This was my 2nd time at Milles, and it represented a completely different experience. The first time, mid-weeek last August, was a delightful experience: a calm, immersive, and very enjoyable engagement with some exceptionally creative food, while being gently but completely attended to. Last night, a Friday night, was the polar opposite: No welcome at the door (I had to wander around until I found someone who appeared to be working there & identify myself), a dining room on the edge of being a nightclub (which it later got to), and then....it went downhill.
Here's what I had a problem with last night: the two managers (? Owners?) were far too caught up in the social aspect of managing some their guests (friends), rather than the reality of efficiently managing an extremely full dining room on a Friday night: I had to get their attention to be sat, to get menus, to take our order for drinks and then for food, to get their attention for more drinks, for the bill, and finally following them around the restaurant to give them my credit card. Often, these efforts at getting noticed were when they were a few feet away. They seemed to be overwhelmed. I had a problem with being a party of three, sat at a table for two (reservations made over a week in advance). I had a problem with the noise level: and I don't mean the guys having a piss-up next to us and being all rowdy, or the table of 20-something women next to us later, shrieking between Facebook moments, or the general hubbub - which usually means a good vibe. No, I mean the music that was blaring off and on (one of which speakers was right over our table), which bizarrely, would be turned up and down through the evening - like a party at home, when some drunk guest would crank up the stereo, only for the host to come and turn it down (the noise level got to 'Deafening'). And, I REALLY had a problem with the cigarette smoke. I have no problem with the outdoor smokers area, but there were two occasions where people were smoking indoors (we all noticed). Again, most likely because the evening was barely under control. Minor things such as my burger appearing 10 minutes after my guests' main dishes arrived (and them having to wait), or that 'medium rare' was delivered...well, raw, were problems that shouldn't happen, but anyone can have an off night. But the overall experience wasn't great, and that for SEK 4,000.
The Korean Tartare with Kimchi was, again, divine.
If you want a 'scene' with plenty of alcohol, pretty young women in packs, young bucks on the hunt for them, and a level of chaos-cum-party with some great food, go on a Friday or Sat night. Otherwise, go for lunch or midweek.
I gave it three stars for the food, and because my first time was worth four stars. Last night was a '2'. read more