The Governor — Restaurant in Milford

The Governor is a beautiful restaurant with a nice, crisp and clean interior that features tables that appear to be made from a light wood such as pine, clean subway tile on the walls, with concrete floors and both metal chair seating and booths. It is located in downtown Milford and has a little outdoor seating on the sidewalk when the weather is suitable.

I had eaten Reubens at The Governor in 2020 (once as carry-out and once in the dining room) and was impressed with their flavor. However, I had one during the summer of 2021 that I found odd, so we had to come back again to see whether perhaps it was just a mistake, or whether that was a legitimate sample of how their Reuben tastes this year.

The service was reasonable but not outstanding. We ordered the Governor Reuben and it arrived after 19 minutes—not a terrible amount of time to wait.

The presentation was nicely stated; the Reuben arrived on a small plate with a pickle spear atop the sandwich right where they had cut it in half. The rye bread that they used was thick and very hearty. However the bread was a little overly thick for the sandwich and I felt that it ended up being a little too crunchy overall.

The pastrami that was used was a reasonable substitute for corned beef and had a good flavor, although it was a little stringy and fatty. There was hardly any sauerkraut or dressing on the sandwich compared to a typical Reuben. I'm not sure why the Maple 1000 Island dressing was so sparing, so I really was not able to tell whether the maple flavor made a big difference. It did seem that the dressing had a mustard-like aftertaste which made it somewhat offputting. Even so, more dressing and sauerkraut would have helped the overall balance of the sandwich, especially when compared to the volume of bread contained in the sandwich.

However, the biggest turnoff for the sandwich was what they called the "Toasted Swiss." Toasted Swiss? This is what had turned me off the last time I was here. Apparently they feel it is appropriate to take a slice of Swiss cheese and then toast it until it becomes as hard as a brick. You can take corners of the piece of Swiss cheese and snap them off and it sounds just like taking a chip or a thin cracker and snapping it in half. Perhaps such things are all the rage for upscale foodies, but it tasted awful.

If you like having a flavorless, crunchy cracker made of Swiss cheese inside of your Reuben sandwich, then you will likely be delighted to know that The Governor can fill your craving. However, for me, I think I will pass on ordering the Reuben here until they remove the "Toasted Swiss" from their sandwich. Perhaps more dressing and sauerkraut might have softened the cheese somewhat and made it taste better.

My wife says that the Governor Tso Chicken Sandwich is delicious, so maybe I should look to another part of the menu if I return. Overall, I feel that the C+ that I gave the sandwich for taste was accurate. It had some good qualities, but they weren't enough to...

We arrived about 3:45pm for a late lunch/early dinner. They were not busy, maybe 2/3 of seats were open including 2 booths. We asked for a booth and the bartender said “We usually save those for larger parties. High top or bar?” He also offered a table just outside the bathroom, as we sat down at the bar. I figured it was because it was his turn to seat his section, and I didn’t want to sit in the middle of the kitchen doorway, so we just sat at the bar. I am 5’2” so it was very uncomfortable for me, with my feet dangling. I had to sit on the edge of my seat just to reach the bar. I ordered a lobster roll ($30) and it seemed as though it were just taken out of the fridge and unwrapped. The bread under the lobster was soggy and the lobster was stuck to it. It was difficult to eat because it was so large and I’d rather have a $15 roll half that size. But it was delicious. A different person delivered the food than the bartender who took our order, and after that I don’t think we ever saw the bartender again until we left and he was walking in with his coat on. In that time, 2 different parties of two were seated in the open booths, (with different wait staff serving them). Oddly, when the $65 bill came (for a lobster roll, a patty melt, fries, and a Coke!) there was an option to tip the waitstaff and the kitchen staff. Two different lines. I was perplexed as to why the kitchen staff weren’t simply paid, especially considering the menu prices, and I have never been asked to help subsidize the wages of a restaurant’s BOH. I thought that’s what the $30 lobster roll was for! As we were leaving (we stayed less than an hour) they were putting a dinner special up on the board: Prime Rib, $65. I think we’ll be sticking with Park Diner for patty melts and Cousins Maine for lobster rolls...

I recently had lunch at The Governor Restaurant, and I must say, it was a delightful lunch experience. From the moment I stepped inside, I was greeted with a warm and welcoming ambiance that set the tone for the entire meal.

The highlight of my lunch was undoubtedly the Kimchi Tomato Soup. It was nothing short of awesome! The rich and tangy flavors of the kimchi blended perfectly with the sweetness of the tomatoes, creating a savory, comforting bowl of soup that was both hearty and satisfying. The addition of kimchi gave it a delightful twist, and I couldn't get enough of it. It was the ideal starter for a memorable meal.

One of the things that truly sets The Governor Restaurant apart is the inventiveness of their sandwiches. I opted for one of their creations, and I was not disappointed. The combination of ingredients was unique and bursting with flavor. Each bite was a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, and it was evident that a lot of thought had gone into crafting these sandwiches. The presentation was also impressive; they were almost too beautiful to eat!

The service at The Governor Restaurant was attentive and friendly. The staff seemed genuinely passionate about the food they were serving, and their recommendations were spot-on. They made sure I felt comfortable and well taken care of throughout my visit, enhancing the overall dining experience.

In conclusion, The Governor Restaurant is a place I would recommend for a special lunch outing or when you're in the mood for inventive and delicious sandwiches. The Kimchi Tomato Soup alone is worth the visit. Despite the minor drawbacks, my overall experience was fantastic, and I look forward to returning to explore more of their...