Josie’s Adds Catering, Weddings, and Special Events to the Menu

Bob Pest

Josie’s Steakhouse on the White River has built a varied and loyal clientele by offering an impressive and eclectic menu. Dinner features a number of steak options. The “Top Shelf” beef selections—New York Strip, Ribeye, and Tenderloin Filet-- are hand carved Certified Angus Beef (CAB). Sushi grade Ahi Tuna, seared and served with Ginger Sesame sauce and Wasabi, also tempts the palate. Alongside these wonderful culinary selections, Josie’s serves popular comfort food and family favorites, ranging from the perfectly-grilled Chicken Breast to the substantial Philly Steak Dip and the succulent BBQ Pork Tenderloin.

The lunch menu presents an equal array of satisfying choices, including the Chicken and Steak Quesadillas, homemade Chicken Salad sandwiches, and my own favorite, the Fried Tilapia sandwich (with cole slaw). Carb-conscious diners will appreciate the Low Carb CAB Wrap, grilled and sliced Angus Beef wrapped in a low-carb tortilla.

Desserts are especially tempting. Portions at Josie’s are fairly large, so many diners end up taking at least some of their dessert home. Key Lime Pie, Carrot Cake, Cheesecake, and Bourbon Street Bread Pudding are just a few of the choices. Josie’s also has a strong and constantly evolving wine list. Given the restaurant’s focus on high quality beef, it is not surprising that the list is especially rich in its Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon selections.

Having effectively raised the bar for quality dining in Batesville, Josie’s is now putting its own unique touch on the catering and special events side of the food business. A new menu has been developed especially for catering, which plays off of the restaurant’s strengths while making some surprising and flavorful additions. The familiar catering staples are all available: cheese, veggie, or fruit trays; a variety of dips; Bruschetta; Jalapeno Poppers with cream cheese; Prime Rib and Beef Tenderloin (shaved); Miniature Quiches; Chicken Skewers; Chicken Salad Sandwiches; and Bacon Wrapped Chicken Livers. Adding flair to the choices are Pork Roll Sandwiches, Crab or Smoked Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms, Cranberry Meatballs, Brie with Raspberry Pepper Jelly, Coconut Shrimp (as well as Peel’N’Eat and Fried), Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Artichoke Hearts, and Ahi Tuna. A chocolate fountain will allow diners to make their own Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Josie’s can also provide a Champagne Fountain for really special gatherings.

Great catering is part great food and part great service. Josie’s well-trained staff will handle all of the details and make sure your event goes off as planned and on time. Josie’s is available for special corporate, community, and family events. The restaurant currently hosts weekly meetings of both the Batesville Rotary and Batesville Optimists clubs.

Josie’s has also begun to host weddings. The breathtaking view of the White River creates a perfect back-drop for that special day. Josie’s will handle all of the details, including decorating, and is ready to do rehearsal dinners and receptions, as well as the ceremony itself. For information about catering, special events, and weddings, contact Kimberly at 870-793-7000 or josiessteakhouse1@yahoo.com.

Josie’s is open Mondays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.--the kitchen opens at 6; Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 pm, and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.