Chez Josephine is a true New York City treasure hidden in the Theater District. This French-American bistro pays homage to the legendary Josephine Baker, with its blue tin ceiling, red velvet walls, and collection of sparkling chandeliers creating an atmosphere that transports you straight to 1920s Paris.

The food manages to be both comforting and sophisticated – their duck à l’orange strikes that perfect balance between classic technique and modern execution. Their lobster bisque is almost criminally rich, and the hanger steak with pommes frites has a cult following among theater-goers and locals alike.

What really makes Chez Josephine special, though, is its soul. Piano music fills the air most evenings, and the restaurant buzzes with a mix of Broadway performers, locals, and visitors who’ve discovered this gem. The staff treats you like family returning home, whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth.

Pre-theater dinner here feels like being let in on a delicious secret that true New Yorkers have kept to themselves. It’s one of those increasingly rare spots in Midtown that hasn’t lost its character to commercialization – a place where you can still feel the heartbeat of old New York while enjoying a magnificent meal.