We're headed for a Big Apple break in late March. I recall seeing lots of posts about this restaurant in the past, and we thought we'd put it on our list for this trip. Any recent experiences from anyone? Does it still rank high on the 'worthwhile' list?
Thanks!

Yes, definitely!
Make your reservations well in advance (say, 2-3 weeks ahead of time, especially on a weekend)!

I'll put in my two cents. We first went there about five or six years ago and just plain weren't impressed, although the details escape me. After reading many raves about it here, I rebooked it for after theatre about three or four years ago. Although I had booked about a month in advance, we were disappointed that when we arrived we were seated in a sort of hallway way in the back. We asked for a table in the main room, but were told there was nothing available, although easily a third of the tables were empty and several remained so until closing. Sure enough we were ignored. My partner ordered seared rare tuna and I ordered a rare steak. When they came (after an incredibly long wait after our appetizers) both were extremely well done. We waited and waited and finally were able to catch the attention of the waiter. He took one look at the tuna and said we didn't understand. This kind of tuna is never red but is indeed rare -- WRONG, it was dry and very overcooked all the way through. He left so quickly and in such a huff that I never even got a chance to mention my steak -- no doubt he wouldn't have cared anyway. A very, very disappointing experience. I know others rave about the place, but two strikes and a place is out with me.

But also keep in mind that even that latest experience was at least three years ago, I'd say.

Hey, Howard, I didn't even see your post that you must have done as I was posting.
This is probably the only thing in the world that Howard and I seem to disagree on. His favorite and my least favorite. OK, Howard, one of these trips I'm going to give it another try, but three strikes is definitely out!!

My husband and I visit Chez Josephine on every trip to NYC (several times a year). We have enjoyed a magnificent experience each and every time.

I cannot fathom Patrick's experiences. Once, when we had asked for a table close to the piano and none was available when we arrived, we were moved as soon as one did become available. Another time, we had phoned ahead for reservations, only to be told when we arrived that the restaurant was closed for a private function. But, then, Jean Claude ushered us to the private dining room upstairs, where we were served three courses with wine (and had this lovely room all to ourselves). When I asked for the check, we were told there would be none.

People are seated in the order they arrive as tables are available. You are always welcome to wait at the bar until a table in the main dining room becomes available.

Once we arrived, without a reservation (we had planned to take a Circle Line Cruise, but a sudden rain storm came along), right at pre-theater time (7PM). We were seated in the "back" room (narrow, but not a hallway). When we answered that we were not on our way to the theater, our waiter said, "Then, enjoy your drinks and I will be able to move you in a few minutes."

Jean Claude and his staff are the most welcoming and efficient, to everyone, anywhere we've ever been. And, they don't really remember us, in particular, from one visit to the next (so many pass through).

The food has been superb on each and every visit. Once in a while, when every table is filled, it does not come rushing out of the kitchen. But, it has never arrived less than perfectly prepared and beautifully presented.

If you are planning dinner and theater on the same night, I'd recommend going after the theater. Then, you can enjoy a leisurely dinner, dessert, coffee, an after dinner drink without rushing. If you are dining only, reserve 8PM or after, when the theater goers will be gone, for a more relaxing and nicely paced dinner. But, this goes for any NYC restaurant.

I was one of those who wrote a glowing review of Chez Josephine, last year. I recommend this restaurant to any of my friends who visit NY and I have to say, everyone has enjoyed their meal there, although one couple thought it was a little claustraphobic.

Patrick, I remember a previous posting about your first experience there, but don't recall every seeing one about your second. I am truly amazed at the experiences you relate.
As you can see from the other postings, yours is a unique experience. Never once has a person to whom I recommended the place ever come back with anything but a rave and/or a thank you!
djkbooks' experience upstairs brought back a fond memory. Ours was one of the first groups that Jean-Claude ever put up there. We, too, felt like we had a private dining room. (Unfortunately, we weren't as lucky when the bill came. We paid!)

Actually Howard, it was my second experience I wrote about here. My first visit was long before I even had a computer (just four years now). As I mentioned I don't even remember much about that first experience, just that it certainly never "wowed" me. The reason we went back was because of the many glowing recommendations here, and that's the experience I wrote about. I tried to do a search of that post, but couldn't find it. Humorously the 46 posts that do come up for Chez Josephine are filled with your glowing recommendations!!! They should pay you!!!
I will admit that I apparently hit a very off night, because I seem to be the only one who had a bad experience. Maybe Jean Claude was off that night and employees we ran into were not at their best.

One would think I'm difficult to please, I'm not, and have had very few bad experiences in NYC restaurants, but oddly enough the worst one I ever had was the horrible food at Il Mulino, another place that gets nothing but raves from everyone. I loved the place there -- hated the food, but the chef was undoubtedly absent or drunk or something that night!!

The bottom line to arjay is DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO ME! I'm willing to accept that I had an off night that is totally not typical of Chez Josephine.

Patrick, I wish Jean-Claude would pay me! Hey, like any other favorable experience, I like to share it....whether it be a wonderful restaurant or a great European vacation!
(PS: The only thing I've ever received from Jean-Claude was a complimentary glass of his best cognac the very first night we went there. That was the frosting on a great first-time experience.)

I'm beginning to think we went to the wrong place. Is there a Chaise Jozepheene next door that we hit by accident?

Gosh, I don't know Patrick...are you the same Patrick who loves Boulevard in San Francisco? (We did, too.)

I would wonder if whether Jean-Claude did not happen to be around on both your visits. But, then, I've never noticed a difference in service, only that after a while you realize he's not all about as usual. Many of the staff have been with him since opening, and most others many years. There's hardly ever a "new" person, with the exception of the bartenders.

But, not to worry. There are plenty of places that get raves from (seemingly) everyone else that have underwhelmed me.

Radius in Boston, Daniel in NYC, just to mention two.

Thanks, guys.

Patrick, we seem to be the kind of people who occslly have the sort of "off" experience that you had at CJ. But I guess, we'll give it a try - all the good comments just sound too good to pass up. And thanks to whoever offered the "must" reservation tip.

I didn't have the sort of experience that Patrick did but I can't say that I was overwhelmed by the experience. The food was good but not exceptional, the service professional and unobtrusive and the surroundings pleasant enough but a bit ornate and rococo for my taste. I did not find it to be worth the money. One appetizer, two entrees, a glass of house white and a tonic water ran us about $85-$90 with a 20% tip if I recall correctly. I looked at the dessert menu and was aghast that a creme brulee which would typically run $6-$7 in comparable restaurants was $9. The other negative (strictly from my perspective) was the claustrophobic feeling. We sat at a deuce (table for two). At 6' 2" in height I was very cramped - not enough room to sitr comfortably and if I stretched my elbows out I would more or less be rubbing elbows with the person next to me (literally). It wasn't disappointing - just average. Again, like Patrick, perhaps I was there on an off night or it's just not my cup of tea.

It should be noted that Chez Josephine is a virtual shrine to Josephine Baker. The decor is reminiscent of movie set bordello - dark, mood lighting, lots of velvet (red drapes), fringed lamps, etc., with paintings of Herself wearing little or nothing all over the place.

Jean Claude Baker knew and/or lived with Josephine for many years. I've heard that he was one of her many adopted children, but I'm not sure this is true (though it may be noted somewhere in the thick biography her wrote about her, which I've been working on).

At one time, Josephine owned a restaurant in Paris, and this one is said to be quite similar.

The menu is a cross between French and American Southern "comfort food", with terrific nightly specials. For NYC, the prices are quite moderate.

The place is usually mobbed pre-theater and at 8PM. When it's that busy, service is as efficient as possible, but may not be as carefully timed as one would prefer (though this holds true at any restaurant when it's full to capacity).

In some areas, the tables are a bit close together (but not nearly as crammed as in many authentic French restaurants).

Our best experiences here have been after the theater. Unlike many places, where the staff is worn out by then and rushes you through because they just want to get the evening over with, the staff here is always still energetic.

Our food has never, ever, no matter when we've visited, been other than fabulous in every way.

Whenever I'm looking for an extraordinary "experience", I pick a place with a website with photos and menus.

Chez Josephine does have a website. Worth checking ahead of time to see if you find it appealing.

As expected, I totally agree with djkbooks comments about Chez Josephine.
And, yes, Jean-Claude, the owner, is definitely one of Josephine Baker's rainbow children that she adopted.
It hasn't be said yet on this post, but part of the charm and joy of the Chez Josephine experience is meeting and chatting with Jean-Claude. He is indeed the text-book maitre d'!