Chez Josephine

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.

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.

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.

I'm going to need Google to expand its star rating system because 5 stars isn't enough! The restaurant was very dark, moody and romantic. We absolutely loved the live piano music, and we're so fortunate to be seated directly next to this very talented musician. The wait staff were very professional and attentive to everyone, even though it was a very busy night. This is a beautiful place for a date night.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Magical Evening at Chez Josephine Chez Josephine is a true gem that delivers an unforgettable dining experience from start to finish. The moment you walk in, you're transported into an atmosphere of timeless elegance—romantic, warm, and full of charm. Whether you're celebrating a milestone or simply enjoying a night out, this place sets the perfect tone. The service is impeccable. The staff are gracious, attentive, and genuinely invested in making your evening special. They strike the perfect balance between professionalism and warmth, making you feel like a cherished guest. The food? Absolutely divine. Every dish is a masterpiece. From the tender, flavorful meat paired with golden fries and rich sauce, to the stunning desserts that are as beautiful as they are delicious—Chez Josephine knows how to impress. One dessert came adorned with “Happy Anniversary” written in chocolate, a thoughtful touch that made the celebration even more memorable. Chez Josephine isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience. One that lingers long after the last bite. Highly recommended for anyone seeking exceptional cuisine, heartfelt service, and a setting that feels like a celebration of life itself.

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.

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.

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. I had a 7pm reservation, but was running late, and they were flexible and told me to come any time. Upon my arrival, I was seated by the piano. The pianist playing that night, Andrew Abrahamsen, was very talented. He played an eclectic mix of songs, including "I Will Survive," Disney's "When You Wish Upon a Star," and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." As the night went on, he played Happy Birthday for me, and went on a 90s Disney Renaissance spree, playing songs including "Go the Distance" from Hercules, "Out There" from Hunchback of Notre Dame, "Beauty and the Beast," and "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story. Ordered black tiger shrimp for my entree. It smelled wonderful, and especially peppery once the waiter added pepper to it. The risotto the shrimp sat on was also very delicious. I ended up taking this to go, and it still tasted great later on! For dessert, I chose the lemon tart brûlée with raspberry sorbet. It came with "Happy Birthday" written on the plate with chocolate, and a candle on the sorbet. As always, the ambiance and decor is very beautiful, with portraits of Josephine Baker to honor the revolutionary badass woman. Thanks for the great birthday dinner, Chez Josephine!

Easily snagged a 6pm reservation for a Friday night on Resy - early dinner to ensure we'd make our 8pm theater reservation. The spot was way cuter than I expected. Gave me Raoul vibes. Everything was made more charming with the old school piano player in the back. By the time we left the spot was filled with people pouring into street. I'll definitely be back for pre theater dinner

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'orange was perfectly Medium Rare and the flavors were perfectly balanced with the wild rice. Absolutely a must have if you are there. Desserts where delicate, but packed woth flavor. Must visit when you are in the area!

I went to Chez Josephine during summer Restaurant Week for a Friday night dinner with friends before catching Book of Mormon on Broadway, and it was such a fun spot! The vibe inside is lively and eclectic--think old French style with big, bold art pieces (lots of dramatic portraits and yes, a few glamorous nudes). Add in live piano music with jazzy renditions of contemporary songs and showtunes, and you really feel like you're in a unique, spirited little pocket of NYC. For Restaurant Week, it was $45 for three courses. I had the Country Pâté to start, the Chicken Paillard for my entrée, and the Mango Raspberry Mousse for dessert. Country Pâté - Came with celery rémoulade and cornichons. The pâté itself was a little drier than I expected, but paired nicely with the tangy accompaniments. (3.5/5) Chicken Paillard - Nicely cooked and well-prepared, topped with frisée and red wine vinaigrette. I did wish the chicken had a bit more seasoning, and the vinaigrette-to-chicken ratio felt slightly off, but overall it was tasty. (4/5) Mango Raspberry Mousse - This was the star of the meal! Light but indulgent, with a gooey raspberry center and crumbly base. The mango and raspberry flavors balanced perfectly. (4/5) Overall, the food was good (not mind-blowing, but solid for Restaurant Week), and the atmosphere with live music really makes the experience. I'd definitely come back, especially for the vibe before a Broadway show.

I went here as part of a farewell/retirement party for myself and another co-worker. I was leaving the place to go to a new place and she was retiring. So our coworkers took us to dinner. They chose Chez Josephine and I thought it was a cute little place. The restaurant is named after Josephine Baker an American dancer who spent a great deal in France. She adopted and raised 12 children - quite a busy woman. The restaurant is surrounded by paintings of her in her au-natural form. It was restaurant week when we went (something we didn't realize), but several of us went for it. Why not right? I don't remember what i got or what everyone else got but I can tell you that we all loved the food and we all said we'd go back. Also there's live music: a pianist was there playing jazz songs and made the vibe feel like 1920s Paris.

I went to this pretty popular pre-theater and post-theater French spot a good while ago with two others as they were seeing something soon and had an okay time overall. The ambience is very nice from the piano player in the background to the overall look and the staff was good as expected for an old school French place. They gave us some warm bread and butter to begin with which was decent quality. I had a cocktail and I honestly don't remember much outside of it having cognac and thinking that it was just alright though a bit unbalanced as there was a bit too much of a burn. To start I had the Maine Lobster Bisque for $18 which was alright. The stock could have been a bit richer and the pieces of lobster in there were decent though I wish they were larger chunks as that would have added more texture and more flavor. It was decent. I thought of also ordering the Lobster Cassoulet as my main but decided against it (which is why I got that lobster dishes as my appetizer.) My main dish instead was the Duck à l'Orange for $39 with orange glaze and wild rice. The duck portion was good though the meat itself was a tad too chewy. The orange flavor was a bit strong with the dish being slightly too sweet but thankfully it was not cloyingly so outside of the pieces of candied orange peel. The wild rice went with the dish. It was overall again decent. For dessert, I got the Bombe Glaceé Praline for $15. The dish had thin layers of ice cream with a layer of cake on the side which was a bit different than expected and was served with some whipped cream as well as a cranberry sauce. The ice cream was tasty with a good praline flavor while the raspberry sauce added some nice sourness. This was good and honestly the best dish of the night which for a French place is a big disappointing. I would write more but there's not much of note otherwise. If the food quality to any extent matched the ambience, this spot would be a home run but overall for the surrounding Theater District/Hell's Kitchen area, I would say this a lot worse than the pricier Chez Napoléon or Le Rivage and worse than the similarly priced Marseille or the other spots nearby. The description OK next to the Yelp 3 star rating fits this place perfectly unfortunately. Upper 2/low 3.

I passed by while walking down 42nd Street several times & it's such a cute space with an amazing prix fixe menu, so first chance I got I went in and I am so glad I did! The service was stellar, they brought my requested sparkling water & bread right away. When I asked if the pate was liver, they patiently explained that it wasn't liver, it was pork, and WOW it was amazing! The steak was cooked perfectly. I wasn't in the mood for the brown sauce on the steak, but it was very tasty so no biggie. The portions were just enough to leave me too stuffed to have the included dessert. I think I got a cocktail & liked it, but don't recall. The restroom , and actually the entire building, is done up very cute. I will definitely be back!

What a cute restaurant with good service for a pre-show dinner! We had the prefixe and it was nice. They have nice jazz music playing and a live piano player. The food was good and the wait staff was very friendly and gave suggestions on what to order. For anyone with mobility issues, the bathrooms are upstairs.

It's Restaurant Week, winter 2025. Allons-y a Chez Josephine! Pre-fixe or le prix fixe menu includes one appetizer, one entree, and a dessert for $45. Cocktails are $18 and offer a balanced, unique variety. Walking into Chez Josephine is a fever dream cabaret if Toulouse Lautrec was a designer and his sole muse was Josephine Baker. In the evenings there is live music. From roughly 9pm to 11 we had a pianist playing jovial and elegant recognizable tunes. He even through in What Is Youth, the theme song to the 1968 Romeo & Juliet - possibly a tribute to the late Olivia Hussey. This tells you roughly the expected crowd here, over 60 or theatre people. We started with cocktails. The Bakertini was beautifully decorated with a pattern of bitters on top of the egg white foam. This was light but had a decent kick. Absolutely a low sipper. For my meal, I went with the potato leek soup of the day, the steak frites, and paid an additional $19 for a lava cake, a la carte. I loved the soup and the lava cake, but the steak was way too chewy for my taste and challenging to cut. The sauce was perfectly seasoned and the right consistency. The plating was lovely. The sautéed onions added a nice texture to the dish. This was a perfect portion of fries for me. I find I'm always given too many fries and they end up being wasted. My friend actually took a few from the plate as well. A shareable is always enjoyable when in good company. The sauce was my favorite part of the dish. It absorbed right into my fries, which I love. My friend ordered the tomato mozzarella salad, the lemon sole, and a panna cotta from the Restaurant Week menu for ($45). The salad was a bit small for my liking. The plating was nice, but they could have added more greens. In comparison to the soup, this portion size was more amuse bouche. Unfortunately the waiter came over and let my friend know that they were out of the lemon sole. He substituted it with a trout instead. In the dim lighting her plate looked a bit flat and simple. I think they could do more to accentuate the lemon. She did enjoy the taste though. The panna cotta was rich and delicious. For a prix fixe meal $45 was a great price. The staff was also attentive and kept our water filled. They were friendly and made sure we had what we needed. I was even offered ketchup for my gravy fries, which I politely declined. This is located in the heart of the theatre district and around the corner from Port Authority. It's easy to walk to and it does give a wow factor when you walk in. I deducted a star for the texture of my steak and because they were out of the fish my friend wanted for dinner. Hopefully when we come back, the ingredients will have some improvements to make this a 5 star night!

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 the best duck I have had since the Four Seasons closed! My girl had the prix fix dinner that was advertised as 35 that wound up being 45, and loved her steak. The bartender was impressive when making a martini dirty. Very creative with the garnishes abd geerous with the olives. Our waiter was from Ecuador and treated us well. Great romantic dibner after a swim at the gym.

Came in with a reservation for four during a busy hour, was seated nearly immediately, but took a minute for our waiter to serve us. The Lobster Bisque here must be a purée soup, but I prefer this dish to include more bits and chunks. The French Onion soup runs on the thinner side as well. I was very impressed with the Skate Wing! Such a nice flavor palette. Bright, tangy, and savory. The Tiger Shrimp was overcooked though--about 2-3 minutes less cook time would've left it more plump and juicy. Love the interior. It sounded like there was a live performer in the back as well. Pretty setting for a date/intimate dinner, but I am not rushing to try again.

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 front of house on a Saturday lunch shift. When I requested some bread, the response from the harried server was, "hold on." The steak was cooked well and the frites were done right. The sauce on the steak was quite tasty. The beet salad was standard but tasty. The dessert was texturally unpleasing, with WAY too much gelatin used, so instead of a light dessert, it was reminiscent of a coconut-flavored horse hoof: springy, firm, and not what it should have been. Overall, a mid-priced and mid-tier experience.

Service was 5/5, ambiance 5/5 but food 3/5. Very mid. The ambiance makes up for it. I enjoyed the seating outside. The weather was perfect.

Pros: beautiful space. Very nice staff. Great restaurant week deal Cons: salmon had no seasoning at all. Restaurant was completely empty yet they sat us right next to the piano so we were yelling to hear each other

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 were sad that we were too early for live piano music. We started with an arugula salad. Perfectly dressed and very fresh. I had the red snapper for my entree. The fish was cooked perfectly. My friend had the pork. It too was outstanding. We were in and out with plenty of time to make it to our show. This is a great option for dinner before the theater.

Service was quick and tentative, but also had that quiet French demeanor. The ambience was very nice with French music in the background and nice decorations. I came for the food and was not disappointed. Some very creative expressions of lobster and duck. The duck was nicely Seared and the orange slices were very fresh. The highlight for me was the grill octopus. Probably the best I've ever had. While pricey, I do think the creativity was worth it. Just wish the server was a little friendlier and enthusiastic.

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.

Visited during NYC Restaurant Week and got the $30 prix fixe. As a party of one on a Sunday afternoon, I was seated quickly and the service was good. I started off with the gazpacho which was the soup of the time. It was cantaloupe topped with champagne. First time having a cold soup and I can't say I was too big of a fan. I love cantaloupe and the flavours were as expected but I would say the lack of complex flavor made it difficult to want to keep eating. The steak frites was good. Perfectly medium steak and the sauce was delicious. Fries were good. However because it was $30 for 3 courses, it was the smallest steak I've ever seen lol. Ended the meal with the mango raspberry mousse. The base is coconut based and I hate the texture of coconut so I wasn't a fan of that part, but the mousse was absolutely delicious! I would definitely recommend checking out the restaurant week menu and allow yourself to try something new!

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 $30. That is a bargain in NY. Unfortunately, the restaurant shows its age and portions are on the small side.

It's a beautiful restaurant, perfect for a date night with your special someone. They had great drink options and cocktails. The food was tasty but a bit underwhelming. I definitely will go again and try something different the next time

Good low-key French restaurant. Was not super hungry and shared an app and entre with my girlfriend. The escargot and the Grilled Berkshire Pork Chop. Our server was nice and super attentive. There is always a live piano performance which makes the ambiance kind of fun but romantic. It can get loud during dinner but it wasn't too overbearing. This is one of the best places to eat around the area and it's French! :) Though I loved it, I do think it may be a little overpriced for the food and drinks they serve, it's good but nothing remarkable.

From the start the service was amazing. They were attentive, water was never empty and food came out timely. The escargot was smothered with butter, garlic and herbs and we soaked it up with the bread. Both entrees were very flavorful and filling. Paired with red wine. They also provided complimentary champagne for celebrating our anniversary. Restaurant had a cute and very French ambiance and even a pianist came to play! Loved the entire experience!

Coming from San Diego I was expecting to be impressed by a French restaurant in NYC. Look I lived in France for 16 years and I am also classically French trained chef. So my expectations may be a little higher. The service was great and the staff was very attentive. However I think the whole group was underwhelmed by the food. It was not bad. But it was not great. For the price they charge we expected more.

Food is horrible. Services is great. And ambiance is fantastic thanks to Jaque and Marrie. Very nice frenchie environment.

First walking in I absolutely loved the warm vibe of this restaurant. Honestly with the comes and the dark wood it reminded me a bit of when I was in Paris. I didn't expect there to be live music but there was a lovely musician playing piano and singing very gently, just loud enough to add to the ambiance but still have conversation at the table. The service was just right. They were attentive but not naggy and our waiter answered any questions with a pleasant, dare I say even happy, demeanor. He plauded our choices which whether true or false was nice to hear. Now for the food. I heard this was a good spot for French food and I am happy to report that they did not disappoint. My friends have a tradition of eating it family style. *Appetizers* French Onion Soup - I am not usually a fan of French onion soup because there onions are burnt resulting in a bitter taste. However, this is honestly the best French onion soup I've ever had because I actually really really liked it. Not only was there no bitterness, but the cheese they used was divine (I believe it was gruyere, one of my favorites). Escargots à la Bourguignonne - My friends and I had it in Paris and like to get it as a treat to reminisce about studying abroad. Here it is served pre-shelled and sitting in garlic and herbs so no need to fear accidentally catapulting snails at other diners. (Pro tip: soak up the sauce with the bread they give to the table, you won't regret it!) Tuna Tartare - I love tuna tartare and theirs was top tier. It is served over an avocado salad and features a ginger sesame oil sauce and it paired with toasted bread cut into triangles. *Main Course* Roasted Breast of Long Island Duck with an orange glaze and wild rice - I chose this French restaurant specifically because they had a duck breast dish and they did not disappoint! I'm bias but if the 3 mains we got, this was my favorite. The duck was perfectly cooked, the orange glaze was a lovely compliment to the duck, and the wild rice gave it dinner great texture. Absolutely delicious. I would come back just for this dish Veal special with truffle mash potatoes - My friend ordered this one and if you're a fan of veal or mash you'll be hoping they bring this special back Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with green asparagus, potato purée, and champagne sauce - Admittedly, I'm not the biggest fan of scallops. I will say, they were made very well and I enjoyed it when the pastor puree and asparagus. *Dessert* Crème Brûlée - We split this dessert and it was on par with the rest of our meal. I feel like the best way to describe it is that the custard seemed perfectly set. Not water, held it's shape but still melted in the mouth. The perfect end to a delicious meal! I will definitely be coming back here again!

My mentor, his wife and I had drinks on a Friday evening at Chez Josephine's restaurant on 42nd street. It's a nice small intimate place to grab drinks either at the tiny yet spacious bar or dine at one of the tables. The ambiance was wonderful and pleasant at this restaurant. Everyone was so nice. Lots of folks come here before a Broadway show. We were able to be seated at the bar and enjoyed a cocktail. I had the most interesting Moscow mule drink that did not seem to want to finish. My mentor and his wife had Josephine Baker's signature drink. The bartender make stuff happen. Just ask away. This restaurant is a tribute to American born turn Parisian Josephine Baker. They also have live music and you can attempt to sing a few words too. I heard they have fixed menu with some delicious entrees. I'd love to visit again and dine here in the future. Totally enjoyed the environment, entertainment and services here Bravo!

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 snapper in risotto. The fish was crisp and the portions decent. The value is definitely here.

Amazing and romantic restaurant. The food was delicious and the ambiance very cute and cozy. Our server was very attentive, will go back again for another date night.

My lovely bride and I stopped in for an early lunch on a Sunday in December. The host was gracious and sat us not far from the piano player. The server was a little harried because he had so many tables to cover, but he got the job done in a New York way. My lovely bride ordered the lobster bisque and eggs florentine. For dessert she had the house special - chocolate lava cake (omg). I had the endive salad and the duck l'orange, and for dessert the apple tarte tartin, a real classic. Excellent food and reasonable prices. The ambience is warm, with plenty of images of Josephine Baker. Highly recommended.

Come for the romantic vibes and attentive service. Great cozy atmosphere, piano player was crooning softly. Food was fine, but lacked finesse - prix fixe reminded me of a dining room meal on a cruise ship (good but not great). Even so, we liked the energy there and would go back there for a theater meal.

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 was selected by one the rest ordered courses from the extensive selection on the menu. As the courses progressed the service was more attentive as the next tasting of wines arrived. A variety of selections were made and enjoyed. The Cheese Plate was a pleasant experience with variety and will be shared by all next time. No rush in a relaxing room with paintings of Josephine. One caveat for seniors...the rest room is on the second floor ascending a long, steep staircase required for access.

Such a romantic place! French cousin -live piano music-charming and old school... Feels like being in France... great service, amazing food... piece of history... Portions surprisingly are big! I had a Tuna Tartar and crab cake appetizers- large and fulfilling (not a big eater), my friend ordered a duck dish with brown rise... I tried that rise- super! Felt like was cooked in red vine(?)... My friend gave 5stars to the duck dish... soft and juicy... Great experience. It was my first time in that restaurant, but my friend dined there many times. Always excellence ! Great for a romantic dinner or pre-show.

Cozy atmosphere, reminiscent of the old salons of Paris. We had the Pre-Theatre menu, the portions are on the smaller side, but good enough in taste and filling due to the bread basket. Staff were friendly and accommodating.

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

My friend was in town for a conference so I looked for someplace near her hotel to meet up for dinner. Chez Josephine was a solid choice. It gave her the NYC vibe with its dim, swanky interior and long, narrow layout. I believe all the tables were filled, and a chorus of chatter among friends set a calming, pleasant mood. I love that they had pre fixe options. Sometimes it's just too exhausting to make yet another decision, especially at the end of a work day and after going through the effort of just selecting a restaurant. And with the options, there is more flexibility at the same time. Service was efficient, friendly enough. Every food item we ordered was quite good.

Jean-Claude was the last of the children adopted into singer-dancer Josephine Baker's "Rainbow Tribe," created with a mission of racial harmony. He lived and performed with her for a time before making his way to New York and eventually opening this legendary establishment. Chez Josephine, a beautiful tribute to Josephine Baker, is a Parisian jewel box located 42nd Street in Hell's Kitchen. Last night, we were looking for a place for dinner close to the theater. My partner and I mentioned to our company that we were here 6 months with a wonderful experience. I went inside to speak with the staff and were lucky a table was available for 4 without reservations. Upon entering, one is transported to another country, another time with the real Parisian vibe where we sat in the middle of the dining room by a musician playing the piano. The menu was not extensive, but the French classics were all done well here. As starters, we decided on the Escargots à la Bourguignonne, served pre-shelled with herbs and garlic, a 3 Cheese Plate such as Brie, Roquefort, and an unnamed, accompanied by assorted nuts and fig jam, as well as the Tuna Tartare. As our main entrees, we opted for the Beef Bourguignon, Slow Roasted Amish Chicken Breast, and Special of the Day--Steak. Complimentary bread with butter started our meal. The food was amazingly delicious, well seasoned with fresh ingredients. The service was attentive, prompt, and accommodating. A big thank you to our server, Ray, who made sure the food arrived on a timely basis for us to make it to the performance. We loved the atmosphere here--warm, cozy, and intimate. Yes, the tables were very close together. The price was comparable to the area. This is an essential stop for those seeking an evening unlike any other in Manhattan, which we can recommend.

An excellent option on 42nd St. We stopped in before seeing a show, and the staff was excellent in accommodating us regarding both timing and quality of service. I've been here once for lunch and now for restaurant week. This is a spectacular spot with a unique, unforgettable ambiance. Paired with some live piano music for dinner it is hard to go wrong. Will gladly return here. We had the Duck Confit and Steak Tartare

Came here for a dinner and drinks before a show. What a hidden gem. It doesn't look like anything from the outside but inside it's very lovely, they have live music which is an amazing added touch. The food was great. Service was not bad. I had escargot, beef tar tar and everything was delicious the drinks were a bit weak but tasty. Will definitely be back!

Truly worth visiting. Customer attention here surpasses expectations. The menu has standouts but everything is good. Chez Josephine delivered a pleasant dining visit. The place maintains consistent excellence.

Pork chop was very good. Waiter was a nice guy. Atmosphere was good, and was close to theater.

It's a very convenient location if you are going to see a show on theater row on 42nd street. They offers prefix menu and have live music all night I had the snapper for main course it was very good, large portion of fish and seasoned well. Our waitress seemed a little out of it and kept forgetting things.

Came here during Restaurant Week, and made a reservation essentially the day of and there was still plenty of available seating left. When I got to the restaurant, we were seated immediately. The interior design of the place is quite incredible with these large posters, chandeliers, and live piano music. It was such a vibe, I absolutely loved it. I ordered the food off Restaurant Week and I have to say that it felt like they skimped on the meal, quality is not as good as what it would be if you went to eat at the restaurant without Restaurant Week attached to it. Also, the portion sizes were a lot smaller too. Kind of feel like for some restaurants, Restaurant Week is a scam just so they can do some sort of promotion on the list. Also, if you ordered what I did, you can just come during lunch and eat it for $15 less. - Soupe de Jour (Lentils) - This was essentially just lentils soup, wasn't that exciting or memorable. - Poached Sole - I was hoping the fish would be something other than tilapia but it was really just 1.5 tilapia filets with mashed potatoes on the side. Yes it was flavorful but it also felt like a cheap dinner. - Bombe Glacée Pralinée - The dessert was incredibly thinly sliced (think less than an inch in width) and it was pretty sweet. Honestly, not super happy about the food quality at Chez Josephine. I tried my friend's duck entree and it was definitely a lot better than anything I got for Restaurant Week. Not sure if I would participate in this week again... but I may or may not come back to Chez Josephine depending on how much I miss the vibes.

I've stayed in hotels around this restaurant many times and always kept walking by hoping to try it one day. Well, this time I loved it so much, I came 2 days in a row and also stopped for drinks after seeing shows. I was in Paris recently, and this place is very much like a Parisian restaurant and paying homage to the GREAT Josephine Baker, that amazing performer of color that paved the way for many performers of color down the road. Alfredo was my first server, and he was great! The food was very good and the ambiance was so relaxing. I had the French onion soup, and escargot. The staff here keeps things running smoothly. My second time there, my server was Ray. He recommended the lobster salad which was very tasty and keeps my diet in line. I returned one night for a post Broadway show cocktail, and I just missed the live entertainment. But I heard it's very chill and jazzy. Great time at this establishment. I can't wait to return.

I've been here on two occasions now and it is one of my favorite restaurants in Hells Kitchen. The atmosphere is great, the live piano player sets a wonderful tone. The food is delicious. I'm looking forward to dining there next month for a friends birthday!

Aside from the food being deliciously rich, flavorful, and true to traditional French cooking, the staff and ambiance really made this a special place. The recipes were simple but so well created and all of the staff were attentive and knew how to make it a real dining experience. Inside, the atmosphere is cozy and quaint, offering the charm of a classic manhattan bistro, complete with a pianist. Our server brought us complementary desert and champagne which was the icing on the cake.

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

Excellent Food and a Special Birthday I was supposed to be with my parents out of state for my birthday but the weather was bad so I ended up alone. Chez Josephine is on my street so I've walked by it plenty but never went inside. I decided that my birthday would be the day to visit. I asked to take photos as I am a huge admirer of the late, great Josephine Baker. I thought that would be looked down upon in such a classy place but no. I was encouraged to also go upstairs where there was more to see! Granted, it wasn't busy on this early, cold weekday so I wasn't leaning over people to take pics. Staring at a large JB painting by the door, I asked Andy (the manager) to take a photo of me for my mom who couldn't be there for my birthday. He not only took the photo but surprised me with a book, poster, birthday candle and writing on my ordered dessert! He was so incredibly kind and truly made my birthday special along with my loved ones from afar, of course. I ordered the vegetable pasta and the food was delicious. Overall I felt welcome here thanks to Andy. The ambiance as a JB fan was like being at a museum. The book and poster will be cherished. I was just reading about that book prior to going. Who knew I'd come home with it? Chez Josephine, Andy...you made my day. Thank you!!

C'est délicieux! We went for restaurant week and got the salads as a starter. We got the Watermelon Feta Salad and the Roasted Beet Frisse Salad. I'm a fan of beets, but I recommend trying even if you've never had them before as the earthy beet flavor is perfectly cut by the goat cheese. For our main course, we got the Salmon and Skirt Steak. I was a big fan of the dill sauce paired with the Salmon. I've actually never had it before, but immediately knew I'd really like it. The cucumber also added another element that made this dish really refreshing, which was perfect for 95 degree weather! The steak was perfectly cooked to medium rare and the french fries were tasty! For dessert we both had the Black Currant Mascarpone Soufflé and we both liked it! The waiters were all really sweet and attentive. The decor of the restaurant is worth visiting on its own! Josephine would definitely be proud!

EXCELLENT!!! I enjoyed the food, service and the ambiance. The staff and manger were very attentive .... I would highly recommend visiting guarantee you will NOT be disappointed. This restaurant is a hidden gem in New York City especially after a Broadway Show.