and didn't notice last night. It was already overpriced, but my food wasn't great. Definitely won't be going back. read more

They generously let me sit down right before the closing hour, and the server was very kind. They had some beef agnolotti on the menu that were fantastic, with a pilsner & some focaccia to start. A cool spot to dine solo, and definitely romantic if you're on a date. A great find read more

Wonderful food, service and overall dining experience! Waitress and chef were both excellent. Loved the cozy and quaint setting. Food was delicious and served with style. read more

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I recently ate at Bistro Milliard and couldn't be more impressed. The waitress was super sweet and food came out relatively quickly. It's a small restaurant, so make sure you book a reservation in advance. Food was delicious! read more

Bistro Milliard - Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Hallowell, Maine

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This is a delightful small restaurant in the beautiful town of Hallowell. The menu was small, with mostly Italian pasta style dishes, a couple of French style, and some nice specials. We tried the gnocchi and the beef short ribs and both were excellent. It was nice to have bread served without an extra cost. The wine list was also small but had a nice selection and there were several that I could enjoy. The staff were so pleasant and polite that it made it a pleasure to have dinner there. I was pleased that they took reservations, and by 8pm the restaurant was completely full. It was a bit challenging to walk through the tables, but I did not feel like the tables were too close together to be private. The bathroom was clean and well decorated, although there was only one for everyone to share. read more

Fantastic from start to finish. House made gnocchi and pastas. House made chocolate mousse. Worth the trip.

Amazing, delicious, perfectly prepared fresh pasta and sauce, fabulous service, creative ambiance in the space - a total gem! Will definitely be back. read more

Charming and intimate experience with this chef owned unique bistro. Highly recommend the Tuna and Muscles. Wine was delightful and the waitress had a great attentive but not overbearing approach. Hidden in bustling Hallowell! Special occasion kind of experience. read more

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What a lovely dining experience! From start to finish every aspect of the meal, from ambiance to service to plating and presentation to flavors were pretty darn stellar and without flaw. I would describe the dishes as being light in weight (not portion size) but really dense with flavor. For example, the Bistro Salad was very lightly dressed, but the flavor of the dressing was so intense (in a good way) that the salad remained 'light' but extremely flavorful. Same was true for the Bolognese: the homemade pasta was delicate and flavorful. The sauce was not used to 'drown' the pasta. It just brought a ton of flavors that complimented, but did not overpower the pasta. What a pleasant surprise this meal was. Very eager to find a reason to return. read more

10/10 best gnocchi I've ever had. Focaccia to start was a nice touch, and the apps were fantastic as well. Tim changed the recipe to the white beans and sausage to meet my vegan dietary preference and absolutely nailed it. Excellent service as well, couldn't recommend this restaurant enough. read more

Bistro Milliard - Gnocchi prepared vegan - Italian Near Me - Hallowell, Maine

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I had the mussels, the dates, and tuna as the appetizer all was very delicious! I ordered two entrees the filet and ravioli both was the best I have ever eaten! The desserts are tremendous the pan cotta is incredible. It was so good I almost cried eating it. Highly recommend everyone try this restaurant I will be coming back a lot read more

Bistro Milliard - Best food in Augusta area - Italian Near Me - Hallowell, Maine

I kinda just want to say "me too" to Ayana's review. Very cozy, warm restaurant with great service. Everything we ordered was great - mussels, salad, short rib ragu, mushroom pasta, clam linguine, halibut, wine. Was our 2nd time there and will def be back. read more

Exactly what Hallowell needs! While other surrounding towns are getting fabulous chef-owner restaurants, this one landed with aplomb. The chef, experience from Italy to Portland, is very welcoming and delivers every dish with finesse and faster than expected for a one man show and one waitstaff for now. There are limited tables in this cozy romantic space (former Slates building) so reservations are encouraged. Outdoor patio is planned for the future. The calamari was tender and savory, braised with porcini and pecorino. Eggplant was a perfect parmesan app. And the agnolotti di funghi the best pasta (house made) dish I've had in some time. Panna cotta was very traditional. They call the apps "tapas" but really they are a half dozen appetizers of choice, slightly larger than a tapas house would deliver. So in the end the prices are typical for a joint like this (including the wine and good beer offerings). We are returning to try more! read more

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Amazing food and service. Highly recommended. Nice ambiance and great people. Try the Filet you will not be disappointed read more

Bistro Milliard is a true gem. Let me paint a picture for you ... You arrive at an inconspicuous storefront conversion amid the historic Water Street buildings in downtown Hallowell. You are greeted by a friendly hostess named Elizabeth (who will also be playing the role this evening as your server, wine steward, and overall dining room manager). You see an open kitchen on your right, run by the chef/owner of the restaurant as you enter a cozy dining room. The decor is comfortable and welcoming. Maybe a dozen tables set for various group sizes. A Persian rug covers the floor, some vintage Italian bistro posters are on the wall, a selection of country ceramic objects, a violin, and a carefully placed vintage suitcase nestled against the wall ... as if the chef just arrived from a journey by sea and went to work in the kitchen even before they had a chance to settle in. There are several furniture styles in the dining room, as if you were in someone's home. The table setting is casually set with a bud vase and utensils carefully wrapped in thick cotton napkins. The menu is simple ... several small plates/appetizers, 7 or 8 homemade pasta dishes, a fresh fish special ... and a curated list of wines by the bottle and the glass. You don't want or need a multi-page menu. You aren't at a roadside diner, you feel like you in someone's home. Our wine selections were perfect. We chose the Bistro salad (with a simple vinaigrette), the Pesto Gnocchi, and the Tagliolini with Clam Sauce. It honestly couldn't have been any better. It feels authentic. The chef/owner is doing it right ... which is all too rare to see these days in the restaurant business. It is well worth the drive from Portland, or from parts beyond. This is a true gem. You will want to keep coming back. I'd recommend calling for reservations, as they don't currently have the capability for online reservations. read more

The food was very tasty. The waitress was very sweet and prompt. However, fyi the portions are not enough to feed a mouse hiding in the kitchen. I left feeling like I just ate a pack of gummies. My bill with a tip for 2 people with nothing but water and our meals was $78. read more

Wonderful experience! The food was creative and the flavors outstanding. The beef tenderloin was probably the best I've ever tasted and cooked to perfection. Service was great and we had a nice conversation with the owner/chef. Would definitely recommend. We'll be back! read more

This was a new discovery for us. We found the restaurant on Yelp when looking for a new resto to celebrate my husband's birthday and we found this gem. We were able to make a reservation quickly for that evening, and arrived about an hour and half later. The resto is small but cozy. The ambiance/decor is italian/french bistro style. LIghting could be a little softer. The evening was quiet, probably due to it being January but still a nice quiet cozy vibe. The menu is limited (and changes at the chefs choice) which is not a bad thing, and they do have a nice wine list. Menu consists mostly of the homemade pastas with some nice appetizers. I had the mussels (very good sauce) and my husband had the charcuterie/cheese plates. For our entrees I had the filet mignon and he had one of the pasta dishes. Both were excellent, with my filet perfectly cooked and seasoned and the pasta dish was very good, and obviously the pasta was homemade from the freshness of the dish. We did not have dessert as the meal was satisfying. A very nice surprise for a night out for dinner. Will definitely go back again. Things done right: Service was friendly and prompt. Food was excellent Things for improvement: Lighting could be softer. Wine serving seemed a bit small for the cost of a glass. A nice gem discovered in the burgeoning restaurant scene in the Hallowell/Augusta area! read more

Bistro Milliard does not disappoint. Every item we ordered was delicious. We started with the tuna tartare. For our entrees we tried the filet and the halibut. For dessert we did the chocolate mousse and the panicota! Everything was cooked perfectly. We have gone several times and each visit has been great. We will definitely be back! read more

Bistro Milliard - Tuna Tartare - Italian Near Me - Hallowell, Maine

10/10 recommend! Super cute location, very cozy and pretty. Service was great! The chef was super personable and the food was amazing! Thank you for a great experience, we will definitely be back. read more

Stopped in to this cozy restaurant while visiting Augusta Maine. The service was great! The food was amazing!!! The focaccia was fresh and soft, the pesto gnocchi was tender and delicious and the market scallops were cooked to perfection. I only wish the portions were bigger for the price. read more

A real gem. Intimate (just a few tables). Been twice and both times rates among the best meals we've had since moving to Maine a year ago. Intriguing wine list. read more

What a wonderful experience. We felt as though we were in a quaint european bistro. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The server was pleasant and very knowledgeable about the wine and the menu. She made the experience so fun. The meal was stellar. I had th gnocchi with a pistachio pesto. The pasta was so light and airy and the nutty flavor of the pesto was perfect. My husband had the tagilatella in a carbonara sauce with fresh fiddleheads. The sauce was creamy without being heavy and the al dente vegetable gave the dish a little crunch. We shared the chocolate mouse with a raspberry sauce and a whipped cream topping with nuts. Yum! Plenty for two. Such a great evening. Cannot wait to return. Pam & Mike Portland read more

Unreal delicious pasta, ever-changing menu with local, seasonal produce. Everything is excellent. The prosciutto-wrapped dates are great. We had a wild boar sausage and bean appetizer that knocked my socks off. read more

Cozy atmosphere, great service and amazing food. This was easily one of my all time favorite meals. Absolutely delicious. read more

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Excellent food, service and atmosphere. Small setting. Everything was wonderful. Highly recommend.

Darling, intimate boutique-style restaurant. Three of us went last night and can honestly say we loved every bite. It's obvious that the restaurant's #1 priority is quality. The wine choices, the freshness of the ingredients and the beautiful way it is all prepared. The gnocchi was the very best I have ever had. Fluffy "pillows" that just melt in your mouth. The menu is kind of a fusion of Italian and French cuisines. Great service by Alex--very friendly and well-informed about the dishes and their preparations. We can't wait to go back. read more

Fanstastic!! My wife and I went to Bistro Milliard for the first time on our anniversary and it won't be our last. The ambiance is very nice and cozy, the service was excellent, and the food was incredible! My wife had the gnocchi...best ever! The spaghetti carbonara was delicious. We can't say enough great things about this restaurant. read more

The people who work here are the best. So thoughtful and considerate. I recently made a reservation for my son's college parents weekend way in advance. I had to modify the reservation twice because of changing family dynamics and then illness and they responded each time cheerfully and supportively. It's a small place but they never took it personally. Always just focused on taking care of the customer. No wonder this place is so highly rated. read more

Came here with my family as a walk-in and we were lucky to get a table in this adorable small chef owned restaurant. Had one of the best meals ever - and excellent wine pairing. We will be back very soon!!! read more

Went here for my 2 year wedding anniversary! It was amazing. if you're in Mine and need somewhere good to eat, GO TO BISTRO MILLIARD ! Elisabeth, was the best waitress ever ! read more

Perfect portion size, tasty ravioli and short rib ragu, and reasonable price. Excellent server, very friendly.

Yum! I had the best server-( Karen I think) -she was awesome-attentive and very friendly. Very cute space, small- but they were very accommodating to this solo diner. The food was fantastic. I had the mushroom pasta, a salad with an amazing Parmesan dressing and the mussels. I have been wanting to try this restaurant since I saw it this summer, but hadn't been back to Hallowell until today. So glad I was able to enjoy. Will be back. read more

Excellent service. Fabulous food, made by the gourmet owner. Charming decor in a cozy romantic setting. Not cheap, but worth every dime to dine here. Great for date nites! read more

Our first visit to Bistro Millard tonight, and we are crossing our fingers that it won't be our last! We have seen a lot of beloved places in the area come and go, so I hope people keep this little gem of a place going through the long Maine winter. We came with two of our teenage kids and were able to reserve a spot (recommended, as the seating is limited and they wisely try to stagger groups so as not to back the kitchen up too much). Really relaxing ambiance and superbly attentive hostess/server, Elizabeth, started things off well. We enjoyed the cheese plate, the filet, the short rib pappardelle and two orders of the lobster tagliatelle. Elizabeth was helpful with the wine selection as well. Everyone raved about the food--perfectly cooked filet that was essentially an updated, uplifted Wellington; tender, flavorful pasta as the excellent base for the other three dishes; succulent morsels of lobster complemented by the crispy zucchini; sauces that managed to be rich yet delicate...just lovely food. Portion size is small enough to keep the price point from teetering toward "I can only eat here once a year," but large enough to feel satisfied without being overstuffed. We visit Hallowell frequently, as we have a camp in Winthrop, and we are so happy to have such wonderful local businesses there and in the surrounding communities to frequent--this restaurant is a new favorite! read more