Joelle - Barroom + Cafe — Restaurant in Town of Islip

A few months ago, I went here with my boyfriend for Valentines Day as we had made reservations. It was our first time going to this restaurant, easy back parking so we were able to walk over.

The staff, were incredibly nice and friendly had a very welcoming and warm attitude, the setting was very romantic and very nicely set up although the seatings were a bit tight so there wasn’t much space but again it was Valentine’s Day so it was very busy.

We ordered pretzel bites for an appetizer, it was very soft, and buttery! The beer cheese that came along with it was delicious as well! As for entree’s my boyfriend ordered the New Orleans Chicken Sandwich along with fries, which was really good and we both loved the sauce that came with it! I ordered Shrimp & Fresh Spinach Pasta which was okay, there was a little too much spinach and the shrimp wasn’t fresh tasting but the sauce was really good!

Lastly, my boyfriend and I ordered a PB Oreo Brownie but unfortunately they didn’t have any more of it so we decided to go with the Lava Cake and share it. When the Lava Cake came we were a bit surprised by how small it was, so like each of us ate like two bites so in all fairness I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the desserts as they are very small portions but it was very good tasting otherwise I’d get this at like Applebees or something or somewhere elsewhere.

Overall, I recommend this place for a nice and simple date with you and your partner since it has that atmosphere and the staff is super friendly, the food was great for the most part and I really enjoyed my time there so I will definitely be...

Full disclosure: We went for Restaurant Week, so maybe that is where our issue came from. Still.

Pros: The menu is extensive (even the prix fixe menu) and definitely a flavor for every palate. The decor is a weird mixture-chandeliers, art deco posters, and linens- but a fun weird. The place is nice, but still laid back. The food was large portioned and tasty, especially the dessert. Got a brownie with raspberry sorbet, and the portion was humongous.

Cons: Our server was probably in the top five worst servers I have ever had. she started out the conversation without ever saying hello or good evening, just brusquely asking what we wanted. That would have been fine, but then she talked over my mother in law multiple times when she asked questions and was rushing despite the restaurant only having two tables sat. My coffee glass had lipstick stains on it and when I asked for a new one, our server acted like I was being a pain for asking for a new glass. She added auto gratuity to our check even though it was three people, which again would have been fine but their machine didn't do it so she wrote in the tip. I would have tipped her more than what she wrote in, so it was just annoying and kind of unprofessional. When we left, she was sitting and watching television, even though there were more tables filled.

It is really a shame, because the food and atmosphere were good. But her attitude put me off to the experience. I get it-servers hate restaurant week. I was a server for 9 years. But...

We went back to Cafe Joelle after the fire and ownership change and at the new location. Wow, great job. Nice atmosphere (a bit noisy and echo-y) and great bartenders. Comfy and casual. Nice menu, great cocktails. I recommend giving this place a new chance. Nice Sayville spot. Order the Joelle Old Fashioned Tell em Barsnobs sent ya!

Old review 3years ago I was disappointed overall but it wasn't all bad. It was LI Restaurant Week. That can throw the experience off a bit, since they only showcase certain foods for a certain prix fix. The staff and owner/manager were amazing. The setting is very nice. It's comfortable, updated and moody. The food was good, not great. I've had better, I've had worse. I think that was really the part that disappointed me. The drinks were very good. Overall, I'd like to give it another try on a regular weekend. I went there years ago and it is much improved since then. Sayville is a great place for food and Cafe Joelle has been there forever. Looking forward to the next...