Mill Creek Tavern

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  Not good.  Service was great, music was great.  But, the food, which is why we went there in the first place was executed poorly.  Oldest son had a Cesar salad with Filet Mignon ordered medium rare.  It shows up charcoaled.  Youngest son ordered Ossa Bucco which was OK.  the risotto was just slimy and overcooked.  I ordered the Sesame Crusted Ahi.  It was cooked to remove all moisture possible making it tough to eat.  Wife ordered grilled scallops and veggies and that was good.  Desserts were huge, order one or two for a family of four.  Otherwise you cannot finish them.  The Chocolate Brownie sundae seemed a little stale. From what I understand, this restaurant is associated with Mims in Syosset and the consistency of food or poor execution seems to afflict this place the same as Mims.  Dinner was about $160 with tip a lot more.

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  Posted on 06.08.13 Joe C.

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  My wife and I had a nice meal at MCT.  The food is pretty good and decently-priced, but its not going to blow you away. We started with mussels casino, which was tasty.  I had a ceasar salad, which I really liked.  My wife went with the scallops with sides of mac & cheese and creamed spinach.  I went with shrimp oreganata, sweet potato mash, and Lobster risotto.  For an additional fee, you would have hoped the lobster risotto would have had more lobster... it was decent at best.  My wife's scallops were significantly better than my shrimp, which lacked any breading. The mac and cheese was disappointing.  I really liked the creamed spinach and sweet potato.  Also, the desserts were delicious (apple crisp and brownie sundae).  Service was fine, nothing remarkable.  I can't imagine we would return again, but if we were in the area I wouldn't avoid it either.

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  Posted on 05.25.13 Dustin K.

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  Had the surf and turf, filet was not cooked as ordered and there were only two shrimp on the plate.  Lobster risotto was very good.  Mussels casino were very good but missing the garlic bread that was included, I mentioned it to a server and the hostess came over and informed me the kitchen ran out...did not offer to make up for the missing item.  Service was terrible, we had to ask other servers for everything.

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  Posted on 04.12.13 Amy F.

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  Returned to Mill Creek Tavern after a long respite due to a poor experience last visit. Despite a 20 minute detour thru unchartered regions due to the washout of Shore Rd, we arrived on Saturday evening on a Groupon to try again. Our waiter George was delightful and helped us thru dinner. For drinks we had Longireland Celtic Ale from a brewery in Riverhead that was delicious and my wife enjoyed a couple of Tequila Kamikazes which set the tone for the meal.  The last "poor" experience was the mussels. They were the bottom of the bag, shriveled up and had the texture of rubber erasers. This time they were edible bur tiny and really not worth the bother. Why would a restaurant feature a mussel pot and serve anything but plump tasty mussels in it...an enigma! The rest of the meal was excellent. Calamari was perfect and our entrees of Broiled Salmon and Sesame Seared rare tuna  were delicious. The bill with including drinks was $130... A hefty tab for a venue such as this. Watch what you order and avoid the mussels and this can be a place in Bayville to enjoy a nice dinner.

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  Posted on 03.31.13 Dick G.

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  Still the same consistency issues. I stop by and either have a good meal with a guest and other times it's disappointing. Ordered Pork Osso Bucco that came to the table tender and warm, but very cold toward the center and all meat surrounding the bone.
  
  I get that when you braise pork or lamb or whatever is on the menu you cannot braise to order,.it takes hours. You can certainly braise enough to prepare for dinner then leave the meat covered and waiting for a little heat when ordered.
  
  What I received tonight was a refrigerated shank, baked to warm it up which is the right way, but because it was refrigerated, was served with a cold center and bone. To correct the problem, my dinner that night was microwaved with a little gravy not to dry it out.
  
  Not a good experience. Makes me wonder how many people go home unsatisfied and either never return or return and never order the same dish again.
  
  It's better to send a few less people home and raving than say I'm sorry we're all sold out for the night. Keep less than the best on hand to accommodate everyone and quality always suffers.

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  Posted on 02.23.13 Semi Chef S.

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  We stopped in on our way to a wedding in the area. The adjacent parking lot made it easy to just turn in- which really was the criteria for popping in.  
  
  We arrived in the twixt of lunch and dinner, and thus were the only patrons at 4:30pm.
  We got to pick our own cozy table and enjoy the charming upscale spot. Cozy wood booths and wood everywhere give it an old timey feel.
  
  We only grabbed pre-wedding drinks and light bites of mac n cheese and calamari. The calamari was fantastic. Lightly breaded, fresh and perfectly cooked. The mac n cheese was also delish but that was gobbled up by my friends while I was savoring the calamari. I didn't even need any tartare or cocktail sauce. Just a healthy squirt of lemon led to lip smacking yum.
  
  I'm glad we popped in to because of course the wedding started late and I would've been too hangry to appreciate loving vows. Thanks Mill Creek for making me be a better wedding guest.

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  Posted on 06.30.12 Kim K.

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  Been here many times and always a pleasant experience.  Food is always delicious and plentiful.  Atmosphere is more upscale then the name implies.  Wine by the glass is also a very generous portion at a reasonable price.

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  Posted on 03.10.12 Jean W.

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  Quiet little place on the North Shore in the beautiful town of Bayville.
  
  Just the Drive it self is worth it, basically taking Rt 106 all the way up (a few turns here and there) you are treated to some of the best views of the richest houses on Long Island.  Some so rich that the driveway is too long to even see the house!
  
  Then you get to drive right along the bay, and see nice views of the marina and the assorted boats and what not.  Continuing onto Bayville Ave you can feast your eyes on one of the greatest sunset views I have ever seen.  Check my pics to see it.  
  
  Now onto the Bar.  It is a bar & grill, while we didn't have any food, just popped in for some nice drinks and live music and it all added up to a nice relaxing kind of day.  Nothing spectacular... just nice.
  
  The Bartender Mike, who seems to be the elder statesman of Bayville, will take great care of you.
  
  Enjoy the ride.

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  Posted on 08.21.11 Nick C.

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  I went here with my wife for our anniversary dinner. It was awesome!
  My wife found this place and I have to say great find hon!
  
  We had a great time, the food was truly spectacular! Every dish we ordered was so flavorful and cooked to perfection, even the side veggies were cooked perfect. The chef really knows his business. The owner stopped by our table before we got our dinners for a quick chat and he was a really nice guy with a great attitude, perfect gentlemen. I can't wait to go back.
  
  We ordered one of their mussel dishes, and they were the best mussels we both ever had! Very tender and an amazing taste! We also ordered their meat loaf, which was completely delicious! Incredible meatloaf and a must order, better then my moms hands down! And we also ordered their seafood pot pie, again, great flavors throughout!
  
  The price was good, the service was good, and the food was great. My wife and I are quite picky diners and I can tell you this place rocks.
  
  The ambiance was pleasant, has a very classic feel, dim lighting, nice decor. Totally worth the visit and we will be planning to go back for sure.
  This place is a rare gem on Long Island!
  
  (Our second visit the following year in 2012 wasn't so great. The food wasn't as tasty this time around. We ordered mussels and the meatloaf. The mussels were just ok, the sauce was not flavorful.  The meatloaf was on the bland side. The staff, a hefty woman, was not pleasant. She had a bit of arrogance that we did not like.
  We were really looking forward to our second visit but It was disappointing. Maybe they had an off day, but a lot can change in a year,)

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  Posted on 04.15.11 Michael P.

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  Had a fun night here but it really is pub food, not a restaurant.

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  Posted on 03.21.11 Maura N.

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  My boyfriend and I went here because I had a Groupon for it-
  
  The outside looks of the place are slightly deceiving.  It seems as though it will be a little more dive-ish from the outside but it was actually pretty classy inside.  There was a decent size bar and a few different seating areas.  We have a choice of sitting where ever (which I really like) and because the mood was sort of dark and quiet we placed ourselves by the window.  
  
  Quick service and friendly.  We immediately received our drinks, two Bluepoints at 5$ a pint not to shabby and are given a really nice variety bread basket.  There was a good selection of food.  Good variety lots of fresh fish plates.  I myself am not a huge fish person so I went with one of the specials which was a filet mignon steak quesadilla with spinach and feta.  It was BOMB. Very good.  My bf got a BLT with shrimp and that too was delicious.  Food came up pretty quick and I would say for dinner its between 15$-20$ a plate. Great place to take a date.  Overall we had a great experience.  Nothing extraordinary but nothing negative about it.  Quiet and private place.

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  Posted on 09.07.10 Michelle S.

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  What a deal AND amazing food!  Full disclosure: I only went there because I had a Groupon (paid $20 for $50 worth of F&B) and thought I'd try it out.  Space is clean with busy bar scene at 6p on a Wednesday, and dining room had a nice quiet buzz to it (no screaming children).  Service was great: hostess gave us our choice of table with no hassle, waitress came right over & even replaced my misguided martini order (more on that in a minute), owner came at end of meal to introduce himself and have a VERY congenial chat with us. Reading reviews from others who think it's fake, it's not - as a fellow touchy-feely "sales" person, I understood that he truly likes to treat his patrons as family and he has a wonderful outgoing personality (too much some Northshorers, I'm guessing).
  
  Food: great bread basket (crackers, wheat, baguette, foccacia) served with honey butter.  Prix fixe offered a LOT for just $21.95 and we had to take our entrees home (and we're big eaters,, trust me).  I had the buffalo chicken wing egg rolls - AMAZING.  I'd seriously do a double order next time and just eat that (something i'll be jonesing for in a little while, i'm suspecting).  My main was chicken, angel hair, aioli sauce, spinach, sundried tomatoes, fresh mozz - HUGE and very good, could only eat half after bread & apps.  Dessert was oreo chocolate mousse cake - again, very rich, delicious, could  have taken it home.  
  
  My husband also did prix fixe, and for his $21.95 he got a large bowl of mussels in a white wine/garlic/parsley sauce.  Mussels were nicely sized (I actually hate really big mussels, so these were perfect).  His main was the veal meatballs (wrapped around a ball of mozz) with angel hair pasta. there were three HUGE meatballs and again, like a whole box of pasta in red sauce.  Meatballs were feather-light and perfect.  He took half of his home (he never does that) and for dessert got the delicioius apple crumble (like apple pie but with granola topping and ice cream).  
  
  It was Wednesday, so that meant half-priced bottles of wine. We had a Sauv Blanc from NZ that came to $16 after discount.  An amazing meal (with leftovers!) for just $60 for 2.  AND, i would like to  point out, that when i produced my Groupon (in the beginning) they didnt' say "oh, that's not valid for the specials or the prix fixe".  No - they took it.  
  
  We eat out ALL the time and will most definitely go back there.  Only downside is no outdoor seating, but you can always leave and go sit by the nearby waterside and watch the sunset afterwards.  Oh, live music on Fri & Sat nights (haven't been).

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  Posted on 06.03.10 Renee W.

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  Maybe trying to be something they aren't.  With Tavern in the name I wasn't expecting much more then good burgers, steaks and perhaps salads, good solid upscale bar food.  I was not disappointed.  We were seated right away to a table with a full set of silver, cloth napkins and a white paper liner on the table cloth??  I enjoyed the Australian Rack of Lamb(27.95)(rare)with requested Gorgonzola Herb Butter(if there was Gorgonzola in there I couldn't find it)  which came with two sides. I had a very disappointing Mac N Cheese and a tasty Sauteed Broccoli.  The lamb was PERFECT!  Others at my table enjoyed the Baked Little Neck Clams Oreganata (9.95), Tavern Market Salad(5.95), Lobster Bisque, Grilled Chicken Sandwich(12.95)(just OK), "Home Style" Meat Loaf(16.95) (Yum), Marinated Skirt Steak(25.95)(so so) and the seafood special of Sea Bass(about $27)(nothing special there). I topped off the evening with the special dessert of Profiteroles(cream puff with ice cream), others had Ice Cream.  The coffee rocked.  A bottle of wine and a couple of cocktails and the evening ran us $330(for 6). A little surprise there, not quite your typical tavern $$ .  The owner/manager Jamie (guy) came by and insisted on shaking everyone's hands and asking how we liked the food, only having just been served the apps.  Upon leaving he called out to one of our group by name saying he would see him again soon.  Bit chummy there??  As we were leaving a band was tuning up and the bar was full(Yankees on TV?).
  Atmosphere could be called romantic.  This place is run by the same folks as Mims of Syosset and Roslyn. Solid food and service.  I would go back. (PS bread on table was fresh and tasty. The chicken sandwich was served on toasted club roll)

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  Posted on 04.11.10 Amanda J.

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  This is a very solid 3 stars, with the potential to be 4 if some kinks are worked out.  My grandparents took me here for dinner recently and I ordered a burger - simple enough, right?  I was in a burger kind of mood, and the place is pub-like so I figured I couldn't go wrong.  
  
  The menu described said burger as being on a brioche bun.  Mmm, eggy, buttery bread.  Sounds good, doesn't it?  Well, much to my dismay, the burger arrived on an English muffin and not brioche.  
  
  I guess the bread delivery didn't happen that day, oh well.  Luckily for Mill Creek Tavern, I am not a picky gal and happen to enjoy my burgers on English muffins.  However, these bastards decided that they were going to send the burger out on an UNTOASTED English muffin which completely changes the equation, and for that they can go to hell.  
  
  It's kind of a minor gripe to get worked up about, untoasted bread vs. toasted.  At the same time, it was enough to change the whole burger experience because the juices from the meat disintegrated the bread, and untoasted English muffins just flat out suck.  For some reason, they are an infinitely superior product when toasted as opposed to untoasted.  Thus, I must deduct a star.
  
  My grandparents enjoyed their meals, some salmon and french onion soup, so I would likely come back despite the bread SNAFU.  Hopefully I write a revision for this in a few months and the folks at Mill Creek Tavern get a better bread supplier.

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  Posted on 11.17.09 Ashlee C.

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  There were many pluses and minuses to my experience here.
  
  As soon as we were seated, the busboy spilled water all over me.
  
  Next, it was nice for the waitress to tell us right off the bat that she was new; at least we knew upfront that we would have sub par service.
  
  I ordered the Tuscan Vegetable Salad, which comes with goat cheese. I HATE goat cheese. I pleaded with her not to have the chef put it on the salad. When she came back to verify my order, I again reminded her about the goat cheese. When the salad came out, it had goat cheese on it. After it was removed, the salad was yummy.
  
  The owner ( I assume) came over FIVE times to ask us if everything was OK. He also put his hand on my shoulder three times. Nice guy, very attentive, but no reason for all of that.
  
  Also ordered at my table were Tuscan chicken and a scallop dish. I tasted both and they were excellent.
  
  The Irish coffee had no whipped cream. I have never had one without it.
  
  Overall, the food was a 5 and I can't put a number on the service because it was a very strange experience.
  
  I wouldn't come here again if I were paying, but I would return.

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  Posted on 09.21.09 Joseph D.

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  Still good in the hood.
  
  Went back and had a great time again.  Met some cool people at the bar and had some excellent fare.  My only beef with the place is the cost for the beers- $6 for tap Miller Light is WAY excessive if you ask me...
  
  Live Music on Friday nights around 10.

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  Posted on 07.10.08 Franco C.

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