Very nice addition to dining in Rockford. We had a minor issue with our seating. Made our reservation but failed to specify table vs high top. Having bad knees I can't sit at a high top. Took a few minutes to resolve but the executive chef came out and made sure we were happy and gave us free drinks. Great menu. My Caesar salad was best I have ever had. The Duck Fat Gratian potatoes were unbelievable. The chicken had a remarkable flavor. read more

Char and Barrel - Duck Fat Gratian Potatoes - Steakhouses Near Me - Rockford, Michigan

Best Burger this week, during Grand Rapids Burger week. French fries were the best I've had in 10 years. Service was excellent. Bar tender/waiter was perfect. Interior was clean, and fun. read more

Char and Barrel - Smash Burger and fries. - Steakhouses Near Me - Rockford, Michigan

I came here with friends for a girls night and had so much fun! We all got different things and enjoyed our meals. It's a darker, moodier ambiance and then booths are actually shaped like barrels which is really neat! My cocktail was good but my friends got the martini and said it was better! Our waiter was very nice and patient with us since we were a bigger group. All in all, I would go back and love making a little trip when I go to Rockford and stopping by all the little stores, I'd stop here for a drink! Side note: their bathroom is very cool! read more

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We had dinner after a show last night. We neglected to ask not to seat us at a high top as my husband has issues with his knees. When we said we couldn't sit where they placed us we asked for a manager and after a bit of conversation the manager got the executive chef who promptly took care of the matter. We felt like honored guests. Our food, service and atmosphere were top-notch! We will definitely be back. Highly recommend this place! read more

Great drinks and whiskey/tequila ledger. They have whiskey flights that are priced really fairly. Cocktails were delicious! Food could be improved on. The smash burger and fries were good. The tuna crudo was thick cut but was sitting in too much oil, plus the grapefruit on top just made it taste all around bitter. Our waitress was super sweet and checked in at all the right intervals. Was nice to visit and would love to give it another try once their kitchen settles in. read more

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Ambiance: beautiful warm interior Service: a little rushed Food: food was mid. Drinks were good. This is a new restaurant in the new Hotel Rose in downtown Rockford that just opened in September 2025. I do hope they do well because Rockford isn't very lively and not a destination. We came to celebrate my sister in laws birthday and the host did wish her a Happy Birthday wheh we checked in and the waitress gave her a dessert. I thought those were wonderful gestures from the staff. We ordered the tuna appetizers and the smash burger. The tuna was sliced very big and the sauce was mostly olive oil. Maybe some yuzu sauce or ponzu would give it a bit more umami. The smash burger was juicy but just average. Drinks were strong and good. Hoping they can improve on the food since they just recently opened not too long ago. read more

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We were greeted promptly at the desk and seated in a booth for our reservation . The decor is steakhouse and speakeasy style . The bartenders are in leather aprons . The cocktail menu is unique and crafted in house . The appetizers are very well paired , the rotating cheese , the crab cake and bone marrow and egg salad sandwiches are all unique . The menu is loaded with great steak options as well as a monster pork chop . Salmon and scallops are offered for the seafood lovers . The windlass is strong and the whiskey and tequila lists extensive. I have to give a shout out to our server Mary Beth who was great all night with recommendations. One pick of hers was the expresso martini which is one of the best I've ever had , made with reposado tequila , coffee liqueur and toasted vanilla and caramel .... Topped with a toasted marshmallow. All I can say is wow , looking forward to more visits read more

Char and Barrel - Cosmo and the bars version of a gin martini with a balsamic soaked onion - Steakhouses Near Me - Rockford, Michigan

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I've been there twice since it opened a month or two ago and it's been both nice and a bit disappointing. The good - great ambiance and atmosphere. They also have a nice whiskey list with surprisingly reasonable prices for the quality/variety! I'm a big whiskey fan and appreciate a varied and broad whiskey list. The food is overall good (one glaring exception coming later) and they have an interesting menu with several things I'd like to try on a future trip. The bad (and not even bad, just meh) - the service has been okay, but not great (they're still new and working out the kinks so I'll give them a pass. Things like forgetting silverware and napkins, drinks taking a long time, not know the menu, etc should all improve as they're more established). My bigger issue is the quality of the steaks... for the price, these should be good cuts of beef and well cooked. I've had steak both times with different cuts each time, as did my friends and we all agreed the beef was mediocre. Not a great texture or flavor, hit or miss on the grill too (friends came charred black when he ordered medium rare). The appetizers have been good to great, as have the sides, but for now I'd recommend getting something other than steak. read more

We went their 2nd night of being open, was not expecting stellar anything. We went for our anniversary and the kids tagged along. Served us bubbles on the house to celebrate...classy move. We had the ham and donut appetizer- it was amazing. The french onion soup was unbelievable for west michigan- deeply caramelized onions and a unique take placing crispy onions on top and not covered in cheese....it was incredible. The steaks and salmon were perfectly cooked and everybody enjoyed their meals. The service and the speed was unbelievable- it felt like they have been open for years. The atmosphere and overall esthetic is exactly what Rockford needed. Protip- hamburger is small, the presentation needs to be increased for the price. broccolini- par cook it or blanch it before roasting it to make it tender before the fines char beyond edible. Offer a more mass appeal desert menu like crème brûlée, what's on there looked good but not worth jumping at- it would have added an extra $15 bucks to the bill. Invest in sun blocking curtains during sunset, half the restaurant gets blinded with the current shades. Overall- amazing food, service was unbelievable, and atmosphere is on point. read more

Had a good time! Good food and drinks. We were pleasantly surprised. I will return and recommend to others.

My husband and I went there recently for date night with another couple, expecting a high end experience for the price. I also want to note that the restaurant was at maybe 1/4 capacity of less the evening we dined. Upon seating it took several minutes to be greeted for drinks and to receive the drinks once ordered, however we all agreed the drinks the entire evening were delicious. Our waitress was very nice when she was at our table however not very attentive for the price point we were paying, we often saw her socializing at another 2 top more than checking in on us and just didn't have that sense of urgency. We ordered 3 appetizers, we were not impressed with any, the pimento cheese was ok. One person in our party ordered the French onion soup and another the caesar salad, those were actually the highlights of the entire meal but we had to flag someone down for a soup spoon. The entrees included ribeye, filet and scallops. The steaks were overcooked and scallops lacked flavor. The sides were either cold or also flat/odd tasting. May try again, but they have some work to do and need to make some improvements to the menu. Ambience is beautiful. read more

We had a great experience here and would like to come back once they explore more food menu options. Drink value was there, food value lacked slightly. Overall fun place for a date night or if you enjoy high end bourbon. read more

Had the Pimento dip, bone marrow with king crab, and big eye tuna apps. Sad to say the simple cheese dip was the only thing worth eating. Ribeye was pre sliced and over cooked, with a very sweet jus and odd side of mushrooms. The Scallop dish was underwhelming. Filet mignon was served in 2 pieces like tips and over cooked. Cocktails were good. Slow service or at least not attentive for the price point. Good spot for a happy hour drink and out. Hotel food. read more

Our new favorite place in Rockford. Food is great, atmosphere is really nice and the bartenders and the mgr. are great people and very welcoming. Highly recommend this new place. read more

Amazing staff and food and drinks. Love our experience. We will definitely be back already Been here 3 times.

Very disappointed with our visit. The pasta dish with 'nduja sausage was poorly executed, the burger was underwhelming, and the broccolini came out undercooked. This was our second time giving the restaurant a chance, and unfortunately it missed the mark. We won't be returning. read more