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-