Chez Josephine

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414 W 42nd St (at nr. Ninth Ave.)
New York, NY 10036

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(212) 594-1925
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Chez Josephine - New York, NY
Chez Josephine - New York, NY
Chez Josephine - New York, NY
Chez Josephine - New York, NY
Chez Josephine - New York, NY
Reviews
( 34 )
( 38 )
( 2 )
( 5 )
( 0 )

Best

In my opinion this is the best french restaurant in NYC. great service, great food, all great! my favorite? the lobster casoulette.

Worst

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 ...

A Must-See!!! 2/12/2004

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! more
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Wonderful Birthday!! 2/9/2004

I hosted a small birthday party at the restaurant a few weeks ago and it turned out fabulous! The food was excellent and the service was wonderful. We sat next to the piano and it wasn't too loud. The pianist even took requests! By the way, he was the composer and singer for the music on the show The Wedding Story. Jean-Claude was the perfect host and we even bought his book on Josephine Baker (which he signed for all of us). I would highly recommend this restaurant for any occasion. more
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Wonderful Birthday!! 2/9/2004

I hosted a small birthday party at the restaurant a few weeks ago and it turned out fabulous! The food was excellent and the service was wonderful. We sat next to the piano and it wasn't too loud. The pianist even took requests! By the way, he was the composer and singer for the music on the show The Wedding Story. Jean-Claude was the perfect host and we even bought his book on Josephine Baker (which he signed for all of us). I would highly recommend this restaurant for any occasion. more
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Beware.... 7/31/2003

First of all, there should be three $'s on this one. We didn't have alcohol oror dessert and our meal was almost $100 with tip for the two of us. The food was wonderful (I had grilled mahi mahi, my husband had the crab cakes). My meal was done perfectly, but the mashed potatoes were a bit salty. The lobster bisque was to die for! We were seated next to the piano and was not at all too loud for conversation. However, the tables are so close together that you can't have a conversation without sharing it with your neighbor. (There is only 3 inches between tables, literally! They have to pull out the table so you can sit down!) But, all in all, it was a great experience. Pros: food, ambiance Cons: expensive, tables too close more
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Beware.... 7/30/2003

First of all, there should be three $'s on this one. We didn't have alcohol oror dessert and our meal was almost $100 with tip for the two of us. The food was wonderful (I had grilled mahi mahi, my husband had the crab cakes). My meal was done perfectly, but the mashed potatoes were a bit salty. The lobster bisque was to die for! We were seated next to the piano and was not at all too loud for conversation. However, the tables are so close together that you can't have a conversation without sharing it with your neighbor. (There is only 3 inches between tables, literally! They have to pull out the table so you can sit down!) But, all in all, it was a great experience. Pros: food, ambiance Cons: expensive, tables too close more
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Excellent! 6/17/2003

I went to Chez Josephine last summer and it was excellent. When we arrived we were immediately seated. We had an EXCELLENT server who was very knowledgable about the restaurant and the city. Our food was great. There was even a guy who came around to wipe crumbs from the table. The owner walked around and talked to guests. Overall it was great and I cant wait to go back again! It was slightly overpriced but defintely not too bad. Pros: service, seating, food Cons: price more
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Excellent! 6/16/2003

I went to Chez Josephine last summer and it was excellent. When we arrived we were immediately seated. We had an EXCELLENT server who was very knowledgable about the restaurant and the city. Our food was great. There was even a guy who came around to wipe crumbs from the table. The owner walked around and talked to guests. Overall it was great and I cant wait to go back again! It was slightly overpriced but defintely not too bad. Pros: service, seating, food Cons: price more
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Spectacular! 3/20/2003

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! more
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Catch a show and Chez Josephine 3/15/2003

A great favorite right in the heart of the Theater District. Great food and live music. The kitchen is open until late. The staff is attentive and makes sure you get to your show on time. Try the layered apple, rhubarb crepe cake for desert. The Crème Brulee will make you think of 42nd street in a totally different way. Pros: great ambience, great life music, good value more
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Good clean fun 3/15/2003

This is a French bistro with a theme (Josephine Baker), that adds extra fun. The piano guy is good (if you really like that), and fairly unobtrusive if you can leave it. The food is more or less bistro standards and well done. Location good for the theater. Price is moderate. Lots of reasons to go; few not to. Not for those looking for a haute cusine experience. more
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Catch a show and Chez Josephine 3/15/2003

A great favorite right in the heart of the Theater District. Great food and live music. The kitchen is open until late. The staff is attentive and makes sure you get to your show on time. Try the layered apple, rhubarb crepe cake for desert. The Crème Brulee will make you think of 42nd street in a totally different way. Pros: great ambience, great life music, good value more
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Save Yorself a Trip 2/18/2003

This restaurant left everything to be desired, especially the food. For the money they charge you including a 20% gratuity which they include in your bill (Valentines Day evening) and the mandatory deposit they make you leave in addition to the inflated bill, you are better off going to Le Cirque. The food at Le Cirque runs circles around this dingy little classless dive and at Le Cirque, they will treat you like royalty for the same price they charge at Chez Josephine minus the rolling eyes, lack of service, and overall snobby attitudes. My girlfriend and I who have both lived in Paris for years went here for Valentines Day and were disgusted at the unimaginative, remedial quality of the food. It is a loud, crowded, overpriced place with bad entertainers, lousy waiters, bad food and bad attitudes! Save yourself the trip, you will regret it. Cons: Bad Food, Bad Service, Extremely Overpriced more
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Save Yorself a Trip 2/18/2003

This restaurant left everything to be desired, especially the food. For the money they charge you including a 20% gratuity which they include in your bill (Valentines Day evening) and the mandatory deposit they make you leave in addition to the inflated bill, you are better off going to Le Cirque. The food at Le Cirque runs circles around this dingy little classless dive and at Le Cirque, they will treat you like royalty for the same price they charge at Chez Josephine minus the rolling eyes, lack of service, and overall snobby attitudes. My girlfriend and I who have both lived in Paris for years went here for Valentines Day and were disgusted at the unimaginative, remedial quality of the food. It is a loud, crowded, overpriced place with bad entertainers, lousy waiters, bad food and bad attitudes! Save yourself the trip, you will regret it. Cons: Bad Food, Bad Service, Extremely Overpriced more
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wonderful place. 2/6/2003

i absolutely loved it. i felt welcomed as the owner got us special seats. there was hardly a wait for food and it was delicious. after our dinner the owner was very gracious to take a picture with me. i recommend to anyone to go to this restaurant if you want a taste of french new york. more
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Great food, but it's very expensive 2/5/2003

This restaurant should not be rated $$. If you plan to have a nice 3-course dinner, expect to pay $100 or more for 2 people. The cheapest entree is $18 with the average price of 22-23. The cheapest salad is $8. Deserts are $7. Soup is $7.50. If money is not an issue for you, this place is very nice and romantic, the service is good, and the food is very tasty. My other disappointment was that the desert some of the reviewers praised here (hot chocolate with ice cream) is only available on weekends. Pros: food, live piano music, romantic Cons: cost, the bread was cold more
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Great food, but it's very expensive 2/5/2003

This restaurant should not be rated $$. If you plan to have a nice 3-course dinner, expect to pay $100 or more for 2 people. The cheapest entree is $18 with the average price of 22-23. The cheapest salad is $8. Deserts are $7. Soup is $7.50. If money is not an issue for you, this place is very nice and romantic, the service is good, and the food is very tasty. My other disappointment was that the desert some of the reviewers praised here (hot chocolate with ice cream) is only available on weekends. Pros: food, live piano music, romantic Cons: cost, the bread was cold more
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Moulin Rouge Feel! 2/3/2003

My date and I went before the show. And we are locals just as a quick disclaimer, I know this area is a touristy place. But we had a blast! There was a crooner and then a duet piano/singer and trumpet player looking right out of the Roaring 20's or some Paris Montramarte avant garde time. The food was great! Best was the chocolate Bread Pudding with a warm chocolate sauce - oh man an orgasm of taste! We are social so the people so close to us was no problem, we just conversed with them part of the night. And the service! They take your show time down and make sure you get out of there in time even if it means putting you over somebody else. It was great! more
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Moulin Rouge Feel! 2/2/2003

My date and I went before the show. And we are locals just as a quick disclaimer, I know this area is a touristy place. But we had a blast! There was a crooner and then a duet piano/singer and trumpet player looking right out of the Roaring 20's or some Paris Montramarte avant garde time. The food was great! Best was the chocolate Bread Pudding with a warm chocolate sauce - oh man an orgasm of taste! We are social so the people so close to us was no problem, we just conversed with them part of the night. And the service! They take your show time down and make sure you get out of there in time even if it means putting you over somebody else. It was great! more
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tres excellent! 1/31/2003

We arrived at Chez Josephine after a visit to Broadway, and were not disappointed with the service nor the food! I understand that pre theatre can be a little hectic but as we arrived mush later we were seated promptly and had excellent service. Would recommend to friends most certainly. It's a very romantic restaurant but make sure you go on an empty stomach as the portions are large and rich! Pros: atmosphere, service, piano player Cons: rich food more
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tres excellent! 1/30/2003

We arrived at Chez Josephine after a visit to Broadway, and were not disappointed with the service nor the food! I understand that pre theatre can be a little hectic but as we arrived mush later we were seated promptly and had excellent service. Would recommend to friends most certainly. It's a very romantic restaurant but make sure you go on an empty stomach as the portions are large and rich! Pros: atmosphere, service, piano player Cons: rich food more
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Menu for Chez Josephine


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Come find "The soul of Paris in the heart of New York" at this romantic Theatre District landmark - Chez Josephine.

Owner Message

  • A tribute to legendary Josephine Baker, this Parisian bistro with live music and a tantalizing menu exudes theatrical panache. At Chez Josephine, one of New York's most romantic restaurants, a bit of Montmartre on 42nd Street, Jean-Claude Baker and Jarry Baker are your warm and welcoming hosts who treat guests as family. The eclectic menu at this New York City restaurant reinvents the traditional cuisine of the French American bistro. At anytime, you can experience what Jean-Claude Baker calls his "human cocktail" - a medley of celebrities, local color, and a loyal and devoted following from all over the world.

    Chez Josephine exudes theatrical panache in a seductive setting, complete with blue tin ceiling, red velvet walls and a cavalcade of chandeliers that light up vintage portraits of La Baker. Enjoy delectable dinner and brunch fare at this memorable NYC restaurant.

Editorial

  • The Scene
    Every night's a party at this flamboyant bistro in the Broadway theater district. The irrepressible host, Jean-Claude Baker, has created a living homage to his stepmother,...

  • 6/1/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Tues-Sat 5pm-1am; Sun 12pm-10pm
  • Payments: Diner's Club, Visa, Master Card, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Midtown
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