Terrific Takeout: Chez Josephine Spring 2016 Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
The smiling Jumbo Shrimp
Warm apple rhubarb crepe cake with raspberry drizzle is the best dessert we've had this season!
Peachy even likes the music at Chez Josephine...and how many times do you hear her say that!!!
The tremendous Grilled Berkshire Pork Chop
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It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we knew Jean-Claude Baker and we loved him too. (not to be confused with the phenomenal John-Claude!) We were so sad to learn of Jean-Claude's passing last year, and we wondered what happened to Chez Josephine. We had really loved our experience there!
Peachy picked Chez Josephine in 2013:
and the minute we met Jean-Claude, he gave Peachy an autographed book that he wrote which she subsequently loved also and reviewed:
The first thing you need to know about Chez Josephine today is that this review is long overdue and the time between when it was last featured and now is not at all a reflection of how great this place is. We just did not know who owned it since our friend Jean-Claude passed. One day recently, Peachy Deegan was walking by the restaurant and she found out who owns it and did a review on the spot, which nearly never happens. But that's how great our experience was in the first place, and the second thing you need to know about Chez Josephine is that the current owner, Manuel Uzhea, whom Jean-Claude Baker wanted to take over, has not changed a thing and it is exactly as spectacular as we remembered it to be.
Everyone knows who Josephine Baker was:
and here is a lovely history of Chez Josephine:
Not only is the cuisine terrific but also there are many items that were an authentic part of her life that decorate the restaurant which makes it additionally special.
As you know we always are interested in a green salad, and to that end we tried Organic Baby Greens. They listened and put the dressing on the side for the picky one here, and the fine greens and refreshing lemon dressing were exactly what we were looking for, along with the cheese.
How we love shrimp, and Peachy not only loves delicately devouring the food itself but also feels a tremendous kinship with their petite nature. These, however, were jumbo! They were so fresh and splendid to dip in both the horseradish cocktail sauce and the aioli. The jumbo shrimp should be on your "to meet" food list this summer for sure.
Don't share it because it is too delicious you will want it all yourself!
The entrees are just as strong as we remember them to be. Please meet the Grilled Berkshire Pork Chop, joined by crisp green asparagus and inviting potato gratin. This is just perfect for a colder, rainier summer day or on a day when you are really hungry. But let's face it, what day is Peachy not really hungry!?!?
The rosemary garnish with cranberry is the perfect touch and Chez Josephine gets big points for presentation.
You already knew the French had style!
You can never have too much of a good thing, so we tried shrimp for our entree also. Chez Josephine's Black Tiger Shrimp reign supreme over decadent herb pesto risotto and perfectly halved brussels sprouts. This is what you should be eating for lunch right now!
Don't skip a brilliant rendition of haricots verts! That's green beans to everyone that didn't have Mademoiselle Charton at Miss Porter's. They arrived with a hint of butter, garlic, salt and pepper and we loved them.
So, did you read the part where Ms. Superpicky said she likes the music here? When she was waiting for her food she even heard Rod Stewart, and you know if you really know her she mostly just listens to him. (do you know how psyched we were to review him! music: http://www.whomyouknow.com/2013/12/rod-stewart-rarities-two-cd-set-earns.html
book: http://www.whomyouknow.com/2013/10/whom-you-know-celebrates-600th-post-in.html#.V17uzfkrLIU and P.S. anyone new if you want to be in someone's good graces you know what music to put on when she's waiting for her food...)
There is also superb piano music at Chez Josephine on Sundays from 12-3 and 5-10, and 5pm to midnight Tuesdays through Saturdays.
So, how does one acquire a restaurant of this caliber?
In 1985, the current owner of Chez Josephine, Manuel, was a bus boy at a place called Pronto, which we understand was on 60th and Park and is long gone...we did not have the pleasure of ever going there, and Jean-Claude worked at Pronto too and they met. In 1986, Jean-Claude opened Chez Josephine...and later in his career, Manuel, a native of Ecuador, owned Bistro 60 at 37 East 60th Street. When Manuel closed Bistro 60, he came to Chez Josephine in December 2011.
We loved the warm apple rhubarb crepe cake and it is the best dessert we've had this season!
Chez Josephine is of course Terrific Takeout and continues to be Highly Recommended by Whom You Know!
