Mediocre Mills

I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Mills Tavern! When I saw that Mills was participating in Winter Restaurant Week 2011, I dubbed it date night!

We arrived and the hostess did not have our reservation, which wasn't a big deal because it was a Thursday, and not too busy at that point.  We later found out that whoever took the reservation, wrote it in their book for the next night.   (Strike One)

We were showed to our table which was next to the front window, near the bar.  The atmosphere in Mills is awesome...old, dark wood, great ambiance.

Since it was Restaurant week, we selected our choices from the Restaurant Week Menu: 

Course One

Choose One

POINT JUDITH CALAMARI

with RAS EL HANOUT,HARISSA,ARUGULA and TZATZIKI

WILD WHITE WATER MUSSELS DU JOUR 

Course Two

Choose One

RICOTTA and SPINACH STUFFED GNOCCHI

with FRESH BABY SPINACH and WILD MUSHROOMS IN A ROASTED GARLIC

and PARMESAN CREAM SAUCE

GRILLED PETITE FILET 

with BACON MARMALADE and MELTED LEEK HORSERADISH CREAM SAUCE

Course Three

Choose One

PORTUGUESE BREAD PUDDING

with MADERIA CARAMEL, CURRENTS AND CHANTILLY CREAM

BLACK MISSION FIG CREME BRULEE

with STRAWBERRY-ROSEMARY SORBET, CANDIED WALNUTS AND OATMEAL CINNAMON CRISP

As the waitress was opening our bottle of wine and telling us about the specials for the evening, I could smell the cigarette smoke on her breath, not too appetizing, to say the least (Strike two)

The appetizers were delicious, the gnocchi was delicious, however the filet was most disappointing.   It was like a little hamburger patty on a plate about an inch wider than the patty.  I asked for it to be cooked medium rare, and it was cooked medium well...boo (Strike Three).  Dessert was mediocre as well.

Overall a disappointing visit to Mills, which is unfortunate as I was so excited to dine there.    We'll see if they get another try come Restaurant Week again, as there are just too many other untapped restaurants in Rhode Island I've yet to get to! 

Mediocre Mills: C-

Capital Grille

So, as to take FULL advantage of the Winter Providence Restaurant Week, I've jammed packed my schedule with reservations at some of Providence's finest.

Today, I enjoyed a "working lunch" at the Capital Grille with some lovely ladies from the Multiple Sclerosis Organization, the March of Dimes and the Rhode Island Convention Center.  Way to network AND eat right :)

Capital Grille's lunch menu is absolutely too good to be true (lucky for me it isn't!)  I think between the 7 of us ladies, we tried all the options, except for the Roasted Half Chicken (my first choice)
because they were out.

The Grille was slammed packed, you could tell the servers were a bit "in the weeds."  It took our server a bit longer than should have to approach our table and greet us.    We were all so happy to get out of our offices, I don't think it really was a big deal that we waited a bit longer.

So for $12.95 ($17 each after tax and tip!) we dined on the following:

Course One

Choose One 

Field Greens,Spring Vegetables with Shallot Champagne Vinaigrette

Clam Chowder 

Course Two

Dry Aged Sirloin Salad with Gorgonzola Vinaigrette

The Grille’s Signature Cheeseburger with Truffle Fries

Seared Citrus Glazed Salmon

Roasted Half Chicken 

Course Three

Choose One

Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake

The Capital Grille Handcrafted Ice Cream

Chef’s Seasonal Sorbet 

While I am not a huge fan of dining at the Capital Grille for dinner, as I think it gets a bit too loud in there, dining there for Lunch was fabulous.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

Capital Grille: A

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

Mmm....Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, need I say more?!  You'll  never have a more amazing Filet Mignon than at Ruth's Chris...In an attempt to be able to dine our frequently, I often use Groupons, Restaurant.com and other various coupons or gift certificates.    During Restaurant Week, a visit to Ruth's Chris as an ABSOLUTE MUST!  

My Boyfriend's mother has always wanted to dine at Ruth's so she treated us to dinner.   :)

Course One

Choose One 

Louisiana Seafood Gumbo

Steak House Salad with House Vinaigrette 

Course Two

Choose One

Filet 

The most tender cut of corn-fed Midwestern beef 

Broiled expertly to melt-in-your-mouth 

NY Strip 

A favorite of many steak connoisseurs. This USDA Prime 

Cut has a full-bodied texture that is slightly firmer than a Ribeye 

Sizzlin’ Blue Crab Cakes 

Three Jumbo lump crab cakes served sizzling with lemon butter 

Marinated Chicken 

Broiled Chicken Breast marinated in garlic and herbs 

Your choice of one of the following personal side items:

Creamed Spinach

Garlic Mashed Potatoes 

Course Three

Duo of Berries & Cream and Chocolate Mousse Cup 

I opted for the Salad (though I tasted the gumbo and it was delish), Filet and we all shared the sides.....my Filet was melt in your mouth perfection, I am salivating at the thought of having to wait until July for it again!     My boyfriends mother said that her steak was the best steak she has ever eaten.  

Ruth's Chris  A+ (we'll be back in July!)

Posted by Missie Rose at Wednesday, January 26, 2011