Josephine - Old Town

Review summary

1. C

   CHARLES

   VIP

   Washington DC

   78 reviews

   4.0

   78 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   As always, the food was fabulous and beautifully presented. Service was inconsistent but it's the holidays and the restaurant was nearly full so we give them a pass. One surprising gap, the bar has no pastis, not even the ubiquitous Ricard. Yet they have the more obscure absynth, and several champagnes by the glass.
   

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2. M

   Mavika

   Washington DC

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The food and service were amazing! The ambience is gorgeous too if you go at night. Will definitely come back!
   

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3. M

   Michele

   Washington DC

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food, best Egg's B I have had in a long time. Great service. Thank you
   

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4. S

   Sean

   VIP

   Washington DC

   68 reviews

   3.0

   68 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   **Josephine Restaurant: A Disappointing Lunch Experience in Old Town Alexandria** As a frequent visitor to Old Town Alexandria, I was eager to finally experience Josephine, a restaurant that had caught my attention through glowing guides and online reviews. Unfortunately, my long-anticipated lunch visit this past weekend left me underwhelmed, though I may consider returning to explore their full dinner menu before passing final judgment. The highlight of the meal was, without question, the appetizers. The steak tartare and escargot were respectable, meeting expectations without exceeding them—comparable to the offerings at other local French establishments. However, the rest of the dishes fell noticeably short. The quiche and Josephine Burger were passable but unremarkable, lacking the finesse and boldness one might hope for. The French onion soup was flavorful but leaned heavily on the salt, overshadowing its otherwise solid execution. The most disappointing dish was the duck confit. The sauce, overly dominant, masked the natural flavor of the duck, resulting in a bland and uninspired plate that failed to stand out in any way. Service was adequate—attentive enough, though nothing particularly memorable. The historic charm and classic elegance of the interior decor provided a pleasant backdrop, though it did little to elevate the overall dining experience. While Josephine’s lunch offerings were a letdown, I remain cautiously optimistic about what the dinner menu might reveal. For now, this visit has left me unimpressed and wondering whether the restaurant’s reputation is truly deserved.
   

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5. S

   Shawen

   Richmond

   19 reviews

   5.0

   19 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wonderful experience eating at Josephine's. Delicious food with wonderful service! Looking forward to returning soon hopefully!
   

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6. M

   Marsha

   VIP

   Washington DC

   83 reviews

   5.0

   83 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   My niece and I had a lovely dinner. I asked for a quiet table as it can be pretty noisy at Josephine. We were seated at the very back, and it made conversation easy. Our waiter was excellent. I have multiple dietary restrictions and he helped me to choose. I had the trout, which was very tasty. My niece had the scallops, which she loved. She had vanilla ice cream for dessert and I had the mixed berry sorbet. Both are housemade and delicious. I've been to Josephine a number of times and appreciate that the menu changes seasonally. A nice touch was the manager stopping by to check on us.
   

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7. D

   Divya

   San Francisco

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Had the delicious cab franc (my all time favorite wine)! The pappardelle pasta was delicious and scallops were very weak cooked! Tender, juicy, and just a little crispy on the top!
   

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8. B

   Ben

   Hawaii

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Went on a date here and sat upstairs, and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish. We ordered the french onion soup and paired it with the dirty martini special. For our mains the Coq Au Vin (Sunday plat de jour) was absolutely phenomenal. We really enjoyed the kind service and romantic atmosphere. Would totally recommend this spot to a friend or family member for their next date night or special dinner event.
   

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9. L

   Lisa

   VIP

   Washington DC

   26 reviews

   5.0

   26 reviews

   Dined on December 15, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Sunday brunch was delicious! Excellent service, quality coffee and a piping hot basket of fresh pastry- lovely! Nice atmosphere . Omelette was made perfectly. Recommend!
   

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10. K

    Kristen

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    My favorite restaurant in old town! Love the quiche for brunch and dinner at Josephine is superb!
    

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