Our Restaurant
Open Tuesday-Saturday for Happy Hour & Dinner
Oak and Embers Bistro, a new restaurant in Rockford, Illinois, joins the legacy of Cliffbreakers Event Center at Riverview Inn and Suites. Executive Chef Jonathon Powers and team are striving to make this hidden gem among the best places to eat nearby.
Dig into the dynamic menu of hearty American favorites and vibrant, plant-based indulgences. Paired with a side of stunning Rock River views, these dinner and happy hour delights go down smooth.
Restaurant Hours
Tuesday-Thursday: 5-9PM
Friday-Saturday: 5-10PM
Request a Table or Call (815) 282-3033 for Reservations
Meet the Chef
Chef Jonathon Powers is known locally for delivering a thoughtful approach to his menus, as well as spotlighting vegan and other plant-based options that appeal to a wide range of diners.
With experience at some of Rockford’s top restaurants to his credit, Powers brings a deep understanding of local tastes. His work reflects a commitment to quality, creativity, and seasonally-inspired flavors that resonate with both traditional and plant-curious guests alike.
Specials & Seasonal Menus
Happy Hours to Holiday Happenings
Dinner Menu
Appetizers
Hummus Plate
Creamy house-made hummus topped with olive oil, paprika, and crispy chickpeas. Served with fresh veggies and crostini.
$11
Aged Cheddar Pierogies
Caramelized onions draped over pan-seared cheddar pierogies, finished with a zesty, paprika-forward cream sauce that offers all the warmth of stroganoff with a lighter, modern touch.
$9
Roasted Sweet Corn
Enjoy three (3) sweet mini corn on the cobs, char-grilled, tossed in butter, and seasoned with kosher salt.
$8
Pretzels with Cheese Sauce
Three (3) soft pretzel rods with house-made beer cheese sauce.
$5
French Onion Dip with Warm Crispy Potato Chips
Caramelized sweet onions folded into a velvety, herb-kissed cream base. Paired with a generous basket of warm crispy potato chips, fresh from the fryer.
$5
Soups & Salads
Soup served with crackers. Salad dressing choices: Ranch, Bleu Cheese, Thousand Island, French, Balsamic, or Oil and Vinegar
Soup of the Day
A delicious house-made offering of the day.
Cup
$4
Bowl
$6
Soup, Salad, & Bread
Enjoy a cup of our soup of the day with a side salad and warm baguette.
$13
Crispy Chicken Salad
Crispy fried chicken cutlet atop crisp iceberg lettuce with diced tomatoes, pickled red onions, sharp cheddar, bacon bits, buttermilk ranch, and hint of paprika for bold, satisfying flavor.
$12
Traditional Salad
A generous portion of mixed greens with grape tomatoes, cucumbers, sliced onions, and croutons.
$11
Land & Sea
Optional add-ons: Grilled onions +$2, Sauteed forest mushrooms +$2
Char-Grilled New York Strip Steak
12oz New York strip char-grilled to your liking. Served with seasonal vegetables and baked potato topped with butter and sour cream.
$38
Baseball Sirloin
Thick-cut center sirloin, juicy and flavorful. Served with seasonal vegetables and baked potato topped with butter and sour cream.
$30
Hand-Cut Porkchop with Onion Jus
Pan-seared and served over mashed potatoes, with seasonal vegetables and onion jus.
$24
Grilled Mahi-Mahi
Boldly seasoned mahi-mahi grilled to perfection and served with a garlic butter dipping sauce.
$21
Blistered Tomato & Grilled Chicken Fettucine Pasta Bowl
Grilled chicken breast layered over ribbons of fettuccine, cloaked in a savory cream sauce of butter, smoked bacon, and blistered grape tomatoes. Finished with parmesan cheese and a hint of paprika for warmth.
$24
Mostaccioli & Meatballs
A classic reimagined with tender meatballs made from a savory blend of lamb, duck, and pork simmered in a rustic tomato sauce and served over al dente spaghetti. Served with garlic bread.
$21
Handhelds
Served with hand cut fries and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle spear. Optional add-ons: Cheddar or Swiss cheese +$1, Grilled onions +$1, Sauteed forest mushrooms +$1, Bacon +$2
Double Bacon Cheeseburger
Not your average burger. Two 8oz beef patties, smoked cheddar, thick-cut bacon, and Ember sauce, all piled onto a brioche bun. A towering, knife-and-fork affair made for sharing… or conquering solo.
$19
Chili & Cheeseburger
8oz beef patty grilled your way on a brioche bun, topped with house-made chili and cheese sauce.
$17
Blackened Chicken Sandwich
Blackened chicken breast with spicy mayo, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted bun.
$17
Classic Burger
8oz beef patty grilled your way on a toasted brioche bun.
$14
Kids Menu
Chicken Nuggets & Hand-Cut Fries
Golden chicken tenders served with crispy hand-cut fries.
$10
Grilled Cheese & Hand-Cut Fries
Classic grilled cheese sandwich served with hand-cut fries.
$7
Sides & Extras
Side House Salad
Crispy greens, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, red onions, and croutons with choice of dressing – Ranch, Bleu Cheese, Thousand Island, French, Balsamic, or Oil and Vinegar
$5
Side Seasonal Vegetable
$5
Hand-Cut Fries
$5
House-Made Potato Wedges
$5
Baked Potato
Topped with butter and sour cream. Optional add-on: Chopped bacon +$1.
$4
Extra Side of Dressing
Ranch, Bleu Cheese, Thousand Island, French, Balsamic, or Oil and Vinegar
$0.75
Extra Shredded Cheddar Cheese
$0.75
Extra Cheese
Swiss or Cheddar
$1
Side of Cheese Sauce
$1.50
Desserts
Molten Ember Sundae
Warm chocolate brownie crowned with a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream, drizzled with fudge, and finished with toasted nuts. Velvety chocolate meets a whisper of embered warmth in every bite.
$10
Flourless Chocolate Torte
Decadent and naturally gluten-free, this rich flourless dark chocolate torte boasts a silky, truffle-like texture with whipped cream.
$9
Opera Espresso Layer Cake
Thin layers of almond sponge, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache stacked into one harmonious bite.
$9
Cheesecake with Seasonal Fruit Topping
Creamy New York cheesecake topped with fresh seasonal fruit.
$7
Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae
Generous scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, nuts and maraschino cherry.
$7
