Tara Steak & Lobster House, Marco Island

I always get a kick out of people who have a relatively easily correctable problem at a restaurant yet because of their inaction, it fails to be corrected and they blame the establishment. Speak up. The restaurant team wants you happy. This problem was easy to fix. communication is a must from the customer as well. I have eaten at Tara numerous times and have only had one minor problem, that the owner herself came over to my table to apologize for, and she made sure it was corrected. Believe me, it was very minor to me -- but not to them. They were gracious, professional and courteous. The food was outstanding. I too, don't like the tipping arrangement but they have always earned it for me. I will always visit Tara when on Marco.

We checked in with the hostess and were told our table would be about 15 minutes. After sitting at the bar for 15 minutes the bartender finally asks us if we would like to order a drink. This is after he finished chatting with everyone else and cleaning the bar. At this point we were beginning to feel like we were invisible. We ordered a nice bottle of wine ($68). He grabbed the wine, opened it and poured it into our glasses. He did not ask to verify that the bottle was correct. He did not ask us to verify that the wine had not spoiled as 1-2% of all wine does due to bad corks. He filled our glasses so the wine could not breath. We then sat there for another 25 minutes waiting for our table. We had originally figured on eating at the bar but the service was so bad we were never given that option. Finally the hostess stops by and asks how everything is going. We point out that we are waiting for a table. At this point half the restaurant is empty so I'm not sure why we were still waiting. We finally get a table. When the check comes, there is an automatic 18% gratuity (in small print) added to the bill on a party of two. I did not see anywhere on the menu or on any signs that the gratuity is mandatory but with such bad service I suppose it's necessary for the servers to survive. This has to be the worst service I have ever had in a restaurant. Stay away!