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.

08/01/08

A lively take on a Parisian brasserie serving excellent interpretations of French favorites in the Colonnade Hotel.

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.

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

05/20/07

Superb Example of French Service and Great Value

by ellengregarian

Read about this restaurant offering French kiss Friday promotion and gave it a try. Miniature pizza arrived and it was delish. Better - it was free. I marvel at critics of Free food like another review i read here. Also received a baguette of bread and carrots (FREE). Service was very good and while the free food was good the martini was awesome. I asked the bartender to recommend one and he gave me a Manoh? It was some fruity concotion that was so good I had another. Ordered the steak and frites at the bar and they were fantastic. Ordered medium and got medium - now thats rare (pun intended). This is a cant go wrong restaurant. Meal was a great value. will return

• Pros: Bustling Ambience, Great food at a good value, Martinis
• Cons: Parking like all boston eateries-

05/19/07

Best Value in Town!

by fatherc

Have always heard good things about the place, but finally got the opportunity to go after reading about French Kiss Fridays. How can you resist?!?!

As always got to the place a little early to have a cocktail at the bar - terrific espresso martini and they give you these great little "bar pies" to wake up your taste buds!

Looking through the menu was like reading a cookbook there are so many choices and the prices are not to be matched at any restaurant in the city on this level! Terrific Value for your money!! The entree portions were huge and the desserts are over the top. Best profiteroles I have ever had!

The server was very informative for us as first time diners and made several great suggestions, not to mention he was extremely attentive and friendly and the Maitre D provided great tips on selecting a wine. The place was jam packed and it's no secret why!

I'll be going back real soon and taking more friends with me!

• Pros: Huge portions, great prices, Large selection of French wines for under $70
• Cons: Make a reservation, especially on symphony nights

05/17/07

Don't go for the free pizza

by elled

I used the "know before go" tip I read here on citysearch. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. The personal-size free flatbread pizza at the bar was smaller than the cocktail napkin. And they only gave us 1 to share! I wasn't expecting much when it is free afterall, but I honestly thought the waiter was joking when he brought it over. It tasted great, but the "slice" I ate was no bigger than a stamp.

05/10/07

Best French Dining in Boston

by evangreene1

My wife and I had a terrific meal at brasserie joe. The food is outstanding and I highly recommend the chicken coq au vin. Having traveled to France on many occassions, we found this to be a true representation of a brasserie not a bistro. The room was bustling and full of energy (exactly what we were looking for.)

We sat outside and enjoyed the fresh air. Service was excellent. Our waiter was very attentitve and explained the menu in a professional but not over bearing way. We expected a bit of snobbery when we arrived but it was exactly opposite - the woman host was very friendly and welcoming.

Advice is to save room for dessert (the profiteroles) and be sure to order their fries .... really terrific.

• Pros: Food, Service, Ambience
• Cons: Bar on small side

04/15/07

Good food; horrible service

by littlegourmand

The food was good. BJ manages the basics of French cuisine well.

However, the service was *** horrendous***. The waiter managed to serve 2 wrong dishes for the 3 main courses ordered. Moreover, he never intimated an apology. Beverages were never refilled unless specifically requested, and only after considerable effort and time was spent in trying to get the the server's attention.

02/12/07

Terrible Service

by boston14

I went there for Brunch expecting to find great food and service ? given the prices that?s the least you should expect. What I got was OK food and TERRIBLE service. When we were seated at our table the restaurant was out of menu?s ? which is interesting because the restaurant was not even close to being full and other tables were eating. We waited for about 10 minutes before anyone came over to us and another 5 before we got menus. They only had 3 menus for our party of 5. Now on to the server. She approached the table, no Hello, took drink orders and stormed off. When she came back she was complaining about the menu shortage and the management. She then went on about her other table and a customer that was requesting more coffee. Not to servers ? not a good gesture to complain to one table about your other customers. One of our glasses was dirty ? we were actually scared to tell her given her attitude and the fear of her telling the other tables about our request for a clean glass! When we brought this to her attention she brought us a new glass and then placed the old glass in the plant fixture next to our table. The dirty glass remained in the plant for the rest of our meal. One person in our party order tea and she brought us hot water in a juice glass. I guess the restaurant was out of tea pots as well. She instructed us to ?just pour the water into the mug?. When the food arrived a plate of toast was dropped on the floor ? this stayed on the floor for the rest of the meal along with the glass in the plant. The food was OK ? nothing great and given the service definitely not worth going back for. The best part of this experience was when she came over and recommended a great brunch spot right around the corner. This is my second time there for brunch and my last. The first time there was enjoyable however, the service was so awful my second visit I will never go back.

• Cons: Service