Marlow's Tavern — Restaurant in Woodstock

We are fairly new to the area so my wife and I have been trying out various places to eat. We kept seeing the signs so decided to try out Marlow's.

The ambience was nice, a sort of upscale pub/bar with TV's everywhere.

Our server was young and pretty awkward. I have worked in the customer service/retail/banking industry for over 10 years so I am always polite to people, especially those who work in these industries. They are thankless jobs that are brutal because of the public interaction. I will make clear that our server is not the reason for the poor rating; the food was the problem. However, he did forget to put our drinks into the system and we waited nearly 30 min to get them while we ate our appetizer. The appetizer was their spinach/artichoke/feta dip and it was actually excellent. The feta added a saltiness, not typically present in your average artichoke dip and the overall flavor and consistency was great. We ate the entire thing before receiving the drinks and then we sat for another 20 min before our server came back around and informed us that he'd forgotten to put our food order in. I, at least, had the appetizer so I wasn't really too annoyed about it but disappointed at the second loss of communication. He let us know he was having the kitchen rush it out for us.

We ordered a white and red sangria. They were far less sweet on the surface than a typical one, not necessarily a bad thing. White and red wine were medium dry and contained a thin sliver of orange, half a strawberry, and one lonesome blackberry. Average at best, pretty flavorless. The bottom, however, was ultra sweet, like simple syrup had sank and that's all there was once you got there. Honestly, it was shockingly disgusting how sweet it was and I was left wondering why you would use syrup instead of a sweeter wine if you wanted it that way.

I ordered a Wagyu burger. Average wagyu burgers are made with thicker patties due to the fat content and fat rendering quickly for the buttery flavor. I was very surprised to see a burger that resembled something out of steak n shake, two extremely thin patties thrown on a bun with american cheese and a couple pickles. The meat was a little softer than an ordinary burger, but it was pretty uneventful and sorely disappointing. Jalapeno grits were pretty good. My wife got the prime dip sandwich and it was just meh, like it was alright, nothing special about it. She got white cheddar grit cakes as a side...breaded and fried squares of tasteless grits with zero flavor of white cheddar. It was actually awful and I don't say that often. Our server offered a free appetizer or dessert for our next visit. I took the card, but I declined the dessert, fearing more disappointment.

We won't be returning to any Marlow's. Honest feedback is I see this place as a place trying to be fancy but can't get the basics right. Set the foundation, then elevate the food to that status. Overly complicated recipes that are executed poorly breeds...

Over the years, we have frequented different Marlow’s Tavern locations, and they consistently deliver high-quality food and service across the board. Not to mention, the top-notch service—this location is our favorite. Marlow’s Tavern is nestled in the busy shopping center of Atlanta. The atmosphere is a delightful mix: romantic with its dim lighting and intimate seating, casual and upbeat for outings with friends, or family-friendly when dining with loved ones.

Marlow’s menu boasts a variety of staple dishes alongside seasonal offerings, making each visit exciting.

Some standout appetizers include their savory shrimp and crab nacho plate, classic hummus, and light yet plentiful firecracker shrimp. Be sure to check out the flatbread of the day—they’re always switching it up! On our recent visit, the flatbread had an Asian fusion twist, and the Cuban spring rolls were a must-try. Everything was absolutely mouthwatering!

Their burgers are consistently juicy and cooked to perfection. The chicken panini stands out with its flavorful aioli, fresh toppings, and soft focaccia bread. The crispy grouper sandwich is another favorite, lightly breaded in panko and paired with a refreshing slaw. Their sauces complement the fish perfectly without overpowering it. With so many other sandwiches to choose from, there’s something to satisfy every craving.

All sandwiches are served with homemade pickles and fries, but the additional side options are worth exploring. Our favorites include chickpea fries, onion rings, small salads, Caesar salad, twice-baked loaded potatoes, white cheddar grit cakes, and creamy mac and cheese. Depending on your appetite, there’s a side dish to suit any meal.

For steak lovers, the bistro filet with red wine demi is a fantastic choice. Seafood enthusiasts will enjoy the scallion-crusted triggerfish and the grilled Atlantic salmon. The triggerfish is tender, with green beans adding a pleasant crunch and a chili sauce that imparts a phenomenal Asian flair. The Atlantic salmon, recommended medium, is buttery and tender. Paired with couscous, kale, grapes, and almonds, it’s one of the best combinations I’ve ever tried.

On a recent visit, we enjoyed a chef’s special of salmon with pumpkin risotto and a banh mi chicken wrap. Marlow’s often celebrates special occasions, like Mardi Gras, with festive “chef’s menus” that feature creative dishes.

Don’t skip the bar! The bartenders are talented and can craft almost any drink, but their seasonal cocktails and mocktails are must-tries. For more classic options, they offer Coke products, beer, and wine. And save room for dessert! The bourbon pecan pie is fabulous—served hot and fresh, made to order. The coffee cake with ice cream is another standout.

Marlow’s Tavern combines its delicious staples with seasonal menu innovations, ensuring consistent quality and excellent service at every location. We will continue to visit this staple for more memorable dining...

I have had lunch at three different Marlow's in N Atlanta, over 20+ times in the past several years. Every time, the service and food was above average. Unfortunately, today - this location failed to deliver either good service or good food.

My wife and I were seated at 3:05 pm. A waiter came by within 2 minutes and we placed our order at that time. After approx 20 minutes I began looking for and at our waiter as he went by, but he did not stop. After 25 minutes, I waived him down and asked when our food would be ready. He came back in approximately 2 minutes and his response was a cavalier sounding '"It's coming, it's coming.." as he walked by - did not have even have the courtesy to stop and give us a reasonable and polite response. When I replied to him (as he was backing away)- "Are you serious?" He then said "There are two or three orders still in front of you, so I'm not sure how long it will be." and again beat feet away. No apology, nothing.

After a total of 37 minutes from order (and no further contact from anyone), a man 50+ delivers our food without explanation nor apology as he starts to leave I tell him - 'This took way too long.". At that point he responded 'You're right..... I will do something for you on the bill.'. I told him that was nice, but someone communicating with us along the way would have been preferred. His response - 'Yes, communication is key.' Still no apology, no introduction, very little eye contact - just very poor customer service.

Mistakes and problems happen - just have the good sense and decency to let your customers know what's going on in a timely fashion. Introduce yourself, make eye contact - ask 'What can I do for you.' I didn't want a discount , I simply wanted our food and to know our business was valued. To top it all off, my entree (fish tacos), were luke warm and the tortillas dry and tough like they had been under a heat lamp for too long.

Needless to say, this Marlow's has lost our business (perhaps the entire chain) - there are simply too many other options, my suggestion - take your business where it is valued.

Update: The management of this chain reached out to me via email and offered to refund our money and give us another free meal, which I politely declined. I do appreciate their touching base and their offer, but my complaint was not an effort to get a 'free lunch' and for me, would have 'cheapened' my complaint. Hopefully, the staff at the location involved will be more attentive in the future. To the management - Kudos for monitoring social media. I do appreciate your...