Josephine Restaurant

Service was a little slow, but just pretend you are in Paris. It happens!The French onion soup is worth trekking through the freezing rain and snow. I am not sure you can get any better from anywhere else. It is quaint and delightful. I highly recommend this place.

It's a nice looking restaurant...but was also nice looking when it was Portners. We had a reservation, and were seated promptly down in the dark basement. The waiter seemed nice, but at the same time it didn't seem like they cared if they had our business or not. The food is very average for the cost...and was lukewarm when it arrived. (Onion soups, beef tournedos, and beef bourguignon).Also, the service was odd. Someone would deliver drink or food and not remove the empty glass/dish. They'd bring you spoons or knives...and then set them at the opposite end of the table. We sat there for about 10 minutes once our drinks were empty...received our meals...and still sat there waiting for the waiter to return. It just felt like a restaurant that was trying to be something more than it was...nice on the surface, but no substance. . There are better French options around. I wanted to like it, but sort of felt like it's popular for no real reason.

Came to Josephine for their restaurant week menu and was not disappointed. The service was great and the seating was relaxing with a large table for 2 and the dining room was not crowded. The interior is very cozy and clean.I ordered the steak tartare, duck cassoulet, and the opera cake for my dinner, as well as a glass of wine. All three courses were delicious though I'd have to say the steak tartare was my favorite. The price was fairly reasonable for the portion sizes.Overall, I would highly recommend Josephine for a nice dinner especially a date night.

Josephine's is such a cute French restaurant! I love the sun room with the clear roof. It's like having brunch in an atrium. So pretty. I also heard that the upstairs dining area is very aesthetically pleasing. The food and drinks lived up to the overall good vibes! I had a saison beer that was great. My husband enjoyed his bloody mary. I had the avocado toast. It was very nice, and I did enjoy it! I was just surprised that the toast was actually a little sweet. I was expecting a more savory toast. I really loved trying the onion soup. That is always a hit! We had a really great brunch. Service was excellent! I would definitely recommend coming here for brunch.

Charming Experience at JosephineJosephine is a beautiful French restaurant with an inviting, charming atmosphere. Despite not having reservations, the hostesses warmly welcomed us and quickly found us a table. Our waiter, clearly experienced and knowledgeable, was attentive, pleasant, and offered thoughtful suggestions--even accommodating the vegetarian in our group with ease.The drinks and food arrived at a comfortable pace, allowing us to enjoy each course without feeling rushed or left waiting. The presentation lived up to the expectations of French comfort cuisine.Two of our three dishes were exceptional. The Pappardelle Parisienne was perfectly creamy with an al dente bite, and the Escargot was flawlessly prepared. The only surprise was the Boeuf Bourguignon--while the sauce and preparation were outstanding, the beef itself was unexpectedly dry.That said, the overall experience was lovely, and I'm confident this was an exception rather than the norm. I'm looking forward to giving Josephine another visit soon.

A group of friends and I visited this restaurant for Restaurant Week, and we were delighted by the experience. The menu featured several items from their regular offerings, with some understandable upcharges. Reservations // I highly recommend making reservations. Bar seating was available and fairly open during our visit, so maybe a good option for small groups. The staff was accommodating when we had a last-minute addition to our reservation, managing to fit in an extra chair.Ambiance // The restaurant has a dimly lit atmosphere, which we found cozy, but it's worth noting. Some seating areas require walking up a few stairs, which might be important for some people to consider.Appetizers //French Onion Soup :: A classic and was very flavorful, It's quite filling, so consider a lighter main dish if you opt for this. Wagyu Beef Tartare :: (must get) This was was absolutely delicious, with tangy flavors and a hint of sweetness. A few more chips on the side would have been nice. Escargot :: This was very tasty, with a herby and buttery flavor. The puff pastry on top was a nice touch, and we used the bread provided to soak up the remaining sauce.Dinner // Duck :: This was very good, though a bit fatty as expected with duck. More meat or an extra piece would have been appreciated. The included sausage was excellent, and the beans added nice flavor, though potatoes or a more filling side would have been better. Chicken :: They provided a very generous portion, it was also very juicy and flavorful. Highly recommend! Salmon:: This was cooked to our requested doneness with good flavor. The sides were well-paired and it's a lighter option for those being health-conscious.Dessert //Citrus Tart :: This one was recommended by the waitress. It was okay but not great. The grapefruit on top overpowered the dish, and the portion size was smaller compared to other desserts. I would probably not get this again unless they change the fruits on top Opera Cake :: As expected this was very chocolatey and enjoyed by everyone. It's big enough and rich enough to be shared between two people. Profiteroles :: These were excellent, filled with ice cream instead of custard, which was a nice change. The warm chocolate syrup paired well with the ice cream. The portion size here also good to split between 2 people for a nice treat after dinnerThis was a great place to eat and we will for sure be back!

A darkly lit atmosphere with intimate table seating. Service was very professional, knowledgeable and prompt, not overbearing.Salmon Rillettes: passable, as this was like a smoked salmon dip, and came with sandwich bread.Poulet Roti: so worth it! Would recommend! Mashed potatoes was really good, and chicken was crispy and juicyWould recommend for a classic French dinner, and service was great.

This place is amazing. Beautiful interior with amazing features. Really just a cool spot. The service both times I have been have been really good, attentive and generally on top of things! The food, mm mmm! So good. Prepared very well, presented very well, and followed up on to ensure everything is as it should be. Only complaint I currently have is the restaurant week was happening the second visit, therefore they did not have the normal daily special I was craving ( duck a'l'orange). The manager overheard me trying to order it though and gave me his card telling me to let him know when I come back I. And "they'll take care of me". Genuine offer and care that it wasn't available on my visit.. so just make sure if it's something you're craving that they do indeed offer it that day if there are any other promotions going on! Otherwise, amazing spot as I said! Great wine selection as well!

Superb dining experience. Casual atmosphere coupled with impeccable service made for a great meal. Onion soup was the best I've ever enjoyed. Steak frites was perfectly prepared. Side dishes of mushrooms and garlic spinach were divine. Pappardella with truffle was amazing. Dessert menu was outrageous. Chose the bread pudding to share. All I can say is PERFECTION. prices were super reasonable for the quality, portion and service. A must!

Came here for a post Valentine's Day dinner and it was perfect! This place has been on my list since I moved to Alexandria and was hesitant because we always choose Le Diplomate in DC for French food. After reading rave reviews about the French onion soup and mac and cheese we started with those. Absolutely amazing! Probably my favorite French onion soup I've had. The cheese melted perfectly into the soup unlike most where it's just a layer on top that doesn't move... For our entrees we split the hamburger and steak au poivre. The hamburger was good, I do think Le Diplomate has mastered their steak au poivre so it was very hard to beat that, but this was a close second. Additionally the garlic spinach it came with was extremely overpowering. I could smell the garlic the moment I put it on my fork and only had one bite and couldn't eat the rest. It was extremely. My cocktail was delicious as well. I loved the vibe, service and atmosphere and it was a great dinner overall!