Madame Janette
 

Madame Janette

tell us what you think of this restaurant. please vote and/or comment.

Re: Madame Janette
 

Loved every thing about this place.

Re: Madame Janette
 

absolutely a favorite. started eating there a month or two after they opened and haven't missed a year yet.

Re: Madame Janette
 

Been here twice - we've made it a must-do! Excellent service, the seafood and steaks are perfect! Drinks and dessert are good too. Very pretty.

Re: Madame Janette
 

Madame Janette's is one of our favorites on the Island. Plan on eating there at least twice this year since we will be there for two weeks.

Re: Madame Janette
 

here is the another opinion...
I hate this restaurant! The first year we went it was still light out...not a pretty site. We sat on the gravel next to a wooden fence and all we heard was chickens sqwaking...The food was ok, no big deal- service slow and I mean sloooowww... We didn't go back the next year but did the following year after hearing everyone rave about it. Well, the food was horrible, the service worse! We couldn't get a waiters attention, and after we finally got our meal and finished it took another hour to get our check. Now, I'm the last one to rush while in Aruba, but never again... I also don't think the ambience is nice...different strokes for different folks. My favorites are El Gaucho and Chalet Suisse....

Re: Madame Janette
 

Wow!!! It is truly amazing what range of opinions are expressed in the BB's. Whether the opinions are of hotels, restaurants, attractions, etc...diversity must be what makes 'horse racing'!! We are all entitled to our opinions...I guess!! But....Madam Janettes? A negative?? No way!!! This is our favorite of ALL the restaurants in Aruba. We plan on at least one visit a week while we are there this year!

Re: Madame Janette
 

Went a couple of years and I found it to be a good experience, but not the drop everything and go three times a vacation experience that some people say about it, I just didn't feel that.

Re: Madame Janette
 

Hands down our favorite restaurant in Aruba. The food is incredible, no probs with the service, nice ambiance. Make a reservation for just after dark, it'll be cooler and the lights look very nice. Almond encrusted grouper is ridiculously delicious, so is the lobster thermidor. YUM!

Re: Madame Janette
 

We go every year. Always take our entire group. Never had a bad experience. Absolutely love their lobster! So relaxing. Great dining experience.

Re: Madame Janette
 

Re: Madame Janette
 

Love this restaurant!! Just once I wasn't happy but that was in May of this year...way too hot, no breeze.....food was delicious as usual!!

Re: Madame Janette
 

This was my favorite restaurant!!!!!!!!!!! Loved the Almond Crusted Grouper. I had heard about it on this BB so I knew what to order even before I looked at the menu. This ended up being a good thing as the menu is quite large. The only dissapointment.............I was so full from my delicious meal that I had no room for dessert!!!!!!!!

Re: Madame Janette
 

I loved Madam Janette's. The food was served beautiful and tasted just as awesome. Plus, the service was great. We went with my 7 year old son. He didn't want anything fancy that was on the menu, so they brought him plain grilled shrimp and some fries. We've never asked a restaurant to make something to accomodate either of us, so I was pleasantly impressed that they was so genuine and accomodating. So far, my favorite, but I'm a newbie, so I have alot more to experience there.

Re: Madame Janette
 

I have to agree. MJ's is my favorite. The lobster was to die for, and the service incredible. I'm not sure that I've ever eaten that much at one time. Started with the apps, and went all the way through the dessert. One of my other favorites was The Flying Fishbone. Loved eating with my feet in the sand and watching that incredible sunset. Who else has a rack at your table to hang your shoes? I'd never seen that before!

Ahhhhh Aurbaaaaa,
Tere

Re: Madame Janette
 

MJ's is probably my favorite restaurant on the island.

Kevin is right, the almond encrusted grouper is the best.

Re: Madame Janette
 

Well this was our 5th visit to Aruba but our first visit to Madame Janette's. MJ's has now become our favorite place to eat in Aruba. There were 7 of us and we hit a homerun 7 out of 7 including the 16 year old who doesn't like anything. I would definitely suggest this as a place to eat while in Aruba. That being said we have friends going this week I think and they choose an all inclusive ... sorry I don't get it.

Re: Madame Janette
 

A few years ago I would have rated this poor. Our table was in a bad location (no air and too busy), the food we ordered was not good, and the service was horrific. Since then we've learned what table to request, what dishes they prepare well for our tastes, and to make sure we get a table in "our waiter"'s section. Now it's a highlight of every trip.

Re: Madame Janette
 

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Karin...agree with you totally. The food, some of the best on the Island. But if you don't have a seat where there is at least a little breeze, the heat really does detract from the fantastic meal..... and that is so unfortuante.

Re: Madame Janette
 

MJ'S Is one of our favorite restaruants on the island. We love the atmosphere
and the balmy nights just add to the ambiance. After all, it is a tropical island,
what do you expect, a cool breeze?

Re: Madame Janette
 

Carol would you mind sharing your secrets for a first timer? PLEEEEEZZZZ:teeth_smi :teeth_smi Many thanks!!!

Re: Madame Janette
 

Patsy, our tastes may not be for everyone, but following is what makes Madame Janette enjoyable for us:

- A table outside "under the stars", not on the deck.
- Rik as our waiter.
- Reservations for 7:30 pm or 8:00 pm -- after the sun has set.
- Generally we stay with meat dishes at Madame Janette. We love their stuffed pork, particularly the pork loin stuffed with mushrooms, onions, and cheese. We also like some of their steak dishes, such as their Gianni Versace. If we're in the mood for seafood, we generally try one of their specials of the day, particularly if it's Red Snapper.
- The portions are so large, we sometimes split an entree. That allows us to have an appetizer, plus get a side of their creamed spinach.
- A lot of times we stop by to make our reservation in person. That way we can be clear on what we'd like (day, time, table "under the stars", table in Rik's area, etc.).

Re: Madame Janette
 

Hear! Hear!! Carol!!!!

Re: Madame Janette
 

Re: Madame Janette
 

Maybe it's just that we've been lucky....but we've ALWAYS asked for seats on the deck...overlooking the "garden"...and where the entertainment stage is located, and we've always been comfortable. In any event, the quality of service and the food makes up for any discomfort!

Re: Madame Janette
 

The music has been moved to under a gazebo in the "garden".

Re: Madame Janette
 

Yes...a 'gazebo'...that's what I meant by 'stage'. Thanks for the clarification.

Re: Madame Janette
 

I'm not sure where the seating is that is being referred to as 'deck', but we were not very close to where the music was (last Sept). Our table was to the left almost immediately after walking out - it seemed at the time like a great location, but turned out to be completely breezeless.

Re: Madame Janette
 

Carol,
Thank you so much for sharing your tips. Sounds like you and I have the same taste! Pork loin and creamed spinach sounds wonderful! Yummmm :<) Sitting under the stars is something I have yet to do in Aruba and a must this time! Thanks also for the tip on the large portions. By the time we have our appts I'm usually to stuffed to eat my main course. I'll have to share with someone :<) that way maybe I'll be able to sqeeze in some dessert!:teeth_smi

Re: Madame Janette
 

I'm sorry to say that we haven't gotten to Madame Jeannette's in all the years we've been going to Aruba. Where is it? We stay at the Phoenix. It is hard to find? We always have our own car.

Re: Madame Janette
 

See if this map helps!

http://madamejanette.arubahost.com/index.php3?h=507

Re: Madame Janette
 

Ask the concierge to assist you - we found them easy enough, after I called MJ's and got directions. You're barely 5-10 minutes away from them at the Phoenix...

Re: Madame Janette
 

Needless to say, the quality of the experience depends a lot on whether or not the air is still (no breeze in Aruba is a nightmare) and how much rain there has been (tons of mosquitoes/smell of bug spray) can ruin the best of meals. October was rainy with very little-to-no breeze, and I wouldn't wish eating in an outdoor garden setting on anyone.

Re: Madame Janette
 

Ahhhhhhhhhhh the place to enjoy before departing Aruba. Closed on Tuesday's, you can't ask for a resturant better than this place. Food is a 12 on a 10 scale, same for service, and atmosphere is grand as well, especially at night. Meal will fill your tum-tum.
A free-lance photoghrapher comes around, cheap for a nice pic, delivered to your place next day, suggest this be one of your finale meals, otherwise you will suffer - it is so grand................ :teeth_smi 6 STAR FOOD/SERVICE !

Re: Madame Janette
 

Tbear! My faith in human nature has been restored!! We agree!! Madame Janette has to be the BEST!! Food, service, ambience and entertainment on the weekend sets it far and away above the 'rest'!!!

Re: Madame Janette
 

Loved everything about this place!!! Madame Jeanette and Aruba Destiny are my FAVOURITESSSSSS on the island...

Re: Madame Janette
 

See???

:) :) :)

Re: Madame Janette
 

It is our favorite restaurant in Aruba.:shades_sm

Re: Madame Janette
 

What an excellent restaurant.. Always a must. This and destiny and Promenade... The best of the best... No doubt about it.. The TOTAL Aruba-experience is at these restaurants...:)

Re: Madame Janette
 

After coming back from a lengthy stay in Aruba this past Nov '05, we bragged on how great Madame Janette's was during our visit. During some of our major holiday events we encountered folks going to Aruba, gave them our opinions, those that had returned truly enjoyed Madam's, and for those heading off this month or next do have Madam's on their to-do list.

Re: Madame Janette
 

I have heard from their Chef - That now when you place reservations they will want your credit card info. They have had problems with people making large reservations and not showing up. They will bill your credit card a certain amount if you don't show up. They have people come to eat and have to turn them away because of reserved tables, and then the people dont show and they are left with empty tables - I can't blame them.

Re: Madame Janette
 

This is a common practice in NY, BP! Annoying but unfortunately necessary!

Re: Madame Janette
 

Corrine, this is true about giving Madam Janett's your credit card information to make reservations on-line. If you don't show up you will be billed $30.00 per person. You have to bring your emailed confirmation with you. We had to do this when we were there in Dec. so not sure how new this rule is. I have made reservations again Feb. trip, and had to fill out a form they emailed to me and send back. I can understand why they would do this as this place has become so popular.

Re: Madame Janette
 

I remember eating at MJ's back in 2004 and having a hard time getting reservations but when we finally got there there were so many empty tables. They told us that people make reservations and never show up. So I guess they just had enough!!! I certainly don't blame them either! We actually got cancelled by them once due to a last minute private party they had...at least they called my hotel to let me know!

Re: Madame Janette
 

This restaurant was AMAZING!!
It was beautifully lit and the food was incredible.
We went there for our Rehearsel Dinnner the night before we got married and couldn't have found a more magical place. The waiter, Rick, was GREAT and he took his time to talk to us and my 11 year old brother who has A LOT of questions!!
You can order almost anything off the menu and be pleased, and the drinks were yummy to!!
I Love Aru:party: :island:

Re: Madame Janette
 

Is in my top 10.

Re: Madame Janette
 

We made a reservation for March & were not required to give our credit card.
But we do dine there every year, sometimes twice on a trip, and have always showed up on time for our reservations. Maybe we are on file as reverse deadbeats? :shades_sm :wink_smil

Re: Madame Janette
 

Just made a reservation for April 10, 2006 and was not asked for a credit card. They do require you to re-confirm 48 hours beforehand. Perhaps they will ask for the credit card then, we'll see.

This will be our first visit to MJ's and looking forward to it.

Re: Madame Janette
 

I think they asked me for my CC as I reserved 3 months in advance and the reservation was for 8 people. I still had to call to re-confirm after I arrived in Aruba.

Re: Madame Janette
 

Joe, you will not be disappointed. It is one of the finest of Aruba's wonderful restaurant. Whenever I am in Aruba I make it a point to visit Madame Janette's a few times. Enjoy.:thumbs_up