Local Guides World
French staples pair with piano music at this opulent restaurant, a tribute to Josephine Baker.
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Reviews — 8
The culinary highlight of our stay in New York! Everything was excellent, from the ambience with beautiful piano music to the wonderful food. A real gem in the noisy hustle and bustle of the Times Square area. We can warmly recommend this restaurant, which we discovered thanks to good local friends.
Absolutely amazing dining experience. We had appetizers, soup and 4 entrees. The attention to detail was exceptional. One of us couldn’t decide on which entree to order and Alfredo, our server (as well many other roles) asked if he could surprise us with an entree. He presented the indecisive one in our party with a specially prepared dish that combined two of the items he was contemplating ordering. The lamb shank (a special) was perfectly prepared, fell off the bone. I can’t say enough great things about this wonderful restaurant. Highly recommended!
First walking in I absolutely loved the warm vibe of this restaurant. Honestly with the comes and the dark wood it reminded me a bit of when I was in Paris. I didn't expect there to be live music but there was a lovely musician playing piano and singing very gently, just loud enough to add to the ambiance but still have conversation at the table.
The service was just right. They were attentive but not naggy and our waiter answered any questions with a pleasant, dare I say even happy, demeanor. He plauded our choices which whether true or false was nice to hear.
Now for the food. I heard this was a good spot for French food and I am happy to report that they did not disappoint. My friends have a tradition of eating it family style.
*Appetizers*
French Onion Soup - I am not usually a fan of French onion soup because there onions are burnt resulting in a bitter taste. However, this is honestly the best French onion soup I've ever had because I actually really really liked it. Not only was there no bitterness, but the cheese they used was divine (I believe it was gruyere, one of my favorites).
Escargots à la Bourguignonne - My friends and I had it in Paris and like to get it as a treat to reminisce about studying abroad. Here it is served pre-shelled and sitting in garlic and herbs so no need to fear accidentally catapulting snails at other diners. (Pro tip: soak up the sauce with the bread they give to the table, you won't regret it!)
Tuna Tartare - I love tuna tartare and theirs was top tier. It is served over an avocado salad and features a ginger sesame oil sauce and it paired with toasted bread cut into triangles.
*Main Course*
Roasted Breast of Long Island Duck with an orange glaze and wild rice - I chose this French restaurant specifically because they had a duck breast dish and they did not disappoint! I'm bias but if the 3 mains we got, this was my favorite. The duck was perfectly cooked, the orange glaze was a lovely compliment to the duck, and the wild rice gave it dinner great texture. Absolutely delicious. I would come back just for this dish
Veal special with truffle mash potatoes - My friend ordered this one and if you're a fan of veal or mash you'll be hoping they bring this special back
Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with green asparagus, potato purée, and champagne sauce - Admittedly, I'm not the biggest fan of scallops. I will say, they were made very well and I enjoyed it when the pastor puree and asparagus.
*Dessert*
Crème Brûlée - We split this dessert and it was on par with the rest of our meal. I feel like the best way to describe it is that the custard seemed perfectly set. Not water, held it's shape but still melted in the mouth. The perfect end to a delicious meal!
I will definitely be coming back here again!
The service was just right. They were attentive but not naggy and our waiter answered any questions with a pleasant, dare I say even happy, demeanor. He plauded our choices which whether true or false was nice to hear.
Now for the food. I heard this was a good spot for French food and I am happy to report that they did not disappoint. My friends have a tradition of eating it family style.
*Appetizers*
French Onion Soup - I am not usually a fan of French onion soup because there onions are burnt resulting in a bitter taste. However, this is honestly the best French onion soup I've ever had because I actually really really liked it. Not only was there no bitterness, but the cheese they used was divine (I believe it was gruyere, one of my favorites).
Escargots à la Bourguignonne - My friends and I had it in Paris and like to get it as a treat to reminisce about studying abroad. Here it is served pre-shelled and sitting in garlic and herbs so no need to fear accidentally catapulting snails at other diners. (Pro tip: soak up the sauce with the bread they give to the table, you won't regret it!)
Tuna Tartare - I love tuna tartare and theirs was top tier. It is served over an avocado salad and features a ginger sesame oil sauce and it paired with toasted bread cut into triangles.
*Main Course*
Roasted Breast of Long Island Duck with an orange glaze and wild rice - I chose this French restaurant specifically because they had a duck breast dish and they did not disappoint! I'm bias but if the 3 mains we got, this was my favorite. The duck was perfectly cooked, the orange glaze was a lovely compliment to the duck, and the wild rice gave it dinner great texture. Absolutely delicious. I would come back just for this dish
Veal special with truffle mash potatoes - My friend ordered this one and if you're a fan of veal or mash you'll be hoping they bring this special back
Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with green asparagus, potato purée, and champagne sauce - Admittedly, I'm not the biggest fan of scallops. I will say, they were made very well and I enjoyed it when the pastor puree and asparagus.
*Dessert*
Crème Brûlée - We split this dessert and it was on par with the rest of our meal. I feel like the best way to describe it is that the custard seemed perfectly set. Not water, held it's shape but still melted in the mouth. The perfect end to a delicious meal!
I will definitely be coming back here again!
I tried this place for Restaurant week,( I dont know why they still call it that) I wanted to get the fixed menu. I think of it as an introduction to the restaurant. We had the salad, the soup the steak, Quail and ice cream cake.
The salad was good nothing too special. The soup was perfect I enjoyed every drop. The steak was skirt steak so I didnt have too much expectations on that but the sauce taste really burnt as did the Quail. The risotto was pretty good I enjoyed that part.
The ice cream cake couldnt have been cut thinner they may have well shaved a piece to searve. Maybe its just the restaurant week menu. After eating here at restaurant week I wouln't be inclined to go back.
The restaurant has a very romantic vibe it is perfect for a date night. They had live piano and a singer and the walls are adorned with photos of Josephine Baker. I wouldn't recomend to bring children but that is up to you.
The staff were very pleasant and attentive I felt welcomed as soon as I arrived.
The salad was good nothing too special. The soup was perfect I enjoyed every drop. The steak was skirt steak so I didnt have too much expectations on that but the sauce taste really burnt as did the Quail. The risotto was pretty good I enjoyed that part.
The ice cream cake couldnt have been cut thinner they may have well shaved a piece to searve. Maybe its just the restaurant week menu. After eating here at restaurant week I wouln't be inclined to go back.
The restaurant has a very romantic vibe it is perfect for a date night. They had live piano and a singer and the walls are adorned with photos of Josephine Baker. I wouldn't recomend to bring children but that is up to you.
The staff were very pleasant and attentive I felt welcomed as soon as I arrived.
5-Star Review
Dear Chez Josephine Management and Staff,
I am writing to express my utmost appreciation and gratitude for the exceptional experience my family and I had at your esteemed restaurant in NYC. I am thrilled to gift you a well-deserved 5-star review, as our visit was truly outstanding in every aspect.
From the moment we stepped into Chez Josephine, we were warmly greeted by your incredibly friendly staff. We were specifically looking for a kid-friendly restaurant with a piano, as my son Nicholas is passionate about music and takes piano lessons. You provided the perfect ambiance for him, and he was overjoyed to hear the beautiful piano melodies throughout our dining experience.
I want to extend a special thank you to your staff for their attentiveness and thoughtfulness. When my son felt a bit chilly, they promptly offered him a sweater, which I had forgotten to bring. This small gesture made a world of difference and showcased the genuine care and hospitality that sets Chez Josephine apart.
Now, let me take a moment to express my admiration for your drinks. The pineapple sensation, in particular, left us speechless. It was a delightful and unique experience, and I cannot find the right words to describe its incredible taste. I must confess, it even helped me get out of the "dog house" with my wife, who was equally captivated by the drink's flavors. We truly appreciate the creativity and mastery behind your beverage selection.
Overall, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at Chez Josephine for providing us with exceptional service and an unforgettable dining experience. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and we will undoubtedly be returning in the near future. Thank you for making our time in NYC so memorable.
With warmest regards,
Elkin Colorado
Dear Chez Josephine Management and Staff,
I am writing to express my utmost appreciation and gratitude for the exceptional experience my family and I had at your esteemed restaurant in NYC. I am thrilled to gift you a well-deserved 5-star review, as our visit was truly outstanding in every aspect.
From the moment we stepped into Chez Josephine, we were warmly greeted by your incredibly friendly staff. We were specifically looking for a kid-friendly restaurant with a piano, as my son Nicholas is passionate about music and takes piano lessons. You provided the perfect ambiance for him, and he was overjoyed to hear the beautiful piano melodies throughout our dining experience.
I want to extend a special thank you to your staff for their attentiveness and thoughtfulness. When my son felt a bit chilly, they promptly offered him a sweater, which I had forgotten to bring. This small gesture made a world of difference and showcased the genuine care and hospitality that sets Chez Josephine apart.
Now, let me take a moment to express my admiration for your drinks. The pineapple sensation, in particular, left us speechless. It was a delightful and unique experience, and I cannot find the right words to describe its incredible taste. I must confess, it even helped me get out of the "dog house" with my wife, who was equally captivated by the drink's flavors. We truly appreciate the creativity and mastery behind your beverage selection.
Overall, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at Chez Josephine for providing us with exceptional service and an unforgettable dining experience. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and we will undoubtedly be returning in the near future. Thank you for making our time in NYC so memorable.
With warmest regards,
Elkin Colorado
I was in NYC for a short trip from San Francisco and had dinner with a good friend here. The ambiance, service and food all deserve 5 stars. We could not have asked for a more exciting decadent delicious experience. Cannot wait to visit again in a few weeks. Thank you!
Great food! Very good service. We loved the onion soup and the Tuna tartar. The Trout was great as well. My partner enjoyed the steak tartar. Service very good and nice atmosphere with live music (Saturday night).
