Chez Josephine

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chazdecker

Joined 11 years ago

Delicious French food - Great Wine. Looking for the "typical" American dining experience (order within 5 minutes, leave in less than 1/2 hour) - dont go there. Want a great dining experience like in France of Italy - yes, make a reservation!!!

Food: well prepared, tasty, flavors fresh and appealing. Summer menu excellent value for money.

Wine List: Impressive wine list. Excellent selection of wines you don't find everythere (e.g. gems from South Africa). Some half bottles. Highly knowledgable, still not arrogant Sommelier. Some of the bottles attractively priced, others obviously too high (for those primarily focusing on prestige of wine).

Bar: great selection of Aperitives (they even know what Dry Sherry is) and Digestives. Impressive selection Single Malts from Scotland.

Overall dining experience: very relaxing. It is not about getting your stomach filled quickly, but enjoying the flavors in a nice, relaxing environment, and having great conversation in the meantime.

Overall: highly recommendable!!!

Doesn't Recommend

winnie37

Joined 8 years ago

How Disapointing!. I'm so sad. I really wanted to like this place. The food was mediocre, at best. two of my guest ordered the fried chicken. I had the NY strip au poivre, and one guest had th risotto with strimp. We all had wine. My pinot noir was moldy tasting. The steak, although cooked properly came with an odd tasting au poivre sauce. The fried chicken was unexplicably boneless and overly breaded. There is a very limited menu, and you would think the restaurant would be able to get it right. I did like the atmosphere. There was live music and sort of a dark bordello like decor. With really good food, this place would be an asset to the theatre district. The host Jean Claude, was a true NY experience in his red silk mandarin top and black leather pants. I wanted to love it, but the food ruined it.

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amlowellny

Joined 8 years ago

Paris dans Nouveau York!. If you can't be in Paris, Chez Josephine is a perfect substitute. From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, and you won't want to, everything about Josephine is magnifique. It is unforgettable in every way, from the attentive wait staff to the sinfully delicious food to charming Jean-Claude Baker himself. The music, live and recorded, is plus perfect from the talent of the pianist and his choice of tunes to the sound level which is so conducive to intimate conversation over the candlight.

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georgemccusker

Joined 9 years ago

Chez Josephine. My wife and I have been to Chez Josephie almost since it opened. Although not as frequently as we would like, each time we have been treated as a guest,not as a customer. Even just to stop for a drink and canape at the bar is a joy, and makes our trip to New York complete.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

A show before the show? Rococo bistro combines great fun with good food and nonstop music.. The Scene
Every night's a party at this flamboyant bistro in the Broadway theater district. The irrepressible host, Jean-Claude Baker, has created a living homage to his stepmother, Josephine Baker, the chanteuse who was the toast of Paris in the '20s. Broadway musicians occasionally drop in to take over the piano--Harry Connick Jr. was the house crooner here for a year--or break out in song.

The Food
Opt for the lusty specialties like choucroute garni(sauerkraut with white sausages and potatoes); boudin noir (pork and blood sausages) with sauteed apples, red cabbage and french fries; or goat cheese ravioli in a light veal stock. Steak au poivre can be tough one night, better the next. Standard bistro desserts hold few surprises, but they are satisfying, especially the textbook creme brulee and intense cappuccino mousse.

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jconcierge

Joined 9 years ago

A tribute to a legend .... Chez Josephine is not only an amazing restaurant that everyone of all styles of life dine but a restaurant that pays tribute to the late Josephine Baker. The owner/adopted son of the Josephine (Jean-Claude) sits with you and talks with you as if you are an old friend. The romantic atmosphere of the decor is perfect with the piano player in the background singing songs of yesterdays past. The meal is a sin because it is so good from the spaghetti and meatballs to the "mothers famous fried chicken". Josephine Baker would be proud to have her name on such an colorful restaurant.

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judi

Joined 9 years ago

My favorite. Chez Josephine is the epitome of what New York and New Yorkers are all about. It is a warm and friendly atmosphere with the nicest of people and finest of food! The service is topped by none other and it is my all time favorite. One of Manhattans best kept secrets!

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cclark7733

Joined 9 years ago

Wonderful Birthday!!. I hosted a small birthday party at the restaurant a few weeks ago and it turned out fabulous! The food was excellent and the service was wonderful. We sat next to the piano and it wasn't too loud. The pianist even took requests! By the way, he was the composer and singer for the music on the show The Wedding Story. Jean-Claude was the perfect host and we even bought his book on Josephine Baker (which he signed for all of us). I would highly recommend this restaurant for any occasion.

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bindonator

Joined 10 years ago

Beware..... First of all, there should be three $'s on this one. We didn't have alcohol oror dessert and our meal was almost $100 with tip for the two of us. The food was wonderful (I had grilled mahi mahi, my husband had the crab cakes). My meal was done perfectly, but the mashed potatoes were a bit salty. The lobster bisque was to die for! We were seated next to the piano and was not at all too loud for conversation. However, the tables are so close together that you can't have a conversation without sharing it with your neighbor. (There is only 3 inches between tables, literally! They have to pull out the table so you can sit down!) But, all in all, it was a great experience.

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saharasarah

Joined 10 years ago

Excellent!. I went to Chez Josephine last summer and it was excellent. When we arrived we were immediately seated. We had an EXCELLENT server who was very knowledgable about the restaurant and the city. Our food was great. There was even a guy who came around to wipe crumbs from the table. The owner walked around and talked to guests. Overall it was great and I cant wait to go back again! It was slightly overpriced but defintely not too bad.