08/19/08

Brasserie Jo redeems itself

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.

03/22/08

Why should they care? Continue to underperform, and people keep paying

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

02/11/08

Great French Dinner

by gerardsmith

My sister and I dined here last Sunday night and we had such a nice time. The service was wonderful, the food was great and the atmosphere was just perfect for a nice, quiet dinner with my sister. We had both recently returned from Paris and were craving a good French meal. She had the mussels and I had the steak. Both were really well prepared and delicious. We also shared the chocolate mousse for dessert. What a great presentation! We ordered Cote du Rhone by the glass which I highly recommend, but they have many other great wines on the list. We just had a perfect evening. And the price, I couldn't believe what a great deal it was! Definitely less expensive than Paris! If I lived in Boston (we are from NY) I would be dining here at least once a week. In fact I am planning to return with my husband just so he can try it. I know he would love it!

• Pros: Ambience, Service, Food
• Cons: None