Blystone Farm — Restaurant in Madison Township

My mother and I celebrated our 2018 Mother's Day with the holiday Brunch at the Blystone Restaurant and Taproom thanks to my husband and daughter. We were really excited because we had been wanting to go out to the farm for several months and this seemed like the perfect opportunity! We called ahead and attempted to make a reservation, but were told they weren't taking reservations. A little surprised, we actually called a few more times in the weeks leading up to the event, hoping they would change their mind and take reservations. Unfortunately, no.

When we arrived that day, it was clear that they were in the weeds. There was conflicting information being given out about how to get a table. The bartender told us it was First Come First Served; another busser told us to grab any table as they opened, and yet a third employee shared that they had a list we needed to put our name on to get a table. After putting our name on the list, we were actually seated relatively quickly, but I cannot say that there weren't other people that should have been seated first. It was all very confusing.

Once seated we were bounced around to about 3 different servers, before finally being assigned to someone who shared she was no supposed to be working that day and was not a server, but a manager. We ordered drinks with her and we were told to go ahead and serve ourselves at the buffet. Upon approach, it was apparent we would need to wait. There were no clean plates available and many of the chaffing dishes were empty, but currently being filled.

In the next 10 minutes, all four of us were able to get plates and food - although it was like each of us went to a different buffet because different foods were stocked when each of us went up. No one got to try everything they wanted that day. The food we were able to try was all very good. My southern husband was amazed by their biscuits - and actually chose to have a second rather than dessert. He haunted the buffet until a new batch came out!

When it came time to get the check, we were happy to move on because there were many people on the list at this point and it was apparent that they were getting short tempered. Unfortunately, it took 35 minutes and three requests for us to get our bill. During this time we watched the bussers start to verbalize frustration with their customers over the situation, the buffet be emptied of all proteins for up to 10 minutes at a time, and the closure of the patio (about half the tables) due to an impending storm. It was time to move on!

So our trip to Blystone was very much a mixed bag. Overall, the facilities are quite small, but the setting is beautiful and the restaurant probably accommodates their typical shifts. Food and drink were excellent when you could secure them. Service was awful that day, but mainly because they were under-prepared to host a buffet for a major event.

From the floor plan to the staffing issues there was not enough of a plan in place for dealing with the people who arrived. In fairness to Blystone, our waitress explained she had to work that day because they had to fire someone that morning. A busser explained that she wasn't supposed to be in the taproom, but rather working the counter in the store. However, their lack of planning around a major event made for their failure, not just one fired employee. I still think that taking reservations for a set number of seatings would actually solve many of the...

I was greatly disappointed. For these prices my family and fiancee had to sit at a freakin' picnic table. The food was ordinary at best. The burger was average size, and the meal was mostly fries. Honestly, I could have got a better burger at Red Robin.

The brussel sprout appetizer was excellent though. And I am not a brussel sprout fan.

The hostess was absolutely unprepared for her position in this establishment. She kept leaving the front to go back in the kitchen and talk to other staff members. As a hostess you are the quarterback for the restaurant. This woman was horrible. Completely unqualified and unprepared for a Saturday night.

Understaffed for a Saturday night. A number of tables remained vacant while people waited to be seated. Our server commented that they are dead throughout the week but slammed on weekends. Who doesn't understand how to create a schedule?

I had high hopes for this man as a governor, but after patronizing his restaurant, I am not to certain. Limited space establishment that is trying to have to much going on. If you want a high end steak house, as your prices reflect, then have the decency to buy some tables and comfortable chairs. If you want to deli meat shop, then don't have a full blown menu. If it's going to be a honky-tonk out in the country, with the two piece band covering country tunes, then serve drinks and bar food. Forgot to mention that. All during our dinner, we were treated to a two piece band that was extremely loud. Again not steak house atmosphere.

Hour wait for our table, hour wait for our food. No waiting area. Literally had my backside in another patrons personal space while they ate. Hoped like hell I didn't get a table near that waiting area or the door that kept opening, with no foyer to keep out the cold. Again, eating with a coat on is not steak house atmosphere.

No, Mr. Blystone, if you make it to our states capitol it will be without my vote. You sir are clearly an individual who does not understand business plans or customer satisfaction. After my experience at your restaurant, it is clear to me that you only concern yourself with becoming wealthy, while not caring if your product is worth the price paid by individuals. If you can't come up with a clear cut business plan for the limited space restaurant you have, you surely can not run out state government. After the experience at your restaurant, I can only see you as a politician who will benefit from being a governor while having no concern for the tax paying citizens of this state

I wish you the best though. I will never eat at your establishment again. My advice would be to concentrate on one theme and hire qualified individuals to represent you and your name.

Oh, and one last thing. You should make certain that you and your establishment support the state in every way. You should make sure to put the CBJ on the televisions. when they play, instead of an SEC softball tournement. Really, support our state. Your staff should know this and follow it. Support our state and all it...

I was asked to join family to listen to a musician - an old friend of the family - at this locale. I did not realize upon accepting the invitation that this was run by a far-right-fringe gubernatorial candidate, or I probably would not have tried it. The good: The musician, Jameson, was pretty good, even with very poor acoustics. The location is quite unique - even with the "farm smells", it has potential. The staff were very pleasant, even on a very busy night. The bad: This was not my cup of tea, politically. From the big warning sign that the employees would not be wearing masks, to the tiny disclaimer on the menu that the kitchen is not gluten- or allergen-free, it seems like they really want to alienate anyone who does not think they way the owners do. The other big thing is the main dining room - it appears to be a large garage with metal wall coverings facing the dining area. The noise was unbearable and left no real possibility of conversation even between musical numbers. The mediocre: My rating is mostly for the food. Of all the items I was able to sample in one visit, there were two stars and a bunch of duds. We ordered chips and salsa and garlic parmesan sprouts for the appetizer round. The Brussels sprouts were delicious, with just enough garlic and balsamic to make them stand out. The bacon ends were a plus as well. The salsa was not as good - it was very acidic and way too salty. Next came cheddar ale soup and a side salad. The cheddar soup was broken, and just tasted like flavorless curds in a flavorless liquid. The salad was nice, except the ranch dressing was very salty. For the main course, I ordered smoked pork chops on a recommendation by a friend, who also warned me to order the sauce on the side. The pork chops were huge and flavorful, and came with well prepared asparagus and a very plain, but well cooked baked potato. The sauce was inedible. It tasted like turpentine with cinnamon and hot pepper juice. Someone REALLY needs to rethink that condiment. Obviously, I care about who gets my money, and I won't be returning. If you, the reader, however, are really passionate about the political leanings here, and just stick to the plain, undressed items on the menu, it might be a good place to try. To anyone else, I would just...