Maple Tree Inn

User Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Overall, I would say that the food was very flavorful. I started out with the country gumbo. It had a decent taste, but I did not like that all of the ingredients such as the sausage, chicken, and seafood was cut up so small to the point where it all kind of blended in and I wasn't sure what I was eating. It was served with rice, but not with crackers, which I did have to ask for. I also ordered crawfish etouffee. The roux was redder than I preferred (I like it a little more orange), but it did have a good taste. I would just recommend that they serve it with rice rather than risotto and make it a little more thinner since it seemed a bit to thick and chunky. It had a boiled whole crawfish on top, which was cute, but when I broke off the tail and tried the tail meat, it was old and bland. I guess it was really just meant as a garnish/decoration and not to eat. the $22 steak was very tender, but was not seasoned and there was no steak sauce. The cornbread dressing was bland and had the taste of something that had been in the refrigerator too long.
The atmosphere/decor was more like a makeshift sideroom that was added on to the original building and had large couch-like side chairs that were a little too low and hard to pull up to the table.The original dining/bar area is nice, however.
The servers and staff were very nice and welcoming. The fact that the boudin balls could only be ordered with a combo and not as a single appetizer was weird, as well as the fact that shrimp creole could be ordered with combo (it is $17 by itself), but crawfish etouffee could not be substituted by adding one simple dollar (it costs $18 by itself). The entrees were expensive, and did not even include at least one or two sides. These had to be bought extra, although discounted which helped a little. The word " 'Gnawlins style " on the menu threw me off b/c it should be 'Nawlins b/c it's for New Orleans.
Basically, if I had not been from Louisiana and been so used to how food is cooked and prepared down there, I would have been more impressed. Close to the real thing if you haven't had Louisiana food in Louisiana before. The flavors were good, but there were some little things here and there that took away from the cajun experience.

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User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Always interesting food and great beer: I have been to Maple Tree several times and never had the same meal twice. The menu varies and so does the selection of craft beers. When folks come into town this is the place I take them for an evening of great food and a chance to talk in an unhurried environment.
The main theme is Cajun but my wife does not like her food hot. She was cautious about this place the first time I took her there. Now she looks for excuses to go. Deserts are good also so leave a little room and take half the entree home in a box.

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User Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Heaven on 7 Alternative: I brought my parents here for my father's birthday as an alternative to going downtown to Heaven on 7...another cajun restaurant...and I must say they were pleasently surprised. The staff is execellent...the owner even stopped by the table and offered free drinks and/or dessert. I always order from the prefixed menu...can't go wrong.

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