Jojo Restaurant

The Scene – This narrow, ornate restaurant is a quintessential East Side scene, with flurries of post-museum, pre-theater Europeans and lacquered dowagers sipping exacting martinis. The young, skilled staff operates with a refreshing lack of stiffness, putting both special-occasion diners and regulars at ease, despite the handicaps of the somewhat awkward space. – – The Food – Seemingly simple dishes, such as roast chicken and broiled fish, are given a veneer of nobility with careful French techniques and eclectic flavor inspirations from Asia and the Middle East.…

Read full featured review

Editor's Tips

Extras:: Visit Jean-Georges' eponymous restaurant on the Upper West Side.
Lunch Spot:: Offered every day, a $24.07 lunch deal lets you pick two small plates and a dessert.

Write a Review

User Reviews (34)

ambiance	87.5% positive	“The decor was plush and inviting and the place was busy-- a good sign that people like the food.” “would definitely go back, but not for a romantic dinner.” “did enjoy the whole dining experience though, tasty food, wine and great ambience.” “If you wanna splurge a little go for the ambience - you'll leave with a satisfied stomach and happy tastebuds.” “Nice decor.” “The food wasn't unapproachable like some places in NY-- the combinations were creative but they made sense and were comfortable to eat.” “The atmosphere was also very nice and the service was good, but this is not a restaurant where you have a quick meal.” “The ambiance at dinner was fabulous.” “Those who have never worked in this business might complain about seating, but in a cozy place like this, seating's a science.” “had the most romantic evening last night at Jojo.” “We were seated immediately without any wait, service was impeccable and the dining room romantic.” “Very romantic, but not hushed.” “The townhouse atmosphere is intact and each small dining room has a cozy and intimate feeling.” “The food, while very good, was not amazing, service was poor, and I found the atmosphere sort of depressing!” “The food was great, the service was great, and the ambiance was great.” “Great food, but stuffy atmosphere”
dessert	100.0% positive	“lovely passion fruit puree in a meringe shell for desert was a perfect ending.” “The wine list was very affordable with nice selections and the desserts were all fabulous.” “Her banana praline cake for dessert was divine.” “The chocolate cake was especially good.” “Don't miss the Black Bass over carrot confit with cumin and cilantro and the warm chocolate cake!” “The summer vegetable tasting menu is fantastic and the four courses offer just enough food - so that you can actually enjoy each course, and still have room for dessert.”
drinks	91.66999816894531% positive	“We really enjoy wine and our server guided us to a very nice bottle that was a good value.” “The wine list was very affordable with nice selections and the desserts were all fabulous.” “Weekends are very crowded, and we had to wait 30 minutes even with a reservation- but they were almost overly apologetic and a drink on the house in the tiny wisp of a bar made the wait acceptable.” “did enjoy the whole dining experience though, tasty food, wine and great ambience.” “we were promptly seated; the food was great; the drink was not bad and the server was nice however not very attentive as I needed to ask for water several times.” “The bartender made a great french martini though while we waited, as I got a dozen dirty stares from the overage snotty crowd in the broom closet size front bar.”
food quality	85.9000015258789% positive	“The summer vegetable tasting menu is fantastic and the four courses offer just enough food - so that you can actually enjoy each course, and still have room for dessert.” “The food here is good, but service and attention to comfort is horrendous.” “This is a great little, room with delicious food.” “One of my friends commented that she'd had the "best steak of my life.” “The second course, a "goat cheese fondue" was nice, but nothing extraordinary, the main course, a porcini mushroom tart tasted great, but was a little on the soggy side.” “The atmosphere was also very nice and the service was good, but this is not a restaurant where you have a quick meal.” “The warm asparagus salad is exquisite and the swordfish with carrots and cumin is just out of this world.” “The food, while very good, was not amazing, service was poor, and I found the atmosphere sort of depressing!” “The food was good but nothing to brag about.” “The salmon was memorable.” “Terrible service; the worst steak I've eaten in NYCity.” “The tuna spring rolls and the lamb dish were especially good.” “Horrendous service, good food.” “For a three star restaurant, it delivered good food and diner-style service!” “The food was great, the service was great, and the ambiance was great.” “had the chicken, and it was a little dry, but the steak my husband had was delicious.” “My friend thought his food was fantastic.” “Warm and comfy with very good food” “My three friends and I cleaned our plates-- the food is wonderful and rather interesting.” “the food was good.” “Great food, but stuffy atmosphere” “and the food was absolutely delicious.” “Our appetizers were tasty and our entrees were delicious-- especially the sauces.” “Worst of all, the steak was so gritty and fatty - it was honestly the worst steak I have ever had.” “... good food” “did enjoy the whole dining experience though, tasty food, wine and great ambience.” “Our server recommended our whole meal and was right on the mark with our tastes.” “The food is affordable considering it's fine dining in NYC--and it IS phenomenal food.” “These dishes were both very flavorful and cooked to the salmon was cooked to perfection!” “we were promptly seated; the food was great; the drink was not bad and the server was nice however not very attentive as I needed to ask for water several times.” “excellent food, little elbow room” “The food was great, but not outstanding.” “The baked salmon (with mashed potatoes and a truffle balsamic reduction) was perfect.” “The food was good but you could probably get more bang for your dollar somewhere else.” “My dish, venison was delicious but still, not out-of-this-world.” “The decor was plush and inviting and the place was busy-- a good sign that people like the food.” “My family and I had dinner at Jo Jo last night and we all thought that the food was excellent.” “The food wasn't unapproachable like some places in NY-- the combinations were creative but they made sense and were comfortable to eat.” “The fish my wife had was cold and runny (Black Sea Bass).”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“My first course of the vegetable tasting menu (a bargain at $45) which was wonderful- a very rich and refined version of butternut squash.” “The wine list was very affordable with nice selections and the desserts were all fabulous.” “The summer vegetable tasting menu is fantastic and the four courses offer just enough food - so that you can actually enjoy each course, and still have room for dessert.”
overall	100.0% positive	“The atmosphere was also very nice and the service was good, but this is not a restaurant where you have a quick meal.” “overall very nice casual french place.”
return potential	100.0% positive	“The restaurant itself was very elegant, but I wouldn't go back again.” “With smiley servers, and acceptable prices I would come back anytime and recommend it for anyone.” “would definitely go back, but not for a romantic dinner.”
service	81.57999992370605% positive	“The food here is good, but service and attention to comfort is horrendous.” “For a three star restaurant, it delivered good food and diner-style service!” “The decor was plush and inviting and the place was busy-- a good sign that people like the food.” “Service was attentive and flowed just right.” “We were seated immediately without any wait, service was impeccable and the dining room romantic.” “we were promptly seated; the food was great; the drink was not bad and the server was nice however not very attentive as I needed to ask for water several times.” “The service was horrible!” “Our server recommended our whole meal and was right on the mark with our tastes.” “With smiley servers, and acceptable prices I would come back anytime and recommend it for anyone.” “The food was great, the service was great, and the ambiance was great.” “The atmosphere was also very nice and the service was good, but this is not a restaurant where you have a quick meal.” “The food, while very good, was not amazing, service was poor, and I found the atmosphere sort of depressing!” “We really enjoy wine and our server guided us to a very nice bottle that was a good value.” “was seated on time and service was helpful.” “Terrible service; the worst steak I've eaten in NYCity.” “Horrendous service, good food.” “the service was impeccable.” “... service wasn't bad either” “The bartender made a great french martini though while we waited, as I got a dozen dirty stares from the overage snotty crowd in the broom closet size front bar.”
value	88.88999938964844% positive	“We really enjoy wine and our server guided us to a very nice bottle that was a good value.” “The food is affordable considering it's fine dining in NYC--and it IS phenomenal food.” “Overall excellent value given the quality of the chef.” “Good price good value.” “The food was good but you could probably get more bang for your dollar somewhere else.” “Not worth the money or the ridiculous wait.” “The wine list was very affordable with nice selections and the desserts were all fabulous.” “With smiley servers, and acceptable prices I would come back anytime and recommend it for anyone.” “And the most amazing fact is that the prices are stunningy reasonable for such true gourmet fare.”
wait time	100.0% positive	“Weekends are very crowded, and we had to wait 30 minutes even with a reservation- but they were almost overly apologetic and a drink on the house in the tiny wisp of a bar made the wait acceptable.” “The atmosphere was also very nice and the service was good, but this is not a restaurant where you have a quick meal.”

12/14/09

The Good, The Bad.....

by missyg12

My friends and I were looking for a place to get together and have brunch as sort of a holiday thing. I looked online for brunch deals and came accross Jojo which I'd read had a fabulous brunch which for 26 dollars you got 2 items (either appetizer OR entree, OR you could get 2 apps, or 2 entrees) AND you got dessert. 26 in my opinion is a lot for brunch, but this definitely sounded worth it.

Everything was absolutely beautiful. The decor, the ambience, the service, the food.....It was the nicest brunch I'd ever had in the city, ever. That is the good.

The bad? I made the apparent tragic mistake of drinking with my brunch; 2 glasses of chardonnay. My bad. When the bill came and my friends tallied it up I had to pay 72 dollars. No, not a typo. 72 dollars elevated from the initial investment of 26 dollars that was advertised. The difference between 72 and 26? is 42 dollars. In other words I paid 42 dollars more for 2 f'ing glasses of wine. ABSURD!!!! Why are 2 glasses of wine almost double the cost of my lunch???? To add insult to injury when I laid down my credit card to pay my share (my firends had paid cash) they took a second look at the bill and said "oops, we made a mistake" and asked me if I had any cash on me because apparently they UNDER estimated the bill with tax/tip. I said I don't. and honestly felt I'd paid enough.

I honestly felt like a sucker, but I guess I should realize that you don't get something for nothing.

So the bottom line is this; you want a truly fabulous meal at a John Georges restaurant? You wanna brunch "deal" GO to Jojo. It's amazing, but do NOT, NOT NOT NOT order any alcohol because you will be raped.

Pros: Beautiful Space, Unbelievable Food/Service
Cons: Absurdly Expensive

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

12/09/09

Always incredible

by sfrucht02

Of course Jean Georges knows how to do it right. The flavors on this menu are simply heaven. From the fois gras brule to the short ribs, I adore this place. I must admit, we were the only couple there that night who were under age 50. The couple beside us even joked with us about it. But I'd go back in a heartbeat.

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

10/15/09

Not worth going uptown

by rsamson718

the food was good. way too stuffy.

Pros: Looks better than in the pictures
Cons: Only grandparents and trustafarians at the restaurant

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

08/28/09

it's a very charming room

by lex142

This is a great little, room with delicious food. They know how good they are and don't hesitate to charge for their competence. So it's unfair that I should have to sit there with an empty wine glass.

Pros: unique, cozy room, great food

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

02/16/09

Oh Jojo!

by heenneeh

I had the most romantic evening last night at Jojo. The decor was plush and inviting and the place was busy-- a good sign that people like the food. We really enjoy wine and our server guided us to a very nice bottle that was a good value. Our appetizers were tasty and our entrees were delicious-- especially the sauces. The food wasn't unapproachable like some places in NY-- the combinations were creative but they made sense and were comfortable to eat. Service was attentive and flowed just right. We will definitely be back. This is the kind of place that I could see myself going on a regular basis.

Pros: service, close to subway

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

Write a Review

See more Jojo Restaurant reviews

The Details on Jojo Restaurant

As Seen In…

New York

Brunch

Jojo Restaurant

Hours:

Price:

Category:

Payment Methods:

Restaurant Special Features:

Cuisine:

Notable Chef:

Other Locations:

What People Are Saying About Jojo Restaurant

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

Editor's Tips

User Reviews (34)

12/14/09

The Good, The Bad.....

by missyg12

12/09/09

Always incredible

by sfrucht02

10/15/09

Not worth going uptown

by rsamson718

08/28/09

it's a very charming room

by lex142

02/16/09

Oh Jojo!

by heenneeh

The Details on Jojo Restaurant

Place Categories:

As Seen In…

New York

Things To Do Nearby Jojo Restaurant

Featured In

Neighborhood Guide: Upper East Side Restaurants

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

Blackstones Pub & Restaurant

La Zarza Restaurant

Luce Restaurant & Enoteca

Nasha Rasha Russian Restaurant & Vodka Bar

More Info

Contact

More Navigation

Partner Sites: