The Willows Restaurant

vraiblonde

Board Mommy
PREMO Member
Patron
Founder?...I had been going to the Willows for years off and on before John came along and turned it in to a great place for a while there.

But I wouldn't be surprised to hear he did still own it though..it's never really been much since he stopped running it IMHO. Sorry to hear that John Passed.

John was not the "founder" of Willows - I want to say the original owner was one of the Dukes way back in the day, but it had several owners between him and Nucci.

John had been trying to sell Willows for years, then he just became too sick to deal with it. My understanding, don't quote me, is that he sold the actual restaurant but not the property itself. As far as I'm aware, he was still living out back before he went into the hospital.
 

luvmygdaughters

Well-Known Member
Founder?...I had been going to the Willows for years off and on before John came along and turned it in to a great place for a while there.
:yeahthat:
But I wouldn't be surprised to hear he did still own it though..it's never really been much since he stopped running it IMHO. Sorry to hear that John Passed.

The Willows has been around for a long while before John Nucci took it over. There used to be two ladies that had the place, always good food, although towards the end when John was getting out of it, the food and service started to suffer some. I was always partial to Oakwood Lodge myself, loved the Black Diamond steak and the view.
 

RoseRed

American Beauty
PREMO Member
The Willows has been around for a long while before John Nucci took it over. There used to be two ladies that had the place, always good food, although towards the end when John was getting out of it, the food and service started to suffer some. I was always partial to Oakwood Lodge myself, loved the Black Diamond steak and the view.

You can get the Black Diamond at Gridiron Grill.
 

Gilligan

#*! boat!
PREMO Member
Went there three times while under the current management. Once right after they opened, one in the middle somewhere and once last December just before Christmas.

Can't say I didn't give 'em a chance.:whistle:
 

CrashTest

Well-Known Member
John was not the "founder" of Willows - I want to say the original owner was one of the Dukes way back in the day, but it had several owners between him and Nucci.

You're much, much older than I am so I don't have any knowledge of it before he came around. Either way, he's still dead.
 

lovinmaryland

Well-Known Member
I went to TR one time and see no reason to ever go back. Our server was pleasant and efficient enough, but the food was nothing to write home about - completely unremarkable slop from a bag, warmed in a microwave.

I just don't get the attraction to chain formula food and never will. But to each their own. :cheers:

I ordered the Prime Rib from there and it actually tasted like ham. It was horrible. I asked the waitress wtf was wrong w/ it and she said oh it is the rub they put on it. I have never heard anyone complain before. It was horrid.

There little rolls w/ butter are delish though.
 

wineo

loving life
John was not the "founder" of Willows - I want to say the original owner was one of the Dukes way back in the day, but it had several owners between him and Nucci.

John had been trying to sell Willows for years, then he just became too sick to deal with it. My understanding, don't quote me, is that he sold the actual restaurant but not the property itself. As far as I'm aware, he was still living out back before he went into the hospital.

One of the original owners was John Sheaffer and either a Bailey or Gardiner was his partner. Then the Fenwicks owned it for years, and I think they sold it to John.
 

acommondisaster

Active Member
i will never go back to texas roadhouse again. The prime rib is nasty outback steakhouse makes the best out of the 2 places.

If Outback is an example of what's better than TR, then I think I might as welll turn vegetarian. I have vowed never to step foot in Outback again after 4 bad experiences in a row at different Outbacks (I kept thinking it had to be an anomaly or a bad restaurant).

For good food, I'll stick to Silver Skewers or Brasa's - both in Waldorf and privately owned.
 

Bonehead

Well-Known Member
Damn

The Willows has been around for a long while before John Nucci took it over. There used to be two ladies that had the place, always good food, although towards the end when John was getting out of it, the food and service started to suffer some. I was always partial to Oakwood Lodge myself, loved the Black Diamond steak and the view.

That is a blast from the past for sure !
 

wineo

loving life
The Willows has been around for a long while before John Nucci took it over. There used to be two ladies that had the place, always good food, although towards the end when John was getting out of it, the food and service started to suffer some. I was always partial to Oakwood Lodge myself, loved the Black Diamond steak and the view.

You can buy Black Diamond Steaks at BJ's in the frozen isle....
Rick now cooks at Chiefs Bar in Tall Timbers, his family owned Oakwood..
 

luvmygdaughters

Well-Known Member
You can buy Black Diamond Steaks at BJ's in the frozen isle....
Rick now cooks at Chiefs Bar in Tall Timbers, his family owned Oakwood..

Thanks, I'll have to give it a try. Been to Chiefs for beer but never food.
Does anyone remember the restaurant in Leonardtown,I think it was Baileys, on the corner where the pet store is now. Went there several times in my younger days after going out to Harbor View Inn. Always good breakfast. But then, Maryhelen always made us sandwiches (Stuffed ham) after we would finish drinking and dancing. Ahhh...the good ole days. Didnt kill anybody driving, always had a car full and the party would just move from one bar to the other. I think it was on Friday's, we would always go to T"s Cove for mexican food and margaritas and Sunday Trish and Tommy would have a brunch. My dad would take us over on the boat. Love those days and alot of good memories. Also, Johnny Hall, always ready to carry a crowd over to Coles Point,VA. Okay, I know there are some of you still out there that remember those times. :buddies:
 

ginwoman

Well-Known Member
Thanks, I'll have to give it a try. Been to Chiefs for beer but never food.
Does anyone remember the restaurant in Leonardtown,I think it was Baileys, on the corner where the pet store is now. Went there several times in my younger days after going out to Harbor View Inn. Always good breakfast. But then, Maryhelen always made us sandwiches (Stuffed ham) after we would finish drinking and dancing. Ahhh...the good ole days. Didnt kill anybody driving, always had a car full and the party would just move from one bar to the other. I think it was on Friday's, we would always go to T"s Cove for mexican food and margaritas and Sunday Trish and Tommy would have a brunch. My dad would take us over on the boat. Love those days and alot of good memories. Also, Johnny Hall, always ready to carry a crowd over to Coles Point,VA. Okay, I know there are some of you still out there that remember those times. :buddies:

my husband spent a lot of time at T's Cove back in the 80's. Good friends with Tom. Tom's brother, David recently died.
I never went to T's, but did go to Harbor View a few times. Good times.
 

vraiblonde

Board Mommy
PREMO Member
Patron
Then the Fenwicks owned it for years, and I think they sold it to John.

Fenwick! I thought he was the original owner (not Duke). Before Nucci it was Geoff whatsherface, then Timbo Bryant, but a couple of others before that.
 
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