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    Restaurant Josephine

    4.5 (281 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndFrench
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

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    RESTAURANT JOSEPHINE ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Restaurant Josephine

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    Mussels & Frites
    Jamie S.

    Once again, a wonderful experience at this terrific restaurant. The mussels were plentiful and all of the shells were open. The broth was divine. I love their frites as they're thin and crispy on the outside. The asparagus salad was delicious as well and I loved the black garlic aioli. I sat at the bar. The bartender was very pleasant and offered great service even being as busy as he was. The atmosphere at the bar is pretty loud, but it's usually pretty lively as well. Never a disappointment here.

    Oysters west coast Washington
    Eui O.

    Amazing, rustic ambience, mixture of Auburn old town charm with exquisite, tasty French inspired farm to table cuisine. We started with the delicious bread and Vermont butter, mixed with oysters with their own spicy concoction sauce with mignonette and shaved horse radish. Add a freshly made French onion soup with duck liver mousse with savory and sweet honey spread with freshly made buttery toast. We were more than satisfied. Our eyes were just bigger than our stomachs we had to take home the steak and Fritz. Overall a wonderful dining experience. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was phenomenal.

    Gigi J.

    French is my fav cuisine, I get super excited when trying a new French restaurant! I really wish there were more around. J's been on my list forever and their online reservation portal isn't the best. It's been fully booked on the weekends for months so we finally bit the bullet when there was an opening for a Wednesday night dinner. They had our time ready on time, no prob. Off to a great start! OFC I've studied the menu and knew exactly what i wanted, keeping in mind ofc it changes seasonally. Right off the bat, i knew what i wanted to drink ... Tom Kah cocktail! OFC i want the most unique and tastiest drink and it certainly delivered a nice kick! All the food was good, liked the duck mousse pate and scallop crudo appetizers. The Japanese corvina was perfectly cooked, crispy and moist and full of yummminess. The moules frites were good too, my go-to French favs. Oh my other was escargot which they didn't have. Bummer. Food and drinks were spot on, no qualms about that. Service is where they lost some points. Our server was super friendly and helpful, no issues there. But the team collab was off with the kitchen, food wait times, as well as busing out tiny table. We ordered 3 appetizers and we were left waiting for quite a while. The server even came by and thought we finished our oysters already, nope, still waiting. Then finally they started coming out. Also, we were left staring out 2 empty entree plates towards the end of our meal forever. 2 plates on a tiny table didn't leave room for anything else, not pleasant. I get it, it's the dinner rush but we shouldn't have to sit and suffer! They got some brownie points back after they remembered it was a birthday reservation and brought dessert with a candle on it and a happy birthday note. I appreciated that. It urks me when establishments want to know if it's a special occasion and then don't bother to read or remember the reservation notes. So thnx 4 that!

    Shigoku & Pink Moon  oysters! Delish!
    Krystle T.

    The service and quality of food and vibes are always the BEST here! This is why we keep Coming back!

    Citron
    Tom S.

    July 30, 2025. Dinner here again to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Tonight the food was maybe not as great as previous visits. But this update is just to say that the couple at the table to the left of us was also celebrating their 9 year anniversary and the three tables to the right were all celebrating wedding anniversaries. We were all married on this day! Those are just Las Vegas odds. 5 consecutive tables of couples all married on the same day.

    Barbara S.

    The past visits have always been 5 star. Tonight's meal had a few misses. The Little Gem Caesar was really bland, the dressing had absolutely no flavor. The frites were soggy, hubby steak was grainy and dry tasting. The highlight of my meal was the halibut dinner although the piece of fish was probably only 3 ounces, and very pricey at $48 for the portion size. Sort of disappointing for our anniversary dinner.

    josephine burger
    Kaylei A.

    Food was fabulous, prices were very decent for the quantity and quality of the food! Service was attentive and quick. The vibe of the restaurant is so jazzy and romantic. Super cute for a date!! The mussels were genuinely amazing btw- definitely will be back for that dish alone

    Wake the dead" created by Josiah James!
    Jeff W.

    Bonjourno! Please step right into the most vintage, coziest, foodie focused, and extravagant cocktail restaurant. Meet Josephine, it's French cuisine and the drinks are staff-crafted by working pros... a taste you won't wanna miss. Weekly featured drinks, Seasonal drinks/Food Menu. I had the honor of being served by Josiah with his crafted "Wake the dead" cocktail - a coffee liqueur and Rye Whiskey affair that suited my snobby palette of boujee coffee and rye whiskey with pure satisfaction. Assisted to that was the house frites. Fresh fried in peanut oil and served house Aioli. Cmon now! I just came for drinks, but ended the night with a N/A IPA and some fresh local bread (warm to the touch from a bakery next door) served with class and some butter from Vermont. I can't wait to bring my date back for the food & dessert. Ciao!

    Sunchoke soup-seasonal soup
    Rand E.

    Great bistro. Started with their happy hour selection (a small selection of main menu options, same prices) and mixed drinks. Delicious and varied drinks. Started with a grilled cheese toast and smoked cod dip...wonderful. Entrees included seared halibut, roasted chicken and English pea veraniki with an asparagus salad and beet salad. Dessert was a must try of chocolate profiteroles, lemon tart and a strawberry pavlova. All in all a lovely dinner.

    Josephine Burger
    Jason T.

    We found ourselves back at our favorite little restaurant nestled in the heart of Auburn. We had the pleasure of being taken care of once again by our wonderful host, Robert, who also served us during our last visit. It was such a warm and welcoming feeling to be recognized and remembered. If you ever get the chance to interact with Robert, you'll see why. I had been dying to try the Josephine Burger since our last visit, so we decided to make it our appetizer. Robert was surprised and told us we were the first party to ever order the burger as a starter! Let me tell you, even though it's on the smaller side, this burger packs an incredible punch of flavor, and the fries were perfectly crispy and delicious. Perfect way to start the meal. For our entrées, we stuck with our favorites from before, the Vareniki and the Pork Chop. Both were just as outstanding as we remembered and reminded my girlfriend and I why we always speak so highly of Josephine. To finish, we had the almond cake for dessert, and it was absolutely heavenly. Coming from someone who rarely orders dessert when dining out, I can honestly say I'm excited to try every dessert Josephine offers. I highly recommend making a reservation and experiencing this hidden gem for yourself. It's truly the best bang for your buck if you're looking for a memorable and elevated night out.

    Danielle O.

    I went to Josephine's with my mom for a mother-daughter date. It was intimate and dimly lit. The size of the restaurant isn't large, so it was a little loud, but not so loud that you couldn't have a conversation. Our server was so knowledgeable about everything on the menu and was so kind and he gave us so many different recommendations and could describe each part of the dish perfectly. Some of the menu can be pricey, but we were able to order a lot of things and stay around $150 and everything was moderately priced! Here is what we ordered and the rating: Mushroom Toast: 5/5 Seasonal Cauliflower Soup: 5/5 Pierogi type seasonal dish: 5/5 Fries: 4/5 Wedge Salad: 4/5 (spicy) Half chicken: 5/5 Chocolate mousse dessert: 5/5 Lemon tart dessert: 5/5

    This was one of the previous visits you can't skip out on the baker and cake maker bread!
    Destiny C.

    I normally have great service here! However, the last time that we went we were celebrating our engagement that happened that day and was clarified on the reservation. It was also our last nice dinner before my fiancé left for BMT so we were disappointed that we didn't get a congratulations and our server only checked on us once. On our previous trips here we had that server and he was amazing so we specifically requested him. There were a lot of people at the restaurant so I'm not faulting him. I was just very disappointed. The food is good every time we've been there. I did try their Mocktail, which was amazing! Everyone did their job well, there's no complaints. Just disappointed that such a special day fizzled out like that.

    Meringues
    Elaine J.

    I'll be honest, even though I really enjoy well-conceived and prepared food, I still roll my eyes when I hear that there are reservations windows opening--it doesn't dampen my desire to partake in, but it does raise my expectations for sure. That said, it's hard to get good French food in these parts (Northern California) and Restaurant Josephine had been brought to my attention by a few foodie friends. Happy Birthday to me! Adorable decor, immediate seating, efficient friendly server with appropriate recommendations on request. I had escargot in a nice melted butter with garlic and herbs, not too heavy; a beautifully prepared halibut; a lovely meringue dessert. C'était charmant et je reviendrai bientôt!

    Their version of an Old Fasioned

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    2 months ago

    Beautiful restaurant, amazing service and food. Everything I ate was perfect. Need to get back but it's hard to get a reservation

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    2 months ago

    Tucked away in a quaint spot, just walking in is welcoming, food was excellent, service is what you expect from a fine restaurant, thumbs up

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    6 months ago

    Great restaurant with a tasty menu! Tried many appetizers and loved them. Good drinks too. Excellent service. Great date night spot.

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    Ask the Community - Restaurant Josephine

    Should we make reservations?

    100%. You can't get a seat without a reservation most of the time.

    Is there a happy hour? What times

    yes, I believe it is 4 to 6 pm

    Do they have a gluten free option?

    Yes.

    Is it kid friendly?

    Not really, no. Kids are welcome, but the atmosphere is more suited to date night vs family dinner.

    Are reservations required?

    Yes. They have a small walk in bar but otherwise they book out weeks in advance.

    View All 7 Questions

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    Brasserie Du Monde - Pour Commencer: Potage Épais De Topinambour et Champignons (Pureé of Roasted Sunchoke & Mushroom, Shallots, Cream, Ham & Gruyère Gougère)

    Brasserie Du Monde

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    My boyfriend and I chose this restaurant to celebrate my birthday. It was a bit difficult to secure…read morea reservation due to limited time slots, so we expected it to be a busy night. However, when we arrived, the restaurant was surprisingly empty, and we anticipated a quiet, relaxed evening. We started with the half oysters and salmon tartare, and for our entrées, I had the lamb chops while my boyfriend ordered the duck confit. For drinks, he had sweet iced tea and I had Tito's with soda. The food was excellent--flavorful, well-prepared, and generously portioned. That said, I'm giving three stars primarily due to the service and ambiance. Our server (whose name I unfortunately forgot) was very friendly but not attentive, especially considering how slow the restaurant was. He didn't check on us after delivering our meals, and my boyfriend had to request a refill on his iced tea. Additionally, the bartender was loudly sharing what sounded like personal stories with another guest, to the point where it disrupted the atmosphere. We could barely hear ourselves talk. When dining out--especially for a special occasion--we were hoping for a more peaceful environment where we could enjoy a quiet conversation. While the décor is elegant and inviting, the overall experience didn't quite match the setting. I would return for the food alone, but I hope improvements are made in service and ambiance. Also, given how slow the evening was, the food took longer than expected to come out.

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    Inside

    Brasserie Du Monde - Plats Principaux: Guillaume's Cassoulet (Duck Confit, Garlic Sausage & Pork Belly on a bed of Tarbais Beans, Mirepoix and  Breadcrumbs)

    Plats Principaux: Guillaume's Cassoulet (Duck Confit, Garlic Sausage & Pork Belly on a bed of Tarbais Beans, Mirepoix and Breadcrumbs)

    Brasserie Du Monde - Enter the lobby of Esquire Tower (1201 K St)

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    Le Bistro - Duck Breast with Braised Napa Cabbage and Mandarin Sauce

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    Long overdue review, but this place was amazing. Well worth the price of the food that was both…read moresatisfying and filling to consume. The service was great as all the staff is personable and kind. The ambiance is warm and fitting especially during the winter months. The food was just what we needed on a snowy day, and the ambiance was the cherry on top. My husband and I were only here for a 3 days, and 2 of the days we spent having dinner here. We look forward to returning on our next trip and hope to share our experience with friends and family in the near future.

    I liked it before I ate a bite. I don't know if it's intentional or I misread the room but I'm a…read morefan of 70s-vibe elevated (but... homey? Is that a thing) French fare. Think, maybe, Julia Child cooking at the boss' house, prepared by their cook in their over-sized split level. That's specific, I know. But that's the head space I was in and that's the head space that allowed me to enjoy my meal at Le Bistro. I came here with a large group of folks I have known since my teen years and we were ready to eat, drink and carouse. Given our group's size and the relatively sparse crowd on a Saturday night, we were given the big table in the front dining room. Despite being on display I welcomed the seating. Our server was chatty and friendly. Realizing that we were a table of (mostly) newbies, she told us about the $70 prix fixe menu*: 5 courses from appetizer to dessert. Done. Sold. Let's do this. To accompany the first part of my meal, I had to begin with a French 75. The glass was lovely. The champagne was bubbly. And the gin was a respectable pour but not so heavy as to overwhelm the lemon and other elements. Plus, hibiscus for a purpley hue. We're off to a good start. Soup: Lobster bisque. Full of sweet lobster meat, cream, deft use of tomato paste and pepper, and as much butter as one could want in a serving. My cholesterol levels would have to be sated on another day. Appetizer: Crab cakes. I figured if the lobster was a hit, let's stay in the same neighborhood. A plate of Dungeness crab came breaded, flaky, sweet, and meaty to my waiting belly. Paired with a delightful (appropriate use of the word, given the French setting) remoulade, this former New Orleanian had no notes or complaints save wanting more. Salad: House Caesar. Keeping with my fishy meal, I was pleased to note that the salad was very (white) anchovy heavy and the cheese was Parmigiano-Reggiano rather than Parmesan. AND it, too, was served with a heavy hand. I understand that some may want editing but when eating this style of food in this setting, set the dial to 11. Going into the home stretch, I requested a glass of Grenache. Our server let me know that she had a blend. I told her that was good enough and when I received it, I was ready for my entree. Main: U/10 scallops (ie the big boys). No fear of any heavy handedness in this dish. The protein was prepared perfectly so as to allow for the sweet flavor of the delicate meat to come through. And even though it was served 'French-style' (coated in a Fontal bechamel sauce, topped with breadcrumbs and broiled until browned), I never lost the plot on the scallops. Dessert: An assortment of macarons. Completely serviceable (not an insult; a descriptor). Every course was fair to generous in size and I left satisfied, full and happy. This isn't trendy, sceney food. This is old school, well-executed French comfort food and it was wonderful. When vacationing in Lake Tahoe (or, if you live there), I can't imagine not putting Le Bistro as part of the rotation. *Prices may have gone up since then.

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    Christmas 2023

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    Restaurant Josephine - french - Updated May 2026

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