Carriage House

We are Paper Mill subscribers and finally decided to take the plunge here and treat ourselves to a meal before the first show of the season. This latest incarnation of the restaurant was a big disappointment. For $ 43 prix fixe (the only option), we anticipated a special experience, and it was really very dull. We had a kale salad, broccoli soup, and flatbread for appetizers — nothing was special or particularly memorable. Two tortellonis and a chicken for dinner. Salty and rich, yet bland. Dessert was fine but my pumpkin gelato had clearly sat out, melted down and been put back in the freezer — wasn’t prepared fresh. For prices that high in NJ, I expect freshly prepared food, not something that sat out and was recycled. We’d be willing to pay it a few times a season if it was really good, but we’ll stick to eating in downtown Millburn from now on, until they try a new concept again. Everyone was nice and the service was good, but in the end, it’s all about the food, which let us down.

Very enjoyable experience. Nicole at the bar was very accommodating and is a very friendly face representing the business. Amanda, our server, paced our meal perfectly. We both had the braised veal short ribs. They were very good. The pumpkin gelato dessert was delicious. All in all I would highly recommend The Carriage House — even if you’re NOT going to see a performance at the Paper Mill Playhouse. It’s a very romantic restaurant with good food and good service.

Came here before a show for the price fixe. I had the New England clam chowder and my wife had the flat bread. Both were very good. For a main I had the veal short ribs and my wife had the salmon. My wife loved the salmon. My short ribs were bland and fatty. Desert was very good. The maitre d came over and offered an after dinner drink for a sub par dinner. Not really great. With so many other choices in Milburn, I will not be returning.

We are subscribers for 4 years and have always had wonderful service at the bar for food and drinks. Today, there were restrictions. We were told we could not order a meal at the bar even though there was only ¹⁄₃ capacity in the bar and restaurant. The bartender definitely turned away customers seeking food at the bar and told them to go to Charlie Brown’s.
I am glad this is not our normal day and time because this made me want to cancel my subscription.

We tried this for pre-​theatre dining before going to the Papermill. The diningroom seems elegant enough but the service was very slow and our meals were good, but overpriced for what we got. $ 40.00 for Salmon that was such a tiny portion and the drinks were high too. When we got our bill it came to about $ 60.00 per person. For that price, I could eat at one of the high end restaurants in Millburn. I will not be coming back here again.

The food & service here are both okay. But the prices would suggest a gourmet meal and our experience here did not come close to a gourmet experience. Our meal was missing the subtle touches that elevate a meal from both the service end, and the food preparation. A server that barely knew the menu, salad that was overdressed, fish that was overcooked, soup that was bland, etc. Not terrible, but taken all together — when judged by the price — a terrible value. With tax & tip you’ll pay about $ 55 for dinner here — plus the cost of drinks — and for that price you can have a really spectacular meal in a lot of restaurants, but not here.

If you have tickets for Paper Mill Playhouse, this is a great way to start your evening. Have brunch, lunch or dinner. Elegant with a comfy feel. Bright dinning area, fantastic food & drinks, and the staff is friendly. This is a hidden gem in Millburn. And they are reasonable in price but give you the feel of fine dining.

Ordered the 3 course meal before watching «Elf the musical.» Had the turkey sausage soup: excellent. Then I tried the open face meatloaf sandwich with gravy: excellent. Finished with a dark chocolate truffle with peppermint sorbet: excellent. Staff was very friendly, attentive, and well aware that you need your check before the show starts. Rustic atmosphere paired with a large fireplace makes it the perfect place to dine on a cold day. Highly recommended.

Pleasantly surprised. An air of tranquility, not to mention very good food and service. Wish it was open year ’round.

Great food. Can’t understand why there are no reviews. Great food, great service and casual but elegant atmosphere.

We went to the Carriage House restaurant at the Paper Mill Playhouse Saturday night before the show. Although I have been at the Paper Mill Playhouse several times, I have never had dinner at the restaurant on site. I have to say the place had a lively crowd. Running a little late we were seated and served in plenty of time to walk a few step into the theater and in our seats on time for the show. The menu was not overwhelming and had something for everyone. A fun appetizer of garlic bruschetta with goat cheese and tomato and olive gratin was lite and delicious. The roasted salmon filet with orange Dijon broth was fresh and delicious. The braised short ribs osso buco with fennel smashed potatoes was a hearty dish of melt in your mouth goodness. And yes, the deserts were lite and wonderful. Wait! It’s not over. After the show we stopped in for an after show drink and they had a really smooth piano player. Needless to say we all had a fun night. If you go to the Paper Mill Playhouse make reservations at the Carriage House Restaurant. We will certainly enjoy the experience many more times. One last thing. The show, The Other Josh Cohen, was really, really good.

Make sure you read the «FILTERED» reviews too! Disappointing isn’t even scratching the surface here! I am not a paid professional reviewer (as some here must be), but this was SO bad a meal I felt little choice but to post about my experience at the Carriage House: We made a reservation to coincide with seeing Sound of Music at Paper Mill Playhouse weeks in advance. Took an hour from seating until receiving our entrees. Of the 5 diners, only two meals were edible. One featured ice cold vegetables. The chicken breast I ordered was grayish in color, and came pre-​cut (???) with a flavorless side of chilly vegetables. And if you’re into a kids menu that features an uncooked grilled cheese sandwich then this is your place. I mean seriously, how hard is it to make a proper grilled cheese!!! So we paid over 250 dollars for two edible meals, one of which was shared with our ten year old child. Their desserts are obviously bought from Costco; a total waste of money. I even contacted the Playhouse and was told they have nothing to do with Carriage House and offered that it was run by Martini’s, a bar/​restaurant in Millburn. I spoke with their manager, Teddy. I shared our concerns and was assured I would receive a call from their promotions manager (Shaun). That was exactly two weeks ago as of today and we’ve heard nothing. I could go on about the weak service, a floor manager who paraded his baby in to a full restaurant while their service was suffering, or the GM, who seemed really lost and not at all fit for the job. Great concept and a beautiful facility but damn… they don’t care about putting out a good product. Laughably AWFUL! And truly sad. Enormous waste of money.

Service is great. But do not go their hungry for the prefix dinner menu before the show. The salmon the executive chef has on the menu is about 6 bites for 38 bucks with «so-​so» desserts. Soup was good. Spend your money at any of a dozen great restaurants in downtown Millburn before your show at the Papermill until this chef gets her act together and actually feeds people for their price tag.

The carriage house was recently renovated and it is gorgeous! I loved the artwork on the walls.
I got the pre fixe lunch with my mom, aunt and grandma before seeing A Chorus Line. For three courses it was only $ 20! For starters I got Baby Greens with Autumn apples & spiced pumpkin seed brittle with Dijon vinaigrette. Delish.
For my main course I got the Spinach salad with roasted chicken, pears, toasted almonds, and pomegranate vinaigrette. This was good, but the dressing was a bit thick and probably unhealthy.
For dessert I got the trio of homemade cookies, but also tried the cobbler. Both good.
I also got an iced coffee and a nice piece of warm bread and butter which were both included in the price. A fabulous deal.
My only complaint was having two salads. I would have preferred having two non-​salad choices for appetizers.
The service was very friendly.
I would definitely go back!