On Saturday, Nov 25th, 2006 I attended dinner at The Green Tree in Leesburg, VA.
What looked like a cozy little home cooked meal from generations ago turned into an experience of personal hell.
Let’s start with the food. Any food item of remote interest had ham, bacon, wine, bottom dwelling sea creature — anyone who has even the simplest of dietary needs or preferences is helpless. I ended up ordering the chicken… which was bland. And dry.
Service was slow and inattentive. A small argument ensured between the wait-staff of who’s job it was to refill our water glasses and who’s it wasn’t. We didn’t need to see that. Or wait for it to get resolved.
Prices were about what you’d expect, but the real torment happened when multiple people had plastic only and the waitress wouldn’t split the check. Instead, it was everyone’s job to figure out — to the penny — how much their part was, because she’d already rung up tax and tip (to which she gave herself a healthy 20%). No calculator was provided.
What made matters worse was that the manager sat there watching it all. He didn’t get involved. He didn’t even offer.
While all this was going on someone nearby lit up one of the worst smelling cigarettes I’ve ever experienced second hand and it was clear there was no division between smoking and non-smoking that made any difference what-so-ever.
My wife and I threw down cash and walked out. We later learned from the rest of the party that they were kept there for well over an hour.
A little research on the Internet shows that in the past The Green Tree used to be a nice place, but now it, and its sister restaurants on the same strip owned by the same owners have terrible reviews. I was forced to agree.
If the The Green Tree is on your social plans, change them.
Walt gives The Green Tree a big thumbs down.