NEW RESTAURANT IN SIMSBURY - MILLWRIGHT'S RESTORES FAITH IN FARMINGTON VALLEY DINING Last night, I went to dinner at The Millwright's Restaurant, just opened in Simsbury. Here are some observations. We are remarkably lucky to have a restaurant like this in town. Overnight, we have gone from zero good restaurants in Simsbury, to now having one of the most creative, delicious and interesting restaurant in New England. The Food. I went with a group for the soft opening and we ordered the entire menu. There is nothing that I wouldn't get again. So many highlights that it's hard to make a recommendation - but the lobster corn chowder, the ratattouille, the foie gras, the scallops, the filet, the pork tenderloin (served with a much appreciated little pork belly/yum), the giant scallops, all were some of the dishes that I woke up craving again. Chef Tyler and his crew have created a very creative celebration of New England cuisine that is nothing short of complex and delightful. The textures and flavors are very well thought out clever and I would suspect that they are only going to get better and better . The biggest issue I have is going to be making a decision next time - so many great options, I simply want them all...and this is coming from a very harsh critic for those of you who know me... The ambiance. So, this is a restored 17th century mill. The design style is extrordinary. Wait until you look out the giant windows and see the gorgeous giant waterfall and pond in your face just a few feet away. The kitchen which is very visible is also very serious...I have never seen this caliber of kitchen and it's a testament to the food they are making in there. Beyond impressive - make sure you take a peek, it's certainly fun to look at! The staff. You can tell that service is very serious here. Over the course of the evening, I saw many meetings with the wait staff..Based on this early observation, I suspect that as this restaurant matures, they are going to emphasise education and knowledge...there is clearly alot to learn when you provide this kind of culinary experience in this kind of atmosphere - and they are on the right track with staff selection and training...but this will need to remain a priority if the staff is meant to reinforce the specialness of this restaurant. That's about it - I can't wait for the pub to open. I've never really had a loyalty to any one restaurant...but now I'm going to be hard pressed to go anywhere else. Thank you Tyler and good luck! read more

We have eaten once before here and really loved it, but the experience I'm writing about is from a holiday dinner we attended a week ago for my husband's management team. Absolutely outstanding in every way. We had the private room upstairs, which is beautiful and equipped with a full bar area (really a permanent full kitchen - bar, ovens, sinks, etc.). The appetizers being passed around immediately by the staff were amazing and every time you turned around there was another tray being passed around. The meatballs were delicious; the bacon-wrapped sausage-stuffed dates were memorable, and I loved the spoonfuls of beets with the pesto cream stuff (and then the spoons were whisked away so you weren't left holding the spoon). The choices of food were really incredible for a private party. I had the tuna, and my husband had the shortribs. Everyone seated at the table was raving about how delicious the food was. The desserts were excellent. Our party chose some really excellent high end wines, and there was a lot of input from the manager about those choices, but only at an invitation. He was INCREDIBLY helpful and very involved the entire evening. It was a really, really enjoyable and memorable event, and the management and staff were absolutely impeccable. I can't recommend the place highly enough. We will definitely return. read more

We went to Millwrights with friends, so had an indoor table for 6 reserved. It was in the back of the dining room in a corner. There is a beautiful view of the waterfall and garden, but not for us. The menu had something for everyone, fish, beef, pork and vegetarian. I ordered a bottle of wine for the table, tuna tartar for appetizer and pork chop for dinner. I cannot say enough about how perfectly seasoned and cooked my pork chop was. The others ordered chicken, scallops and steelhead trout. Everyone was happy. However, our service was very uneven. The wine was forgotten and our To-go dessert was also almost forgotten. Had to remind our waiter. That was a bit disappointing. We expected maybe a happy birthday wish from someone, as we were clear it was my birthday when making the reservation. Not a word was said about this. I still recommend this restaurant because the meals were so delicious. read more

Oh. my. word. I won't write a novel about this place but it deserves one. I was really disappointed when the chef from Pip's at the Copper Beech Inn decided to move his delicious food somewhere that happens to be an hour and a half away from me. However, seeing as I'm pretty dedicated to food (read: crazy) I decided to go one night and try the tasting menu. IT. WAS. INCREDIBLE. I'm not going to bore you with details but the scallop dish was probably one of the best things I've ever eaten. Period. If this place was in NYC there would be michelin stars in its future, no joke. Definitely a can't miss restaurant if you like delicious food, interesting drinks and friendly service. read more

While I have been to Millwright's many times, this review is for a private function (rehearsal dinner) we held at Millwright's. First off, I would without a doubt hold an event at Millwright's again. The attention to detail, the service, the excellent communication was beyond exceptional. From the moment, we contacted the team, the were ready, willing, and able. Our main point person was Jeff, who was a pleasure to work with. He was there the day of and made it such a relaxing and beautiful evening. We held out rehearsal dinner in the Loft, which has a comfortable, historic feel with the exposed wood ceiling and an amazing view of the water. The food and drink was perfect - the bar was well staffed and responsive to all requests. And dinner - what can I say? It was amazing as expected without any hiccups - steaks were cooked to perfection, chicken was delicious, and the vegetarian options were delectable. But, truly, this event would not have been possible if not for Jeff. He was kind, honest, entertaining, and a wonderful host. I hope I can work with him again in the future to plan another event! Thank you to the whole team at Millwright's! read more

Arguably the best restaurant in the Hartford area. There is attention to detail in each dish served. They're cornbread biscuits alone, which are a laminated biscuit, are phenomenal. This restaurant is the perfect place for any special occasion. read more

The food can be a hit or miss. It's either very good or "what the bleep is this" type of thing. My 2nd experience really turned me off. It was my third time at the tavern and I ordered "Fried Chicken". There were multiple servers and service seemed slow. The chicken came out a tad bit cool. It's not what's expected of a qualitative fried chicken. I was also confused because it was of a roulette style and had a light coating of bread crumbs on the outside. I wish there was a bit more of a description in the menu. I could have asked but I thought that ordering fried chicken seemed like a straight forward bet. Also, $9 beer on tap? I consider Lagunitas to be good beer, but when it's only the ordinary IPA on tap that can be purchased for $9 for a six-pack then I have to question the prices a little bit. I can understand if it was a rare variety of Lagunitas. Sorry, I can't say I'll be paying good money out of my pocket to come back. Just not worth it. read more

As good as it gets in CT. I've dined at Millwrights now three times--twice in the dining room and once in the tavern. Top-flight kitchen with top-flight management. On par with many one-michelin-starred restaurants in the city. Definitely let Brent, the sommelier/maitre d', recommend some wines and take care of you. My recommendations - Main Dining Room: Salmon rillete, tuna tartare, foie gras, chowder, duck, swordfish and skate. For dessert, the semifreddo and cheesecake are excellent as well. Tavern: Burger, poutine and lamb meatballs do not disappoint. So glad that there's a restaurant of this caliber in the immediate vicinity. Keep up the excellent work! read more

Had a great anniversary dinner. We both had the meal sampler, a few smaller portions of multiple selections. All were great, my fav's were the tuna tartar and the trout. Drinks were great too. Special shout out to our server Brian. read more

We went last year, and had a very enjoyable evening and great meals...my wife was a little disappointed by the prices and the small portions, but it's a great venue and we will go back again! read more

There for the first time; atmosphere is elegant with dark wood, floor to ceiling windows overlooking the falls waterscape. Menu, bit quirky to me, but in results, the food was outstanding. Wonderful classics with a twist: clam chowder that isn't; exquisite mushroom fettuccine that again isn't. The place is a dining adventure. Waiting staff very attentive. Couldn't be more pleased with the experience. Definitely will return. read more

My boyfriend surprised me with a reservation at Millwright's for my birthday last week. It was our first time dining there, and what a magical evening it turned out to be! We decided to go all out and try the 7-course tasting menu. So glad we did, because it truly was like a "tour" of their regular menu (as advertised). This isn't always the case at other restaurants: many times, tasting menus offer an entirely separate selection of dishes than the regular menu. I fell in love with the BBQ carrots. Who would have thought that a carrot could taste this divine? My boyfriend was not a fan of the accompanying zucchini and yogurt vinaigrette, so I gladly gobbled up his portion. The foie gras "snow" was intriguing and well thought out: the texture was smooth as butter, contrasting with the crunch of granola, and an unexpected hit of sweet, blueberry flavor. The highlight of the evening was the tapioca custard. The waiter hyped this dish up by saying "this is the best thing you'll ever eat". Which is exactly what we repeated after taking our first bite haha. We were hit with a blast of bacon-y goodness, and the tapioca pearls were bursting with intense chowder flavor. That's the best way I can explain it. So. Much. Flavor. Please be warned, though, that if you hate the texture of tapioca or custard, you most likely won't love this dish as much as we did. Suffice it to say that Millwright's has set Connecticut's culinary bar high, and we will be back for sure! read more

Truly Heaven on Earth! Chef Tyler Anderson and staff know their craft. The customer service is unparalleled and you are treated like absolute royalty! Everyone has a natural smile on their face (unlike those forced smiles you see from time to time), and genuinely want to serve you. The food speaks for itself, but if you are undecided on what you would like, the waiters and waitresses can describe the menu to a T. If you want true, fresh, local (most come from the chef's own farm, and other local venues), classic New England inspired food, there is no better place on Earth! Your taste buds will hug you all night. I would give this place 100 stars if Yelp allowed it! This is my favorite place on Earth! read more

Ate at Millwrights last night and I have to say it's in the top 5 meals of my life! Had the chef's tasting menu with the wine pairing and each of the eight courses were executed beautifully. Appealing to the eye and the palate both. Definitely worth the money. We sat in the main dining area which was gorgeous; fresh flower arrangements and rustic decor. The atmosphere is not ultra formal and quite comfortable. We generally prefer a more casual/bus. casual fine dining experience, without the need for jackets or tie, and we got it here. Finally, the service is exceptional. From the hostess to the waitstaff and bus staff, Millwrights employs a talented crew and their service shines. read more

Been here twice now and happy both times. Good quality was great and definitely tasty. Prices are a bit high but not a rip off. Would recommend to anyone looking for a special dinner read more

Something I've been wanting to do is update and give these guys 5 stars. After a stellar multi coarse tasting menu with some excellent wine and company in a private room, I have no choice but to give this high rating. If anyone has yet to try them, what are you waiting for?! read more

Millwright's - New American Near Me - Simsbury, Connecticut

So I will start off by saying this was an amazing experience. My boyfriend and I dined in the downstairs tavern on Saturday night which offers both the dining room menu and the tavern menu. I would have made reservations for the dining room but calling Friday morning was too late to squeeze in at a normal dinner spot. Downstairs was very nice, almost preferred how cozy and not open it was compared to the dining room. BUT TO THE FOOD. After reading reviews about the tasting menu, my boyfriend and I decided to give it a try. We were here for his birthday so we decided to tack on the wine pairings also. Everything was phenomenal. The menu changes very often so I feel it would defeat the purpose to list everything we had, but I will say The crab stuffed quail and the swordfish were some of the best I've ever had. The wine pairings were perfect. The whole meal was well worth the money. I highly recommend the tasting menu. And although we talked to our waiter a lot, neither of us caught his name. But nice, bearded, waiter, twice removed cousin of the bartender, you were the best. :) read more

Amazing service and made the night special for our anniversary. Staff was extremely on point and great at helping making recommendations for food or drink options. read more

Hi Vanessa W., I appreciate your response. I just wanted to clarify a couple things. I received an email confirming my Valentine's Day reservation for two at 2:37PM on February 13, 2019, so I didn't make the reservation in the evening. Secondly, I didn't speak with you or anyone from your establish regarding my reservation that day. As I said in my earlier post, the first time I spoke to someone from your restaurant was the afternoon of Valentines Day. I had made multiple attempts to reach someone the morning of Valentines Day to inquire about seating, but no one picked up. When I did finally reach someone I was told by the person who answered that they were just about to call me to cancel my reservation due to the glitch in their website that accidentally accepted my reservation. Discussions of any accommodations for 2/13/19 never happened because we never spoke till 2/14/19. Also, as I recall, our conversation was brief and the primary focus was the rep. explaining to me about how far people book in advance for Valentines Day at your establish, as I asked if there was anything that could be done to honor my reservation. Concrete alternative dates and times I do not believe were discussed. It is possible that dates after Valentines Day might have been mentioned and I missed it since my primary focus shifted to trying to figure out new, day of, dinner plans. I think what I don't really like about your response is the feeling I get that you're trying to imply that my reservation being cancelled was some how my fault which is inaccurate since It had absolutely nothing to do with me. I made a reservation through your website for Valentines Day dinner and it was confirmed. Then on Valentines Day you guys cancelled it which was a huge inconvenience to me but I took it in stride. How booked your restaurant was and how far out people book really isn't any of my business. Now glitches happen in every industry and that's a part of life. I was on the receiving end this time and though inconvenient, it wasn't the end of the world. The only reason I brought this to your attention is that it is customary for a higher end establishment to really have great customer service. So for such a huge goof up to happen, I expected management to be ultra apologetic and also offer some type of compensation to attempt to make things right. Perhaps a manager follows up and offering my wife and I a complimentary drink or dinner or something for the inconvenience. That never happened, so I wanted to make you aware of that. read more

Wow. That should sum it all up, but I feel a particular obligation to elaborate... My wife and I live in Manhattan, but my family is here in Simsbury. When we are in town we hit up the usuals--Abigail's, Plan B, First & Last, Da Capo, etc. and all are great, but being spoiled by the culinary exploits of a major city, we are always on the prowl for something different--something amazing whenever we travel outside the confines of NYC. And that's when we finally made a reservation at Millwrights for our celebratory dinner (birthday and a pregnancy). I'm a food & architectural photographer, so it was Millwrights' website that first captured our imaginations, however having driven by this place for months, we always knew we would have to one day make the journey by past the waterfall and through those doors regardless of how the website looked or what the reviews had to say. And... we are so glad we did. The service was sharp, personable and genuine. We were greeted kindly by the host, head of operations, server and manager and even the tiniest details that passed through our brief phone reservation yesterday clearly made their way to all staff members prior to our arrival (i.e. table preference, first timers, birthdays, etc.). That's where the dining experience truly took off--when it became personal. Even though our table might have been the only one in the house without a view of the waterfall, the atmosphere was gorgeous and perfectly fit for the dishes that came and went through it, which of course leads me to the food... Every dish we ordered was spot-on. From the chicken to the swordfish to the dumplings all the way to the beef tartare, each was plated beautifully, seasoned to perfection and perfectly balanced. They satisfied every sense imaginable. The portions were not overbearing nor did they leave us wanting any more than we should experience, as they give you just enough to make you dream about coming back. The wine and beer list was diverse while the deserts were creative enough to be inventive, but true enough to the very dishes they were designed to resemble. Overall, Millwrights is on the expensive side, but for the food you get to enjoy, the service you'll be happy to experience and the atmosphere rivaled by none in the area, this restaurant should be on everyone's radar! WE WILL BE COMING BACK! Thank you Millwrights! Aaron read more

Much has already been said for the food and service; it's excellent. The attention to detail, farm-to-table desirability, and location in one of Simsbury's most picturesque spots make this a great choice for a special night out, emphasis on special. It is on the pricier side with apps & starters that aren't truly meant for sharing, entrees in the $24-36 range, and portion sizes requiring at least one of their "from the mill" or "from the farm" sides. However, the overall dining experience that they have created may make it worthwhile. The Maitre D' has worked at a few notable restaurants in and out of the US (as he told us during a tour of what seems to be a promising tavern downstairs with hopefully a more casual feel & price point) has hit the mark with a combination of a rustic ambiance and fine cuisine. Once the dust settles and the newness subsides, I am keeping my fingers crossed that the impeccable service and mouth watering delights will remain the same. read more

Best good in Simsbury! Beautiful place and amazing menu. We love to sit in the downstairs bar and over look the waterfall.

The food is the best you'll find anywhere in Simsbury. We love the tavern menu. I had the short rib melt that literally melted in my mouth with the soft Japanese milk bread. You can tell they put a lot of love into their food. I appreciated getting a call the day before to confirm and check for allergies and special occasions. Shows they are committed to customer care and also respect their staff's time. I did take 1 star off for the biscuit situation. So we asked to order the 4 Johnny Cake biscuits (a must try). The server mentioned that you get two complimentary as the bread option and asked if we still wanted to order the 4. We said yes, thinking we would get 6 since they offer 2 anyway. We only got the 4 we paid for. We were looking forward to taking a couple home to our son and if the issue was cost, we would have paid for 2 more - but if you're willing to give everyone 2 for free, why ration them to only the 4 we paid for? This isn't Russia. It didn't make sense. So next time, we will wait to order the 4 until after appetizers/salads. read more

Last night was my first time at Millwrights. We didn't have a reservation and were pretty casual, so we opted to eat down in the Tavern. It's so cute and comfortable in the Tavern. We loved it. The food was delicious-start to finish. My friend and I started with the salt cod pierogis and a few oysters. He then had a mussels dish and I had the swordfish. Again, Absolutely perfect and delicious. I can't remember the name of our desert, something with salted caramel brownie and blackberries. Yum. Perfect ending. Also, on Sunday's their wine bottles are 50% off. Hooray! The service for the most part was great. We did have to wait a bit to get our wine and had two guys acting as our waiter, which was slightly confusing, but they were both really nice. I can wait to comeback and try the 7 course tasting menu. Thanks for a great dining experience. read more

first visit - been wanting to try for a long time service good food not so much. limited menu - nice setting beautiful waterfall. we all ordered different things biggest disappointment was they were out of steak at 6pm on a Sunday? why?? osso bucco , kale salad , scallops , the side of mashed potatoes was awful- remainder of food was all meh. it was a special occasion but we didn't really care for anything except the mushroom appetizer. we were disappointed. maybe we will give the taco truck a try. read more

This is for Ta-que, the outdoor taco/bbq venture of Millwright's. I have been eager to try this, so did so tonight. To be fair, I will say I am sure it is better if you eat there. I got two pork belly tacos, blackened swordfish, chicken, and a vampiro. Also, got garlic sausage and mexican corn. If you live in Sumsbury, or maybe Avon, the food will hold up. Making it to Canton it doesn't. Tacos were soggy and fell apart. They were neatly wrapped, the meat was very good. It just didn't hold up. The corn was half an ear, but tasty. The sausage is plentiful and good. As i said, i am sure right off the grill, the food is very good. read more

This is a really no nonsense great place to have a very memorable meal in the rustic setting of a historic mill on a running stream. The servers are very attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and helpful in assisting you with food and drink choices. The food is super solid with tasty and refined food compositions. The flavors are very well paired. Portions appear smaller but they are surprisingly filling. Everything is executed with great care down to the bread. The brunch is also exceptional. Highly recommended. read more

We had an amazing dinner outdoors in one of Millwrights greenhouses. The food and wine were terrific and the fixed price menu came with a lot of food. But, the best part of our night was Ron, our server. It was the second time we had him as a server and he remembered us, even though it had been six months since we saw him. He made our night very special. It was completely relaxing and a delicious meal. read more

Can't beat the view, service and food here. I had the three-course Sunday brunch with my sister. The food was very refined (had the best toast I've ever eaten in my whole life), and you definitely get your money's worth with the bread, sausage, bacon, biscuits and coffee that's included in the price. read more

Millwright's - Financier and chocolate cake - New American Near Me - Simsbury, Connecticut

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Place Rocks. Great for casual bar food in the tavern or for a fancy dinner in the main restaurant. Food is always on point and so are the cocktails. I recommend the Chef's Tasting Menu with the Wine Pairing for any special occasion. read more

Went there on the 2nd night of opening with my boss. Great job with renovations! Doesn't smell damp and lighting/ambience good. Lauren (sic) was our server..scheduled to be bartender when tavern opens. Great service Lauren! Food was well prepared and delicious..recommend the striped bass with black rice. Can't wait for tavern to open! read more

My wife took me here for my birthday dinner and it was a phenomenal experience! Upon arrival, they had a hand-written note wishing me a happy birthday and two flutes of champagne. The meal was incredible. I had lamb and my wife had scallops. Both were perfectly done. The Johnny cakes are made in-house and are buttery and delicious. They had to cut me off, because I would have kept eating them. Seriously. Overall, I recommend this place for a fancy date night! read more

It was a little pricey but worth the visit. The chicken was a little dry but everything else was great. They have a large selection of main courses and desserts. We had a great lunch here. read more

Been for dinner twice now and experienced superb service and a delicious meal on both occasions. My sister had her wedding reception at this restaurant back when it was Hopbrook Tavern over 10 years ago. I'm so thrilled to see the renovations they have made and the charm that remains. On the current seasonal menu there is a corn soup accented with lemon ricotta that was truly incredible. Will be back often! read more

Absolutely in love with this place. Favorite ambience of any restaurant I've ever been to and the food and drink are impeccable. Lovely staff as well. Can't wait to move to CT and become a regular! Cheers, well done. read more

Great food....pricey though...nicely located. Great chef and servers. Our go to place every other weekend. read more

Nice place and atmosphere. I thought the dumpling appetizer was delicious. Gnocchi with tuna was surprisingly a great combo. I'm not a chef so what do I know, not much when it comes to pairing. (I could have had it as a main course.) I ordered the Ny strip and it was served a little cold in temperature the potatoes which came with the steak were fantastic because of the sauce. Otherwise the restaurant is very nice and enjoyed my evening. (Water glass could be filled more regularly.) read more

My wife and I had an absolutely amazing experience the first time. The atmosphere, the drinks, the food and service was second to none. My wife is hard to please and she was beyond happy. We travel and eat at only the best places and this place by far was the absolute best no question. Unfortunately we didn't have a second experience. We made reservations and paid in full for the exclusive private experience to celebrate our birthdays together. It was our understanding that we couldn't cancel reservation. Well, we were called a couple days prior to our reservation and they canceled our reservation. We asked why and we were told that they had a bigger party that they needed to accommodate and we would have to come another day. The person on the phone was rude and didn't apologize. We were and still are extremely disappointed because we loved it there. This happened in April of 2022. I wanted to schedule a group but I'm not trying to get canceled again. It seems they were more concerned with making money. If you can actual get a seat it's definitely 5 star. read more

One of the best CT meals I've ever had. Stopped in the Tavern for a beer before dinner: they've got a couple good micro-choices. And Brian the bartender was knowledgeable and pleasant, too. Upstairs to dinner - best seat in the house: in the deep freeze of last week we sat right next to the waterfall. Total amazingness. Cheese board was great and the three cheeses were perfectly complementary in that we're-so-different kind of way. Dinner was delish, of course (do try the lamb). Most of all, service was impeccable. Our server coddled me and either answered or found out the answer to every single one of my questions regarding sourcing and substituting. Brava! The whole team (and it is a team approach) engaged in the same way. Customer first, for sure. Finally, the price was right. Really right. I've paid way more for way less in way bigger cities. I'll be back, and back again. read more

An utter disappointment. THE SERVICE: I made reservations 3 weeks in advance for an early Valentine's Day dinner. I did this to specifically reserve a table that was overlooking the waterfall. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the hostess (in training). She was very pleasant. We were about 8 minutes early and as she was checking to see if our table was ready, the hostess who was training took over. The trainee mentioned that I was to be seated at the table I special requested, but the trainer-hostess took it among herself to decide where we sat...at a tiny table directly against the wall where the kitchen was right under a speaker with zero view of the water. I can only assume she gave away my table because the water-view tables were all taken. I know I was supposed to be seated at the table I requested 3 weeks prior because the hostess in training had it written down and mentioned it to the other hostess. A huge disappointment bc this was the whole reason I chose this place. THE FOOD: Sub-par at best. I ordered the chicken. It was dry. The skin was crispy, but disgustingly salty. Inedible. The "potato" puree tasted of boxed potato flakes and was luke-warm. Nothing was hot. The mushrooms were ice cold as if they were just taken out of the fridge and thrown on the plate. My husband and I drove 40 minutes to spend our Valentine's Day dinner (purposely booked the Saturday before and 3 weeks prior to get a good table as requested) to eat a delicious farm-to-table meal with great ambiance to be completely dissapointed with everything. We will not be back read more