The Cider Farm — Restaurant in Madison

I really hesitate to write a poor review unless I feel it absolutely necessary. In this case it is. Main reason being, the owner clearly doesn't think that he is ever wrong, based on his responses to other people's bad reviews. I am someone who has been in the restaurant business my entire life and am currently employed at a well established restaurant. One thing I have learned in all my years of experience is that the customer is always right, or at least you should do everything in your power as an owner to make it right. But more importantly, to make people feel welcomed. We walked into The Cider Farm after a purchase at Brennen's market, which is attached to this place. I have never been to The Cider Farm, so I assumed it was a part of Brennen's. My mistake. Well, I was with my father and my 15 year old daughter and we were waiting to be picked up from the store. The lovely music drew us in, so we thought we'd pop in for a seltzer water while we waited and listen the music for a bit. This was a Sunday afternoon and there was no one else at any of the tables, just two couples at the bar. The gentlemen, that I assume is the owner, came to us and right away was unhappy that we were not ordering from his drink menu (he didn't even offer a food menu, which I didn't know they had food. I might have ordered a snack, had I known). In fact, he was quite rude about it. What he did not know is that my father(previous owner of a successful Supper Club and bar up north) is a one year recovering alcoholic and had a six month life collapse one year ago, almost to the day. So, when my Dad is here visiting me and my family I like to do things with him that he loves, including going to fancy grocery stores. It just so happens that that particular grocery store had live music, which is something else he loves. It's my mistake that I assumed Brennen's was connected to the Cider Farm, I own that. BUT, we did buy two cans of Klarbrunn seltzer for $8 and I left the owner and the musicians, probably, the largest tips they's had all day. What I hope the owner learns from this review is, please don't assume that people have bad intentions when they come into your establishment. You do not know what people have been through, or why they choose not order alcohol. Perhaps moving The Cider Farm somewhere where it can thrive on it's own might be a good idea? I'm sure you'd be a lot happier knowing that all guests that walk through your door are there to eat, drink, spend a lot of money and not just take up your tables. I would never wish ill will on a restaurant, I know how hard it is to survive this industry and how hard you all work. But, I would never go back to Cider Farm to get the unwelcome attitude that I received. Not my...

This was the worst experience ever!! We wait 2 hours for our food which came one at a time. My husband, who is a diabetic, was getting very light head! My daughter in-law got up to see what was taking so long, the answer she got was, "the kitchen is very backed up". We order sandwiches, when does it ever take 2 hours to make ham sandwich and grill cheese! My husband was so upset he stood up to leave got light head and his chair fell backwards.When we got home we noticed his leg was bleeding from the leg of the chair! Not one time did a manager come and see what was happening. I will never go back or recommend this place to anyone. Then they bought the bill for drinks and ask if we want to pay for the food? Really??? The food we never got!!!

Responding to owner: Please don't call my son special needs because he is over weight, plus you did have a party of 5 on the other side of the patio. We picked up our dogs waste and threw it out. I have bad knees so I didn't want to take up too much space, so my family put my scooter aside and got my wheel chair! Since you where there and or the owner, why didn't you come and address the problem instead of sending your waitress to do your job. We have been to plenty of restaurants to know when they are over crowded, you weren't. We have never been treated so bad... We also called before we came and ask if you let dogs on the patio, the response was yes! Yes we did pay for the appetizer that came out, which was the duck nuggets! We go to a place just like your place in Chicago with small plates, put they do come out all at once. Instead of telling the customer to reexamine are faults, I think that would be your job. I have read your respond over and over and we did come to relax since we were celebrating Father's day. And no where on your menu does it say appetizers, we order sandwiches! Please don't make your mistakes the...

I went for the first time last Saturday evening because a dear older friend was performing here that evening. I love hearing him sing and play guitar, and this was his first gig in a while, so I was really looking forward to spending the entire evening there. After carrying in his equipment, I picked a small table (one for four was the smallest) closest to him. I wore a brightly colored skirt since it was such a cool and dreary day. Unfortunately, my hair had gotten wet from the rain (one can't carry an umbrella with a speaker in each hand.) As I was about to settle at my table, the male owner, John I believe, asked if I could move so that future customers cod sit there. I obliged. Within ten minutes his wife asked me to move yet again. By this time I had both a drink and a meal menu and I was contemplating what to order. By then, it ft clear to me that I was not welcomed there. I apologized to my friend and to him what had happened, and for that reason, I was NOT going to spend my money dini g where my business would not be valued. I walked across the parking g lot and had a delicious meal...