Madame Janette

My wife and I recently attended this restaurant while I was vacationing in Aruba. My friend had told me that I had to try it while I was there. I'cve been to many great restaurants in my time (Lawry's, Chop House, Morton's, Wildfire, etc) and this was well worth the trip. My wife had the shrimp caserole and I had the "waiter-recommended" Grouper Fillet (crusted with crushed Almonds). The Grouper came with a creamy sauce with cooked spinach and spiced/diced tomatoes. It was easily the best fish I've ever had. Grant it, I'm partial to Grouper (and Red Snapper), but this was fantastic. Highly recommended. My wife also enjoyed her dish very well. But she kept asking me for another bite of my Grouper! Two thumbs up . . . If I'm ever back in Aruba I'll be heading back to Madame Janette's!

Highly recommended it!

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Aruba. Our fourth trip and fourth time here. This trip we were with our children and grandchildren, a party of 10. Everything was excellent. My only complaint was that we requested indoor seating and were seated outside. An issue for me due to the flies, but that can't be helped if you are seated in the open. Other than that, wonderful restaurant and would highly recommend dining here.

We ate at this restaurant June 2008 with two other couples we met in Aruba. We all agreed that the food was excellent as was the atmosphere. The service was one of the worst we experienced on our week stay in Aruba. It was their first night back from vacation, so maybe they were a little off. However this really should not matter. I would still recommend this restaurant, the overall experience was that good.

There is a lot of satisfaction when a popular, recommended restaurant lives up to its reputation, as did Madame J when we dined there in May. Dining is in and around a walled courtyard, and the lighting is just perfect for a special evening. Seating is comfortable, and tables are set sufficient distance apart for reasonable privacy.

Many have written in praise of the food, which was delicious and generously portioned. We were lucky to be there for their annual asparagus festival so started with an incredible asparagus, ham and gouda appetizer. Schnitzel was tender, tasty and so large it didn't fit on the dinner plate. A grouper special (with asparagus, of course) was a delicious choice as well. We shared a black forest cake for dessert, and it was the only thing that was a slight disappointment.

A mention must be made of the excellent entertainment during dinner. A husband (guitar) and wife (vocalist) team plays popular songs during dinner, which was a very nice enhancement to the evening.

We dined here on our last evening in Aruba. I was glad we were seated inside. We both had the Old Butcher Steaks which were tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The potatoes gratin were VERY good. As others have mentioned, the portions here (particularly the salad) were HUGE. We waited quite awhile to receive and pay the bill at the end, but we would still recommend this restaurant and will return.

As a chef this is one of the best meals I have had since I left New York City. I am not sure what the other posts are talking about - the food was amazing. The service was amazing. The attention to detail on every plate was precise. The dishes had a complexity to them, the flavors were wide as the menu had a great variety. As a chef I order lots of food to try and they were not only good sized portions, but all were fine dining plates. I would not pass this for anything. If you don't like the food here, you have not experienced great food.

Still my favorite restaurant on the island. Forest mushroom puff pastry appetizer is amazing, Caesar salad scrumptious and big enough for 2 or 3 people. Salmon florentine was outstanding. I was a little disappointed in the almond grouper. On a previous trip, this dish was one of the best I have ever had anywhere. This time it was very good but not memorable. Portions are huge; you will not go home hungry! Outdoor setting is lovely, just watch out walking on the rocks in heels. Nightly live music complements the outstanding dinner perfectly. Will definitely return to Madame Janette's.

Not really sure what all the "hoopla" is about this place. First off it is in the middle of nowhere, nestled among local homes and neighborhood, and commands a $20 roundtrip cab ride from our hotel which is about a mile and a half away. Secondly, open-air environment is not really inviting to me after a long day on the beach and getting sunburned. Risk of birds, bugs amd those "friendly" iguanas saddling up next to you at dinner. Food was average, crab cake was ok, fish dish I had was nicely prepared and a healthy portion. Wine list, mostly by the bottle, was a bit pricey, so we had by the glass instead. Most likely would not return on our trip back.

Super cool restaurant! (although hard to find with the lack of road signs on Aruba!!!) It was "as advertised"...awesome food - we had filet and "Old Butcher Steak" which was fantastic! (only thing preventing a "10" was a mediocre crab cake app.); great atmosphere inside the courtyard; good service - she was new and a little nervous but very polite.

It was highly recommended to us and we would pass the recommendation along to others as well...