Salt. — Restaurant in Rockford Township

As a Rockford local who makes a conscious effort to support businesses in my hometown, I was looking forward to trying this fine dining restaurant. While the evening had some highlights, I left feeling that the food did not match the standard set by the atmosphere, cocktails, and price point.

We arrived around 5:45 p.m. and were seated promptly. The menu was refined yet approachable. To begin, we ordered espresso martinis, which were excellent—well balanced, flavorful, and one of the standout parts of the evening.

For our appetizer, we selected the pork and foie terrine ($22). The portion size was exceptionally small, even by fine dining standards. While the flavor was pleasant, the serving was so minimal that it felt disproportionate to the price, leaving us concerned about what to expect with the entrées.

My guest ordered the tortellini, while I chose the beef Wellington—a dish I have always wanted to try and was excited to see offered, despite the $56 price tag. The wait between courses was lengthy, and at this level of dining, some sort of bread service or small bite would have been appreciated during the delay.

When the tortellini arrived, the plate contained three modestly sized pieces in tomatillo sauce. Unfortunately, one was undercooked, and the sauce leaned heavily toward lime, which overwhelmed the overall flavor.

The beef Wellington presented well at first glance, with the pastry golden and crisp. The filet inside was medium rare, but no more than 6 oz at most, and the spinach layer between the meat and pastry detracted from the dish for me. More problematic was the dull knife provided—it made cutting through the Wellington frustrating and took away from the enjoyment of the dish. The filet itself lacked seasoning, and the accompaniments (four small carrots and a unique mashed potato–style preparation) felt underwhelming for the price and presentation.

Dessert, a $12 cheesecake, and additional martinis brought the total to $190 for two people (one appetizer, two entrées, three martinis, and one dessert). For that investment, I expected more in terms of execution, seasoning, and portion balance.

On the positive side, the cocktails were superb, the bar area is visually impressive, and the overall atmosphere is stylish and well-suited for business dinners or first dates. Service throughout the meal was polite, though not as attentive as one might expect at this price point.

One final note about our departure: as we left, we said a kind “thank you” and “goodnight” to both the hostess and the manager, who were standing together near the entrance. The hostess immediately responded warmly and professionally, but the manager chose not to acknowledge us at all, despite clearly hearing us. For a restaurant at this level, that moment stood out in the wrong way. A manager should set the tone for hospitality, and even the simplest acknowledgment—a smile or a goodbye—goes a long way in making guests feel valued. Instead, it ended the night on a discouraging note after what was already a mixed dining experience.

In summary, while this restaurant excels in cocktails and ambiance, the food fell short of expectations given the pricing and reputation. And unfortunately, the lack of warmth from management when leaving reinforced the sense that this establishment prioritizes image over genuine hospitality. I would return for drinks and the bar experience, but...

We were out for a friend's birthday — we even told our greeter this when we arrived — and we anticipated a great meal. The table was quietly elegant with modern flatware and an understated sprig of "something yellow" in a small crystal vase. We were offered individual hangers for our handbags.

Thus ended our pleasant experience.

We started with oysters on the half-shell (6/$25). I know better; Because there were no details on the menu, I should have asked where the oysters were from, how fresh they were, and how they were prepared, but I was a guest this evening and I didn't want to sound pushy. Since there was no description on the menu, I assumed they would be served with simply a wedge of lemon. Instead, we were served milk-soaked mollusks (perhaps because the oysters were not fresh and Salt was trying to make them taste less "fishy") topped with what appeared to be large salmon roe. I missed savoring the briny goodness of fresh oysters and had to use my glass of wine to freshen my palate.

Our three entrees were equally disappointing. My Pasta Nero ($32) of squid ink tagliatelle with grilled octopus was overpowered with lemon (not "brightened") and red pepper flakes; the octopus was tough. The fettuccine should have been served with a fork and spoon; I only had a fork to manage the dark, foot-long ribbons of pasta.

The Spring Chicken ($34), described as "half roasted," was only a half of a half, with a very small breast and some thigh but otherwise lacking in the other appendages — which was disappointing for a dark meat lover. The chicken was moist, but the skin was overly salty. Props to the Green Garlic Toum underneath the bird, yet the chicken itself was mediocre at best. The accompanying Herb Salad was limp.

Finally, the Morel Spätzle ($44) was a soupy mess. The mushrooms should have shined in this dish, but they were poorly prepared and languished in some sort of broth-like sauce. The späzle was overcooked and lacked toothiness, rendering this dish into more of a canned soup than a made-to-order German-Austrian specialty. The dish was topped with florets of parsley — perhaps the plater of the dish didn't realize that it should have been finely chopped before using it as a garnish.

Service was mediocre at best. We didn't need to be told that the small forks were for our oysters, and there was no recognition on the part of the server after he dropped my used dinner fork onto my white trousers other than picking the utensil up off the floor.

The meal was so sub-par that we skipped ordering sweets despite celebrating a birthday. My experience is that upscale restaurants (and those aspiring to be) find a way to fete a celebrant regardless of whether or not they order dessert. Salt did not. We were each finishing a second glass of wine, so there was time for some sort of gesture.

I'm reluctant to pan a restaurant because I know that bad reviews can sometimes unfairly damage its reputation. I realize that everyone has an off night. On the other hand, this dining experience mark missed the mark on Every. Single. Dish. We all left food on our plates because we didn't want more, not because we were sated. We...

This was my first time at Salt. There are a few restaurants in the Rockford area that capture the fine dining experience that we’ve been spoiled by in our trips out of town and I left disappointed.

The positive first - the staff were all welcoming and friendly - hostess and server.

First issue - drinks were delayed and it didn’t seem that the number of people in the restaurant really justified the wait time. That said we ordered NUIT DE CASSIS from the reserve cocktail list for 25 each. They were good. A little pricey and nothing that really made them feel worth the cost.

Second issue - I really would have appreciated a simple bread basket. Instead the offering was FOCACCIA with Pumpkin butter for 10. I wouldn’t have minded the cost (more than happy to pay for duck fat rolls at Hunt Club for example) but the quality wasn’t there. Was a bit doughy for my taste and the pumpkin butter was a strange pairing.

We ordered the BONE MARROW REUBEN which came completely covered in sauce and kraut. It was impossible to enjoy the (minimal) bone marrow with so much distraction all over the plate. I recognize that I should have realized what it was by the description but it didn’t change the disappointment having had bone marrow so many times before. I know it’s tempting to do something “different” and elevate but please make sure you execute if you do. Nobody is going to be excited about a plate full of sauce and kraut when ordering bone marrow.

Finally, we ordered the walleye and SHORT RIB WELLINGTON. Walleye was ok but nothing really special. The Wellington was complete disappointment. It had the consistency and taste of Monday night pot roast in a pastry.

Dinner was $250 including a tip and I just didn’t feel like I got the value for my dollars. If I want to stay in the Rockford area Abreo is the only thing I’ve found that really feels worth it.

To the owners - at this price point it’s so hard to want to give a second chance for a disappointing or lackluster experience. Maybe serve a more standard fine dining menu and execute really well before trying to...