Exceptional chef. I had eggs Florentine with hollandaise made on the spot that was the best I’d had with sautéed baby spinach! Perfection!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Barat
Very Very disappointed in the service here, would not recommend, especially for parties over 2. As the place has 20+ small round tables ( for a party of 2). We were a party of 5, and had the worst service in years. We had a reservation (7pm) but was not needed as place only half full this Sat night, We were seated when we got there, at 3 tables pushed other (1 square and 2 small rounds) by who we thought was our waiter ( male) not sure now if we actually had an assigned waiter. ( Note: small Round tables pushed together don’t make a great seating arrangement for large party there). Note: there was a party of 10? Sitting at a bunch of tables together which may have caused service issue, not sure) Then we waited , 15 minutes go by and one in our party got up and ask the person at host podium (our waiter ?) if we could get some menus, received them a few minutes later. Now this place is small, one room 25’ x 25’, with a bar on one wall, and some tables outside (still only 50% occupies) Staff looked like one bartender and 3 others. 15 minutes after we got the menus, the waiter? that seated us came to the our table to ask for our drink and food order (with his electr device) . Please understand that this was the first time anyone came to our tables in 30 minutes to check on us. But all the wait staff passed our tables to handle others in the room and outside over last 30 min. First thing I asked for was some water, the plastic water glasses were already on the tables when we sat, but no water was offered. Water was provided after we gave our orders. I realized later that water was just at the bar in old wine bottles, I should have just gone and picked it up my self, instead of waiting 35 min for water.
Please understand other parties came in after us, one was a party of 4 , (15-20 minutes after us) , who were given menu's, water and had the orders taken before us ( by the other wait staff) and some eat and left before we ever got our meals. I was wondering if we should just leave, but we were hungry, and the person that recommended this place to us, was with us and getting upset what was happening and started tearing up. Also Unfortunately they were out of oysters , which was one reason we came ( was told they were out when we ordered) Food was delivered in acceptable time but by the other staff, even the bartender was helping, but our waiter? was no where to be seen, until he came over for payment ( more said on that later) Drinks and food was fine, heard no complaints or accolades. After we had finished , we then sat with dirty plates , for 15-20 minutes. As no one came by to asked us anything. One in our party I believed flagged someone down to clear the plates. The place was now less full than when we arrived. Our waiter did the last 2 plates after we plated some lefts overs in a provided container. Our waiter? came by with the electronic Order/ bill machine in his hand, asked if we wanted desert, we declined and stated will get at the fest ale 6 blocks away. He then totaled the bill and provided the machine to be for payment, 8 inquired if there was an itemized receipt? We then stared at each other for a second and then I said never mind , and paid the bill with a CC. He did not get a 20% tip. We then left and a a great time at the festival with received wonderful service at the booths for our desserts
Some items were simplified to prevent this being a 10 page review :)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Dalie Gilbert
French bistro in the corner of a busy & popular neighborhood Great food and very friendly service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Frites
BR BR
Guys don’t bother coming service and food have gone WAY DOWN. What u pay for a meal you can go elsewhere.. Staff is inattentive if you are a party of one or two. The waitress Agatha is terrible she shouldn’t be a waitress , didn’t check on my food , didn’t come back very inattentive terrible service and the food was cold. I ate it because it was late and I was hungry. Disney have a problem paying but after my complaint it should have been an option to send it back which it was not. Very lazy staff especially with the dining room empty
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jose Carrera
A cold March night. The wind whipped and whirled around, illuminated by the lights of the Essex Market. Finding myself famished, I entered this accursed eatery, expecting what I would from any other respectable location. However, upon setting foot inside this bastion of offensive food was unquestionably rude staff, outlandish prices and unexceptional food.
As I take my seat, I quickly come to find that the “tables” are constructed of cheap and likely bargain bin metal constructs, hardly able to sustain the weight of the cups, let alone my person. The table nearly collapsed upon itself as it rested on it. After being seated for nearly 600 seconds (10 minutes), I was finally given a menu. As I had not been given a menu to even consider what I would be dining, I found myself pervading the surrounding architecture and I found it wanting. Drab and dreary tables with little to none in the way of decor. A miniscule dining space with cramped seating, and a trashed basement area in which patrons were expected to use the lavatory, boarding in on unhygienic. I am not unaware of the lack of spacing being a common issue for New York eateries, but this place made little to no attempts to renovate the space to account for the small surface area of the diner, if it can even be called such.
Upon surveying the menu, I found nothing too particularly extraordinary, but nothing unexpected of a bistro. Pasta dishes with sides of meat, seafood selections and burgers with fries. Meant to sustain the common masses, and the common masses are sustained, however the prices are fit for a king. I dejectedly resigned myself to an “un sandwich au poulet” (a chicken sandwich) with a side of fries for $22. When the waiter came to take my order, they asked for either sparkling or tap water. I would have usually requested a chilled Château d'Yquem, but as I was reviewing for the common man, I ordered a tap water. The waiter was completely aghast that I would order tap. He seemed completely besides himself which I found intensely inappropriate.
The food arrived with a reasonable amount of time, around the same amount as I had waited to receive a menu. I was faced with a very unappealing and unappetizing meal. A chicken breast, likely frozen, smothered with melted cheese. The garnishings were quite fresh however, the tomato and lettuce seemingly freshly chopped. As I wanted to minimize the time I spent in this dreary establishment, I hastily consumed my food as a man possessed. The flavor was inoffensive and bland. Little to no seasoning and the fries were quite dry as well. Nearly inedible without the ketchup beside it.
As I went to pay my bill, I was applauded to find a required 20% gratuity fee. A gratuity fee? for what? I had hardly requested anything from the staff besides the meal itself and to find I was expected to pay an additional $4 for no reason was repulsive. I would have made a scene had the location not been so crowded
Ultimately, this location is a shallow simulacrum of a bistro and I would not dare to find myself indulging in their food again, and I would advise others to heed my words. This foul eatery is a stain upon the Essex Market area and I hope to see major improvements moving forward if this location is to remain. Thank you.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
William Chan
One of the best French bistros in town. Food and service were excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Taras Richter
I visited MILA’S BISTRO for the first time in May and stopped by for a quick bite and a cold beer on a hot day. The atmosphere is super authentic with a bit of a retro vibe — very charming and relaxed. The staff were sweet and helpful, offering great suggestions without being pushy. I left happy and definitely plan to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patrick McCullough
I love Mila's. Everyone is so friendly, and the food is so good! Whether you come for brunch or dinner, you'll be so happy with the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Šimon Kouša
Upon entering this fine establishment — whose name I shall graciously withhold out of pity — I hoped for nothing more than a brief moment of relief. Not a meal. Not a five-course tasting menu. Just a simple, civilized bathroom break.
What I received instead was a crash course in customer service warfare.
I politely asked to use the restroom. You’d think I had requested access to the crown jewels. The staff looked at me like I had asked to borrow their grandmother’s pacemaker. With a tone colder than a dead fish in Siberia, they informed me that restrooms are for paying customers only.
Fair enough, I thought. I’m a reasonable man. I walked to the counter and purchased a warm, sad can of Coca-Cola for $4 — a price so offensive it deserves its own congressional hearing.
And yet, even then, handing over the restroom key felt like an exorcism. The employee reluctantly produced it as if unlocking a vault in Fort Knox. No smile. No humanity. Just pure, bureaucratic bathroom gatekeeping.
Now, the restroom itself? A disaster piece. Stained floors, mysterious odors, the ambiance of a 90s Eastern European gas station during a plumbing strike. I considered turning back, but my bladder overruled my better judgment.
Final impressions:
Staff: emotionally detached and suspiciously dead inside
Policy: punitive capitalism at its finest
Restroom: only slightly more inviting than a warzone latrine
Coke: $4 ransom for biological rights
Do yourself a favor — if you need to pee, go behind a tree. The wilderness is more welcoming than this place.
I was initially headed to a nearby restaurant, but when I arrived, it was a scene with a waiting line... after 30 years in NYC, I don't do lines! So I walked just a few blocks away looking for another place and happened to see Mila's neon sign and the quaint, familiar yellow and red bistro exterior. I took a quick look at the menu and they happened to have salmon and mashed potatoes which is just what I was in the mood for that night! Inside, the restaurant is cozy with a romantic, candlelit atmosphere, and a European café vibe. I quickly fell into conversation with the server/host, Agatha, and when we discovered we had a shared Hungarian heritage, the place felt like home to me! My salmon came perfectly cooked and the dish was a good-sized portion so I was pleased. The only improvement I would suggest is that they expand their dessert selection as there are only 2 items to choose from. If you're looking for a comfy, neighborhood place with good food and warm, inviting service, give Mila's a try!
Laura Radloff
I just had dinner there last night. I was really excited to try them as their menu isn't just traditional French, so I could go with whatever mood struck me. I was also in a group of 7, and we all had something different. I ordered the chicken sandwich. I asked if this was a grilled chicken sandwich - I have a hard time finding a good one in NYC as every other place offers a fried chicken sandwich, which has become clichè. The waitress said it was a grilled chicken sandwich. Although it was good, it was most definitely not grilled. The skin was on, and even seemed to have bits of fat or ends which I ate around. Came with fries whic were nice and crisp. Anyway, the sandwich was still good, like I said, but the waitress should've known it wasn't grilled - maybe they can do it next time? My friend had the roasted chicken breast, but this time no skin (go figure) on a bed of mashed potatoes. It was excellent! Super juicy. It hard to get the waitress to keep us filled up with water; we had to flag her down twice to keep asking. Also, at the end, when we asked about splitting the bill, she said if we had said this at the beginning of the night, it would've been possible, which was frustrating. Obviously, if it's a large group, she should've asked us from the get-go. Somehow, though, at the end, she said she was able to do it. But it was weird. I would definitely come back, though, and try the pasta or the salmon, which also looked good.
debbi
Excellent wait staff. Food was delicious and quickly served.
Ebonyi
I ordered the Pasta Bolognese, and it was served with spaghetti. The bolognese itself did not seem to be cooked with soffritto, which is known as mirepoix in French cooking. Nor did it have any form of guanciale, pancetta or bacon, and there was very little meat in it which consisted of ground beef. Plus, the bolognese had more of a creamy flavor profile than a tomatoey one. It’s possible that the creaminess came from ricotta, which would be more tolerable for a lasagne, but that’s not what I ordered. There was not even a speck of parmigiano-reggiano, or pecorino detected. It also clearly was not cooked for multiple hours. Moving to the pasta, bolognese is only supposed to be served with egg fresh pasta like tagliatelle or pappardelle. Even the dried version of mezzi rigatoni would have been an excellent choice. Spaghetti is too thin to capture the sauce of the bolognese, more so for the meat in which it was made with. Spaghetti is better suited for dishes such as pasta al pomodoro, cacio e pepe, or carbonara. I was not expecting this dish to be one-hundred percent authentic, but if you have something classic like a bolognese on the menu, at least present it as if the sweet, neighborhood Nonna made it. Nonna is not proud, and every time an authentic, classic Italian dish is prepared incorrectly, a nonna loses her wings. This dish would disappoint not only all the nonne in the Emilia-Romagna region, but the entire continent of Europe. And should be reported to the Embassy of Bologna. There are a few things I will give praise for. The pasta was cooked al dente, and while not heavy handed, I could tell the pasta water was salted. The dish, spaghetti and meatballs did not exist on the menu, at least to my knowledge. Plus, I admired that the serving of pasta was adequate and not an entire box piled in a mountain on my plate. Also, while others may not find it enjoyable, I appreciated the dim lighting. Not to mention, I was fond of how the tap water we were drinking came in green, glass bottles, that way I could at least pretend we were drinking S. Pellegrino. Molto bene! Finally, I would like to state the following, Delaware River water > Hudson River water. And please learn how to properly pronounce the word Bolognese. Per favore e grazie!
Dollar awesome oysters!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Exceptional chef. I had eggs Florentine with hollandaise made on the spot that was the best I’d had with sautéed baby spinach! Perfection!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very Very disappointed in the service here, would not recommend, especially for parties over 2. As the place has 20+ small round tables ( for a party of 2). We were a party of 5, and had the worst service in years. We had a reservation (7pm) but was not needed as place only half full this Sat night, We were seated when we got there, at 3 tables pushed other (1 square and 2 small rounds) by who we thought was our waiter ( male) not sure now if we actually had an assigned waiter.
( Note: small Round tables pushed together don’t make a great seating arrangement for large party there).
Note: there was a party of 10? Sitting at a bunch of tables together which may have caused service issue, not sure)
Then we waited , 15 minutes go by and one in our party got up and ask the person at host podium (our waiter ?) if we could get some menus, received them a few minutes later.
Now this place is small, one room 25’ x 25’, with a bar on one wall, and some tables outside (still only 50% occupies) Staff looked like one bartender and 3 others.
15 minutes after we got the menus, the waiter? that seated us came to the our table to ask for our drink and food order (with his electr device) . Please understand that this was the first time anyone came to our tables in 30 minutes to check on us. But all the wait staff passed our tables to handle others in the room and outside over last 30 min. First thing I asked for was some water, the plastic water glasses were already on the tables when we sat, but no water was offered. Water was provided after we gave our orders. I realized later that water was just at the bar in old wine bottles, I should have just gone and picked it up my self, instead of waiting 35 min for water.
Please understand other parties came in after us, one was a party of 4 , (15-20 minutes after us) , who were given menu's, water and had the orders taken before us ( by the other wait staff) and some eat and left before we ever got our meals.
I was wondering if we should just leave, but we were hungry, and the person that recommended this place to us, was with us and getting upset what was happening and started tearing up.
Also Unfortunately they were out of oysters , which was one reason we came ( was told they were out when we ordered)
Food was delivered in acceptable time but by the other staff, even the bartender was helping, but our waiter? was no where to be seen, until he came over for payment ( more said on that later)
Drinks and food was fine, heard no complaints or accolades.
After we had finished , we then sat with dirty plates , for 15-20 minutes. As no one came by to asked us anything. One in our party I believed flagged someone down to clear the plates. The place was now less full than when we arrived.
Our waiter did the last 2 plates after we plated some lefts overs in a provided container.
Our waiter? came by with the electronic Order/ bill machine in his hand, asked if we wanted desert, we declined and stated will get at the fest ale 6 blocks away. He then totaled the bill and provided the machine to be for payment, 8 inquired if there was an itemized receipt? We then stared at each other for a second and then I said never mind , and paid the bill with a CC. He did not get a 20% tip.
We then left and a a great time at the festival with received wonderful service at the booths for our desserts
Some items were simplified to prevent this being a 10 page review :)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
French bistro in the corner of a busy & popular neighborhood
Great food and very friendly service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Frites
Guys don’t bother coming service and food have gone WAY DOWN. What u pay for a meal you can go elsewhere.. Staff is inattentive if you are a party of one or two. The waitress Agatha is terrible she shouldn’t be a waitress , didn’t check on my food , didn’t come back very inattentive terrible service and the food was cold. I ate it because it was late and I was hungry. Disney have a problem paying but after my complaint it should have been an option to send it back which it was not. Very lazy staff especially with the dining room empty
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
A cold March night. The wind whipped and whirled around, illuminated by the lights of the Essex Market. Finding myself famished, I entered this accursed eatery, expecting what I would from any other respectable location. However, upon setting foot inside this bastion of offensive food was unquestionably rude staff, outlandish prices and unexceptional food.
As I take my seat, I quickly come to find that the “tables” are constructed of cheap and likely bargain bin metal constructs, hardly able to sustain the weight of the cups, let alone my person. The table nearly collapsed upon itself as it rested on it. After being seated for nearly 600 seconds (10 minutes), I was finally given a menu. As I had not been given a menu to even consider what I would be dining, I found myself pervading the surrounding architecture and I found it wanting. Drab and dreary tables with little to none in the way of decor. A miniscule dining space with cramped seating, and a trashed basement area in which patrons were expected to use the lavatory, boarding in on unhygienic. I am not unaware of the lack of spacing being a common issue for New York eateries, but this place made little to no attempts to renovate the space to account for the small surface area of the diner, if it can even be called such.
Upon surveying the menu, I found nothing too particularly extraordinary, but nothing unexpected of a bistro. Pasta dishes with sides of meat, seafood selections and burgers with fries. Meant to sustain the common masses, and the common masses are sustained, however the prices are fit for a king. I dejectedly resigned myself to an “un sandwich au poulet” (a chicken sandwich) with a side of fries for $22. When the waiter came to take my order, they asked for either sparkling or tap water. I would have usually requested a chilled Château d'Yquem, but as I was reviewing for the common man, I ordered a tap water. The waiter was completely aghast that I would order tap. He seemed completely besides himself which I found intensely inappropriate.
The food arrived with a reasonable amount of time, around the same amount as I had waited to receive a menu. I was faced with a very unappealing and unappetizing meal. A chicken breast, likely frozen, smothered with melted cheese. The garnishings were quite fresh however, the tomato and lettuce seemingly freshly chopped. As I wanted to minimize the time I spent in this dreary establishment, I hastily consumed my food as a man possessed. The flavor was inoffensive and bland. Little to no seasoning and the fries were quite dry as well. Nearly inedible without the ketchup beside it.
As I went to pay my bill, I was applauded to find a required 20% gratuity fee. A gratuity fee? for what? I had hardly requested anything from the staff besides the meal itself and to find I was expected to pay an additional $4 for no reason was repulsive. I would have made a scene had the location not been so crowded
Ultimately, this location is a shallow simulacrum of a bistro and I would not dare to find myself indulging in their food again, and I would advise others to heed my words. This foul eatery is a stain upon the Essex Market area and I hope to see major improvements moving forward if this location is to remain. Thank you.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
One of the best French bistros in town. Food and service were excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I visited MILA’S BISTRO for the first time in May and stopped by for a quick bite and a cold beer on a hot day. The atmosphere is super authentic with a bit of a retro vibe — very charming and relaxed. The staff were sweet and helpful, offering great suggestions without being pushy. I left happy and definitely plan to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love Mila's. Everyone is so friendly, and the food is so good! Whether you come for brunch or dinner, you'll be so happy with the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Upon entering this fine establishment — whose name I shall graciously withhold out of pity — I hoped for nothing more than a brief moment of relief. Not a meal. Not a five-course tasting menu. Just a simple, civilized bathroom break.
What I received instead was a crash course in customer service warfare.
I politely asked to use the restroom. You’d think I had requested access to the crown jewels. The staff looked at me like I had asked to borrow their grandmother’s pacemaker. With a tone colder than a dead fish in Siberia, they informed me that restrooms are for paying customers only.
Fair enough, I thought. I’m a reasonable man. I walked to the counter and purchased a warm, sad can of Coca-Cola for $4 — a price so offensive it deserves its own congressional hearing.
And yet, even then, handing over the restroom key felt like an exorcism. The employee reluctantly produced it as if unlocking a vault in Fort Knox. No smile. No humanity. Just pure, bureaucratic bathroom gatekeeping.
Now, the restroom itself? A disaster piece. Stained floors, mysterious odors, the ambiance of a 90s Eastern European gas station during a plumbing strike. I considered turning back, but my bladder overruled my better judgment.
Final impressions:
Staff: emotionally detached and suspiciously dead inside
Policy: punitive capitalism at its finest
Restroom: only slightly more inviting than a warzone latrine
Coke: $4 ransom for biological rights
Do yourself a favor — if you need to pee, go behind a tree. The wilderness is more welcoming than this place.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great spot and nice lighting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was initially headed to a nearby restaurant, but when I arrived, it was a scene with a waiting line... after 30 years in NYC, I don't do lines! So I walked just a few blocks away looking for another place and happened to see Mila's neon sign and the quaint, familiar yellow and red bistro exterior. I took a quick look at the menu and they happened to have salmon and mashed potatoes which is just what I was in the mood for that night! Inside, the restaurant is cozy with a romantic, candlelit atmosphere, and a European café vibe. I quickly fell into conversation with the server/host, Agatha, and when we discovered we had a shared Hungarian heritage, the place felt like home to me! My salmon came perfectly cooked and the dish was a good-sized portion so I was pleased. The only improvement I would suggest is that they expand their dessert selection as there are only 2 items to choose from.
If you're looking for a comfy, neighborhood place with good food and warm, inviting service, give Mila's a try!
I just had dinner there last night. I was really excited to try them as their menu isn't just traditional French, so I could go with whatever mood struck me. I was also in a group of 7, and we all had something different. I ordered the chicken sandwich. I asked if this was a grilled chicken sandwich - I have a hard time finding a good one in NYC as every other place offers a fried chicken sandwich, which has become clichè. The waitress said it was a grilled chicken sandwich. Although it was good, it was most definitely not grilled. The skin was on, and even seemed to have bits of fat or ends which I ate around. Came with fries whic were nice and crisp. Anyway, the sandwich was still good, like I said, but the waitress should've known it wasn't grilled - maybe they can do it next time? My friend had the roasted chicken breast, but this time no skin (go figure) on a bed of mashed potatoes. It was excellent! Super juicy. It hard to get the waitress to keep us filled up with water; we had to flag her down twice to keep asking. Also, at the end, when we asked about splitting the bill, she said if we had said this at the beginning of the night, it would've been possible, which was frustrating. Obviously, if it's a large group, she should've asked us from the get-go. Somehow, though, at the end, she said she was able to do it. But it was weird. I would definitely come back, though, and try the pasta or the salmon, which also looked good.
Excellent wait staff. Food was delicious and quickly served.
I ordered the Pasta Bolognese, and it was served with spaghetti. The bolognese itself did not seem to be cooked with soffritto, which is known as mirepoix in French cooking. Nor did it have any form of guanciale, pancetta or bacon, and there was very little meat in it which consisted of ground beef. Plus, the bolognese had more of a creamy flavor profile than a tomatoey one. It’s possible that the creaminess came from ricotta, which would be more tolerable for a lasagne, but that’s not what I ordered. There was not even a speck of parmigiano-reggiano, or pecorino detected. It also clearly was not cooked for multiple hours.
Moving to the pasta, bolognese is only supposed to be served with egg fresh pasta like tagliatelle or pappardelle. Even the dried version of mezzi rigatoni would have been an excellent choice. Spaghetti is too thin to capture the sauce of the bolognese, more so for the meat in which it was made with. Spaghetti is better suited for dishes such as pasta al pomodoro, cacio e pepe, or carbonara.
I was not expecting this dish to be one-hundred percent authentic, but if you have something classic like a bolognese on the menu, at least present it as if the sweet, neighborhood Nonna made it. Nonna is not proud, and every time an authentic, classic Italian dish is prepared incorrectly, a nonna loses her wings. This dish would disappoint not only all the nonne in the Emilia-Romagna region, but the entire continent of Europe. And should be reported to the Embassy of Bologna.
There are a few things I will give praise for. The pasta was cooked al dente, and while not heavy handed, I could tell the pasta water was salted. The dish, spaghetti and meatballs did not exist on the menu, at least to my knowledge. Plus, I admired that the serving of pasta was adequate and not an entire box piled in a mountain on my plate. Also, while others may not find it enjoyable, I appreciated the dim lighting. Not to mention, I was fond of how the tap water we were drinking came in green, glass bottles, that way I could at least pretend we were drinking S. Pellegrino. Molto bene!
Finally, I would like to state the following, Delaware River water > Hudson River water. And please learn how to properly pronounce the word Bolognese. Per favore e grazie!
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