The Carriage House Restaurant

Just One Question: When Will It Close Down?

We have been going to this restaurant since it opened in 2003/2004. It was so nice to have a "proper" restaurant open in Burlington. A place where they had the budget to buy proper kitchen equipment, proper dining tables and chairs, proper flatware and stemware. Upon enetering, you'd smell the pleasant sweetness of mesquite charcoal and your mouth would water at the display of fresh fish and game meat on display. This was the place! 7 years later, nothing has changed. Including the menu (Tasmanian Ocean Trout has been a nightly special for 2,372 nights running) and the insufferable service headed up by the "Franz" the aloof manager. About 6 months ago after a particularily agonizing exchange with Franz, we finally realized that the cons of this restaurant have outweighed any pros and have decided never to return. From driving by on various weekend nights, the parking lot appears empty. Has the rest of Burlington come to the same conclusion we have? I look forward to the day that the Carriage House closes their doors and someone who cares about providing all facets of a good restaurant decides to take up occupancy in this perfect location.

Favourite Place

My sister and brother-in-law visited us from Holland - so it was my absolute intention to bring them here. My husband and I visit every couple of months and we love it. The food is fabulous and the service second to none. Bread, water and wine replaced when needed and you're made to feel very confortable. My sister and her husband said it was the best meal they had ever had - looking forward to our next visit :)

One of the best meals ever

I was extremely impressed by this dining experience. Service staff was fantastic and very attentive. We were never left wanting for anything. Bread and wine was filled as emptied, with a smile. Meat was cooked to perfection, and presented well. A great selection of wine was available. The atmosphere was comfortable and homey, while the mesquite grill warms you with it's aromas. And perhaps the best testament to it's quality is that everyone in there seemed to be having a great time. Highly recommended.

amazing food, great service. I was there the same night as previous reviewer and I witnessed the incident. The owner handled herself great. The complainers were very rude, if I was the owner I would shove the lamb down their throats and kicked them out. This is the best restaurant in Burlington and the owner was right not to allow to be bullied by ignorant, rude people. Way to go, I love you. See you soon.

We visited Carriage House on the advice of friends. First impressions were good. One of our party received a meal that was overcooked and asked that it be replaced. The owner promptly visited our table but disappointed us by challenging the interpretation of medium rare. The replacement meal took over 30 minutes but it arrived blue rare. When the meal was sent back a second time the owner came back to our table and placed the meat from the original entree in the middle of our table. She proceeded to scold the table and make a scene in the restaurant. I have never been so embarrassed and disgusted with the utter lack of customer service skills, where did she get that piece of meat from, the garbage??. The owner of this establishment had the opportunity to address a complaint in a professional manner but her sense of entitlement got the best of her. I'm sure other people have had positive experiences but I suggest you keep complaints to yourself, it is not worth the wrath of the owner.