Elizabeth P

Had a wonderful lunch for restaurant week today. Highly recommend with a great menu and absolutely delicious food. Menu for restaurant week includes one appetizer, one main course and dessert. The Country Pâté, grilled quail and steak frites were all a 10/10! So flavorful and delightful. The restaurant itself has such high end beautiful decorated Paris vibes. Spectacular for pictures and special events. I will definitely be returning for a date night!

+6

Updating my review for one of my favorite restaurants in New York, Chez Josephine! This time, I came to celebrate my birthday (New Year's baby!) as a solo diner.\n\nI had a 7pm reservation, but was r…

Ambiance, service and food was 5 stars. The onion soup was one of the better one's I have ever had. It had the right balance of flavor with deep richness expected from a French Onion Soup. The Duck L…

ambiance, service and food was 5 stars. The onion soup was one of the better one's I have ever had. It had the right balance of flavor with deep richness expected from a French Onion Soup. The Duck…

Ambiance, service and food was 5 stars. The onion soup was one of the better one's I have ever had. It had the right balance of flavor with deep richness expected from a french onion soup…

Ambiance, service and food was 5 stars. The onion soup was one of the better one's I have ever had. It had the right balance of flavor with deep richness expected from a French Onion Soup. The Duck…

Very good service at the bar! Sensitive to get us out in time for Broadway show. French, artistic ambiance. Food was delicious!

Very good service at the bar! Sensitive to get us out in time for Broadway show. French, artistic ambiance. food was delicious!

Charming atmosphere. Excellent service and nicely prepared meals. Some very yummy French wine selections.

Easily snagged a 6pm reservation for a Friday night on Resy - early dinner to ensure we'd make our 8pm theater reservation. \n\nThe spot was way cuter than I expected. Gave me Raoul vibes. Everyt…

The oyster and Velvet Martini were divine! We had not been back since 2022. It has been a long time, but miss the vibe. The Duck A la Orange and wild rice, with a plentiful side of Asparagus was th…

We made a reservation and came in very early for dinner before 5 o'clock show. The restaurant was pretty empty when we arrived, but everyone was super friendly. It's a beautiful restaurant and we w…

I recently had the opportunity to dine at Chez Josephine. The restaurant did not disappoint! very professional and friendly staff, fantastic food, and a live piano player who was spectacular! I would…

I recently had the opportunity to dine at Chez Josephine. The restaurant did not disappoint! very professional and friendly staff, fantastic food, and a live piano player who was spectacular! I wou…

I recently had the opportunity to dine at Chez Josephine. The restaurant did not disappoint! very professional and friendly staff, fantastic food, and a live piano player who was spectacular! I wou…

Outstanding food and fascinating location! The French Onion soup was the best we've ever had, the Escargots à la Bourguignonne and the bread they served with it were wonderful, and the Belgian Endiv…

Outstanding food and fascinating location! The french onion soup was the best we've ever had, the Escargots à la Bourguignonne and the bread they served with it were wonderful, and the Bel…

Food and service were very good. I had the pate, steak and cheesecake. Along with a bottle of French wine this was a lovely experience. Can’t wait to come back.

Food and service were very good. I had the pate, steak and cheesecake. Along with a bottle of French wine this was a lovely experience. Can’t wait to come back.

Food and service were very good. I had the pate, steak and cheesecake. Along with a bottle of French wine this was a lovely experience. Can’t wait to come back.

We had the most beautiful dinner here last Monday night, it is such a gorgeous restaurant with the perfect ambiance, there was a piano player there playing fabulous music at the right temp, wonde…

This was an awesome place. service was great. Food was amazing! It is a beautiful tribute to Josephine!! Piano music played by a very accomplished pianist entertained us the entire time we were th…

After theatre dinner. Crab cakes, duck and trout amandine were all delicious. Service was attentive after a long night. The wine by the glass was well chosen.

Located in Times Square district, Chez Josephine is a “ must do” ! We lucked out and we’re able to obtain a table for brunch- strongly recommend a reservation! Art Deco and a gifted pianist welcome…

Went here with my granddaughter for lunch before The Lion King. The ambiance was wonderful and the food delicious. Our waiter was the best. We can’t wait to return.

Went before a show at the theatre next door. Atmosphere is a little kitschy and dated, but also cute and charming at the same time. Food was pretty good, I wouldn't say outstanding (I had pork chop), drink from the bar WAS excellent, as was the house Merlot. Prices were a little high for the quality of the food, but again, it was good, just not quite excellent. Waitstaff was very helpful and friendly, and the host came to check on my several times, which was appreciated.

We went to a French restaurant called Chez Josephine on 42nd Street in Hell’s Kitchen. The atmosphere was nice—dim lighting with red lamps and soft piano music, which gave it a cozy vibe. The staff and guests were friendly. We ordered lobster soup, steak, and lamb, but honestly, none of them really impressed us. For a French restaurant, the wine selection felt pretty limited, but we did find a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2016, which ended up being the highlight of the night. Desserts were fine—nothing special, but not bad either. That pretty much sums up the place overall. The prices felt a bit higher than what the food quality justified.

Popped in for a pre-show drink on a Sunday evening. The restaurant was busy but it was lovely to sit at the bar and enjoy the live music played at the piano in the centre of the room. Both cocktails were delicious, but the bakertini was a particular favourite.

Chris Fitzmaurice

The trout almondine was very tasty! Done to perfection. My companions enjoyed their meals with the exception of the potato croquettes which were barely warm which was very disappointing. I was also not impressed with our waiter who gave the impression that our questions were irritating you to him. When I requested information on choosing a wine, he spoke very rapidly and I got a slight eye roll when I asked him to repeat himself. I am not typically a wine drinker however with this cuisine I thought it would be appropriate to drink wine and requested a semi-sweet or dry but not very dry. In a restaurant such as this I thought that that my waiter would be able to advise me. I was mistaken. Also I do not like to be constantly bothered by the wait staff but I do appreciate at least one visit to inquire as to whether my food was served to my satisfaction. Our waiter dropped off our food and came back when we requested the check. The Maitre D was much more attentive and pleasant then our waiter and provided us with salt and extra napkins as we requested. Our water glasses were also kept full at all times! We appreciated this very much as we are all water drinkers!

Happy CG

It’s lovely for the ambience. Very romantic. Perfect mood lighting with candles on every table. Lovely unique decor inspired by the famous French American dancer Josephine Baker. The music was lovely, including the live piano as well as recorded music, it was just the right level to not be too loud that you can’t hear your companion, but loud enough that your conversation felt private and you couldn’t hear other diners. The food was not the greatest and quite expensive considering the portion and the quality. So I would not go if you’re looking for good French food.

Justin Pinchback

Nice quaint french place tucked away on 8th street. The menu has some nice French items and a brasserie feel, although the live piano kicks it up a notch. The French onion soup is worth getting and anything that came from the bar was good. This spot has been here since the 1900s, check it out!

+2

Ghassan Shamseddine

I was on a business trip with my colleague and arrived late to manhattan. Chez Josephine was our choice and it was a walking distance from the hotel where we were staying. The place was empty and probably because we were late for diner time - close to 10pm Nice staff although I was expecting French waiters or waitresses :) I ordered the steak and my colleague ordered onion soup and tuna tartar and we both had good wine. The food was very good. My colleague decided to order desert (profiterole). It was a turn off and wished they didn’t order it. The waitress discounted the price of the desert, which was a good start. If I were her, I would have removed it altogether. She said because you ate most of it (I don’t think this is a factor). In the background a guy was playing piano and singing. It was a nice to hear some Beatles and oldies there.

+2

Jocelyn Lee

A cute hidden French restaurant off of the main touristy area. We tried the restaurant week menu. The food was good however I thought the coq au vin dish was rather small. Not to mention there were only 2 of each vegetable in it (mushroom, carrot, pearl onion). The steak was tasty and cooked perfectly. We had the pâté and beet salad as an app and the poached pear for dessert. I wouldn't come here for a quick bite as the service was a bit slower. While the restaurant is small, it was rather busy (maybe 20-25 people) and there were only 2 servers for the whole place. It was tough to get attention but they were nice and working hard to accommodate everyone. I would be interested to come back when I have more time and try other items on their menu.

Oi Lin “Chinagirl568”

9/21/24 Chez Josephine is a charming French restaurant that has long intrigued me. Finally, after years of walking by, I had the opportunity to dine there. The interior is beautifully decorated, evoking the glamorous Parisian atmosphere of Josephine Baker's era. French Onion soup - rich and flavorful, though a bit sweeter than I expected. The cheese was perfectly melted and formed a delicious, crispy top. Grilled Octopus - full of flavor, though I found it slightly chewy. Duck a l'Orange - cooked to perfection and had a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors. Seafood Casserole - a bit of a disappointment. While it was tasty, it was more like a soup than a casserole, and the seafood was slightly overcooked. The service was impeccable. Our servers, Ulises, Mayra, and Ariel, were attentive and knowledgeable, making our dining experience even more enjoyable. Overall, Chez Josephine is a delightful restaurant that captures the essence of Parisian cuisine. While there were a few minor hiccups, the overall experience was enjoyable, and I would definitely recommend it to others.

+3

Pork chop was very good. Waiter was a nice guy. atmosphere was good, and was close to theater.

Thoroughly enjoyed my meal. To start with the house wines are delicious and served in an ample glass. I had an Alsace Riesling. For appetizer I went with tuna tartare and finished with a red snappe…

Thoroughly enjoyed my meal. To start with the house wines are delicious and served in an ample glass. I had an Alsace Riesling. For appetizer I went with tuna tartare and finished with a red snap…

It's better to come here in a group when you are spending larger amounts of money. I made a reservation 2 months in advance and was seated near the exit because I was alone. This is a beautiful pla…

It's better to come here in a group when you are spending larger amounts of money. I made a reservation 2 months in advance and was seated near the exit because I was alone. This is a beautiful pla…

Solid food for a solid price. Amazing atmosphere and a great vibe for a pre-show dinner. Good drinks and great piano music. It definitely feels like a hidden gem in the chaos of 42nd street.

30 years later and missing the fantastic flamboyant owner it still remains a good spot in a strange but improving part of Time Square. We were in the neighborhood for an off broadway show and went in…

Was happy to see Chez Josephine still running strong after all these years. Kudos. Stopped there for brunch before heading over to the Circle Line Hudson River boat tour with family. Although I …

First of all the sanitary B on the door is already alarming. Secondly the dishes are overpriced for what the taste is, and I found my trout and the chicken we had between the two of us very bland. …

Thoroughly enjoyed my meal. Portions were decent, prices reasonable and the house wines are excellent and served in a generous glass. There really isn't anything not to like. The staff were atte…

Thoroughly enjoyed my meal. Portions were decent, prices reasonable and the house wines are excellent and served in a generous glass. There really isn't anything not to like. The staff were atte…

I have eaten here several times because of the ambiance decor and menu selection. Glad this veteran neighborhood restaurant is still around considering what COVID wreaked and the high cost of real…

It is not a good idea to come here alone. I made a reservation 2 months in advance and I was seated by an exit. I was told that I can sit closer if I had more people with me. The music was good and…

It is not a good idea to come here alone. I made a reservation 2 months in advance and I was seated by an exit. I was told that I can sit closer if I had more people with me. The music was good and…

Sydney Cichon

I had reservations at Chez Josephine and ended up running a little late, but they had no problem accommodating me and still seated us promptly, which I really appreciated. This was my fourth time dining here while visiting New York, and I’ve always found it to be a convenient option for grabbing a meal before a Broadway show due to its close proximity to the theaters. The main reason I continue to choose this restaurant is the atmosphere. I absolutely love the interior décor and the intimate, swanky feel of the space. The restaurant is themed after Josephine Baker, which adds so much character, and there is plenty to look at on the walls and throughout the dining room. I also really enjoy that they have a singer and piano player, which adds to the Broadway vibe and makes the experience feel special. Unfortunately, this visit had a few drawbacks. We were seated right by the kitchen entrance, which was very uncomfortable. We were tucked behind a divider with little view of the restaurant, and I was constantly being bumped into by servers and other guests walking by. For a party of three, it felt like a particularly poor table location. The restaurant is very dark, which does add to the mood, but just be prepared, if you have difficulty seeing, reading the menu will be a challenge. Our server was very friendly and attentive (I regret not catching her name), and service overall was good. As for the food, I’ll be honest: I mainly come here for the atmosphere and location, not the cuisine. The food is fine, but I’ve never found it to be anything special. My sister enjoyed her duck, and my stepmom was happy with her lamb… I tried both and thought they were good, but again, nothing standout. Unfortunately, I really did not enjoy my own meal. I ordered the tiger shrimp over pesto risotto with Brussels sprouts, and it was extremely bland. The risotto tasted like plain risotto with little to no pesto, the shrimp were large but fairly tough and lacking flavor, and the Brussels sprouts didn’t seem to be seasoned at all. The cocktail we ordered was okay, but fairly small for the price. Having dined here several times now and consistently feeling underwhelmed by the food, I think this may finally be my last visit. Chez Josephine is a great choice for atmosphere and convenience if you’re catching a show, but otherwise, it would not be my first choice for dinner in New York.

+3

Cindy W

This review is for Summer Restaurant Week 2024. As a resident of Hell's Kitchen, I had been looking forward to dining at Chez Josephine for some time. However, our experience during Restaurant Week lunch fell short. While the food presentations were impressive, the flavors were not memorable. The service was decent overall, but perhaps the Restaurant Week menu does not accurately reflect the restaurant's typical offerings.

+2

Pretty good French joint adjacent to Broadway, and near-ish to Hudson Yards. I had a prix fixe lunch: Beet salad, steak frites, and a panna cotta. The service was fair, with only one person working…

Pretty good French joint adjacent to Broadway, and near-ish to Hudson Yards. I had a prix fixe lunch: Beet salad, steak frites, and a panna cotta. The service was fair, with only one person wor…

Five former associates enjoying a quarterly luncheon. A slow start to the first glass of wine as one waiter was tending to three or four tables before their Wednesday matinees. The Prix Fixe menu w…

Five former associates enjoying a quarterly luncheon. A slow start to the first glass of wine as one waiter was tending to three or four tables before their Wednesday matinees. The Prix Fixe menu w…

Pros: beautiful space. Very nice staff. Great restaurant week deal\n\nCons: salmon had no seasoning at all. Restaurant was completely empty yet they sat us right next to the piano so we were yellin…

Went for brunch at this dowager restaurant in the theater district. The food was well prepared and you could have either a formal meal or more brunch items. They also offer a price fixed lunch for …

I have come here twice before once on my 18th birthday and now at 21. I ordered the escargot and the fusili pasta from the menu, then a creme brulee. It was my birthday and I was in a group of 5. The food was sub-par, but the fusili was the worst of the experiences I had with pasta, definitely not what I was expecting at all for a restaurant with that high of a history caliber. My friends and I all enjoyed our time, but when paying we asked if we can al pay our own plates that we fé and the waiter said no because that’ll take too much time and it’s easier to divide the money. Which that would make no sense because some totaled $40 while others over $80 but we all had to divide equally into 5. He didn’t have patience with us which was sad after we spent $300 on the restaurant. I figured it out with my friends later but that put stress on my guests and myself too with a simple correction could’ve fixed with absolutely no headache. Another point is that my reservation was for 7:30, but we all left close to 11. Each of us ordered about two plates each so leaving at that is outrageous. Overall, the ambience and the piano player made the night a night to to remember. Unfortunately, due to this occurrence I will no longer bring a large group of people to attend with me as they do not let us pay separately which is unfair. If looking for a place for two this is perfect for you, but unfortunately as it was my birthday this was not the experience I wanted. Good luck to you guys, please find a better waiter.

Overall, the experience was a bit mixed. The food was okay, but the price felt fair....with one appetizer and two entrées our total came out to about $55 per person including tax, which is reasonable. The atmosphere was lovely, and there was a pianist during dinner who was very entertaining. The restaurant also wasn’t too loud or overly crowded, which made it a nice place to sit and talk. The BIGGEST downside was the service. We asked just a couple of simple questions — what the server would recommend and whether one of the appetizers was popular/how it tasted — and the responses felt short, rude, and a bit sassy, which felt unnecessary. Another moment that felt unprofessional happened when we were paying at the table. We planned to leave the tip in cash, so we pressed $0 on the card machine. The person handling the payment immediately asked, “What was wrong with the service? Why are you not tipping?” When we explained that we were tipping in cash and pointed at it on the table, he just walked away. Before we even left the restaurant, he went straight to our table and counted the tip in front of other customers and servers, which felt awkward and unnecessary. The atmosphere and pricing were nice, but the service interactions unfortunately took away from the overall experience.

Zsunitya Braye

Hospitality should be about service and care. Hospitality is about creating a memory, a memory of how the chorus of a restaurant comes together to give you or your group a wonderful time with service, ambiance, and food prepared with love. You never know what someone or a group of people is experiencing when they come into your restaurant, but when the service and food lacks care and intention, the lack is felt for the whole experience. As they say "bitterness gets in the soup." It doesn't take a refined palate to taste when a dish is not done with care. So, long story short, I came to Chez Josephine seeking a peaceful dinner and I was ready to order the moon. I desperately needed some care and comfort. The bartender made my martini with love (thank you!), but the server forgot to order my salad for over 35 minutes. He saw me sitting there and not once in over 30mins did it occur to him to place my order with the kitchen. He admitted his mistake, and I reluctantly said ok bring out the order. It was the endive roquefort salad, which was made with zero care and not how it is described on the menu. After forgetting about me and my order, to send out a plate that isn't even to spec for the menu felt like an insult. Honestly, all I wanted was for a service person to care for me for one meal. I paid the entire check, tipped above 20%, and though the manager offered a glass of wine, why would I stay at a place that didn't care about me or the food they brought out to me? I'm so disappointed in the very low standard of service and the sad memories like this one that could have so easily been avoided with just a tiny amount of care--the bare minimum of hospitality. Please remember people are discerning, caring and that we can sense via taste and our hearts when there is no actual intention for us to enjoy the experience.

Dreadful food - was completely cold. Sent a new one and was still cold. Apparently manager couldn't do anything.. offered some snacks instead. Bear in mind thos was not a cheap event. Drinks took o…

Before my screed, one positive comment: the French onion soup was good. But it didn’t begin to atone for the other atrocities at Chez Josephine. We waited over an hour for three of our lunch ent…