Marconi's Bistro - Allerdale

We were warmly welcomed inside on a cool, rainy day. The fireplace beckoned and drinks were quickly served. Our table awaited, at our leisure we sat. The menu had something for everyone in our party, including many choices for vegetarians. It was hard to decide what to pick! My choice was the salmon with risotto. It arrived at the table with steam rolling off. It was decadent! I highly recommend Marconi’s for drinks, food or both. The staff will be sure to make it worth your while!

Pork chop and carrot soup were delicious. Service was very good, did not wait long. Had a hotel restaurant vibe, generic music, lack of decor.

Food was ok, the wait was ridiculous it was 45 minutes for a kids meal and even longer for an adults.

Stayed at the hotel attached to this restaurant and the breakfast was good but safe to say dinner was another story. Seated at 7.15pm and drinks order taken and food order. Waited about 35 mins for soup to come down. Heard the table behind us being apologised to about their wait and how there was a mix up in sending their order to the kitchen and they would get a round of free drinks, albeit only coffees but there was 4 of them. At 840pm I asked where our mains were, to be told they were being plated up now. Asked again at 9pm to be told that they were coming down. 9.02pm our plates were set infront of us. No sort of apology other than being told they were very busy. They were not! It's not a big place, and there were a few tables empty. Maybe 12 tables seated! We didn't even wait for our main plates to be collected we just were that scundered with the wait. The attitude of the hostest also left alot to be desired. Rude and arrogant, especially when asked where our mains were. Left and wondered why my partner didn't finish his, he only got a burger and chips. To which he couldn't eat his chips as they weren't cooked, still raw in the middle. He doesn't like to complain so didn't say to me as he knew I was cross about the wait. So paid £80 for 2 starters, 2 mains and 2 drinks, and the main wasn't even cooked properly

Went down Ballycastle town for dinner. We had wanted fish and chips and had heard there was a nice chipper at the waterfront but because it was Monday evening it was closed. So Marconi’s restaurant was close by and we managed to get a table. First we waited ages to be served. We didn’t really mind that because we were glad of the table when we hadn’t made a booking. Eventually we were served. Then it took another age for the food to be served. Three out of four of us ordered the battered fish and chips and my daughter ordered the beef burger. When the food came I knew straight away that it wasn’t going to be a nice meal. The battered fish pon all three plates was overcooked to a very dark brown colour with the ends being rock hard crispy. It was also so so greasy. Obviously it is deep fried fish but it’s deep fried everywhere else we get the same dish and the batter is always light and fluffy. We didn’t complain because we were absolutely starving at this stage. The chunky chips were alright, again overcooked but not as much as the fish. It also came with mushy peas. We ate the dish, I shared a small bit with my daughter cause I couldn’t finish it because it was horrible. My sons complained about it also but they ate theirs. We paid up and left. The young members of staff were nice and polite. I left a tip because of that, not the food. When we went back to the hotel all three of us felt a bit sick after the meal. I felt the worst and went to bed hoping to go asleep. An hour and a half later I ended up vomiting the entire meal back up. The boys didn’t. They still felt a bit sick, they said it was one of the worst meals they’ve ever had. I don’t think the fish was in any way gone off, it was the disgusting batter. Surely a restaurant that seems to specialise in fish dishes could manage a nice battered fish. Seemingly not. My daughter said her burger was fine, not bad, not good, just fine. Complete waste of money. Also, I saw a senior member of staff clapping her hands to get the attention of customers to bring them to their table. I was shocked at that behaviour.