Madame Janette

Still our Favorite

We just went, March 2013
We have been dining at Madame's for years now. Each visit to Aruba, we go 2-3 times. We love it. You can ask to sit near the music, when making reservations. We do.
The staff couldnt be nicer. Sean, Chris, everyone there, outstanding.
Love their salads, their breads with sweet onions, their shrimp, fish dishes, oh and the Madame Janett's potaotes! yummy!! and my fav..........rack of lamb.

Still the best place to dine in Aruba. Cant wait to go back in November.

Worst Experience in Aruba in 12 visit's

Hearing a lot about this restaurant ....The experience of waiting 2 and quarter hours to be seated and served with rude service and Hostess that was not a very good lair, when we would be seated did not help, and That's with a 3 day ahead reservation......when the food finally arrived it was rushed service and the taste and quality was average..could had the same meal at any reservation on the island...That was my 12 visit to Aruba...the worst experience in all...This place I would not recommend to family or many friends who visit Aruba.....or on our 13th visit in Nov,2013 for two weeks..

2/9/2013

This was our first visit back to Madame Janette's after taking a few years off.

Atmosphere here is very nice as long as you are not on the porch. The porch tends to be warmer, louder and some seats have a view of the service bar area. This is where we were seated this year and were not happy with it. We were only about 20 yards from the music and could not hear it. Frankly I'm not sure why they have live musicians as we've been here 5 times and only could hear them once from our seats.

The food is always very good and we were not disappointed this time either. My wife and I shared a special entree and it was great. They do charge you for sharing an entree but if you also get an appetizer sharing is a good way to go. Portions are very large here. My wife and I shared an appetizer then an entree and it was perfect.

The food was excellent. Ask to sit under the stars!!

Lacking

I'm a little late on this review, as we last dined at MJ in October 2012. We have been to MJ our last 5 times to Aruba, and unfortunately this restaurant seems to be on a continual slide downward. One piece of advice...if you are going to this restaurant, be prepared to wait...and wait...and wait. The service is EXTREMELY slow, even for Caribbean standards. The upside is that I love the atmosphere in this restaurant, but that can only take you so far. We were eagerly anticipating the Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer, but were highly disappointed with it...the shrimp used to be nice big juicy shrimp, but this time they were like what you'd expect from a Chinese Buffet - small and rubbery, but the sauce they were covered in was still pretty tasty...honestly, Bonefish's Bang Bang shrimp are now wayyyy better than MJ's, sad to say. I ordered the Mahi Mahi special and my husband ordered a steak. I very seldom send food back, but the Mahi Mahi was so bad, that I couldn't bare to take more than a few bites. I spoke to the waitress about it, she apologized, and the chef came out to speak to me, and he was very kind and understanding...they took my meal off the bill and comp'ed us a dessert. I have a feeling I wasn't the only one sending that entree back that night! My husband's steak was to die for though, so I think I will try that if we go back next time. All said, it was a disappointing experience...it's sad to see this once great restaurant continuing to decline.

did not improve

We stop going to MJ a few years ago when the quality sharply went down. Decided to try it again based on better reviews. Should not have done that. It's a lovely setting, but the place is probably too big for a kitchen. We were waiting for such a long time for virtually everything that the management rewarded us with a free desert. Our waiter and a busboy were very nice but it did not compensate for a quality of food that was mediocre.
There are much better choices.

Our 13th Year - still a favorite!

The recent reviews have been mixed. We've been coming here at Christmas time since they opened and it's still our favorite. That said, it's not perfect.

We are picky at home and don't give out high scores easily. This year's
'10' for food is based on what we ordered. I'm not sure that all dishes are equally good. The almond crusted grouper is one of their signature dishes, and it was outstanding, as usual. We have our favorite waiter, and we asked for him and got a big friendly greeting and outstanding service. I noticed some of the other staff looked like they were having trouble keeping up and dealing with the Christmas eve tumult.

We had a second meal a week later and one of the 4 of us had just a mediocre fish (not the grouper!). We had the same waiter, so service was great.

We rate it as we experienced it, but with another waiter and different food choices, you might not be so pleased. I think they are having trouble with
the huge seatings. Restaurants are fragile. They need to pay better attention to staff in the front and back end and improve consistency.

You better watch out...

We have been coming down to Aruba for Christmas for years, and Madame Janette's has been a favorite for just as long. The food had always been good, and the service acceptable.

Last year we noticed a downturn on the service, and this year will be our last.

Madame Janette's has made the capitalistic decision to mass produce, and squeeze as many people in during the holiday week as possible. And at those prices, who can blame them?

Our entrees were fair to good, our main course was practically inedible (they reheated pre-prepared dishes... they charge you $7 if you change a veggie you may like, or a side dish. Our plates for all of the same three dinners were scalding hot, and the food was no where near as hot). Desserts were poor.

The service was not as good as the food.

Overall, this is not acceptable no matter what time of year it is, again, especially for the prices they charge.

Until they decide to foregoing trying to serve 700 people in one night, and they begin refocusing on the quality of their food and service, I will no longer risk my money there. I would rather play the slots.

If you are on Aruba when it is NOT a holiday... I guess it is okay to go... but otherwise, caveat emptor.

Good Meal

WE had dinner at Madame Janette's two weeks ago when we were in Aruba. It was highly recommended on all of our friends lists. The food was exquisite and delicious. The service started out a little slow but the 2nd server picked it up and was very good. I would definitely go back on our next excursion to Aruba. Some people we met the week we were down in Aruba had said that MJ had been not up to par over the last few times they had been there, service wise. But we found after a rocky start it ended okay.

Pay with Cash

I recently, went to this resturant on Tuesday, November 20th for dinner at approxinately 8:00pm. We had a great table near the guitar player and what we thought was a very nice waitress who said she was from Holland. Our dinner was amazing until today I found out that the waitres stoled my credit card number and other information. Now I have over $600 in fraudlentant charges made in the UK, when I am in Aruba. I know it was this waitress at this facility because this was the only place I used this card. Great job you unethical establishment.

Food is always delicious!

Loyal customer of Madame Jeanette restaurant since 1999!!

We were in Aruba for two weeks - October 20th to November 3rd and visited Madame Jeanette twice during our stay. Our first visit was superb! I had the lamb chops with a demi glace to die for and my husband had the delicious grouper which covered the entire plate. It was so good we decided to cancel our reservations for another restaurant on our second week to go back again. Our food was again, outstanding! However, we were ignored completely by our young waiter when another couple came in while we were eating. He stood over them while we ate and finished our meal without ever glancing at any of his other tables. We had no idea who was in charge that evening, we were not greeted as we usually are by anyone who seemed to be managment staff. We called a nearby waitress to see if she could pull him away from the other table so we could get our bill. Normally we would linger and have drinks after our meal but we left because we didn't want to be ignored any further. We WILL be back again next year!! Hopefully with an attentive member of the wait staff...

Never a disappointment

We have been going to Aruba for 24 years and only dicovred MJ 5 years ago, Needless to say it has become our favorite. this year we even went twice - for our wedding anniversary and for our last night on the island. The food was great - our only complaint is that there was so much we had to take it home to finish. Do try it on your next trip - not a bad item on the menu

Great expectations

A group of 8 had a fine meal on a nice August night ...2 couples had not been here and have been listening to us talk about it. MJ's did not disappoint ... Great meal and a great time...service was spot on and the food was presented wonderfully. Sat outside and enjoyed the guitarist in the background.

GREAT food and service

Service and food was fabulous.

Started off with their bread served with an onion relish -ummy...

Wife had the tenderloin. Said it was delicious.


I had the tenderloin (smaller portion) and their signature almond grouper combination (asked for it and they said no problem). Both were excellent.

Next time we will dine here twice so I can have the full portion of almond grouper and the next day have the full 10oz argentine tenderloin (melts in your mouth). Wish I were there right now!!!!! Both are two good to pass up.

WOW

Madame Janette never stops impressing me and my family, I've recommended this restaurant to all of my friends and everyone absolutely loves it!
I have to say the portions are really big so unless you have a big stomach I would recommend sharing plates.
The almond grouper is to die for!

Always Perfect.

Don't know what number visit this was, but Mme J's continues to be our very favorite restaurant on Aruba. We ate way too much food starting with crab cakes and bang bang shrimp. Both were perfect with the shrimp having the right amount of bite. My wife had her usual almond grouper and I tried the rack of lamb. Everything was great! The coconut cream cake is beyond perfect! Another great dinner at Mme J's.... see you next year!

Tasty

There was a period of time we stopped going to Madame Janette's as they were between chef's. Since Boris has been back the past 2 years, the food is as good as it gets. One of the top grouper I've had on the island (Grouper Delight entree). Simple and tasty. The chorizo app was delicious, lots of flavor. The server allowed us to pace the meal and we were not rushed. 4 cocktails, 3 apps, 2 entrees, 1 dessert = $140.

3 Great visits!!

My wife & I went to Madame Janette's 3 times and each time we were very happy with everything!! The Almond cruster Grouper was awsome!! I felt it was the best experience of dining we had on the Island this year. We can't wait to visit them again next year on our annual visit to Aruba!! Thanks to Susan that waited on us and also the other staff we met on our other visits. See ya all next year.

Another great dinner

We've been going to MJs since they opened and returned again in September on a beautiful breezy night. Our server, Susan, was attentive and friendly and very professional. The food, both the tried and true selections, and the new menu options were excellent. We'll be heading back again in June.

sad to see demise of a great restaurant

i've been going to aruba at least once a year for the last 13 years. the question was never are we going to go to madame janette but what 2 nights are we going. two years ago, we noticed first the quality of service went way down both in knowledge of dishes and the attentiveness of servers but the food was still good. last year, the servers were terrible and the chef came out to answer if dish had any dairy. the food came out and everything was terrible, not fresh, undercooked or overcooked, even the sangria was disappointing. two days ago was by far the worst. the servers were better but not great and the food tasted like a box of salt. my sons fish smelled way to fishy and so very salty, the goulash was extremely salty and same for the the white asparagus soup. we told our servers that we were disappointed and the manager came out to apologize and offered us free dessert and asked if we would come back. at first we said yes but after discussing it maybe in a few years.

Still the best in Aruba

We have been going to Madame Janette's since they have been open and it is still the best.This year we went twice during our one week stay. Thomas and his team does an amazing job. The food is always great as well as the portions. The service is great as well. They know how to treat the customer to make them come back.

Very dissapointed

The wine we ordered upon arrival came with a fly in it. I understand that this happens but I think that another glass should have been complimentary. I didn't ask for it to be taken off the bill but I think they should have done it without a request. It put a damper on the rest of the meal because it actually went in my mouth, thank goodness I did not swallow it!

Six of us had our annual dinner at Madame Janette's this year on March 25, 2012. A reservation is necessary. The atmosphere is wonderfully Caribbean, and lit prettily with tiny white lights. There is live music. It is a romantic setting, breezy and humming with activity, warm, friendly. Our server was adept and faithful. This was my third visit. Since I have enjoyed it every other time, I again ordered the almond crusted grouper. Alas! There was no crunch to the almonds as before, and although it was a good sized portion, the grouper was merely ordinary, and I should have asked that the green unappetizing sauce be on the side. As an appetizer, I ordered the goulash soup. It was over spiced, over salty and inedible. I shared a taste and my opinion was borne out. Also in the past, I enjoyed their 'family style' vegetables: the potatoes au gratin, the creamed spinach. Alas again! The potatoes, while acceptable, were not as remembered, and the creamed spinach suffered from its' cream sauce: gloppy, glutinous and reminiscent of a TV dinner. The other meals were appreciated, however, especially the Gianni Versacce (lobster and tenderloin). We'll give this restaurant another try next year, I sure hope they step up their game, especially in the sauce department.

Excellent as usual. My family and I recently dined at MJ's and the meal was wonderful. Our table had beef, seafood, chicken and pork dishes and all were fantastic. Our servers were attentive and friendly. We did not feel rushed at all - we were able to enjoy our meal in a beautiful atmosphere and at a relaxed pace. It happened to a birthday celebration for a family member and the staff at MJ's was kind enough to provide us with a complimentary dessert - what a nice touch !!! Thanks MJ's for a great experience - we will be back.

We have been dining at MJ's for many years. This trip, we dined 4x in 3 weeks. We just love it, and its our favorite on the island. We were there for our last evening, and it could not have been nicer. The food was scrumptious. I had the rack of lamb, my husband had the Chilean sea bass. So good, presentation beautiful. The service was the best. Jean, and Sophie, took care of us each time. We sat near the music which we love!
Chris, the manager is like seeing an old friend! We are treated like the king and queen of Aruba, and cannot wait until November to go back. By far, the best spot and best food in Aruba. Thanks to the wonderful staff at MJ's for fabulous dinners. We sent family and friends too!

I have been a faithful Aruba vacationer for 26 years, bringing many people with me who have also caught Aruba fever.

Madame Janettes has been a staple on Aruba for many, many years. Sadly, I think their reputation has outstripped their ability to perform. I ate my final meal at this establishment on March 17th. We had an 8:30 reservation and were served our entree's at 10:15 p.m. only after complaining to the management. The quality of the food was still very good, but how long should you wait to be fed?

Offers of free drinks and dessert doesn't make up for atrocious service and the kitchen's inability to keep up with demand.

Sometimes growth is a bad thing. MJ's has sacrificed their Aruban charm to become a large restaurant that can no longer serve their clientele properly. And that's a shame. When you see electronic beepers being handed out like the Cheesecake Factory then you know that the party is over.