The Wise - Madison

Well, I don’t think the bartender knew what an old fashioned was, and good thing we had drink tickets. There wasn’t a place to check in for a reservation and no... read more Well, I don’t think the bartender knew what an old fashioned was, and good thing we had drink tickets. There wasn’t a place to check in for a reservation and not like we needed one, now it’s kind of obvious as to why we were the only two eating. The cheese curds were good, which made me hopeful for the main course. It was like whoever made the ravioli dish was paid by the amount of salt used. The burger we had was pretty good which is why the review didn’t get only one star. The waitress gave us our check before I had eaten half of my food, but it’s not like she had any other tables to wait on. Overall, if the theme was literary, nothing but the decor gave it away, and it was obvious that everything was rushed or not thought through.

It turned out to be an event menu with very few choices, all bad. The drinks were served in paper cups. The on line menu did not say that he regular menu would... read more It turned out to be an event menu with very few choices, all bad. The drinks were served in paper cups. The on line menu did not say that he regular menu would not be served.

We enjoyed our meal: calamares and salmon salad. The house wine, both red and white was nice. The servers were extremely polite and attentive. We had cheesecake... read more We enjoyed our meal: calamares and salmon salad. The house wine, both red and white was nice. The servers were extremely polite and attentive. We had cheesecake for dessert. All very tasty. We will go back.

We were going to go before the football game. We were ID’d at the door of the hotel. Not the bar. We were given bracelets. We then went into the restaurant and... read more We were going to go before the football game. We were ID’d at the door of the hotel. Not the bar. We were given bracelets. We then went into the restaurant and was told they are not taking reservations. That they would not honor the one we had made. They were only serving a Buffet which did not sounds like anything special and we would have to eat in a back room. We took one look and said no thank you. The gal at the hostess stand was rude and disrespectful. We later heard from locals their service is extremely slow and the food not that great. If you aren’t taking reservations then don’t allow them to be made. Too bad because it is a great location. Instead we went to the game with eggs Benedict and ate a hot dog two hours later.

I tried to understand the negative reviews, but I noticed that many of them are from users with only one review—this place—which raises some questions. I can’t... read more I tried to understand the negative reviews, but I noticed that many of them are from users with only one review—this place—which raises some questions. I can’t help but wonder if these reviewers might be ex-lovers, former employees, or even competitors. The pattern and language across the reviews feel quite similar. Given that it's a college town, there's also a chance they could have come from entitled students. Regardless, I really enjoyed my meal and plan to return the next time I'm in town.