07/12/09

Nice place but

by Urms

the food was nice.. but the live Jazz band was too loud.. we had to scream to be heard and even then we were not able to hear each other.. also one of the waiters serving us for some reason did not want to help with our wine selection..

• Pros: Good food
• Cons: very very loud music

02/14/09

Racism at Jules

by tamglup

We recommend that you pass this message on and do not go to Jules again. As a group of 4 African Americans we were provided a check that included gratuity on it (though the policy is such that this is only to happen with large parties). When I inquired, I was told that the waitress thought that we were "foreigners." To make matters worse, tables that had received the check around us (which were filled with non-people of color) did not have this amount placed on their check. We have eaten at Jules for years--and tipped generously--yet, we will never eat there again and encourage you to go to one of the many other delicious, and inclusive french bistros in the city.

12/04/08

French Bistro with a real Parisian feel!

by reallypicky

What can I say? I come to Jules maybe six times a year now because I have kids and live in midtown. I've spent my younger days eating all over St. Marks and the East Village and Jules is just one of those places that has kept the food, staff, music and all around vibe great and in tact. I love this place! These days I go more for brunch and I had a great meal there a few weeks ago, I even remember the band, "Lip Bone", an amazing jazz dude that plays horn...ahhh, without a horn. What more can you ask for? Great food, a decent wine list and they're even spotting great music for us. Oh_and if you go alone, just bring a copy of your favorite Henry Miller book...that will really complete the vibe.

Hey whatever happened to Uri? The fantastic wigged out accordian player that played everything from Bach to Bond? See you there!

• Pros: Food, service overall vibe
• Cons: none for me

11/07/08

Great French Bistro

by PMelanie

This is a authentic French bistro with usual flavors but with good execution. Onion soup was delicious and also steak frites. Their wine selection is very good.

It is packed with little accessories which may be too much strain on the eye, but it is comfortable. Service is OK

• Pros: onion soup,wine list

09/12/08

Great Spot in the East Village!

by citilivin

I live in the neighborhood and have been going to Jules for several years now. They always have a great jazz band in the evenings and we take our of town guest regularly. Their menu is authentic french cuisine and they have a great wine list. We really enjoy their bunch as well on the weekends when you can sit outside. Definitely an East Village gem!

• Pros: Live Jazz, WIne list, Brunch

03/12/08

One of the Most Disturbing Dining Experiences I Have Ever Had.

by firecrkr05

So, I had a good friend come to the city and 5 of us decided to try Jules Bistro. We made reservations, arrived on time, ordered multiple bottles of wine, extra drinks, appetizers, entrees, and dessert. We consumed a full, what was fun, meal. Music was too loud for my taste but I guess some people like that. So the bill comes, we pay, tip the full 20% and then the manager walks over and asks us to leave the table because he has another party waiting. By now, it is 11pm. My friend had just paid the bill not 5 minutes before. Now, I have been asked to get up from tables at busy restaurants before, but never have I been asked to get up from a table after spending upwards of $90 (individually) on a dinner that was mediocre at best. My friend responded quite calmly, "We'll get up when we're done." The manager launched into a tirade claiming we had been sitting there too long (of course, this is conveniently AFTER we had paid the check). After the manager literally got in my friend's face (complete with accidental spitting), my friend finally lost her cool and proceeded to tell him how rude he was being. He then snatched everything off the table and told us to "never come back again...I don't ever want to see you in my restaurant again...get out." I was stunned. In fact, as a woman, I have never had a man be so verbally abrasive to me. It was actually quite strange how rude, abrupt and combative the man was in public and as a supposed figureheard of the restaurant. The only funny thing was, no one else in the restaurant noticed the melee because it was SO LOUD in there. Would NEVER go back nor would I recommend this place to anyone else who wants a pleasant meal without spitting managers.

• Cons: inexplicably rude manager

02/19/08

Major Service Issues

by barkleycat

What I thought would be a promising restaurant turned out to be a poor experience. The steak frites I ordered medium rare was entirely gray and inedible. When I informed the waitress, she insisted medium rare meant a dull pink pinpoint in the very center of the steak, and then she walked away without waiting for my response or offering to check with the chef. I am not a food critic, but I know enough to know what is medium rare. Despite eating none of my steak, the waitress refused to do anything to remedy the situation. I had to call the manager who nicely offered to not charge us. Even if the cooking of the steak was not the waitress' fault, she should have at least tried to do something about my complaint. The restaurant itself is pleasant but not a 3-star restaurant, but then again is not Sizzler and I expect some decent measure of service. After I talked to the manager, the waitress gave us champagne - too little too late.

• Pros: Cute space.
• Cons: SERVICE!!!!!

01/29/08

tipping advice

by friendlyadvisor

uh... this is a friendly reply to the review below. well, how do i say it...... the average tip is 18 to 20% (that is if you enjoyed your dinner and service was good). if you had any problems with your waiter - then you can leave him/her less.

sorry, but 10% on a bill that was higher than 100$ - that is just not right........

01/22/08

had a great brunch

by tubapower

My mom was visiting me in the city so I was looking for a life music brunch.

(you know, you wanna offer out of towners something special...:)

Jules was just right for us: good music and a not too expensive menu. (eggs for $9, most expensive dish the steak for $18)

I had the mussles and they were excellent. Also I found the music was not too loud, I was prepared for it;)

Even we made a reservation we had to wait 20 minutes to be seated but the service was really good as the food was.

as to the previews review: 10% tip for good service and great food? are you kidding me?

• Pros: great food, music, not too expensive
• Cons: had to wait a little while

01/03/08

Very Disappointed

by rikki8

After walking by Jules Bistro many times, I finally decided to give it a try. Not only was I disappointed with the food, but I was even more disappointed with the service. While my dinner companion was eating his appetizer, the waiter brought out his main dish! We felt totally rushed throughout the meal in a restaurant that was at most half-full. I ordered the Steak Tartare, and the meat was somewhat tough, and not that fresh. The french fries were good though. The jazz was a nice touch, but its volume was definitely on the louder side. I would not go back.

• Pros: Nice space
• Cons: Food not fresh, Rushed service