Jean Claude Restaurant

(212) 475-9232

137 Sullivan St (nr. Houston St.)
New York, NY 10012 40.7268 -74.0019

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: SoHo, Downtown

JEANCLAUDERESTAURANT.COM

Hours:

Mon-Thu, 6pm-11pm

Fri-Sat, 6pm-11:30pm

Sun, 5:30pm-10:30pm

Price:

$$$

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants

Cuisine:

French

ambiance
87.5% positive
  1. “The ambiance is rustic French bistro--sexy in an unpretentious way--and the servers, host were fantastic and accommodating.”
  2. “This is one of my favorite restaurants for a casual, fun, intimate, delicious meal.”
  3. “great $17 hanger steak, excellent service, romantic and friendly atmosphere for group or couples”
  4. “Jean Claude is such a quaint spot with friendly wait staff, authentic French menu and a relaxed charming atmosphere.”
  5. “Food was great - romantic for dates.”
  6. “Service was a little slow but in some weird way, it added the French atmosphere.”
  7. “Service was friendly, atmosphere relaxed and pleasant.”
  8. “Highly recommended for a casual meal with friends in a fun neighborhood!”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “On top of the excellent food and service, I was able to get the exact seating as requested (on the left side benches), my friends brought in a huge cheesecake from Eileen's, and not only did the hostess cut the cake for us into 10 pieces, she added chocol”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “The evening was delightful and lastly the wine - pignot noir for red was excellent!”
  2. “We started with a generous carafe of Sancerre wine--fantastic bargain at $21, and ordered a squid appetizer.”
  3. “Great wine and good french food for the price.”
  4. “The scallops are my favorite and my friends and I love to stop in for a glass of wine on a Sat.”
food quality
94.6399974822998% positive
  1. “The food smelled so good i couldnt wait to eat.”
  2. “In a city where you all too often over pay for bad food and poor service, Jean Claude shouldn't be missed.”
  3. “I've honestly never had a bad meal there.”
  4. “wouldn't reccomend the cod however, it is very bland ( although our waiter recomended it) But the hanger steak is good.”
  5. “The dishes were good, not exceptional but good and great for the price.”
  6. “Highly recommended for a casual meal with friends in a fun neighborhood!”
  7. “great $17 hanger steak, excellent service, romantic and friendly atmosphere for group or couples”
  8. “The food was fantastic.”
  9. “This is one of my favorite restaurants for a casual, fun, intimate, delicious meal.”
  10. “Friends had the Duck breast which was OK but a little bland to me, the leg of lamb was good with a sauce that was a little sweet, Octopus appetizer was missing something (salt maybe?)”
  11. “Great wine and good french food for the price.”
  12. “This was unreal--generous portion of squid in a "lick your plate clean" sauce reminiscent of India with a hint of curry.”
  13. “On top of the excellent food and service, I was able to get the exact seating as requested (on the left side benches), my friends brought in a huge cheesecake from Eileen's, and not only did the hostess cut the cake for us into 10 pieces, she added chocol”
  14. “Reasonably priced good food and friendly service, what's not to like?”
  15. “Jean Claude is such a quaint spot with friendly wait staff, authentic French menu and a relaxed charming atmosphere.”
  16. “it's rare to find such top-notch, high-quality authentic french food, especially in soho.”
  17. “This is how restaurants should be--offering good food without trying to rip you off.”
  18. “This came with lightly dressed mesclun greens and we sopped up every last bit with the delicious crusty bread.”
  19. “The seared scallop appetizer was perfect with the little salad on top.”
  20. “the food is always great,the owner and the staff are very nice and friendly.”
  21. “Bring cash--but we spent under $100 including tip for the best meal we have had in a long time.”
  22. “great salad and a delicious Skate dish.”
  23. “Reminds me of Basso Est on Orchard (now Basso 56 uptown)--also fantastic with Italian food and the ever wonderful owner, Alex.”
  24. “The foie gra appetizer is fantastic and the steak frites is a good value.”
  25. “The menu, although not extensive, includes a must-try foie gras appetizer, as well as very tasty red snapper and hangar steak.”
  26. “Bread and butter are always available, the creme brulee is heavenly, and both the host and hostess are magnifique.”
  27. “The food here is divine, especially the seafood.”
  28. “suggest if you want a medium steak ask for it bloody, it seems they usually over cook mine, but other then that the service was good and my waiter was very attentive.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The menu, although not extensive, includes a must-try foie gras appetizer, as well as very tasty red snapper and hangar steak.”
  2. “Jean Claude is such a quaint spot with friendly wait staff, authentic French menu and a relaxed charming atmosphere.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “great little place to know about”
service
88.45999717712402% positive
  1. “In a city where you all too often over pay for bad food and poor service, Jean Claude shouldn't be missed.”
  2. “Service was friendly, atmosphere relaxed and pleasant.”
  3. “suggest if you want a medium steak ask for it bloody, it seems they usually over cook mine, but other then that the service was good and my waiter was very attentive.”
  4. “The ambiance is rustic French bistro--sexy in an unpretentious way--and the servers, host were fantastic and accommodating.”
  5. “This is a quaint restaurant with a friendly attentive staff (Solange from Marseilles- the manager?”
  6. “wouldn't reccomend the cod however, it is very bland ( although our waiter recomended it) But the hanger steak is good.”
  7. “The service was ok, but the staff was charming”
  8. “Bread and butter are always available, the creme brulee is heavenly, and both the host and hostess are magnifique.”
  9. “Reasonably priced good food and friendly service, what's not to like?”
  10. “Jean Claude is such a quaint spot with friendly wait staff, authentic French menu and a relaxed charming atmosphere.”
  11. “On top of the excellent food and service, I was able to get the exact seating as requested (on the left side benches), my friends brought in a huge cheesecake from Eileen's, and not only did the hostess cut the cake for us into 10 pieces, she added chocol”
  12. “the food is always great,the owner and the staff are very nice and friendly.”
  13. “great $17 hanger steak, excellent service, romantic and friendly atmosphere for group or couples”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “My husband had the sweetbreads and said they were the best he has ever had - he also had the duck breast - a huge, tender portion over bok choy.”
  2. “The foie gra appetizer is fantastic and the steak frites is a good value.”
  3. “Great wine and good french food for the price.”
  4. “We started with a generous carafe of Sancerre wine--fantastic bargain at $21, and ordered a squid appetizer.”
  5. “On top of the excellent food and service, I was able to get the exact seating as requested (on the left side benches), my friends brought in a huge cheesecake from Eileen's, and not only did the hostess cut the cake for us into 10 pieces, she added chocol”
  6. “The dishes were good, not exceptional but good and great for the price.”
  7. “This was unreal--generous portion of squid in a "lick your plate clean" sauce reminiscent of India with a hint of curry.”
wait time
50.0% positive
  1. “Bring cash--but we spent under $100 including tip for the best meal we have had in a long time.”
  2. “Service was a little slow but in some weird way, it added the French atmosphere.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

06/02/09

Wonderful little bistro

Contributor at Citysearch

I love this place.the food is always great,the owner and the staff are very nice and friendly.and the prices are very fare.it's really wonderfull

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/15/08

simply the best!!

by dineh at Citysearch

Jean-Claude was highly recommended to us, and we went this past Saturday night. We were initially a bit uncertain b/c the menu did not really describe the offerings, but we trusted the person who referred us, and boy were we HAPPY!!! The ambiance is rustic French bistro--sexy in an unpretentious way--and the servers, host were fantastic and accommodating. We started with a generous carafe of Sancerre wine--fantastic bargain at $21, and ordered a squid appetizer. This was unreal--generous portion of squid in a "lick your plate clean" sauce reminiscent of India with a hint of curry. This came with lightly dressed mesclun greens and we sopped up every last bit with the delicious crusty bread. By the way, the bread is served with decadent butter--the real stuff! Then we ordered the hanger steak and moules frites. Words cannot do these entrees justice--this was food that dreams are made of--it is Wednesday, and I am still licking my lips thinking of this meal. Just go, order what you want, and let the chef do the magic! Bring cash--but we spent under $100 including tip for the best meal we have had in a long time. Reminds me of Basso Est on Orchard (now Basso 56 uptown)--also fantastic with Italian food and the ever wonderful owner, Alex.

  • Pros: Ambiance, service, food, location
  • Cons: cash only
4 Star Rating: Recommended

06/30/08

Special Birthday Dinner

by ravennarose at Citysearch

My husband just happened to spot Jean Claude while searching for a place to celebrate my birthday. It was during a major thunderstorm but we could not have been more pleased if we had planned on it. We had just returned from a two week trip to France so we kept our expectations low but we pleasantly surprised at the flavor and quality of the food.

This is a quaint restaurant with a friendly attentive staff (Solange from Marseilles- the manager? was great) and the menu prices are a bargain.

My husband had the sweetbreads and said they were the best he has ever had - he also had the duck breast - a huge, tender portion over bok choy. I had the lamb loin with couscous and it too was flavorful and tender. The tart tartin was a perfect way to end a very lovely meal.

We live in Jersey City and will visit Jean Claude again and again!

  • Pros: Great staff - good food - NYC bargain
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/11/08

It's a no-brainer!

by sherlock3 at Citysearch

Romantic dinner, b-day party, catching up w/ friends, or parents in town... whatever the occasion may be, you can't go wrong with this place. As far as French restaurants in NYC go, this is the real deal. The food is simple, yet exquisite; the wine list may be small, but selective; and the exceptional apple tarte tatin will send you home very happy.

  • Pros: food, wine, service, price
  • Cons: can't think of any
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/04/07

nice find

by splashkpl at Citysearch

7 of us came here saturday night when we were turned away from that stinky italian place around the corner. It was around 8pm and luckily we were seated right away. The food smelled so good i couldnt wait to eat. Everything came out looking so pretty. The seared scallop appetizer was perfect with the little salad on top. I had the special which was short ribs and this was so yummy, it was so tender and falling off the bone. I didnt even need my knife. Friends had the Duck breast which was OK but a little bland to me, the leg of lamb was good with a sauce that was a little sweet, Octopus appetizer was missing something (salt maybe?). Overall a Good experience. I left extremely full and satisfied. I'll proabably be back one day to try other stuff. Would be nice for a date. The place is a little dark and it had a good (moderately loud) noise level.

  • Pros: food, smells, service
  • Cons: small space, doesnt accpet credit card

The Details on Jean Claude Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • good french food
  • friendly service
  • friendly wait staff
  • great wine
  • romantic atmosphere
  • great dishes
  • very nice owner
  • fabulous skate
  • good hanger steak
  • great little place
  • favorite restaurants
  • favorite scallops
  • great mesculin salad
  • perfect intimate setting
  • very attentive waiter
  • clean plate
  • huge cheesecake
  • wonderful little bistro
  • romantic bday party
  • perfect seared scallop appetizer
  • excellent pignot noir
  • very tasty red snapper
  • friendly attentive staff
  • never bad delicious meal
  • good leg