Last Sunday, after visiting The Museum of Broadway, I joined a group heading out to dine at Chez Josephine restaurant located at 414 West 42nd Street.

Chez Josephine was the brainchild of Jean-Claude Baker from Burgundy, who named his restaurant after his adoptive mother, Josephine Baker. Baker, born Freda Josephine McDonald, was an American-born naturalized French citizen famed as a dancer, singer, and actress.

Baker’s career was primarily in Europe and mainly in her adopted France. During the silent film genre in 1927, Baker became the first black woman to star in a major motion picture, Siren of the Tropics, and was active in the American Civil Rights Movement. She adopted 12 children from around the globe to establish, as she described, a “rainbow tribe” showcasing a living demonstration of unity.

Here are two poster of Josephine from the restaurant’s wall displays.

Here are some scenes of the restaurant’s interior.

Meal options were pre-selected by the group organizing today’s museum and meal event. I chose the Mesclun Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette dressing on the side and the Poached Sole with Vegetable Couscous and Lobster Emulsion. 

For dessert, I reveled in the très délicieux Bombe Glacee Praline.

The meal was marvelous! The next time you’re in the theater district or near Times Square, transport yourself to the opulent delights of gastronomique parisien at Chez Josephine!

Chez Josephine
 414 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036

Readers may also enjoy our reviews of Latham House in Jersey City, Pershing Square Café, the Bryant Park Grill, and Cotenna Italian Restaurant.