Josie's East Side

(212) 490-1558

565 3rd Ave (Cross Streets 37th Street)
New York, NY 10016 40.7478 -73.9765

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Neighborhoods: Murray Hill, Midtown

JOSIESNYC.COM

Hours:

LUNCH Mon-Fri: 12:00pm-5:00pm DINNER Mon-Thu: 5:00pm-10:30pm Fri-Sat: 5:00pm-11:00pm Sunday: 4:00pm-10:00pm BRUNCH Sat: 11:30am-3:45pm Sun: 11am-3:45pm

Price:

$$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants, Catering

Payment Methods:

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Debit Card

Restaurant Special Features:

Food Delivery

Cuisine:

Traditional American, Vegetarian, Italian

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Josie's East Side

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Health-conscious, mostly dairy-free New American cuisine with organic ingredients and free-range chicken and eggs; delivery, wine and beer available.

Editor's Tips

Catering:
Catering is available for your event no matter what the size.
Delivery:
Delivery is available seven days a week.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The atmosphere is extremely cosy and trendy with a friendly staff.”
  2. “Overall, great food, great drinks and great atmosphere.”
  3. “Ambiance is fabulous--very trendy decor and great, young crowd.”
  4. “The decor is clean and modern, a great place to hang out after work and even for a nice romantic date.”
  5. “Would def go back though b/c of the great food/ambience (can sit outside in nice weather)”
  6. “I'm surprised by the slew of bad reviews, because my boyfriend and I love this restaurant and frequently recommend it to visitors who want to have a healthy meal in a restaurant with a nice ambience and which isn't expensive.”
  7. “It a casual atmosphere and always a good experience”
  8. “If you're looking for quality food and great ambience in Murray Hill, Josie's is THE place to go.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “finally, i decided to order a cake to go.”
  2. “Don't forget to order the lemon ribbon pie for dessert!”
drinks
75.0% positive
  1. “The meal was satisfying, especially the grilled tuna, and there is an interesting wine list.”
  2. “Overall, great food, great drinks and great atmosphere.”
  3. “The juice bar was great, where they mixed different vegetables together in one unique drink.”
  4. “This place makes good turkey meatballs and nice juice drinks, ice teas, etc.. and I'm glad they're in the neighborhood, but sometimes I'm less than impressed by other entrees and it's just way overpriced for what it is.”
  5. “GREAT food/drinks, though service a bit spotty”
  6. “Went and sat at bar another time thinking maybe decent attention here & nada!”
  7. “we had full drinks on the table!”
  8. “people at the table still had full glasses of wine!”
food quality
72.5600004196167% positive
  1. “The food itself was fresh and tasty and despite what I have read in some other reviews here.”
  2. “By the time something was done, all our food was cold and our appetite was totally lost.”
  3. “Pretty restaurant, good pre-meal bread.”
  4. “Overall, great food, great drinks and great atmosphere.”
  5. “would recommend Josies East to anyone looking for healthy, clean, cuisine.”
  6. “great veggie/health food”
  7. “Would def go back though b/c of the great food/ambience (can sit outside in nice weather)”
  8. “The food is not good enough to warrant that kind of behavior.”
  9. “The food was certainly not good enough to have to sit with water for 35-40 minutes.”
  10. “The entire staff seems at ease and the food is still delicious!”
  11. “and their burgers are all delicious.”
  12. “would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys healthy food!”
  13. “The cuisine didnt disappoint!”
  14. “Good food glad it is healthy!”
  15. “If you're looking for quality food and great ambience in Murray Hill, Josie's is THE place to go.”
  16. “Sure the place look great and trendy, but the food is lacking.”
  17. “GREAT food/drinks, though service a bit spotty”
  18. “Perhaps people who prefer rich or spicy food wouldn't like Josie's, but the food IS tasty and you don't feel horrible afterwards.”
  19. “While the food was FABULOUS (esp the vegetarian platter, calamari appetizer and shrimp "unfried" rice) and they make a good mojito, it took us a LONG time to receive our food and waiter wasn't the most attentive.”
  20. “the menu is splendidly diverse: serving everything from great sushi to egg white omelets - both at noon.”
  21. “I'm surprised by the slew of bad reviews, because my boyfriend and I love this restaurant and frequently recommend it to visitors who want to have a healthy meal in a restaurant with a nice ambience and which isn't expensive.”
  22. “it's not cheap, but it's worth it, esp when there are so many place in nyc that serve mediocre food at similar prices.”
  23. “When the salad finally arrived it was fine, a mix of fresh greens.”
  24. “Our food was wrong and service was slow.”
  25. “thanks to my incredibly amazing vegan waitress, amy, my friend, who is vegan and i, a meat eater, had a fantastic experience at josie's.”
  26. “Now with their full sushi menu, I can actually eat there 2-3 times a week and feel like I'm getting something totally different each time.”
  27. “This restaurant always has the best service, quality of food, etc.”
  28. “The food is good but unless you make some noise, no one will help you.”
  29. “also had the portabella mushroom burger was good too.”
  30. “The portobello mushroom sushi is amazing!”
  31. “The Thai shrimp roll, blackbean dumplings are great to start off with but my all time favorites are the josie's combo plate with tamari brown rice YUMMM!”
  32. “only wish they gave bigger appetizer portions, because the calamari and shrimp are yummy!”
  33. “always thought that food was great tasting as well as filling but in a light healthy way.”
  34. “whatever it was tasted like a cold grilled cheese sandwich.”
  35. “OK food, not great service.”
  36. “My boyfriend, who is definitely not a vegetarian, loves the chicken dish here, and I almost always get the stir fry.”
  37. “The meal was satisfying, especially the grilled tuna, and there is an interesting wine list.”
  38. “The food is pricey for that type of quality.”
  39. “The food is a little overpriced though”
  40. “Before dining at Josies I had some concerns based on the reviews here, but I enjoyed my meal there.”
  41. “the food here is simply amazing.”
menu variety
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. “The menu sounds good but is basically uninspired.”
  2. “Now with their full sushi menu, I can actually eat there 2-3 times a week and feel like I'm getting something totally different each time.”
  3. “Their menu has so much to choose from and the portions are great.”
  4. “Organic/health conscious type of menu with a good variety and decent prices.”
  5. “My sexy server, Peter, was helpful in my deciphering their diverse, ecclectic menu.”
  6. “had been to Josie's numerous time because of their health-conscious menu, and their (usually) decent service.”
  7. “the menu is splendidly diverse: serving everything from great sushi to egg white omelets - both at noon.”
overall
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. “Just a nice place to be.”
  2. “The decor is clean and modern, a great place to hang out after work and even for a nice romantic date.”
  3. “If you're looking for quality food and great ambience in Murray Hill, Josie's is THE place to go.”
  4. “By far my favorite restaurant in Manhattan!”
  5. “It is a great place to take a date or go with your friends.”
  6. “Possibly my new favorite restaurant”
  7. “The portions were a nice size, and we didnt feel stuffed leaving the restaurant, just full.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “We had a very delightful experience and cant wait to return.”
  2. “Would def go back though b/c of the great food/ambience (can sit outside in nice weather)”
service
49.10999774932861% positive
  1. “went in not long after and the wait for a table was very long because the poor hostess kept getting scolded for everything.”
  2. “My sexy server, Peter, was helpful in my deciphering their diverse, ecclectic menu.”
  3. “people at the table still had full glasses of wine!”
  4. “The staff was polite, but amazingly slow considering that the place was half empty.”
  5. “thanks to my incredibly amazing vegan waitress, amy, my friend, who is vegan and i, a meat eater, had a fantastic experience at josie's.”
  6. “We have also never had bad service here.”
  7. “In pervious reviews many comments were made on the poor service.”
  8. “The atmosphere is extremely cosy and trendy with a friendly staff.”
  9. “The only problem I encountered was on Mother's Day; we had a horrible waitress.”
  10. “This restaurant always has the best service, quality of food, etc.”
  11. “The entire staff seems at ease and the food is still delicious!”
  12. “May not have the super service you will find at some ultra exclusive expensive restaurants, but for the prices you get what you pay for and can feel good instead of guilty after eating out.”
  13. “The staff was polite and more than gracious in regards to sevice and understanding when it came to my kids.”
  14. “The hosts are simply rude.”
  15. “Perhaps people who prefer rich or spicy food wouldn't like Josie's, but the food IS tasty and you don't feel horrible afterwards.”
  16. “Our food was wrong and service was slow.”
  17. “OK food, not great service.”
  18. “had been to Josie's numerous time because of their health-conscious menu, and their (usually) decent service.”
  19. “While the food was FABULOUS (esp the vegetarian platter, calamari appetizer and shrimp "unfried" rice) and they make a good mojito, it took us a LONG time to receive our food and waiter wasn't the most attentive.”
  20. “The hostess was polite and seated us promptly even though the restaurant was full.”
  21. “The service is horrible.”
  22. “The staff here has always been attentive.”
  23. “Go off hours and you will enjoy the service and dining much better.”
  24. “Tried again for Brunch and really bad server with HUGE attitude.”
  25. “Worst service I've ever had in Manhattan”
  26. “The hostess was rude, noting that I couldn't be seated until my entire party had arrived (not uncommon in NY) and I couldn't make a reservation in person for when my party did arrive because reservations had to be made more than an hour in advance.”
  27. “GREAT food/drinks, though service a bit spotty”
  28. “However, the service wasn't great.”
value
50.0% positive
  1. “Their menu has so much to choose from and the portions are great.”
  2. “only wish they gave bigger appetizer portions, because the calamari and shrimp are yummy!”
  3. “I'm surprised by the slew of bad reviews, because my boyfriend and I love this restaurant and frequently recommend it to visitors who want to have a healthy meal in a restaurant with a nice ambience and which isn't expensive.”
  4. “This place makes good turkey meatballs and nice juice drinks, ice teas, etc.. and I'm glad they're in the neighborhood, but sometimes I'm less than impressed by other entrees and it's just way overpriced for what it is.”
  5. “Organic/health conscious type of menu with a good variety and decent prices.”
  6. “The food is a little overpriced though”
  7. “May not have the super service you will find at some ultra exclusive expensive restaurants, but for the prices you get what you pay for and can feel good instead of guilty after eating out.”
  8. “The portions were a nice size, and we didnt feel stuffed leaving the restaurant, just full.”
  9. “it's not cheap, but it's worth it, esp when there are so many place in nyc that serve mediocre food at similar prices.”
  10. “The food is pricey for that type of quality.”
  11. “Sueshi is expensive but then again its not a Japenese place.”
wait time
12.5% positive
  1. “The staff was polite, but amazingly slow considering that the place was half empty.”
  2. “Our food was wrong and service was slow.”
  3. “went in not long after and the wait for a table was very long because the poor hostess kept getting scolded for everything.”
  4. “The food was certainly not good enough to have to sit with water for 35-40 minutes.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/11/10

Fabulous health food, who knew?

by ANCNYC

One day while taking a stroll along 3rd ave on a beautiful day, I stopped to check out the menu at Josie's East and was intrigued by its approach to food: healthy.....and delicious? I made a mental note to try it one day.

My chance came when a girl friend who is on Weight Watchers and I decided to meet for dinner. I sent her a link to the menu for her approval, and approve she did. I was so so so glad we went. Everything was phenomenal! We went out on a Thursday night around 6 and had no problem getting a table. The ambiance pleased me...modern yet cozy, dim lighting, great music that isn't too loud. The wait staff was accommodating and on top of things. The waiter suggested that day's featured wine and brought us each a healthy measure of some to try before we made up our mind. They bring you a delicious rosemary foccacia one piece at a time, and being a person who if a bread basket is left in front of me, I'll eat the whole thing, I appreciated that. I ordered their roasted butternut squash soup to start with and it is out of this world. For my entree, I selected a tilapia special they had available that day and was so happy with it! It was perfectly cooked, and the vegetable sides were so well flavored that I ACTUALLY ATE THEM! That is no small feat, my friends. For dessert, my friend and I shared the lemon ribbon pie that everyone is writing about, and yes, it is that good. You could certainly share it among 3 or 4 people and everyone would get a good amount.

I think what I would have to say my favorite thing about Josie's is this: when our bill came, there was a small insert advertising that Josie's has cooking classes. I took the paper with me, and signed up for an Italian cooking class the following week. The classes themselves are held at Josie's owner Louis Lanza's other restaurant, Citrus, at 74th and Amsterdam. My boyfriend and I went and had a wonderful experience. Louis is a wonderful teacher! And he really, actually does cook with healthy ingredients and makes them taste wonderful. The best part is that for only $60 per person, we had a 4 course meal, and had 4 different kinds of wine, a very full glass or two with each course! They also did a raffle and gave out bottles of wines and gift cards to his restaurants! We got to take home copies of all the recipes that we were served and they are all easy to make at home! It was honestly one of the best date nights I have ever had!

Please go to Josie's East! And Josie's West, Josephina, Better Burger and Citrus. They are all Louis Lanza's restaurants, and by supporting his restaurants, you are also supporting healthy eating and a man who strives to bring local foods into his business and onto your plate.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/06/10

Tasty organic

by AVR , Citysearch Contributor

Josie's has become a go to when my sister in law is in town. We first started going there when I lived a few blocks away. It is worth the tip back to Murray Hill for the great selection of organic and natural dishes. Always something to please everyone on the menu. Be sure to save room for dessert. Especially during berry season.

The staff here has always been attentive. My family can be 'high maintenance' diners and they have always been more than accommodating.

Good news for those who don't want to trudge over to the Third Avenue frat row... Josie's delivers.

  • Pros: Attentive staff
1 Star Rating: Poor

06/07/09

Ask for the Chef

by G0mer

I order online from Josie's all the time. When I called today to place my order, I asked for a vegan dessert and was advised that the lemon pie was a great vegan choice. When my food arrived I took one bite of the pie and was immediately suspicious. I went online to see the ingredients and the pie included milk.

I'm very dissapointed because I love Josie's, but I don't think it's right for them to be careless about informing their customers what's vegan or not. Especially for a restaurant that projects themselves to be so eco-conscious you would think that they would take extra care to correctly inform their customer's what's in their dishes.

The manager's advice: always ask for the chef if you need to know what's in your dish.

  • Pros: Large Portions
  • Cons: Don't know what you're getting
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/31/09

Delicious Food and Better Staff than before

by embakerreview

I've been to Josie's a few times on the East side. I enjoy the family feel and lively decor. I always thought that food was great tasting as well as filling but in a light healthy way. A couple times though, my guests and I were rushed to finish with our drinks and leave. We were considering desert but I suppose it was not for us to decide. This was about a year ago. I went in not long after and the wait for a table was very long because the poor hostess kept getting scolded for everything. The manager pretty much called her dumb right in front of us, but she looked young so maybe she had just started. Later when we finally were seated and had our food orders, the waiter came up to check on us, and though he was polite, he misunderstood and thought that we all wanted another round of drinks. When we told him that we didn't order anymore to drink he called over the manager because he wasn't sure what to do. The manager, who I learned was Craig, said that we had to pay for it. Even after the waiter said that he made the mistake the manager said "well you have it at your table right? you can just drink it?" and then turned to the waiter and said "if they don't you will...so deal with it".

Luckily, I went back to Josie's and it seems this manager doesn't work here any longer. The entire staff seems at ease and the food is still delicious!

  • Pros: Good food, Better management
  • Cons: bad memories of bad manager and staff
4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/19/08

great veggie/health food

by aronschor

The juice bar was great, where they mixed different vegetables together in one unique drink. I also had the portabella mushroom burger was good too. I am not much of a veggie eater either but liked it.

  • Pros: juice bar was nice as you made your own drink
  • Cons: can't think of anything

The Details on Josie's East Side

Place Categories:

  • great veggiehealth food
  • not great service
  • favorite restaurant
  • great place
  • not good food
  • polite staff
  • fabulous trendy decor
  • great blackbean dumplings
  • fantastic experience
  • yummy thai shrimp
  • full drink
  • recommend josie
  • rude hostess
  • nice ambience
  • yummy pineapple calamari
  • satisfying meal
  • great portobello mushroom sushi
  • disappoint cuisine didnt
  • good turkey meatballs
  • simply rude hosts
  • worst manager
  • enjoys healthy food
  • helpful peter
  • order cake
  • cold grilled cheese sandwich
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