Dietary restrictions: They worked around by celiac restriction
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Fondue
Mike Wallace
If you want to pay 5 star chef prices at a house that is more dirty then your own, then this is the place for you. Completely filthy atmosphere and dinning room. The server who is also the owner was unprofessional and rude. After working in the food industry for over 10 years, this place was embarrassing. Right when we walked in there are piles of premade salads laying around everywhere, and i mean everywhere. I have never been in a resturant that had premade salads in the coat rack waiting to be served. Salads were premade for that entire night by the look of it, so your fresh salad is really a few hours old and comes with cross contamination and / or other people's hair free of charge. The owner put his finger in our food repeatedly and spilled cocktails all over me and the table repeatedly. We ordered three different rounds of drinks, and none of use got the drinks we ordered all three times. Prices for drinks are made up on the spot, when asked to see a menu to double check the bill, we were told no and that the server is the only cocktail menu we need. There were only three tables in the restaurant and still completely overwhelmed. Server/ owner kept taking food off table before we were done and rushing us to the point that boxes were dropped off before we even asked for any. When we told the owner how we felt about the experience his response was, he owned four houses and didn't need us to come back. If you choose this place for a nice night out with the family, get ready to be disappointed, insulted and possibly leave with food poisoning from the filth and low standards from staff.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Jennifer Crabtree
Went with some friends for dinner before catching a show and LOVED it. The food and service was amazing. Make sure to come hungry because you get a ton of food. If you order wine, be prepared because they fill it to the tippy top. I can’t wait for our return visit!
One of a kind dining experience in Rockford. So much fun. Delicious food. Mark made it a wonderful evening for us!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew Wells
Such a unique experience. Food was amazing! Service was 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jamie B
We made reservations for 5pm last Thursday, we got there and they didn't have us down and no one was there to cook for us because they thought they didn't have anyone coming until 6 they said... We had to find someplace else to eat so we could make it to the show at the Coronado on time... pretty disappointing... How are you not ready for customers when you are open, not everyone makes reservations places...
Service: 1
Jeannie Harrison
I actually do love this place, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars. I love the history, the atmosphere, the overflowing wine....But I came in tonight and was absolutely mortified in front of my friends for an issue that occurred that wasn't (as far as I was aware) my fault. I arranged reservations for 6:30 p.m. about a month in advance for 6 people. Arrive on time tonight with my guests. Immediately get verbally reprimanded in front of my guests for supposedly canceling my reservation via Google. I was so embarrassed even though I did not do this. Owner continued to call me out on the cancelation...claiming he called me multiple times and left me voice-mails. I do see I did miss one phone call from a random number without the business name. That's it. After we arrived we decided to stay despite "the problem;" my friend used the bathroom and heard the owner banging pots and pans, swearing, and saying, " if they don't have the time to take my calls, they don't have the time to eat here." Well, they're right...after being absolutely mortified in front of my guests on my birthday, I won't be back, even though we've come here to the point of almost being regulars. I hope the best for this business, but being angry at clients who love you isn't going to solve your problems.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Genna Eckstein
Had a great time, as always.
George W.
We have driven past this place on our way home from the free Wednesday Blues Live Music Concert at the Burpee Museum. Yesterday, I asked my wife to call and RSVP as it said is required on the sigh.Good choice!Overview: This is a fondue restaurant which has been in business for 31 years, and which survived the Illinois COVID lockdowns. You have a dish of heated cheese, oil, or chocolate / caramel depending on the course that you dip things into.The business is in an older home, which has seating both upstairs and downstairs. It is an early 19th century home, very stately with lovely wood work, lovely floors, and it's just beautiful.IMPORTANT: You Must RSVP - no walk ins are accepted since everything is purchased for the RSVPs to keep it fresh and cut up daily.We had a RSVP for 5:00 pm today. We arrived and were greeted as we were getting out of the car, inviting us in.We were seated promptly and provided with menus for the main course, but the first course was already on the table - fresh cut fruit, bread, grapes, apples, pineapple - the works, and a nice cheese fondue which was a cheddar with a swiss layer on top to dip things in.The waiter / maitre d / bartender offered us soft drinks if we wanted or mixed drinks or wine, with the caveat that the wine glasses were filled to the brim. We went with the recommended white wine for the starter course, which was expertly paired with the starter course and was very, very good, and very, very filled to the very brim.We finished up the first course, and ordered our entrees. While we were waiting, a large salad was brought out and fresh ground pepper was offered and provided. The salad was LARGE - you could have made a meal from it alone, and had several types of lettuce, tomatoes and other good stuff on it.For the main entree, I had the tenderloin with shrimp and scallops, while my wife had the tenderloin with lobster and shrimp. We started cooking up the food and the waiter made several great suggestions on always keeping something cooking, and provided a "rescue" tool in case we lost some things off our skewers (which of course we did.Along with the main parts of the entree, there were 10 sauces (yes TEN) and loads of fresh cut vegetables. It was a fantastic spread - mind-boggling good stuff, all fresh, all tasty.Last up was dessert, which was marshmallows (large and small), a small cake with whipped cream with a cherry on top, cherries, pound cake, pineapple and other tasty treats, to dip in a heated mix of chocolate and caramel.Is your mouth watering yet? If it isn't, you better get it checked - I'm wanting to go back as I'm writing this, and I'm not even hungry yet.So what will this meal set you back for 2 people? Less than $120 with tax.3 glasses of wine total, and two outstanding meals for just that sum? HOLY COW. Check this place out. Tell your friends. RSVP and GO!
Jameson Rhodes
I'll admit I've never been in. I was working in the area and went "hey look at that", but people seem to love it... next time I'm poppin' in!
Something unique and different and very 'Rockford'. A hidden gem that shouldn't be missed if you're here! Mark is an amazing host with a passion for what he does and for the history and legacy of Lucerne's. He will spoil you with amazing food, generous wine, and great stories. Just go, you won't be sorry!
Heather G.
This was the first time for my best friend we had a great time the food was amazing and they have the biggest glasses of wine you can get.
Tracy Brazel
What a gem! Wonderful place for date night! The owner gives the best one on one personal tableside service. Don't skip the Reisling, it's DELICIOUS! Food was yummy and we had fun. Special place to dine. Loved it!
Holli Peck
Such a great atmosphere and so much fun.
Fred Walling
First time there and loved it, best to order a glass of wine it's filled to the RIM!!!Not joking your first drink will be a sip while it's still on the table lol
Dietary restrictions: They worked around by celiac restriction
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Fondue
If you want to pay 5 star chef prices at a house that is more dirty then your own, then this is the place for you. Completely filthy atmosphere and dinning room. The server who is also the owner was unprofessional and rude. After working in the food industry for over 10 years, this place was embarrassing. Right when we walked in there are piles of premade salads laying around everywhere, and i mean everywhere. I have never been in a resturant that had premade salads in the coat rack waiting to be served. Salads were premade for that entire night by the look of it, so your fresh salad is really a few hours old and comes with cross contamination and / or other people's hair free of charge. The owner put his finger in our food repeatedly and spilled cocktails all over me and the table repeatedly. We ordered three different rounds of drinks, and none of use got the drinks we ordered all three times. Prices for drinks are made up on the spot, when asked to see a menu to double check the bill, we were told no and that the server is the only cocktail menu we need. There were only three tables in the restaurant and still completely overwhelmed. Server/ owner kept taking food off table before we were done and rushing us to the point that boxes were dropped off before we even asked for any. When we told the owner how we felt about the experience his response was, he owned four houses and didn't need us to come back. If you choose this place for a nice night out with the family, get ready to be disappointed, insulted and possibly leave with food poisoning from the filth and low standards from staff.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Went with some friends for dinner before catching a show and LOVED it. The food and service was amazing. Make sure to come hungry because you get a ton of food. If you order wine, be prepared because they fill it to the tippy top. I can’t wait for our return visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Fondue, Main Course Chicken, Supreme Angus Beef Tenderloin
One of a kind dining experience in Rockford. So much fun. Delicious food. Mark made it a wonderful evening for us!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a unique experience. Food was amazing! Service was 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We made reservations for 5pm last Thursday, we got there and they didn't have us down and no one was there to cook for us because they thought they didn't have anyone coming until 6 they said... We had to find someplace else to eat so we could make it to the show at the Coronado on time... pretty disappointing... How are you not ready for customers when you are open, not everyone makes reservations places...
Service: 1
I actually do love this place, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars. I love the history, the atmosphere, the overflowing wine....But I came in tonight and was absolutely mortified in front of my friends for an issue that occurred that wasn't (as far as I was aware) my fault. I arranged reservations for 6:30 p.m. about a month in advance for 6 people. Arrive on time tonight with my guests. Immediately get verbally reprimanded in front of my guests for supposedly canceling my reservation via Google. I was so embarrassed even though I did not do this. Owner continued to call me out on the cancelation...claiming he called me multiple times and left me voice-mails. I do see I did miss one phone call from a random number without the business name. That's it. After we arrived we decided to stay despite "the problem;" my friend used the bathroom and heard the owner banging pots and pans, swearing, and saying, " if they don't have the time to take my calls, they don't have the time to eat here." Well, they're right...after being absolutely mortified in front of my guests on my birthday, I won't be back, even though we've come here to the point of almost being regulars. I hope the best for this business, but being angry at clients who love you isn't going to solve your problems.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Had a great time, as always.
We have driven past this place on our way home from the free Wednesday Blues Live Music Concert at the Burpee Museum. Yesterday, I asked my wife to call and RSVP as it said is required on the sigh.Good choice!Overview: This is a fondue restaurant which has been in business for 31 years, and which survived the Illinois COVID lockdowns. You have a dish of heated cheese, oil, or chocolate / caramel depending on the course that you dip things into.The business is in an older home, which has seating both upstairs and downstairs. It is an early 19th century home, very stately with lovely wood work, lovely floors, and it's just beautiful.IMPORTANT: You Must RSVP - no walk ins are accepted since everything is purchased for the RSVPs to keep it fresh and cut up daily.We had a RSVP for 5:00 pm today. We arrived and were greeted as we were getting out of the car, inviting us in.We were seated promptly and provided with menus for the main course, but the first course was already on the table - fresh cut fruit, bread, grapes, apples, pineapple - the works, and a nice cheese fondue which was a cheddar with a swiss layer on top to dip things in.The waiter / maitre d / bartender offered us soft drinks if we wanted or mixed drinks or wine, with the caveat that the wine glasses were filled to the brim. We went with the recommended white wine for the starter course, which was expertly paired with the starter course and was very, very good, and very, very filled to the very brim.We finished up the first course, and ordered our entrees. While we were waiting, a large salad was brought out and fresh ground pepper was offered and provided. The salad was LARGE - you could have made a meal from it alone, and had several types of lettuce, tomatoes and other good stuff on it.For the main entree, I had the tenderloin with shrimp and scallops, while my wife had the tenderloin with lobster and shrimp. We started cooking up the food and the waiter made several great suggestions on always keeping something cooking, and provided a "rescue" tool in case we lost some things off our skewers (which of course we did.Along with the main parts of the entree, there were 10 sauces (yes TEN) and loads of fresh cut vegetables. It was a fantastic spread - mind-boggling good stuff, all fresh, all tasty.Last up was dessert, which was marshmallows (large and small), a small cake with whipped cream with a cherry on top, cherries, pound cake, pineapple and other tasty treats, to dip in a heated mix of chocolate and caramel.Is your mouth watering yet? If it isn't, you better get it checked - I'm wanting to go back as I'm writing this, and I'm not even hungry yet.So what will this meal set you back for 2 people? Less than $120 with tax.3 glasses of wine total, and two outstanding meals for just that sum? HOLY COW. Check this place out. Tell your friends. RSVP and GO!
I'll admit I've never been in. I was working in the area and went "hey look at that", but people seem to love it... next time I'm poppin' in!
Atmosphere: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Something unique and different and very 'Rockford'. A hidden gem that shouldn't be missed if you're here! Mark is an amazing host with a passion for what he does and for the history and legacy of Lucerne's. He will spoil you with amazing food, generous wine, and great stories. Just go, you won't be sorry!
This was the first time for my best friend we had a great time the food was amazing and they have the biggest glasses of wine you can get.
What a gem! Wonderful place for date night! The owner gives the best one on one personal tableside service. Don't skip the Reisling, it's DELICIOUS! Food was yummy and we had fun. Special place to dine. Loved it!
Such a great atmosphere and so much fun.
First time there and loved it, best to order a glass of wine it's filled to the RIM!!!Not joking your first drink will be a sip while it's still on the table lol