Josef Barbados

I had dinner here in January 2016. Since I am not from Rockford, I searched on line for fine dining. Certainly the ambiance was nice. But that does not make up for service that was not up to standards for this price category or a restaurant. I ordered ribeye and it was average at best. For the price I expected far better. I will not return to the restaurant.

I held a private event here and I have to say it was the perfect place and the service was AMAZING! The room and ambiance were to die for and my clients had nothing but good things to say. The food was FANTASTIC .Jane, you were amazing and I can’t thank you enough. I appreciate it and will be back!

My family and I had a great experience here with the food and the ambiance, but the service was not up to par. The minute we walked in, we were a bit confused because there was no formal front desk counter to check in. We were not greeted or acknowledged when we walked in and left wondering looking for a hostess. We later realized the people that were waiting around in the front of the restaurant talking to one another were part of the staff and not diners waiting to be seated. It was such a weird interaction between us and the front desk staff. It was not until I asked the woman waiting at the front if she knew where the hostess was. LOL. and she proceeded to ask me what I was looking for as if I was bothering her. I told her that my family and I had a reservation and that we did not know where to check in. She asked me for my name and at that moment she grabbed a clipboard and looked my name up. There was no smiling. no effort put in to welcome us into the restaurant. no feeling or emotion from her or the host that was with her. We were left waiting for more than 30 minutes for our table, with zero apology. They seemed very unorganized and unapologetic.
When we were seated, instead of presenting us with menus /​water /​bread & butter /​a welcome from our waitress and introduction, the waitress walks up frazzled and demands our drinks with the most disrespectful greeting «What drink do you want hun?» Last time I checked, we were not at a truck stop diner in the middle of nowhere. LOL. The whole night, the «Hun» continued and continued. Ugh. We had a large party, and we had to constantly ask for more bread, water, drinks, etc., our table was not cleaned properly. They brought us our bottles of wine, but we had to keep filling our own glasses. They would bring dishes before clearing off the dishes already in front of us. I felt as if we were not attended to 100%. The manager never walked up to us to greet us/​apologize for the wait, or see how everything was.
The food was good. We had several plates of the salmon, scallops, sea bass & surf and turf. They were all equally good. No melted butter for the 3 surf & turf dinners. Had to ask for that. The shellfish platters fell short. We ordered 2 platters, & they were sad appetizers. The waitress forgot to mention to us that 1 platter served only 2 people & the 2 platters we placed would not be sufficient for the our whole party. No melted butter for these either. They provide each meal with a soup or salad. The soup was ok, but the salad was sad. The drinks were good.

I have passed this place over a hundred times and never knew what it was. So tonight after some final Christmas shopping, me and the wife decided to give it a try. The atmosphere is very nice and the bartenders were very knowledgeable and attentive. Now for the food. For apps we ordered the lobster spring rolls and oysters Rockefeller. Both very tasty but the oysters were a class act. Very good. For the meal we both had the NY strip. Now I am a ribeye person, but the chef made the NY strip great. Seared on the outside and juicy and tender on the in. My only small and I mean very small complaint would be the price for the steak vs quality (I have had better ribeyes for the price). Otherwise it was about $ 250 with drinks, tip, meal and apps and a Togo fish fry. Not to shabby. Worth a try if your looking for something decent, but for steaks it’s hard to beat a couple places in Beloit. Overall I’d say 7^th best steakhouse I. The stateline area.

Considering this is supposed to be one of Rockfords finest restaurants, I may never have had worse service 2:45 to get the meal finished. The food was average– service terrible– we will never be back! And expensive!!! Not an apology from the staff– not even a thank you when we paid the bill. No eye contact from the waiter– he knew it was bad!

My long time RFD friend suggested we meet at Josef after he taught his class tonight. I agreed to go out, even though my Florida body isn’t used to such weather.
We arrived about 9 pm, decided to have lobster bisque at the bar, with rolls and requested extra butter.
30 seconds later two bowls of bisque arrived, with an announcement that the rolls were being warmed and would be out shortly. The bisque was tepid and highly over salty. Both my friend and I were not sure what to do, but I decided to send it back. We then ordered a second choice and continued to converse. All around us, wait staff was busy closing up; the rolls came about 10 minutes after the bisque was removed.
We were totally ignored the entire time we sat. The server, when asked if we could have more drinks was rude and obnoxious. We cancelled the order, and asked to pay for what we’d drank and eaten. We were told to leave in no uncertain terms.
For whatever reasons the personnel on duty tonight, Tuesday, November 24, had zero customer service attitude.
Crossing that one off our list!

I must say that the response given to my last review of Josef’s was surprising. I was pleased to receive such a polite and thoughtful answer to the disappointment I expressed earlier.
In answer to the Chef/Owner’s question, the staff did take great care of me during my past two visits. Despite the fish debacle, they were able to make other arrangements, thus enabling me to enjoy my evening.
I have always had first class service from all members of the staff. The ambience is so soothing and the food is beautifully presented, true works of art. So in light of all condsidered, I do still hope to give this restaurant another try. Perhaps I’ll get bold and order the Dover Sole one more time in hope of redemption. But for sure, I will still come back for the martinis and smoked salmon!

We brought a party of 14 to Josef’s on a Friday night, less than an hour before closing. They seated us without batting an eye or making any mention of the time. It was an hour after closing before we left, and the staff was nothing but gracious and attentive. This alone deserves 5 stars. The bar staff was great. A large variety of food was ordered. Not all of it was a hit, 2 of us ordered Lobster Bisque and did not like it. It was brothy and salty and not what I expect of lobster bisque. The entrees were beautifully presented. I had a stuffed portobello dish that had a wonderfully crisp breadcrumb coating, roasted grape tomatoes and a really good balsamic sauce. The champagne risotto was a little chewy, in an under-​cooked kind of way. Many people ordered the steak and wiped their plates clean. We passed on dessert. Overall, I would say the food was hit or miss but the service was second to none.

We picked this restaurant to celebrate our 47^th anniversary. We were not disappointed! We chose a halibut special along with the lobster bisque appetizer and a delicious wedge salad. Everything was top notch. Our waitress Tammy was very attentive and professional. The restaurant is upscale in its décor. A special place to enjoy any special occasion.

The first time at Josef’s we were celebrating a special occasion. Cocktails, appetizers, main course, dessert, after-​dinner drinks… the whole deal. We were shocked at how reasonable the bill was. At the time we were newly back from living in Chicago, so it was delightful to have a bill that came to about $ 100 less of what one would spend for an equivalent meal in Chicago.
Although it’s in a strip mall, don’t over-​look it for a nice dining experience. The décor is white table clothes and great service. They also have a patio area in the back.
I’ve enjoyed many things on the main menu such as Dover Sole, Seared Tuna and Lobster. I like the beet salad and lobster bisque (which sometimes comes with a shot of sherry on the side.) One of my favorite specials is the Chilean Sea Bass which comes with a lovely white chocolate sauce. Decadent delight. The preparation and presentation have always been really good. Oyster Fans, the Kumamoto will not disappoint.
Sometimes when I’m just looking not to cook, I’ve stopped off to eat at the bar and have my beet salad and soup. If you’re looking for a good burger and more casual setting, the bar is a good spot. It has a different menu but you can order from either if you’re just looking for a little more casual experience.
This is another spot that I’m really grateful exists in Rockford. Enjoy!

This is a mixed review because, while the food was pretty good, the service could have been better considering the high price points here. The first time I’ve eaten here was several years ago for my parent’s wedding anniversary and I have good memories of that dining experience. So good in fact, that when I came here with my parents for NYE recently, I was planning on ordering the same thing I had on their anniversary — the Bouillabaisse. However, they must have either had a special menu or changed it altogether, because it was no longer listed as a dish. In fact, I would say this menu was a bit «basic» for a lack of a better word. Also it was pretty busy so perhaps that explains our server’s flustered behavior.
I ordered the Lobster Spring Roll for an appetizer which was kind of boring, not bad though, just average… Certainly not really worth $ 12 (well I suppose to cover the cost of the lobster). For my main course I had the Filet Mignon, which was very good. No complaint there. The entrée came with a choice of soup or salad, I choose soup and got the soup of the day — Tuscan White Bean, which again was just okay. To touch on the sub-​par service, the waiter messed up my appetizer order initially and brought a Lobster/​Avocado dish instead. I corrected him and he apologized, which I appreciated, and of course anyone can make a mistake but his demeanor was a bit odd for the whole evening. He never told us his name and just had an indifferent attitude while serving and taking our orders. We had a reservation for 8:30 and arrived promptly at 8:20 but were not seated until 8:45. Also, we sat at the table for about 15 minutes without getting a menu (and eventually had to flag down a server to get some for our table). We never got informed about any specials and the server had a very mumbly way of speaking. However, he did turn on the friendly-​ness right before handing us the check.

I’m giving Josef Barbados two stars for two reasons: The décor/​ambiance and the manager, Mike.
Manager Mike was sincerely apologetic when my boyfriend nearly swallowed a drywall screw –yes, a screw– that was in his salad. We are not the type of people to make a scene, and we all know accidents happen, so we did our best to keep our cool in regards to this glaring flaw in our meal. Mike comped our desserts. I feel he should have offered to comp our entire meal, considering how bad that situation could have been. Mike also helped us with our bill when our unfriendly waiter completely abandoned us after delivering our desserts.
Unilocal reviewer Chris W described the food here as «overpriced leftovers,» and I agree. The filet mignon was quite good, but beyond that the food was sub-​par: bland and/​or unbalanced. The goat cheese ravioli appetizer was an overload of goat cheese in a runny, flavorless red sauce. The Caesar Salad had no flavor beyond the salty anchovies. The sage & butternut squash ravioli was almost inedible: It had the consistency of mush and all I tasted was sage. My friend said her Bloody Mary was nothing but liquid horseradish. The same friend liked her salmon with creamed potatoes and spinach, but what irritates me about this particular item is that it’s also on the menu at Josef’s sister restaurant next door, Pearl Bistro, only it’s $ 7 cheaper there!
I expect more out of a restaurant that considers itself «high end» and prices itself in that elite category. An accommodating manager and nice ambiance are not enough. Considering the drywall screw in my man’s salad, the bad attitude of our waiter, and the hefty price tag on mediocre food, I don’t see us going back.

This is my absolute favorite restaurant in the Rockford area. The atmosphere is top notch — you could set this restaurant down anywhere in the world and it would still be among the best.
The appetizers are great and they are happy to accommodate any special requests. On our most recent visit, I had the tuna and salmon tartare and wanted no onion in the dish — no problem at all. My husband had the fresh oysters and said they were as good as any he had tasted on the coasts.
Wish I had the financial wherewithal to eat hear more often, but I do look forward to visiting when we can. Be sure to indulge in the Bajan coffee — it is out of this world! Thanks to Josef and the wonderful staff for a great dining experience every time!

First of all, when you read the reviews here remember that in Rock-​Vegas most people only like the same old worn out chain restaurants with salty food, ultra cheap prices and a hundred screaming kids running without parental supervision. You will find none of that at Josef’s.
We’ve been to Josef’s countless times. On special occasions we sit in the main dining room but most of the time we just eat in the bar area. You can order from either menu regardless of where you’re sitting. The atmosphere is upscale, and if you have a group of 4 or more you can request the table by the fireplace in front. The food and the service are excellent — I highly recommend the Filet Mignon and the Goat Cheese Soufflé’

Very good restaurant, especially for the Rockford, IL /​Beloit, WI area. NOTE: It is expensive ($$$) though…
BEV ~ Margarita = Very good
BEV ~ Sidecar = Good
APT ~ Steak Tartare = Very good
APT ~ Ox Tongue Carpaccio = Good
APT ~ Kumamoto Oysters = Good
APT ~ King Crab Legs = Ok
SOUP ~ Chicken Noodle = Very Good
SOUP ~ NE Clam Chowder = Good
SOUP ~ Lobster Bisque = Ok
ENT ~ Butternut Squash Ravioli = Very good
ENT ~ Chilean Sea Bass = Good
ENT ~ Lobster Thermodour (sp?) = Ok
DESSERT ~ Tres Leches = Very Good
DESSERT ~ Cheese Plate = Good
DESSERT ~ Pineapple/​Coconut Upside-​Down Cake = Good
DESSERT ~ Godiva Cheesecake = Ok
COFFEE = Good
* We sat in the Bar area (same menu) b/​k it seemed more laid back…

So this is your answer to bringing great food to the area?
Overpriced leftovers is more of the flavor of the day at Josef’s. They have a few amazing items but many of items you’d like to eat are just ok, which is why my rating is 2 stars. A place with with so much potential they really need to learn that just because you charge an arm and a leg doesn’t make the food any better.
Please owners invest in better food quality and spend more time creating meals with great flavor. Freshen it up! I’m not one of the food zombies of this town so please try again and maybe you’ll succeed with fatter wallets and happier customers.

Food is overpriced and mediocre at best. I had a seafood ragout that was bland beyond belief. Wine prices are atrocious. Décor consists of white everything and may cause snowblindness. Feels very snobbish as well.
I’ve heard the bar is a lot more relaxed, but I haven’t built up the nerve to go try this place again.

This place might just be hit or miss.
The first time I came, I had a filet mignon and a multitude of appetizers that were nicely tasty.
The second time coming here, I had ahi ahi with a side of champagne risotto. The risotto was pretty mushy. [Sad-​face]
Off of my friend’s plate, I snuck a bite of the champagne risotto that came with the rack of lamb. This risotto came in a compacted cube, and tasted funny.
ULTRA RISOTTO FAIL.

Unfortunately my lasting memory of this place will be of me picking up $ 20 bills off the ground in front of a respectable group of grownups that my friend threw back at me when I tried to pay for my meal. But onto the review.
This place is… fancy. There’s a coat check, a relatively nice hostess, and a knowledgeable and attentive waitress. The food is expensive, especially for Rockford, and it didn’t particularly wow me. It’s not bad by any means, but I would have expected slightly more from a candlelit dinner table and 4 scallops that cost $ 29. The scallops were too salty and dare I say chewy, but the sides (mine came with whipped potatoes and asparagus) were delicious. Also the free bread/​butter is something worth trying. Oh the Josef salad that came with my meal (as an upgrade to the garden salad) was surprisingly good.

Cozy and unpretentious, this restaurant is set at the end of a strip mall. If you weren’t looking, you’d drive right past it. It is easily the best restaurant in the Rockford area. The atmosphere and the service are one of a kind. The food is out of this world. They definitely know their seafood. I’ve been there numerous times, including times for group dinners, and that’s where they really shine.
Make sure you do not miss the ahi tuna carpaccio or the chilled lobster and avocado for appetizers. Yum. My staple is the Chilean Sea Bass… I know it’s probably on some endangered list, but so not surprised… Josef’s prepares it like no other.
Take a pass on the crab cakes. Surprisingly for a restaurant of that caliber… the crab cakes are pretty ho-​hum and taste like they’ve been prepackaged or something like that. The other part that Josef’s surprisingly falls flat on are their meats. When I diverted from my usual seafood and ordered the filet mignon instead… it was somewhat of a disappointment. It was dry, rubbery, and just not the medium rare that I had envisioned. However, I have dined there with friends who have ordered the chicken and who have loved it. But all in all, I think it’s pretty much a seafood place.