Almond Wood - Patterson

I agree with Ryan, this place changed menu less options, you can see they trying cut corners ,I was there Saturday 530pm parking lot almost empty, never seen li... read more I agree with Ryan, this place changed menu less options, you can see they trying cut corners ,I was there Saturday 530pm parking lot almost empty, never seen like that,that's a shame used be favorite place,don't order pasta Alfredo,I just can't see owner doing this ,it was a 5 star restaurant the best in Patterson

Fantastic Brisket/ Shrimp salad! The fruit in the salad was fresh and sweet! Added the focaccia bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, was amazing! read more Fantastic Brisket/ Shrimp salad! The fruit in the salad was fresh and sweet! Added the focaccia bread with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, was amazing!

My experience began with an online order placed through their website, followed by a frustrating 1.5-hour wait for pickup. This aspect of their business model i... read more My experience began with an online order placed through their website, followed by a frustrating 1.5-hour wait for pickup. This aspect of their business model is quite concerning. I would hesitate to make a reservation or order online here; I can easily picture being stuck waiting over two hours for a meal. I spent $50 on smoked chicken and brisket, both of which were overcooked and lacking in flavor, accompanied by uninspiring sides. As soon as I picked up the order, the overwhelming smell of smoke gave me a bad feeling about the meats. Unfortunately, my instincts were correct—both the chicken and brisket were completely flavorless. The chicken, which was meant to be organic, was unseasoned and had leathery skin, which is frankly unacceptable. The brisket, while it could pass the bending test, also had no flavor. The sides were equally disappointing. The “Just Peachy Beet Salad” didn’t contain any beets, and their cornbread was the worst I’ve ever tasted—overcooked and toasted to the point of being a “corn-brick.” The mac and cheese was another letdown. I truly believe this restaurant is trying too hard but failing to deliver quality food. I only tried the BBQ, which should be a strong point in any restaurant, and it did not live up to expectations. The chefs might benefit from visiting some standout eateries in the Bay Area and Sacramento to expand their flavor profiles. Additionally, the owners should consider streamlining their menu and honing their focus. The name "Apricot Wood" seems more appropriate, especially given that Patterson is known as the 'Apricot Capital of the World.' Since the restaurant is operating in its second phase, I would be willing to stop by to offer some culinary advice, particularly regarding the use of seasonings and marinades, or to suggest restaurants for the staff to visit for inspiration. Nevertheless, I don’t see myself returning. For the amount I spent, I could easily find a smaller business that offers a more enjoyable and flavorful dining experience.

I spent $19 on a salad that I ended up sending back. Everything tasted stale, as if the fruits and vegetables had simply been thawed. The chicken was tough and... read more I spent $19 on a salad that I ended up sending back. Everything tasted stale, as if the fruits and vegetables had simply been thawed. The chicken was tough and had an unusual texture. My husband ordered a side of potato salad and ended up returning it—something he rarely does! It's surprising because we visited this place just a month ago, and the food quality was much better than what we experienced on Friday night. The menu has completely changed, as others have noted. The service was average; it was busy, but many of the young servers seemed a bit overwhelmed. We definitely won't be coming back any time soon.

The food at this restaurant is excellent, but the takeout ordering process is unnecessarily complicated. If you don’t have access to a computer when you want to... read more The food at this restaurant is excellent, but the takeout ordering process is unnecessarily complicated. If you don’t have access to a computer when you want to place an order, you're out of luck since they don’t accept orders over the phone. Furthermore, the online ordering system can be quite unreliable; I ended up stuck in a loop for nearly 15 minutes. When I called back for help, the response I got was essentially, "Oh well..." which was quite disappointing. Overall, not a great experience.