One star for a lovely atmosphere. Another star for a super nice server who really did her best. Now onto the rest. Seriously, how can you have a place with NOTHING for vegetarians? Are there none in Providence? What's going on, here? I was with a group of ten people and after looking at the menu and blanching at the complete lack of veggie-friendly items, was dreading my turn to order. I told our server that I was a vegetarian, and asked for the only item that I could see modifying enough to fit my needs. "Could I please get the pizza, but without the duck or the olives?" (Eh, I don't like olives. Shoot me.) "Ok, but it's not really a traditional pizza," the server replied. "There's no sauce or cheese, so you'd just be getting a piece of flatbread." My husband suggested I order the side of mac and cheese, but we were then told that the dish is made with bacon fat. After a few minutes of this I had to settle for the cheese plate, which consisted of four slivers of cheese and six pieces of melba toast. It was lovely, but not a meal unto itself. I also ordered a side of asparagus, which was very good, but had a smoky flavor that became too much after a few bites. I left hungry. Mill's Tavern is a great restaurant, but they really need to do something about expanding their menu so there are at least a couple options for those of us who don't want to eat meat. read more

Now this is a classy joint. Walking into Mill's, you immediately feel like you've walked into a first class dining experience. The decor is perfectly traditional and classic for a very traditional American fine dining menu. Though I like that they have a price fixe $29.95 three course dinner every night except Saturdays and holidays, I do wish they did something a little extra for restaurant week. Most of us do restaurant week because we feel like we're getting something special, and then we show up and realize that we're just getting what we could have gotten the rest of the year, and minus well have saved our restaurant week meal for a different venue. That being said, the food was truly delectable. Starting at the salad, the greens were perfectly fresh and crisp, tossed in a deliciously sweet and creamy house dressing. Super classic, super classy. I also got the pork risotto which was a wonderful mix of savory and melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The rice was creamy but not too creamy, and the texture was perfectly slow cooked without a mushy or over-cooked feel. Our table tried everything from pork to salmon to striped bass--all beautifully plated and well seared. Of all the options listed, I think the salmon plate was the most refined and well texturized. It was PERFECTLY seared salmon over a bed of spinach. Absolutely divine. The desserts were also fabulous, with the creme brulee being my favorite. The one thing I will say is lacking--there were no palate cleansers or freebies, and the bread was more of the dry/flat variety rather than the crispy/fluffy variety. I think this restaurant is fabulous, but it could have been one of the best with more attention to the extras and inbetweens. read more

SO impressed with Mill's Tavern! I set out to New Rivers with a couple friends on Monday night, but they were already closed and my friend suggested we go to Mill's instead. I wasn't very keen, as the name 'Tavern' suggested greasy fish and chips and burgers, but I was pleasantly surprised by what a great dining experience I had. I went for the prix fixe dinner for $29.95. I got a salad, atlantic swordfish, and a chocolate cake as part of my 3-course meal. Each course was better than the last. I have very high standards when it comes to lava cakes and this was a winner! Also, they brought out a nice basket of bread and some freshly whipped butter for us to much on while we perused the menu, which was great because I get irrationally angry if I'm not given free bread (I know, I know!). The place itself is spacious and the service impeccable. My friends had some great pinot noir and gnocchi. They were also able to accommodate my vegan friend and make her a risotto. read more

We had a wonderful dinner at Mill's. Started with the charcuterie board and foie grais, which were both delicious. For dinner we split duck confit risotto and the Wellington, both cooked perfectly. They have a great ambiance and large menu. Great for a date, family dinner or a celebration. read more

Holy wow this was good! Been meaning to come here for years and finally decided to do a little waterfire and dinner date. They have complimentary valet parking - which was key on this waterfire saturday! Our waiter was fantastic. I'm terrible with names, but he had a great big smile with everything we ordered and was particularly helpful in choosing a few oysters to start. I do love those PEI ones. So, we started with a few oysters - awesome! - and then I had a delicious salad with poached egg and blue cheese. Really, really good. For an entree, I chose the salmon. The wife HATES the stuff, so I usually get it while the getting's good when we go out. They cooked in beautifully and I ate just about every bite. I can't report on the dessert as I had had my fill on apps and entree (and perhaps a cocktail) but would love to go back and try for the whole experience. read more

Mill's is one of the better restaurants in Providence. "So why the 3 stars Ryan?!" I will tell you why, poor showing for restaurant week. Now I understand some restaurants just want to give you a taste of what they can offer, but Mill's is advertising a entree without sides. They make you pay extra, which in my book is highway robbery in the first degree. Now Mill's did cook my fillet very well and the marmalade on the top added great flavor. The seasonal lettuce with bluberry-peach dressing was uninspiring and you could barely taste the dressing. I went with the key lime cheesecake for dessert. This cheesecake has a very strong lime taste and I agree with my GF that they should have stuck with more whipped cream rather than offer the mango sorbet. The tart of the mango didn't fit with the flavor of the lime. The ambiance of Mill's is very nice but almost taverny, not upscale like (which can be good or bad for a restaurant like Mill's). The wait staff is very kind and even when we stayed a little bit longer, it didn't feel like they were pushing us out. I want to be fair to Mill's and try them for a special occasion later but to be fair, if you are spending this much in providence, it is really hard to beat Ruth's Chris. read more

By far the best Prix Fixe menu/service/ambiance I have experienced in Rhode Island. Mill's Tavern is a lovely rustic-chic spot (high ceilings, flickering candles, an open kitchen). The first visuals that caught my eye: raw bar with decorative oyster shell motif, romantic tables in the window along No.Main, GIANT booth at the entrance looks like the perfect family table. The host took our coats and showed us to our table - magic awaits! Both my dinner date and I 100% support investment in the Prixe Fix menu (30$ for three courses of perfection proportions); my choices three: 1) Artisanal Baby Greens in Chilean Black Cherry Vinaigrette with Moody Blue Cheese and Toasted Pistachios :: perfect small salad, lightly dressed, delicious cheese. 2) Cider Braised Rabbit Stew with wood Roasted Root Vegetables :: something about rebounding from the flu makes me crave meat, so I broke free of my veggie traditions and indulged and HOLY SMOKES - - - if I could eat this stew every day of the winter I would! Savory and delights the tastebuds along with the soul. 3) Portuguese Bread Pudding with Madeira Caramel, Currants and Chantilly Cream :: ....of COURSE I chose the bread pudding! Prepared at time of order, sweet, smooth, and making my mouth water while writing this review! My "Honey Crisp Cider" martini was a little over-priced ($12), a bit sticky (honey ginger snap rim was dripping from the glass), and didn't match my palette for the evening. That being said: the cocktail list offers many temptations (Hendrick's Basil Gimlet....why didn't I choose YOU?!), and complimentary moscatto was presented upon the completion of our meal. You will be presented with H20 options, which I'm not accustomed to; FYI: if you go with sparkling water, you're ACTUALLY buying a 6$ bottle of San Pellegrino. I was a bit embarrassed to have shown up in jeans (even "nice" jeans), however we were not the only persons to have made this possible fashion faux-pas. Our server was wonderfully professional and kind and I must admit to being impressed by the table service (the man brought me my soup spoon on a platter...classay). Our evening was superb - highly recommended for delicious double daters! A tip: *reservations can be made online, *complimentary vallet parking, *....dress up for Pete's sake. read more

Amazing experience here! Came with a group of six for a work-related dinner, and the atmosphere was perfect. We arrived around 7:45pm, so it wasn't too crowded, and were seated right away. Our waitress (I think her name was Kyle?) was excellent. She recommended two great bottles of wine, and was extremely attentive to our group- especially my friend who had given her a list of her allergies. She also explained that their menu changed seasonally and that they tried to only serve the best and freshest food. We shared a few dishes to start off, the risotto was the most notable- YUM! For a main course, I had the lamb and it was perfectly seasoned and cooked. The goat cheese mashed potatoes were a little too cheesy for my taste, but that's only because I'm lactose intolerant and thought it was worth the risk ;) We wrapped up with dessert, which was equally as appetizing. Really- I wish I could've tasted some of that Maple Creme Brulee! Mill's Tavern was a great experience, and worth visiting for anyone that's "just visiting"! We were working at the convention center and staying at the Omni, and this restaurant is super close and worth the $7 Uber over there! read more

I've eaten at Mill's Tavern three times in the last few years. Each experience has been good, but not great. I think if I were writing a review of any one of the experiences I might lean towards four stars, but the overall experience has been about three. The food is good, but not mind-blowingly so. My group split Mill's special Porterhouse, which well cooked, but was covered in a mushroom sauce that wasn't memorable (our group had also asked for the three available sauces to be served on the side, which was a minor irk). We also ordered a side of mac and cheese. The table opinion was split; some folks loved it, I thought it was okay (it's easy to get mac n' cheese that tastes really rich). The cocktails were enjoyable -- I ordered a basil gimlet from the cocktail menu, and enjoyed it thoroughly. When I turned to my second drink, the few bourbons that I've found available in most restaurants (Maker's Mark, Bulleit Bourbon) weren't there. I was then offered Bulleit Rye, which I happily accepted, but was later then told that they didn't have any either. Lame. The desserts have been the high point of my trips. In my most recent visit, both the panna cotta and the bread pudding were easy table favorites. In fact, I'd probably recommend this place to folks as a drinks and dessert-type place. read more

After reading about dollar oysters in the Providence Journal, we decided to give this stuffy downtown steakhouse another try. After being told we were "just in time" for the happy hour dollar oysters, we ordered a dozen assorted. They were fine for dollar oysters - three were insufficiently washed - but when we were charged full price for them, we were told that "only one variety" were the dollar oyster special. Service was slow from the kitchen, reportedly because they had "more customers than expected." As a public service, help them keep their customer count down by staying away from this over-priced, poorly run, presumptuous place. read more

Probably more like 4.5 stars. . . Okay, I have been to Mills Tavern a few times the past couple of years and have always had a superb dinner there. And last night was basically very good, with just a couple of minor little hiccups, which made me think twice about the place a bit. We arrived right at 6:30 pm for our reservations and were seated promptly. The first hiccup was that, like my previous visits, the two-tops are tiny and very close together. As I've said in previous reviews, I understand the point, jam as many paying customers as you can into the place, but I don't have to like it. Our waiter arrived promptly and he was generally pretty attentive and professional throughout the evening. We ordered our cocktails and perused the menu, which was extensive and had several things I definitely wanted to try. Hiccup number 2: I ordered a Tanqueray 10 martini, up with olives (my standby drink). He brought a Tanqueray 10 and tonic with olives. . . when I pointed that out, he apologized and quickly switched the drinks out. Okay, mistakes happen, no biggie. For appetizers we ordered the calamari, which was quite good, and I also had the foie gras, which was FANTASTIC! Our entrees were the salmon, which my fiancee really liked, and I had the veal chop, which had a very tasty honey chipotle glaze on it. Hiccup #3: for a side we ordered the mushrooms, and we received mashed potatoes. Now, when we were placing our orders, we debated in front of the waiter whether to get the mushrooms or the mashed before finally settling on the mushrooms. Maybe he just heard mashed and went with that, or, given the previous issue with the drinks, maybe our waiter has a bit of a hearing impediment (I didn't think it was loud in the place either). Regardless, since we were considering either of the sides anyway, we decided not to make a stinky about it and stayed with the potatoes, which were pretty good anyway. For dessert, we had a white chocolate tort that was excellent. Overall, if I was just basing the review on food, I would give the place 5 stars. We were both suprised at how reasonable the check was, considering we both had a couple of drinks, two appetizers, and a dessert. As it was, the hiccups take half a star to a star away from the experience. Maybe it was just an off night for our waiter. For the food, we will go back and hope the service gets back to what we've had in the past. read more

Oh wow, shortribs, where have you been all of my life? If you are as delicious, fatty, and juicy as served at Mill's Tavern, then I will revoke my no-beef restriction, at least until next year's resolution. This 5-star review is for you. I came here on a business meeting, which, while it was all-expense paid, I didn't realize that this was rated as one of the best price-fix-establishment, and after coming here, it is very well deserved. Starting with the entrance, free valet service (tips recommended, of course), and the overall vibe is a new-age Americana feel with a private room for meetings or super formal birthday parties (one in which suits are required for blowing out candles). The service, at least our waitress was very polite and professional, something that is sorely missing in restaurants nowadays. The food, at least the price fixed menu we had was great, and very filling, but nothing was as delicious as my friend's short ribs, in which I gladly and sneakily took from her plate. The fried calamari was good, although not crazy, but well fried and tender. The duck confit pizza...meh, could have had better. The pear, glazed almond salad was decent, but also nothing too outstanding. My own haddock dish was actually quite disappointing, as most of the clams shells were actually empty and the fish was a bit flaky and tasteless. But the shortribs, oh man, if it weren't for my (lack of) dinner etiquette, I would have never experienced such beefy goodness. I would love to try the duck or rabbit, if they were to ever showcase it again. Food: 4-5 stars (5 stars for an orgasmic first time short rib experience) Price: 4 stars (price fix is cheap and filling) Ambiance: 4 stars Service: 4 stars read more

Mills Tavern is as good as it gets for the Providence dining scene. We had a fantastic experience and will certainly be back soon. We were a group of 7 people and dined on a Saturday evening at 7:30. We arrived a bit early, checked our coats and went to the bar for a cocktail - a couple of Makers Mark Old Fashioned, some glasses of wine, etc. The bartenders were pleasant, helpful and efficient. We sat shortly thereafter and enjoyed a sampling of oysters ($1.50 each) and a cheese plate ($19). The oysters were fresh, properly shucked, served with lemons, cocktail sauce and an interesting mignonette. The cheese plate included a selection of three cheeses with various accompaniments and crostini, the portion was a bit on the small side for the price tag. We followed the appetizers with a pasta course of house made gnocchi with truffle and braised veal cheek. It was spectacular, the gnocchi had a slight sear to them, the sauce rich with truffles, perfect. Next Chef Rob Harrison was kind enough to send out a small risotto course - fresh porcini mushrooms and house cured pancetta. The risotto was cooked nicely, slightly al dente and very tasty. Entrees included the surf and turf special (filet mignon, 3 fried oysters and 4 jonah crab claws). The filet was cooked a perfect medium rare, the oysters were crisp and tasty, the crab claws were a bit cold and rubbery - the dish really didn't need them. The champagne butter added a nice touch of richness to the lean meat. The stuffed rabbit saddle with cassoulet was fantastic, cooked perfectly, beautiful flavors, rustic but refined - a perfect dish for a cold December night. The signature lamb dish was also outstanding. Another in the group had the sirloin steak, cooked perfectly and served with a bit of steak sauce on the plate. We thoroughly enjoyed our sides of mac & cheese and asparagus, but we were a bit disappointed in the very undercooked brussels sprouts served with somewhat overcook fingerling potatoes. We split 2 desserts for the table: a chocolate mousse served with buttered popcorn ice cream. The ice cream was the star of the dish, so different, it was amazing. The second dessert was the best bread pudding I've ever had, ever. It was slightly seared/toasted on the outside, but was warm, creamy and moist on the inside. Not too sweet, just perfect. The wine list is fairly small and range from some bargain purchases in the $30-range to a high price Amarone at over $100. The list seems a bit schizophrenic to me with selections primarily for California and the Pacific Northwest, but also some random selections from France, Spain, New Zealand, Australia and more. We first ordered a French Pinot Noir, but were informed that they had run out. We switched to new world pinot, which was nice. Then we move to a new world cabernet franc and finally and cabernet driven left bank Bordeaux. The wines we selected were all in the $60 range. Service was very good, definitely above average - our server had great knowledge of the menu and gave just enough attention without being overbearing. All said Chef Rob and his crew at Mills are crushing it, we'll be back soon. read more

My husband and I came here for our anniversary dinner, and it did not disappoint! We had a reservation and were seated promptly. We each ordered off of the prix fixe menu (artisan greens, filet mignon, pork chop, bread pudding and sorbets) and had a few additional sides (mac and cheese and Brussels sprouts). Everything tasted fantastic! My steak was perfectly cooked, the mac and cheese was indulgent and the sprouts were crispy and served with a tasty sauce. The desserts were a perfect end to the meal - the coconut sorbet was especially delicious. Our waiter was very nice, and helped commemorate our anniversary with glasses of champagne and a card from the restaurant. As parents of a young baby, we sorely needed a date night and Mills Tavern delivered! It was the best meal I've had in a long time and we will definitely be back. read more

My GF and I celebrated New Year's Eve at Mill's Tavern in College Hill. Our entire visit - from our valet warmly greeting us at the entrance to a carousing waiter forking over kazoos and party beads just before Midnight - will endure for me as a superb, indelible experience. The ambiance is striking: Dark woods complimented by exposed brick, blown glass paneling and vaulted casement ceilings are difficult to not appreciate. The grandeur of the larger elements is accented by a myriad of well-placed details in the décor. And as one might expect thus far, I felt that the staff was exceedingly polite. Mill's Tavern serves up an impressive medley of fresh oysters from the raw bar. I also feel that the calamari is among the best I've ever enjoyed in Providence. The arrival of our entrees should have been done in concert with Handel's Messiah. She thoroughly enjoyed her cedar planked Scottish salmon with baby Brussels sprouts. It came with peppered bacon lardons that were sinfully tasty and a delicious winter squash puree. I had the Black Angus short rib which had been braised in Yacht Club cherry cola with roasted candy cane beets. It also came with French baby carrots and was slathered in tasty persimmon chutney. It was tender and tasty, with each element of the entrée working together in harmonic agreement. Mill's Tavern also featured an abundant selection of wines. And everything from service, ambiance, taste and presentation was done very well. I'm an advocate of sometimes judging a restaurant by its silverware. And yes, even the cutlery oozed good taste at Mill's Tavern. read more

My husband and I went to Mill's Tavern for our anniversary dinner this week and will go back again soon as I need to eat a little less dinner so that I can more thoroughly enjoy dessert. The autumn menu is wonderful - a must try is the chai pumpkin and squash bisque. While it is delicious, the presentation is fun, too. The bowls come to your table with the chestnuts and apple sitting in the center sans soup and the waiter pours the bisque over the fixins. The short ribs were fork tender (although I agree with a fellow Yelper that they lost some flavor along the way). My husband said it was a superb steak. Do NOT miss dessert at Mill's Tavern. The Portuguese Bread Pudding is the best I've had and the Creme brûlée is made so much better with a thick crunchy crust on top. They have a nice bar that makes me very happy that this restaurant is a half mile walk from my house. Next weekend it's a quick walk to have an after dinner drink and try another one of those desserts after the movies! read more

Mill's Tavern - A drink with peanut butter and a ganache rum is surely a "Guilty Pleasure" - Seafood Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

I can't say anything about this place except that I loved everything! Loved the atmosphere, loved te variety in the menu (seriously I think it took me, like,30 minutes to pick what I finally wanted to try). Actually I'm pretty sure I picked everyone's meal so that I could taste everything! Out waiter was amazing, knew so much about the food and was clearly passionate about the restaurant, the food, and making sure we were 100% satisfied. Everything is good (trust me, I tasted 7 different meals and all the desserts. read more

Tavern Menu for 29.99!! That is 3 truly restaurant quality plates for 30 dollars. I had the lamb shoulder risotto to start, delicious! Very rich, who thought green peas with risotto could be so classy. My main course of scallops was also great, they were paired with an interesting grain and they tasted sooo fresh. The desserts were all scrumptious (warm chocolate cake, sorbets and panna cotta) At the end of it all we got complementary Moscato to finish our meal. All in all I felt that i had a 65 dollar meal for 30$ I live in NYC and if this place was open there, there would be lines around the block for this menu. It's just great value for great food. The only reason i'm not giving Mill's Tavern 5 stars is because the service was incredibly slow. It took 2 hours to get through our 3 plates. Part of it because our server seemed overworked and I think he put in our orders sometime after actually getting them from us and then forgot what we ordered for dessert so had to put that order in (and then we got to wait for dessert, grr) I still recommend Mill's tavern. It's a classy place with great food at an unbeatable price, perhaps when you go you won't have the same issues with service. I'll be back. read more

My dinner here was a mix of wtfs and positives that stacked up to an overall ok experience. Positives: DECOR!! I could stare at that gorgeous bar all day. Dear God. Definitely start out with a drink or two there. Menu was very nice. I had oysters, foie gras, and a gnocchi entree. They were all tasty. I'm not raving, but they were tasty. Service was above average, but I wouldn't say I was impressed. Complimentary valet. In the frigid January cold? Score!! Wtfs: The maître d'. I almost couldn't hold my laughter back. I mean, was this guy for real?!? He had this snooty fake accent thing going on and was using all kinds of out-dated vocab. Come on! I know this is supposed to be an important restaurant in the RI scene, but that was just ridiculous. ESPECIALLY when contrasted with our waiter, whom I overheard at another table pronounce the "T" in the grape varietal Petit Verdot. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. That's one of 5 grapes in the freaking world renowned Bordeaux blend! If you don't even know how to pronounce it, why are you serving at a restaurant of such supposed caliber??! Those 2 extremes were a definite discrepancy. I think I'll have to give Mill's another try to see what I really think, but I won't be rushing back by any means. VerDOT my you-know-what. read more

Been going there for years never disappointed before but this past time not so great especially for the price. I am hoping this just happened to be an off night. Also not impressed by the winter menu choices. read more

We braved the Valentine's Day snow storm and I am so glad we did. I had early enough reservations that we left just before the roads we impassable. Our waitress was excellent; attentive, informative but not over-bearing. Really delightful. We were sat by the kitchen so we were able to take a peek at all the items coming out which made our decisions much more difficult. We started with a drinks: my date had a specialty cocktail and I had a Bucket Brewery IPA ($22 but it was a mini growler so 4 beers worth. Completely worth it.) There was a bread basket with a variety of different slices and fresh whipped butter. Appetizers: 1/2 order of the Goose Risotto: amazing! and thank god we got the 1/2 order. it was huge! Grand Seafood Platter: oyster, jumbo shrimp, little necks, pickles, smoked bluefish and a variety of topping sauces. Grand definitely described this wonderful piece of art. Meals: Sweet Potato Gnocchi w/ Rabbit: This is what my date ordered. I was a little jealous...it was absolutely killer! I think they sneak some bacon in there, too. Braised Boneless Short Rib: Apparently this is what they are known for....and I totally understand why. You get a brick of beef that just spreads like warm butter as you take your fork or knife to it. I've never seen a piece of beef literally melt on a plate the way this thing did. Brings a tear to my eye. Bacon Mac & Cheese: We couldn't resist ordering this. We kept seeing orders go by and had to get it. Just like the rest of the meal...outstanding. Dessert: We split a special of the night. Not really sure what it was but it tasted like the outside of a Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake bar. Yup. That good. Cappuccino: Served with a wonderful froth and rock candy to stir Seriously one of the best Cappuccinos I've ever had (only bested by the ones I had in Rome) In all, all that food and drink were not nearly as expensive as I was expecting. The portions were also larger than I thought they would be. The restaurant itself is beautiful and warm. We will definitely be returning. read more

From the moment I walked in I could tell my night was going to be phenomenal. I was greeted by the lovely hostess and manager who brought my friend and I over to a beautiful table in the front of the restaurant. Our server, Lynne, was absolutely incredible. We asked her suggestion for a bottle of Pinot noir, and she recommend a bottle from Oregon. She went in detail about how Oregon was perfect for growing the grapes for Pinot Noirs. The bottle was perfect! Every suggestion she made was on point. Impeccable service! The atmosphere was lovely. The manager, Kate, came over to check how we were enjoying our dinner and was just delightful. Highest of praises to the amazing back of house who made hands down the most delicious filet I have ever eaten. From appetizer to entree, and dessert the best meal I have ever enjoyed! Truly a culinary experience dining at Mill's Tavern!! If you are looking to treat yourself I highly recommend Mills Tavern, you will not be disappointed!! read more

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Recently came here for a medium (10-15 people) work dinner. We were seated in the nice private room to the side. I might be old, but I remember this place being part of the elite providence dining scene, and unfortunately I think like so many others it has just grown tired. The service was good but a bit pushy--they tried to steer us to order more expensive wine and apps. As for the food, the disappointment was they were out of 3-4 menu items including all but 1 fish, which left the non-carnivores wanting. I actually had duck the night before but was prettymuch forced into it due to things that were not available. I have to say it was cooked well but nothing like the still river version of the night before. All in all the meal was a +/-. I have heard rumors that all the energy has gone into red stripe and I dont think ill be back at mills soon. read more

So, this wasn't our first trip to this rodeo and it won't be our last. This was our fourth dining experience at Mill's. We started out with the Braised Littlenecks and the Salt and Pepper Calamari. The Littlenecks were amazing! The lager broth featured Chorizo, tomato and sweet onion. Three of us split it and were very satisfied. HINT: Ask for extra bread, you'll want to sop up the broth. As for the Calamari, it was just kinda boring. The lack of seasoning was apparent and after having the amazing Littlenecks, we were sort of let down. For our entrees we chose the Short Ribs (OMG - amazing!), the Maple and Miso Salmon (again - amazing!) and a seasonal fish dish. The spice pairings for all three entrees were spot on. The chef really brings out the best of the main protein. I highly recommend the Short Ribs, so moist and tender, the portion is incredibly generous. The staff is amazing and have a good knowledge of wine. We had cocktails first and then switched over to wine for dinner. Our server was able to recommend a wonderful Barbaresco from Italy that we absolutely loved. It stood up to the Short Ribs and didn't over power the fish dishes. My one complaint, and I think it's an important thing to know, is that the bar area is extremely loud for happy hour. We requested a window table and it happened to be very near the bar. If you don't mind people yelling then sitting by the bar is fine. Some people get very loud when they drink, and that is fine in a full on bar setting, but while people are trying to enjoy dinner and have conversation, its completely annoying. We will certainly go back, but we will shy away from any table near the bar. read more

My friends and I had a fantastic dining experience here recently. First off, service is excellent. Our waiter was attentive, friendly, and quick to make useful recommendations-he actually listened to what we wanted instead of pushing his own favourites at us. He even helped us choose a bottle of shiraz that hit the spot. I was pleased that they had an extensive wine selection, despite not being an Italian restaurant (seriously, you'd be surprised). None of us were really in the mood for appetisers, so we went straight for entrees. I got the apricot-braised rabbit with spaetzle-an American fusion throwback to my semester spent bounding around Eastern Europe. The dish provided a medley of flavours (there was some bacon and cabbage in there as well), and they all complimented each other very well. However, the dish that stole the show was my friend's short rib. Ohhh boy, it was succulent, delicious, and just screaming for you to eat all of it all the time. One of my friends is vegetarian, and despite them not having vegetarian options on their menu they accommodated her with a vegetable gnocchi that she said wasn't too shabby. We also ordered a side of grilled asparagus, which had this lovely, mild smokey tinge to its flavour. Our pally waiter surprised us at dessert-time with a round of South African dessert moscato for everyone. Sweet and unexpected! Stuffed from our entrees, we ordered their chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream to share across the table. This cake was right up there in terms of lava cake-like desserts-warm, moist, and perfectly chocolatey. It was the ideal way to cap off a fulfilling dining experience. If you're on the lookout for a fancy dinner spot where you can linger over each course with a couple of drinks in tow, Mill's Tavern would be a wise choice. read more

Called ahead to see if they would let us do happy hour with kids. Was told they could, but would have to put us in a booth. When we arrived the male host whom I had confirmed everything with on the phone stated "let me check something" & walked away leaving us awkwardly standing at the entrance. After about 5 minutes he came back & confirmed again he would have to put us in a booth for happy hour since we had children with us. When we sat down the waitress told us since we weren't at the bar we couldn't do happy hour. We didn't want to waste her time so after we ordering some beers, calamari & full priced oysters we requested the bill. This request seemed to upset her as she angrily took away our dishes. Would not recommend this restaurant due to the service read more

Enjoyed the company of my sister for our Christmas celebration. The service was amazing. The food beyond mediocre. The calamari was tough and over cooked, the salmon again over cooked and served with cold vegetables and a foam. Ok what is the point of foam? This added nothing to the dish. The food highlight of the evening was the bread pudding. Considering the price point I would have expected much more from Mills. This will most likely be my last time dining at Mills as there are so many other wonderful options in Providence read more

This has been a favorite spot of mine for years as their food and service are always consistent! If you're looking to dine on a tight budget then this is not the place for you. However if you're not shy about spending money for dinner and you're looking for consistent and well prepared meals then this is the place for you! Also, the staff are very professional and in my opinion, that enhances the the atmosphere of the dining experience. The service is exceptional, the food is always well prepared, the staff are knowledgable and professional, and they have a pretty decent wine list. A must for any self professed foodie to try! read more

I've driven by Mills Tavern many times, thoroughly annoyed by the traffic jam caused by their valet service, and honestly it was never really a interest of mine to eat here. Then restaurant week happens. The service here is impeccable - a well oiled machine, from the hostess to the servers and bus people. I was in awe. Everyone was attentive, responsive and aware. Possibly the best service I've had stateside. I had the prix fixe menu of calamari, filet and valrohna chocolate cake. Calamari was simple, but cooked to perfection. Filet was cooked perfectly and delicious, although maybe a little underseasoned (I'm not a super taster - highly subtle flavour profiles get lost on me). The chocolate cake was AWESOME. My co-conspirator had the lamb risotto and Portuguese bread pudding. I tasted both - they were phenomenal! I loved eating here. I cant wait to go back! read more

The food is excellent. The welcome is extremely professional (details details details ... even down to making sure the napkin on your lap matches the color of your pants). It's warm, cozy, woody and the bar is stocked with every possible wine you would want to order. On the flip side ... if you're a vegetarian ... good luck with this one. If you eat fish, you get 2 choices : the salmon or the mahi-mahi. That's about it. Otherwise, expect to see delicious plates such as the rack of lamb -- a local favorite -- or every possible steak cut out there. My meal partners loved the pork, the mussels, and the side of mushrooms were to die for. If you don't eat meat or fish, I suggest walking down the street to another place that gives veggies an alternative. Result of the evening : I had a nice buzz on an empty stomach. There are worse things in life :) read more

I recommend dining here. The restaurant is really about as good as it gets, from the service, to the ambiance, to the quality of the ingredients, and ultimately the food itself. It's a comfortable restaurant in the sense that while everything is of the highest quality, there's not an air of pretentiousness here. Some places make you feel like they're doing you a favor by deigning to serve you. Not Mill's Tavern. From a welcoming greeting, to friendly waitstaff that offer knowledgeable suggestions about the menu, everyone we interacted with was professional and genuinely nice. The menu ranges from seafood to steak, with a fairly traditional approach to the offerings. You won't find experimental cuisine here, just solid, high quality dishes. They have a Tavern Board, which is an appetizer of several house made pates, meats, and accompaniments that is a must have if you like this kind of starter. Generous portions too, which is always a pleasant surprise. I think they offer one of the best steaks in the city. Steaks here are wood-grilled, cooked perfectly, and as with everything else just the highest quality. Sides are a la carte, and again very generous. Do not forgo the mashed potatoes! The have a substantial wine list, with plenty of reasonably priced options to suit anyone's taste. I suggest leaving room somehow for dessert, as I haven't had a single choice that wasn't superb. Overall, great place. Don't hesitate to go, and when you do, go hungry! read more

So what is there not to love about Mills tavern best seafood, best lobster Mac and cheese, best clams,best steak, best everything!!!! I absolutely adore this place keep up the fantastic work. my hat tips to the chef. And to the wait staff and everyone that works see out there absolutely fabulous read more

Oh my gosh. This place was just awesome, and the waiter was equally so. While traveling for work, we met up with a "old" coworker for dinner and there was going to be loud laughter, and so they put us in a great round booth in the corner. So kudos for that alone. But the food was really just great. We had calamari & little neck clams to start. Both were unique, and just plain good. For dinner, I had the swordfish with a coconut mole sauce. Amazing! The guys had cioppino, a wagyu steak (seriously melt in your mouth steaky goodness), and a kansas city tomahawk steak. Really awesome! read more

The squash soup was fantastic, the baby green salad good but too much lemon, the salmon and asparagus way too smoky-smelling, the filet mignon blander than bland though cooked perfectly, the 2 fingerling potatoes buried beneath chunks of fatty bacon looked like they were picked up off the floor, and my cappuccino was lukewarm. Oh, and the hostess didn't smile and held her nose a bit too high. (I don't care how nice your restaurant is, be welcoming and smile. Especially at people who are being very friendly and smiling at you!). The highlights: the server was wonderful and my warm chocolate "cake" was delicious (oozing warm melted chocolate from center). What made the evening less than stellar: Another waiter added a glass of wine to our bill. Thankfully I looked at it - otherwise I would have paid $55 for $38 worth of wine. read more

Normally, Mill's Tavern would be either a place my BF and I would either not eat at due to high prices or save for a super special occasion due to the high prices. However, Providence's restaurant week's special offering drew us in. This place is classy, the decor subtle. If someone can dine here regularly, they might have money to burn. That being said, the place is by no means pretentious. Nice lighting, an extensive and tasteful wine list, and thoughtful menu. Depending on where a customer is seated, there is a fine view of food coming out of the kitchen, which is cool. We both had the $30, 3-course Rest Week menu which included Apps, Entrees and dessert. All were lovely. We both really enjoyed the ciopoino, a seafood stew which apparently originates from San Francisco Italian-Americans. The better dessert was a sorbet tasting, which consisted of seasonal fruit flavors. I am not a dessert person and loved the full flavor. Service was polite, careful and professional. read more

Mills Tavern remains one of my Providence go-to restaurants. I consistently visit for the Happy Hour raw bar specials (every day (Monday to Saturday 5pm to 8pm; Sunday 4m to 7pm.) Oysters, clams, and shrimp are just $1 each. Sit at the classic wood bar with white-napkin service and have a unique cocktail or some really great white wine. Today, the enthusiastic and knowledgeable young Beverage Manager Tom Hughes suggested a perfect dry white wine to pair with my seafood: Chateau de la Ragotiere, Selection Vieilles Vignes, Muscadet, Sevre et Maine, France. 2016. Superb! Feeling a tad like Boss Tweed (for you older folks who may know the reference), I consumed six oysters on the half-shell, six clams and six peeled 16/20 shrimp. I finished with a Caesar salad. A perfect low-carb light meal. Tom also told me that he creates all of the bar's unique cocktails. NOTE: The bartenders here will always offer patrons a taste of any of their wines before you decide. Very classy! read more

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My husband and I had been here one other time a number of years ago. More recently we moved to Providence and decided to celebrate his birthday there since we had a great experience before. Everything - with the exception of our experience at the bar - was AMAZING! Firstly - We could barely get the bartender's attention to see if there were people sitting where there were a couple drinks half gone. He kindly invited us to sit, but then left us sitting there without saying anything else, or without giving us a drink menu for maybe six or seven minutes. Not even a "Hey, I'll be right with you." I felt kinda of shunned after a few minues, but thought maybe he was just busy. As soon as another couple came and sat down at the bar though, he immediately (IMMEDIATELY!) greeted them and brought them a drink menu. My husband and I were really confused, and it made us feel like 2nd class citizens. We got right up and asked for our table. After we told the hostess about what happened, she and our servers totally took care of us. Totally. We sat at a cushy corner table, and they allowed us to order the Happy-Hour Oysters, which are typically only available at the bar. The oysters were great, as was the salad, the salmon and the gnocchi dishes we had. The portions, we thought, were amazingly generous for a fine dining type of restaurant. Our server also acknowledged (and witnessed) our issue at the bar, too, and it was nice not to feel awkward about it. Other than the bar thing - the whole experience (including the FOOD!) was absolutely FANTASTIC!! read more

I can't even count the number the times I've frequented the bar for their Happy Hour raw bar deal (used to be $1 oysters now it's currently priced @ $1.50 oysters, $1.25 necks, $1 shrimp, which is still decent). I highly recommend the short rib and duck entrees (I agonize when I have to choose, and end up nibbling on my dinner partner's entrees anyway). There is also a special little room you can book for a private party if you ask. The vibe here is more business friendly/special occasion, but honestly, I've shown up in jeans and have never been snobbed by staff. Worth a visit, free valet parking is a bonus. read more

I'm sorry to say but my steak SUCKED. With a dining room with no more than 20 diners during this covid season there is ZERO excuse for the tempature of a steak to be wrong. Despite the extreme overcooking ( mid rare ordered and well presented) the horseradish sauce drizzled on the plate felt like a cheap 80's restaurant and tasted more like mayo then horseradish. Served stale rolls from the day before to start then nice fresh hot ones next, confirming our theory. Also strange , a lemon was garnished on the steak plate. Any modern chef will tell You a lemon should only make an appearance to tendorize a cheap piece of steam. Is continental cusine back in fad? Old and outdated plating. The steak was also over seasoned. I hate to see what my sodium levels will be in the morning. This poor steak was used and abused before reaching the table . Asparagus, mushy and overcooked. I was so tempted to order the tomkhawk and so glad I didn't. I think this place has it's taste in its own mouth . Take your cheap placards annotating someone's special occasion and throw them in the trash . Save the money on them to invest in a better chef. Christ, the outback cooks steak to tempature. AVOID. We tried to support you but you failed. And failed hard. Only plus.... was the waitress .....so we left a good tip for her and only her. Dined June 4 2020 table for two by the window . read more

Had an amazing time at Mill's Tavern. Our server Naomi made it a truly special experience by being knowledgeable about all the food items and wines on the menu, while also being incredibly entertaining! Everything that was brought out was cooked perfectly. The Pork chop and mussels were picked clean, and the dessert was heavenly. One of my favorite dining experiences in Providence! read more