Jolene's

Overall this experience just did not land. Drinks were good but the service really lacking. We shared oysters which were just okay and two beef tartares that were good. Our server never repeated our order back to us and never asked how we wanted our steak. It took a very long time just to get water refilled. I asked a manager who never came back. I ended up asking our server and they finally brought some. You should not have ask at all for water. Our first course sat on the table for a while and when the next course came out, staff was scrambling to clear. We were served soups with no spoons. The onion soup was actually the best part of the meal. When entrees came out one was missing, my wife’s. Not sure if the order was not heard, but we had to wait while the rest of us had food. We got a quick “sorry for the wait” but that was it. The duck came out without a steak knife and when two people were sharing a steak only one knife was dropped off. Maybe a silverware shortage but still not great service. We tried all three desserts, all just okay. The olive oil cake was the best of the bunch. The food overall was decent but it was extremely loud and chaotic. I actually saw servers running on the floor. If you are going to have a menu and prices like that the service needs to match. Watching our server put a plate on top of our boxed steak to go wasn’t a great end. As it stands I would not recommend this place and would not return. Edit: they responded to this review by asking me to email. On 11/11 I sent them one, today is 11/16 and they have not responded. This checks out based on the experience I had at the restaurant.

We enjoyed a fantastic four course meal at Jolene’s last night. We had been to the bar a few times before (also adore their bar and bartenders!), but this was our first experience in the dining room. We especially enjoyed the mushroom bisque, Parisian gnocchi, wagyu coulotte, and duck breast. We finished the evening with a lovely crème brûlée paired with smooth and rich espresso and cappuccino. All drinks were great, including our cocktails with dinner. Everything about our experience was 5-star quality. The food - its scent, taste, texture - all incredible. The service was also excellent. Our server, I believe his name was Nick, was very attentive. We stayed for a full 2 hours enjoying each course and conversation in the dining room. Looking forward to more evenings to enjoy at Jolene’s!

Love it here! Sitting outside on a Saturday night feels like an evening in Europe. Lovely and obviously well trained waitstaff. The drinks are clear and fresh with good selections. Food is lovely, could be a few more options to choose Vegan but enjoyed Veg and Fish options! Finally grabbed a photo! Cocktails and dessert, anyone?!

Went to Jolene’s on 9/19 and it exceeded my expectations and was some of the best food I’ve had at a restaurant. The beets, scallops and cowboy steak were all incredible. For desert we had the crème brûlée and it was the perfect ending to our meal. Everything about Jolene’s was wonderful and I will definitely be dining in again in the future.

I didn't get the opportunity to explore the full menu however I'll be back to test things out. More than likely that 4 will become a 5 in the very near future! The service was amazing and the atmosphere was incredible! Perfect place for adults to be social, go on a date, happy hour, all purpose spot that you'll love! While you're there, get the bourbon espresso martini, aka The Mr. Harrisburg!

Wonderful experience at Jolene’s! The food was outstanding—especially the gnocchi, wagyu coulotte , and chocolate mousse. The staff were incredibly kind and attentive, especially with our baby, and made us feel so welcome. We never felt rushed, and the atmosphere was warm and relaxed. Highly recommend!

I'm really impressed with this place and I don't give 5 star reviews easily, but Jolene's really earned it. Right now it still seems under the radar, but comparing favorably to Andiario in presentation, freshness, and execution, I don't expect it to stay hidden for very long. Do not let fear of mispronouncing a French word or a misplaced perception of pretentiousness dissuade you from trying Jolene's - it's amazing, and worth going outside your comfort zone for. And while I'll say it's not cheap, it is accurately priced. And it stands confidently among the very best restaurants in the Philly suburbs. Food: I was wowed by nearly everything brought out in three dinner courses (and some of my wife's food too), and a couple dishes were just good. All of the dishes had a laser focus on detail which came through in both taste and presentation - just lots of little things done right. For 3 examples: 1) A twist on Vichyssoise, with the cold soup poured over an accent of a delightful crumble medley. 2) Fresh scallops seared separately from the rest of the Bouillabaisse to achieve the right temperature and texture, then added in at plating. 3) steak tartare with the texture and freshness of Tuna sashimi, so perfectly spiced that it tasted cooked, sitting among the best beef experiences I've had in a long time. Wines by the glass were French only and presented 16 well selected and fairly priced choices. I had no trouble pairing my wines to each course with some baseline knowledge of French wine, and got to try a few things new to me. Service: Grest restaurant service should feel simultaneously intimate and anonymous while providing guidance and reassurance. Our server Nick nailed it and was an excellent guide. He is clearly passionate about his work and is well informed, but also smart enough to shift gears and stand back to let the food and wine do the talking. He was ever present when needed and blended into the wallpaper when not, but was never far - threading this needle is difficult for many servers to pull off but it separates the best from the rest. And this is not to diminish the rest of the staff who worked hand in glove as a team, not missing any details, and coming together to make Jolene's a memorable experience. Setting: They've done such a great job attending to lots of little details comparing favorably to Parc in Philly or Mon Ami Gabi in Las Vegas. The visual style threads the needle well between old and new, respecting both the place it's located and the fresh menu. As the bar and dining room filled up it did not get excessively noisy, and hushed conversation was still possible. Being able to see the bar but not be in the bar added visual interest. Even the bathrooms were intentional - accessible through one pink mystery door in the back of the bar, revealing a well composed unisex bathroom lobby and full privacy rooms. In short, I'm coming back. Hopefully for many years to come. I had high expectations and they were exceeded. There's enough in this current menu to keep coming back, and when the newness wears off I would encourage them to consider offering or converting to a prix fixe menu once people understand what Jolene's is about. For a completely different experience I want to come back on a cold day to sit at the bar with the onion soup and a beer. They will probably tempt me into staying and spending more than I intended, but it will be ok. My only regret will be I'm not getting the full sit down service. To wrap I'll quote a famous chef who says that perfection is lots of little things done right. While Jolene's isn't quite perfect yet, it's close enough, and they are surely on that road. Food - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Ambiance - 4.5/5 Comfort - 4/5 Value - 5/5

Jolene’s is a great spot for a well-executed French meal with excellent service. The French onion soup was deeply flavorful, and the squash soup was smooth and well-balanced. The goat cheese salad was fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The lasagna with truffles was rich and satisfying. The wine selection was impressive, and the dirty martini was expertly made. Service was attentive and welcoming, making for an all-around excellent dining experience. Looking forward to returning.