John’s Harvest Inn

Went here with my finance for a special occasion. It was a little bit of a hike but well worth it. The restaurant itself has beautiful décor, my favorite part was the ladies restroom with little hats and pocketbooks, so cute. Very clean. The staff were so welcoming, friendly and attentive yet not overbearing. The food was delicious! We ordered the Brie as an appetizer, yum! I do love some good quality cheese. For the entrée I ordered was the California chicken…, OMG! The chicken was tender and moist and full of Flavor. Cannot wait to order this again. My fiancé ordered the Panko crusted shrimp. He loved it! The only unfortunate thing was that we were way too full for desert. Next time I will be sure to save some room. Highly recommend, esp for something special!

John’s Harvest Inn provides a cozy country setting, friendly and attentive service, and above-​average food. The wine selection is terrific and cocktails are generous pours.
I had the wiener schnitzel and was not disappointed. The roasted red potatoes that accompanied the main dish tasted a bit like those you’d get at a church buffet table, but were still perfectly acceptable.
Dessert was a slight disappointment; I should’ve gone with a slice of homemade pie, as the server recommended. My wife did so and enjoyed it immensely.
Overall, a terrific dining experience and I’d certainly visit again, especially for the warmth and seasonal décor.

I had dinner last night here, and again had the duck mandarin. My last review said I didn’t have half a duck ! I WAS ABSOLUTELY WRONG AND I APOLOGIZE. I did not recognize that a duck had wings as large as a chicken leg! My bad. If you like/​LOVE duck you must have thier duck mandarin, it can not be beat.
Last night was another great experience, Peter our waiter was spot on, friendly patient, funny, and made us feel at home. Food was delicious (some dishes needed added salt but I understand that). John (chef owner) worked the dining room, and made everyone feel like a family member, not to mention a wealth of local lore. I will surly return.

Typical example of «faux-​fancy» right in a setting where they can get away with it. I honestly think the Fillet Mignon is microwaved, as were the vegetable sides. Most of the other food is obviously purchases from Costco or some other big-​box restaurant supplier — some of it verging on un-​editable. Even more mind-​blowing is the fact that the menu HAS NOT CHANGED ONCE in the 20+ years that I’ve been irregularly coming here (the area lacks a lot of good, high-​end options, if you can’t tell!). It’s a nice setting but you can immediately tell this place is way past it’s prime, and no one there is making any effort whatsoever.
Silver lining I guess are the breadbaskets and pre-​packaged salads that they serve. Those are fine.

We ate dinner at John’s Harvest Inn with my dad for Father’s Day. My aunt, who lives in Middletown, had highly recommended it as she has eaten there on many occasions and even held showers and parties there.
The décor of the restaurant, which is inside an old house, is warm and welcoming. I liked looking at all the different clocks they had on the walls, and although the dining room was on the smaller side, it wasn’t cramped at all the way the tables were set up.
We started off with the Baked Stuffed Clams appetizer, which had minced clams, Parmesan cheese, and paprika. It was flavorful and tasted quite fresh, which was nice.
For dinner, I had the Lobster Ravioli, my sister had the California Chicken Fingers, and my dad had the Chicken Cordon Bleu. I enjoyed the ravioli – the sauce was light and well seasoned, and I liked that it also had baby shrimp. My sister thought the chicken fingers were very tasty and they really hit the spot, since she was looking for a lighter meal. My dad said that the Chicken Cordon Bleu was very good, almost as good as the version my mom makes, which is a big compliment.
We were too stuffed from dinner to order dessert, but their dessert menu had several intriguing options – oh well, maybe next time.
The service was good, not intrusive but we also didn’t have to wait long for refills or the bill. The chef did come out and greet us while we were eating, and ask us how everything was, which I thought was nice.
Other reviewers have mentioned it’s pricey here, and I think for Middletown, it is. However, I think the food and the service are worth the price and I would definitely come back.

The first time I had been at John’s Harvest Inn the décor charming, we were at an early dinner so service was tolerable, and the food was of course up to par.
Since then, the food is still excellent, but dinner is something of a process when you enter this realm.
John’s Harvest Inn, (I can only imagine) seems to think it should take its time with its food. And by you showing up and paying for food, should take your time. No, I mean REAAALLLY take your time.
fThe food is spectacular. Here is our menu:
bacon wrapped scallops, baked brie in phyllo dough
stuffed shrimp
maple nutmeg infused butternut squash,
herbed red potatoes
family style salad
home made bread — cold second time around
crab cakes with remoulade
Unfortunately, the service was mediocre at best, the prices are very high for the area, and the timing between plates was ridiculously long. I’ve been at restaurants were there is a tasting menu or multiple courses. The timing is just too long. We had gotten there at a few minutes after 8pm, didn’t get seated until 815pm. Didn’t get bread or any starters until 845pm. All in all, the courses were separated by about 30 minutes between each one, making our whole meal end at almost 11pm. This is just too long. The service was attentive at times, but our table could have been turned over at least 2 more times.
Even five star restaurants with $ 300 tasting menus don’t space out their courses by 30 minutes? WATCH your table, any good waiter will
8:10 arrival
8:14 seated
8:39 was able to place order
9:00 water and bread basket received
9:15 appetizer received
9:20 salad received
9:50 dinner
10:15 done
10:35 clear plates
10:45 ask for check
10:59 receive check
11:15 walk out door
all in all that is entirely too long between plates, service is too slow and it’s just too excruciatingly slow for even the most fantastic meal.
wish they did take out…

We go here 3 to 5 times a year we love the food, yes a bit pricey but very well worth it. The owner John always comes out from the kitchen to make rounds and thank the patrons to make sure they’re happy with the service. On Fridays there is usually live music which is very nice.

Can’t believe someone has had bad service in this family owned German– American restaurant. After having dined at John’s at least a dozen or more times, the service invariably has been attentive, prompt and friendly. The ambience is cozy, but perhaps somewhat dated for some… but perfect for me. The star attractions are the sweet «ONION SOUP», by far the best I’ve ever had, the Roasted Duck with Mandarin oranges or hoison sauce and finally the weiner schnitzel. You might also try the calf’s liver with onion’s bacon, if U don’t mind tweaking your Lipitor dose for a few days. .John, the owner-​chef CIA graduate has worked very hard to make this one of the finest restaurants in the area. If my review were based only on the above mentioned dishes, I would give John’s spot Five Stars.

Here is a prime example of bad wait service completely taking away from the food and overall experience. Went there almost 5yrs ago to celebrate my tenth anniversary, the woman who seated us and also waited on us (odd for a supposedly upscale restaurant) was a miserable person. Not friendly, curt and the fact that I am writing this almost 5yrs after the fact shows how much this perturbed me. I won’t even comment on the food, which I am sure was decent, the chef is CIA trained, but I will never, ever go ther again and I live 3 minutes away.