we're going w/a tour to NYC 4/27-4/30 2006. We opted out of the dinner at Chez Josephine on Friday 4/28, & got tickets for Odd Couple instead. It's too late now, we can't cancel theatre tkts, & we don't want to, but, are we missing something special at Chez Josephine? too little time, too much to do! Please give a review of Chez Josephine. Our tour was adding the dinner for $100.00 (incl tax & tip, but, not drinks), what do you think?

Was this a group dinner, or was it a voucher sort of thing for you to go on your own? Frankly, I think I'd be hard pressed to spend $100 for two there with no drinks. I don't recall it being that expensive.
If it is not a group dinner at a specific time, can you go after the theatre? They're open late and it's a great "supper club" type feel.
Frankly if it is a group dinner, I'd count yourself lucky that you can now dine on your own somewhere. I'm not big on prepackaged group dinners.

Chez Josephine is a wonderful experience, BUT, $100 per person not counting tips is excessive!
Why can't you just make reservations on your own for 6 p.m.? That'll give you plenty of time for dinner before the 8 p.m. curtain. It'll cost you about half that much for dinner, tip and tax.

I interpreted the comment as $100 per person. Actually, the $100 for 2 is only slightly more than regular, assuming you'd have appetizer, dessert and coffee, along with the entree.

the dinner is $100.00 per person, & it does include tax & tip. (nothing was mentioned about drinks, so, I'm assuming drinks not included). We thought it seemed a little spendy, might miss the company of the group, but, I think we made the right decision to go w/theatre tkts. And, as mentioned maybe we can go b4 the play. thanks for advice!

A hundred bucks a person? You must be kidding, although since they get $18.50 for fried chicken and $23.50 for Norwegian (ie, farmed) salmon, maybe you could get to such a high price but I don't see how. You can have dinner at many, many excellent places for that much. Le Bernadin charges about $92, for goodness sakes! If you need to go there, go on your own so you can order what you want.

You can see the prices on their website

http://chezjosephine.com/DinnerMenu3/DinnerMenu.pdf

I think prices have gone up recently.

thanks, now I know we made the right decision. Keep the restaurant suggestions coming! I appreciate them!

Sorry, LeBernadin now charges $98 for dinner. I don't think there is much dissent on which would be a better place to spend your money.http://www.le-bernardin.com/menu_dinner.html

I would still strongly recommend going to Chez Josephine. It's a total experience, not just the dining part! Make your own reservations and spend half as much!

It depends upon whether your emphasis lies with the food or with the "experience." Personally I think LeBernadin offers a pretty good experience of another type, without the schmaltz of Chez Josephine. And with much better food! Sorry to be so forthright, I just wonder why many visitors seem so stuck on the same old places that many New Yorkers would never, ever visit.

THANKS, this is the best site to get the real truth on everything!

Thanks for reminding us what ripoffs so many tour packages are. Can someone explain why you'd want to pay about double for someone to prearrange your meal for you?
I didn't imagine it could be per person! Last time I had the fried chicken -- and was thinking even with appetizer and dessert $100 was a lot for two. For one person it is outrageous.

Responding to ekscrunchy, I'll agree that Le Bernardin is an outstanding dining experience, one of New York'sbest. And, yes, Chez Josephine does have schmaltz...but hey, that's part of its charm. And, as far as New Yorkers dining habits go....well, without New Yorkers, I can tell you that Chez Josephine would be out of business!

Listen I am sure that there are locals who eat here but I think it is heavily dependent on tourists. After all, the original poster talks about a tour group dinner here. All I mean to point out is that I see the same old places discussed here over and over again and there are so many good places to eat, even in that neighborhood. Why does Esca never rarely get a mention? Or even Bistro du Vent? Or Frankie and Johnnie's for steak? Or Pam Real Thai on 49th Street for a cheap ethnic?

Why does Esca never get mentioned? Maybe because when we went there we were not only ignored most of the night (the waiters kept flocking around a table hosting Mr. Batali and other chefs) but would you believe after ages we asked where our food was and they said it was coming. Finally when we asked again, a waiter went to check and had to come back and ask us what we had ordered. They had completely lost our order. To make it worse, the fish was overcooked and tasteless. I realize we weren't as important as the owner, but hey this was insulting!

And Frankie and Johnny's? After walking by it a million times and hearing it was a real New Yorker's favorite we went. Mediocre steaks and the sides were all stone cold. What's more even the drinks seem watered. And I haven't mentioned the crowded table or the very hard, uncomfortable chairs.

Ok...but at least you ventured out away from the pack. I am sorry you had poor experiences at both places. Truly that area is abysmal for dining. But there are options other than the same old same olds and the oones I mentioned after a moment's thought.

Two of my favs in that area -- Marseilles and Le Madeleine. And personally I like Jezabel's better than Chez Josephine, particularly their fried chicken!

We had miserable meals at Bistro du Vent. So, you won't hear me recommending that place! We, too, love Le Madeleine.
I might also throw in a plug for Brasserie 8 1/2 on West 57th.

Well, in a few minutes I will be leaving you all to go for dinner in Astoria.