The review for two stars defines it as \"Meh. I've experienced better.\" And I have.\n\nMy parents were in town, and a 20-page beer menu seemed as if it was going to be something that my father was going to enjoy (he's a beer guy). I brew beer and have tasted most things on their menu at other places, so I was intrigued.\n\nI can't say that I've ever been more embarrassed to bring my parents to a Madisonian restaurant.\n\nTo start - the wait staff does nothing but stand there. Four people behind the bar, all just chatting with each other. I don't understand how a head of house doesn't understand table times, but apparently 35 minutes means an hour and ten minutes - all because they were watching a four top finish their meal and clean the table. I live and work with plenty of restaurant people to know how to correctly estimate wait times, and putting a fifth chair on a four top should actually make your wait MUCH shorter. Not so much.\n\nThe big thing about this place is the beer menu. The waitress didn't seem to have any knowledge of them whatsoever. Also, she didn't seem very happy - she acted rather miserable as if waiting on us was an inconvenience. Asking for an additional menu seemed to be a chore. She came back to our table one time, because we called her over and asked for the check. Once she dropped off the food she was nowhere to be seen again.\n\nThe menu is entirely unimpressive. It's obvious that the place leans on it's extensive beer menu and doesn't care much for the people eating there (three waitresses vs. five bartenders). That being said, the menu seemed appropriately short. Do five things and do them well. Not so.\n\nThe burger is a 1/4 lbs. patty. It's a $12, 1/4 lbs. patty. Not impressive.\n\nThe chicken is two sad pieces of cornish hen not dressed or sitting on anything colorful or inventive.\n\nThe steak is good, but you have to work really hard to mess up a steak. Thus, two stars. The brussel's sprouts were honestly some of the best i've ever had in my life, so they have that going for them.\n\nI felt as if our experience there was a side-show to sitting at the bar, and that the food is an afterthought - just like serving us. Waiting for twice the estimated amount, slow service, an angry waitress, and clearly overpriced entrees that are meant to make guests feel as if they're getting more for their dollar - no. It's not. I work in the industry and I know when quality portions need to be kept small in order to keep costs reasonable. NOTHING on the burger demanded $12. As a joke, we went home and recreated four of them.\n\nIt cost us a total of $18 for all the ingredients. It took ten minutes to shop, ten minutes to make.\n\nFor one of the best reviewed places on here, I think people are seeing what they hope to see - and after paying top dollar it's hard to admit that you've been cheated.\n\nI maintain no such illusions, whatsoever.
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