Rating:

When we entered Johnny Apples, I noticed that the atmosphere was very pleasant. Although the building dates to the Colonial period, the inside has been remodeled so, aside from the large fireplaces, they have a fresh, clean appearance with dark green walls and new carpeting.

The menu has the usual American items with a few intriguing takes on the standards. There are the soups, salads, appetizers, steaks, chops, seafood and the omnipresent American favorite — pasta.

Our server was very pleasant and knowledgeable; it was very apparent she likes what she does.

Johnny Apples has its own stimulus package that — as long as they’re able to manage it — they plan to continue until the recession ends. Monday through Friday, from 4 to 9 p.m., all entrées, and appetizers ordered with an entrée, are half price.

We observed that the serving size has not been reduced to compensate for the reduction in price. Most parties left with Styrofoam containers of leftovers.

My spouse ordered the seafood spring roll (Early Bird $3.98) that came as two large rolls jam-packed with crab, gulf shrimp, scallops, bok choy, cabbage and carrots in oriental seasonings with a teriyaki glaze.

These delicacies were accompanied by a small cup of wasabi sauce that had a small hint of heat.

My seafood sampler (Early Bird $4.98) came on a full-size dinner plate as it consisted of two oysters Rockefeller, three clams casino and five scallops Rochelle. They were as delicious as I had anticipated from the menu description.

As entrées are served with a choice of salad or soup du jour, my spouse selected the house salad with homemade dill cucumber dressing. Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and carrots sat on top of crisp mixed greens. We were amazed at the large portion served.

For me, it was a cup of homemade creamy potato jalapeño soup. The jalapeño provided a nice, spicy background to the soup.

When my spouse’s boneless New York strip steak (Early Bird $15) was served, although it was at least an inch thick and full cut, it was not visible because of the massive amount of sautéed mushrooms.

Entrées are served with choice of potato and vegetable or pasta. My spouse chose the fluffy baked potato with sour cream and fresh green beans. Her steak was served rare as ordered and, although a steak knife was present, it was easily cut with a butter knife.

I gravitated to the Downtown Veal (Early Bird $11.98) as it combined so many items I thoroughly enjoy.

The sautéed medallions of veal were smothered with a topping of artichoke, black olives, pepperoncini peppers, garlic and spinach finished with melted mozzarella cheese. While the veal was fork tender, the topping stole the show for me. I really enjoyed the salty, sweet, slightly hot combination.

Like so many diners, we opted for Styrofoam containers so we could have something sweet. For my spouse, it was the very pleasant Dark Side of the Moon while I had the lemon mousse.

The large size of these desserts ($6.95 each) was in keeping with the portions of the other dishes we had.

While, with a few exceptions, the menu is pretty standard and good but not extraordinary, the move to have half-price meals during the week rates an AHHHHH (5) out of 5 AHs. E-mail Jim Clark at weeklyentree@verizon.net.

Location: 184 Buck Road, Holland Ambience: Upscale casual Cuisine: American Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dinner served 4 to 10 p.m. Prices: Appetizers, soup: $6.95 to $13.95; Entrées: $14.95 to $31.95; Desserts: $6.95 Phone Number: 215-354-4460 Alcoholic Beverages: Full-service bar Web site: www.johnnyapples.com