Let's Eat

The Ram’s Head Inn - Elegant dining at its best

By T.S. Evans
Staff Writer
May 02, 2007

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – The kitchen at what is now the Ram’s Head Inn has come a long way since the days when it turned out Pennsylvania Dutch food that was served family style to patrons of the Dutch Barn.

Now the restaurant has so many awards that they take up an entire wall.

Fred and Ethel Noyes sold the Historic Town of Smithville to the American Broadcasting Company and purchased the Dutch Barn on the White Horse Pike here in 1976. 

The building was originally a roadhouse in the 1930s and 40s. After World War II it was called Phillip’s Inn and then it was the Black Steer Ranch before it became the Dutch Barn. Since Fred was an Aries, the couple named the restaurant the Ram’s Head Inn. Fred Noyes loved to paint, so an artist’s studio was created for him on the second floor of the restaurant.

Ethel passed away in 1978, and the restaurant was sold to Harry Knolls. 

Fred died in 1987, and his favorite table, number 53, was retired the day he died, according to general manager Dan Anderson, who was the à la carte manager at that time.

Anderson, formerly of Pittsburgh, was a special education teacher who worked his way through college in restaurants. A friend got a job in the area and suggested Anderson come east to work. Anderson got a job at the restaurant, met his wife, who was a server working her way through college, and they stayed. He was made general manager in 2006, and his wife is now the à la carte manager. 

Having executive chef Luigi Baretto at the helm makes the job easier, according to Anderson.  Baretto studied in Europe before immigrating to the United States. He has received numerous awards, such as the New Jersey Chef Association’s chef of the year, and has a chair on the Craft Advisory Board of the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College. During his service at the Ram’s Head, the restaurant and banquet facility has garnered a multitude of awards, including the AAA Four Diamond Award from 1991 to the present.

Anderson is most proud of the Best of Excellence Award in 2006 and the Distinguished Restaurant of North America DiRona Award that is presented to the top 1 percent of American restaurants.

In addition to its dinner service, the restaurant is known for weddings, private parties, business meetings and corporate luncheons. A jacket is a requirement for men in the elegant dining room, but ties are optional.  Dining is white tablecloth service with fine china from Austria, silver place settings and long-stemmed crystal goblets. While waiting to be seated, visitors can enjoy the art and antiques on display. 

The Ram’s Head also does home catering, or meals can be picked up to serve at home. 
 

Photos by T.S. EVANS

Customer Favorites

Dinner
Beef Wellington ($31) with Jersey Fresh vegetables
Chicken Pot Pie ($22) with dumplings in a copper kettle
Rack of Lamb ($34) mint pesto rubbed and pistachio encrusted
Leek Wrapped Lump Crab Cakes ($26) with red pepper Dijon mustard coulis 

Appetizers
Casserole of Crabmeat Brûlée ($16) creamy béchamel, brunoise of vegetables
Port Wine Poached Bosc Pear ($9) with crumbled bleu cheese, candied walnuts, frizee salad, orange vinaigrette
Inn Smoked Salmon and Black Cod ($14) herb crusted and fruitwood smoked 

Lunch
Saffron Fettucine Carbonara ($13) with pancetta, onions, parmesan cheese, cream sauce
Grilled Filet Mignon ($18) with red wine truffle demi-glace
Crab Imperial in Pastry Crust ($17) with lobster sauce
Or choose an appetizer and main course from the Complete Lunch Menu for $23.95, including dessert, assorted cookies and coffee or tea.

If You Go

The Ram’s Head Inn
9 W. White Horse Pike
Galloway Township, NJ 08205
For reservations call (609) 652-1700
Website: www.ramsheadinn.com

Hours
Lunch: noon-3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday
Dinner:  5-9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 5-10 p.m. Saturday; and 3:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday   
Closed Monday

Hours change four times a year with the seasons, so it is wise to phone ahead. On Friday and Saturday there is live music in the bar, where dining is casual and a jacket is not required.  Happy hour is 3-6 p.m. Bar opens 11 a.m.

Open for brunch for Easter and Mother’s Day.  Reservations are suggested.

Plenty of free or valet parking