Brasserie Jo
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: (617) 425-3240
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Belvidere Street
- Hours:
- Mon-Sat 7am-1am, Sun 7am-12am
Editorial Review for Brasserie Jo – by Eric Grossman
The Scene
Brasserie Jo, surprisingly, is not stuffy; there's a comfortable bar and service is provided by friendly, patient waiters. The wide-open dining room isn't too noisy, but fills with a celebratory mood on busy nights. A plethora of custom martinis and a house beer complement Brasserie Jo's extensive, all-French wine list.
The Food
Wistful versions of French classics, from a lovely frisee salad with egg, bacon and croutons to a hearty steak frites. The entrees, served a la carte, pair well with sides such as the tangy ratatouille and a subtle potatoes gratin. The "famous shrimp bag"--shrimp, wild rice, mushrooms and greens in filo tied off like a purse--is that rare dish that doesn't sacrifice quality for aesthetics. Extensive dessert selections include a divine lemon tart, profiteroles with chocolate sauce and filling crepes.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoDon't fill-up on the freshly baked baguettes or the marinated carrot salad that arrive soon after you're seated; they're good, but even tastier things lie ahead.
Save MoneyThose seated at the bar enjoy free personal-sized flatbread pizzas with a drink purchase (daily 5pm-12am).
User Reviews for Brasserie Jo
08/19/2008 Posted by DiamondSpark
My husband and I had a terrible dining experience at Brasserie Jo the first time around. Even though it was advertised everywhere that they were participating in Restaurant Week on Sunday, we did not receive the menu for that. In addition, the waiter's description of a seafood crepe was poor at best. The item was not at all as described, and contained many unexpected ingredients. I found shells in the seafood. My husband's burger was ordered medium and was overcooked. The fries were soggy. After our food was dropped off, no one ever checked with us to ask how it was. We finally flagged down our waiter and asked for bread to sop up the soggy liquid in my crepe. He never returned with the bread. A woman nearby asked for the Restaurant Week menu and had to fight for it -- a waiter came back to her table to argue 3 times before she received the menu. All this for the "bargain" price of $50. I left my address with the hostess, who apologized, but didn't receive a call back. I called them and received an offer to come back on the house. We took them up on it. They didn't have our reservation on record, but I spoke to the maitre d and he understood. This meal was so much better. I had the mussels and fries and my husband had a salmon BLT. Both were delicious. The service this time around was excellent. We left a $10 tip for our meal that was probably around $35. I'm glad that I gave Brasserie Jo a second chance and would definitely consider going back.
03/22/2008 Posted by jcnorth
Difficult to say it's "below" average, because the service and operations of most places in Boston or large cities are quite disappointing -- therefore, I guess they fit right in. In emulating a Parisian brasserie, they are successful: the service is atrocious! I've been there three times (I know, I don't learn) and always the lamb or beef was well-done rather than rare (as ordered). The coup de grace? Last night's experience, when the waiter said, "Sorry for the mistake but it's out of my hands." Lovely. The classic "not my fault" cry. First off, he wasn't the one who brought the meal to our table, never asked how it was, never checked on us. We had to flag the sympathetic host who took the plates away. Then 20 min. later, the waiter arrived with his lame apology. BTW, when the food first arrived, the plates were unceremoniously slid over the table cloth, and when the server departed, my son said, "Hey, I think I'm in France; they practically throw the food at you." : ) After correction, the dinners were mediocre; my wife by then had already finished her boulliabaise. Amazing how they didn't take her plate away as well, simply to keep it warm. Brain-dead, I tell you. Anyway, the lamb steak was succulent, Steak Parisienne was flavorful, pommes frites not overly salty. But in all cases, the beef was rather tough and stringy. It was about 10p.m. (the place would be open for dinner until after 11p.m.) and was about 20% at capacity. I tend to have high expectations when you drop $40+ for just an entree alone. But as mentioned earlier, most up-scale dining spots have dreadful 'operations.' They are not sensitive, aware, proactive. I get far better (even outstanding) service at a Route 1 breakfast diner. But why should these over-priced restaurants improve? Even as the economy is weak, they still are packed with customers most evenings. Almost all of them. It's astonishing how much people are tolerating these days. Best regards, J
Pros: Ambience, location, hours
Cons: Service, awareness, not "prevenant" at all, value
