The Almond Tree Manor

Reviews about The Almond Tree Manor

• 3 / 5

  By Thomas Mayor
  Went to the Almond Tree Manor today because I won a gift certificate from a local radio station. When you walk in, the dining area looks like it is unfinished. It almost seems like a restaurnat in search of an identity. There is a pool table, a couple of dartboards, some sofas near the entry into the dining area, which is also confused with tables on one side of the space with tablecloths and much too close to the wall, and tables on the other side of the space with no tablecloths. The food was not bad, but it also did not stand out to me. I and my girlfriend started out with the Baba-Ghanouch, which is roasted eggplant, pureed with garlic, lemon juice, and tahini paste. It was good, but I want to try it somewhere else, or just try to make it at home since the flavor wasn't memorable. Except for what the menu said about what was in it, I couldn't taste much more than the eggplant and a bare hint of garlic. We then ordered soup: she had the seven cheese french onion soup, and I had their firehouse chili. They have an interesting take on french onion soup, combining the traditional with the addition of tomato as well as chicken stock. My girlfriend said it was good and an interesting take on french onion soup, but would have preferred something more traditional. As for the firehouse chili, it did not have enough spice to call it "firehouse". However, on a good note, they use larger cuts of beef, like shredded chuck or sirloin, as opposed to just using ground beef. Entrees: Hers was the baked Haddock which came with couscous and fresh vegetables. My entree was their Bic Mac n Cheese which comes with grilled chicken and bacon. First, there was a pinbone in my girlfriend's fish. The chef apologized for not catching it, but that was it. No offer to make a fresh dish of food. The flavors again were not inspired. The dish was well prepared, but could have been so much more. As for the Mac n Cheese, the sauce, while it has some good flavors, was thinner than I would have liked. And, when you add bacon to mac n cheese, it should not be whole slices of bacon, but it should be crumbled into or on top at the end. HUGE PET PEEVE - SOFT DRINKS ARE NOT REFILLABLE! Who the heck does that anymore? The server could not even answer whether or not they were refillable, and never did tell us until I got the bill and noticed that we were charged for each drink. Not cool!
  
  I think the chef, who states he has been cooking for 40 years, may have lost a little of his passion for cooking. It looks like this place is trying it's very best to be something more than it is. With the catering hall being used for events like Teen Night on Friday nights, they might just be trying to create revenue streams to keep them in business, when they should focus more on amping up the flavor of their food and turning the restaurant dining area into something that is more focused and inviting. If they make improvements like this, then I may consider going back, as long as the soft drinks are free refills!!
  May 22, 2017
• 5 / 5

  By Aphex ᄋᄌᄋ
  Very nice, LOVED the chocolate fountain
  January 02, 2017
• 5 / 5

  By Brian Ellis
  What can I say, for the town of Alpha, New Jersey this place is an oasis in the middle of nowhere, Chef is awesome and passionate, the food is bar none, would like to see some live singing bands in near future, this place reminds me of The Peacock Inn in Princeton or Black Horse Tavern & Pub. Too bad Zagat have not listed this great place yet. The place is romantic and cozy, I was spellbind by the atmosphere!!!!
  
  Brian Ellis,
  Mendham, NJ
  July 14, 2016
• 2 / 5

  By Autumn McClain
  Food was way below par. Tasted like vegetables all came from a can. Salad wilted. Meat dry. Staff was nice and place was pretty. So if you don't eat I guess it's ok.
  June 03, 2016