The 1761 Old Mill — Restaurant in Westminster

My family has been to this restaurant a few times in the past year or two. Most visits were great: awesome food, great service, and left us feeling like it was a good place to come back to. Thery even did an amazing job handling a large party reservation for a family reunion. I would've rated the place as an 8.5/10-9/10. That said, our most recent visit was absolutely abysmal. Like 1/10 starts abysmal. Recently, a relative was visiting and my dad had his heart set on this restaurant. He had us drive 45 minutes to get there for this place, because he wanted to go there so badly. The bar on the first floor has the best view, so we sat there to have our meal. We started with drinks and ordered two appetizers. While we were waiting for those, the table next to us got LOUD. The kind of loud that you find in a night club with music blaring. There were some women screaming at each other, who had just met, a handful of men, who couldn't control their volume, and people who weren't even with their party standing around their table screaming. My dad put paper napkins in his ears to use as earplugs to see if that would help. nope. The tables around us started to pay their tabs and leave to get away from the noise. The server came around once or twice to ask how things were and we said "okay," but he never asked if we were ready to order. We eventually tried to look for him to ask the other party to quiet down. He said "oh, it's a bar, this is fine." Didn't care that it was making them lose business, as at this point most everyone else had abandoned the place. We asked if he was going to take our order, and he said "I was waiting for you to tell me you wanted to." Like...what? I have never in my life been to a sit-down restaurant where the served expected me to prompt them to place my order. At this point, since he also refused to do anything about the other people, we asked to either be moved or have the check. They have separate cash-out systems from the bar vs. the upstairs rooms, so we had to pay then get moved upstairs to one of the upper rooms of the restaurant and start a new receipt. Those service people had supposedly been informed of what was going on with our experience, but still started off with "do you want appetizers." Like...no, at this point I want my main food and to leave, we already did the first part. Some little kids were sat near us, but their volume had nothing on the people downstairs. My dad went to complain to management about the volume and management situation in the downstairs room, and got sort of rebuffed. They had moved us upstairs, sure, but they didn't try to make the experience better in any way. We got our food, which was good as always (albeit a little on the salty side), ate quickly, and left. It was pretty much ruined by the whole experience, and I can't see myself making any effort to go back in the near future - and neither does my dad, who had been so excited about it to begin with. No more 45-minute drives just to get to this place, that's for...

This is the second year we ventured to The 1761 Old Mill from CT meeting our granddaughter halfway from Maine to have a lunch at a very exquisite venue supporting a family atmosphere of leisure and comfort. The historic outside construction along with the history of this establishment just makes one want to sit and wonder how it was 100 or 200 years ago. We sat outside enjoying the view of the pond with ducks, waterfall and just nature at its best. Our waitress, Adria, was very impressive, catering with a smile and seeming to know the exact times to check on our needs and satisfaction. She was knowledgeable about every dish and even made some suggestions based on our desires. The first introduction were the fritters with a nice glass of wine quenching our ordering of appetizers which were shared by all of us. The Irish Nachos and Spinach with Artichoke dip was perfect for the four of us. The main menu has just the right amount of offerings and three of us had the different versions of Haddock. If you are hungry, definitely order the haddock fish and chips meal which is plentiful for the most hearty appetite. If taste is on your mind then the stuffed haddock has it all blending a delicious stuffing with a good size portion of fish. On the lighter side, the baked haddock was just right for me sprinkled with Ritz crackers and a side of butternut squash cooked to perfection. The last member of our party had the Crispy Chicken Salad which was a bowl filled with the freshest ingredients that was light and filling at the same time. After our meal no one wanted to admit to wanting a desert but I did order a slice of cheesecake and key lime pie for sharing. Placed in the middle of the table everyone helped themselves to portions with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. An amazing meal for a family gathering along with reasonable prices, exquisite ambiance and our waitress, Adria. I just want to add that as great as a restaurant may be, the waitress is the contributing factor that can make a visit beyond one's expectations. Upon leaving, we ventured inside where items were for sale ranging from T-Shirts, Sweatshirts and other useful souvenir type commodities. As we exited we saw a barrel with packages of food for the ducks - what a great idea! It was a nice way of saying goodbye along with a family photo overlooking the pond. I think the fall will host another family meeting at the 1761 Old Mill ...

It's a 2 star for me based on my last two visits. This most recent based on the Hostesses lack of respect and what seemed to be lack of support. I had reservations for 630pm, arrived at 630 pm, I was told by Olivia to wait outside and so a table could be cleared. ... 25 minutes later, after a couple who arrived after us had been seat (fine maybe they had reservations for 615, who am I to know.)

I went back in and asked how much longer, Olivia replied with we are waiting for a table to check out.... Where's the table that was being wiped 20 minutes ago... Olivia?... Right... I asked to sit inside, I was told with such attitude, no and to check out the pub down stairs.... Pub had a sign saying 90 minute wait... Totally fine... Went up stairs second Hostess said no go with me... Olivia rolling her eyes, I finally asked about the empty seat. In the dining room. The second Hostess shouts to Olivia, just give it to them.

Got a table, waitress was great, took way too long for drinks and to tell us they were out of two meals. That waitress was hustling. From the customers point of view. Hustling. She should have been told before before we ordered that they 86d those meals. She had 5 or 6 viable tables, fire a Hostess and bring in more waitresses. Don't promote Olivia, her customer service skills are lacking in all points, leave your problems at home. Telling a an elderly woman who is clearly having issues walking to go down a flight of stairs because you can't manage a reservation is beyond rude. Disrespectful child. We left there At 730pm. No food.

We run out of food in the restaurant world, it happens. No hate there but no one wants to be somewhere and greeted with such attitude. It took our waitress 10 minutes to say hi, somone should have stepped in to atleast do that bring a water and say the waitress is on her way... I don't want to see someone running to serve somone else. Communicate and teamwork.

Shame it used...