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Home > Restaurants > Chez Josephine

All Reader Reviews of...

Chez Josephine

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

8.6 "Highly Recommended"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10		 Write Your Own Review
85% Would you go back?
85% Would you take a date?
14% Would you take kids?
64% Would you go on business?
85% Would you go on a special occasion?
Food: 8.6
Service: 7.8
Décor: 9.5
Value: 7.8
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  • Showing reviews 1 through 10 of 14

resting on its laurels

brerica from 10018 | Posted on 10/18/09

Overall Rating: 3 (Not Recommended)
Would you go back? No
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 7
Service: 1
Décor: 9
Value: 5

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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3 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

By Accident, I stopped to eat

sedan466 from 20006 | Posted on 8/28/09

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 10
Service: 10
Décor: 10
Value: 5

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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2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

A taste of Paris, or French condescension?

Davede234 from 22192 | Posted on 8/16/09

Overall Rating: 4 (Not Recommended)
Would you go back? No
Would you take a date? No
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? No
Food: 8
Service: 1
Décor: 7
Value: 3

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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2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Atmosphere par excellence

chunkybeefstyle from 10065 | Posted on 12/23/08

Overall Rating: 9 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 9
Service: 7
Décor: 10
Value: 8

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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7 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

Amazing...

Joejup from 31324 | Posted on 2/13/08

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 10
Service: 10
Décor: 10
Value: 8

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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69 out of 136 people found this review helpful.

not to miss

azgliny226 from 11804 | Posted on 6/9/07

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? Yes
Would you go on business? No
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 9
Service: 10
Décor: 10
Value: 9

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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122 out of 242 people found this review helpful.

wonderful experience

usemark | Posted on 4/18/05

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? Yes
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 9
Service: 10
Décor: 9
Value: 8

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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171 out of 360 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful experience !! April 3, 2005

mclasslady | Posted on 4/5/05

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 10
Service: 10
Décor: 10
Value: 10

Love to travel and try new restaurants. This is one of the best I have ever experienced. The atmosphere,service and food were great. The Lobster Cassoulet will make you smile for sure. The host was very sweet and attentive. Will go back soon. Can not imagine a better restaurant in New York.

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138 out of 332 people found this review helpful.

A Must-See!!!

SueHusman | Posted on 2/13/04

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 9
Service: 10
Décor: 10
Value: 9

This place is unbelieveable! Such an escape from the hustle and bustle of NYC. Be sure to go on a night that Jean-Claude (the owner) and/or Lee (the manager) is working. Jean-Claude is a fantastic host and Lee has the charm of a saint (not to mention he's gorgeous). They are both reason enough to go, but throw the superior food and ambience into the equation and you have the perfect place to dine for any occasion!

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178 out of 361 people found this review helpful.

Spectacular!

nyc4life | Posted on 3/21/03

Overall Rating: 9 (Highly Recommended)
Would you go back? Yes
Would you take a date? Yes
Would you take kids? No
Would you go on business? Yes
Would you go on a special occasion? Yes
Food: 10
Service: 7
Décor: 10
Value: 9

From the point the friendly young man took my reservation to my walking out the door I felt like a VIP...With the exception of one of the hosts, Raymond, who seemed impatient and rude, the service, food, and ambience were absolutely wonderful...Chez Josephine is a must for New York City!

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152 out of 338 people found this review helpful.

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