Orchard Green

So I realize this is about as belated as a review can be but I feel I must spread the word about this glorious local place that everyone should try. I eat here back in I believe February with my co-workers and roommate. It was a struggle to pick what to eat because everything sounded fabulous. The downside is only that the place is expensive and calls for nicer garb than one would wear to Applebee's, but it's worth every penny.

Score (based on 5 stars):

Friendliness: *****

Cleanliness: *****

Tastiness: *****

Affordable: ***

Overall: ****1/2

Friendliness:

The staff is very professional. They treat you like royalty and while they aren't pouring with 'down-home-Ma-&-Pa' personality, they make you feel like you're eating somewhere other than Iowa City. They were more than happy to keep our drinks flowing and make sure things were going well.

Cleanliness:

This place was spotless and the tables were set perfectly like I imagine my mother wishes I could achieve. Granted I still don't know the purpose of the 8 different forks (Ok, there weren't that many but still...) it looked beautiful, and the atmosphere is not blaring with noise or music, I felt like I rarely overheard other tables.

Tastiness:

After a strong internal debate about how not to order everything, I settled on the Fillet Mignon and tried some of the, I presume, seasonal Lamb stew. My roommate gave their blue cheese salad. Even before the entrees arrived everyone was deeply enjoying their appetizers. They were small but completely satisfying, something hard to achieve these days. When the entrees did arrive it was hard not to ask to sample everyone's varying dishes, it all looked amazing and everyone cleaned their plate. Mine was amazing, I literally could not stop to talk and was slowly eating my food and savoring every bite.

Affordable:

I could say that you pay through the teeth for this but honestly, it's worth it. I still had to dock points because it's not like you could eat there reasonably (and if you can, are you single? Do you want a foster child?). However, if you can, it's absolutely worth it. Entrees run about $20-30 so save up well in advance.

Overall:

I was expecting a snobby upscale place but was pleasantly surprised with the opposite. The menu is short but it's a struggle to choose and for good reason, it's hard to find anything there that isn't delicious (Though picky eaters beware, this might not be for you). I even ate my vegetables, willingly and wished there were more. If nothing is more telling than my last statement I don't know how better to convince you to try this place.