Mariner’s Inn - Madison

3 1/2 hours wandering around lake mendota with very little information. the last hour was in the dark! 1

Just all round bad service from sitting at the bar to seated at our table for dinner. While sitting at the bar the couple bartenders were only waiting on the wait staff that came to the bar. Multiple times they walked past us sitting at the bar and didn't acknowledge us or Even look at us. Finally a patron next to us who is a regular and knew the bartender's name, said something to get their attention on to us. Then once we got seated to our table we didn't get any service for over 10 minutes. Now I watched other tables that got seated and their waitresses immediately came out with water and checked on if they needed drinks. All I can say is our waiter was absent throughout the whole whole process of dining. At one point we even asked a different waitress if we could get a refresher on the bread basket. As for the food, good portions and good taste but I ordered my steak medium rare and it was more rare than anything. To me if it's purple, that's rare. With medium it should be cooked a little bit on the top and bottom and not be red to purple throughout the whole thing. At that point I was not about to send it back and keep waiting. I can't honestly say we will be coming back anytime soon

Very good fish fry. very generous portions, and a pleasant and attentive service. Place was super busy but wait time was not unreasonable. Would visit again but probably not on a Friday night.

Went during Madison restaurant week. Only could order off special menu. Dishes did not include side or bread like normal menu. Waitstaff did not seem to enjoy their job. Dishes were smaller than normal and prices were higher.

Mariner's is consistent. Service was decent, although our waiter was very rushed. We noted that he didn't share with us the availability of various sides when we heard another waiter going over them with a nearby table. It was restaurant week, so the menu was limited. Shrimp were great; lobster tail was embarrassingly small and dried out. It was redeemed by the small steak that came with the lobster tail. Salads were clearly pre-made since they seemed wilted and the included deserts were decent—-nothing special. Mariners has announced they will be closing next year. This was a “farewell” visit since we were visiting from out of town, having lived in Madison for many years.