10/18/09

Unfortunate experience

by Brerica

We had high aspirations after reading the other reviews, and decided to celebrate a special evening here. Being from the city, and living in the neighborhood, we ordinarily would not dine in the Times Square area. Once seated, we sat with an empty table for 20 minutes, until finally our server took our drink order. After another 10-15 min. we received our wine, water, and bread, only after asking for the last two items 3 separate times. Within moments our entrees were on our table before we even had a chance to toast the occasion. The food was decent, duck confit was tasty, however, for $28 a bit small. The Bolognese (a house “specialty”) was lackluster at best. When trying to leave ASAP, we specifically asked for change and waited 15 minutes until we reminded him we were waiting for change. He got $1!!! We eat out frequently and regularly tip 20%; for impeccable service (i.e. Antiqua Venezia, Spice Market, Degustation, Momufuku) as much as 25%. Mind you, I personally have worked in the food service industry for over 8 years, and would never have treated any table in the manner we were treated. Simply unprofessional, and disappointing!!!

• Pros: Decor/Live music
• Cons: Service

10/21/08

ı love this place...

by kileyyclm

I love this place. I've been 3 times, and have never been disappointed by my food/wine selections. The staff are very professional, and make helpful recommendations.

It's also extremely romantic inside and out, but unfortunately I've only been with girlfriends. If the boy took me here, I would TOTALLY make out with him after.

• Pros: staff,wine list,food

06/03/08

Fabulous venue for a small party--wedding or otherwise.

by suecunning

I had a small wedding at the last minute in July 2007. After researching a few different places that could accomodate a small group of less than 30 people a week before the wedding, we stumbled upon Chez Josephine's. What a find!! We couldn't have asked for better food, atmosphere, or staff for our special day. We used the room upstairs and the live piano music was piped through which just added to the ambience. They went the whole nine yards and created lovely personalized menus and scattered rose petals on the tables. Our friends and family had a great time and the cost of everything fell way below our budget. If I was to do it all again I wouldn't change a thing. The portraits of Josephine Baker and the candlelit, relaxed atmosphere made us feel like we were transported to a parisian caberet, right in the middle of 42nd street.

If you're planning a small party or just want a relaxed intimate dinner, I would highly recommend Chez Josephine. In fact, we plan to go back for our one-year anniversary.

05/14/08

Best resto in the neighborhood.

by RowHarry

The owner and staff always make you feel welcome. Food and service is wonderful! Not cheap but worth it.

• Pros: They speed up service based on your show time.

03/22/07

personality on 42nd street

by lex142

This is a bustling place with an excellent pianist. The staff is incredibly nice, friendly, smiling, fun, and efficient.....not hard on the eyes either. Pissaladiere was a little different, but wonderful and the confit was very good too.

• Pros: wonderful staff and atmosphere

01/17/07

The Reviews are Right!

by azatuhi

I love this restaurant. It has character, passion, and a beautiful ambience. The seafood is delicious, as are more classic french dishes such as onion soup. My date loved the dessert "Chocolate heaven". The service is great, albeit a bit rushed when it's later in the evening, (we were there until midnight). The kitchen closes at 1 am, a huge plus in the theatre district for a post-dinner meal. The most amazing parrt of the restaurant is the decor. It's stunning: red ceilings and walls, antique chandeliers, candles on every table, and a baby grand piano on which a musician plays through most of the evening. Perfect for a romantic evening, and not excessively expensive (about $140 for two with appetizers, wine, entrees and dessert).

• Pros: beautiful and romantic decor, great wine list, delicious seafood
• Cons: charcuterie is not perfect

12/09/06

A Definite Favorite!

by fey525

Chez Josephine is my absolute favorite restaurant in the city. It has never disappointed me. Jean Claude has always managed to find me a table on the few occasions my husband and I decided to drop in. It has been my restaurant choice for our anniversary celebration since I discovered it 5 years ago (we've been married for 6). The waitstaff is attentive and friendly, Jean Claude is treat and the live music is not deafening so you can have a meaningful conversation with the other members of your party. The food has never failed to make out mouth water, even though admittedly, there are a few "simple" things on the menu. If you're expecting snobby, chic, french then this is not the place for you. The atmosphere is warm, friendly and fun, The place is small, but diners are also friendly. The first year we went for our anniversary, we were serenaded by the pianist and we were heartily congratulated by everyone around us. Dessert has been comped 3 out of 4 times. It is a little expensive, but its money well spent in my opinion. I usually wake up the next day with dinner fresh on my mind. The chocolate heaven dessert is utterly divine! I recommend skipping the appetizer in favor of dessert.

• Pros: Awesome service, excellent food, great ambiance
• Cons: Small space (but not really a con imo)

10/12/06

Not worth your money

by jenny680

I dined here with a friend in June and it was NOT worth the money. I decided to try Chez Josephine based on the great reviews I've read but it did not live up to the hype. I ordered the escargot & duck confit. The escargot was flavorless and was NOT fresh. The duck was insipid as well and tasted as if it had been microwaved. It was apparent this food had been prepared earlier in the day. In a nutshell- Chez Josephine can only offer mediocre food. You're paying more for the entertainment and ambiance. If you want good French food, take your money and time elsewhere.

• Pros: Entertainment, Ambience
• Cons: Tasteless food

04/03/06

better than expected

by stranges

When the person you're with leans across the table and tells you she really likes this place, you know you made a good choice and hope the rest of the meal turns out to be as good. It did.

I had the filet au poivre, she had the duck. The tables are a little close together (which is ok because she can talk to me and listen to everyone else at the same time). The fellow to her right admired her dish, so she cut him off a piece of the just delivered and uneaten duck and placed it on his dish. The piano player kept playing until midnight - we had arrived after the show to eat there, so a late dinner was fine and the ambiance was great.

The service was great and unexpectedly professional and attentive, the people/guests were friendly and conversive.

We're going back.

11/29/05

Delicious French food - Great Wine

by chazdecker

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!!!

• Pros: Food, Late Night