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Miller Tavern
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants Seafood Restaurants Steakhouses Bars, Seafood, Steakhouses [Edit]
3885 Yonge StNorth York, ON M4N 2P2
Neighbourhood: Hogg's Hollow
(416) 322-5544
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 12 am
Sat 11 am - 12 am
Sun 11 am - 10 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
16 reviews for Miller Tavern
16 reviews in English
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Review from Q H.
North York, ON
11/28/2011 4 photos
Funny thing. I lived 10 minutes away from this restaurant for 9 years, and had never been to this place until last year.
The atmosphere is very modern and casual. Some energetic and vibrant undertone as well. I had a lamb rack and my friend had a tuna steak. My lamb was nicely seasoned and had nice fragrance to it. Very juicy and flavorful. The tuna was nicely cooked as well, though I found it a bit blend on the outside. The portion was appropriate - not too little, but not too much. And we had baked oysters as appetizer. It was nicely cooked with no watery taste. The toppings on the oysters were excellent. They have a wide selection of foods on the menu, and I would say it is worth going back there to try new items. Since this is a regular customer-driven restaurant, I'm sure their standards are kept up.
There's one thing about this restaurant I love about than any other restaurants I've been to in my life - location. Imagine this. Snowy winter evening, going for a drive with your best friend. Long drive with your friend to talk about things in life - all the changes, future, plans, other friends, love. All of a sudden, you are about to reach York Mills. You drive downhill on Yonge as you approach York Mills. Then you see this old antique-style house built with woods. Surrounding the restaurant are the trees with blooming snow flowers and calm snow-covered roads. That picture alone made my experience special.
They take only cash and credit, not debit. -
Review from Q B.
Toronto, ON
1/22/2012
Whoa! This place as it all.
Great atmosphere, great food, good service (service level dropped a little bit through out our meal), and prices are not bad for what you get!!
This one will definitely be one in our rotation from now on! -
Review from Adam M.
Saskatoon, SK
12/19/2011
I visited the Miller recently to have a lunch date with a friend of mine. I had the Irish Organic Salmon and she had the Tuna, and we were both blown away by the taste. My salmon came on a potato hash and was cooked to perfection, and the portion size was one of the biggest I've seen.
Our server was knowledgeable and attentive, and the atmosphere is nice. It definitely feels a step above the decor of most places, but doesn't feel stuffy at all. The crowd seemed to be largely business professionals, and even though the place was full we were still able to talk without having to yell. A great experience. -
Review from Jim G.
I really like the Miller. It feels like such an adult place, quite different from its glory days as Brunswick House of North Toronto of the 1980s. The interior is comfortable and classy, with a lovely fireplace in the winter. The bar is cozy as well, and the bar is well stocked with single malts and higher end liquors. You can watch as they shuck oysters at the bar, perhaps even onto a plate for you.
The patio is one of the better ones I've ever been on. It doesn't look like much from the street, but it descends down several levels, as the Miller is basically a backsplit building with multiple floors leading to the parking lot. The patio feels less like a bar patio and more like a deck in a wealthier friend's backyard. The lighting could be better--some corners are nearly completely dark--but perhaps that's what some patrons are looking for.
I haven't tried much of the food (I mainly go for cocktails), but what food I've tried has been tasty, though not inexpensive. The service has mainly been good, but slower on the patio where it can take longer to get a drink and you might have to ask more than once for water.
I've noticed that the clientele is higher end as well. Many Mercedes and BMWs in the parking lot, and lots of white teeth and sweaters tied around the shoulders inside. I was there with some friends on a Saturday night watching the game and several single women of slightly older vintage lined the bar. They added to what is a fun environment, without threat of frat kids looking to get bombed.
A comfortable place, if a little off the beaten path in the heart of Hoggs Hollow.Listed in: Best Happy Hour, Best Breakfast/Brunch
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Review from Melissa E.
Vancouver, BC
6/2/2011
Yucca.
Overpriced bland food and horrible service. The only thing that saved the morning was the outdoor patio which was pretty nice, except it was a scorcher and the server didn't feel like challenging himself to open the umbrella. I paid 20$ for a small spinach salad with a few watermelon cubes and goat cheese and a cup of coffee that i had to beg to be refilled.
Oh and the brunch menu...nothing on the sweet side (pancakes, waffles, fruit salad, oatmeal, granola and yoghurt...) which is always challenging for those of us not into eggs. Oh sorry, there was a salad option...for brunch!!?!??!?!?! ugh.
Yucca. Never again. -
Review from Elle G.
Toronto, ON
12/6/2010
The Miller Tavern is a great place!
We went there for the first time this past weekend, and now we are wondering what took us so long to get there!
The ambiance is great. There is a downstairs bar and seating area (on this occasion there was a party in part of it). Then there is the upstairs which has comfy booths (quite a few), which makes for the right ambiance for a good ole catch-up with friends.
Service was good -- informed and attentive.
They had some Christmas decorations around -- but all very tastefully done.
The food -- very good -- At our table there were three different types of steaks chosen -- all good (the rib steak looked amazing), also an Ahi-Tuna selection, which we were told was very good.
They also brought us a round of prosecco on the house after our main course -- a nice touch for the holiday season!
Lots to enjoy! They had a nice dessert menu after, but we were quite full, so had coffee and a biscotti (wonderful to see this kind of thing on offer -- just that little something to end off the meal).
They do have their own parking lot -- and it is in an easy location to get to (barring all the street construction in the city lately!!).
Just a note -- for the month of December they are selling gift certificates which if you buy one for $100 - you get a 2 free $25 Brunch gift certs too). That is such a good deal -- I think we'll have to come back and try brunch. I have heard it is good! -
Review from Edwin A.
11/9/2010 4 photos
Quite a good place to dine.
Nice vibe of this two level establishment. Upstairs has a beautiful veranda for an open floor to ceiling view seating. There are beautiful trees in the fall season which are visable during the day and night. It makes a lovely setting and much better than seating in a typical enclosed area with pictures hung on the wall.
Service good. Food taste quite excellent. Preparation, presentation and drink selection also very good. We had ordered that night to start, shrimp and crab cakes, for our meals chicken & spinach penne, and halibut steak with tomato bouillabaisse green beans & red potato
Been here for lunch and dinner. Consistant all around so I'll be going back here in the future for sure. -
Review from Ferdinand H.
2/24/2011
I'm torn, as the ambiance and feel are excellent. However, my experience with the 2 cocktails I ordered was poor enough such that I had to switch back to Guinness with all haste.
Definitely comfortable and fun, great sense of what a pub ought to be like. Pity that the mixed drinks didn't reach the same level of chic.
4.5 for ambiance
3 for the drinks. -
Review from Jonathan S.
York, ON
8/9/2010
Full disclosure: The Miller is on my family's Friday Night Delight shortlist of restaurants. The FND Shortlist began once the junior members of said family left home; and, working downtown and relying upon public transit, realized that traditional home-cooked family dinners would pose a greater challenge.
Massive renovations a few years ago transformed the former dive bar into an upscale cottage; a theme that carries through the Miller's marketing efforts. The room is all blond wood and big banquets; a comfortable spot that meets the needs of midtown's graying, ass- spreading crowd. Downstairs, upwardly-mobile 30 year olds jockey at the bar and down first-rate burgers. Upstairs, an older crowd opts for more expensive plates, although both share space on a recently-pruned menu.
Speaking of the menu, it used to be a multi-page affair, with separate editions for lunch and dinner, upstairs (upscale chop/fish house) and downstairs (high-end bar food). Perhaps because of the recession, these divides have been broken, and the Fall of the menu Wall means a single placemat-sized page, in smaller font, behind a plastic shield. It's a smart move, but older diners pull out reading glasses and struggle to angle the card, so the plastic doesn't catch light and obscure the dish descriptions.
For the seafood-inclined, an array of oysters promise that you'll meet your recommended daily zinc/aphrodisiac allowance. The bivalves are fresh and briny, although I miss the old 'shooter' option. Also, where'd the cheddar jalapeno biscuits go? At it's best, the Miller was the platonic ideal of red lobster. And I mean that in a good way.
Soups usually include a vegetable and a seafood option. I skip vegetable soups for the reason that most critics avoid salads. Root vegetables are dirt cheap, and I refuse to pay $8 for parsnips, carrots, celery root or anything that comes within spitting difference of mirepoix, no matter how much cumin you wave at it. I gladly defer to chef's tastes, but this is really food that I can make at home. I've encountered scores of chowder variations over the years; all rich with seafood and fragrant with fresh herbs and wine. Caesar salad properly balances fresh, cool dry lettuce and clingy garlic-charged dressing. The addition of quebec blue cheese adds umami punch. Various spring rolls arrive hot and crisp, in huge portions that demand sharing. A pair of shrimp-and-crab cakes should also be shared, but between it's crispy exterior and sweet melting seafood, greed may indeed be good.
A whole section of the menu is devoted to burgers, beef and otherwise, all sided with serviceable slaw and regrettably frozen fries. At $15-20 a burger, one wishes that the kitchen could show the same attention to this part of the meal as it does with its creative selection of patties and fixin's. Sadly, the Miller's fries are outclassed by the Pilot's, Caplansky's and the Stockyards, all of which offer comparable burgers at lower prices. That said, a substituted blue cheese Caesar or cheddar-laced potato cake from the steak portion of the menu turns one's attention elsewhere.
Mains change seasonally, as pointed out on the Miller's website, on the menu, on the postings on your way into the restaurant, by the wait staff, the cooks, the dishwasher, the couple at the next table, and by the drunken girls giggling on the subway on my way home, and I swear by Lloyd Robertson on the 11;00 news.
Still, steaks are a constant; tender if grilled a step or two beyond requested temperature. A colossal shrimp offered to surf one's turf is a worthwhile investment. Crisp univeg accompanies the options, along with a choice of damnable fries, herbed mash or the aforementioned cheesy, steroidal latke. All well done, but lacking the pizazz of the less formal options, or the refinement of the range of fish and seafood dishes, including a boulliabaise-style halibut; seared scallops or grilled salmon. Each fish preparation rates its own sides. Most of these incorporate some asian elements. At their best, they play off the superior freshness of the fish, which seems to be sustainable as well.
Service is friendly and gracious to a fault. Repeat customers are acknowledged and the team works to ensure everyone leaves the table happy. Occasionally, happy extras find their way to the table. Coffee is poured hot and strong. I rise from my seat with a full belly, relaxed and ready to dive into the weekend. -
Review from L B.
Toronto, ON
6/7/2010
The Miller is great! We visited last night for the first time (took the in-laws as it's a place you can actually have a quality visit and quality food).
They have a private parking lot which is awesome if you want to drive!
We all had drinks - the wine was great (we ordered a some, although they also do BYOW, which is a plus) and I tried a Raspberry cocktail which was also great (served in a mason jar with mint). Our starter were exceptional - chicken spring rolls and bruschetta. 3/4 of us wanted lighter meals, meals were spinach salad with chicken, cobb salad, a burger and sweet potato fries and tortellini.
They lose one star in my opinion because there was no special dipping sauce for the sweet potato fries and we could have had a similar meal elsewhere for a lower price point.
Overall, we had a great first experience! -
Review from Amanda A.
Toronto, ON
I can't believe this hasn't been reviewed yet! I love the Miller, and I don't think I'm the only one - since its always packed when I go there.
Even for lunch during the week you should make reservations in advance. I went without reservations and my small group got "stuck" on the patio. This turned out to be amazing - because their patio is awesome, and very, very large. It was also a beautiful day outside, which never hurts.
The Miller Tavern might have served me the best food I've ever tasted in my life. I know, it sounds extreme but the menu is to die for. It is hard to make a decision because everything is so great. I don't know one person who hasn't absolutely loved their meal there.
I've been for dinner and lunch. Both times have excellent service, even though they were very busy. I hear the "Comfort Foods" section of the menu is the best - I ordered the Beef Tenderloin Cavatappi off of this once and it was amazing. The beef was cooked to pefection. They do specialize in seafood, complete with an oyster bar, but you can get all kinds of cuisines here. I've had dessert here as well, and was very impressed with the creme brulee.
They have a great selection of wine and a full bar. I love the atmosphere indoors, as well.
This place is great for dates or even company parties. I would recommend The Miller Tavern to anyone.
Lunch is about $20-30 and Dinner is more like $40-50 per person.Listed in: Lunch Spots
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Review from Pardeep R.
Markham, ON
5/15/2011 1 photo
Food is good, however I found the portions to be extremely small, especially for the price being paid!! Did a bday dinner with 17 guests, and found the service to be slow and some what poor. Reservations were followed up very nicely, lots of parking !!
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Review from rob d.
Toronto, ON
1/6/2011
GREAT place....the ideal local tavern...yet more than a tavern...food is fabulous...decor is nice...great outdoor patios in nice weather...a big improvement over the original "Jolly Miller"!!
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Review from Betty C.
North York, ON
7/9/2011
I echo the other reviews about the ambience. Friends and I went there for dinner and the setting is lovely. I had the vegetarian item (tomato stuffed with lentils) and I enjoyed it. My friends had meat dishes and they complained a bit about the meat being tough. The waitress we had was nice and cheerful but I guess it was a busy evening so we had trouble finding her sometimes :) To me this place is okay.
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Review from Edmund H.
Toronto, ON
4/13/2010
LIke the guy on the TV commercial says: "save your money!"
Me and a friend ordered clam / shrimp chowder to start. A small "miso"-sized cup was 6$. I sent mine back because it was so salty that it was like drinking sea brine. The chunks of seafood in it were pulverized and unrecognizable (no whole shrimps, etc.).
My friend ordered a single oyster for $4.50. It was a great oyster but more expensive than Rodney's?!? Presented on ice in a metal martini glass with fresh horse-raddish, seafood sauce and wedge of lemon.
My main was a Pad Thai dish for $21.00. An overcooked shrimp as garnish. I think there may have been some ketchup in the pad thai sauce mixed with coconut milk and some spice? Notable absence of thai mint which (along with coconut) are standard for classic character but this version had no fusion concept to replace what was missing... Good "quantity" of seafood and large serving overall. The cashews were not crunchy but stale.
My friend ordered a rare filet mignon which came medium. No complaints, standard fare overall (in the neighbourhood of $40.00).
Dessert for me was a $12.00 berries with grand marnier which did not come with Grand Marnier but rather a home-made sugar syrup (sugar + water) as it was clear and colourless, sweet and flavourless. There was a good helping of unexpected whipped cream (not from the can but the real deal).
The espresso was great and the service was fast and friendly. A good place to go for a drink but not a good dinner spot on a Monday at least.
I came here with a friend last night (Monday night) so it may be the case that the A team wasn't on in the kitchen. -
Review from willi p.
Markham, ON
11/13/2009
The Miller is a Toronto landmark. Most believe the tavern is run down and do not realize that a HUGE rennivation has made it a great restaurant and Pub. Excellent food and ambiance. The outside patio is delighfull.
