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All Reader Reviews of...

Chez Josephine

414 W. 42nd St., New York, NY, 10036
nr. Ninth Ave.
212-594-1925

Avg. Rating

9
Food: 9
Service: 8
Décor: 9
"Highly Recommended"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

88% would go back.

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Saturday Night at Chez Josephine

By PhilC on 2/22/2013

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

Here is the place to have a wonderful dinner before the theater. Service was exceptional from the time you step in the front door to a warm welcome, right until you leave the place feeling satisfaction from the whole pleasurable experience. Stepping back in time with soft notes of the beautifully played piano, we were escorted to the upstairs room with a perfect ambiance to enjoy a dinner and company. The French onion soup was the best I have ever had, and the calves liver plate was out of this world! At a very reasonable price this will be a regular for us. Glad to see there are still places to enjoy a diner with loved ones. Thanks to my in-laws for turning us on to the place!

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5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

I love this place!

By bettykat on 9/20/2012

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 9
  • Yes, I would go back!

Splendid place! My sister and I were treated like royalty. The food is delicious, the service impeccable, and Jean Claude is wonderful! He came and sat with us, enthusiastically chatting away, making us feel so welcome! I loved the 3 hours we whiled away at this wonderful restaurant! Next time I am in NY, its the first place I'll dine!

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11 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

It's a habit

By larrydewolfgang on 9/23/2010

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

The first time we ate at Josephine's, about 9 years ago, Jean met us and seated us, although it was busy and we did not have reservations. We found the place inviting and warm. But it was the service and food that sold us. Cold water was served within moments followed by French bread. Our order was prompt and delicious. However, the unobtrusive way the waiters persistently filled our glasses, brought bread and removed our empty dishes left our family with the impression that we had never experienced this level of service. Now we stop at Josephine's every time we visit the city and we have shared the restaurant with many of our friends. My wife, a Baltimore native, prefers the crab cakes to her home restaurant. I am leaving a review because I just signed on to make reservations and can not believe some of the negative posts about my favorite NYC restaurant. Bon Appetit at Josephine's. Larry W.

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51 out of 78 people found this review helpful.

resting on its laurels

By brerica on 10/18/2009

  • Overall Rating: 5
  • Food: 7
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 9
  • No, I would not go back!

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!!!

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81 out of 167 people found this review helpful.

By Accident, I stopped to eat

By sedan466 on 8/28/2009

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

First, the decor got my attention and then the gentleman playing the piano added a stageplay air to the room. I sat in the back against a draped wall and the food was out of this world. I am an advid soul food eater and this was a pleasant surprise! Gotta go again this fall.

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69 out of 151 people found this review helpful.

A taste of Paris, or French condescension?

By Davede234 on 8/16/2009

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 7
  • No, I would not go back!

While the initial greeting upon entering the restaurant was warm and pleasant, the service was not. Our waiter was exceedingly rude, from proclaiming with a sneer that my boyfriend was “not very French" when he declined additional bread, to pointing out that I did not place my knife in the correct position when I was finished with my meal. After eating, my boyfriend placed his credit card on the table so he would remember to ask for the check when our waiter returned. When our waiter did return, he glared at us, demanding to know what our hurry was. We explained that we had theater tickets and didn't want to be late, but our waiter pointed at his watch and haughtily scoffed that we still had 45 minutes before the show. He then whirled away, rolling his eyes and muttering under his breath as if we were completely ridiculous for wanting a quick meal. I would be remiss if I didn't add that this behavior was limited to the one waiter we had; unfortunately his behavior was enough to overshadow and ruin what would have been an otherwise friendly atmosphere. We will not be going back.

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79 out of 149 people found this review helpful.

Atmosphere par excellence

By chunkybeefstyle on 12/23/2008

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

Went before a Saturday show - noticed that it fills up quickly after 6pm. Interior decor and atmosphere are terrific and really made the evening. Menu boasts variety and rich flavors. Service could have been better, but the inviting geniality and attentiveness of Jean-Claude Baker made up for that shortcoming. A great start to the evening.

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78 out of 161 people found this review helpful.

Amazing...

By Joejup on 2/13/2008

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

What a wonderful place! My mother, sister and I enjoyed a fantastic meal, excellent wine and a cabaret show that brought down the house. This was recommended to me by a former NYC resident that hadn't gone to Chez Josephine in a dozen years. It was just as delightful as she remembered.

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148 out of 292 people found this review helpful.

not to miss

By azgliny226 on 6/9/2007

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

a beautiful oasis with an unexpected warmth from all of the staff, joy-producing decor,lovely music, good food, generosity of good humor,classy patrons,

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207 out of 399 people found this review helpful.

wonderful experience

By usemark on 4/18/2005

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 9
  • Yes, I would go back!

Food was delicious (lobster cassoulet, crab cakes, goat cheese ravioli, filet mignon, josephine's spaghetti, chocolate cake with swallows of port). Service was wonderfully attentive. Beautiful room. Don't be afraid to take kids, ours (10 and 16) really enjoyed it it.

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250 out of 521 people found this review helpful.

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