Rebecca enjoys a glass of Cabernet at Chez Josephine.

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For my Godmother’s birthday last weekend, I took her to Chez Josephine. Located in the heart of the theatre district (42nd Street between 9th and 10th Ave), it is the perfect combination of Old New York, delicious food and reasonable prices. Despite the neighborhood, Josephine’s has far less tourists than other nearby staples like Sardis, and the tables have plenty of space between patrons. The interior is done in old Parisian decor complete with a grand piano on the lower level and Josephine Baker themed artwork throughout.

The staff is extremely inviting and attentive, often times you will be greeted by the owner himself, Jean Claude Baker, Josephine Baker’s adopted son. Jean Claude is extremely enthusiastic about his restaraunt which he opened in 1986 in tribute to his mother. A very lively and outgoing host, He has even come and sat at my table in the past to check on the meal.

To start we all had a glass of Cabernet-Sauvignon in celebration of my God-mother’s birthday ($8.00 per glass or $38.00 per bottle). For an entree I had the grilled atlantic salmon with julienne vegetables ($26.00), which was delicious and perfectly cooked at medium-rare. My Godmother had the Spaghetti Bolgonese ($19.00), listed on the menu as “Josephine’s Favourite” which she loved. My mother had the Duck L’Orange with spicy wild greens and wild rice ($27.00) and my girlfriend had the Braised Short Ribs with onion rings and creamy polenta ($29.00). Everyone agreed the food was delicious and upon my request, the waiter surprised my Godmother with a chocolate mouse dessert with candles while dimming the lights in the upstairs dining area.

I definitely recommend Chez Josephine for a pre-theatre dinner or a special date or birthday celebration!

414 W. 42nd Street (between 9th and 10th Ave)

212-594-1925 (reservations are recommended but not required)

Rebecca slices a piece of salmon.

Rebecca with her godmother.

Rebecca at Ono inside the Gansevoort Hotel

Acclaimed Sushi restaurant Ono is still going strong with superb sushi in the meatpacking district! Inside the Gansevoort Hotel, Ono has the feel of a West Hollywood Sushi lounge. The oversized raw bar displays huge pieces of fish from which their sushi creations are carved. Gorgeous oversized murals of Japanese style tattoo art extend over the back semi private booths.My girlfriend and I were seated at a table for two on the lower level. (I prefer the upper level seating area as it is more private and overlooks the front bar) But we had a delicious meal nonetheless.

We began with the spicy crab sushi pizza (crab, avocado, radish sprouts & red miso: $16.00 pictured), and the ginger cream spinach ($6.00). Next we had the shrimp and chicken robata. This is a small plate that comes with two skewers and five dipping sauces (shiso pesto, spicy plum miso, sesame mustard, scallion ponzo and kimchee $12.00), not as delicious as the sushi pizza but the dipping sauces did add interesting flavor combinations.

As a huge carb-ophobe, I feel that one of Ono’s best features is the selection of riceless rolls. We shared the tuna yaba roll (yuba seaweed, chopped tuna, seared tuna and tempura flakes $16.00) and the eel avocado roll (crabmeat & cucumber wrapped in nori and soft crepe $14.00). Feeling rather full from all the small plates and rolls, we passed on dessert but they did have an extensive menu, including a citrus tart, miso cream and plum sake sorbet that sounded very tempting…

Though the prices are a bit high (rolls are around the $16.00 range) the ambiance and creative plates (ie the spicy crab pizza) make this sushi worth the splurge. Ono is great for a weekend date, especially due to the proximity to the Gansevoort’s infamous rooftop bar. If your dinner ends before midnight, you can access the hotel elevators via the restaurant’s side door and avoid the outside lines.

ONO

Hotel Gansevoort

18 9th Avenue (at Gansevoort st)

Website