The Tree might be new to Tallahassee, but it's no Johnny Come Lately in North Florida. It has chalked up 30 years of grilling in downtown Arlington and suburban Mandarin locations in Jacksonville. Even with the Mahan Drive widening project looming ahead, he said, the pros of opening far outweighed the cons. On-loan members of the opening kitchen crew obviously were old hands at selecting and sizzling good steaks and chops. Fine dining may well come, though.
Valet parking's a nice touch for inclement weather.
Curiously, for so popular a seafood item, shrimp shows up nowhere else on the menu. At salad time, one's offered a choice of Caesar or colorful Tree House Garden varieties, both served at table, or unlimited browsing through a salad bar whose fresh, well-kept spread is a virtual carbon copy of that at Steak and Ale. In quality, freshness and knowledgeable preparation of meats, chicken and seafood, though, The Tree is in its shining hour. Unexpectedly, but wisely from a business standpoint, main course selections are fairly limited. A spectacular mint sauce would lend a well-deserved touch.