I have had similar experiences recently over the past month. Service and food were 2 things you could not count on. Plus there never seems to be a Maitre'd around, and a couple of employees (not long timers) seemed annoyed when you entered the restaurant. I think that when the outside is packed the management does not properly know how to staff so that everyone receives the same quality of service. read more

Amazing service and food. I felt like I was in France for a night... super romantic as well!

Absolutely the most dishonest restaurant in the big apple! For the third time, And after paying the bill in cash each time, they neglected to give me back the change. They round off the bill, and it's always In their favor. Tonight, however, my husband complained, and they said they always round it off, and sometimes it comes out in the customers favor. Ridiculous! Can you imagine if grocery stores and all other eating establishments started doing that? They must make a great deal f extra money every night off of their unsuspecting customers. They don't even try to deny it! Stay far far away from this place. And the owner is also in agreement on this because he is well aware of what's going on. I won't be back, and neither will my friends! Total rip off of unsuspecting people! read more

I am ashamed....If i where a religious man (during the middle ages) i would flagellate myself until i bled all of the lame-ness of last night out of my poisoned system. i have been coming to Jacques for literally years and have always liked the friendly service and the fantastic mussels. Recently however i went with a very serious foodie friend who i had been talking about the moulle frite to for weeks and it SUCKED. this was not bad it was horrible - wrong dishes, cold mussels, warm steak tartare, salad that tasted like urine, and TWO types of mussel broth choices that where mediocre at best. i was there trying to sell the idea of myself as a trustworthy foodie and ended up wishing i had gone to Jackson Hole (at least it's an ironic foodie place) damn read more

Last week, Hailey and I checked out Jacques Brasserie on the Upper East Side. The restaurant has a "Belgian Feast" special where for you get a pile of mussels, frites and a draft beer from Sunday through Thursday 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Any menu that has the word 'feast' in it is right up my alley - we of course took full advantage of this special. Atmosphere It's been a long time since I visited France, but if I were to envision what a French restaurant looks like, Jacques Brasserie fits that stereotype. The restaurant has a small outdoor seating area and indoors is covered in dark wood and old French posters. There are lots of mirrors throughout the space to make it feel larger than it actually is (not that it's particularly small to begin with). It may just be me in my old age (28 years old, yikes!) but the place gives off a somewhat old-timey feel. Since we were there for mussels, I immediately jump to compare Jacques Brasserie to one of my favorite mussel places in New York City - BXL. Aside from the fact that one is French and the other is Belgian, I'd say BXL has a bigger bar atmosphere whereas Jacques Brasserie feels more like an actual restaurant. Take your pick for what you're looking for. Food Let's get feasting! The "Belgian Feast" special comes with a heaping pot of mussels, frites and a draft beer. On the menu, you have a choice of various flavors ranging from Marinieres (Chardonnay, garlic, parsley) to Provencale (tomato, garlic, basil) to Dijonnaise (mustard, shallots, garlic). Not wanting to get too crazy, Hailey and I decided on: Marinieres: Chardonnay, garlic, parsley Poulette: Chive and cream First things first, you get a nice basket of warm, fresh bread sliced from a baguette placed on your table. If you're asking why this is important you should probably just stop reading. This is essential so you have something to dip in the sauce leftover from the mussels. I'm a guy and I can put down a lot of food. Whenever I eat mussels I often have to down a lot of the little guys until I even feel remotely full. However, the mussels at Jacques Brasserie are nothing short of enormous. These are probably some of the largest mussels I've had in a long time and I surprisingly found myself pretty full after eating a bucket of them. In addition to the mussels, the frites were crispy and a nice golden brown color. They were coated in lots of salt which made them nearly addictive. Service The service at Jacques Brasserie was nothing short of great. Our waiter almost seemed enthusiastic to serve us, like I was doing him a favor. A side effect of eating mussels is lots of leftover shells. The staff eagerly shuttled discarded shells away so we were never left with anything resembling a Jenga-style pile of mussels waiting to tip over into our laps. Value For $22 you get a heaping bowl of mussels, frites and a draft beer. I challenge you to find a better deal with the same quality of food and atmosphere. Great value! The Verdict Jacques Brasserie has been a neighborhood staple on the Upper East Side more more than 20 years. I'm not sure how long they've been doing their "Belgian Feast," but it's one hell of a deal. The food was delicious, the service was superb and Hailey and I had a great experience. The only downside is the "Belgian Feast" only runs from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. so it can be a little tough to get there for those working a little later into the night. However, if you can skip out of work on time than head on up to the Upper East Side for a little taste of France. You won't regret it. *This meal was provided free, courtesy of Jacques Brasserie. read more

I'm being generous with this 2 star rating. The Good: The French bistro atmosphere is comfortable and pleasant, if a bit loud. The service was friendly and let us set the pace we wanted to be served (taking our time). The apple tart actually tasted like it was heated in an oven (read below) and was tasty. The Horrendous: The food here is just plain bad. Don't order the tuna tartar. My wife said it was the worst and most tasteless she has ever eaten. It came with some sort of cracker that looked and tasted like it was right out of the box. I started with a bowl of pea soup, which was surprisingly thin and watery. Furthermore, I would bet anything that they precook and then microwave most dishes (this was a busy Sat. night). Some things were blazing hot (like the wild rice) while other things were lukewarm, like my duck and my wife's fish. The duck was brown throughout and covered in cranberry sauce (I think partly an attempt to disguise the nuking effect). I suspect that the protein dishes are only lukewarm because they get more rubbery the longer they are nuked, whereas you can go crazy on starches. My advice: Just don't do it. I know there is a shortage of good French/Belgian restaurants on the UES. We just have to live with that reality. Jacques is certainly not a desirable choice. read more

Just OK and overpriced. Service and food were both lackluster. I got moules frites, and the only really good thing I can say was that the pot of mussels was exceptionally large. read more

We had lunch at Jacques yesterday 12-28-20 and the service was non-existent as we were completely ignored. We had to get up from our seats to go find the bus boy to get a refill for our water and then again for bread. Our meals came 15 minutes apart, and no one offered us fresh pepper or asked how our meal was. Then, not surprisingly, we had to chase them for the check. The food was OK, nothing special, and the merguez sausage was served luke warm. Disappointing experience. read more

"It was fine", she said. She brushed her hair aside in order to see into her purse, which was sitting under the bar. He grabbed her wrist gently. "I got it. Put your wallet back." "Are you sure? You only had a tiny bite of my endive/beet salad that was dressed with a light vinaigrette and was, while fresh and tasty, nothing special." "I also had a Palm, a bite of your decent goat cheese tart, and my Moules Frites that came with soggy, flimsy, under-seasoned thick cut fries and slightly over-steamed mussels in a decent Mariniere sauce." "If you insist..." Letting him pay. Was it too archaic? She still had some time to change her mind. The bartender/bar server/host was running around, mixing drinks, placing orders, and seating guests. The vaguely French-sounding barkeep finally picked up the Amex. Too late. They slipped on their light jackets for the short walk home and stepped through the outdoor seating and onto the sidewalk. The street lights flickered in the waning evening light as the uniquely Manhattan mix of subtle trash bag, car exhaust, dog urine, and stagnant puddle smells filled their noses. "Next time it's my treat. And although the food wasn't bad and it had a nice atmosphere, probably not at this same restaurant." "That sounds splendid." And into the night they went. read more

When one finds him- or herself wandering about the Upper East Side, far from Pastis and the other brasseries that seem to litter the streets of Soho like fake stars on the Planetarium ceiling, one can either procure a cab (or subway ride) downtown or one can simply step on over and into Jacques. The space has been a favorable argument for French cookery for years; it's one of those quietly elegant, upscale but not foofy, destinations that beckons you to be comfortable and enjoy some authentic French fare. It's not always healthy nor is it inexpensive, but it's always wonderful. Our most recent visit saw us having a cheese plate and a charcuterie plate as well -- always a good start -- and two among us ordered steak dishes, both of which were prepared perfectly. I had my usual -- moule frites with wine and garlic -- and as per usual, the broth was even more stellar than the mussels themselves. If there is one legitimate complaint about Jacques, it's that the staff is somewhat relaxed -- it's understood that a 90-minute dinner will take over two hours. A bit better service -- more attentive and/or responsive -- would probably go far. We'll return without question, but the service should be a bit more upscale to match the menu. Definitely worth a visit -- whether a special occasion or a rainy Saturday afternoon. read more

Went there for dinner this past Sunday with friends from the city. They go frequently and highly recommended the restaurant. My appetizer was a shrimp dish w/ guacamole - how French is this? Several people at the table ordered escargot and they seemed to like it. My son's steak was smothered with a very spicy sauce which landed him with stomach problems for a full day. My main dish was the trout with a celery root mash . The mash was cold and the trout was over done and dry - tasteless. My husband had a pasta dish which he could not even finish because it was so awful. The interior of the restaurant was pretty and certainly reminded me of bistros in Paris but the food was such a disappointment that I will never go back. read more

They are literally the best French restaurant i'v ever had, they're mussels are so good you won't be able to stop eating them until you either are so stuffed that you can't eat anymore or there literally aren't anymore to eat because you are 'em all. They're tuna tartar is also too good to be true it is so delicious that you feel like there is a circus of deliciousness in your mouth. There steak is extraordinary that if there was such thing as steak president it would be the best in history! They're French fries are so unbelievable you won't believe they are all natural. They're desserts are so good you'd be surprised to find out that they're pastry chefs aren't all grandmother's! read more

Went here for brunch last sunday with a couple girl friends. Great food, reasonably priced. We had the prefix brunch menu for $20 which consists of either a salad or pastries, an egg entree and a glass of mimosa. read more

Great Thanksgiving meal tonight. A bit pricey but-- service was great, the special thanksgiving meal was great, and food off the regular menu was also delicious. Between us we had: warm crusty bread, tuna tartare (huge portion and so tasty!), tomato red pepper soup, a turkey platter, steak frites, poulet roti, and apple tart (yumm!!!) Also-- our waiter suggested me an amazing white wine choice. I'm going back just for that wine and to try out their moules frites next time!! read more

Classic French bistro with a cozy inviting feel but too expensive for what it is. I've been walking past it for years, glancing somewhat longingly at the inviting room behind the half window curtains. It exudes that cozy french bistro feel. But whenever I'd peruse the menu I was always turned off but the just a bit too expensive prices. Eventually I met a regular who couldn't stop raving about the fish and chips so I had to give it a try. The room is indeed just as cozy as it looks and the service prompt, professional and solicitous. When my date inquired about a particular drink they immediately brought a taste. The menu is classic Fr bistro; steak tartar, moules frites, tarte l'oignon... Everything on other tables looked and smelt great so I was looking forward to the rave fish and chips. They were good, two perfectly golden fired pieces of fresh fish, with a basket of fries and a side of tartar. But were they $21.00 good??? I wish I could say yes, but I cant. Maybe if you got a larger portion. But as is I just can't give more than 3 stars based on price. read more

I had been to Jacques about two times before last night, as I used to live next door to there. Had the mussels once and the burger once and thought it was fine. My mother-in-law wanted to go get a burger on the UES for her birthday last night and they mentioned they made a rezzy. So I went on yelp out of mere curiosity to check the latest reviews and thought they might have been harsh. I remembered Jacques being a pretty good place --- and maybe it was 2-3 years ago. My party did seem to enjoy the mussels although I have not checked on them today to see if they saw their see-food again. Myself, I had the yellow squash soup which was really tasty. This was part of the "prix fix" menu which I did not realize was only choose two, not an app, entre, and dessert. Entre was the hangar steak which was pretty decent, but there was just way too much sauce all over the plate. Tried my wife's marinated calamari salad which was ok --- but it was loaded with oil just like everything else on the menu. ... and then I tried the burger. Hold on, I am getting nauseous just thinking about it.... ok, I am back. Have you ever defrosted a burger from like 5 months ago and just hoped it would taste good when cooked? And then you tried it and it tasted/smelled like trash? Well that would have been a welcome relief to the nastiness that was the burger. I guess the meat was spoiled or just poor quality, but it was one of the worst restaurant burgers I have ever tried. I doubt I'll be stopping by this Jacques for an under or overwater exploration anytime soon. read more

Found this place just walking down the block. Nice looking brasserie with authentic French flair. Good bar, nice beers and wines. Ordered burger and mussels. The burger was perfect in every way - ordered rare and that's how it came out, juicy, perfect size, tasty cheese. The mussels, while tasty, had a lot of beards and sand. If not for that I would have given them easily four stars. The chef or owner should really pay more attention! read more

I have to say I was so disappointed with Jacques. Their shed seemed dirty, their antibacterial hand soap pump at the table felt dirty too. Onion soup was pretty bland, they also could put more gruyere in it. The burger is over priced + under seasoned too. When I took the bun off they had cut it in the middle to check it. Seems pretty rookie when you can use thermometer. As a result it was dry, bun was bland too. read more

Went to this place for the first time last night and it was such a wonderful experience! Food was great, service was even better. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone. read more

Really the best French Restaurant in the city. Try the Steak Frites. Service is excellent and the restaurant is very clean with nice outdoor seating in the summer. Highly recommend! read more

Great space for a comfortable evening- menu is enticing and service without error- a rather romantic setting with a reasonable wine list- worth a visit. Oysters are always fresh. One of my neighborhood favorites. read more

One of my favorite burgers in NYC. Normally I'm not a fan of blue cheese because I find it too sharp and bitter, but theirs is so delicious. Not bitter at all, and it picks up the butter from the sauteed onions and apples, so it ends up being quite mild and complimentary for a blue cheese. The apples add a bit of sweetness and contrast in flavors and textures. Perfect combination and so delicious. read more

Best French European food I have ever had! This restaurant is a must try if your ever in the city! I had dinner here on a Friday night the place was modestly crowded. The food was fabulous. I tried the salmon and was very pleased with the texture and how moist the flavor was. The salmon seemed to melt away in my mouth. The atmosphere is great, very laid back, calm, dim lighting. The waitstaff was excellent. Very accommodating and efficient. The restaurant was clean, and easy to find. I will definitely be back to eat here. read more

This review is for lunch only- This place is certainly pricey. I had a salade nicoise which was $20! The portion was large and I could have certainly split it with someone else. It was fantastic though. The service was mediocre at best. When I ate here it was quiet and the waiter was not very warm or attentive, I am generally a non-fussy eater, but I was definitely feeling neglected by the wait staff. I can't imagine what it's like on a busy night. My only complaint was that I was charged $3 for a small glass of soda water?!?! It came from the gun, not even a bottle of Perrier- what is up with that. When I asked the waiter he got really nervous and implied he didn't want to say anything to the supervisor out of fear- let me speak to him myself! I would like to try this place sometime for dinner, maybe. The decor is lovely and feels very French European inside. It seemed like a good choice for a romantic dinner. There is also outdoor seating as well. read more

My most favorite spot in Manhattan! The food, the atmosphere and most of all the service! Kevin the bartender always makes my experience incredible. He is super friendly and professional. Love this place top to bottom! Always will come back! read more

If I could hand out four and a half stars I would - Jacques' deserves it. Jacques' excels at what it is...an authentic Parisien neighborhood bistro (think of it as a less-stuffy Benoit). Nestled in the upper east side, this is a true neighborhood gem - warm and inviting, great, moderately-priced food and a good selection of affordable wine. Perfect for a romantic dinner for two or small groups out for a great setting for collegial conversation and socializing. Authentic dishes include the classic frissee salad aux lardons, delicate truite and a broad selection of other seafood and carnivorous options. Not as much of a scene as Balthazar or Pastis, this is a great way to get in that authentic French fix right in the 'hood. read more

There's two listings for this on yelp but I'll go with this one because it actually has the right name... For lunch you can get the "business lunch." A salad or pate, huge pot of mussels, and fries for $18.95. If you don't want the salad, mussels and fries is only $18.00. They have a couple of different "flavors." I went for the chardonnay, garlic & parsley. My salad was huge and tasty. The fries were also just how I like them. The mussels were great, hot, perfectly cooked, and obviously cooked in the sauce (a lot of mussel places on the UES just steam the mussels and then our the sauce variety you choose over it- like FLEX [or that's what I think anyway]). My only complaint is the sauce was a little too oily. My friend got the dijonnaise and I liked hers better. read more

Third time we have eaten dinner chez Jacques Brasserie. Consistently delicious food and very good service. The rack of lamb was incredible, as was the shrimp and avocado appetizer. I recommend this authentic French cuisine to anyone who wants a brasserie experience! read more

Don't show up here wearing a hoodie. You will get looks. But, if you're a confident person and you know that your Amex Platinum is as good as everyone else's, and debt free, probably unlike everyone else's, you'll enjoy this place...even if you are wearing a hoodie. The beer selection is good, but there should be more on tap, because I like beer on tap. It tastes better. The steak frites were great. The steak was peppery, and the frites were crispy and salty--yum. The steak tartare, which I sampled, was also amazing--nice ratio of egg, beef and pickle, and, for the first time I've ever had steak tartare, sufficient triangles of toast. I will be back, and maybe next time I'll dress up. It was raining, people, and I was hungry! read more

no undersea adventures with Mr. Cousteau here, but Jacques Brasserie is still a fine spot for sampling French cuisine. it's pretty rare that I have canard a l'orange, but it was a good choice. tender, flavorful duck with sauteed scallions and...wait...prune gnocchi? never heard of that before, but it was actually pretty tasty. the orange sauce was nice and tangy. so far as the atmosphere here, it was a bit more relaxed than most French places. I was also a fan of the selection of Belgian beer available. service was good on a Saturday afternoon - attentive but not overbearing. overall? solid spot for French dining. probably on the higher end of 3-stars for me, but it'll take a repeat investigation to merit bumping up to 4 methinks. read more

Always a pleasant reception into a lovely authentic French restaurant. Menu is great and if you love mussels, this is the place to go! Excellent wine list and full bar. Good service. Try it! read more

I live just down the street from Jacques. I love coming here for a good meal in the neighborhood. The sirloin and the provencal mussels are great. I have never been disappointed. If you live in the area and need a new dinner spot, add Jacques to your list. FYI- They have a great brunch and a mussels and beer special on either Monday or Tuesday nights. read more

Make sure you get John as your server for He is most charming. The food is spectacular, service superb and it is like being in a French Brasserie. The owner is smart enough to hire a great staff but I saw an unpleasant side as he dealt with another table. Overall I would be a repeat spender at this gastronomic delight. read more

Jacques - French Near Me - New York, New York

The food at Jacques is fine: I've gone there for years. Unfortunately, there is a new owner. The last time I went, having ordered an expensive lunch, my meal was ruined. Someone was on his cell phone, shouting: "I'm not going to pay you! Don't send me a bill!" This went on for 40 minutes. The waitress (who was wonderful) was embarrassed beyond words. It was the manager. The manager's behavior was crude, vulgar, and I spent a fortune to listen to him scream abuse into his cell phone. Despite years of enjoying their tuna tartare and chicken baguettes: I will find someplace else to eat. If you are concerned about civility: do not, do not patronize a restaurant in which your meal is ruined by the owner screaming into his cell phone. Unacceptable on all levels. I would like to add that the owner of Jacques contacted me later (I was traveling, and did not see his response). He was apologetic, and, yes, I will return. The food IS good; I was simply distressed that my meal was ruined by his behaviour. I think he was simply having a very bad day. Yes, I will go back. read more

I have been eating here once in a while. Today was great, all staple Frnch dishes were perfect, good outdoor seating with heat lamps, friendly staff read more

Charming, if a bit fusty, French bistro on the UES. They don't mess with the classics and do them quite serviceably. I had one of the better moules marinieres I've ever had for my meal and the frites were really great. A little greasy but thin, crispy and piping hot. Every single mussel opened, no grit, and the buttery, wine-y, garlicy sauce was really great. So what if I had garlic coming out of my pores for a week? Worth it. The recommended wines were delicious and not too pricey The service was inconsistent but somehow right on tone for a lazy Saturday afternoon. I'd definitely return, and recommend for a lazy lunch or quiet date with an actual human. read more

Go for the mussels. The service was super slow. Our main courses came out in phases. The kitchen seemed over burdened so perhaps we went on a bad night. The roti (chicken) was a huge serving but the chicken was dry. We asked for buttered noodles for my youngest daughter and got the buttered mushroom pasta dish which was not a kid friendly dish at all (she ate my mussels instead and I ate the pasta). The pasta dish was tooooooo buttery, almost shellacking the pasta. The provencal mussels are way better than the chardonnay mussels but be prepared to drink a gallon of water and smell like garlic for the next 24 hours. Despite all of this, the mussels themselves are well prepared and fresh. read more

Have been here several times and it is a great little restaurant that is always reliably good. Try the escargot, very tasty. Service has always been superb as well, despite being quite busy on occasion. I look forward to going back. read more

We go to Jacques often have always enjoyed food and staff was always great. That is up until today where shall I begin oh the waiter was extremely rude as if he was not working on tips. In addition to being rude he was not a very good server at all. The mussels which have always been deliciously prepared were oily and tasted like bad wine. Speaking of bad wine we ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio which tasted like Florida supermarket wine but the real injustice was when they charged us 64 dollars for the 6 dollar bottle of wine....that's right 6 dollars we looked it up right there. When gently questioned about this obscene price gauging the Maitre D was more rude than his inept server. Well time to look for a new place "Hit the road Jacques" read more

On par with the other reviews, I think. The service was solid (nothing to write home about) and the food was below average. Here's what we had: Onion soup - 4/10 not the standard preparation. Tasted like a tomato(?) or vegetable(?) base. Used a mix of cheese. Half chicken - 4/10 dry as hell. The only reason this isn't a 2 of 10 is because the sides were good. Creme brûlée - 8/10 definitely the highlight of the meal. A bit sweeter than I've had in other places IMO, but overall would order again. If we went for cocktails and dessert, this would probably get 4/5 stars, but we didn't. read more