Three of us went to this restaurant for Fathers Day and were not disappointed. The father in our group ordered the Kobe beef steak with portobellos and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, it was the most expensive entree at $50 but he deserves a special meal from time to time! The rest of us ordered sea scallops with asparagus and chicken with a yummy raspberry sauce. Everything was excellent. Our server was very attentive. Dessert for the man of the day was cheesecake - again very yummy! By far, this is the finest restaurant in a 30 mile radius and I'm glad it exists. We will be back.
(5)
Jessica M.
The food at the Willow Tree Restaurant was incredible, and we ate a ton of it! The service was also amazing. We had the nicest waitress. I think her name was Sharon, but I could be wrong. We ordered the fried zucchini and bruschetta as an appetizer. I had the Caesar salad, and my mom ordered the chicken pot pie. For dessert, we shared the tuxedo cake. The fried zucchini was a little under seasoned, but I could quickly overlook that fact once I dipped it in the cucumber dip. It was creamy, fresh, and flavorful. The bruschetta was the best bruschetta I have ever had. The tomatoes were so flavorful and fresh. I didn't expect that for March. They tasted like tomatoes that were picked out of the garden in the middle of July. They were perfectly marinated with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and basil. Just writing this review is making me wish I could go back for lunch today. The tuxedo cake was fabulous, but it was a little rich for me. It had layers of chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, cream cheese mousse, and it was topped with a decadent chocolate ganache. I would have never been able to eat an entire piece of that cake on my own. It was perfect for sharing. The only reason I'm giving the Willow Tree Restaurant 4 stars instead of 5 was because they had no clue how to make a cosmopolitan. My mom ordered a cosmo, and we could tell that it caused a lot of commotion at the bar. They ended up having to look up the recipe for a cosmopolitan. I guess there aren't that many people ordering cosmos in West Branch, but I still don't think bartenders should take 15 minutes to learn how to make a drink that is listed on the menu. I will definitely go back to the Willow Tree Restaurant again. Next time, I'll just stick with a glass of wine. :-)
(4)
Victoria Z.
With staying up late every night, wedding stress, surrounded by family members non stop, and a long car ride, I could only imagine what a bad experience at a restaurant would do to us. Luckily, we found Willow Tree on a whim and it was an amazing experience. At first upon walking in, I wished I wasn't in a t-shirt and shorts, it seemed higher class than that. However, it turned out to be just fine. They had a great menu with a variety of wraps and entrees with really good prices. I have no idea how our server remembered all of the specials! There were a lot! Willow Tree is not around the main activity in the West Branch area, but if you are going to the outlets, I highly recommend this slight diversion for lunch or dinner!
(4)
Dana Z.
We stopped here as a huge family on our way between Mackinac and Detroit. We were actually looking for some cheap diner and passed this place and said "Hey this looks good!" So we actually did a U-turn and changed plans and stopped at Willow Tree Restaurant. We couldn't really understand how this place gets business since it's kinda in the middle of nowhere. But apparently it does pretty well. The restaurant itself is quite large. White linen table cloths, big menu, but great prices!! I had the chicken wrap with grilled chicken. It was good. My sis-in-law got the chicken salad sandwich and that was delicious. I know I'll never be back here again, but if anyone reads this and they are in the area it's worth the stop!!!
(4)
Jessica M.
The food at the Willow Tree Restaurant was incredible, and we ate a ton of it! The service was also amazing. We had the nicest waitress. I think her name was Sharon, but I could be wrong. We ordered the fried zucchini and bruschetta as an appetizer. I had the Caesar salad, and my mom ordered the chicken pot pie. For dessert, we shared the tuxedo cake. The fried zucchini was a little under seasoned, but I could quickly overlook that fact once I dipped it in the cucumber dip. It was creamy, fresh, and flavorful. The bruschetta was the best bruschetta I have ever had. The tomatoes were so flavorful and fresh. I didn't expect that for March. They tasted like tomatoes that were picked out of the garden in the middle of July. They were perfectly marinated with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and basil. Just writing this review is making me wish I could go back for lunch today. The tuxedo cake was fabulous, but it was a little rich for me. It had layers of chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, cream cheese mousse, and it was topped with a decadent chocolate ganache. I would have never been able to eat an entire piece of that cake on my own. It was perfect for sharing. The only reason I'm giving the Willow Tree Restaurant 4 stars instead of 5 was because they had no clue how to make a cosmopolitan. My mom ordered a cosmo, and we could tell that it caused a lot of commotion at the bar. They ended up having to look up the recipe for a cosmopolitan. I guess there aren't that many people ordering cosmos in West Branch, but I still don't think bartenders should take 15 minutes to learn how to make a drink that is listed on the menu. I will definitely go back to the Willow Tree Restaurant again. Next time, I'll just stick with a glass of wine. :-)
So classy ! Are you sure we're up north ? Food, amazing, service, same, decor and music as good as it gets ! Thanks to YELP, this was a great find. Ask for Donald
(5)
Sarah C.
Second time my family has visited the restaurant and the service has been amazing! Restaurant is beautiful
(5)
Diane A.
Nicely upscale for this area. We had Sunday buffet, which is definitely a bargain. The made to order omelets were very good. I was not overly impressed with the buffet food. Kind of standard, although I am not much of a breakfast person, so maybe not the best judge. The server was very nice, but seemed a little pressed. We had to flag him down for more drinks two times, although he was attentive to taking away used plates. We were there with friends we had not seen in a long time so spent quite a while talking. We were not rushed at all, although our table was not needed. Interior is nice, with fireplace and linens. When we saw the pictures on line, we had to double check that this was really in West Branch! Very comfortable and cozy. Not loud, even though there was a very large party seated next to us. I would like to go back and try their menu items.
(4)
Teri P.
Three of us went to this restaurant for Fathers Day and were not disappointed. The father in our group ordered the Kobe beef steak with portobellos and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, it was the most expensive entree at $50 but he deserves a special meal from time to time! The rest of us ordered sea scallops with asparagus and chicken with a yummy raspberry sauce. Everything was excellent. Our server was very attentive. Dessert for the man of the day was cheesecake - again very yummy! By far, this is the finest restaurant in a 30 mile radius and I'm glad it exists. We will be back.
(5)
Erin Q.
My MIL and I stopped here for lunch on Labor Day. The place was empty when we got there, which kind of surprised me, but it is off the beaten path a bit. We decided to sit outside and regretted it because of the wind, but didn't want to be pains, so we stuck it out! Our server was training another so we had two very polite young men taking our orders. I chose the panko breaded shrimp and fries and my MIL got the chicken salad sandwich. My shrimp was great and the perfect amount for the lunch portion. Everyone working was super friendly and polite too. I'm glad we got to stop in!
(4)
Jason F.
Excellent restaurant, very good staff, clean well groomed, food Excellent. Met the owner of the restaurant and talked with him, thought that was very nice especially since it was a holiday, great job will return soon
(5)
Paula W.
The lobster bisque was very tasty with nice chunks of lobster. The lamb chops were absolutely fantastic. I definitely recommend the Italian coffee they serve. The service was great & the owner greeted everyone, sat you at your table & checked on us a few times to make sure everything was great, which it most definitely was!!
(5)
Tom P.
A wonderful dining experience. Service was great and the specials were fantastic. I had the chicken pot pie and my wife had the pork over mashed potatoes.
(5)
Gary N.
Fantastic meal!! The Cowboy Ribeye and Filet Napoleon were wonderful!! We will be back!!
(5)
Tricia P.
Best place to dine in the area, i miss this place. I'm in california now and cant seem to find a place like this. The owner and chef are superb. The service is phenomenal, my favorite waitress is named Helga i think, if i remember correctly, ask for her! Shes wonderful. I suggest their lamb chops its awesome. And there's usually a daily special that's not in the menu, I'd suggest trying those out too! Their house salad is superb and just memorable! Dont forget their desserts! Chocolate heaven and fruit tart is on the top of my list.
(5)
Lesly S.
Lovely place; Ordered a very tasty Chilean sea bass in a lemon cream sauce over a bed of asparagus. Waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. Owner stopped by to check on me. Dined alone, as I was in town for work. Excellent food overall. A little pricier than what I'd normally pay (salad, entree, wine, dessert and coffee was close to $70). But it seemed to be the fine dining experience in the area, and both the food quality and service was good.
(4)
Connie W.
This is definitely the "Jewel of the North". We found this restaurant from recommendations on Yelp. We stopped here on the way to traverse city and had the Sunday brunch buffet. The food was very good! There was a great selection of breakfast and lunch options. The service was also very good, friendly and attentive. I would love to stop here again during our travels! Thank you fellow Yelp reviewers.
(5)
Erin Q.
My MIL and I stopped here for lunch on Labor Day. The place was empty when we got there, which kind of surprised me, but it is off the beaten path a bit. We decided to sit outside and regretted it because of the wind, but didn't want to be pains, so we stuck it out! Our server was training another so we had two very polite young men taking our orders. I chose the panko breaded shrimp and fries and my MIL got the chicken salad sandwich. My shrimp was great and the perfect amount for the lunch portion. Everyone working was super friendly and polite too. I'm glad we got to stop in!
(4)
Jason F.
Excellent restaurant, very good staff, clean well groomed, food Excellent. Met the owner of the restaurant and talked with him, thought that was very nice especially since it was a holiday, great job will return soon
(5)
Paula W.
The lobster bisque was very tasty with nice chunks of lobster. The lamb chops were absolutely fantastic. I definitely recommend the Italian coffee they serve. The service was great & the owner greeted everyone, sat you at your table & checked on us a few times to make sure everything was great, which it most definitely was!!
(5)
Tom P.
A wonderful dining experience. Service was great and the specials were fantastic. I had the chicken pot pie and my wife had the pork over mashed potatoes.
(5)
Gary N.
Fantastic meal!! The Cowboy Ribeye and Filet Napoleon were wonderful!! We will be back!!
(5)
Clif P.
This is a very solid restaurant. The ambiance feels straight out of the 90s, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I had the barramundi, which was cooked with a Beurre blanc sauce (very 90's way of preparing fish, but it was delicious.) I also had a cup of bisque, which did not disappoint. The one thing I didn't care for was the wine bottle as the table centerpiece. A bit tacky in my opinion. I will definitely come back here if I am passing through the area.
(4)
Rebecca S.
We have been going to the Willow Tree since they opened at this location. The atmosphere is very classic but casual or dressy, whatever the mood. The owners are so nice and visit the table and make sure that you are happy. The food is fantastic and the staff is very knowledgeable and care about service.
(5)
Denise T.
This place is awesome. The decor is upscale, but you can wear jeans. The food is outstanding! The service was also top notch. I highly recommend this gem of a place!
(5)
Sean E.
Stopped on our way up to Boyne. This place is not the restaurant I thought I would find in west branch. Started with a server who knew what he was talking about and was very friendly and professional from the time he came to the table till we walked out the door. Started with the bacon wrapped shrimp. They were very good, however the onion straws underneath could have been my favorite part. We both had tenderloin, one order of the kabobs and one of the house specialty. Both were cooked to perfection and the portions are on par with the prices and quality. It is on the expensive side, but the food will not leave you disappointed. Finished dinner off with a chocolate pound cake with chocolate sauce. It was a great ending to a great means in an unexpected place.
(4)
Mike K.
My favorite restaurant. The wait staff is well trained and they know the specials, the menu and how things are prepared. I have now been there several times and it doesn't matter what you order, it will be fussed over and delicious. It's a little out of the way but definitely worth the trip.
(5)
Jim H.
We truly enjoyed our dining experience here tonight! This was our first time here and we are definitely coming back! We will bring our son back with us so he may experience his culinary dream of eating Beef Wellington!! Everyone we spoke with tonight was just great! Our server, Virginia, was very helpful and also very accomodating with anything we needed. We would love to have her as our server anytime. She is very friendly and willing to stay and talk as we kept her a couple of times talking. :) The lady that seated us was also very friendly. We would recommend Willow Tree to Everyone! We even enjoyed that the owner came by our table and spoke with us.
(5)
Steve K.
Is always nice when you try a new place and your expectations are exceeded. Two of us had steak on the Rok, loved it! Third had the filet. Bacon wrap shrimp appetizer with onion fingers was a great start. Service was A-1. Visiting West Branch, stop in. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
E L.
Had a nice lunch at the Willow Tree for Valentine's Day. Food and service were excellent. It was such a nice treat to have delicious grouper in northern Michigan! My only complaint is that it was strange how they sat all of the couples that were there for lunch in one tiny room of their dining area. The tiny section was totally full but the large main dining area was totally empty. Would have liked a little more privacy. Overall a good experience however.
(4)
Connie W.
This is definitely the "Jewel of the North". We found this restaurant from recommendations on Yelp. We stopped here on the way to traverse city and had the Sunday brunch buffet. The food was very good! There was a great selection of breakfast and lunch options. The service was also very good, friendly and attentive. I would love to stop here again during our travels! Thank you fellow Yelp reviewers.
(5)
Papa W.
My wife & I were on our way to the Mack. Heard about this on WHNN and wanted to try it. Was best meal of our weekend and for half the price. We ate at the Fashion Square site on Sunday. Fantastic. A nice grown up restaurant without TVs blaring. Great romantic atmosphere. Recommend to everyone.
(4)
Sally L.
So classy ! Are you sure we're up north ? Food, amazing, service, same, decor and music as good as it gets ! Thanks to YELP, this was a great find. Ask for Donald
(5)
Cheryl C.
Food and service are very good. Well managed money maker. Prices are higher than the food quality. Best restaurant in West Branch, Gladwin and Houghton Lake which isn't saying much.
(3)
Clif P.
This is a very solid restaurant. The ambiance feels straight out of the 90s, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I had the barramundi, which was cooked with a Beurre blanc sauce (very 90's way of preparing fish, but it was delicious.) I also had a cup of bisque, which did not disappoint. The one thing I didn't care for was the wine bottle as the table centerpiece. A bit tacky in my opinion. I will definitely come back here if I am passing through the area.
(4)
Rebecca S.
We have been going to the Willow Tree since they opened at this location. The atmosphere is very classic but casual or dressy, whatever the mood. The owners are so nice and visit the table and make sure that you are happy. The food is fantastic and the staff is very knowledgeable and care about service.
(5)
Denise T.
This place is awesome. The decor is upscale, but you can wear jeans. The food is outstanding! The service was also top notch. I highly recommend this gem of a place!
(5)
Gretchen F.
We have been to West Branch many times. Had no idea this was here. Great food for the area. Definitely worth stopping!
(4)
Tricia P.
Best place to dine in the area, i miss this place. I'm in california now and cant seem to find a place like this. The owner and chef are superb. The service is phenomenal, my favorite waitress is named Helga i think, if i remember correctly, ask for her! Shes wonderful. I suggest their lamb chops its awesome. And there's usually a daily special that's not in the menu, I'd suggest trying those out too! Their house salad is superb and just memorable! Dont forget their desserts! Chocolate heaven and fruit tart is on the top of my list.
(5)
Lesly S.
Lovely place; Ordered a very tasty Chilean sea bass in a lemon cream sauce over a bed of asparagus. Waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. Owner stopped by to check on me. Dined alone, as I was in town for work. Excellent food overall. A little pricier than what I'd normally pay (salad, entree, wine, dessert and coffee was close to $70). But it seemed to be the fine dining experience in the area, and both the food quality and service was good.
(4)
Jim M.
We had lunch on Saturday here. I had broiled Grouper over mash potato's. It was excellent! Tony came by to see how we enjoyed the lunch. What s friendly and polished eatery! My friend, who is local, suggested we go here for lunch. Glad we did. I'll be back..
(5)
Tim K.
Let me start by saying there aren't very many nice restaurants in the area and this is by far the nicest place within miles, probably 30 miles. Wife and I stop in periodically heading north to our cabin if we want a "nice" meal. We have tried various meals and never had any complaints. Yes, it's a little pricey but for the food and atmosphere I believe it's totally worth it. Interior is really nice including a fireplace, beautiful wall art, comfortable table\chairs, and a beautiful long bar if you want to dine by yourself or in a more casual atmosphere. Wife and I started with a must try... bacon wrapped shrimp in a BBQ bourbon sauce. I'm not usually a huge shrimp fan but it was really good with 8 large shrimp. They also have a really good warm bread that is nearly impossible to quit eating. We then moved to the wedge salad which if different from most wedges but really good. They call it a bruschetta wedge because it's LOADED with tomatoes and feta cheese. Both had a little too much dressing on them but I believe that's a personal preference. For the main course I had the lamb chops and the wife had a shrimp linguini pasta (forget the name). Lamb chops came with a starch of choice and I had the red skins which were really tasty. 4 small lamb chops but you can order a larger portion (full pund). They had a great taste and were lean. Wife's pasta and shrimp was huge and she took half of it home. It was loaded with shrimp and red peppers and had a strong fresh garlic taste. Both meals were every satisfying. They do offer a full bar with plenty of quality wine selections. Nice dessert tray, we didn't indulge so no review but looked good. If you are looking for somewhere nice in the area to eat this is the place. They do a lot of birthdays and privates parties. I do admit if this was in southeast MI it would of only been a 4 start but for the area it is a 5 star... and then some.
(5)
Sean E.
Stopped on our way up to Boyne. This place is not the restaurant I thought I would find in west branch. Started with a server who knew what he was talking about and was very friendly and professional from the time he came to the table till we walked out the door. Started with the bacon wrapped shrimp. They were very good, however the onion straws underneath could have been my favorite part. We both had tenderloin, one order of the kabobs and one of the house specialty. Both were cooked to perfection and the portions are on par with the prices and quality. It is on the expensive side, but the food will not leave you disappointed. Finished dinner off with a chocolate pound cake with chocolate sauce. It was a great ending to a great means in an unexpected place.
(4)
Jim S.
Wow what a wonderful setting. Food is great, I had the Lamb shank and it was awesome. Server did a great job and both the owner and his wife stopped by the table to make sure everything was good. Will definitely be back. Almost forgot the tuna appetizer was also wonderful.
(5)
Mike K.
My favorite restaurant. The wait staff is well trained and they know the specials, the menu and how things are prepared. I have now been there several times and it doesn't matter what you order, it will be fussed over and delicious. It's a little out of the way but definitely worth the trip.
(5)
Peggy F.
As good as it get's!!!! Everything was perfect!
(5)
Sarah C.
Second time my family has visited the restaurant and the service has been amazing! Restaurant is beautiful
(5)
Marie L.
This place is upscale for up north restaurants. People think it's fancy because it has a fireplace and linen tablecloths. In reality, the decor is a hybrid of a Papa Vino's and Bill Knapp's. That said, I have been here several times over the years, and do consider it the only decent place to eat in West Branch. I despise chain restaurants, so it's great to see an independently owned restaurant, even if it is a little off the beaten path. The food and service here has always been great. The entrees are heavy, sauce filled, homestyle stuff; but they're always prepared wonderfully. Every time I eat at the Willow Tree, I go into immediate food coma and am sad that I still have to drive another 2.5 hours to get home!
(4)
Larry B.
On our way up North to our cottage, we decided to go a little out of the way to the Willow Tree for a late lunch/early dinner. We were one of two occupied tables in the dining room. As we were ordering, we heard someone yelling at a waitress about her work habits but they were around the corner and could not see us. I asked our waiter to see if he could ask whoever it was to take his HR discussion somewhere else. Our waiter tried. It did not work and, as I found out later, the person yelling at the waitress was the owner (Tony). Tony then moved to the bar across the room and while facing us and with his back to the other table proceeded to loudly discuss the work habits of his wait staff with a waitress who may or may not have been the one being yelled at in the first place. He commented on various people by name. I got the impression from some of the staff in the room that they had seen this type of thing before and it is also noted in other reviews. I will not go back to this restaurant because of this owner's blatant disregard for the atmosphere surrounding his customers. It's too bad, because the food was pretty good.
(1)
Sherri P.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE this resturant!! Usally have the Tuna for an app. and the steak sometimes Lobster for dinner. Their house wine Good, Mixed Drinks Good, Martini's Great! We have a cabin in West Branch and Love to go to a wonderful dinner in the evening... After writing this review I want to go now.
(5)
Laurie B.
Wow! This restaurant did not disappoint. Our trio stopped in for lunch and had the Smothered Chicken, Isabella's Pasta and the Scallopini Chicken Pasta (or some name like that, sorry, can't remember exact name). As usual we all taste tested the meals of each other and I can personally say all 3 lunches were the best food I've had in a long time. I also LOVED the prices that were charged for lunch. The staff quoted us a price of $8 for their lunch specials and although we decided to order different items, I'm sure that the specials were just as good (if not better) than what we ordered. Our lunches were 13 dollars. I consider that quite good as it is very easy these days to pay 13 dollars for simply average food. The atmosphere is truly casual. In fact, I got the impression that the restaurant previous might have been a mom and pop country food restaurant. That is fine with me. I would rather have excellent food than a fancy place to sit for an average meal. I felt comfortable in jeans, yet I still appreciated the cloth napkins and table cloths. The staff was very knowledgeable and recited the lunch specials from memory in great detail. The owner and chef (I assume) came out and talked to us for a bit, which was nice. My only complaint was that I just did not have room in my stomach to try their desserts. They looked amazing too, but I had to pass. I will forever wonder how awesome their desserts probably are. sigh...
(5)
Matthew C.
Travel to West Branch for work weekly. I never miss the chance for lunch and/or dinner at Willow Tree. The food is immaculately prepared. Their fish dishes and steaks are never over cooked. The owner and his wife are so friendly. Menu stays the same, but they always have amazing specials I usually choose instead. I know the price is high for the area, but they now also offer a $12 menu.... Highly recommend....
(5)
Jean K.
Nothing but the best at The Willow Tree of West Branch, MI
(5)
Eric C.
Great place to dine in West Branch. Very upscale and elegant. Definitely the place to go if you are celebrating a special event. Also near a nice outlet mall. Recently dined there again. Fantastic dinner and service!
(5)
Christine M.
We found the Willow Tree as we were traveling north on a very long stretch of highway, and what a find it was! The minute we walked in we were greeted warmly, the ambiance was very clean and comfortable, and the food did not disappoint. The spinach salad, was especially delicious. The filet of beef was cooked perfectly and the kids had cheeseburgers and fries that were delicious. I can say that everything we tasted was delicious. The waiter was terrific, he was knowledgeable and friendly. We actually thought the prices were a fair price for really good food, that we enjoyed very much, and we would definitely stop here again when we are in the area.
(5)
Ellen P.
We recently checked out this restaurant for the first time, and enjoyed a wonderful meal. The specials were more interesting to us than the regular menu; I chose a potato-encrusted whitefish, while my partner had grouper with lobster sauce. Both dishes were absolutely delicious; it was difficult to say who had the better meal, but I might give a slight edge to my partner's fish, sweet and mild and covered in a velvety sauce. My whitefish was fresh and flaky with a crispy crust -- perfect. We also enjoyed our sides -- my partner had the soup of the day, a tortilla soup, and i had a small wedge salad. My only complaint about our meals -- and this is just being foodie-petty -- was the standard food-service vegetable medleys accompanying the entrees; I think the fish deserved something fresh and local. I'd describe the restaurant atmosphere as casual but classy; our server was very friendly and helpful, knowledgeable about the menu (something we can't always count on in local restaurants) and otherwise very professional. Prices were not unreasonable for the menu and ambiance. We will absolutely eat here again.
(4)
Ron C.
Great restaurant with good lunch menu and prices but the Sunday Brunch is excellent. Nice setting.
(5)
Steve W.
Fantastic. What else can I say. In the middle of mid-Michigan, a wonderful restaurant. The menu includes a wonderful variety. We had the roast beef and the Michigan yellow belly perch. Excellent. Service was exception. The perfect stop on your trip north.
(5)
Pat M.
It is very surprising to find a white tablecloth in West Branch Michigan. The willow tree has great prime rib and a nice atmosphere. The food is consistently good. This is a very nice place for this part of Michigan.
(4)
Ginger P.
While on spring break, my family took me to this sweet little place on the way to their place near Houghton Lake. It was early on a Monday, so we got right in for the start of dinner service. It is surprising to see a place like this in northern Michigan. My parents are regulars here. So, on to the food. We started out with 2 apps, saganaki and zucchini. Both were excellent. I really enjoyed the tzatziki style sauce that came with it. The caesar salad was GOOD, but not great.. too much lemon, not creamy enough.. just left kind of a funky taste in my mouth. I was also surprised to see the dressing came out in plastic ramekins. You'd think with a nice place like this, they would be using metal or non disposable ones. Another thing that the Caesar could benefit from is fresh Reggiano Parmesan. I don't like powdery parm. I ordered the 12 oz NY strip with bleu cheese Med Rare. While it was good, I think if they bumped it up to a 14 or 16 oz cut and made it thicker, perhaps got a better sear/crust on it, the steak would be dynamite. I'd be willing to pay more for a better cut. Baked potato was great, and my parents really enjoyed their meals. One thing they definitely have down pat is the service. You can really tell the owner has their hands in every aspect of the restaurant. Guests are often greeted by name, servers seem happy and are quite efficient. The service really seals the deal! Anyone can have a nice meal at home, you go out and pay for the experience. We did not want for anything. Our server anticipated the needs of the guests, had a good knowledge of the menu and seemed to believe in the product he was selling. Good job Willow Tree. I hear they're opening another one in Saginaw soon. Obviously they're doing something right!
(5)
Michael W.
Went for my Birthday. The place looks great and I was told in the past it was. But the meal we had was not what I expected. Maybe it was becouse it was a Thursday night. It was not crowded, I notice a few people came in and where shoocked so few people where in. Maybe 5 tables total. My Mom had called ahead for the cake, and they had to be reminded twice when we where there. Since it was the first time there, I will give them another chance. Could have been a bad day for them or something.
(2)
Dana Z.
We stopped here as a huge family on our way between Mackinac and Detroit. We were actually looking for some cheap diner and passed this place and said "Hey this looks good!" So we actually did a U-turn and changed plans and stopped at Willow Tree Restaurant. We couldn't really understand how this place gets business since it's kinda in the middle of nowhere. But apparently it does pretty well. The restaurant itself is quite large. White linen table cloths, big menu, but great prices!! I had the chicken wrap with grilled chicken. It was good. My sis-in-law got the chicken salad sandwich and that was delicious. I know I'll never be back here again, but if anyone reads this and they are in the area it's worth the stop!!!
(4)
E L.
Had a nice lunch at the Willow Tree for Valentine's Day. Food and service were excellent. It was such a nice treat to have delicious grouper in northern Michigan! My only complaint is that it was strange how they sat all of the couples that were there for lunch in one tiny room of their dining area. The tiny section was totally full but the large main dining area was totally empty. Would have liked a little more privacy. Overall a good experience however.
(4)
Papa W.
My wife & I were on our way to the Mack. Heard about this on WHNN and wanted to try it. Was best meal of our weekend and for half the price. We ate at the Fashion Square site on Sunday. Fantastic. A nice grown up restaurant without TVs blaring. Great romantic atmosphere. Recommend to everyone.
(4)
Cheryl C.
Food and service are very good. Well managed money maker. Prices are higher than the food quality. Best restaurant in West Branch, Gladwin and Houghton Lake which isn't saying much.
(3)
Tim K.
Let me start by saying there aren't very many nice restaurants in the area and this is by far the nicest place within miles, probably 30 miles. Wife and I stop in periodically heading north to our cabin if we want a "nice" meal. We have tried various meals and never had any complaints. Yes, it's a little pricey but for the food and atmosphere I believe it's totally worth it. Interior is really nice including a fireplace, beautiful wall art, comfortable table\chairs, and a beautiful long bar if you want to dine by yourself or in a more casual atmosphere. Wife and I started with a must try... bacon wrapped shrimp in a BBQ bourbon sauce. I'm not usually a huge shrimp fan but it was really good with 8 large shrimp. They also have a really good warm bread that is nearly impossible to quit eating. We then moved to the wedge salad which if different from most wedges but really good. They call it a bruschetta wedge because it's LOADED with tomatoes and feta cheese. Both had a little too much dressing on them but I believe that's a personal preference. For the main course I had the lamb chops and the wife had a shrimp linguini pasta (forget the name). Lamb chops came with a starch of choice and I had the red skins which were really tasty. 4 small lamb chops but you can order a larger portion (full pund). They had a great taste and were lean. Wife's pasta and shrimp was huge and she took half of it home. It was loaded with shrimp and red peppers and had a strong fresh garlic taste. Both meals were every satisfying. They do offer a full bar with plenty of quality wine selections. Nice dessert tray, we didn't indulge so no review but looked good. If you are looking for somewhere nice in the area to eat this is the place. They do a lot of birthdays and privates parties. I do admit if this was in southeast MI it would of only been a 4 start but for the area it is a 5 star... and then some.
(5)
Jim S.
Wow what a wonderful setting. Food is great, I had the Lamb shank and it was awesome. Server did a great job and both the owner and his wife stopped by the table to make sure everything was good. Will definitely be back. Almost forgot the tuna appetizer was also wonderful.
(5)
Jim M.
We had lunch on Saturday here. I had broiled Grouper over mash potato's. It was excellent! Tony came by to see how we enjoyed the lunch. What s friendly and polished eatery! My friend, who is local, suggested we go here for lunch. Glad we did. I'll be back..
(5)
Peggy F.
As good as it get's!!!! Everything was perfect!
(5)
Marie L.
This place is upscale for up north restaurants. People think it's fancy because it has a fireplace and linen tablecloths. In reality, the decor is a hybrid of a Papa Vino's and Bill Knapp's. That said, I have been here several times over the years, and do consider it the only decent place to eat in West Branch. I despise chain restaurants, so it's great to see an independently owned restaurant, even if it is a little off the beaten path. The food and service here has always been great. The entrees are heavy, sauce filled, homestyle stuff; but they're always prepared wonderfully. Every time I eat at the Willow Tree, I go into immediate food coma and am sad that I still have to drive another 2.5 hours to get home!
(4)
Larry B.
On our way up North to our cottage, we decided to go a little out of the way to the Willow Tree for a late lunch/early dinner. We were one of two occupied tables in the dining room. As we were ordering, we heard someone yelling at a waitress about her work habits but they were around the corner and could not see us. I asked our waiter to see if he could ask whoever it was to take his HR discussion somewhere else. Our waiter tried. It did not work and, as I found out later, the person yelling at the waitress was the owner (Tony). Tony then moved to the bar across the room and while facing us and with his back to the other table proceeded to loudly discuss the work habits of his wait staff with a waitress who may or may not have been the one being yelled at in the first place. He commented on various people by name. I got the impression from some of the staff in the room that they had seen this type of thing before and it is also noted in other reviews. I will not go back to this restaurant because of this owner's blatant disregard for the atmosphere surrounding his customers. It's too bad, because the food was pretty good.
(1)
Laurie B.
Wow! This restaurant did not disappoint. Our trio stopped in for lunch and had the Smothered Chicken, Isabella's Pasta and the Scallopini Chicken Pasta (or some name like that, sorry, can't remember exact name). As usual we all taste tested the meals of each other and I can personally say all 3 lunches were the best food I've had in a long time. I also LOVED the prices that were charged for lunch. The staff quoted us a price of $8 for their lunch specials and although we decided to order different items, I'm sure that the specials were just as good (if not better) than what we ordered. Our lunches were 13 dollars. I consider that quite good as it is very easy these days to pay 13 dollars for simply average food. The atmosphere is truly casual. In fact, I got the impression that the restaurant previous might have been a mom and pop country food restaurant. That is fine with me. I would rather have excellent food than a fancy place to sit for an average meal. I felt comfortable in jeans, yet I still appreciated the cloth napkins and table cloths. The staff was very knowledgeable and recited the lunch specials from memory in great detail. The owner and chef (I assume) came out and talked to us for a bit, which was nice. My only complaint was that I just did not have room in my stomach to try their desserts. They looked amazing too, but I had to pass. I will forever wonder how awesome their desserts probably are. sigh...
(5)
Matthew C.
Travel to West Branch for work weekly. I never miss the chance for lunch and/or dinner at Willow Tree. The food is immaculately prepared. Their fish dishes and steaks are never over cooked. The owner and his wife are so friendly. Menu stays the same, but they always have amazing specials I usually choose instead. I know the price is high for the area, but they now also offer a $12 menu.... Highly recommend....
(5)
Jean K.
Nothing but the best at The Willow Tree of West Branch, MI
(5)
Eric C.
Great place to dine in West Branch. Very upscale and elegant. Definitely the place to go if you are celebrating a special event. Also near a nice outlet mall. Recently dined there again. Fantastic dinner and service!
(5)
Christine M.
We found the Willow Tree as we were traveling north on a very long stretch of highway, and what a find it was! The minute we walked in we were greeted warmly, the ambiance was very clean and comfortable, and the food did not disappoint. The spinach salad, was especially delicious. The filet of beef was cooked perfectly and the kids had cheeseburgers and fries that were delicious. I can say that everything we tasted was delicious. The waiter was terrific, he was knowledgeable and friendly. We actually thought the prices were a fair price for really good food, that we enjoyed very much, and we would definitely stop here again when we are in the area.
(5)
Sherri P.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE this resturant!! Usally have the Tuna for an app. and the steak sometimes Lobster for dinner. Their house wine Good, Mixed Drinks Good, Martini's Great! We have a cabin in West Branch and Love to go to a wonderful dinner in the evening... After writing this review I want to go now.
(5)
Ellen P.
We recently checked out this restaurant for the first time, and enjoyed a wonderful meal. The specials were more interesting to us than the regular menu; I chose a potato-encrusted whitefish, while my partner had grouper with lobster sauce. Both dishes were absolutely delicious; it was difficult to say who had the better meal, but I might give a slight edge to my partner's fish, sweet and mild and covered in a velvety sauce. My whitefish was fresh and flaky with a crispy crust -- perfect. We also enjoyed our sides -- my partner had the soup of the day, a tortilla soup, and i had a small wedge salad. My only complaint about our meals -- and this is just being foodie-petty -- was the standard food-service vegetable medleys accompanying the entrees; I think the fish deserved something fresh and local. I'd describe the restaurant atmosphere as casual but classy; our server was very friendly and helpful, knowledgeable about the menu (something we can't always count on in local restaurants) and otherwise very professional. Prices were not unreasonable for the menu and ambiance. We will absolutely eat here again.
(4)
Ron C.
Great restaurant with good lunch menu and prices but the Sunday Brunch is excellent. Nice setting.
(5)
Steve W.
Fantastic. What else can I say. In the middle of mid-Michigan, a wonderful restaurant. The menu includes a wonderful variety. We had the roast beef and the Michigan yellow belly perch. Excellent. Service was exception. The perfect stop on your trip north.
(5)
Pat M.
It is very surprising to find a white tablecloth in West Branch Michigan. The willow tree has great prime rib and a nice atmosphere. The food is consistently good. This is a very nice place for this part of Michigan.
(4)
Diane A.
Nicely upscale for this area. We had Sunday buffet, which is definitely a bargain. The made to order omelets were very good. I was not overly impressed with the buffet food. Kind of standard, although I am not much of a breakfast person, so maybe not the best judge. The server was very nice, but seemed a little pressed. We had to flag him down for more drinks two times, although he was attentive to taking away used plates. We were there with friends we had not seen in a long time so spent quite a while talking. We were not rushed at all, although our table was not needed. Interior is nice, with fireplace and linens. When we saw the pictures on line, we had to double check that this was really in West Branch! Very comfortable and cozy. Not loud, even though there was a very large party seated next to us. I would like to go back and try their menu items.
(4)
Gretchen F.
We have been to West Branch many times. Had no idea this was here. Great food for the area. Definitely worth stopping!
(4)
Jim H.
We truly enjoyed our dining experience here tonight! This was our first time here and we are definitely coming back! We will bring our son back with us so he may experience his culinary dream of eating Beef Wellington!! Everyone we spoke with tonight was just great! Our server, Virginia, was very helpful and also very accomodating with anything we needed. We would love to have her as our server anytime. She is very friendly and willing to stay and talk as we kept her a couple of times talking. :) The lady that seated us was also very friendly. We would recommend Willow Tree to Everyone! We even enjoyed that the owner came by our table and spoke with us.
(5)
Steve K.
Is always nice when you try a new place and your expectations are exceeded. Two of us had steak on the Rok, loved it! Third had the filet. Bacon wrap shrimp appetizer with onion fingers was a great start. Service was A-1. Visiting West Branch, stop in. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Victoria Z.
With staying up late every night, wedding stress, surrounded by family members non stop, and a long car ride, I could only imagine what a bad experience at a restaurant would do to us. Luckily, we found Willow Tree on a whim and it was an amazing experience. At first upon walking in, I wished I wasn't in a t-shirt and shorts, it seemed higher class than that. However, it turned out to be just fine. They had a great menu with a variety of wraps and entrees with really good prices. I have no idea how our server remembered all of the specials! There were a lot! Willow Tree is not around the main activity in the West Branch area, but if you are going to the outlets, I highly recommend this slight diversion for lunch or dinner!
(4)
Ginger P.
While on spring break, my family took me to this sweet little place on the way to their place near Houghton Lake. It was early on a Monday, so we got right in for the start of dinner service. It is surprising to see a place like this in northern Michigan. My parents are regulars here. So, on to the food. We started out with 2 apps, saganaki and zucchini. Both were excellent. I really enjoyed the tzatziki style sauce that came with it. The caesar salad was GOOD, but not great.. too much lemon, not creamy enough.. just left kind of a funky taste in my mouth. I was also surprised to see the dressing came out in plastic ramekins. You'd think with a nice place like this, they would be using metal or non disposable ones. Another thing that the Caesar could benefit from is fresh Reggiano Parmesan. I don't like powdery parm. I ordered the 12 oz NY strip with bleu cheese Med Rare. While it was good, I think if they bumped it up to a 14 or 16 oz cut and made it thicker, perhaps got a better sear/crust on it, the steak would be dynamite. I'd be willing to pay more for a better cut. Baked potato was great, and my parents really enjoyed their meals. One thing they definitely have down pat is the service. You can really tell the owner has their hands in every aspect of the restaurant. Guests are often greeted by name, servers seem happy and are quite efficient. The service really seals the deal! Anyone can have a nice meal at home, you go out and pay for the experience. We did not want for anything. Our server anticipated the needs of the guests, had a good knowledge of the menu and seemed to believe in the product he was selling. Good job Willow Tree. I hear they're opening another one in Saginaw soon. Obviously they're doing something right!
(5)
Michael W.
Went for my Birthday. The place looks great and I was told in the past it was. But the meal we had was not what I expected. Maybe it was becouse it was a Thursday night. It was not crowded, I notice a few people came in and where shoocked so few people where in. Maybe 5 tables total. My Mom had called ahead for the cake, and they had to be reminded twice when we where there. Since it was the first time there, I will give them another chance. Could have been a bad day for them or something.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
George L.
We were headed for Tree Tops golf resort, but thought we would stop for a sandwich.searched the yelp app and came up with a recommendation to try the Willow Tree in west branch because we were close we decided to stop. Sometimes the food gods are smiling on us. When Joshua our server was finished telling us the daily entrees, we forgot about sandwich and focused on which of the delishious Menu items we would try. Four of us shared three wonderful fish dishes. I wish I could describe them as well as our server. He was certainly well versed and knowledgable. Stuffed salmon, Chilean sea bass and halibut were our choices. Wonderful sauces, risotto, all topped with shrimp and scallops and veggies done just right. But wait! Save room for desert, too many to describe I won't try, just check out my photos. However I will say the apple thing was excellent, chocolate cake is chocolate cake, but I will never say creme brûlée is creme brûlée again. This creme brûlée set a new standard it was the best ever. I know it is late to mention the bread but I believe they made it fresh for us it was very light and tasty. Our server was spot on with his check backs and helpful with choices. I hope I can learn to post photos.
(5)Teri P.
Three of us went to this restaurant for Fathers Day and were not disappointed. The father in our group ordered the Kobe beef steak with portobellos and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, it was the most expensive entree at $50 but he deserves a special meal from time to time! The rest of us ordered sea scallops with asparagus and chicken with a yummy raspberry sauce. Everything was excellent. Our server was very attentive. Dessert for the man of the day was cheesecake - again very yummy! By far, this is the finest restaurant in a 30 mile radius and I'm glad it exists. We will be back.
(5)Jessica M.
The food at the Willow Tree Restaurant was incredible, and we ate a ton of it! The service was also amazing. We had the nicest waitress. I think her name was Sharon, but I could be wrong. We ordered the fried zucchini and bruschetta as an appetizer. I had the Caesar salad, and my mom ordered the chicken pot pie. For dessert, we shared the tuxedo cake. The fried zucchini was a little under seasoned, but I could quickly overlook that fact once I dipped it in the cucumber dip. It was creamy, fresh, and flavorful. The bruschetta was the best bruschetta I have ever had. The tomatoes were so flavorful and fresh. I didn't expect that for March. They tasted like tomatoes that were picked out of the garden in the middle of July. They were perfectly marinated with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and basil. Just writing this review is making me wish I could go back for lunch today. The tuxedo cake was fabulous, but it was a little rich for me. It had layers of chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, cream cheese mousse, and it was topped with a decadent chocolate ganache. I would have never been able to eat an entire piece of that cake on my own. It was perfect for sharing. The only reason I'm giving the Willow Tree Restaurant 4 stars instead of 5 was because they had no clue how to make a cosmopolitan. My mom ordered a cosmo, and we could tell that it caused a lot of commotion at the bar. They ended up having to look up the recipe for a cosmopolitan. I guess there aren't that many people ordering cosmos in West Branch, but I still don't think bartenders should take 15 minutes to learn how to make a drink that is listed on the menu. I will definitely go back to the Willow Tree Restaurant again. Next time, I'll just stick with a glass of wine. :-)
(4)Victoria Z.
With staying up late every night, wedding stress, surrounded by family members non stop, and a long car ride, I could only imagine what a bad experience at a restaurant would do to us. Luckily, we found Willow Tree on a whim and it was an amazing experience. At first upon walking in, I wished I wasn't in a t-shirt and shorts, it seemed higher class than that. However, it turned out to be just fine. They had a great menu with a variety of wraps and entrees with really good prices. I have no idea how our server remembered all of the specials! There were a lot! Willow Tree is not around the main activity in the West Branch area, but if you are going to the outlets, I highly recommend this slight diversion for lunch or dinner!
(4)Dana Z.
We stopped here as a huge family on our way between Mackinac and Detroit. We were actually looking for some cheap diner and passed this place and said "Hey this looks good!" So we actually did a U-turn and changed plans and stopped at Willow Tree Restaurant. We couldn't really understand how this place gets business since it's kinda in the middle of nowhere. But apparently it does pretty well. The restaurant itself is quite large. White linen table cloths, big menu, but great prices!! I had the chicken wrap with grilled chicken. It was good. My sis-in-law got the chicken salad sandwich and that was delicious. I know I'll never be back here again, but if anyone reads this and they are in the area it's worth the stop!!!
(4)Jessica M.
The food at the Willow Tree Restaurant was incredible, and we ate a ton of it! The service was also amazing. We had the nicest waitress. I think her name was Sharon, but I could be wrong. We ordered the fried zucchini and bruschetta as an appetizer. I had the Caesar salad, and my mom ordered the chicken pot pie. For dessert, we shared the tuxedo cake. The fried zucchini was a little under seasoned, but I could quickly overlook that fact once I dipped it in the cucumber dip. It was creamy, fresh, and flavorful. The bruschetta was the best bruschetta I have ever had. The tomatoes were so flavorful and fresh. I didn't expect that for March. They tasted like tomatoes that were picked out of the garden in the middle of July. They were perfectly marinated with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and basil. Just writing this review is making me wish I could go back for lunch today. The tuxedo cake was fabulous, but it was a little rich for me. It had layers of chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, cream cheese mousse, and it was topped with a decadent chocolate ganache. I would have never been able to eat an entire piece of that cake on my own. It was perfect for sharing. The only reason I'm giving the Willow Tree Restaurant 4 stars instead of 5 was because they had no clue how to make a cosmopolitan. My mom ordered a cosmo, and we could tell that it caused a lot of commotion at the bar. They ended up having to look up the recipe for a cosmopolitan. I guess there aren't that many people ordering cosmos in West Branch, but I still don't think bartenders should take 15 minutes to learn how to make a drink that is listed on the menu. I will definitely go back to the Willow Tree Restaurant again. Next time, I'll just stick with a glass of wine. :-)
(4)George L.
We were headed for Tree Tops golf resort, but thought we would stop for a sandwich.searched the yelp app and came up with a recommendation to try the Willow Tree in west branch because we were close we decided to stop. Sometimes the food gods are smiling on us. When Joshua our server was finished telling us the daily entrees, we forgot about sandwich and focused on which of the delishious Menu items we would try. Four of us shared three wonderful fish dishes. I wish I could describe them as well as our server. He was certainly well versed and knowledgable. Stuffed salmon, Chilean sea bass and halibut were our choices. Wonderful sauces, risotto, all topped with shrimp and scallops and veggies done just right. But wait! Save room for desert, too many to describe I won't try, just check out my photos. However I will say the apple thing was excellent, chocolate cake is chocolate cake, but I will never say creme brûlée is creme brûlée again. This creme brûlée set a new standard it was the best ever. I know it is late to mention the bread but I believe they made it fresh for us it was very light and tasty. Our server was spot on with his check backs and helpful with choices. I hope I can learn to post photos.
(5)Sally L.
So classy ! Are you sure we're up north ? Food, amazing, service, same, decor and music as good as it gets ! Thanks to YELP, this was a great find. Ask for Donald
(5)Sarah C.
Second time my family has visited the restaurant and the service has been amazing! Restaurant is beautiful
(5)Diane A.
Nicely upscale for this area. We had Sunday buffet, which is definitely a bargain. The made to order omelets were very good. I was not overly impressed with the buffet food. Kind of standard, although I am not much of a breakfast person, so maybe not the best judge. The server was very nice, but seemed a little pressed. We had to flag him down for more drinks two times, although he was attentive to taking away used plates. We were there with friends we had not seen in a long time so spent quite a while talking. We were not rushed at all, although our table was not needed. Interior is nice, with fireplace and linens. When we saw the pictures on line, we had to double check that this was really in West Branch! Very comfortable and cozy. Not loud, even though there was a very large party seated next to us. I would like to go back and try their menu items.
(4)Teri P.
Three of us went to this restaurant for Fathers Day and were not disappointed. The father in our group ordered the Kobe beef steak with portobellos and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, it was the most expensive entree at $50 but he deserves a special meal from time to time! The rest of us ordered sea scallops with asparagus and chicken with a yummy raspberry sauce. Everything was excellent. Our server was very attentive. Dessert for the man of the day was cheesecake - again very yummy! By far, this is the finest restaurant in a 30 mile radius and I'm glad it exists. We will be back.
(5)Erin Q.
My MIL and I stopped here for lunch on Labor Day. The place was empty when we got there, which kind of surprised me, but it is off the beaten path a bit. We decided to sit outside and regretted it because of the wind, but didn't want to be pains, so we stuck it out! Our server was training another so we had two very polite young men taking our orders. I chose the panko breaded shrimp and fries and my MIL got the chicken salad sandwich. My shrimp was great and the perfect amount for the lunch portion. Everyone working was super friendly and polite too. I'm glad we got to stop in!
(4)Jason F.
Excellent restaurant, very good staff, clean well groomed, food Excellent. Met the owner of the restaurant and talked with him, thought that was very nice especially since it was a holiday, great job will return soon
(5)Paula W.
The lobster bisque was very tasty with nice chunks of lobster. The lamb chops were absolutely fantastic. I definitely recommend the Italian coffee they serve. The service was great & the owner greeted everyone, sat you at your table & checked on us a few times to make sure everything was great, which it most definitely was!!
(5)Tom P.
A wonderful dining experience. Service was great and the specials were fantastic. I had the chicken pot pie and my wife had the pork over mashed potatoes.
(5)Gary N.
Fantastic meal!! The Cowboy Ribeye and Filet Napoleon were wonderful!! We will be back!!
(5)Tricia P.
Best place to dine in the area, i miss this place. I'm in california now and cant seem to find a place like this. The owner and chef are superb. The service is phenomenal, my favorite waitress is named Helga i think, if i remember correctly, ask for her! Shes wonderful. I suggest their lamb chops its awesome. And there's usually a daily special that's not in the menu, I'd suggest trying those out too! Their house salad is superb and just memorable! Dont forget their desserts! Chocolate heaven and fruit tart is on the top of my list.
(5)Lesly S.
Lovely place; Ordered a very tasty Chilean sea bass in a lemon cream sauce over a bed of asparagus. Waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. Owner stopped by to check on me. Dined alone, as I was in town for work. Excellent food overall. A little pricier than what I'd normally pay (salad, entree, wine, dessert and coffee was close to $70). But it seemed to be the fine dining experience in the area, and both the food quality and service was good.
(4)Connie W.
This is definitely the "Jewel of the North". We found this restaurant from recommendations on Yelp. We stopped here on the way to traverse city and had the Sunday brunch buffet. The food was very good! There was a great selection of breakfast and lunch options. The service was also very good, friendly and attentive. I would love to stop here again during our travels! Thank you fellow Yelp reviewers.
(5)Erin Q.
My MIL and I stopped here for lunch on Labor Day. The place was empty when we got there, which kind of surprised me, but it is off the beaten path a bit. We decided to sit outside and regretted it because of the wind, but didn't want to be pains, so we stuck it out! Our server was training another so we had two very polite young men taking our orders. I chose the panko breaded shrimp and fries and my MIL got the chicken salad sandwich. My shrimp was great and the perfect amount for the lunch portion. Everyone working was super friendly and polite too. I'm glad we got to stop in!
(4)Jason F.
Excellent restaurant, very good staff, clean well groomed, food Excellent. Met the owner of the restaurant and talked with him, thought that was very nice especially since it was a holiday, great job will return soon
(5)Paula W.
The lobster bisque was very tasty with nice chunks of lobster. The lamb chops were absolutely fantastic. I definitely recommend the Italian coffee they serve. The service was great & the owner greeted everyone, sat you at your table & checked on us a few times to make sure everything was great, which it most definitely was!!
(5)Tom P.
A wonderful dining experience. Service was great and the specials were fantastic. I had the chicken pot pie and my wife had the pork over mashed potatoes.
(5)Gary N.
Fantastic meal!! The Cowboy Ribeye and Filet Napoleon were wonderful!! We will be back!!
(5)Clif P.
This is a very solid restaurant. The ambiance feels straight out of the 90s, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I had the barramundi, which was cooked with a Beurre blanc sauce (very 90's way of preparing fish, but it was delicious.) I also had a cup of bisque, which did not disappoint. The one thing I didn't care for was the wine bottle as the table centerpiece. A bit tacky in my opinion. I will definitely come back here if I am passing through the area.
(4)Rebecca S.
We have been going to the Willow Tree since they opened at this location. The atmosphere is very classic but casual or dressy, whatever the mood. The owners are so nice and visit the table and make sure that you are happy. The food is fantastic and the staff is very knowledgeable and care about service.
(5)Denise T.
This place is awesome. The decor is upscale, but you can wear jeans. The food is outstanding! The service was also top notch. I highly recommend this gem of a place!
(5)Sean E.
Stopped on our way up to Boyne. This place is not the restaurant I thought I would find in west branch. Started with a server who knew what he was talking about and was very friendly and professional from the time he came to the table till we walked out the door. Started with the bacon wrapped shrimp. They were very good, however the onion straws underneath could have been my favorite part. We both had tenderloin, one order of the kabobs and one of the house specialty. Both were cooked to perfection and the portions are on par with the prices and quality. It is on the expensive side, but the food will not leave you disappointed. Finished dinner off with a chocolate pound cake with chocolate sauce. It was a great ending to a great means in an unexpected place.
(4)Mike K.
My favorite restaurant. The wait staff is well trained and they know the specials, the menu and how things are prepared. I have now been there several times and it doesn't matter what you order, it will be fussed over and delicious. It's a little out of the way but definitely worth the trip.
(5)Jim H.
We truly enjoyed our dining experience here tonight! This was our first time here and we are definitely coming back! We will bring our son back with us so he may experience his culinary dream of eating Beef Wellington!! Everyone we spoke with tonight was just great! Our server, Virginia, was very helpful and also very accomodating with anything we needed. We would love to have her as our server anytime. She is very friendly and willing to stay and talk as we kept her a couple of times talking. :) The lady that seated us was also very friendly. We would recommend Willow Tree to Everyone! We even enjoyed that the owner came by our table and spoke with us.
(5)Steve K.
Is always nice when you try a new place and your expectations are exceeded. Two of us had steak on the Rok, loved it! Third had the filet. Bacon wrap shrimp appetizer with onion fingers was a great start. Service was A-1. Visiting West Branch, stop in. You won't be disappointed.
(5)E L.
Had a nice lunch at the Willow Tree for Valentine's Day. Food and service were excellent. It was such a nice treat to have delicious grouper in northern Michigan! My only complaint is that it was strange how they sat all of the couples that were there for lunch in one tiny room of their dining area. The tiny section was totally full but the large main dining area was totally empty. Would have liked a little more privacy. Overall a good experience however.
(4)Connie W.
This is definitely the "Jewel of the North". We found this restaurant from recommendations on Yelp. We stopped here on the way to traverse city and had the Sunday brunch buffet. The food was very good! There was a great selection of breakfast and lunch options. The service was also very good, friendly and attentive. I would love to stop here again during our travels! Thank you fellow Yelp reviewers.
(5)Papa W.
My wife & I were on our way to the Mack. Heard about this on WHNN and wanted to try it. Was best meal of our weekend and for half the price. We ate at the Fashion Square site on Sunday. Fantastic. A nice grown up restaurant without TVs blaring. Great romantic atmosphere. Recommend to everyone.
(4)Sally L.
So classy ! Are you sure we're up north ? Food, amazing, service, same, decor and music as good as it gets ! Thanks to YELP, this was a great find. Ask for Donald
(5)Cheryl C.
Food and service are very good. Well managed money maker. Prices are higher than the food quality. Best restaurant in West Branch, Gladwin and Houghton Lake which isn't saying much.
(3)Clif P.
This is a very solid restaurant. The ambiance feels straight out of the 90s, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I had the barramundi, which was cooked with a Beurre blanc sauce (very 90's way of preparing fish, but it was delicious.) I also had a cup of bisque, which did not disappoint. The one thing I didn't care for was the wine bottle as the table centerpiece. A bit tacky in my opinion. I will definitely come back here if I am passing through the area.
(4)Rebecca S.
We have been going to the Willow Tree since they opened at this location. The atmosphere is very classic but casual or dressy, whatever the mood. The owners are so nice and visit the table and make sure that you are happy. The food is fantastic and the staff is very knowledgeable and care about service.
(5)Denise T.
This place is awesome. The decor is upscale, but you can wear jeans. The food is outstanding! The service was also top notch. I highly recommend this gem of a place!
(5)Gretchen F.
We have been to West Branch many times. Had no idea this was here. Great food for the area. Definitely worth stopping!
(4)Tricia P.
Best place to dine in the area, i miss this place. I'm in california now and cant seem to find a place like this. The owner and chef are superb. The service is phenomenal, my favorite waitress is named Helga i think, if i remember correctly, ask for her! Shes wonderful. I suggest their lamb chops its awesome. And there's usually a daily special that's not in the menu, I'd suggest trying those out too! Their house salad is superb and just memorable! Dont forget their desserts! Chocolate heaven and fruit tart is on the top of my list.
(5)Lesly S.
Lovely place; Ordered a very tasty Chilean sea bass in a lemon cream sauce over a bed of asparagus. Waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. Owner stopped by to check on me. Dined alone, as I was in town for work. Excellent food overall. A little pricier than what I'd normally pay (salad, entree, wine, dessert and coffee was close to $70). But it seemed to be the fine dining experience in the area, and both the food quality and service was good.
(4)Jim M.
We had lunch on Saturday here. I had broiled Grouper over mash potato's. It was excellent! Tony came by to see how we enjoyed the lunch. What s friendly and polished eatery! My friend, who is local, suggested we go here for lunch. Glad we did. I'll be back..
(5)Tim K.
Let me start by saying there aren't very many nice restaurants in the area and this is by far the nicest place within miles, probably 30 miles. Wife and I stop in periodically heading north to our cabin if we want a "nice" meal. We have tried various meals and never had any complaints. Yes, it's a little pricey but for the food and atmosphere I believe it's totally worth it. Interior is really nice including a fireplace, beautiful wall art, comfortable table\chairs, and a beautiful long bar if you want to dine by yourself or in a more casual atmosphere. Wife and I started with a must try... bacon wrapped shrimp in a BBQ bourbon sauce. I'm not usually a huge shrimp fan but it was really good with 8 large shrimp. They also have a really good warm bread that is nearly impossible to quit eating. We then moved to the wedge salad which if different from most wedges but really good. They call it a bruschetta wedge because it's LOADED with tomatoes and feta cheese. Both had a little too much dressing on them but I believe that's a personal preference. For the main course I had the lamb chops and the wife had a shrimp linguini pasta (forget the name). Lamb chops came with a starch of choice and I had the red skins which were really tasty. 4 small lamb chops but you can order a larger portion (full pund). They had a great taste and were lean. Wife's pasta and shrimp was huge and she took half of it home. It was loaded with shrimp and red peppers and had a strong fresh garlic taste. Both meals were every satisfying. They do offer a full bar with plenty of quality wine selections. Nice dessert tray, we didn't indulge so no review but looked good. If you are looking for somewhere nice in the area to eat this is the place. They do a lot of birthdays and privates parties. I do admit if this was in southeast MI it would of only been a 4 start but for the area it is a 5 star... and then some.
(5)Sean E.
Stopped on our way up to Boyne. This place is not the restaurant I thought I would find in west branch. Started with a server who knew what he was talking about and was very friendly and professional from the time he came to the table till we walked out the door. Started with the bacon wrapped shrimp. They were very good, however the onion straws underneath could have been my favorite part. We both had tenderloin, one order of the kabobs and one of the house specialty. Both were cooked to perfection and the portions are on par with the prices and quality. It is on the expensive side, but the food will not leave you disappointed. Finished dinner off with a chocolate pound cake with chocolate sauce. It was a great ending to a great means in an unexpected place.
(4)Jim S.
Wow what a wonderful setting. Food is great, I had the Lamb shank and it was awesome. Server did a great job and both the owner and his wife stopped by the table to make sure everything was good. Will definitely be back. Almost forgot the tuna appetizer was also wonderful.
(5)Mike K.
My favorite restaurant. The wait staff is well trained and they know the specials, the menu and how things are prepared. I have now been there several times and it doesn't matter what you order, it will be fussed over and delicious. It's a little out of the way but definitely worth the trip.
(5)Peggy F.
As good as it get's!!!! Everything was perfect!
(5)Sarah C.
Second time my family has visited the restaurant and the service has been amazing! Restaurant is beautiful
(5)Marie L.
This place is upscale for up north restaurants. People think it's fancy because it has a fireplace and linen tablecloths. In reality, the decor is a hybrid of a Papa Vino's and Bill Knapp's. That said, I have been here several times over the years, and do consider it the only decent place to eat in West Branch. I despise chain restaurants, so it's great to see an independently owned restaurant, even if it is a little off the beaten path. The food and service here has always been great. The entrees are heavy, sauce filled, homestyle stuff; but they're always prepared wonderfully. Every time I eat at the Willow Tree, I go into immediate food coma and am sad that I still have to drive another 2.5 hours to get home!
(4)Larry B.
On our way up North to our cottage, we decided to go a little out of the way to the Willow Tree for a late lunch/early dinner. We were one of two occupied tables in the dining room. As we were ordering, we heard someone yelling at a waitress about her work habits but they were around the corner and could not see us. I asked our waiter to see if he could ask whoever it was to take his HR discussion somewhere else. Our waiter tried. It did not work and, as I found out later, the person yelling at the waitress was the owner (Tony). Tony then moved to the bar across the room and while facing us and with his back to the other table proceeded to loudly discuss the work habits of his wait staff with a waitress who may or may not have been the one being yelled at in the first place. He commented on various people by name. I got the impression from some of the staff in the room that they had seen this type of thing before and it is also noted in other reviews. I will not go back to this restaurant because of this owner's blatant disregard for the atmosphere surrounding his customers. It's too bad, because the food was pretty good.
(1)Sherri P.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE this resturant!! Usally have the Tuna for an app. and the steak sometimes Lobster for dinner. Their house wine Good, Mixed Drinks Good, Martini's Great! We have a cabin in West Branch and Love to go to a wonderful dinner in the evening... After writing this review I want to go now.
(5)Laurie B.
Wow! This restaurant did not disappoint. Our trio stopped in for lunch and had the Smothered Chicken, Isabella's Pasta and the Scallopini Chicken Pasta (or some name like that, sorry, can't remember exact name). As usual we all taste tested the meals of each other and I can personally say all 3 lunches were the best food I've had in a long time. I also LOVED the prices that were charged for lunch. The staff quoted us a price of $8 for their lunch specials and although we decided to order different items, I'm sure that the specials were just as good (if not better) than what we ordered. Our lunches were 13 dollars. I consider that quite good as it is very easy these days to pay 13 dollars for simply average food. The atmosphere is truly casual. In fact, I got the impression that the restaurant previous might have been a mom and pop country food restaurant. That is fine with me. I would rather have excellent food than a fancy place to sit for an average meal. I felt comfortable in jeans, yet I still appreciated the cloth napkins and table cloths. The staff was very knowledgeable and recited the lunch specials from memory in great detail. The owner and chef (I assume) came out and talked to us for a bit, which was nice. My only complaint was that I just did not have room in my stomach to try their desserts. They looked amazing too, but I had to pass. I will forever wonder how awesome their desserts probably are. sigh...
(5)Matthew C.
Travel to West Branch for work weekly. I never miss the chance for lunch and/or dinner at Willow Tree. The food is immaculately prepared. Their fish dishes and steaks are never over cooked. The owner and his wife are so friendly. Menu stays the same, but they always have amazing specials I usually choose instead. I know the price is high for the area, but they now also offer a $12 menu.... Highly recommend....
(5)Jean K.
Nothing but the best at The Willow Tree of West Branch, MI
(5)Eric C.
Great place to dine in West Branch. Very upscale and elegant. Definitely the place to go if you are celebrating a special event. Also near a nice outlet mall. Recently dined there again. Fantastic dinner and service!
(5)Christine M.
We found the Willow Tree as we were traveling north on a very long stretch of highway, and what a find it was! The minute we walked in we were greeted warmly, the ambiance was very clean and comfortable, and the food did not disappoint. The spinach salad, was especially delicious. The filet of beef was cooked perfectly and the kids had cheeseburgers and fries that were delicious. I can say that everything we tasted was delicious. The waiter was terrific, he was knowledgeable and friendly. We actually thought the prices were a fair price for really good food, that we enjoyed very much, and we would definitely stop here again when we are in the area.
(5)Ellen P.
We recently checked out this restaurant for the first time, and enjoyed a wonderful meal. The specials were more interesting to us than the regular menu; I chose a potato-encrusted whitefish, while my partner had grouper with lobster sauce. Both dishes were absolutely delicious; it was difficult to say who had the better meal, but I might give a slight edge to my partner's fish, sweet and mild and covered in a velvety sauce. My whitefish was fresh and flaky with a crispy crust -- perfect. We also enjoyed our sides -- my partner had the soup of the day, a tortilla soup, and i had a small wedge salad. My only complaint about our meals -- and this is just being foodie-petty -- was the standard food-service vegetable medleys accompanying the entrees; I think the fish deserved something fresh and local. I'd describe the restaurant atmosphere as casual but classy; our server was very friendly and helpful, knowledgeable about the menu (something we can't always count on in local restaurants) and otherwise very professional. Prices were not unreasonable for the menu and ambiance. We will absolutely eat here again.
(4)Ron C.
Great restaurant with good lunch menu and prices but the Sunday Brunch is excellent. Nice setting.
(5)Steve W.
Fantastic. What else can I say. In the middle of mid-Michigan, a wonderful restaurant. The menu includes a wonderful variety. We had the roast beef and the Michigan yellow belly perch. Excellent. Service was exception. The perfect stop on your trip north.
(5)Pat M.
It is very surprising to find a white tablecloth in West Branch Michigan. The willow tree has great prime rib and a nice atmosphere. The food is consistently good. This is a very nice place for this part of Michigan.
(4)Ginger P.
While on spring break, my family took me to this sweet little place on the way to their place near Houghton Lake. It was early on a Monday, so we got right in for the start of dinner service. It is surprising to see a place like this in northern Michigan. My parents are regulars here. So, on to the food. We started out with 2 apps, saganaki and zucchini. Both were excellent. I really enjoyed the tzatziki style sauce that came with it. The caesar salad was GOOD, but not great.. too much lemon, not creamy enough.. just left kind of a funky taste in my mouth. I was also surprised to see the dressing came out in plastic ramekins. You'd think with a nice place like this, they would be using metal or non disposable ones. Another thing that the Caesar could benefit from is fresh Reggiano Parmesan. I don't like powdery parm. I ordered the 12 oz NY strip with bleu cheese Med Rare. While it was good, I think if they bumped it up to a 14 or 16 oz cut and made it thicker, perhaps got a better sear/crust on it, the steak would be dynamite. I'd be willing to pay more for a better cut. Baked potato was great, and my parents really enjoyed their meals. One thing they definitely have down pat is the service. You can really tell the owner has their hands in every aspect of the restaurant. Guests are often greeted by name, servers seem happy and are quite efficient. The service really seals the deal! Anyone can have a nice meal at home, you go out and pay for the experience. We did not want for anything. Our server anticipated the needs of the guests, had a good knowledge of the menu and seemed to believe in the product he was selling. Good job Willow Tree. I hear they're opening another one in Saginaw soon. Obviously they're doing something right!
(5)Michael W.
Went for my Birthday. The place looks great and I was told in the past it was. But the meal we had was not what I expected. Maybe it was becouse it was a Thursday night. It was not crowded, I notice a few people came in and where shoocked so few people where in. Maybe 5 tables total. My Mom had called ahead for the cake, and they had to be reminded twice when we where there. Since it was the first time there, I will give them another chance. Could have been a bad day for them or something.
(2)Dana Z.
We stopped here as a huge family on our way between Mackinac and Detroit. We were actually looking for some cheap diner and passed this place and said "Hey this looks good!" So we actually did a U-turn and changed plans and stopped at Willow Tree Restaurant. We couldn't really understand how this place gets business since it's kinda in the middle of nowhere. But apparently it does pretty well. The restaurant itself is quite large. White linen table cloths, big menu, but great prices!! I had the chicken wrap with grilled chicken. It was good. My sis-in-law got the chicken salad sandwich and that was delicious. I know I'll never be back here again, but if anyone reads this and they are in the area it's worth the stop!!!
(4)E L.
Had a nice lunch at the Willow Tree for Valentine's Day. Food and service were excellent. It was such a nice treat to have delicious grouper in northern Michigan! My only complaint is that it was strange how they sat all of the couples that were there for lunch in one tiny room of their dining area. The tiny section was totally full but the large main dining area was totally empty. Would have liked a little more privacy. Overall a good experience however.
(4)Papa W.
My wife & I were on our way to the Mack. Heard about this on WHNN and wanted to try it. Was best meal of our weekend and for half the price. We ate at the Fashion Square site on Sunday. Fantastic. A nice grown up restaurant without TVs blaring. Great romantic atmosphere. Recommend to everyone.
(4)Cheryl C.
Food and service are very good. Well managed money maker. Prices are higher than the food quality. Best restaurant in West Branch, Gladwin and Houghton Lake which isn't saying much.
(3)Tim K.
Let me start by saying there aren't very many nice restaurants in the area and this is by far the nicest place within miles, probably 30 miles. Wife and I stop in periodically heading north to our cabin if we want a "nice" meal. We have tried various meals and never had any complaints. Yes, it's a little pricey but for the food and atmosphere I believe it's totally worth it. Interior is really nice including a fireplace, beautiful wall art, comfortable table\chairs, and a beautiful long bar if you want to dine by yourself or in a more casual atmosphere. Wife and I started with a must try... bacon wrapped shrimp in a BBQ bourbon sauce. I'm not usually a huge shrimp fan but it was really good with 8 large shrimp. They also have a really good warm bread that is nearly impossible to quit eating. We then moved to the wedge salad which if different from most wedges but really good. They call it a bruschetta wedge because it's LOADED with tomatoes and feta cheese. Both had a little too much dressing on them but I believe that's a personal preference. For the main course I had the lamb chops and the wife had a shrimp linguini pasta (forget the name). Lamb chops came with a starch of choice and I had the red skins which were really tasty. 4 small lamb chops but you can order a larger portion (full pund). They had a great taste and were lean. Wife's pasta and shrimp was huge and she took half of it home. It was loaded with shrimp and red peppers and had a strong fresh garlic taste. Both meals were every satisfying. They do offer a full bar with plenty of quality wine selections. Nice dessert tray, we didn't indulge so no review but looked good. If you are looking for somewhere nice in the area to eat this is the place. They do a lot of birthdays and privates parties. I do admit if this was in southeast MI it would of only been a 4 start but for the area it is a 5 star... and then some.
(5)Jim S.
Wow what a wonderful setting. Food is great, I had the Lamb shank and it was awesome. Server did a great job and both the owner and his wife stopped by the table to make sure everything was good. Will definitely be back. Almost forgot the tuna appetizer was also wonderful.
(5)Jim M.
We had lunch on Saturday here. I had broiled Grouper over mash potato's. It was excellent! Tony came by to see how we enjoyed the lunch. What s friendly and polished eatery! My friend, who is local, suggested we go here for lunch. Glad we did. I'll be back..
(5)Peggy F.
As good as it get's!!!! Everything was perfect!
(5)Marie L.
This place is upscale for up north restaurants. People think it's fancy because it has a fireplace and linen tablecloths. In reality, the decor is a hybrid of a Papa Vino's and Bill Knapp's. That said, I have been here several times over the years, and do consider it the only decent place to eat in West Branch. I despise chain restaurants, so it's great to see an independently owned restaurant, even if it is a little off the beaten path. The food and service here has always been great. The entrees are heavy, sauce filled, homestyle stuff; but they're always prepared wonderfully. Every time I eat at the Willow Tree, I go into immediate food coma and am sad that I still have to drive another 2.5 hours to get home!
(4)Larry B.
On our way up North to our cottage, we decided to go a little out of the way to the Willow Tree for a late lunch/early dinner. We were one of two occupied tables in the dining room. As we were ordering, we heard someone yelling at a waitress about her work habits but they were around the corner and could not see us. I asked our waiter to see if he could ask whoever it was to take his HR discussion somewhere else. Our waiter tried. It did not work and, as I found out later, the person yelling at the waitress was the owner (Tony). Tony then moved to the bar across the room and while facing us and with his back to the other table proceeded to loudly discuss the work habits of his wait staff with a waitress who may or may not have been the one being yelled at in the first place. He commented on various people by name. I got the impression from some of the staff in the room that they had seen this type of thing before and it is also noted in other reviews. I will not go back to this restaurant because of this owner's blatant disregard for the atmosphere surrounding his customers. It's too bad, because the food was pretty good.
(1)Laurie B.
Wow! This restaurant did not disappoint. Our trio stopped in for lunch and had the Smothered Chicken, Isabella's Pasta and the Scallopini Chicken Pasta (or some name like that, sorry, can't remember exact name). As usual we all taste tested the meals of each other and I can personally say all 3 lunches were the best food I've had in a long time. I also LOVED the prices that were charged for lunch. The staff quoted us a price of $8 for their lunch specials and although we decided to order different items, I'm sure that the specials were just as good (if not better) than what we ordered. Our lunches were 13 dollars. I consider that quite good as it is very easy these days to pay 13 dollars for simply average food. The atmosphere is truly casual. In fact, I got the impression that the restaurant previous might have been a mom and pop country food restaurant. That is fine with me. I would rather have excellent food than a fancy place to sit for an average meal. I felt comfortable in jeans, yet I still appreciated the cloth napkins and table cloths. The staff was very knowledgeable and recited the lunch specials from memory in great detail. The owner and chef (I assume) came out and talked to us for a bit, which was nice. My only complaint was that I just did not have room in my stomach to try their desserts. They looked amazing too, but I had to pass. I will forever wonder how awesome their desserts probably are. sigh...
(5)Matthew C.
Travel to West Branch for work weekly. I never miss the chance for lunch and/or dinner at Willow Tree. The food is immaculately prepared. Their fish dishes and steaks are never over cooked. The owner and his wife are so friendly. Menu stays the same, but they always have amazing specials I usually choose instead. I know the price is high for the area, but they now also offer a $12 menu.... Highly recommend....
(5)Jean K.
Nothing but the best at The Willow Tree of West Branch, MI
(5)Eric C.
Great place to dine in West Branch. Very upscale and elegant. Definitely the place to go if you are celebrating a special event. Also near a nice outlet mall. Recently dined there again. Fantastic dinner and service!
(5)Christine M.
We found the Willow Tree as we were traveling north on a very long stretch of highway, and what a find it was! The minute we walked in we were greeted warmly, the ambiance was very clean and comfortable, and the food did not disappoint. The spinach salad, was especially delicious. The filet of beef was cooked perfectly and the kids had cheeseburgers and fries that were delicious. I can say that everything we tasted was delicious. The waiter was terrific, he was knowledgeable and friendly. We actually thought the prices were a fair price for really good food, that we enjoyed very much, and we would definitely stop here again when we are in the area.
(5)Sherri P.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE this resturant!! Usally have the Tuna for an app. and the steak sometimes Lobster for dinner. Their house wine Good, Mixed Drinks Good, Martini's Great! We have a cabin in West Branch and Love to go to a wonderful dinner in the evening... After writing this review I want to go now.
(5)Ellen P.
We recently checked out this restaurant for the first time, and enjoyed a wonderful meal. The specials were more interesting to us than the regular menu; I chose a potato-encrusted whitefish, while my partner had grouper with lobster sauce. Both dishes were absolutely delicious; it was difficult to say who had the better meal, but I might give a slight edge to my partner's fish, sweet and mild and covered in a velvety sauce. My whitefish was fresh and flaky with a crispy crust -- perfect. We also enjoyed our sides -- my partner had the soup of the day, a tortilla soup, and i had a small wedge salad. My only complaint about our meals -- and this is just being foodie-petty -- was the standard food-service vegetable medleys accompanying the entrees; I think the fish deserved something fresh and local. I'd describe the restaurant atmosphere as casual but classy; our server was very friendly and helpful, knowledgeable about the menu (something we can't always count on in local restaurants) and otherwise very professional. Prices were not unreasonable for the menu and ambiance. We will absolutely eat here again.
(4)Ron C.
Great restaurant with good lunch menu and prices but the Sunday Brunch is excellent. Nice setting.
(5)Steve W.
Fantastic. What else can I say. In the middle of mid-Michigan, a wonderful restaurant. The menu includes a wonderful variety. We had the roast beef and the Michigan yellow belly perch. Excellent. Service was exception. The perfect stop on your trip north.
(5)Pat M.
It is very surprising to find a white tablecloth in West Branch Michigan. The willow tree has great prime rib and a nice atmosphere. The food is consistently good. This is a very nice place for this part of Michigan.
(4)Diane A.
Nicely upscale for this area. We had Sunday buffet, which is definitely a bargain. The made to order omelets were very good. I was not overly impressed with the buffet food. Kind of standard, although I am not much of a breakfast person, so maybe not the best judge. The server was very nice, but seemed a little pressed. We had to flag him down for more drinks two times, although he was attentive to taking away used plates. We were there with friends we had not seen in a long time so spent quite a while talking. We were not rushed at all, although our table was not needed. Interior is nice, with fireplace and linens. When we saw the pictures on line, we had to double check that this was really in West Branch! Very comfortable and cozy. Not loud, even though there was a very large party seated next to us. I would like to go back and try their menu items.
(4)Gretchen F.
We have been to West Branch many times. Had no idea this was here. Great food for the area. Definitely worth stopping!
(4)Jim H.
We truly enjoyed our dining experience here tonight! This was our first time here and we are definitely coming back! We will bring our son back with us so he may experience his culinary dream of eating Beef Wellington!! Everyone we spoke with tonight was just great! Our server, Virginia, was very helpful and also very accomodating with anything we needed. We would love to have her as our server anytime. She is very friendly and willing to stay and talk as we kept her a couple of times talking. :) The lady that seated us was also very friendly. We would recommend Willow Tree to Everyone! We even enjoyed that the owner came by our table and spoke with us.
(5)Steve K.
Is always nice when you try a new place and your expectations are exceeded. Two of us had steak on the Rok, loved it! Third had the filet. Bacon wrap shrimp appetizer with onion fingers was a great start. Service was A-1. Visiting West Branch, stop in. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Victoria Z.
With staying up late every night, wedding stress, surrounded by family members non stop, and a long car ride, I could only imagine what a bad experience at a restaurant would do to us. Luckily, we found Willow Tree on a whim and it was an amazing experience. At first upon walking in, I wished I wasn't in a t-shirt and shorts, it seemed higher class than that. However, it turned out to be just fine. They had a great menu with a variety of wraps and entrees with really good prices. I have no idea how our server remembered all of the specials! There were a lot! Willow Tree is not around the main activity in the West Branch area, but if you are going to the outlets, I highly recommend this slight diversion for lunch or dinner!
(4)Ginger P.
While on spring break, my family took me to this sweet little place on the way to their place near Houghton Lake. It was early on a Monday, so we got right in for the start of dinner service. It is surprising to see a place like this in northern Michigan. My parents are regulars here. So, on to the food. We started out with 2 apps, saganaki and zucchini. Both were excellent. I really enjoyed the tzatziki style sauce that came with it. The caesar salad was GOOD, but not great.. too much lemon, not creamy enough.. just left kind of a funky taste in my mouth. I was also surprised to see the dressing came out in plastic ramekins. You'd think with a nice place like this, they would be using metal or non disposable ones. Another thing that the Caesar could benefit from is fresh Reggiano Parmesan. I don't like powdery parm. I ordered the 12 oz NY strip with bleu cheese Med Rare. While it was good, I think if they bumped it up to a 14 or 16 oz cut and made it thicker, perhaps got a better sear/crust on it, the steak would be dynamite. I'd be willing to pay more for a better cut. Baked potato was great, and my parents really enjoyed their meals. One thing they definitely have down pat is the service. You can really tell the owner has their hands in every aspect of the restaurant. Guests are often greeted by name, servers seem happy and are quite efficient. The service really seals the deal! Anyone can have a nice meal at home, you go out and pay for the experience. We did not want for anything. Our server anticipated the needs of the guests, had a good knowledge of the menu and seemed to believe in the product he was selling. Good job Willow Tree. I hear they're opening another one in Saginaw soon. Obviously they're doing something right!
(5)Michael W.
Went for my Birthday. The place looks great and I was told in the past it was. But the meal we had was not what I expected. Maybe it was becouse it was a Thursday night. It was not crowded, I notice a few people came in and where shoocked so few people where in. Maybe 5 tables total. My Mom had called ahead for the cake, and they had to be reminded twice when we where there. Since it was the first time there, I will give them another chance. Could have been a bad day for them or something.
(2)