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jah Feb 14, 2006 09:59 AM

Any comments on Cafe Joul on 1st avenue?

Does anyone have any comments on Cafe Joul on 1st Ave? Can you recommend some good dishes to try there.

  1. j
    Jane A. May 24, 2008 07:51 PM

    It's my regular good neighborhood french place. Ate there tonight. Love the endive salad. For a light meal, the mushroom ravioli is very delicate. The seafood cassoulet is unique - you can smell the butter in the crust as it arrives at the table. Their steaks are also excellent. Their frites are very french. The service is always friendly and competent. It's a true neighborhood place. I've never had a bad meal there and have brought friends from all over the country. The specials are usually excellent. 3 of us shared the flourless chocolate cake tonight - with caramel ice cream instead of the hazelnut because I don't care for the latter. They were happy to do it for us. One appetizer, 3 mains, 1 dessert, and one coffee came to $116 including tax and tip. My guests (young opera singers) weren't drinking because they're singing this weekend, and I wasn't in the mood for wine. One of the singers looked across the room and saw a vocal/drama coach she worked with several years ago - a very "What are YOU doing here?" moment. Coach lives in the neighborhood too. Singer in NYC between major out-of-town gigs. A good time was had by all.

    1. e
      elizabells May 24, 2008 06:07 PM

      I go with my grandmother fairly regularly - I nearly always get the chicken breast with lemon fettucini. The chicken is always lovely - crisp skin, tender and juicy. It's an entire breast perched on the pasta, not sliced and mixed in. I don't even like lemon, but the lemon sauce on the pasta is just fantastic.

      1. TBird May 21, 2008 10:20 AM

        we had a very successful 6 person 99 burgundy wine dinner at cafe joul last night. the staff was knowledgeable & courteous, and the food was wonderful. i had the mahi mahi special. $10 corkage.

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