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(New York, NY) May 12, 2008 - “I'm allergic to garlic; I don't give a damn about food; know nothing about wine, even though I'm from Burgundy, France; but I love people!” These are the words of
Jean Claude Baker, adopted son of 1920's entertainment legend,
Josephine Baker, proprietor of
Chez Josephine, a staple of New York's theatre district for twenty two years.
Jean Paul and another of
Ms. Baker's thirteen adoptive children,
Jarry, don't just operate this tres exotic establishment, but “live” it.
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Jean Claude greets his guests with open arms
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Walk in and you're immediately “un ami” de
Jean Claude, just as
Jackie O,
Harry Connick Jr. and opera diva
Jesse Norman are or have been. In fact this is where
Harry Connick Jr. got his start, at the handsome, shiny, black grand in the center of the narrow dining room.
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Jean Claude tinkles the keys with noted vocalist Lillette Jenkins
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Every night a different piano man/woman takes up residence at the keyboard, entertaining the pre-theatre, mid evening and after theatre patrons, who never know who'll cozy up to the piano to pick up the mike.
The night we were there,
Nicole Rochelle, co-star of the
Bill Cosby Show, had just flown in from Paris, where she'd been starring in, of all productions,
“Looking for Josephine.” Naturally she had to do a number from the show, a la
Ms. Baker. How a propos!
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Jean Claude teams up with Nicolle Rochelle and piano man Eric Garcia
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Surrounded by paintings and posters of
Josephine Baker, hearing
Ms. Rochelle's vocal emulation of “
La Baker” eerily transported us back to 1920's Paris.
Jean Claude, who performed with his adoptive mom the last several years of her life and managed her career, modeled his Broadway establishment on
Chez Josephine's, the club she ran in Montmartre in the '20s. The new
Chez Josephine is a former massage parlor.
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Chez Josephine transformed from massage parlor to elegant eatery
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It's red velvet walls with Venetian brass and wood chandeliers and art deco palm trees evokes the period
Jean Claude recalls in the biography he penned several years ago,
“Josephine.” He'll gladly autograph a copy should you request one, as well as whet your appetite with a few, choice anecdotes. Speaking of whetting one's appetite, the food at
Chez Josephine is as scrumptious as the setting, though not inexpensive.
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Black Tiger Shrimp with English Pea and Mint Risotto
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Entrees range from twenty to thirty four dollars. However you won't find duplicates of
Chef Richard Pims' creations anywhere else. His
Black Tiger Shrimp, served atop a bed of English pea and mint risotto ($29.00) is a delight: five large shrimp sauteed in lemon, garlic, shallots, white wine and butter, cooked to perfection and presented on a bed of al dente risotto and peas with the consistency of peanuts rather than the usual variety that are easily mashed with a fork. For the more carnivorous patron: the
Rosemary Basted Hanger Steak, served sliced between two crisp fried buttermilk and cornmeal onion rings ($29.00)
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Rosemary Basted Hanger Steak nestled in Onion Rings: the ultimate sandwich
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This “sandwich” is surrounded by organic heirloom tomatoes and dabs of Roquefort cheese and the chef's own yellow pepper ketchup. For those not quite as hungry: perhaps the
Chinese Ravioli stuffed with fresh goat cheese, dill and roasted pine nuts ($10.00). It's served in a broth of ginger-infused veal reduction with brandy and chives: a velvety consistency and enveloping flavor.
While
Jean Claude may not be the wine connoisseur, his waiters are, and theres a superb selection from which to choose. Desserts, and there's a large variety, are all eight dollars and all homemade, including the
Apple Rhubarb Crepe Cake, composed of fourteen paper thin crepes intermingled with an apple and rhubarb compote,
Richard's variation on the Tart Tatin but less sweet.
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Jean Claude's favorite: Frozen Cappuccino Parfait
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Jean Claude's favorite is the
Frozen Cappuccino Parfait, a cappuccino frozen custard, created in a mold to make it look like a souffle overflowing an espresso cup, served with espresso beans and candied flower petals flown in from France. Try finding that anywhere else in America!
Chez Josephine is only open for dinner, Tuesday through Saturday from five to midnight, but on Sunday they also serve brunch from noon to three. Selections include thick cut
Brioche French Toast with berries ($14.00),
Maine Lobster and Soft Scrambled Eggs ($20.00) and the
Classic Eggs Benedict ($14.00). All brunch entrees are served with salad and fries.
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Chez Josephine: a throwback to 1920's Paris
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If the chef tells you that after a year on the job he can't wait until Monday, first thing in the morning, to see what's fresh and new at the market, and your host informs you he views his establishment as a perfectly blended cocktail of human beings, what can you expect but a joyous experience?
Chez Josephine
414 W. 42nd St.
New York 10036
(212) 594-1925
www.chezjosephine.com
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