Joséphine Chez Dumonet — Restaurant in Paris

We recently visited this restaurant after reading glowing reviews and watching several videos online. My wife chose it for her special birthday dinner, and we made reservations well in advance, as it’s necessary to secure a table. Unfortunately, our experience did not live up to the high expectations set by previous reviews.

Ambiance and Atmosphere The restaurant is located in a neighborhood that felt somewhat rundown, which was our first concern upon arrival. Inside, the décor was a dated mix of portraits and furnishings, and the space showed clear signs of wear—peeling ceiling paint and visible holes in the floor and baseboards. The restaurant features both indoor and outdoor seating, but there was no air conditioning, making it uncomfortably hot on the night of our visit. Overall, the atmosphere felt neglected and in need of a refresh.

Service We were seated promptly thanks to our reservation, but the service throughout the evening was inconsistent. There were long waits for water refills and bread, and the staff seemed stretched thin. While the servers were polite, the level of attentiveness did not match what one would expect from a restaurant positioning itself as fine dining.

Food We started with the langoustines as an appetizer, which were well-prepared and enjoyable, though expensive at €36. For mains, my wife and children ordered the beef bourguignon, a dish highly recommended in many reviews. The portion was generous and the flavor rich, but the dish was so heavy that none of us could finish it. I ordered the beef filet, which was cooked perfectly but lacked seasoning and depth of flavor. The accompanying sauce was mayonnaise-based, which didn’t pair well with the steak. For dessert, we shared a soufflé that was just average and did not stand out.

Value For four people, including one appetizer, four entrees, one dessert, and two glasses of wine, our bill came to nearly €300. This is a steep price in France unless the experience truly delivers on fine dining standards. Given the underwhelming food, dated atmosphere, and mediocre service, we left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed.

Conclusion While the restaurant may have its loyal fans, our experience did not match the hype. There are many other bistros and brasseries in the Paris that offer better food and service at a fraction of the price. If you’re considering a visit, be aware that the experience may not align with the glowing reviews. We hope the restaurant addresses these issues, as it has the potential to...

This venue was part of my 2024 European Food Crawl.

A much needed replenishment of lost energy and nutrients, the result of an upset stomach, took us to this Parisian institution. Featured in Anthony Bourdain’s ‘No Reservation‘ ….etc, the popularity of this iconic place, especially its famed Boeuf Bourguignon, needs no further introduction.

However, for our hearty, classic traditional French bistro fare this evening, we decided to give the BB a pass and opted for something else.

Pre-order amuse: Cream of Mushroom soup ( great for a cold wet Spring day! )

For starters, we ordered: House smoked ‘ Saumon Fume par Jean Christian ‘ ( Moist and oily, well balanced and seasoned ) Stuffed Morel Mushrooms with Foie Gras ( Decadent and tasty. The morsel size, just perfect for my sensitive system )

For mains, we chose: Millefeuille de Pigeon ( Though the perfectly cooked pigeon was great. However, I enjoyed the aromatic, crispy and oh-so buttery potato slices more! ) House special Cassoulet ( Man! This was one enormous size dish for a lady! However, my daughter loved it, though I found the ‘garlic‘ component of the seasoning is a bit overwhelming for my taste! )

For myself and my daughter, the impetus for choosing this place was actually NOT the savory dishes but the desserts!! The amazingly delicious and gigantic size ‘Millefeuille’ for her and the much missed ‘Tarte Fine Chaude aux Pommes’ for me!.......It has been a loooong while!!

Overall, it was a delicious, elevated, classical French bistro experience. For me, a much needed, satisfying, enjoyable and calorie filled meal after five days of...

Food - Superb ! Service - Terrible ! Before I share my comments about the sensational cuisine , it is important to comment on the service and staff ; My waiters were 100% professional , knowledgeable, friendly and from Southeast Asia . They were absolutely delightful . The Frenchman behind the bar and delievering food and beverage by the name of Guillime was rude , abrupt, poor service skills and unappreciative of the customer base who pay very high prices to dine at Chez Dumonet. ( dinner for one : 170€ .) Whether it was the bottle of water , the wine or the dessert , his method of serving was almost throwing it on the table which created annoyance and contrasted poorly with the wonderful food . I ordered an 80€ bottle of wine , and Guillme delivered it pre-opened and walked away . No wine presentation. Same with the stunning , beautiful impressive dessert - millefeuille ; Guillme basically just plopped the dessert on the table and walked away. Guillme’s poor offensive service made my extraordinary dinner less than special . A special acknowledgment to the very excellent waiters from Southeast Asia . They were absolutely gracious . They should teach Guillme the art of fine French service and hospitality. Regarding the food ; absolutely wonderful, marvelous and delightful . Very classic French cuisine . The morel mushrooms stuffed with foie gras and other delicacies in a cognac sauce was memorable . The breast of Margret / duck in peppercorn sauce ranks as one of the best duck dishes I’ve had . The Millefueille for dessert was subtle...