Welly's Marlborough — Restaurant in Marlborough

I will say the food was great and our server was wonderful. My issue is with the manager (hence the 4 stars for service nad 3 for atmosphere). We had booked Room 3 for 15 people, and were told that we could use the space for up to 3 hours. At just before 2 hours, we had finished our food, and were in the middle of cake and presents, as people were finishing their coffee/drinks, when the server brough us our bill, under the direction of her manager, who was hovering by the door. Not wanting life to be difficult for the server, I took the bill and paid it. People were starting to stand, chat, slowly gather their things, take some pictures as it was a celebration. Right about at the 2 hour mark, the manager offered to take a group picture; when that was done, my husband left to use the restroom. At that time, the manager announced that we had been there long enough, it coming up on 2 hours and we really needed to leave, as he had a long line of people waiting. I was so embarrassed that my family was being rushed out the door. When my husband returned, everyone was leaving through the door in Room 3, as the manager just stood there until we had gathered our things and hurried us out that door. My husband had to say his goodbyes and thank yous out on the sidewalk, instead of in the room we had been told we had the use of for 3 hours. And the reality was, we would have vacated the room ourselves in the next 15 minutes or so. People were getting ready to go and were just finishing up their conversations and pictures. Instead, we were rudely told we had to leave now. It was a very frustrating end to what had otherwise been a nice experience. Everyone enjoyed the food and the celebration and even commented on what a great little room this was for these small parties, and how we should come back here for our next celebration. But unfortunately, now all they will remember was being told that we had been there long enough, and we had to leave. And for the record, when my husband went to the restroom, he said there were 2 people waiting for a table, hardly the "long line of people" indicted by the manager. We spent a significant amount of money and unfortunately, were left with a sour impression of the establishment, solely based on the last 5-10 minutes of interaction with...

Tonight, after having been a Welly’s customer since the Marlborough restaurant opened,( with Wemmy behind the bar) was a terrible experience.

At a table of four, we ordered two Manhattans, received the drinks 1/2 full. Upon observing all of the other martinis in the bar around us served full, we requested two full Manhattans. The Manager came over, addressed me ( I was drinking water) and proceeded to lecture the table ( all adults) about ‘how much alcohol is in a Manhattan. Suggestion for the supposed ‘Manager’ whomever you are

Know who your actual audience is, and don’t assume it’s the female at the table. It’s 2022 and women don’t appreciate or require an unnecessary man-splain. See above, I was drinking water.

Check your condescending tone. You are the manager? Someone needs to pay attention to how you speak to customers.

If you aren’t going to fill your drinks, minimally be consistent with your argument. Multiple other martinis were served - all full - all around us. Two cosmos, one at the bar and one at the table next to us. Filled to about a half inch below the rim.

Your quote: ‘ I measured the alcohol, there is 3 oz. Manhattans have a lot of alcohol’ Yes, we know, that’s why we had a designated driver ( me) drinking water. The point is, you served a martini less than half full, didn’t bother to ask us what the issue was and proceeded to lecture us. Not appropriate or necessary. Regarding your quote about how full a Manhattan should be? I suggest you check out Willy’s or other nice restaurants in the area. That’s where we will be from now on.

Serve the drinks in smaller glasses if you are not going to fill them. Basic as it relates to customer perception.

As a ‘ Manager’ it would behoove you to be consistent with what you say versus what you do - all other martinis were served full.

Steak tips requested medium - were rare.

Service, not good. Gave a 20% tip because we were long term customers and are fond of Wemmy, and we try to treat all servers well.

You told the table next to us you left to go elsewhere to get food? Great PR for the restaurant , coming from the ‘ Manager’.

If I could give tonight a half a star I would have done so, and all as a result of how the ‘Manager’ handled...

THIS is the spot! I have to be honest here, I know the owner, Welly. (shortened). I met him years ago when he was the star chef in Newton at PADDY 'O's. (the sister to O'HARAS in Newton Highlands. another town favorite 👍). coincidentally, I moved to marlborough in '16 and took a job as doorman at Funky Murphys when it just opened around '18. it's another town watering hole but not as great as WELLY'S! SO... Welly is a savy businessman, and when a location opened up on main street, literally across the street from CITY HALL, he jumped at it. and the rest, really is history. the city council folks as well as the lawyers from the courthouse and any other administrative people lunch here pretty much every day. then it quiets down until around 4/4:30. then the dinner crowd starts rolling up. there is a great and large bar right as you walk in the door. there is ALWAYS someone there to greet you. during the warmer weather they have a ton of outside seating. which gets paid good attention to by the servers. then you'll be greeted by one or more hosts right out on the sidewalk. (the town and COVID kind of created the opportunity for tables etc. to take over the sidewalk. but people can still easily walk through if just passing by. THE FOOD IS FANTASTIC!! again, WELLY has had decades of experience perfecting...