Millburn Standard — Restaurant in Millburn

We've been coming here recently as it felt like the food was of good quality and consistent but also with a limited restriction on food from my doctor, I thought I can't go wrong at the Millburn Standard. I've been ordering the Chicken Sandwich with rotisserie chicken inside and had been pleased until the last two times where the chicken was so dry I did not finish my sandwich. Not a big deal, it happens with rotisserie chicken but what wasn't okay was the terrible experience I had on my last visit when a waitress spilled the newly placed glass of water on me. I remember my partner telling her she could set the tray with the drinks she was carrying down while she took our order but she assured us she had it. Well just as she was about to leave and turned, the tray swayed she went to catch her drinks but knocked the glass of water I had in front of me on me.

Needless to say everyone was quick to scramble and try to dry the table, the floor, the seat, but I was soaked!! Soaked all the way down to my underwear with cold water. It was the most embarrassing and uncomfortable experience I had ever had in a restaurant. They offered me their towels to dry my pants but the damage was done. The weirdest part of all was the whoops feeling and the front of the house older woman that made me feel as if I was being looked at scornfully as if I had knocked the glass of water onto myself. She kept coming to clear everything off the table the moment I finished it. I even pushed the glasses towards her and she laughed. I'm glad I was the butt of the joke. I assumed the waitress didn't tell her she did it as to not get in trouble. Imagine having to sit in your wet clothes waiting for your food to arrive, eating it, and having to deal with that your entire meal. No genuine apologies as the waitress said, "wow sorry I haven't done that since I started!" Thanks girl! How fortunate of me to be so lucky!

I've eaten at some of the best restaurants throughout nyc and the area as well as some mom and pops and when a mistake happens, usually they say here's a dessert on the house, let me comp your drink or something but not the Millburn Standard. You'll simply get some laughs and commentary with stares and treated like a child who can't sit at a table. Needless to say I won't be coming back. And by the way, the Tempura Chicken is awful! Why don't you season the chicken before dipping it into the batter? Was it another fluke because I came during the late night menu so there is less effort? I don't get it. I expected so much more from this place and it left me never wanting to...

While in the Millburn area, I was debating between 3 restaurants for dinner. I have no regrets about choosing Millburn Standard. Nice location in historic Millburn. There is street parking or public lots. Both inexpensive at 50 cents an hour.

The restaurant has 4 different areas for seating (outdoor, bar area, main dining room and a separate room). We went for the main dining room which is full of booths. Traditional booths, corner booths and 2-seater booths which would be good for date nights. Lighting and decor made for a great vibe. Intimate but not too dark. Bar selection was impressive as a whiskey drinker. Younger wait staff, but all very professional and courteous.

As for food, I would describe the menu as “Modern American”. Started off with the Burrata and nachos. Nachos were average, but the Burrata was very good and served on a softer toast than the normal Burrata. The blackened shrimp has a southwestern flair served with corn cakes. Delicious and creative. One of tonight’s specials was a pan seared snapper over coconut jasmine rice. Sauce and rice were delicious. Fish was moderately seasoned. Loved the presentation on both of these dishes as well. Finally, my son does not get excited about many things, but he described the fish tacos as “Amazing”! They were served with a really tasty mango garnish and Brussels Sprouts. Even the desserts were intriguing, but we were stuffed.

Between courses they provide hot towels and the outdoor seating also has heaters. Both nice touches.

We arrived just after 5pm on a Saturday and there was no wait. The scene quickly changed by the time we left. It’s easy to understand why this is a local favorite....

Overall positive dinner experience. The new decor was a bit darker and supper-ready than the white-tiles bistro style predecessor. Sat down 520pm Sunday for an early dinner to avoid crowds (sparse when we arrived). Menu matched what was on Google, both in words and pics. V happy w the drink selection (ordered mezcal old fashioned, espresso martini, prosecco, Michealada - all decent). Liked the ability to sub out fries for other sides including the well-appointed and crispy brussel sprouts, and the crisp green beans. Portions more than adequate. And kids happy.

One or two thoughts might stick to memory: 1) check error which they caught quickly and fixed (thank you); 2) midway through our meal, hostess seated another party of 6 right behind us despite (a) the lower height divider between these two booths (2nd to last and last booths on left hand side of main dining area), and (b) another unoccupied booth further away, close to the front of the restaurant which still would have preserved alternating “every-other group” seating. We tabled any thoughts of desert or after-dinner drinks following the seating this adjacent party and accelerated our departure. As of 1/3/21, there’s no RSVP, so perhaps this was a product of spontaneous thinking, but can’t overthink. One other COVID consideration came to mind but would not mention for public consumption.

Overall, we enjoyed the food there and would probably dine again. In a non COVID environment, would have...