This place has excellent customer service & food! We had a great time with my mom for her bday! Great music too! I had the chicken with spaghetti, large portion & yummy. My brother & boyfriend had the ribs & they loved it, boneless & tasty. My mom had the special that day & she was happy with it & her free dessert! Also, good cocktails. The chef can help u pick out wine if u tell him what u r going to order, FYI!
(4)
Karen J.
Chef Joe's never disappoints. Live music. Excellent cocktails ($5 martini in Thursday night) Lamb meatballs and goat cheese flatbread small plates were delicious and enough for a meal. But seriously, have a martini!
(5)
Heather H.
We came here for my mom's birthday on Friday and really had an excellent time. Both my parents are vegan, and my husband and I are vegetarian, so I had emailed the restaurant ahead of time to see if arrangements could be made for a three course vegan meal for our celebration. I received a very prompt response from John Mays, one of the proprietors, who told me they could certainly arrange this for us. When we arrived on Friday there was a little confusion with the host about our reservation, but John was actually there and had everything arranged and taken care of for us. We were seated and our server brought us water and a drink menu, and John came over and told us about what we would be having that night so we could make a wine choice, and then also was able to offer his thoughts on the wine offerings as well. For our meal we were served: - Salad with avocado, orange and tomato with an orange vinaigrette dressing - Mixed vegetables in a tomato sauce (this was MUCH more exciting than it sounds, as the vegetables were a mix of portabellas, red and yellow peppers, zucchini, green beans, and asparagus and the sauce was so amazing we were all nearly licking our plates by the end) - Apples baked in a sweet yam sauce All three courses were really, really good and paired very well together. The service was also excellent. Our water was kept full, and courses were brought at appropriate intervals. The live music was also a great touch and really added a fun element to the dinner. As others have noted, the decor in here is absolutely beautiful. I will definitely be coming back for regular dinners in the future. This was an overall very enjoyable experience. It's great to find a place so willing to make a creative and delicious vegan meal for us!
(5)
Bob S.
Great atmosphere, great service, great food! We came for a full dining experience which was very good, but I would also like to come back more often for after work drinks and appetizers as they have good deals and unique and tasty food. I believe that they also often have some live entertainment there, but it's not overwhelming or distracting from the experience.
(5)
Molly S.
What an awesome night at Chef Joseph's. I had family in town and wanted to take them to a nice place- maybe a little upscale, nothing too loud (have some hard of hearing in the crew), delicious food. Chef Joseph's hit the spot- and then some. Not only did we have impeccable service, a custom wine recommendation from the chef himself, and great ambience; but the food was delicious. I had the halibut which was outstanding. Many at the table had the tuna special for the evening with a delicious soy ginger wasabi sauce. For dessert- an amazing creme brulee- perfectly torched, not too sweet, and a great dish to share. There was a jazz singer performing throughout most of our meal, and she added greatly to the fun of the evening. Nothing too loud or overpowering, but she had a great voice. Overall, it was a lovely evening, and we will definitely be back. Our regards to the chef and the entire staff at Chef Jospeh's!
(5)
Barry L.
A perfectly reasonable meal, but nothing spectacular. The ambiance is very cool - kind of old fashioned supper club place. The space is very small and cozy, but the challenge is that there is a major draft from the doorway (it was very cold last night). The service was very good - the service team was right on top of their game. There was live entertainment which made for a nice background. Unfortunately, we were seated about five feet from the singer, so it was a bit loud. Unfortunately, the food was only above average. My wife ordered a chicken dish with artichoke hearts, and the artichokes were very stringy. I had a scallop dish with polenta and asparagus - all of which were terrific, but the accompanying sauce was disappointingly bland. The best thing about the night was not the doing of the restaurant - a bit of luck on the timing. There was a bus of drag queens going around restaurants in Indy, and the "ladies" came in and vamped for tips - which are going to anti-HIV charities. All in all an OK place. Different from the standard dinner experiences, but not enough to make me want to go back the next time I visit Indy.
(3)
Chelsea G.
Stopped in while in town for a game for lunch. Place was pretty empty but good was great. Lamb tacos were excellent!
(4)
Molly S.
The service could not have been worse. We came with a group for a bachelorette brunch and asked the waiter to divide the check 9 ways. It took five attempts to get it correct. We also spent two hours having brunch and waited about an hour and a half for food. It was unacceptable. The restaurant was only a third full. Will never be back.
(1)
Casey B.
What a great find in the circle city. Moderately priced unique food that comes up in good portions and wonderful flavors. Atmosphere and wait staff were very pleasant. I also enjoyed the one page menu, which tells me that the chef focuses on what he does and does it right. 5 dollar martini Thursday is also a plus. This is a good date night place.
(4)
teri a.
Horrible Went at 8;00pm on Weds and were only other couple in dining room Maybe 8 or 9 people at bar... Guess that should had been an omen Server had a very poor attitude and had not been trained properly if dining companion had not leaned back a couple of times he would have been hit in face!! Food was mediocre at best and served lukewarm. Barely. When asked to leave a few items off a dish we were met with quite a nasty attitude Plse avoid this place,, which shouldn't be a problem. As I doubt they will be around
(1)
Alexis B.
I had a lunch date with my husband here recently. It had a nice atmosphere, sumptuous and cozy, and the service was very prompt. I wouldn't have minded seeing a drink menu, but I got the feeling that for lunch it was more of a business-type place, so we just ordered water. It was nearly empty for lunch. Unfortunately, my meal was terrible! I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of kale slaw. The pork was terribly oversalted and tasted only of salt and vinegar. Also, it had some problems in concept. It was an open-faced sandwich, with the lettuce and tomato on top of the bread and the pork on top of that. There was no way to pick it up and eat it without the whole thing sliding onto the plate, which it did. I wouldn't have minded that too much if it had tasted good, though. I did eat most of it - I hate sending food back, destroying the date vibe, and sitting there with nothing while my husband eats his meal. But I can't believe anyone had tasted that pork. The kale slaw was nothing special - it was just kale and mayo, a little too sweet for my taste. My husband had the bison burger with chips, which was much tastier than my meal. I had a creme brulee for dessert. I haven't had creme brulee in a long time, and was trying to remember if I liked it or not. It was perfectly fine, but confirmed my memory that it's usually good for a couple of bites but gets boring by the end. I should have gone for the PB&J cheesecake, the other option. The coffee was good. So, I was just expecting something a little more special, and my main course was a total disaster. Maybe it's better for dinner.
(2)
Kelsee H.
When this little nook of downtown has closed down for the evening after 5pm, Chef Joseph's is a diamond in the rough for those looking for a meal in a swanky restaurant! Seriously, I had heard of the place before this weekend, but I had never been there! I was not disappointed! The menu had something for everyone: burger, salad, seafood, or even small plates. I enjoyed a shrimp and ravioli dish that arrived at my table exactly as it was described in the menu. I even got to try a special dessert - a peppercorn flan! Are you intrigued? Well, you should be. It was great! This particular night was super busy because of the live entertainment scheduled, but service didn't miss a beat! Even had the owners make a stop at our table! How often does that happen at any restaurant?! So, make Chef Joseph's your next stop for date night (or for a pre-theater dinner) and be prepared for a friendly, tasty, and pretty fancy evening! I've already made my next reservation!
(5)
Susan K.
I wish I lived near Indy so I could return to Chef Joseph's. Food fantastic; service excellent. Soft jazz added to the ambience without drowning out dinner conversation. The maître'd stopped by and later, the co-owner Tom stopped by. Would love to make it a place where "everybody knows my name": if you live near there, lucky you!
(5)
Jeff M.
We went here one weekday for lunch without knowing much about the place and were impressed by the greeting that we received by the host and the very nice decor. Although we had lunch, it appeared that the space was ideally set up for a night of lounging on the comfy looking couches or at the impressive bar. I had the Italian beef sandwich, and in defense of Chef Joseph's I knew that I was not likely going to get the south-side Chicago sandwich that I'm used to. That being said, it was still good in a sophisticated way. The pasta side was excellent - very refreshing with a hint of lime. The shrimp appetizer was very good as well, although it was light on the bacon in my opinion (the bacon was what attracted me to it on the menu from the start). My wife enjoyed her chicken parmesan sandwich, and the portion was big enough that she ended up taking half of it home for later. The waiter was very polite and cordial, and he made sure to tell us of the upcoming events at the restaurant, the weekend dinner hours, etc. Although a bit pricey for lunch, it is not too far out of the norm for downtown. I would definitely take a client here, and I look forward to checking out their weekend food/wine/music events.
(4)
Erin Q.
I took a client to lunch here and neither of us had been before. We both loved the interior, very rich looking with all the wood. We were quickly seated and greeted by our server. He went over the specials and the soup of the day. I opted to try the soup and it was a spicy tomato and zucchini. It was perfect for that blustery, cold day! It was hard to choose from the menu because everything looked tasty, but I ended up with the tempura battered flounder sandwich. I'm not sure why they put it on bread. The size of the fish completely obliterates the fact that there is a sandwich bun underneath of it! The lemon caper mayo was a nice touch and the fish was light and flaky, as it should be. The house made chips were warm and crisp! I would like to come back and check out their happy hour that they had posted. Seems like a very cool vibe. However, negative point for the trek to the bathroom. Thank goodness I didn't have anything to drink because you must go down a teeny tiny spiral staircase to get to the restrooms.
(4)
Eddie C.
Went to Chef Joseph's for first time for a happy hour event. Very impressed w/ the atmosphere and decor. There was a front dining area w/ sofa-like seating for larger groups, and bar toward the back. It makes for an excellent space for group events and private parties. The restaurant offered several apps for us to try. There was a fancy cole slaw type salad and several meat-related dishes (duck meatballs and BBQ meatloaf were the ones I remembered). All of the appetizers were outstanding but one of them was a little over seasoned. The restaurant is currently open for lunch only, but from what I was told it will begin serving dinners on the weekends (Thurs-Sat) in late March. There are also various dining/special events such as wine pairing dinners and rum tastings. Check their website for details. The location is a little off the beaten path, not quite downtown and not quite Mass Ave. However, it makes it very easy to park the car. I was able to park almost directly in front of the restaurant on a weeknight on Ohio St.
(4)
Rebecca M.
This place is posh - red carpets, chandeliers, sultry wood grains - it was almost intimidating! But as I settled into my comfy seat, I could see that my lunch date (a client) was really impressed with my choice of venue. It feels very exclusive and VIP. I was pleasantly surprised that the prices aren't astronomical. My guest's gourmet burger was "Tasty" (he says). I can only comment on how nice the presentation was. My salad, with chicken added, was more than enough for lunch, and I felt like the chef put as much care into constructing my salad as he would any lofty steak dish. The service is probably more attentive than I'm used to. To me, it was the same level of service that I would get at a swanky date-night restaurant - multiple waiters, one for your water glass, one for your juice glass, one for your salad, one for your entree - all facilitated by a pretty, smiling, even-your-mother-would-love-her waitress. One last very important detail: It was very easy to talk business at this restaurant. We weren't distracted by 'needing' anything, there wasn't a gaggle of noise to talk over, and there weren't any distracting visuals/TVs/staff. I'll definitely go back!
(4)
Ryan J.
This may just be my new favorite place downtown. The atmosphere is wonderful. The decor is beautiful and matches the ambience of the place. While we were there we got to listen to one of the best singers I've heard in a while, paired with a man on the piano. I saw a few reviewers saying they felt intimidated in there but I disagree. As someone who doesn't drink, I am used to getting a rude look when I just order a water-our waiter last night did not do that. He treated us great and the service was excellent! Not to mention the food was 5 stars. Everyone in our party was extremely satisfied with their meal. We will definitely be returning.
(5)
Jessica T.
I absolutely love this place! My first visit to Chef Joseph's was for a work event. John and Chef were so amazing and went above and beyond to make the event special. The food was fantastic, particularly the flat bread. Oh, and the meatballs. Seriously, so good. Since the event, we have been there several times. It's almost like we enjoy showing off our new find! The menu changes, and there are times when I'm not as drawn to the menu as others. But normally there is something I can't wait to try. I absolutely love the Tuscan Eggplant Ravioli (I'm a sucker for eggplant), and there is a hamburger my husband loves - it's called sushi burger, and it might have wasabi sauce. I can't remember exactly what it's called, or what's on it (it doesn't actually have sushi on it!) but it was amazing. The sweet potato fries are a must. And if you're feeling adventurous, the alligator tail is very good too. If you enjoy wine, this is a great place to try. There are many different wines to choose from, and several wines I don't see in any other restaurant in the city. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The ambiance is business casual, but they like to have fun. Not stuffy at all. You get great food, great service, great wine, without the stuffy better-than-thou attitude found in other restaurants. I highly suggest giving Chef Joseph's a try.
(5)
DeAnna P.
I went to an event here last night. I can only comment on bar and decor. Apparently a TON of free food was served, but I was 30 minutes late to the event and vultures had walked away with all of it already. :-( We ordered martinis at the bar. The bartenders there are not the fastest, but they are meticulous in drink preparation. I was pleased to see one of them fill our martini glasses with ice water to chill them while he prepared our drinks. They have a lot of high end and great local liquors and beers (happy to see Prohibition Gin and Upland, Flat 12 and another local beer on tap). Even the well gin that I had was very good. I spoke to one of the owners, who said he likes to source locally when possible. Others here have waxed more poetically that I can about the decor. I will just say I agree -- sumptuous without being stuffy. They also have this great little side room that has a giant roundish table that holds about 20 people and a door that closes it off from the rest of the restaurant. I think it would be great for a baby shower, birthday party, etc. I heard rumblings of an open mike night on Fridays, where it is BYOSheetMusic. Count me in!! Review to be updated once I try the food.
(4)
B R.
I went here alone on an evening that I wasn't in the best of moods. From out of town, my expectations were low. The staff was exceedingly friendly and helpful. The food was great, too! The owner showed up and chatted. The patrons of this bar were nice, too! By the time I left, my mood was good. Thanks, Chez! Good spot for a truly "happy hour"!
(4)
Genna P.
After reading the reviews we decided to pop in. We arrived right at 5 as they just opened. We were greeted promptly and seated right away. We got there before the dinner rush. It was out anniversary and they brought us champagne and welcomed us to the best table in a quiet window corner. Juan was a wonderful server and let us take our time ordering. We had the bruschetta to start and bison burger and chicken BLT. We were floored at how great the food was, and Juan was perfect and not interrupting our conversation and delightful when we was at our table. We asked for the manager as we just had to compliment someone. The host that sat us was actually the owner and come over and thanked us. He then sent chef Joseph out. We were excited to hear about their changing menu and music in the evening. This will be a new spot for us. We absolutely can't wait to go back. It was like a great Chicago restaurant with out all the attitude. True indy gem.
(5)
Rob H.
Chef Joseph's is great and I'm so pleased to see them open up dinner service beyond events and the wonderful wine dinners. I was there for the recent Bourbon tasting and (besides the obvious) loved the tapas laid out by the chef. Really superior food at good prices and the ambience is great. Cool new spot in Indy!
(4)
Brent Z.
Bison burger was good. Spicier than I thought, but very good. I would've like to see them offer more side options. The only options were either fries or chips. Would have liked to see veggies or some other options.
(4)
Jim W.
It was a fantastic evening. Small plates paired with French wines, conversing with friends, and an opportunity to speak with the chef throughout the meal made this a fantastic experience. We didn't love every wine, but we liked every dish. I look forward to repeating the experience with new flavors!
(4)
TOMMY o.
love this hidden gem, these people aim to please, the entire staff goes all out for you! one of the best brisket sandwiches i've EVER had, it was to Die for!! the desserts make my diabetes shutter ! Sara Fabulous behind the bar, many nights with live music, i first heard about the chef joseph on Indy Style, which i record every day
(5)
Rick B.
Couldn't wait to try this place. I pass it en route to the office almost every day. We went for the Valentine's wine pairing dinner. Beautiful place. Warm greeting and a fine server who was most personable (though he did have a tough time remembering to bring forks with each course). The first course of a bacon quesadilla was delish and the pairings were great. Second course of rich mushroom and artichoke soup and/or the tuna told us we were on a good roll. Those wine pairings were near perfect as well. The third course, the entrees of veal and/or salmon were lackluster and didn't hold up to the first two excellent courses. Desserts were outstanding. Lovely place, decent dinner though not as over the top as we anticipated. We'll try it again to see if we can turn into fans.
(3)
ChRles C.
Had a great special wine dinner last night. The scallop was perfect with a perfect cheese wine sauce. The chocolate risotto was unusual and delicious. Service outstanding
(5)
Rod R.
Saturday evening, 042013. Pleasant staff, loud jazz singer (does anyone want to talk quietly anymore?). Nice bar. Limited menu, small portions, no bread or anything other than menu items. My friend's small walleye portion was served blandly on a small bed of rice, no veg, no nothing, and limited taste. Lamb sausage manicotti (two - what? Three would have broken the bank?) were good with non-melted cheese on top and a precious side of asparagus. Who is Chef Joseph, anyway? He used to be at Agio, where the food was mediocre (mid-west Italian) and is now, properly, closed. I assume that Joseph's will likewise close. Why is niggling the word of the day in restaurant servings? Have the portion-control restaurant college grads taken over? Prices of ordinary food are already inflated by 8 - 10 times by eateries. And, who does not love being served a $12 glass of wine with two inches of wine in a six inch bowl glass? Our cocktails were $8, which for downtown was about right, even low, depending on the venue. My cost for the same cocktail at home is $2. Waitress was second-rate, blowsy, and had to squat (lovely~ - who does not enjoy squatting?) next to our table in order to hear or be heard over the wailing jazz singer and piano. Overall, a blah experience and we'll not go back. Are restaurant owners able to try their own restaurants and evaluate them objectively? Apparently not.
(1)
Edward M.
This is the destination establishment when very important friends and family come from out of town! The wine list is unequalled as is the personal service each patron enjoys! Chef Joseph prides himself in pleasing diners of all tastes. His preparation of every type of meat, fish, and their presentation is a guaranteed treat. Desserts are sinful and will make you wish you could spend several extra hours. The atmosphere is elegant, but relaxed.
(5)
Anneke R.
Chef and his team are back in action, and I couldn't be more pleased! We had an event in one of the rooms recently, and Chef delighted us with some delicious dishes. Duck sliders that melt in your mouth (a little foie in there), spicy meatballs that are THANK YOU quite spicy, duck pate with just one of his many award winning condiments. Service? Very friendly and ultra professional. And a wine list that rotates with top selections. Bravo!
(5)
Jessica K.
The service I had for a large work party was disappointing. The drinks were spilled on the table and left without being cleaned up until I covered my place mat with my napkin so I wouldn't have to get wet. And while the server offered to fix my place setting, he did not offer to fix my neighbors. The gent sitting next to me had to ask for his to be fixed. The food was also disappointing. I got a caprese salad in the month of July and the tomatoes were not ripe. How can that happen in July in Indiana? Fresh tomatoes are everywhere. Also I got a fish sandwich and the bread was stale. Just not a good experience. The atmosphere was nice. I would go back for drinks, but would probably avoid the food next time.
(2)
Joanna B.
I went here for a meeting the other week and I must admit that i was not impressed. The drinks were good but I feel like any bartender can make a martini or a screw driver, nothing out of the ordinary but the food was nothing to write home about. In all fairness the food was preset and I didn't get a chance to choose off the menu which I may have enjoyed more.
(2)
Ben L.
Great service. Good food. Good specials during the week. Open mike night, soft jazz.
(5)
John A.
Nice quaint jazz club. Get a table by the window if you want some privacy and its quieter. We had the 3 course meal special. Just enough food for us. If you have a big appetite this may not be enough food for you . It include some olive poppers with a pepperoni mayo sauce, then a grilled salmon on a mixed green veggie, finished with a Mexican Hot Cocolate bread pudding topped with marshmallow cream and chocolate drizzle . With two glasses of wine and tip we were under a $100 for 2.
(4)
Jerry M.
Booked a reservation for our anniversary. Got stuck in traffic enroute so I called to move our time back - no problem. When we did arrive, the host said he hoped the traffic had not caused too much anxiety (Nice Touch #1 remembering). Then he wished us a Happy Anniversary (NT #2). When we were seated there was a card on the table signed by all the staff wishing us Happy Anniversary (NT#3). Within a few moments our waiter arrived with a complementary bottle of Champagne! (NT#4). Thursdays are $5 martinis (yea!), so we each enjoyed one after our champagne. Because we were there before 7:00, all appetizers were half price (yea!). The Calamari melted in our mouths. We also got the crab cakes which were great. For an entree, she got the short rib (she loved it) and I got the shrimp. Seldom in my mind is shrimp fantastic, but here it was. Cooked perfectly and in a sauce that was unbelievable. Creme Brulee for dessert. The atmosphere was cozy and romantic. The live music really set the mood. It was open mic night which made me a bit leery, but singer after singer went up and belted out tunes that were phenomenal. You'd have thought we were at a high class musical audition or something. These were not your average drunken karaoke singers. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun at a restaurant, at such an amazing value to boot. We're already planning the friends we know that we want to take there soon. Food was great. Service was superior. Atmosphere was perfect. This place was clicking on all cylinders.
(5)
Cara N.
Celebrated Valentine's Day here last night. Very elegant and cozy atmosphere. You must try the Sriracha mac and cheese! My steak was cooked perfectly. Robert was a very attentive waiter who made our experience perfect. Thank you Chef Joseph and Robert!!!!
(5)
Chris C.
My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Chef Josephs. It was a very romantic, cozy atmosphere, mellow jazz piano and singer (think Nora Jones), soft lighting with candles flickering...all you could want for a special evening. The wait staff was knowledgable but not pretentious. Attentive, but not disruptive. We started with crab cakes...absolutely loved them. I could have ordered more as my meal. I had the strip steak with garlic mashed potatoes with asparagus....wonderful and flavorful. My husband had swordfish and couscous. He was real happy with his choice and enjoyed it. Dessert...we shared a creme brule and cheesecake. Both housemade, and a great finish to a perfect, romantic dining experience. If you are looking for something special, Chef Joseph's Connesiour Room totally delivers.
(5)
Alex F.
This is a nice place to get some nice breakfast or brunch. Its kind of fancy and a little pricey, but the food is delicious and the service is great. They change menus every once in a while so it's great to check out new dishes. I would come back again.
(4)
Jeanluc C.
Great place for a date. Everyone in this place is very friendly and professional. Food is amazing price too. Will go back.
(4)
Christine B.
Absolutely the best darn scallops and calamari I've ever had in my entire life. I had no idea calamari could be so tender. The scallops were perfect and nestled in a lobster cream sauce with cheese polenta. Delish! My parents both loved their meals as well. My mom had the swordfish and my dad had a steak. Really cool jazzy and classy feel to this place. Not overly crowded, small, nice, and intimate. Definitely a romantic place to go on a date. To me, for fine dining I think the prices are very reasonable. There's no flashy signs outside, just signage on the building an an awning, but Chef Josephs really is a nice classy place and is like taking a step back in time, in a good way when restaurants were ultra classy and featured live jazz singers on the weekends. I'll be back!
(5)
Kacey M.
Their food quantity, quality, price and service did not match up for us. Their definition of a salad was quartering a romaine lettuce and sprinkling croutons around it. Service was really below par as they wanted to close. They should have been a bit more considerate and provided some alternative options when they served me meat that I don't eat. Also, the duck manicotti that my friend ordered for lunch was bland, small portioned, and well not worth the price. We ended up going elsewhere to continue lunch.
(1)
Holly B.
Went here on Valentine's Day. The Cosmo martini was great and strong :) I am sure the food was good but I could not taste it due to having a bad cold.. The waitress was a little unprofessional for such a fancy place.
(4)
Jillian B.
the ambiance is very nice. Sunday brunch is amazing. unlimited champagne cocktails and delicious food. I know I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Michael A.
Delicious food. Cool space. Feels like your on a ship because the floor and the bar mirror are slanted at an angle. The calamari was the best I've had in years. Seriously. The dinner specials were $48 which felt like a robbery. Ask the prices before you commit.
(4)
Joshua W.
Fantastic atmosphere, especially for the price. The calamari appetizer might be the best calamari that I've ever had. The pork loin was good, and I tried the shrimp from my friend's plate, and it is to die for. I'll definitely be back just to have that shrimp. If there would have been chocolate on the dessert menu today, I'd have had dessert too! :) I also enjoyed the singer and the gent playing guitar, loud enough to hear, but not so loud that it killed conversation.
(5)
Will W.
Absolutely incredible place for brunch on Sundays. Endless champagne cocktails and bloody mary bar are an excellent deal. The food is of high quality (to be honest, it's perfect for hangovers). Highly recommend.
(5)
Dusten N.
good food, live music, attentive servers, reminds me of the Brown Derby at Disney, umbrellas hanging ceiling instead of hat light fixtures
(5)
Kristie S.
I wanted to take my husband out for a special dinner last weekend. Wanted something new and after looking at numerous reviews for a romantic dinner - I was really excited to try Chef Joseph's! I made reservations, requested good seating up front since there was live music that night, and let them know I was really looking for great service for the special occasion. We showed up on time (truly a miracle!) and were seated right away at a table right next to the live music. We are off to a good start! Then we look over, and there was a card signed from the staff wishing us a happy anniversary and lovely evening. WOW I think this is really going to be great! Our waiter came and asked us for our drink order, and we asked for water and some time to look at the wine list. No joke, our waiter did not come back to our table for at least 30 minutes. We finally ordered our drinks and it took another 20 to get those. Also, during this whole time - we never actually got to place our order, not even an appetizer!!! I could go on and on about this evening because it seriously took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get through it. The only reason we didn't just leave is because we were enjoying the music. Food was good, however, I absolutely cannot excuse the horrible service. They weren't even busy that night.... I really regretted my decision to come here and spend close to $100 for a dinner we didn't even enjoy.
(2)
Alex D.
This was the first time coming for dinner prior to attending the Symphony. The dirty martinis were not spectacular at all. I requested Kettle One vodka but it didn't taste all that good. I'm not sure if they used the wrong vodka or if the drink was made worse by the pre-stuffed olives they use. There is a definite taste difference between store bought stuffed olives and stuffing it yourself. The dinner was pretty good. I had the mussels and they were excellent. The food is definitely good and reasonably priced.
(2)
John W.
This is an old fashioned supper club. The food is very good and the music is outstanding. Music is not too loud so you can still converse. Highly recommend it.
(5)
Rachael L.
The $4 well drink happy hour lured me in on my way to the Pacers game. It was a Friday around 6pm, so not too badly priced! Especially when you consider there was a man playing classical music on the baby grand piano! How often do you get to sit at a piano bar downtown with an affordable cocktail? Its definately a nice change of pace from the usual bar. If you are on your way to a show downtown, I suggest stopping in to check it out.
(4)
Scott J.
Wow. Just wow. We go to a lot of nice places to eat. It's something we enjoy. I'm not going to say this was the "best" food ever or the "best service" ever. BUT, when a place gets damn near everything right??? Awesome decor. You feel transported when u enter the door. The owner greets and sits you. Our server, William, fantastic. Engaged, informative, fun, interesting. What else could u ask for? Wine list is a little limited, but thoughtful and well priced. Wife had the sea bass special for 36.95, one of the best done pieces of sea bass we ve ever tasted. The mashed potatoes were a little bit of an odd pairing, but interesting in their own way with paprika adding a slightly smokey flavor. She said her asparagus was good, but since I hate that veggie, I will reserve comment. My dish was the chicken spaghetti. 18.95. Sort of a chicken parm dish but with fresh onions and bell peppers. I really enjoyed it. But the star was the goat cheese app. I know everyone makes it and it's pretty basic. But, every one should learn how to make the way they do here. The sliced almonds add a unique and well balanced addition. I could have easily had another of this app. Oh, and all of u snooty high end places I love so much, take note, double expresso, 2.75!!!! How nice to end a meal NOT getting ripped off on coffee. We will be back. We will bring friends. And if u go without us, ask for William to take care of u. He's an excellent server and u won't regret it. Live piano music, spiral staircase to the downstairs bathroom, beautiful bar, great service, great food, fair prices, and u feel like you're in NO OTHER place in Indy. Go this week, thank me later.
I love it here! The food is amazing and the staff is too. Live music and bottomless champagne on Sunday. Prices are very reasonable for what you get!
(5)
Anthony G.
I was so excited to come here. My last night in INDY. The menu sounded interesting so I went with a friend. There was a lady singing so loud that our conversation was like two soldiers in a Fox Hole during a bomb raid. The music was nice but it dominated the room. The place itself was red and dark wood, reminiscent of The Colony in NYC, a place where Don Draper drink and picked up a floozy. I ordered the Duck Manicotti and waited. The first bite reminded me of a nice Mexican place. The second bite told me that there was so much duck fat that I was going to have a heart attack and die in INDY. My friend had some steak and he said it was ok. The salad had croutons from Costco probably. It was a nice place and I wanted to like it but now I'm back at the hotel and wondering if I should've gone to have Thai at Thai Palace. This place is nice maybe for lunch or cocktails but the food was just OK and the waitress looked like she had killed someone back in 1980. The entire thing was Boy George singing: You come and go/you come and go.
(2)
Roberta R.
I read the recent poor reviews and I wanted so badly to post a raving one. Sorry. Everything we ordered and saw at other tables was just like dishes you can get anywhere else. Nothing special BUT not bad by any means. Just boring. Our server was enthusiastic and good at her job. The ambiance is nice (just nice) and patrons were mainly older, wearing suits/ties. Later in the meal, there were more casual diners showing up. And then the singing started. No thanks! She sang beautifully, but the piano alone would have been delightful. No loud singing needed. We will not be back. $86 + tip for 2 people; 1 drink each, 1 salad each, and 1 entree each. We can do better elsewhere.
(3)
Melissa S.
We had a pleasant evening at Chef Joseph's last night. The food was all good, not exceptional, but tasty, nicely presented. Duck fries were quite greasy. My steak was nice, although the potatoes and asparagus were lukewarm. My husband's burger was well-done, not the medium he had ordered, but good, with nice house-made chips. The service was... A little odd. Our waiter seemed simultaneously distracted and fussy. He stopped at our table no fewer than three times before taking a drink order, left his iPad with us to peruse the list that he described as "tons of different beers"... Three beers on tap and about a dozen bottles. Then the runner brought our appetizer before we'd received said drinks. It was friendly service, but not organized or very graceful. We were also in a side dining room, which completely emptied about thirty minutes after we arrived... while the live music played next door in the full main dining room. I might give it another try, but not likely. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Loved the atmosphere and plush banquettes.
(3)
Bob J.
They were closing when we walked in the door at 8:30 pm. The cab driver of ten years had never heard of the place. The musician was the only person in the place. We were hoping to hear a nice piano player at dinner but they had no customers and decided to close early.
(1)
Thai N.
I'll chalk this one up as the chef had a bad night - because that happens. Went here with several business associates basically because none of us could agree on anywhere to eat. We also had a couple stipulations - needed to be within walking distance from the office, it needed to have a diverse menu and it needed to be ready to seat 6 ASAP. Chef Joseph's fit the bill. We entered with live music filling the air. A woman was singing covers from the 70's, 80's and some current stuff all to a "lounge-y" beat. It was pleasant, but it appeared she had some fiends where none to pleased to have a group of 6 sit near them and actually have conversations. But I digress - let's focus on food. Overall, the food was not delivered as advertised by our waiter. All agreed it was underwhelming, quite flavorless, overcooked or just not good. Between all of us, we shared the fried calamari steak, duck fat seasoned fries with duck bacon and asiago cheese, and the sriracha mac & cheese. The calamari was cold and flavorless - as if it just came out of the freezer. The mac & cheese was pretty bad. Each person took a bite and that was it. There was still plenty of it left over. One person said the $1 Kraft Mac-n-Cheese was a lot better! The duck fat fries however were pretty good - but hard to go wrong when it's fried in duck fat. For entrees, others had the lamb confit taco (2 orders), meatball sandwich, sauteed scallops, the angus beef steak burger and I had the duck manicotti. Not a single plate was finished. Each person responded with, "eh, it's ok" when asked about their meals. My duck manicotti was annihilated. When it was brought out, all agreed it looked like burnt enchiladas. It was way overcooked. I took two bites and left the rest behind. To sum up the evening, out of all the food, the favorite thing seemed to be the house made chips. Everyone was asking the guys with the burger and meatball sandwich for their chips.
(2)
Rick B.
Phenomenal experience. Th staff were very polite and helpful. The lamb chops were excellent and I usually don't like lamb. Loved the drinks as well.
(5)
Blake S.
This place is excellent. The atmosphere of the building and live music are really very cool. My wife and I came here for the first time for our 4th anniversary last year, and they really made it special. We came back last evening for dinner and it was just as great as we remembered. The service is awesome, food excellent, and it is just a good time. I also think it's pretty cool how the restrooms are down that old staircase. Definitely worth a visit!
(5)
Roberta R.
I read the recent poor reviews and I wanted so badly to post a raving one. Sorry. Everything we ordered and saw at other tables was just like dishes you can get anywhere else. Nothing special BUT not bad by any means. Just boring. Our server was enthusiastic and good at her job. The ambiance is nice (just nice) and patrons were mainly older, wearing suits/ties. Later in the meal, there were more casual diners showing up. And then the singing started. No thanks! She sang beautifully, but the piano alone would have been delightful. No loud singing needed. We will not be back. $86 + tip for 2 people; 1 drink each, 1 salad each, and 1 entree each. We can do better elsewhere.
(3)
Melissa S.
We had a pleasant evening at Chef Joseph's last night. The food was all good, not exceptional, but tasty, nicely presented. Duck fries were quite greasy. My steak was nice, although the potatoes and asparagus were lukewarm. My husband's burger was well-done, not the medium he had ordered, but good, with nice house-made chips. The service was... A little odd. Our waiter seemed simultaneously distracted and fussy. He stopped at our table no fewer than three times before taking a drink order, left his iPad with us to peruse the list that he described as "tons of different beers"... Three beers on tap and about a dozen bottles. Then the runner brought our appetizer before we'd received said drinks. It was friendly service, but not organized or very graceful. We were also in a side dining room, which completely emptied about thirty minutes after we arrived... while the live music played next door in the full main dining room. I might give it another try, but not likely. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Loved the atmosphere and plush banquettes.
(3)
Molly S.
What an awesome night at Chef Joseph's. I had family in town and wanted to take them to a nice place- maybe a little upscale, nothing too loud (have some hard of hearing in the crew), delicious food. Chef Joseph's hit the spot- and then some. Not only did we have impeccable service, a custom wine recommendation from the chef himself, and great ambience; but the food was delicious. I had the halibut which was outstanding. Many at the table had the tuna special for the evening with a delicious soy ginger wasabi sauce. For dessert- an amazing creme brulee- perfectly torched, not too sweet, and a great dish to share. There was a jazz singer performing throughout most of our meal, and she added greatly to the fun of the evening. Nothing too loud or overpowering, but she had a great voice. Overall, it was a lovely evening, and we will definitely be back. Our regards to the chef and the entire staff at Chef Jospeh's!
(5)
B R.
I went here alone on an evening that I wasn't in the best of moods. From out of town, my expectations were low. The staff was exceedingly friendly and helpful. The food was great, too! The owner showed up and chatted. The patrons of this bar were nice, too! By the time I left, my mood was good. Thanks, Chez! Good spot for a truly "happy hour"!
(4)
Genna P.
After reading the reviews we decided to pop in. We arrived right at 5 as they just opened. We were greeted promptly and seated right away. We got there before the dinner rush. It was out anniversary and they brought us champagne and welcomed us to the best table in a quiet window corner. Juan was a wonderful server and let us take our time ordering. We had the bruschetta to start and bison burger and chicken BLT. We were floored at how great the food was, and Juan was perfect and not interrupting our conversation and delightful when we was at our table. We asked for the manager as we just had to compliment someone. The host that sat us was actually the owner and come over and thanked us. He then sent chef Joseph out. We were excited to hear about their changing menu and music in the evening. This will be a new spot for us. We absolutely can't wait to go back. It was like a great Chicago restaurant with out all the attitude. True indy gem.
(5)
Rob H.
Chef Joseph's is great and I'm so pleased to see them open up dinner service beyond events and the wonderful wine dinners. I was there for the recent Bourbon tasting and (besides the obvious) loved the tapas laid out by the chef. Really superior food at good prices and the ambience is great. Cool new spot in Indy!
(4)
Brent Z.
Bison burger was good. Spicier than I thought, but very good. I would've like to see them offer more side options. The only options were either fries or chips. Would have liked to see veggies or some other options.
(4)
Jim W.
It was a fantastic evening. Small plates paired with French wines, conversing with friends, and an opportunity to speak with the chef throughout the meal made this a fantastic experience. We didn't love every wine, but we liked every dish. I look forward to repeating the experience with new flavors!
(4)
TOMMY o.
love this hidden gem, these people aim to please, the entire staff goes all out for you! one of the best brisket sandwiches i've EVER had, it was to Die for!! the desserts make my diabetes shutter ! Sara Fabulous behind the bar, many nights with live music, i first heard about the chef joseph on Indy Style, which i record every day
(5)
Susan K.
I wish I lived near Indy so I could return to Chef Joseph's. Food fantastic; service excellent. Soft jazz added to the ambience without drowning out dinner conversation. The maître'd stopped by and later, the co-owner Tom stopped by. Would love to make it a place where "everybody knows my name": if you live near there, lucky you!
(5)
John W.
This is an old fashioned supper club. The food is very good and the music is outstanding. Music is not too loud so you can still converse. Highly recommend it.
(5)
Michael A.
Delicious food. Cool space. Feels like your on a ship because the floor and the bar mirror are slanted at an angle. The calamari was the best I've had in years. Seriously. The dinner specials were $48 which felt like a robbery. Ask the prices before you commit.
(4)
Stirling M.
Full Disclosure: As a journalist (who normally writes about things that go "vroom") I feel obligated to disclose that I am the director of a professional ballet company (shameless plug: btindiana.org ) and Chef Joseph's hosted a fundraiser for us a few months ago. I'm very appreciative. My and I just dined here for the first time, and we decided to split some small plates. We got the duck fries with asiago and duck bacon, crab cakes, the soup du jour, lamb confit tacos, and raspberry swirl creme brulee. The service was that rare and unusual occurrence of fine dining without even a hint of pretension. The servers are friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and it makes you want to become one of the regulars. If you eavesdrop a bit, you can tell that regulars are indeed a regular occurrence here. People want to come back. As for the food, it was excellent. The fries managed to be both light and fluffy on the inside and deliciously crispy and ducky on the outside. The meaty chunks of duck fat added huge flavor and umami while the acidity of the asigo helped balance the dish. Eat them. They are spectacular. Eat the lamb confit tacos too. It's such a wonderfully meaty experience that I'm not going to describe it in too much detail for fear of making some disgusting innuendos. The soup was also quite nice, while the crab cakes were the freshest tasting I've had since I left Annapolis, and were offset by a very nice mango salsa. Now the creme brulee; that was something special. I'm not usually that much of a dessert guy, but I do occasionally go for it, and I quite like creme brulee. Normally, when I get creme brulee, it comes out exactly how my brother-in-law describes it "an overpriced, tiny cup of vanilla pudding with some crispy crap on top." The top often doesn't have much flavor, and that's because people don't hit it with the torch long enough. To make a really excellent creme brulee, you need to flirt with disaster, and get as close as you can to burning it. This extracts a depth of caramel and coffee-like flavors from the sugar which plays with the pudding itself to create something wonderful. I've had creme brulee in a number of countries in a ton of restaurants (many of which came with a few Michelin Stars) and none can touch what I had tonight. Even, Thomas Keller's Michelin starred Bouchon Bistro in Yountville, CA didn't serve me a creme brulee this good. Even if this place wasn't run my nice, philanthropic people who have taken an interest in my cause, I'd recommend it whole-heartedly. From the swanky, speakeasy-esque atmosphere (complete with live jazz) to the delicious food, you want to eat here.
(5)
Rod R.
Saturday evening, 042013. Pleasant staff, loud jazz singer (does anyone want to talk quietly anymore?). Nice bar. Limited menu, small portions, no bread or anything other than menu items. My friend's small walleye portion was served blandly on a small bed of rice, no veg, no nothing, and limited taste. Lamb sausage manicotti (two - what? Three would have broken the bank?) were good with non-melted cheese on top and a precious side of asparagus. Who is Chef Joseph, anyway? He used to be at Agio, where the food was mediocre (mid-west Italian) and is now, properly, closed. I assume that Joseph's will likewise close. Why is niggling the word of the day in restaurant servings? Have the portion-control restaurant college grads taken over? Prices of ordinary food are already inflated by 8 - 10 times by eateries. And, who does not love being served a $12 glass of wine with two inches of wine in a six inch bowl glass? Our cocktails were $8, which for downtown was about right, even low, depending on the venue. My cost for the same cocktail at home is $2. Waitress was second-rate, blowsy, and had to squat (lovely~ - who does not enjoy squatting?) next to our table in order to hear or be heard over the wailing jazz singer and piano. Overall, a blah experience and we'll not go back. Are restaurant owners able to try their own restaurants and evaluate them objectively? Apparently not.
(1)
Edward M.
This is the destination establishment when very important friends and family come from out of town! The wine list is unequalled as is the personal service each patron enjoys! Chef Joseph prides himself in pleasing diners of all tastes. His preparation of every type of meat, fish, and their presentation is a guaranteed treat. Desserts are sinful and will make you wish you could spend several extra hours. The atmosphere is elegant, but relaxed.
(5)
Jason B.
As Heather H. said, I was here for a birthday dinner and had a special Vegan dinner made for us. The atmosphere was pretty fancy. It will be a nice place for fancy date night. When we were there, they had live entertainment. The music was at a nice volume so that you can enjoy it, but still have a conversation with others at your table. The food was also excellent. Granted, we had a meal specially made for us, but considering the food we had isn't something that is made all the time, I can only image the regular food is also excellent. Pro tip: the bathrooms are downstairs. Looks for a spiral staircase.
(5)
Lane P.
Simply amazing! We visited Chef Joseph's at The Connoisseur Room for our third anniversary. We arrived about 20 minutes prior to our reservation and the staff quickly accomodated us without any wait. Everyone we met from the time we arrived until the time we left was professional, warm and friendly. The atmosphere is dignified, yet laid back, the latter being a must for me. We were seated at a table next to the window which made for some great people watching both inside and out. The restaurant is laid out so that even when it is busy, it never feels crowded. We started with a couple of dry martinis, which (along with the rest of the martinis) were on special on Thursday night. They were superb. We also ordered a couple of small plates off their menu including the lamb confit taco and the baked goat cheese. Both were made to perfection. For dinner, I had the shrimp with fried polenta. The shrimp were perfectly cooked as was the polenta (not too mushy like some polenta). The entire dish was bursting with flavor. For dessert, we opted for a couple glasses of port wine with creme brulee. Again, amazing flavors and made to perfection. Given the quality of the entire experience and product, we were also surprised how incredibly reasonable the prices were. We will definitely be coming back again and again.
I love it here! The food is amazing and the staff is too. Live music and bottomless champagne on Sunday. Prices are very reasonable for what you get!
(5)
Anthony G.
I was so excited to come here. My last night in INDY. The menu sounded interesting so I went with a friend. There was a lady singing so loud that our conversation was like two soldiers in a Fox Hole during a bomb raid. The music was nice but it dominated the room. The place itself was red and dark wood, reminiscent of The Colony in NYC, a place where Don Draper drink and picked up a floozy. I ordered the Duck Manicotti and waited. The first bite reminded me of a nice Mexican place. The second bite told me that there was so much duck fat that I was going to have a heart attack and die in INDY. My friend had some steak and he said it was ok. The salad had croutons from Costco probably. It was a nice place and I wanted to like it but now I'm back at the hotel and wondering if I should've gone to have Thai at Thai Palace. This place is nice maybe for lunch or cocktails but the food was just OK and the waitress looked like she had killed someone back in 1980. The entire thing was Boy George singing: You come and go/you come and go.
Man was this a disappointment. I got recommended here by a local in town and went with high expectations and that quickly turned around. They brought me a burger which i ordered medium rare came out well done, then did not give me an option to deny the replacement.. They then charged me full price on half price apps to spite me.
(1)
Barry L.
A perfectly reasonable meal, but nothing spectacular. The ambiance is very cool - kind of old fashioned supper club place. The space is very small and cozy, but the challenge is that there is a major draft from the doorway (it was very cold last night). The service was very good - the service team was right on top of their game. There was live entertainment which made for a nice background. Unfortunately, we were seated about five feet from the singer, so it was a bit loud. Unfortunately, the food was only above average. My wife ordered a chicken dish with artichoke hearts, and the artichokes were very stringy. I had a scallop dish with polenta and asparagus - all of which were terrific, but the accompanying sauce was disappointingly bland. The best thing about the night was not the doing of the restaurant - a bit of luck on the timing. There was a bus of drag queens going around restaurants in Indy, and the "ladies" came in and vamped for tips - which are going to anti-HIV charities. All in all an OK place. Different from the standard dinner experiences, but not enough to make me want to go back the next time I visit Indy.
(3)
Jerry M.
Booked a reservation for our anniversary. Got stuck in traffic enroute so I called to move our time back - no problem. When we did arrive, the host said he hoped the traffic had not caused too much anxiety (Nice Touch #1 remembering). Then he wished us a Happy Anniversary (NT #2). When we were seated there was a card on the table signed by all the staff wishing us Happy Anniversary (NT#3). Within a few moments our waiter arrived with a complementary bottle of Champagne! (NT#4). Thursdays are $5 martinis (yea!), so we each enjoyed one after our champagne. Because we were there before 7:00, all appetizers were half price (yea!). The Calamari melted in our mouths. We also got the crab cakes which were great. For an entree, she got the short rib (she loved it) and I got the shrimp. Seldom in my mind is shrimp fantastic, but here it was. Cooked perfectly and in a sauce that was unbelievable. Creme Brulee for dessert. The atmosphere was cozy and romantic. The live music really set the mood. It was open mic night which made me a bit leery, but singer after singer went up and belted out tunes that were phenomenal. You'd have thought we were at a high class musical audition or something. These were not your average drunken karaoke singers. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun at a restaurant, at such an amazing value to boot. We're already planning the friends we know that we want to take there soon. Food was great. Service was superior. Atmosphere was perfect. This place was clicking on all cylinders.
(5)
Cara N.
Celebrated Valentine's Day here last night. Very elegant and cozy atmosphere. You must try the Sriracha mac and cheese! My steak was cooked perfectly. Robert was a very attentive waiter who made our experience perfect. Thank you Chef Joseph and Robert!!!!
(5)
Chris C.
My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Chef Josephs. It was a very romantic, cozy atmosphere, mellow jazz piano and singer (think Nora Jones), soft lighting with candles flickering...all you could want for a special evening. The wait staff was knowledgable but not pretentious. Attentive, but not disruptive. We started with crab cakes...absolutely loved them. I could have ordered more as my meal. I had the strip steak with garlic mashed potatoes with asparagus....wonderful and flavorful. My husband had swordfish and couscous. He was real happy with his choice and enjoyed it. Dessert...we shared a creme brule and cheesecake. Both housemade, and a great finish to a perfect, romantic dining experience. If you are looking for something special, Chef Joseph's Connesiour Room totally delivers.
(5)
Alex F.
This is a nice place to get some nice breakfast or brunch. Its kind of fancy and a little pricey, but the food is delicious and the service is great. They change menus every once in a while so it's great to check out new dishes. I would come back again.
(4)
Jeanluc C.
Great place for a date. Everyone in this place is very friendly and professional. Food is amazing price too. Will go back.
(4)
Christine B.
Absolutely the best darn scallops and calamari I've ever had in my entire life. I had no idea calamari could be so tender. The scallops were perfect and nestled in a lobster cream sauce with cheese polenta. Delish! My parents both loved their meals as well. My mom had the swordfish and my dad had a steak. Really cool jazzy and classy feel to this place. Not overly crowded, small, nice, and intimate. Definitely a romantic place to go on a date. To me, for fine dining I think the prices are very reasonable. There's no flashy signs outside, just signage on the building an an awning, but Chef Josephs really is a nice classy place and is like taking a step back in time, in a good way when restaurants were ultra classy and featured live jazz singers on the weekends. I'll be back!
(5)
Kacey M.
Their food quantity, quality, price and service did not match up for us. Their definition of a salad was quartering a romaine lettuce and sprinkling croutons around it. Service was really below par as they wanted to close. They should have been a bit more considerate and provided some alternative options when they served me meat that I don't eat. Also, the duck manicotti that my friend ordered for lunch was bland, small portioned, and well not worth the price. We ended up going elsewhere to continue lunch.
(1)
Holly B.
Went here on Valentine's Day. The Cosmo martini was great and strong :) I am sure the food was good but I could not taste it due to having a bad cold.. The waitress was a little unprofessional for such a fancy place.
(4)
Jillian B.
the ambiance is very nice. Sunday brunch is amazing. unlimited champagne cocktails and delicious food. I know I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Rachael L.
The $4 well drink happy hour lured me in on my way to the Pacers game. It was a Friday around 6pm, so not too badly priced! Especially when you consider there was a man playing classical music on the baby grand piano! How often do you get to sit at a piano bar downtown with an affordable cocktail? Its definately a nice change of pace from the usual bar. If you are on your way to a show downtown, I suggest stopping in to check it out.
(4)
Anoosh A.
My husband and I went to this restaurant for Valentines Day and it was the best experience ever. We loved our appetizer (calamari and mac n cheese) and our entree was even better than the appetizer (Bison burger and the mahi mahi). We had excellent service and our waiter was one of the nicest waiter. My husband gave him a good tip because he was just so sweet and nice. I would definitely recommend and would go for a romantic evening because my husband and I had a great time.
(5)
Scott J.
Wow. Just wow. We go to a lot of nice places to eat. It's something we enjoy. I'm not going to say this was the "best" food ever or the "best service" ever. BUT, when a place gets damn near everything right??? Awesome decor. You feel transported when u enter the door. The owner greets and sits you. Our server, William, fantastic. Engaged, informative, fun, interesting. What else could u ask for? Wine list is a little limited, but thoughtful and well priced. Wife had the sea bass special for 36.95, one of the best done pieces of sea bass we ve ever tasted. The mashed potatoes were a little bit of an odd pairing, but interesting in their own way with paprika adding a slightly smokey flavor. She said her asparagus was good, but since I hate that veggie, I will reserve comment. My dish was the chicken spaghetti. 18.95. Sort of a chicken parm dish but with fresh onions and bell peppers. I really enjoyed it. But the star was the goat cheese app. I know everyone makes it and it's pretty basic. But, every one should learn how to make the way they do here. The sliced almonds add a unique and well balanced addition. I could have easily had another of this app. Oh, and all of u snooty high end places I love so much, take note, double expresso, 2.75!!!! How nice to end a meal NOT getting ripped off on coffee. We will be back. We will bring friends. And if u go without us, ask for William to take care of u. He's an excellent server and u won't regret it. Live piano music, spiral staircase to the downstairs bathroom, beautiful bar, great service, great food, fair prices, and u feel like you're in NO OTHER place in Indy. Go this week, thank me later.
(5)
Chelsea G.
Stopped in while in town for a game for lunch. Place was pretty empty but good was great. Lamb tacos were excellent!
(4)
Joshua W.
Fantastic atmosphere, especially for the price. The calamari appetizer might be the best calamari that I've ever had. The pork loin was good, and I tried the shrimp from my friend's plate, and it is to die for. I'll definitely be back just to have that shrimp. If there would have been chocolate on the dessert menu today, I'd have had dessert too! :) I also enjoyed the singer and the gent playing guitar, loud enough to hear, but not so loud that it killed conversation.
(5)
Will W.
Absolutely incredible place for brunch on Sundays. Endless champagne cocktails and bloody mary bar are an excellent deal. The food is of high quality (to be honest, it's perfect for hangovers). Highly recommend.
(5)
Dusten N.
good food, live music, attentive servers, reminds me of the Brown Derby at Disney, umbrellas hanging ceiling instead of hat light fixtures
(5)
Kristie S.
I wanted to take my husband out for a special dinner last weekend. Wanted something new and after looking at numerous reviews for a romantic dinner - I was really excited to try Chef Joseph's! I made reservations, requested good seating up front since there was live music that night, and let them know I was really looking for great service for the special occasion. We showed up on time (truly a miracle!) and were seated right away at a table right next to the live music. We are off to a good start! Then we look over, and there was a card signed from the staff wishing us a happy anniversary and lovely evening. WOW I think this is really going to be great! Our waiter came and asked us for our drink order, and we asked for water and some time to look at the wine list. No joke, our waiter did not come back to our table for at least 30 minutes. We finally ordered our drinks and it took another 20 to get those. Also, during this whole time - we never actually got to place our order, not even an appetizer!!! I could go on and on about this evening because it seriously took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get through it. The only reason we didn't just leave is because we were enjoying the music. Food was good, however, I absolutely cannot excuse the horrible service. They weren't even busy that night.... I really regretted my decision to come here and spend close to $100 for a dinner we didn't even enjoy.
(2)
Alex D.
This was the first time coming for dinner prior to attending the Symphony. The dirty martinis were not spectacular at all. I requested Kettle One vodka but it didn't taste all that good. I'm not sure if they used the wrong vodka or if the drink was made worse by the pre-stuffed olives they use. There is a definite taste difference between store bought stuffed olives and stuffing it yourself. The dinner was pretty good. I had the mussels and they were excellent. The food is definitely good and reasonably priced.
(2)
Molly S.
The service could not have been worse. We came with a group for a bachelorette brunch and asked the waiter to divide the check 9 ways. It took five attempts to get it correct. We also spent two hours having brunch and waited about an hour and a half for food. It was unacceptable. The restaurant was only a third full. Will never be back.
(1)
Casey B.
What a great find in the circle city. Moderately priced unique food that comes up in good portions and wonderful flavors. Atmosphere and wait staff were very pleasant. I also enjoyed the one page menu, which tells me that the chef focuses on what he does and does it right. 5 dollar martini Thursday is also a plus. This is a good date night place.
(4)
teri a.
Horrible Went at 8;00pm on Weds and were only other couple in dining room Maybe 8 or 9 people at bar... Guess that should had been an omen Server had a very poor attitude and had not been trained properly if dining companion had not leaned back a couple of times he would have been hit in face!! Food was mediocre at best and served lukewarm. Barely. When asked to leave a few items off a dish we were met with quite a nasty attitude Plse avoid this place,, which shouldn't be a problem. As I doubt they will be around
(1)
Alexis B.
I had a lunch date with my husband here recently. It had a nice atmosphere, sumptuous and cozy, and the service was very prompt. I wouldn't have minded seeing a drink menu, but I got the feeling that for lunch it was more of a business-type place, so we just ordered water. It was nearly empty for lunch. Unfortunately, my meal was terrible! I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of kale slaw. The pork was terribly oversalted and tasted only of salt and vinegar. Also, it had some problems in concept. It was an open-faced sandwich, with the lettuce and tomato on top of the bread and the pork on top of that. There was no way to pick it up and eat it without the whole thing sliding onto the plate, which it did. I wouldn't have minded that too much if it had tasted good, though. I did eat most of it - I hate sending food back, destroying the date vibe, and sitting there with nothing while my husband eats his meal. But I can't believe anyone had tasted that pork. The kale slaw was nothing special - it was just kale and mayo, a little too sweet for my taste. My husband had the bison burger with chips, which was much tastier than my meal. I had a creme brulee for dessert. I haven't had creme brulee in a long time, and was trying to remember if I liked it or not. It was perfectly fine, but confirmed my memory that it's usually good for a couple of bites but gets boring by the end. I should have gone for the PB&J cheesecake, the other option. The coffee was good. So, I was just expecting something a little more special, and my main course was a total disaster. Maybe it's better for dinner.
(2)
Kelsee H.
When this little nook of downtown has closed down for the evening after 5pm, Chef Joseph's is a diamond in the rough for those looking for a meal in a swanky restaurant! Seriously, I had heard of the place before this weekend, but I had never been there! I was not disappointed! The menu had something for everyone: burger, salad, seafood, or even small plates. I enjoyed a shrimp and ravioli dish that arrived at my table exactly as it was described in the menu. I even got to try a special dessert - a peppercorn flan! Are you intrigued? Well, you should be. It was great! This particular night was super busy because of the live entertainment scheduled, but service didn't miss a beat! Even had the owners make a stop at our table! How often does that happen at any restaurant?! So, make Chef Joseph's your next stop for date night (or for a pre-theater dinner) and be prepared for a friendly, tasty, and pretty fancy evening! I've already made my next reservation!
(5)
Yahaira T.
This place has excellent customer service & food! We had a great time with my mom for her bday! Great music too! I had the chicken with spaghetti, large portion & yummy. My brother & boyfriend had the ribs & they loved it, boneless & tasty. My mom had the special that day & she was happy with it & her free dessert! Also, good cocktails. The chef can help u pick out wine if u tell him what u r going to order, FYI!
(4)
Karen J.
Chef Joe's never disappoints. Live music. Excellent cocktails ($5 martini in Thursday night) Lamb meatballs and goat cheese flatbread small plates were delicious and enough for a meal. But seriously, have a martini!
(5)
Heather H.
We came here for my mom's birthday on Friday and really had an excellent time. Both my parents are vegan, and my husband and I are vegetarian, so I had emailed the restaurant ahead of time to see if arrangements could be made for a three course vegan meal for our celebration. I received a very prompt response from John Mays, one of the proprietors, who told me they could certainly arrange this for us. When we arrived on Friday there was a little confusion with the host about our reservation, but John was actually there and had everything arranged and taken care of for us. We were seated and our server brought us water and a drink menu, and John came over and told us about what we would be having that night so we could make a wine choice, and then also was able to offer his thoughts on the wine offerings as well. For our meal we were served: - Salad with avocado, orange and tomato with an orange vinaigrette dressing - Mixed vegetables in a tomato sauce (this was MUCH more exciting than it sounds, as the vegetables were a mix of portabellas, red and yellow peppers, zucchini, green beans, and asparagus and the sauce was so amazing we were all nearly licking our plates by the end) - Apples baked in a sweet yam sauce All three courses were really, really good and paired very well together. The service was also excellent. Our water was kept full, and courses were brought at appropriate intervals. The live music was also a great touch and really added a fun element to the dinner. As others have noted, the decor in here is absolutely beautiful. I will definitely be coming back for regular dinners in the future. This was an overall very enjoyable experience. It's great to find a place so willing to make a creative and delicious vegan meal for us!
(5)
Bob S.
Great atmosphere, great service, great food! We came for a full dining experience which was very good, but I would also like to come back more often for after work drinks and appetizers as they have good deals and unique and tasty food. I believe that they also often have some live entertainment there, but it's not overwhelming or distracting from the experience.
(5)
Erin Q.
I took a client to lunch here and neither of us had been before. We both loved the interior, very rich looking with all the wood. We were quickly seated and greeted by our server. He went over the specials and the soup of the day. I opted to try the soup and it was a spicy tomato and zucchini. It was perfect for that blustery, cold day! It was hard to choose from the menu because everything looked tasty, but I ended up with the tempura battered flounder sandwich. I'm not sure why they put it on bread. The size of the fish completely obliterates the fact that there is a sandwich bun underneath of it! The lemon caper mayo was a nice touch and the fish was light and flaky, as it should be. The house made chips were warm and crisp! I would like to come back and check out their happy hour that they had posted. Seems like a very cool vibe. However, negative point for the trek to the bathroom. Thank goodness I didn't have anything to drink because you must go down a teeny tiny spiral staircase to get to the restrooms.
(4)
Eddie C.
Went to Chef Joseph's for first time for a happy hour event. Very impressed w/ the atmosphere and decor. There was a front dining area w/ sofa-like seating for larger groups, and bar toward the back. It makes for an excellent space for group events and private parties. The restaurant offered several apps for us to try. There was a fancy cole slaw type salad and several meat-related dishes (duck meatballs and BBQ meatloaf were the ones I remembered). All of the appetizers were outstanding but one of them was a little over seasoned. The restaurant is currently open for lunch only, but from what I was told it will begin serving dinners on the weekends (Thurs-Sat) in late March. There are also various dining/special events such as wine pairing dinners and rum tastings. Check their website for details. The location is a little off the beaten path, not quite downtown and not quite Mass Ave. However, it makes it very easy to park the car. I was able to park almost directly in front of the restaurant on a weeknight on Ohio St.
(4)
Rebecca M.
This place is posh - red carpets, chandeliers, sultry wood grains - it was almost intimidating! But as I settled into my comfy seat, I could see that my lunch date (a client) was really impressed with my choice of venue. It feels very exclusive and VIP. I was pleasantly surprised that the prices aren't astronomical. My guest's gourmet burger was "Tasty" (he says). I can only comment on how nice the presentation was. My salad, with chicken added, was more than enough for lunch, and I felt like the chef put as much care into constructing my salad as he would any lofty steak dish. The service is probably more attentive than I'm used to. To me, it was the same level of service that I would get at a swanky date-night restaurant - multiple waiters, one for your water glass, one for your juice glass, one for your salad, one for your entree - all facilitated by a pretty, smiling, even-your-mother-would-love-her waitress. One last very important detail: It was very easy to talk business at this restaurant. We weren't distracted by 'needing' anything, there wasn't a gaggle of noise to talk over, and there weren't any distracting visuals/TVs/staff. I'll definitely go back!
(4)
Ryan J.
This may just be my new favorite place downtown. The atmosphere is wonderful. The decor is beautiful and matches the ambience of the place. While we were there we got to listen to one of the best singers I've heard in a while, paired with a man on the piano. I saw a few reviewers saying they felt intimidated in there but I disagree. As someone who doesn't drink, I am used to getting a rude look when I just order a water-our waiter last night did not do that. He treated us great and the service was excellent! Not to mention the food was 5 stars. Everyone in our party was extremely satisfied with their meal. We will definitely be returning.
(5)
Jessica T.
I absolutely love this place! My first visit to Chef Joseph's was for a work event. John and Chef were so amazing and went above and beyond to make the event special. The food was fantastic, particularly the flat bread. Oh, and the meatballs. Seriously, so good. Since the event, we have been there several times. It's almost like we enjoy showing off our new find! The menu changes, and there are times when I'm not as drawn to the menu as others. But normally there is something I can't wait to try. I absolutely love the Tuscan Eggplant Ravioli (I'm a sucker for eggplant), and there is a hamburger my husband loves - it's called sushi burger, and it might have wasabi sauce. I can't remember exactly what it's called, or what's on it (it doesn't actually have sushi on it!) but it was amazing. The sweet potato fries are a must. And if you're feeling adventurous, the alligator tail is very good too. If you enjoy wine, this is a great place to try. There are many different wines to choose from, and several wines I don't see in any other restaurant in the city. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The ambiance is business casual, but they like to have fun. Not stuffy at all. You get great food, great service, great wine, without the stuffy better-than-thou attitude found in other restaurants. I highly suggest giving Chef Joseph's a try.
(5)
DeAnna P.
I went to an event here last night. I can only comment on bar and decor. Apparently a TON of free food was served, but I was 30 minutes late to the event and vultures had walked away with all of it already. :-( We ordered martinis at the bar. The bartenders there are not the fastest, but they are meticulous in drink preparation. I was pleased to see one of them fill our martini glasses with ice water to chill them while he prepared our drinks. They have a lot of high end and great local liquors and beers (happy to see Prohibition Gin and Upland, Flat 12 and another local beer on tap). Even the well gin that I had was very good. I spoke to one of the owners, who said he likes to source locally when possible. Others here have waxed more poetically that I can about the decor. I will just say I agree -- sumptuous without being stuffy. They also have this great little side room that has a giant roundish table that holds about 20 people and a door that closes it off from the rest of the restaurant. I think it would be great for a baby shower, birthday party, etc. I heard rumblings of an open mike night on Fridays, where it is BYOSheetMusic. Count me in!! Review to be updated once I try the food.
(4)
Sigrid F.
the ambiance here is very nice, understated elegance. Had their Sunday champagne brunch. There are options for unlimited champagne cocktails and also options for unlimited bloody Marys which is awesome. there was as usual a variety of foods in every price range. it was a bit odd today as the crowd consisted of big burly Colts fans, who were sipping their little mimosas to the tunes of the live harpist... something you do not see every day. Anyways, food quality was great. I enjoyed every bite.
(5)
Amber B.
We tried Chef Joseph's at the Connoisseur Room for the first time today for their Brunch, my first thought while writing this, I CANT WAIT TO COME BACk! Everyone we came into contact with was so kind and helpful and welcoming. Our server was attentive and amazing, offering suggestions and keeping our drinks filled. The owner was kind and came to our table to welcome us and share conversations with us! Even the Chef, Joseph, came to our table and helped our friends with his dietary restrictions! They offer brunch on Sunday with a bottomless mimosa options! I had the Hangover bowl which was amazing, I would highly suggest this restaurant! They also had live music! Cheers, they are doing it right! Can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)
Janelle G.
Still at Chefs Joseph's for Sunday brunch. Got to say Nathaniel has been an excellent waiter. The food was amazing and our unlimited champagne beverages are wonderful. Loved the mimosa and the Bellini. Definitely will be back.
(5)
Ryan D.
I am always trying to find new an different places for special occasions, for this it was our 3 year wedding anniversary. It was also a special day because Indiana, even if it was only for 72 hours, allowed gay marriage. When looking for Chef Joseph's don't blink! It doesn't jump out at you. If you are standing on Ohio it is to the right of Punch burger. When you walk in the first thing you see is dark wood, wonderful fabric, and a warm smile from the owner. We were a bit on the early side but they were able to seat us very quickly. After a bit of conversation with John, who we found out was the owner, splits of champagne arrived at our table! Another awesome surprise was the fact that on Thursday the special of the day are the martinis - which are awesome! Add to it half price small plates and the night was going in the right direction. The wait staff is very attentive but not intrusive, a fine line some places do not understand. There was live music and a festive evening was had by all. The food is wonderful. We split 2 different appetizers - baked goat cheese and the lamb confit taco's. The flavors were powerful and blended perfectly. I had the fish special which was served with seasonal veggies. Lane had the shrimp polenta - of course I stole a bite! Everything was amazing. The polenta held it's structure, the shrimp were great! Of course we had to cram dessert in as well. Creme Brulee, port, and signing! We knew there was always live entertainment but this night was the sing a long night. We watched as the bar became more full, tables had parties gathered around, and everyone enjoyed a great night with wonderful food and even better company!! This is a must if you are an Indianapolis resident or just coming into town.
(5)
Jeff M.
We went here one weekday for lunch without knowing much about the place and were impressed by the greeting that we received by the host and the very nice decor. Although we had lunch, it appeared that the space was ideally set up for a night of lounging on the comfy looking couches or at the impressive bar. I had the Italian beef sandwich, and in defense of Chef Joseph's I knew that I was not likely going to get the south-side Chicago sandwich that I'm used to. That being said, it was still good in a sophisticated way. The pasta side was excellent - very refreshing with a hint of lime. The shrimp appetizer was very good as well, although it was light on the bacon in my opinion (the bacon was what attracted me to it on the menu from the start). My wife enjoyed her chicken parmesan sandwich, and the portion was big enough that she ended up taking half of it home for later. The waiter was very polite and cordial, and he made sure to tell us of the upcoming events at the restaurant, the weekend dinner hours, etc. Although a bit pricey for lunch, it is not too far out of the norm for downtown. I would definitely take a client here, and I look forward to checking out their weekend food/wine/music events.
(4)
Jessica K.
The service I had for a large work party was disappointing. The drinks were spilled on the table and left without being cleaned up until I covered my place mat with my napkin so I wouldn't have to get wet. And while the server offered to fix my place setting, he did not offer to fix my neighbors. The gent sitting next to me had to ask for his to be fixed. The food was also disappointing. I got a caprese salad in the month of July and the tomatoes were not ripe. How can that happen in July in Indiana? Fresh tomatoes are everywhere. Also I got a fish sandwich and the bread was stale. Just not a good experience. The atmosphere was nice. I would go back for drinks, but would probably avoid the food next time.
(2)
Joanna B.
I went here for a meeting the other week and I must admit that i was not impressed. The drinks were good but I feel like any bartender can make a martini or a screw driver, nothing out of the ordinary but the food was nothing to write home about. In all fairness the food was preset and I didn't get a chance to choose off the menu which I may have enjoyed more.
(2)
Ben L.
Great service. Good food. Good specials during the week. Open mike night, soft jazz.
(5)
John A.
Nice quaint jazz club. Get a table by the window if you want some privacy and its quieter. We had the 3 course meal special. Just enough food for us. If you have a big appetite this may not be enough food for you . It include some olive poppers with a pepperoni mayo sauce, then a grilled salmon on a mixed green veggie, finished with a Mexican Hot Cocolate bread pudding topped with marshmallow cream and chocolate drizzle . With two glasses of wine and tip we were under a $100 for 2.
(4)
Anneke R.
Chef and his team are back in action, and I couldn't be more pleased! We had an event in one of the rooms recently, and Chef delighted us with some delicious dishes. Duck sliders that melt in your mouth (a little foie in there), spicy meatballs that are THANK YOU quite spicy, duck pate with just one of his many award winning condiments. Service? Very friendly and ultra professional. And a wine list that rotates with top selections. Bravo!
(5)
Rick B.
Couldn't wait to try this place. I pass it en route to the office almost every day. We went for the Valentine's wine pairing dinner. Beautiful place. Warm greeting and a fine server who was most personable (though he did have a tough time remembering to bring forks with each course). The first course of a bacon quesadilla was delish and the pairings were great. Second course of rich mushroom and artichoke soup and/or the tuna told us we were on a good roll. Those wine pairings were near perfect as well. The third course, the entrees of veal and/or salmon were lackluster and didn't hold up to the first two excellent courses. Desserts were outstanding. Lovely place, decent dinner though not as over the top as we anticipated. We'll try it again to see if we can turn into fans.
(3)
ChRles C.
Had a great special wine dinner last night. The scallop was perfect with a perfect cheese wine sauce. The chocolate risotto was unusual and delicious. Service outstanding
(5)
Scott J.
Wow. Just wow. We go to a lot of nice places to eat. It's something we enjoy. I'm not going to say this was the "best" food ever or the "best service" ever. BUT, when a place gets damn near everything right??? Awesome decor. You feel transported when u enter the door. The owner greets and sits you. Our server, William, fantastic. Engaged, informative, fun, interesting. What else could u ask for? Wine list is a little limited, but thoughtful and well priced. Wife had the sea bass special for 36.95, one of the best done pieces of sea bass we ve ever tasted. The mashed potatoes were a little bit of an odd pairing, but interesting in their own way with paprika adding a slightly smokey flavor. She said her asparagus was good, but since I hate that veggie, I will reserve comment. My dish was the chicken spaghetti. 18.95. Sort of a chicken parm dish but with fresh onions and bell peppers. I really enjoyed it. But the star was the goat cheese app. I know everyone makes it and it's pretty basic. But, every one should learn how to make the way they do here. The sliced almonds add a unique and well balanced addition. I could have easily had another of this app. Oh, and all of u snooty high end places I love so much, take note, double expresso, 2.75!!!! How nice to end a meal NOT getting ripped off on coffee. We will be back. We will bring friends. And if u go without us, ask for William to take care of u. He's an excellent server and u won't regret it. Live piano music, spiral staircase to the downstairs bathroom, beautiful bar, great service, great food, fair prices, and u feel like you're in NO OTHER place in Indy. Go this week, thank me later.
(5)
Chelsea G.
Stopped in while in town for a game for lunch. Place was pretty empty but good was great. Lamb tacos were excellent!
(4)
Joshua W.
Fantastic atmosphere, especially for the price. The calamari appetizer might be the best calamari that I've ever had. The pork loin was good, and I tried the shrimp from my friend's plate, and it is to die for. I'll definitely be back just to have that shrimp. If there would have been chocolate on the dessert menu today, I'd have had dessert too! :) I also enjoyed the singer and the gent playing guitar, loud enough to hear, but not so loud that it killed conversation.
(5)
Will W.
Absolutely incredible place for brunch on Sundays. Endless champagne cocktails and bloody mary bar are an excellent deal. The food is of high quality (to be honest, it's perfect for hangovers). Highly recommend.
(5)
Dusten N.
good food, live music, attentive servers, reminds me of the Brown Derby at Disney, umbrellas hanging ceiling instead of hat light fixtures
(5)
Kristie S.
I wanted to take my husband out for a special dinner last weekend. Wanted something new and after looking at numerous reviews for a romantic dinner - I was really excited to try Chef Joseph's! I made reservations, requested good seating up front since there was live music that night, and let them know I was really looking for great service for the special occasion. We showed up on time (truly a miracle!) and were seated right away at a table right next to the live music. We are off to a good start! Then we look over, and there was a card signed from the staff wishing us a happy anniversary and lovely evening. WOW I think this is really going to be great! Our waiter came and asked us for our drink order, and we asked for water and some time to look at the wine list. No joke, our waiter did not come back to our table for at least 30 minutes. We finally ordered our drinks and it took another 20 to get those. Also, during this whole time - we never actually got to place our order, not even an appetizer!!! I could go on and on about this evening because it seriously took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get through it. The only reason we didn't just leave is because we were enjoying the music. Food was good, however, I absolutely cannot excuse the horrible service. They weren't even busy that night.... I really regretted my decision to come here and spend close to $100 for a dinner we didn't even enjoy.
(2)
Alex D.
This was the first time coming for dinner prior to attending the Symphony. The dirty martinis were not spectacular at all. I requested Kettle One vodka but it didn't taste all that good. I'm not sure if they used the wrong vodka or if the drink was made worse by the pre-stuffed olives they use. There is a definite taste difference between store bought stuffed olives and stuffing it yourself. The dinner was pretty good. I had the mussels and they were excellent. The food is definitely good and reasonably priced.
(2)
Molly S.
The service could not have been worse. We came with a group for a bachelorette brunch and asked the waiter to divide the check 9 ways. It took five attempts to get it correct. We also spent two hours having brunch and waited about an hour and a half for food. It was unacceptable. The restaurant was only a third full. Will never be back.
(1)
Casey B.
What a great find in the circle city. Moderately priced unique food that comes up in good portions and wonderful flavors. Atmosphere and wait staff were very pleasant. I also enjoyed the one page menu, which tells me that the chef focuses on what he does and does it right. 5 dollar martini Thursday is also a plus. This is a good date night place.
(4)
teri a.
Horrible Went at 8;00pm on Weds and were only other couple in dining room Maybe 8 or 9 people at bar... Guess that should had been an omen Server had a very poor attitude and had not been trained properly if dining companion had not leaned back a couple of times he would have been hit in face!! Food was mediocre at best and served lukewarm. Barely. When asked to leave a few items off a dish we were met with quite a nasty attitude Plse avoid this place,, which shouldn't be a problem. As I doubt they will be around
(1)
Heather H.
We came here for my mom's birthday on Friday and really had an excellent time. Both my parents are vegan, and my husband and I are vegetarian, so I had emailed the restaurant ahead of time to see if arrangements could be made for a three course vegan meal for our celebration. I received a very prompt response from John Mays, one of the proprietors, who told me they could certainly arrange this for us. When we arrived on Friday there was a little confusion with the host about our reservation, but John was actually there and had everything arranged and taken care of for us. We were seated and our server brought us water and a drink menu, and John came over and told us about what we would be having that night so we could make a wine choice, and then also was able to offer his thoughts on the wine offerings as well. For our meal we were served: - Salad with avocado, orange and tomato with an orange vinaigrette dressing - Mixed vegetables in a tomato sauce (this was MUCH more exciting than it sounds, as the vegetables were a mix of portabellas, red and yellow peppers, zucchini, green beans, and asparagus and the sauce was so amazing we were all nearly licking our plates by the end) - Apples baked in a sweet yam sauce All three courses were really, really good and paired very well together. The service was also excellent. Our water was kept full, and courses were brought at appropriate intervals. The live music was also a great touch and really added a fun element to the dinner. As others have noted, the decor in here is absolutely beautiful. I will definitely be coming back for regular dinners in the future. This was an overall very enjoyable experience. It's great to find a place so willing to make a creative and delicious vegan meal for us!
(5)
Bob S.
Great atmosphere, great service, great food! We came for a full dining experience which was very good, but I would also like to come back more often for after work drinks and appetizers as they have good deals and unique and tasty food. I believe that they also often have some live entertainment there, but it's not overwhelming or distracting from the experience.
(5)
Erin Q.
I took a client to lunch here and neither of us had been before. We both loved the interior, very rich looking with all the wood. We were quickly seated and greeted by our server. He went over the specials and the soup of the day. I opted to try the soup and it was a spicy tomato and zucchini. It was perfect for that blustery, cold day! It was hard to choose from the menu because everything looked tasty, but I ended up with the tempura battered flounder sandwich. I'm not sure why they put it on bread. The size of the fish completely obliterates the fact that there is a sandwich bun underneath of it! The lemon caper mayo was a nice touch and the fish was light and flaky, as it should be. The house made chips were warm and crisp! I would like to come back and check out their happy hour that they had posted. Seems like a very cool vibe. However, negative point for the trek to the bathroom. Thank goodness I didn't have anything to drink because you must go down a teeny tiny spiral staircase to get to the restrooms.
(4)
Eddie C.
Went to Chef Joseph's for first time for a happy hour event. Very impressed w/ the atmosphere and decor. There was a front dining area w/ sofa-like seating for larger groups, and bar toward the back. It makes for an excellent space for group events and private parties. The restaurant offered several apps for us to try. There was a fancy cole slaw type salad and several meat-related dishes (duck meatballs and BBQ meatloaf were the ones I remembered). All of the appetizers were outstanding but one of them was a little over seasoned. The restaurant is currently open for lunch only, but from what I was told it will begin serving dinners on the weekends (Thurs-Sat) in late March. There are also various dining/special events such as wine pairing dinners and rum tastings. Check their website for details. The location is a little off the beaten path, not quite downtown and not quite Mass Ave. However, it makes it very easy to park the car. I was able to park almost directly in front of the restaurant on a weeknight on Ohio St.
(4)
Rebecca M.
This place is posh - red carpets, chandeliers, sultry wood grains - it was almost intimidating! But as I settled into my comfy seat, I could see that my lunch date (a client) was really impressed with my choice of venue. It feels very exclusive and VIP. I was pleasantly surprised that the prices aren't astronomical. My guest's gourmet burger was "Tasty" (he says). I can only comment on how nice the presentation was. My salad, with chicken added, was more than enough for lunch, and I felt like the chef put as much care into constructing my salad as he would any lofty steak dish. The service is probably more attentive than I'm used to. To me, it was the same level of service that I would get at a swanky date-night restaurant - multiple waiters, one for your water glass, one for your juice glass, one for your salad, one for your entree - all facilitated by a pretty, smiling, even-your-mother-would-love-her waitress. One last very important detail: It was very easy to talk business at this restaurant. We weren't distracted by 'needing' anything, there wasn't a gaggle of noise to talk over, and there weren't any distracting visuals/TVs/staff. I'll definitely go back!
(4)
Ryan J.
This may just be my new favorite place downtown. The atmosphere is wonderful. The decor is beautiful and matches the ambience of the place. While we were there we got to listen to one of the best singers I've heard in a while, paired with a man on the piano. I saw a few reviewers saying they felt intimidated in there but I disagree. As someone who doesn't drink, I am used to getting a rude look when I just order a water-our waiter last night did not do that. He treated us great and the service was excellent! Not to mention the food was 5 stars. Everyone in our party was extremely satisfied with their meal. We will definitely be returning.
(5)
Jessica T.
I absolutely love this place! My first visit to Chef Joseph's was for a work event. John and Chef were so amazing and went above and beyond to make the event special. The food was fantastic, particularly the flat bread. Oh, and the meatballs. Seriously, so good. Since the event, we have been there several times. It's almost like we enjoy showing off our new find! The menu changes, and there are times when I'm not as drawn to the menu as others. But normally there is something I can't wait to try. I absolutely love the Tuscan Eggplant Ravioli (I'm a sucker for eggplant), and there is a hamburger my husband loves - it's called sushi burger, and it might have wasabi sauce. I can't remember exactly what it's called, or what's on it (it doesn't actually have sushi on it!) but it was amazing. The sweet potato fries are a must. And if you're feeling adventurous, the alligator tail is very good too. If you enjoy wine, this is a great place to try. There are many different wines to choose from, and several wines I don't see in any other restaurant in the city. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The ambiance is business casual, but they like to have fun. Not stuffy at all. You get great food, great service, great wine, without the stuffy better-than-thou attitude found in other restaurants. I highly suggest giving Chef Joseph's a try.
(5)
DeAnna P.
I went to an event here last night. I can only comment on bar and decor. Apparently a TON of free food was served, but I was 30 minutes late to the event and vultures had walked away with all of it already. :-( We ordered martinis at the bar. The bartenders there are not the fastest, but they are meticulous in drink preparation. I was pleased to see one of them fill our martini glasses with ice water to chill them while he prepared our drinks. They have a lot of high end and great local liquors and beers (happy to see Prohibition Gin and Upland, Flat 12 and another local beer on tap). Even the well gin that I had was very good. I spoke to one of the owners, who said he likes to source locally when possible. Others here have waxed more poetically that I can about the decor. I will just say I agree -- sumptuous without being stuffy. They also have this great little side room that has a giant roundish table that holds about 20 people and a door that closes it off from the rest of the restaurant. I think it would be great for a baby shower, birthday party, etc. I heard rumblings of an open mike night on Fridays, where it is BYOSheetMusic. Count me in!! Review to be updated once I try the food.
(4)
B R.
I went here alone on an evening that I wasn't in the best of moods. From out of town, my expectations were low. The staff was exceedingly friendly and helpful. The food was great, too! The owner showed up and chatted. The patrons of this bar were nice, too! By the time I left, my mood was good. Thanks, Chez! Good spot for a truly "happy hour"!
(4)
Genna P.
After reading the reviews we decided to pop in. We arrived right at 5 as they just opened. We were greeted promptly and seated right away. We got there before the dinner rush. It was out anniversary and they brought us champagne and welcomed us to the best table in a quiet window corner. Juan was a wonderful server and let us take our time ordering. We had the bruschetta to start and bison burger and chicken BLT. We were floored at how great the food was, and Juan was perfect and not interrupting our conversation and delightful when we was at our table. We asked for the manager as we just had to compliment someone. The host that sat us was actually the owner and come over and thanked us. He then sent chef Joseph out. We were excited to hear about their changing menu and music in the evening. This will be a new spot for us. We absolutely can't wait to go back. It was like a great Chicago restaurant with out all the attitude. True indy gem.
(5)
Rob H.
Chef Joseph's is great and I'm so pleased to see them open up dinner service beyond events and the wonderful wine dinners. I was there for the recent Bourbon tasting and (besides the obvious) loved the tapas laid out by the chef. Really superior food at good prices and the ambience is great. Cool new spot in Indy!
(4)
Brent Z.
Bison burger was good. Spicier than I thought, but very good. I would've like to see them offer more side options. The only options were either fries or chips. Would have liked to see veggies or some other options.
(4)
Jim W.
It was a fantastic evening. Small plates paired with French wines, conversing with friends, and an opportunity to speak with the chef throughout the meal made this a fantastic experience. We didn't love every wine, but we liked every dish. I look forward to repeating the experience with new flavors!
(4)
TOMMY o.
love this hidden gem, these people aim to please, the entire staff goes all out for you! one of the best brisket sandwiches i've EVER had, it was to Die for!! the desserts make my diabetes shutter ! Sara Fabulous behind the bar, many nights with live music, i first heard about the chef joseph on Indy Style, which i record every day
(5)
Susan K.
I wish I lived near Indy so I could return to Chef Joseph's. Food fantastic; service excellent. Soft jazz added to the ambience without drowning out dinner conversation. The maître'd stopped by and later, the co-owner Tom stopped by. Would love to make it a place where "everybody knows my name": if you live near there, lucky you!
(5)
Stirling M.
Full Disclosure: As a journalist (who normally writes about things that go "vroom") I feel obligated to disclose that I am the director of a professional ballet company (shameless plug: btindiana.org ) and Chef Joseph's hosted a fundraiser for us a few months ago. I'm very appreciative. My and I just dined here for the first time, and we decided to split some small plates. We got the duck fries with asiago and duck bacon, crab cakes, the soup du jour, lamb confit tacos, and raspberry swirl creme brulee. The service was that rare and unusual occurrence of fine dining without even a hint of pretension. The servers are friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and it makes you want to become one of the regulars. If you eavesdrop a bit, you can tell that regulars are indeed a regular occurrence here. People want to come back. As for the food, it was excellent. The fries managed to be both light and fluffy on the inside and deliciously crispy and ducky on the outside. The meaty chunks of duck fat added huge flavor and umami while the acidity of the asigo helped balance the dish. Eat them. They are spectacular. Eat the lamb confit tacos too. It's such a wonderfully meaty experience that I'm not going to describe it in too much detail for fear of making some disgusting innuendos. The soup was also quite nice, while the crab cakes were the freshest tasting I've had since I left Annapolis, and were offset by a very nice mango salsa. Now the creme brulee; that was something special. I'm not usually that much of a dessert guy, but I do occasionally go for it, and I quite like creme brulee. Normally, when I get creme brulee, it comes out exactly how my brother-in-law describes it "an overpriced, tiny cup of vanilla pudding with some crispy crap on top." The top often doesn't have much flavor, and that's because people don't hit it with the torch long enough. To make a really excellent creme brulee, you need to flirt with disaster, and get as close as you can to burning it. This extracts a depth of caramel and coffee-like flavors from the sugar which plays with the pudding itself to create something wonderful. I've had creme brulee in a number of countries in a ton of restaurants (many of which came with a few Michelin Stars) and none can touch what I had tonight. Even, Thomas Keller's Michelin starred Bouchon Bistro in Yountville, CA didn't serve me a creme brulee this good. Even if this place wasn't run my nice, philanthropic people who have taken an interest in my cause, I'd recommend it whole-heartedly. From the swanky, speakeasy-esque atmosphere (complete with live jazz) to the delicious food, you want to eat here.
(5)
Jason B.
As Heather H. said, I was here for a birthday dinner and had a special Vegan dinner made for us. The atmosphere was pretty fancy. It will be a nice place for fancy date night. When we were there, they had live entertainment. The music was at a nice volume so that you can enjoy it, but still have a conversation with others at your table. The food was also excellent. Granted, we had a meal specially made for us, but considering the food we had isn't something that is made all the time, I can only image the regular food is also excellent. Pro tip: the bathrooms are downstairs. Looks for a spiral staircase.
the ambiance here is very nice, understated elegance. Had their Sunday champagne brunch. There are options for unlimited champagne cocktails and also options for unlimited bloody Marys which is awesome. there was as usual a variety of foods in every price range. it was a bit odd today as the crowd consisted of big burly Colts fans, who were sipping their little mimosas to the tunes of the live harpist... something you do not see every day. Anyways, food quality was great. I enjoyed every bite.
(5)
Amber B.
We tried Chef Joseph's at the Connoisseur Room for the first time today for their Brunch, my first thought while writing this, I CANT WAIT TO COME BACk! Everyone we came into contact with was so kind and helpful and welcoming. Our server was attentive and amazing, offering suggestions and keeping our drinks filled. The owner was kind and came to our table to welcome us and share conversations with us! Even the Chef, Joseph, came to our table and helped our friends with his dietary restrictions! They offer brunch on Sunday with a bottomless mimosa options! I had the Hangover bowl which was amazing, I would highly suggest this restaurant! They also had live music! Cheers, they are doing it right! Can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)
Janelle G.
Still at Chefs Joseph's for Sunday brunch. Got to say Nathaniel has been an excellent waiter. The food was amazing and our unlimited champagne beverages are wonderful. Loved the mimosa and the Bellini. Definitely will be back.
(5)
Ryan D.
I am always trying to find new an different places for special occasions, for this it was our 3 year wedding anniversary. It was also a special day because Indiana, even if it was only for 72 hours, allowed gay marriage. When looking for Chef Joseph's don't blink! It doesn't jump out at you. If you are standing on Ohio it is to the right of Punch burger. When you walk in the first thing you see is dark wood, wonderful fabric, and a warm smile from the owner. We were a bit on the early side but they were able to seat us very quickly. After a bit of conversation with John, who we found out was the owner, splits of champagne arrived at our table! Another awesome surprise was the fact that on Thursday the special of the day are the martinis - which are awesome! Add to it half price small plates and the night was going in the right direction. The wait staff is very attentive but not intrusive, a fine line some places do not understand. There was live music and a festive evening was had by all. The food is wonderful. We split 2 different appetizers - baked goat cheese and the lamb confit taco's. The flavors were powerful and blended perfectly. I had the fish special which was served with seasonal veggies. Lane had the shrimp polenta - of course I stole a bite! Everything was amazing. The polenta held it's structure, the shrimp were great! Of course we had to cram dessert in as well. Creme Brulee, port, and signing! We knew there was always live entertainment but this night was the sing a long night. We watched as the bar became more full, tables had parties gathered around, and everyone enjoyed a great night with wonderful food and even better company!! This is a must if you are an Indianapolis resident or just coming into town.
(5)
Bob J.
They were closing when we walked in the door at 8:30 pm. The cab driver of ten years had never heard of the place. The musician was the only person in the place. We were hoping to hear a nice piano player at dinner but they had no customers and decided to close early.
(1)
Thai N.
I'll chalk this one up as the chef had a bad night - because that happens. Went here with several business associates basically because none of us could agree on anywhere to eat. We also had a couple stipulations - needed to be within walking distance from the office, it needed to have a diverse menu and it needed to be ready to seat 6 ASAP. Chef Joseph's fit the bill. We entered with live music filling the air. A woman was singing covers from the 70's, 80's and some current stuff all to a "lounge-y" beat. It was pleasant, but it appeared she had some fiends where none to pleased to have a group of 6 sit near them and actually have conversations. But I digress - let's focus on food. Overall, the food was not delivered as advertised by our waiter. All agreed it was underwhelming, quite flavorless, overcooked or just not good. Between all of us, we shared the fried calamari steak, duck fat seasoned fries with duck bacon and asiago cheese, and the sriracha mac & cheese. The calamari was cold and flavorless - as if it just came out of the freezer. The mac & cheese was pretty bad. Each person took a bite and that was it. There was still plenty of it left over. One person said the $1 Kraft Mac-n-Cheese was a lot better! The duck fat fries however were pretty good - but hard to go wrong when it's fried in duck fat. For entrees, others had the lamb confit taco (2 orders), meatball sandwich, sauteed scallops, the angus beef steak burger and I had the duck manicotti. Not a single plate was finished. Each person responded with, "eh, it's ok" when asked about their meals. My duck manicotti was annihilated. When it was brought out, all agreed it looked like burnt enchiladas. It was way overcooked. I took two bites and left the rest behind. To sum up the evening, out of all the food, the favorite thing seemed to be the house made chips. Everyone was asking the guys with the burger and meatball sandwich for their chips.
(2)
Rick B.
Phenomenal experience. Th staff were very polite and helpful. The lamb chops were excellent and I usually don't like lamb. Loved the drinks as well.
(5)
Blake S.
This place is excellent. The atmosphere of the building and live music are really very cool. My wife and I came here for the first time for our 4th anniversary last year, and they really made it special. We came back last evening for dinner and it was just as great as we remembered. The service is awesome, food excellent, and it is just a good time. I also think it's pretty cool how the restrooms are down that old staircase. Definitely worth a visit!
(5)
Anoosh A.
My husband and I went to this restaurant for Valentines Day and it was the best experience ever. We loved our appetizer (calamari and mac n cheese) and our entree was even better than the appetizer (Bison burger and the mahi mahi). We had excellent service and our waiter was one of the nicest waiter. My husband gave him a good tip because he was just so sweet and nice. I would definitely recommend and would go for a romantic evening because my husband and I had a great time.
(5)
Lane P.
Simply amazing! We visited Chef Joseph's at The Connoisseur Room for our third anniversary. We arrived about 20 minutes prior to our reservation and the staff quickly accomodated us without any wait. Everyone we met from the time we arrived until the time we left was professional, warm and friendly. The atmosphere is dignified, yet laid back, the latter being a must for me. We were seated at a table next to the window which made for some great people watching both inside and out. The restaurant is laid out so that even when it is busy, it never feels crowded. We started with a couple of dry martinis, which (along with the rest of the martinis) were on special on Thursday night. They were superb. We also ordered a couple of small plates off their menu including the lamb confit taco and the baked goat cheese. Both were made to perfection. For dinner, I had the shrimp with fried polenta. The shrimp were perfectly cooked as was the polenta (not too mushy like some polenta). The entire dish was bursting with flavor. For dessert, we opted for a couple glasses of port wine with creme brulee. Again, amazing flavors and made to perfection. Given the quality of the entire experience and product, we were also surprised how incredibly reasonable the prices were. We will definitely be coming back again and again.
Man was this a disappointment. I got recommended here by a local in town and went with high expectations and that quickly turned around. They brought me a burger which i ordered medium rare came out well done, then did not give me an option to deny the replacement.. They then charged me full price on half price apps to spite me.
Man was this a disappointment. I got recommended here by a local in town and went with high expectations and that quickly turned around. They brought me a burger which i ordered medium rare came out well done, then did not give me an option to deny the replacement.. They then charged me full price on half price apps to spite me.
Chef Joe's never disappoints. Live music. Excellent cocktails ($5 martini in Thursday night) Lamb meatballs and goat cheese flatbread small plates were delicious and enough for a meal. But seriously, have a martini!
(5)
Michael A.
Delicious food. Cool space. Feels like your on a ship because the floor and the bar mirror are slanted at an angle. The calamari was the best I've had in years. Seriously. The dinner specials were $48 which felt like a robbery. Ask the prices before you commit.
(4)
Stirling M.
Full Disclosure: As a journalist (who normally writes about things that go "vroom") I feel obligated to disclose that I am the director of a professional ballet company (shameless plug: btindiana.org ) and Chef Joseph's hosted a fundraiser for us a few months ago. I'm very appreciative. My and I just dined here for the first time, and we decided to split some small plates. We got the duck fries with asiago and duck bacon, crab cakes, the soup du jour, lamb confit tacos, and raspberry swirl creme brulee. The service was that rare and unusual occurrence of fine dining without even a hint of pretension. The servers are friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and it makes you want to become one of the regulars. If you eavesdrop a bit, you can tell that regulars are indeed a regular occurrence here. People want to come back. As for the food, it was excellent. The fries managed to be both light and fluffy on the inside and deliciously crispy and ducky on the outside. The meaty chunks of duck fat added huge flavor and umami while the acidity of the asigo helped balance the dish. Eat them. They are spectacular. Eat the lamb confit tacos too. It's such a wonderfully meaty experience that I'm not going to describe it in too much detail for fear of making some disgusting innuendos. The soup was also quite nice, while the crab cakes were the freshest tasting I've had since I left Annapolis, and were offset by a very nice mango salsa. Now the creme brulee; that was something special. I'm not usually that much of a dessert guy, but I do occasionally go for it, and I quite like creme brulee. Normally, when I get creme brulee, it comes out exactly how my brother-in-law describes it "an overpriced, tiny cup of vanilla pudding with some crispy crap on top." The top often doesn't have much flavor, and that's because people don't hit it with the torch long enough. To make a really excellent creme brulee, you need to flirt with disaster, and get as close as you can to burning it. This extracts a depth of caramel and coffee-like flavors from the sugar which plays with the pudding itself to create something wonderful. I've had creme brulee in a number of countries in a ton of restaurants (many of which came with a few Michelin Stars) and none can touch what I had tonight. Even, Thomas Keller's Michelin starred Bouchon Bistro in Yountville, CA didn't serve me a creme brulee this good. Even if this place wasn't run my nice, philanthropic people who have taken an interest in my cause, I'd recommend it whole-heartedly. From the swanky, speakeasy-esque atmosphere (complete with live jazz) to the delicious food, you want to eat here.
(5)
Anneke R.
Chef and his team are back in action, and I couldn't be more pleased! We had an event in one of the rooms recently, and Chef delighted us with some delicious dishes. Duck sliders that melt in your mouth (a little foie in there), spicy meatballs that are THANK YOU quite spicy, duck pate with just one of his many award winning condiments. Service? Very friendly and ultra professional. And a wine list that rotates with top selections. Bravo!
(5)
Sigrid F.
the ambiance here is very nice, understated elegance. Had their Sunday champagne brunch. There are options for unlimited champagne cocktails and also options for unlimited bloody Marys which is awesome. there was as usual a variety of foods in every price range. it was a bit odd today as the crowd consisted of big burly Colts fans, who were sipping their little mimosas to the tunes of the live harpist... something you do not see every day. Anyways, food quality was great. I enjoyed every bite.
(5)
Janelle G.
Still at Chefs Joseph's for Sunday brunch. Got to say Nathaniel has been an excellent waiter. The food was amazing and our unlimited champagne beverages are wonderful. Loved the mimosa and the Bellini. Definitely will be back.
(5)
Amber B.
We tried Chef Joseph's at the Connoisseur Room for the first time today for their Brunch, my first thought while writing this, I CANT WAIT TO COME BACk! Everyone we came into contact with was so kind and helpful and welcoming. Our server was attentive and amazing, offering suggestions and keeping our drinks filled. The owner was kind and came to our table to welcome us and share conversations with us! Even the Chef, Joseph, came to our table and helped our friends with his dietary restrictions! They offer brunch on Sunday with a bottomless mimosa options! I had the Hangover bowl which was amazing, I would highly suggest this restaurant! They also had live music! Cheers, they are doing it right! Can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)
Ryan D.
I am always trying to find new an different places for special occasions, for this it was our 3 year wedding anniversary. It was also a special day because Indiana, even if it was only for 72 hours, allowed gay marriage. When looking for Chef Joseph's don't blink! It doesn't jump out at you. If you are standing on Ohio it is to the right of Punch burger. When you walk in the first thing you see is dark wood, wonderful fabric, and a warm smile from the owner. We were a bit on the early side but they were able to seat us very quickly. After a bit of conversation with John, who we found out was the owner, splits of champagne arrived at our table! Another awesome surprise was the fact that on Thursday the special of the day are the martinis - which are awesome! Add to it half price small plates and the night was going in the right direction. The wait staff is very attentive but not intrusive, a fine line some places do not understand. There was live music and a festive evening was had by all. The food is wonderful. We split 2 different appetizers - baked goat cheese and the lamb confit taco's. The flavors were powerful and blended perfectly. I had the fish special which was served with seasonal veggies. Lane had the shrimp polenta - of course I stole a bite! Everything was amazing. The polenta held it's structure, the shrimp were great! Of course we had to cram dessert in as well. Creme Brulee, port, and signing! We knew there was always live entertainment but this night was the sing a long night. We watched as the bar became more full, tables had parties gathered around, and everyone enjoyed a great night with wonderful food and even better company!! This is a must if you are an Indianapolis resident or just coming into town.
(5)
Bob J.
They were closing when we walked in the door at 8:30 pm. The cab driver of ten years had never heard of the place. The musician was the only person in the place. We were hoping to hear a nice piano player at dinner but they had no customers and decided to close early.
(1)
Jason B.
As Heather H. said, I was here for a birthday dinner and had a special Vegan dinner made for us. The atmosphere was pretty fancy. It will be a nice place for fancy date night. When we were there, they had live entertainment. The music was at a nice volume so that you can enjoy it, but still have a conversation with others at your table. The food was also excellent. Granted, we had a meal specially made for us, but considering the food we had isn't something that is made all the time, I can only image the regular food is also excellent. Pro tip: the bathrooms are downstairs. Looks for a spiral staircase.
(5)
Yahaira T.
This place has excellent customer service & food! We had a great time with my mom for her bday! Great music too! I had the chicken with spaghetti, large portion & yummy. My brother & boyfriend had the ribs & they loved it, boneless & tasty. My mom had the special that day & she was happy with it & her free dessert! Also, good cocktails. The chef can help u pick out wine if u tell him what u r going to order, FYI!
(4)
Thai N.
I'll chalk this one up as the chef had a bad night - because that happens. Went here with several business associates basically because none of us could agree on anywhere to eat. We also had a couple stipulations - needed to be within walking distance from the office, it needed to have a diverse menu and it needed to be ready to seat 6 ASAP. Chef Joseph's fit the bill. We entered with live music filling the air. A woman was singing covers from the 70's, 80's and some current stuff all to a "lounge-y" beat. It was pleasant, but it appeared she had some fiends where none to pleased to have a group of 6 sit near them and actually have conversations. But I digress - let's focus on food. Overall, the food was not delivered as advertised by our waiter. All agreed it was underwhelming, quite flavorless, overcooked or just not good. Between all of us, we shared the fried calamari steak, duck fat seasoned fries with duck bacon and asiago cheese, and the sriracha mac & cheese. The calamari was cold and flavorless - as if it just came out of the freezer. The mac & cheese was pretty bad. Each person took a bite and that was it. There was still plenty of it left over. One person said the $1 Kraft Mac-n-Cheese was a lot better! The duck fat fries however were pretty good - but hard to go wrong when it's fried in duck fat. For entrees, others had the lamb confit taco (2 orders), meatball sandwich, sauteed scallops, the angus beef steak burger and I had the duck manicotti. Not a single plate was finished. Each person responded with, "eh, it's ok" when asked about their meals. My duck manicotti was annihilated. When it was brought out, all agreed it looked like burnt enchiladas. It was way overcooked. I took two bites and left the rest behind. To sum up the evening, out of all the food, the favorite thing seemed to be the house made chips. Everyone was asking the guys with the burger and meatball sandwich for their chips.
(2)
Rick B.
Phenomenal experience. Th staff were very polite and helpful. The lamb chops were excellent and I usually don't like lamb. Loved the drinks as well.
(5)
Blake S.
This place is excellent. The atmosphere of the building and live music are really very cool. My wife and I came here for the first time for our 4th anniversary last year, and they really made it special. We came back last evening for dinner and it was just as great as we remembered. The service is awesome, food excellent, and it is just a good time. I also think it's pretty cool how the restrooms are down that old staircase. Definitely worth a visit!
(5)
Lane P.
Simply amazing! We visited Chef Joseph's at The Connoisseur Room for our third anniversary. We arrived about 20 minutes prior to our reservation and the staff quickly accomodated us without any wait. Everyone we met from the time we arrived until the time we left was professional, warm and friendly. The atmosphere is dignified, yet laid back, the latter being a must for me. We were seated at a table next to the window which made for some great people watching both inside and out. The restaurant is laid out so that even when it is busy, it never feels crowded. We started with a couple of dry martinis, which (along with the rest of the martinis) were on special on Thursday night. They were superb. We also ordered a couple of small plates off their menu including the lamb confit taco and the baked goat cheese. Both were made to perfection. For dinner, I had the shrimp with fried polenta. The shrimp were perfectly cooked as was the polenta (not too mushy like some polenta). The entire dish was bursting with flavor. For dessert, we opted for a couple glasses of port wine with creme brulee. Again, amazing flavors and made to perfection. Given the quality of the entire experience and product, we were also surprised how incredibly reasonable the prices were. We will definitely be coming back again and again.
My husband and I went to this restaurant for Valentines Day and it was the best experience ever. We loved our appetizer (calamari and mac n cheese) and our entree was even better than the appetizer (Bison burger and the mahi mahi). We had excellent service and our waiter was one of the nicest waiter. My husband gave him a good tip because he was just so sweet and nice. I would definitely recommend and would go for a romantic evening because my husband and I had a great time.
(5)
Jane G.
I love it here! The food is amazing and the staff is too. Live music and bottomless champagne on Sunday. Prices are very reasonable for what you get!
(5)
Anthony G.
I was so excited to come here. My last night in INDY. The menu sounded interesting so I went with a friend. There was a lady singing so loud that our conversation was like two soldiers in a Fox Hole during a bomb raid. The music was nice but it dominated the room. The place itself was red and dark wood, reminiscent of The Colony in NYC, a place where Don Draper drink and picked up a floozy. I ordered the Duck Manicotti and waited. The first bite reminded me of a nice Mexican place. The second bite told me that there was so much duck fat that I was going to have a heart attack and die in INDY. My friend had some steak and he said it was ok. The salad had croutons from Costco probably. It was a nice place and I wanted to like it but now I'm back at the hotel and wondering if I should've gone to have Thai at Thai Palace. This place is nice maybe for lunch or cocktails but the food was just OK and the waitress looked like she had killed someone back in 1980. The entire thing was Boy George singing: You come and go/you come and go.
(2)
John W.
This is an old fashioned supper club. The food is very good and the music is outstanding. Music is not too loud so you can still converse. Highly recommend it.
(5)
Roberta R.
I read the recent poor reviews and I wanted so badly to post a raving one. Sorry. Everything we ordered and saw at other tables was just like dishes you can get anywhere else. Nothing special BUT not bad by any means. Just boring. Our server was enthusiastic and good at her job. The ambiance is nice (just nice) and patrons were mainly older, wearing suits/ties. Later in the meal, there were more casual diners showing up. And then the singing started. No thanks! She sang beautifully, but the piano alone would have been delightful. No loud singing needed. We will not be back. $86 + tip for 2 people; 1 drink each, 1 salad each, and 1 entree each. We can do better elsewhere.
(3)
Melissa S.
We had a pleasant evening at Chef Joseph's last night. The food was all good, not exceptional, but tasty, nicely presented. Duck fries were quite greasy. My steak was nice, although the potatoes and asparagus were lukewarm. My husband's burger was well-done, not the medium he had ordered, but good, with nice house-made chips. The service was... A little odd. Our waiter seemed simultaneously distracted and fussy. He stopped at our table no fewer than three times before taking a drink order, left his iPad with us to peruse the list that he described as "tons of different beers"... Three beers on tap and about a dozen bottles. Then the runner brought our appetizer before we'd received said drinks. It was friendly service, but not organized or very graceful. We were also in a side dining room, which completely emptied about thirty minutes after we arrived... while the live music played next door in the full main dining room. I might give it another try, but not likely. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Loved the atmosphere and plush banquettes.
(3)
Molly S.
What an awesome night at Chef Joseph's. I had family in town and wanted to take them to a nice place- maybe a little upscale, nothing too loud (have some hard of hearing in the crew), delicious food. Chef Joseph's hit the spot- and then some. Not only did we have impeccable service, a custom wine recommendation from the chef himself, and great ambience; but the food was delicious. I had the halibut which was outstanding. Many at the table had the tuna special for the evening with a delicious soy ginger wasabi sauce. For dessert- an amazing creme brulee- perfectly torched, not too sweet, and a great dish to share. There was a jazz singer performing throughout most of our meal, and she added greatly to the fun of the evening. Nothing too loud or overpowering, but she had a great voice. Overall, it was a lovely evening, and we will definitely be back. Our regards to the chef and the entire staff at Chef Jospeh's!
(5)
Rachael L.
The $4 well drink happy hour lured me in on my way to the Pacers game. It was a Friday around 6pm, so not too badly priced! Especially when you consider there was a man playing classical music on the baby grand piano! How often do you get to sit at a piano bar downtown with an affordable cocktail? Its definately a nice change of pace from the usual bar. If you are on your way to a show downtown, I suggest stopping in to check it out.
(4)
Barry L.
A perfectly reasonable meal, but nothing spectacular. The ambiance is very cool - kind of old fashioned supper club place. The space is very small and cozy, but the challenge is that there is a major draft from the doorway (it was very cold last night). The service was very good - the service team was right on top of their game. There was live entertainment which made for a nice background. Unfortunately, we were seated about five feet from the singer, so it was a bit loud. Unfortunately, the food was only above average. My wife ordered a chicken dish with artichoke hearts, and the artichokes were very stringy. I had a scallop dish with polenta and asparagus - all of which were terrific, but the accompanying sauce was disappointingly bland. The best thing about the night was not the doing of the restaurant - a bit of luck on the timing. There was a bus of drag queens going around restaurants in Indy, and the "ladies" came in and vamped for tips - which are going to anti-HIV charities. All in all an OK place. Different from the standard dinner experiences, but not enough to make me want to go back the next time I visit Indy.
(3)
John A.
Nice quaint jazz club. Get a table by the window if you want some privacy and its quieter. We had the 3 course meal special. Just enough food for us. If you have a big appetite this may not be enough food for you . It include some olive poppers with a pepperoni mayo sauce, then a grilled salmon on a mixed green veggie, finished with a Mexican Hot Cocolate bread pudding topped with marshmallow cream and chocolate drizzle . With two glasses of wine and tip we were under a $100 for 2.
(4)
Jerry M.
Booked a reservation for our anniversary. Got stuck in traffic enroute so I called to move our time back - no problem. When we did arrive, the host said he hoped the traffic had not caused too much anxiety (Nice Touch #1 remembering). Then he wished us a Happy Anniversary (NT #2). When we were seated there was a card on the table signed by all the staff wishing us Happy Anniversary (NT#3). Within a few moments our waiter arrived with a complementary bottle of Champagne! (NT#4). Thursdays are $5 martinis (yea!), so we each enjoyed one after our champagne. Because we were there before 7:00, all appetizers were half price (yea!). The Calamari melted in our mouths. We also got the crab cakes which were great. For an entree, she got the short rib (she loved it) and I got the shrimp. Seldom in my mind is shrimp fantastic, but here it was. Cooked perfectly and in a sauce that was unbelievable. Creme Brulee for dessert. The atmosphere was cozy and romantic. The live music really set the mood. It was open mic night which made me a bit leery, but singer after singer went up and belted out tunes that were phenomenal. You'd have thought we were at a high class musical audition or something. These were not your average drunken karaoke singers. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun at a restaurant, at such an amazing value to boot. We're already planning the friends we know that we want to take there soon. Food was great. Service was superior. Atmosphere was perfect. This place was clicking on all cylinders.
(5)
Cara N.
Celebrated Valentine's Day here last night. Very elegant and cozy atmosphere. You must try the Sriracha mac and cheese! My steak was cooked perfectly. Robert was a very attentive waiter who made our experience perfect. Thank you Chef Joseph and Robert!!!!
(5)
Chris C.
My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Chef Josephs. It was a very romantic, cozy atmosphere, mellow jazz piano and singer (think Nora Jones), soft lighting with candles flickering...all you could want for a special evening. The wait staff was knowledgable but not pretentious. Attentive, but not disruptive. We started with crab cakes...absolutely loved them. I could have ordered more as my meal. I had the strip steak with garlic mashed potatoes with asparagus....wonderful and flavorful. My husband had swordfish and couscous. He was real happy with his choice and enjoyed it. Dessert...we shared a creme brule and cheesecake. Both housemade, and a great finish to a perfect, romantic dining experience. If you are looking for something special, Chef Joseph's Connesiour Room totally delivers.
(5)
Alex F.
This is a nice place to get some nice breakfast or brunch. Its kind of fancy and a little pricey, but the food is delicious and the service is great. They change menus every once in a while so it's great to check out new dishes. I would come back again.
(4)
Jeanluc C.
Great place for a date. Everyone in this place is very friendly and professional. Food is amazing price too. Will go back.
(4)
Kacey M.
Their food quantity, quality, price and service did not match up for us. Their definition of a salad was quartering a romaine lettuce and sprinkling croutons around it. Service was really below par as they wanted to close. They should have been a bit more considerate and provided some alternative options when they served me meat that I don't eat. Also, the duck manicotti that my friend ordered for lunch was bland, small portioned, and well not worth the price. We ended up going elsewhere to continue lunch.
(1)
Holly B.
Went here on Valentine's Day. The Cosmo martini was great and strong :) I am sure the food was good but I could not taste it due to having a bad cold.. The waitress was a little unprofessional for such a fancy place.
(4)
Christine B.
Absolutely the best darn scallops and calamari I've ever had in my entire life. I had no idea calamari could be so tender. The scallops were perfect and nestled in a lobster cream sauce with cheese polenta. Delish! My parents both loved their meals as well. My mom had the swordfish and my dad had a steak. Really cool jazzy and classy feel to this place. Not overly crowded, small, nice, and intimate. Definitely a romantic place to go on a date. To me, for fine dining I think the prices are very reasonable. There's no flashy signs outside, just signage on the building an an awning, but Chef Josephs really is a nice classy place and is like taking a step back in time, in a good way when restaurants were ultra classy and featured live jazz singers on the weekends. I'll be back!
(5)
Jillian B.
the ambiance is very nice. Sunday brunch is amazing. unlimited champagne cocktails and delicious food. I know I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Alexis B.
I had a lunch date with my husband here recently. It had a nice atmosphere, sumptuous and cozy, and the service was very prompt. I wouldn't have minded seeing a drink menu, but I got the feeling that for lunch it was more of a business-type place, so we just ordered water. It was nearly empty for lunch. Unfortunately, my meal was terrible! I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of kale slaw. The pork was terribly oversalted and tasted only of salt and vinegar. Also, it had some problems in concept. It was an open-faced sandwich, with the lettuce and tomato on top of the bread and the pork on top of that. There was no way to pick it up and eat it without the whole thing sliding onto the plate, which it did. I wouldn't have minded that too much if it had tasted good, though. I did eat most of it - I hate sending food back, destroying the date vibe, and sitting there with nothing while my husband eats his meal. But I can't believe anyone had tasted that pork. The kale slaw was nothing special - it was just kale and mayo, a little too sweet for my taste. My husband had the bison burger with chips, which was much tastier than my meal. I had a creme brulee for dessert. I haven't had creme brulee in a long time, and was trying to remember if I liked it or not. It was perfectly fine, but confirmed my memory that it's usually good for a couple of bites but gets boring by the end. I should have gone for the PB&J cheesecake, the other option. The coffee was good. So, I was just expecting something a little more special, and my main course was a total disaster. Maybe it's better for dinner.
(2)
Kelsee H.
When this little nook of downtown has closed down for the evening after 5pm, Chef Joseph's is a diamond in the rough for those looking for a meal in a swanky restaurant! Seriously, I had heard of the place before this weekend, but I had never been there! I was not disappointed! The menu had something for everyone: burger, salad, seafood, or even small plates. I enjoyed a shrimp and ravioli dish that arrived at my table exactly as it was described in the menu. I even got to try a special dessert - a peppercorn flan! Are you intrigued? Well, you should be. It was great! This particular night was super busy because of the live entertainment scheduled, but service didn't miss a beat! Even had the owners make a stop at our table! How often does that happen at any restaurant?! So, make Chef Joseph's your next stop for date night (or for a pre-theater dinner) and be prepared for a friendly, tasty, and pretty fancy evening! I've already made my next reservation!
(5)
Jeff M.
We went here one weekday for lunch without knowing much about the place and were impressed by the greeting that we received by the host and the very nice decor. Although we had lunch, it appeared that the space was ideally set up for a night of lounging on the comfy looking couches or at the impressive bar. I had the Italian beef sandwich, and in defense of Chef Joseph's I knew that I was not likely going to get the south-side Chicago sandwich that I'm used to. That being said, it was still good in a sophisticated way. The pasta side was excellent - very refreshing with a hint of lime. The shrimp appetizer was very good as well, although it was light on the bacon in my opinion (the bacon was what attracted me to it on the menu from the start). My wife enjoyed her chicken parmesan sandwich, and the portion was big enough that she ended up taking half of it home for later. The waiter was very polite and cordial, and he made sure to tell us of the upcoming events at the restaurant, the weekend dinner hours, etc. Although a bit pricey for lunch, it is not too far out of the norm for downtown. I would definitely take a client here, and I look forward to checking out their weekend food/wine/music events.
(4)
Jessica K.
The service I had for a large work party was disappointing. The drinks were spilled on the table and left without being cleaned up until I covered my place mat with my napkin so I wouldn't have to get wet. And while the server offered to fix my place setting, he did not offer to fix my neighbors. The gent sitting next to me had to ask for his to be fixed. The food was also disappointing. I got a caprese salad in the month of July and the tomatoes were not ripe. How can that happen in July in Indiana? Fresh tomatoes are everywhere. Also I got a fish sandwich and the bread was stale. Just not a good experience. The atmosphere was nice. I would go back for drinks, but would probably avoid the food next time.
(2)
Joanna B.
I went here for a meeting the other week and I must admit that i was not impressed. The drinks were good but I feel like any bartender can make a martini or a screw driver, nothing out of the ordinary but the food was nothing to write home about. In all fairness the food was preset and I didn't get a chance to choose off the menu which I may have enjoyed more.
(2)
Ben L.
Great service. Good food. Good specials during the week. Open mike night, soft jazz.
(5)
Rick B.
Couldn't wait to try this place. I pass it en route to the office almost every day. We went for the Valentine's wine pairing dinner. Beautiful place. Warm greeting and a fine server who was most personable (though he did have a tough time remembering to bring forks with each course). The first course of a bacon quesadilla was delish and the pairings were great. Second course of rich mushroom and artichoke soup and/or the tuna told us we were on a good roll. Those wine pairings were near perfect as well. The third course, the entrees of veal and/or salmon were lackluster and didn't hold up to the first two excellent courses. Desserts were outstanding. Lovely place, decent dinner though not as over the top as we anticipated. We'll try it again to see if we can turn into fans.
(3)
ChRles C.
Had a great special wine dinner last night. The scallop was perfect with a perfect cheese wine sauce. The chocolate risotto was unusual and delicious. Service outstanding
(5)
Rod R.
Saturday evening, 042013. Pleasant staff, loud jazz singer (does anyone want to talk quietly anymore?). Nice bar. Limited menu, small portions, no bread or anything other than menu items. My friend's small walleye portion was served blandly on a small bed of rice, no veg, no nothing, and limited taste. Lamb sausage manicotti (two - what? Three would have broken the bank?) were good with non-melted cheese on top and a precious side of asparagus. Who is Chef Joseph, anyway? He used to be at Agio, where the food was mediocre (mid-west Italian) and is now, properly, closed. I assume that Joseph's will likewise close. Why is niggling the word of the day in restaurant servings? Have the portion-control restaurant college grads taken over? Prices of ordinary food are already inflated by 8 - 10 times by eateries. And, who does not love being served a $12 glass of wine with two inches of wine in a six inch bowl glass? Our cocktails were $8, which for downtown was about right, even low, depending on the venue. My cost for the same cocktail at home is $2. Waitress was second-rate, blowsy, and had to squat (lovely~ - who does not enjoy squatting?) next to our table in order to hear or be heard over the wailing jazz singer and piano. Overall, a blah experience and we'll not go back. Are restaurant owners able to try their own restaurants and evaluate them objectively? Apparently not.
(1)
Edward M.
This is the destination establishment when very important friends and family come from out of town! The wine list is unequalled as is the personal service each patron enjoys! Chef Joseph prides himself in pleasing diners of all tastes. His preparation of every type of meat, fish, and their presentation is a guaranteed treat. Desserts are sinful and will make you wish you could spend several extra hours. The atmosphere is elegant, but relaxed.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Quiet Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Yahaira T.
This place has excellent customer service & food! We had a great time with my mom for her bday! Great music too! I had the chicken with spaghetti, large portion & yummy. My brother & boyfriend had the ribs & they loved it, boneless & tasty. My mom had the special that day & she was happy with it & her free dessert! Also, good cocktails. The chef can help u pick out wine if u tell him what u r going to order, FYI!
(4)Karen J.
Chef Joe's never disappoints. Live music. Excellent cocktails ($5 martini in Thursday night) Lamb meatballs and goat cheese flatbread small plates were delicious and enough for a meal. But seriously, have a martini!
(5)Heather H.
We came here for my mom's birthday on Friday and really had an excellent time. Both my parents are vegan, and my husband and I are vegetarian, so I had emailed the restaurant ahead of time to see if arrangements could be made for a three course vegan meal for our celebration. I received a very prompt response from John Mays, one of the proprietors, who told me they could certainly arrange this for us. When we arrived on Friday there was a little confusion with the host about our reservation, but John was actually there and had everything arranged and taken care of for us. We were seated and our server brought us water and a drink menu, and John came over and told us about what we would be having that night so we could make a wine choice, and then also was able to offer his thoughts on the wine offerings as well. For our meal we were served: - Salad with avocado, orange and tomato with an orange vinaigrette dressing - Mixed vegetables in a tomato sauce (this was MUCH more exciting than it sounds, as the vegetables were a mix of portabellas, red and yellow peppers, zucchini, green beans, and asparagus and the sauce was so amazing we were all nearly licking our plates by the end) - Apples baked in a sweet yam sauce All three courses were really, really good and paired very well together. The service was also excellent. Our water was kept full, and courses were brought at appropriate intervals. The live music was also a great touch and really added a fun element to the dinner. As others have noted, the decor in here is absolutely beautiful. I will definitely be coming back for regular dinners in the future. This was an overall very enjoyable experience. It's great to find a place so willing to make a creative and delicious vegan meal for us!
(5)Bob S.
Great atmosphere, great service, great food! We came for a full dining experience which was very good, but I would also like to come back more often for after work drinks and appetizers as they have good deals and unique and tasty food. I believe that they also often have some live entertainment there, but it's not overwhelming or distracting from the experience.
(5)Molly S.
What an awesome night at Chef Joseph's. I had family in town and wanted to take them to a nice place- maybe a little upscale, nothing too loud (have some hard of hearing in the crew), delicious food. Chef Joseph's hit the spot- and then some. Not only did we have impeccable service, a custom wine recommendation from the chef himself, and great ambience; but the food was delicious. I had the halibut which was outstanding. Many at the table had the tuna special for the evening with a delicious soy ginger wasabi sauce. For dessert- an amazing creme brulee- perfectly torched, not too sweet, and a great dish to share. There was a jazz singer performing throughout most of our meal, and she added greatly to the fun of the evening. Nothing too loud or overpowering, but she had a great voice. Overall, it was a lovely evening, and we will definitely be back. Our regards to the chef and the entire staff at Chef Jospeh's!
(5)Barry L.
A perfectly reasonable meal, but nothing spectacular. The ambiance is very cool - kind of old fashioned supper club place. The space is very small and cozy, but the challenge is that there is a major draft from the doorway (it was very cold last night). The service was very good - the service team was right on top of their game. There was live entertainment which made for a nice background. Unfortunately, we were seated about five feet from the singer, so it was a bit loud. Unfortunately, the food was only above average. My wife ordered a chicken dish with artichoke hearts, and the artichokes were very stringy. I had a scallop dish with polenta and asparagus - all of which were terrific, but the accompanying sauce was disappointingly bland. The best thing about the night was not the doing of the restaurant - a bit of luck on the timing. There was a bus of drag queens going around restaurants in Indy, and the "ladies" came in and vamped for tips - which are going to anti-HIV charities. All in all an OK place. Different from the standard dinner experiences, but not enough to make me want to go back the next time I visit Indy.
(3)Chelsea G.
Stopped in while in town for a game for lunch. Place was pretty empty but good was great. Lamb tacos were excellent!
(4)Molly S.
The service could not have been worse. We came with a group for a bachelorette brunch and asked the waiter to divide the check 9 ways. It took five attempts to get it correct. We also spent two hours having brunch and waited about an hour and a half for food. It was unacceptable. The restaurant was only a third full. Will never be back.
(1)Casey B.
What a great find in the circle city. Moderately priced unique food that comes up in good portions and wonderful flavors. Atmosphere and wait staff were very pleasant. I also enjoyed the one page menu, which tells me that the chef focuses on what he does and does it right. 5 dollar martini Thursday is also a plus. This is a good date night place.
(4)teri a.
Horrible Went at 8;00pm on Weds and were only other couple in dining room Maybe 8 or 9 people at bar... Guess that should had been an omen Server had a very poor attitude and had not been trained properly if dining companion had not leaned back a couple of times he would have been hit in face!! Food was mediocre at best and served lukewarm. Barely. When asked to leave a few items off a dish we were met with quite a nasty attitude Plse avoid this place,, which shouldn't be a problem. As I doubt they will be around
(1)Alexis B.
I had a lunch date with my husband here recently. It had a nice atmosphere, sumptuous and cozy, and the service was very prompt. I wouldn't have minded seeing a drink menu, but I got the feeling that for lunch it was more of a business-type place, so we just ordered water. It was nearly empty for lunch. Unfortunately, my meal was terrible! I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of kale slaw. The pork was terribly oversalted and tasted only of salt and vinegar. Also, it had some problems in concept. It was an open-faced sandwich, with the lettuce and tomato on top of the bread and the pork on top of that. There was no way to pick it up and eat it without the whole thing sliding onto the plate, which it did. I wouldn't have minded that too much if it had tasted good, though. I did eat most of it - I hate sending food back, destroying the date vibe, and sitting there with nothing while my husband eats his meal. But I can't believe anyone had tasted that pork. The kale slaw was nothing special - it was just kale and mayo, a little too sweet for my taste. My husband had the bison burger with chips, which was much tastier than my meal. I had a creme brulee for dessert. I haven't had creme brulee in a long time, and was trying to remember if I liked it or not. It was perfectly fine, but confirmed my memory that it's usually good for a couple of bites but gets boring by the end. I should have gone for the PB&J cheesecake, the other option. The coffee was good. So, I was just expecting something a little more special, and my main course was a total disaster. Maybe it's better for dinner.
(2)Kelsee H.
When this little nook of downtown has closed down for the evening after 5pm, Chef Joseph's is a diamond in the rough for those looking for a meal in a swanky restaurant! Seriously, I had heard of the place before this weekend, but I had never been there! I was not disappointed! The menu had something for everyone: burger, salad, seafood, or even small plates. I enjoyed a shrimp and ravioli dish that arrived at my table exactly as it was described in the menu. I even got to try a special dessert - a peppercorn flan! Are you intrigued? Well, you should be. It was great! This particular night was super busy because of the live entertainment scheduled, but service didn't miss a beat! Even had the owners make a stop at our table! How often does that happen at any restaurant?! So, make Chef Joseph's your next stop for date night (or for a pre-theater dinner) and be prepared for a friendly, tasty, and pretty fancy evening! I've already made my next reservation!
(5)Susan K.
I wish I lived near Indy so I could return to Chef Joseph's. Food fantastic; service excellent. Soft jazz added to the ambience without drowning out dinner conversation. The maître'd stopped by and later, the co-owner Tom stopped by. Would love to make it a place where "everybody knows my name": if you live near there, lucky you!
(5)Jeff M.
We went here one weekday for lunch without knowing much about the place and were impressed by the greeting that we received by the host and the very nice decor. Although we had lunch, it appeared that the space was ideally set up for a night of lounging on the comfy looking couches or at the impressive bar. I had the Italian beef sandwich, and in defense of Chef Joseph's I knew that I was not likely going to get the south-side Chicago sandwich that I'm used to. That being said, it was still good in a sophisticated way. The pasta side was excellent - very refreshing with a hint of lime. The shrimp appetizer was very good as well, although it was light on the bacon in my opinion (the bacon was what attracted me to it on the menu from the start). My wife enjoyed her chicken parmesan sandwich, and the portion was big enough that she ended up taking half of it home for later. The waiter was very polite and cordial, and he made sure to tell us of the upcoming events at the restaurant, the weekend dinner hours, etc. Although a bit pricey for lunch, it is not too far out of the norm for downtown. I would definitely take a client here, and I look forward to checking out their weekend food/wine/music events.
(4)Erin Q.
I took a client to lunch here and neither of us had been before. We both loved the interior, very rich looking with all the wood. We were quickly seated and greeted by our server. He went over the specials and the soup of the day. I opted to try the soup and it was a spicy tomato and zucchini. It was perfect for that blustery, cold day! It was hard to choose from the menu because everything looked tasty, but I ended up with the tempura battered flounder sandwich. I'm not sure why they put it on bread. The size of the fish completely obliterates the fact that there is a sandwich bun underneath of it! The lemon caper mayo was a nice touch and the fish was light and flaky, as it should be. The house made chips were warm and crisp! I would like to come back and check out their happy hour that they had posted. Seems like a very cool vibe. However, negative point for the trek to the bathroom. Thank goodness I didn't have anything to drink because you must go down a teeny tiny spiral staircase to get to the restrooms.
(4)Eddie C.
Went to Chef Joseph's for first time for a happy hour event. Very impressed w/ the atmosphere and decor. There was a front dining area w/ sofa-like seating for larger groups, and bar toward the back. It makes for an excellent space for group events and private parties. The restaurant offered several apps for us to try. There was a fancy cole slaw type salad and several meat-related dishes (duck meatballs and BBQ meatloaf were the ones I remembered). All of the appetizers were outstanding but one of them was a little over seasoned. The restaurant is currently open for lunch only, but from what I was told it will begin serving dinners on the weekends (Thurs-Sat) in late March. There are also various dining/special events such as wine pairing dinners and rum tastings. Check their website for details. The location is a little off the beaten path, not quite downtown and not quite Mass Ave. However, it makes it very easy to park the car. I was able to park almost directly in front of the restaurant on a weeknight on Ohio St.
(4)Rebecca M.
This place is posh - red carpets, chandeliers, sultry wood grains - it was almost intimidating! But as I settled into my comfy seat, I could see that my lunch date (a client) was really impressed with my choice of venue. It feels very exclusive and VIP. I was pleasantly surprised that the prices aren't astronomical. My guest's gourmet burger was "Tasty" (he says). I can only comment on how nice the presentation was. My salad, with chicken added, was more than enough for lunch, and I felt like the chef put as much care into constructing my salad as he would any lofty steak dish. The service is probably more attentive than I'm used to. To me, it was the same level of service that I would get at a swanky date-night restaurant - multiple waiters, one for your water glass, one for your juice glass, one for your salad, one for your entree - all facilitated by a pretty, smiling, even-your-mother-would-love-her waitress. One last very important detail: It was very easy to talk business at this restaurant. We weren't distracted by 'needing' anything, there wasn't a gaggle of noise to talk over, and there weren't any distracting visuals/TVs/staff. I'll definitely go back!
(4)Ryan J.
This may just be my new favorite place downtown. The atmosphere is wonderful. The decor is beautiful and matches the ambience of the place. While we were there we got to listen to one of the best singers I've heard in a while, paired with a man on the piano. I saw a few reviewers saying they felt intimidated in there but I disagree. As someone who doesn't drink, I am used to getting a rude look when I just order a water-our waiter last night did not do that. He treated us great and the service was excellent! Not to mention the food was 5 stars. Everyone in our party was extremely satisfied with their meal. We will definitely be returning.
(5)Jessica T.
I absolutely love this place! My first visit to Chef Joseph's was for a work event. John and Chef were so amazing and went above and beyond to make the event special. The food was fantastic, particularly the flat bread. Oh, and the meatballs. Seriously, so good. Since the event, we have been there several times. It's almost like we enjoy showing off our new find! The menu changes, and there are times when I'm not as drawn to the menu as others. But normally there is something I can't wait to try. I absolutely love the Tuscan Eggplant Ravioli (I'm a sucker for eggplant), and there is a hamburger my husband loves - it's called sushi burger, and it might have wasabi sauce. I can't remember exactly what it's called, or what's on it (it doesn't actually have sushi on it!) but it was amazing. The sweet potato fries are a must. And if you're feeling adventurous, the alligator tail is very good too. If you enjoy wine, this is a great place to try. There are many different wines to choose from, and several wines I don't see in any other restaurant in the city. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The ambiance is business casual, but they like to have fun. Not stuffy at all. You get great food, great service, great wine, without the stuffy better-than-thou attitude found in other restaurants. I highly suggest giving Chef Joseph's a try.
(5)DeAnna P.
I went to an event here last night. I can only comment on bar and decor. Apparently a TON of free food was served, but I was 30 minutes late to the event and vultures had walked away with all of it already. :-( We ordered martinis at the bar. The bartenders there are not the fastest, but they are meticulous in drink preparation. I was pleased to see one of them fill our martini glasses with ice water to chill them while he prepared our drinks. They have a lot of high end and great local liquors and beers (happy to see Prohibition Gin and Upland, Flat 12 and another local beer on tap). Even the well gin that I had was very good. I spoke to one of the owners, who said he likes to source locally when possible. Others here have waxed more poetically that I can about the decor. I will just say I agree -- sumptuous without being stuffy. They also have this great little side room that has a giant roundish table that holds about 20 people and a door that closes it off from the rest of the restaurant. I think it would be great for a baby shower, birthday party, etc. I heard rumblings of an open mike night on Fridays, where it is BYOSheetMusic. Count me in!! Review to be updated once I try the food.
(4)B R.
I went here alone on an evening that I wasn't in the best of moods. From out of town, my expectations were low. The staff was exceedingly friendly and helpful. The food was great, too! The owner showed up and chatted. The patrons of this bar were nice, too! By the time I left, my mood was good. Thanks, Chez! Good spot for a truly "happy hour"!
(4)Genna P.
After reading the reviews we decided to pop in. We arrived right at 5 as they just opened. We were greeted promptly and seated right away. We got there before the dinner rush. It was out anniversary and they brought us champagne and welcomed us to the best table in a quiet window corner. Juan was a wonderful server and let us take our time ordering. We had the bruschetta to start and bison burger and chicken BLT. We were floored at how great the food was, and Juan was perfect and not interrupting our conversation and delightful when we was at our table. We asked for the manager as we just had to compliment someone. The host that sat us was actually the owner and come over and thanked us. He then sent chef Joseph out. We were excited to hear about their changing menu and music in the evening. This will be a new spot for us. We absolutely can't wait to go back. It was like a great Chicago restaurant with out all the attitude. True indy gem.
(5)Rob H.
Chef Joseph's is great and I'm so pleased to see them open up dinner service beyond events and the wonderful wine dinners. I was there for the recent Bourbon tasting and (besides the obvious) loved the tapas laid out by the chef. Really superior food at good prices and the ambience is great. Cool new spot in Indy!
(4)Brent Z.
Bison burger was good. Spicier than I thought, but very good. I would've like to see them offer more side options. The only options were either fries or chips. Would have liked to see veggies or some other options.
(4)Jim W.
It was a fantastic evening. Small plates paired with French wines, conversing with friends, and an opportunity to speak with the chef throughout the meal made this a fantastic experience. We didn't love every wine, but we liked every dish. I look forward to repeating the experience with new flavors!
(4)TOMMY o.
love this hidden gem, these people aim to please, the entire staff goes all out for you! one of the best brisket sandwiches i've EVER had, it was to Die for!! the desserts make my diabetes shutter ! Sara Fabulous behind the bar, many nights with live music, i first heard about the chef joseph on Indy Style, which i record every day
(5)Rick B.
Couldn't wait to try this place. I pass it en route to the office almost every day. We went for the Valentine's wine pairing dinner. Beautiful place. Warm greeting and a fine server who was most personable (though he did have a tough time remembering to bring forks with each course). The first course of a bacon quesadilla was delish and the pairings were great. Second course of rich mushroom and artichoke soup and/or the tuna told us we were on a good roll. Those wine pairings were near perfect as well. The third course, the entrees of veal and/or salmon were lackluster and didn't hold up to the first two excellent courses. Desserts were outstanding. Lovely place, decent dinner though not as over the top as we anticipated. We'll try it again to see if we can turn into fans.
(3)ChRles C.
Had a great special wine dinner last night. The scallop was perfect with a perfect cheese wine sauce. The chocolate risotto was unusual and delicious. Service outstanding
(5)Rod R.
Saturday evening, 042013. Pleasant staff, loud jazz singer (does anyone want to talk quietly anymore?). Nice bar. Limited menu, small portions, no bread or anything other than menu items. My friend's small walleye portion was served blandly on a small bed of rice, no veg, no nothing, and limited taste. Lamb sausage manicotti (two - what? Three would have broken the bank?) were good with non-melted cheese on top and a precious side of asparagus. Who is Chef Joseph, anyway? He used to be at Agio, where the food was mediocre (mid-west Italian) and is now, properly, closed. I assume that Joseph's will likewise close. Why is niggling the word of the day in restaurant servings? Have the portion-control restaurant college grads taken over? Prices of ordinary food are already inflated by 8 - 10 times by eateries. And, who does not love being served a $12 glass of wine with two inches of wine in a six inch bowl glass? Our cocktails were $8, which for downtown was about right, even low, depending on the venue. My cost for the same cocktail at home is $2. Waitress was second-rate, blowsy, and had to squat (lovely~ - who does not enjoy squatting?) next to our table in order to hear or be heard over the wailing jazz singer and piano. Overall, a blah experience and we'll not go back. Are restaurant owners able to try their own restaurants and evaluate them objectively? Apparently not.
(1)Edward M.
This is the destination establishment when very important friends and family come from out of town! The wine list is unequalled as is the personal service each patron enjoys! Chef Joseph prides himself in pleasing diners of all tastes. His preparation of every type of meat, fish, and their presentation is a guaranteed treat. Desserts are sinful and will make you wish you could spend several extra hours. The atmosphere is elegant, but relaxed.
(5)Anneke R.
Chef and his team are back in action, and I couldn't be more pleased! We had an event in one of the rooms recently, and Chef delighted us with some delicious dishes. Duck sliders that melt in your mouth (a little foie in there), spicy meatballs that are THANK YOU quite spicy, duck pate with just one of his many award winning condiments. Service? Very friendly and ultra professional. And a wine list that rotates with top selections. Bravo!
(5)Jessica K.
The service I had for a large work party was disappointing. The drinks were spilled on the table and left without being cleaned up until I covered my place mat with my napkin so I wouldn't have to get wet. And while the server offered to fix my place setting, he did not offer to fix my neighbors. The gent sitting next to me had to ask for his to be fixed. The food was also disappointing. I got a caprese salad in the month of July and the tomatoes were not ripe. How can that happen in July in Indiana? Fresh tomatoes are everywhere. Also I got a fish sandwich and the bread was stale. Just not a good experience. The atmosphere was nice. I would go back for drinks, but would probably avoid the food next time.
(2)Joanna B.
I went here for a meeting the other week and I must admit that i was not impressed. The drinks were good but I feel like any bartender can make a martini or a screw driver, nothing out of the ordinary but the food was nothing to write home about. In all fairness the food was preset and I didn't get a chance to choose off the menu which I may have enjoyed more.
(2)Ben L.
Great service. Good food. Good specials during the week. Open mike night, soft jazz.
(5)John A.
Nice quaint jazz club. Get a table by the window if you want some privacy and its quieter. We had the 3 course meal special. Just enough food for us. If you have a big appetite this may not be enough food for you . It include some olive poppers with a pepperoni mayo sauce, then a grilled salmon on a mixed green veggie, finished with a Mexican Hot Cocolate bread pudding topped with marshmallow cream and chocolate drizzle . With two glasses of wine and tip we were under a $100 for 2.
(4)Jerry M.
Booked a reservation for our anniversary. Got stuck in traffic enroute so I called to move our time back - no problem. When we did arrive, the host said he hoped the traffic had not caused too much anxiety (Nice Touch #1 remembering). Then he wished us a Happy Anniversary (NT #2). When we were seated there was a card on the table signed by all the staff wishing us Happy Anniversary (NT#3). Within a few moments our waiter arrived with a complementary bottle of Champagne! (NT#4). Thursdays are $5 martinis (yea!), so we each enjoyed one after our champagne. Because we were there before 7:00, all appetizers were half price (yea!). The Calamari melted in our mouths. We also got the crab cakes which were great. For an entree, she got the short rib (she loved it) and I got the shrimp. Seldom in my mind is shrimp fantastic, but here it was. Cooked perfectly and in a sauce that was unbelievable. Creme Brulee for dessert. The atmosphere was cozy and romantic. The live music really set the mood. It was open mic night which made me a bit leery, but singer after singer went up and belted out tunes that were phenomenal. You'd have thought we were at a high class musical audition or something. These were not your average drunken karaoke singers. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun at a restaurant, at such an amazing value to boot. We're already planning the friends we know that we want to take there soon. Food was great. Service was superior. Atmosphere was perfect. This place was clicking on all cylinders.
(5)Cara N.
Celebrated Valentine's Day here last night. Very elegant and cozy atmosphere. You must try the Sriracha mac and cheese! My steak was cooked perfectly. Robert was a very attentive waiter who made our experience perfect. Thank you Chef Joseph and Robert!!!!
(5)Chris C.
My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Chef Josephs. It was a very romantic, cozy atmosphere, mellow jazz piano and singer (think Nora Jones), soft lighting with candles flickering...all you could want for a special evening. The wait staff was knowledgable but not pretentious. Attentive, but not disruptive. We started with crab cakes...absolutely loved them. I could have ordered more as my meal. I had the strip steak with garlic mashed potatoes with asparagus....wonderful and flavorful. My husband had swordfish and couscous. He was real happy with his choice and enjoyed it. Dessert...we shared a creme brule and cheesecake. Both housemade, and a great finish to a perfect, romantic dining experience. If you are looking for something special, Chef Joseph's Connesiour Room totally delivers.
(5)Alex F.
This is a nice place to get some nice breakfast or brunch. Its kind of fancy and a little pricey, but the food is delicious and the service is great. They change menus every once in a while so it's great to check out new dishes. I would come back again.
(4)Jeanluc C.
Great place for a date. Everyone in this place is very friendly and professional. Food is amazing price too. Will go back.
(4)Christine B.
Absolutely the best darn scallops and calamari I've ever had in my entire life. I had no idea calamari could be so tender. The scallops were perfect and nestled in a lobster cream sauce with cheese polenta. Delish! My parents both loved their meals as well. My mom had the swordfish and my dad had a steak. Really cool jazzy and classy feel to this place. Not overly crowded, small, nice, and intimate. Definitely a romantic place to go on a date. To me, for fine dining I think the prices are very reasonable. There's no flashy signs outside, just signage on the building an an awning, but Chef Josephs really is a nice classy place and is like taking a step back in time, in a good way when restaurants were ultra classy and featured live jazz singers on the weekends. I'll be back!
(5)Kacey M.
Their food quantity, quality, price and service did not match up for us. Their definition of a salad was quartering a romaine lettuce and sprinkling croutons around it. Service was really below par as they wanted to close. They should have been a bit more considerate and provided some alternative options when they served me meat that I don't eat. Also, the duck manicotti that my friend ordered for lunch was bland, small portioned, and well not worth the price. We ended up going elsewhere to continue lunch.
(1)Holly B.
Went here on Valentine's Day. The Cosmo martini was great and strong :) I am sure the food was good but I could not taste it due to having a bad cold.. The waitress was a little unprofessional for such a fancy place.
(4)Jillian B.
the ambiance is very nice. Sunday brunch is amazing. unlimited champagne cocktails and delicious food. I know I'll be back for sure.
(5)Michael A.
Delicious food. Cool space. Feels like your on a ship because the floor and the bar mirror are slanted at an angle. The calamari was the best I've had in years. Seriously. The dinner specials were $48 which felt like a robbery. Ask the prices before you commit.
(4)Joshua W.
Fantastic atmosphere, especially for the price. The calamari appetizer might be the best calamari that I've ever had. The pork loin was good, and I tried the shrimp from my friend's plate, and it is to die for. I'll definitely be back just to have that shrimp. If there would have been chocolate on the dessert menu today, I'd have had dessert too! :) I also enjoyed the singer and the gent playing guitar, loud enough to hear, but not so loud that it killed conversation.
(5)Will W.
Absolutely incredible place for brunch on Sundays. Endless champagne cocktails and bloody mary bar are an excellent deal. The food is of high quality (to be honest, it's perfect for hangovers). Highly recommend.
(5)Dusten N.
good food, live music, attentive servers, reminds me of the Brown Derby at Disney, umbrellas hanging ceiling instead of hat light fixtures
(5)Kristie S.
I wanted to take my husband out for a special dinner last weekend. Wanted something new and after looking at numerous reviews for a romantic dinner - I was really excited to try Chef Joseph's! I made reservations, requested good seating up front since there was live music that night, and let them know I was really looking for great service for the special occasion. We showed up on time (truly a miracle!) and were seated right away at a table right next to the live music. We are off to a good start! Then we look over, and there was a card signed from the staff wishing us a happy anniversary and lovely evening. WOW I think this is really going to be great! Our waiter came and asked us for our drink order, and we asked for water and some time to look at the wine list. No joke, our waiter did not come back to our table for at least 30 minutes. We finally ordered our drinks and it took another 20 to get those. Also, during this whole time - we never actually got to place our order, not even an appetizer!!! I could go on and on about this evening because it seriously took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get through it. The only reason we didn't just leave is because we were enjoying the music. Food was good, however, I absolutely cannot excuse the horrible service. They weren't even busy that night.... I really regretted my decision to come here and spend close to $100 for a dinner we didn't even enjoy.
(2)Alex D.
This was the first time coming for dinner prior to attending the Symphony. The dirty martinis were not spectacular at all. I requested Kettle One vodka but it didn't taste all that good. I'm not sure if they used the wrong vodka or if the drink was made worse by the pre-stuffed olives they use. There is a definite taste difference between store bought stuffed olives and stuffing it yourself. The dinner was pretty good. I had the mussels and they were excellent. The food is definitely good and reasonably priced.
(2)John W.
This is an old fashioned supper club. The food is very good and the music is outstanding. Music is not too loud so you can still converse. Highly recommend it.
(5)Rachael L.
The $4 well drink happy hour lured me in on my way to the Pacers game. It was a Friday around 6pm, so not too badly priced! Especially when you consider there was a man playing classical music on the baby grand piano! How often do you get to sit at a piano bar downtown with an affordable cocktail? Its definately a nice change of pace from the usual bar. If you are on your way to a show downtown, I suggest stopping in to check it out.
(4)Scott J.
Wow. Just wow. We go to a lot of nice places to eat. It's something we enjoy. I'm not going to say this was the "best" food ever or the "best service" ever. BUT, when a place gets damn near everything right??? Awesome decor. You feel transported when u enter the door. The owner greets and sits you. Our server, William, fantastic. Engaged, informative, fun, interesting. What else could u ask for? Wine list is a little limited, but thoughtful and well priced. Wife had the sea bass special for 36.95, one of the best done pieces of sea bass we ve ever tasted. The mashed potatoes were a little bit of an odd pairing, but interesting in their own way with paprika adding a slightly smokey flavor. She said her asparagus was good, but since I hate that veggie, I will reserve comment. My dish was the chicken spaghetti. 18.95. Sort of a chicken parm dish but with fresh onions and bell peppers. I really enjoyed it. But the star was the goat cheese app. I know everyone makes it and it's pretty basic. But, every one should learn how to make the way they do here. The sliced almonds add a unique and well balanced addition. I could have easily had another of this app. Oh, and all of u snooty high end places I love so much, take note, double expresso, 2.75!!!! How nice to end a meal NOT getting ripped off on coffee. We will be back. We will bring friends. And if u go without us, ask for William to take care of u. He's an excellent server and u won't regret it. Live piano music, spiral staircase to the downstairs bathroom, beautiful bar, great service, great food, fair prices, and u feel like you're in NO OTHER place in Indy. Go this week, thank me later.
(5)Bovary T.
If you like your hospital food tastless, eaten in a somewhat swank setting, accompanied by a lounge singer with a grating yet somehow limp falsetto, and washed down with a really great Temperanillo, I think you're really gonna love Chef Joseph's. I feel somewhat like a jerk leaving a snarky review about this place. Alas, Chef Joseph's! I WANTED to love you. I love my city, I love all the super awesome, exciting places to eat and drink here, and I triple-love trying out new places. But if you want staying power, especially when faced with competition like Bluebeard, etc...face it. Step your food quality game up. TOUGH LOVE TIME: Service scenario - Warm greeting by smiling owner, patience on his part as me and my dining company were momentarily dumb about our seating preferences. Server was kind, robotically assertive/autistic about the specials, and prompt with glasses of Moscato. As I am wont to do, I began to engage in an insense jaw-flapping session with my friend. Server I think felt bad about interrupting us accidentally to ask us if he could take our order (selection-making delayed due to chatting), which resulted in the overcompensating hassle of being ignored for twenty minutes. Oh well. Service after that was stellar and appropriate, glasses filled, food issues taken care of with nary a hiccup. Nice comeback! Food situation - Let me preface this by saying that I will eat food still left in the pan, still on the stove, left out for 24 hours without refrigeration, with the spatula it was stirred with. Once, I ate a 24 hour old Taco Bell taco that accidentally fell out of the bag into the passenger seat of my car. (Granted, I did it kind of as an experiment to see if anything would happen.) I say this because...I ordered lamb chops! With risotto! Which I love! And! Brussel Sprouts that I thought were revolting as a kid but then my friend sauteed them for me this one time with truffle butter and they're my most favorite things now! Exciting-sounding, right? Definitely better than cold slime pan leftovers, right? Um. I couldn't finish my meal. I think I took about 2 bites of everything, one just to try, and one more out of disbelief. Brussel sprouts, what have they done to you? You, once nobly prepared and made tender and smoky, believably sexy -- now shamed into cold, unfeeling mini-cabbage half-marbles. I remember why I hate you now. A moment of silence, please, as we mourn in awe at the spectacularly befitting yet still tragic karma of what was probably a serial killer person reincarnated into a possibly once adorable lamb, unable to ever escape the destiny of ending up cooked at a decent temperature (props) and stuck on a plate, chops slathered in a sauce so bereft of taste that it practically created a taste vacuum, a taste black hole. A sort anti-matter non-sauce that has its own taste gravitational pull which sucks all the taste out of anything that has taste within a two-mile radius. And you, Cheesy Risotto. Don't think I don't see you trying to skulk away and hide under lamb chops. They told me once that cheese made everything better. "JUST MELT SOME CHEESE SOMEWHERE IN IT", they said. YOU HAD ONE JOB, CHEESE. You once had a commerical commanding the general public to behold your power, and I have adopted you into my own personal lexicon and YOU ARE NOW A VERB. But even you, that fabled and mythical power was neutered completely when you were faced with the villianous offspring of undercooked rice and the kind of glue paste that kindergarteners find appetizing. The adventure in edible chagrin that was my main course was remedied by our server elegantly removing it from our check and by me drowning myself in a gorgeous earthy, floral 2010 Temperanillo that made my knees weak. Outstanding bottle of wine, folks. I needed that. Crème brulée for dessert was as good as it can be, I suppose. I have ambivalent feelings about crème brulée, as I tend to become bored after arbitrarily hacking through it. Conclusion: There's potential here at Chef Joseph's. Go elsewhere for dinner, stop by for the Temperanillo. Oh, and I totally have my friend's phone number for when you want that brussel sprout recipe.
(2)Jane G.
I love it here! The food is amazing and the staff is too. Live music and bottomless champagne on Sunday. Prices are very reasonable for what you get!
(5)Anthony G.
I was so excited to come here. My last night in INDY. The menu sounded interesting so I went with a friend. There was a lady singing so loud that our conversation was like two soldiers in a Fox Hole during a bomb raid. The music was nice but it dominated the room. The place itself was red and dark wood, reminiscent of The Colony in NYC, a place where Don Draper drink and picked up a floozy. I ordered the Duck Manicotti and waited. The first bite reminded me of a nice Mexican place. The second bite told me that there was so much duck fat that I was going to have a heart attack and die in INDY. My friend had some steak and he said it was ok. The salad had croutons from Costco probably. It was a nice place and I wanted to like it but now I'm back at the hotel and wondering if I should've gone to have Thai at Thai Palace. This place is nice maybe for lunch or cocktails but the food was just OK and the waitress looked like she had killed someone back in 1980. The entire thing was Boy George singing: You come and go/you come and go.
(2)Roberta R.
I read the recent poor reviews and I wanted so badly to post a raving one. Sorry. Everything we ordered and saw at other tables was just like dishes you can get anywhere else. Nothing special BUT not bad by any means. Just boring. Our server was enthusiastic and good at her job. The ambiance is nice (just nice) and patrons were mainly older, wearing suits/ties. Later in the meal, there were more casual diners showing up. And then the singing started. No thanks! She sang beautifully, but the piano alone would have been delightful. No loud singing needed. We will not be back. $86 + tip for 2 people; 1 drink each, 1 salad each, and 1 entree each. We can do better elsewhere.
(3)Melissa S.
We had a pleasant evening at Chef Joseph's last night. The food was all good, not exceptional, but tasty, nicely presented. Duck fries were quite greasy. My steak was nice, although the potatoes and asparagus were lukewarm. My husband's burger was well-done, not the medium he had ordered, but good, with nice house-made chips. The service was... A little odd. Our waiter seemed simultaneously distracted and fussy. He stopped at our table no fewer than three times before taking a drink order, left his iPad with us to peruse the list that he described as "tons of different beers"... Three beers on tap and about a dozen bottles. Then the runner brought our appetizer before we'd received said drinks. It was friendly service, but not organized or very graceful. We were also in a side dining room, which completely emptied about thirty minutes after we arrived... while the live music played next door in the full main dining room. I might give it another try, but not likely. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Loved the atmosphere and plush banquettes.
(3)Bob J.
They were closing when we walked in the door at 8:30 pm. The cab driver of ten years had never heard of the place. The musician was the only person in the place. We were hoping to hear a nice piano player at dinner but they had no customers and decided to close early.
(1)Thai N.
I'll chalk this one up as the chef had a bad night - because that happens. Went here with several business associates basically because none of us could agree on anywhere to eat. We also had a couple stipulations - needed to be within walking distance from the office, it needed to have a diverse menu and it needed to be ready to seat 6 ASAP. Chef Joseph's fit the bill. We entered with live music filling the air. A woman was singing covers from the 70's, 80's and some current stuff all to a "lounge-y" beat. It was pleasant, but it appeared she had some fiends where none to pleased to have a group of 6 sit near them and actually have conversations. But I digress - let's focus on food. Overall, the food was not delivered as advertised by our waiter. All agreed it was underwhelming, quite flavorless, overcooked or just not good. Between all of us, we shared the fried calamari steak, duck fat seasoned fries with duck bacon and asiago cheese, and the sriracha mac & cheese. The calamari was cold and flavorless - as if it just came out of the freezer. The mac & cheese was pretty bad. Each person took a bite and that was it. There was still plenty of it left over. One person said the $1 Kraft Mac-n-Cheese was a lot better! The duck fat fries however were pretty good - but hard to go wrong when it's fried in duck fat. For entrees, others had the lamb confit taco (2 orders), meatball sandwich, sauteed scallops, the angus beef steak burger and I had the duck manicotti. Not a single plate was finished. Each person responded with, "eh, it's ok" when asked about their meals. My duck manicotti was annihilated. When it was brought out, all agreed it looked like burnt enchiladas. It was way overcooked. I took two bites and left the rest behind. To sum up the evening, out of all the food, the favorite thing seemed to be the house made chips. Everyone was asking the guys with the burger and meatball sandwich for their chips.
(2)Rick B.
Phenomenal experience. Th staff were very polite and helpful. The lamb chops were excellent and I usually don't like lamb. Loved the drinks as well.
(5)Blake S.
This place is excellent. The atmosphere of the building and live music are really very cool. My wife and I came here for the first time for our 4th anniversary last year, and they really made it special. We came back last evening for dinner and it was just as great as we remembered. The service is awesome, food excellent, and it is just a good time. I also think it's pretty cool how the restrooms are down that old staircase. Definitely worth a visit!
(5)Roberta R.
I read the recent poor reviews and I wanted so badly to post a raving one. Sorry. Everything we ordered and saw at other tables was just like dishes you can get anywhere else. Nothing special BUT not bad by any means. Just boring. Our server was enthusiastic and good at her job. The ambiance is nice (just nice) and patrons were mainly older, wearing suits/ties. Later in the meal, there were more casual diners showing up. And then the singing started. No thanks! She sang beautifully, but the piano alone would have been delightful. No loud singing needed. We will not be back. $86 + tip for 2 people; 1 drink each, 1 salad each, and 1 entree each. We can do better elsewhere.
(3)Melissa S.
We had a pleasant evening at Chef Joseph's last night. The food was all good, not exceptional, but tasty, nicely presented. Duck fries were quite greasy. My steak was nice, although the potatoes and asparagus were lukewarm. My husband's burger was well-done, not the medium he had ordered, but good, with nice house-made chips. The service was... A little odd. Our waiter seemed simultaneously distracted and fussy. He stopped at our table no fewer than three times before taking a drink order, left his iPad with us to peruse the list that he described as "tons of different beers"... Three beers on tap and about a dozen bottles. Then the runner brought our appetizer before we'd received said drinks. It was friendly service, but not organized or very graceful. We were also in a side dining room, which completely emptied about thirty minutes after we arrived... while the live music played next door in the full main dining room. I might give it another try, but not likely. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Loved the atmosphere and plush banquettes.
(3)Molly S.
What an awesome night at Chef Joseph's. I had family in town and wanted to take them to a nice place- maybe a little upscale, nothing too loud (have some hard of hearing in the crew), delicious food. Chef Joseph's hit the spot- and then some. Not only did we have impeccable service, a custom wine recommendation from the chef himself, and great ambience; but the food was delicious. I had the halibut which was outstanding. Many at the table had the tuna special for the evening with a delicious soy ginger wasabi sauce. For dessert- an amazing creme brulee- perfectly torched, not too sweet, and a great dish to share. There was a jazz singer performing throughout most of our meal, and she added greatly to the fun of the evening. Nothing too loud or overpowering, but she had a great voice. Overall, it was a lovely evening, and we will definitely be back. Our regards to the chef and the entire staff at Chef Jospeh's!
(5)B R.
I went here alone on an evening that I wasn't in the best of moods. From out of town, my expectations were low. The staff was exceedingly friendly and helpful. The food was great, too! The owner showed up and chatted. The patrons of this bar were nice, too! By the time I left, my mood was good. Thanks, Chez! Good spot for a truly "happy hour"!
(4)Genna P.
After reading the reviews we decided to pop in. We arrived right at 5 as they just opened. We were greeted promptly and seated right away. We got there before the dinner rush. It was out anniversary and they brought us champagne and welcomed us to the best table in a quiet window corner. Juan was a wonderful server and let us take our time ordering. We had the bruschetta to start and bison burger and chicken BLT. We were floored at how great the food was, and Juan was perfect and not interrupting our conversation and delightful when we was at our table. We asked for the manager as we just had to compliment someone. The host that sat us was actually the owner and come over and thanked us. He then sent chef Joseph out. We were excited to hear about their changing menu and music in the evening. This will be a new spot for us. We absolutely can't wait to go back. It was like a great Chicago restaurant with out all the attitude. True indy gem.
(5)Rob H.
Chef Joseph's is great and I'm so pleased to see them open up dinner service beyond events and the wonderful wine dinners. I was there for the recent Bourbon tasting and (besides the obvious) loved the tapas laid out by the chef. Really superior food at good prices and the ambience is great. Cool new spot in Indy!
(4)Brent Z.
Bison burger was good. Spicier than I thought, but very good. I would've like to see them offer more side options. The only options were either fries or chips. Would have liked to see veggies or some other options.
(4)Jim W.
It was a fantastic evening. Small plates paired with French wines, conversing with friends, and an opportunity to speak with the chef throughout the meal made this a fantastic experience. We didn't love every wine, but we liked every dish. I look forward to repeating the experience with new flavors!
(4)TOMMY o.
love this hidden gem, these people aim to please, the entire staff goes all out for you! one of the best brisket sandwiches i've EVER had, it was to Die for!! the desserts make my diabetes shutter ! Sara Fabulous behind the bar, many nights with live music, i first heard about the chef joseph on Indy Style, which i record every day
(5)Susan K.
I wish I lived near Indy so I could return to Chef Joseph's. Food fantastic; service excellent. Soft jazz added to the ambience without drowning out dinner conversation. The maître'd stopped by and later, the co-owner Tom stopped by. Would love to make it a place where "everybody knows my name": if you live near there, lucky you!
(5)John W.
This is an old fashioned supper club. The food is very good and the music is outstanding. Music is not too loud so you can still converse. Highly recommend it.
(5)Michael A.
Delicious food. Cool space. Feels like your on a ship because the floor and the bar mirror are slanted at an angle. The calamari was the best I've had in years. Seriously. The dinner specials were $48 which felt like a robbery. Ask the prices before you commit.
(4)Stirling M.
Full Disclosure: As a journalist (who normally writes about things that go "vroom") I feel obligated to disclose that I am the director of a professional ballet company (shameless plug: btindiana.org ) and Chef Joseph's hosted a fundraiser for us a few months ago. I'm very appreciative. My and I just dined here for the first time, and we decided to split some small plates. We got the duck fries with asiago and duck bacon, crab cakes, the soup du jour, lamb confit tacos, and raspberry swirl creme brulee. The service was that rare and unusual occurrence of fine dining without even a hint of pretension. The servers are friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and it makes you want to become one of the regulars. If you eavesdrop a bit, you can tell that regulars are indeed a regular occurrence here. People want to come back. As for the food, it was excellent. The fries managed to be both light and fluffy on the inside and deliciously crispy and ducky on the outside. The meaty chunks of duck fat added huge flavor and umami while the acidity of the asigo helped balance the dish. Eat them. They are spectacular. Eat the lamb confit tacos too. It's such a wonderfully meaty experience that I'm not going to describe it in too much detail for fear of making some disgusting innuendos. The soup was also quite nice, while the crab cakes were the freshest tasting I've had since I left Annapolis, and were offset by a very nice mango salsa. Now the creme brulee; that was something special. I'm not usually that much of a dessert guy, but I do occasionally go for it, and I quite like creme brulee. Normally, when I get creme brulee, it comes out exactly how my brother-in-law describes it "an overpriced, tiny cup of vanilla pudding with some crispy crap on top." The top often doesn't have much flavor, and that's because people don't hit it with the torch long enough. To make a really excellent creme brulee, you need to flirt with disaster, and get as close as you can to burning it. This extracts a depth of caramel and coffee-like flavors from the sugar which plays with the pudding itself to create something wonderful. I've had creme brulee in a number of countries in a ton of restaurants (many of which came with a few Michelin Stars) and none can touch what I had tonight. Even, Thomas Keller's Michelin starred Bouchon Bistro in Yountville, CA didn't serve me a creme brulee this good. Even if this place wasn't run my nice, philanthropic people who have taken an interest in my cause, I'd recommend it whole-heartedly. From the swanky, speakeasy-esque atmosphere (complete with live jazz) to the delicious food, you want to eat here.
(5)Rod R.
Saturday evening, 042013. Pleasant staff, loud jazz singer (does anyone want to talk quietly anymore?). Nice bar. Limited menu, small portions, no bread or anything other than menu items. My friend's small walleye portion was served blandly on a small bed of rice, no veg, no nothing, and limited taste. Lamb sausage manicotti (two - what? Three would have broken the bank?) were good with non-melted cheese on top and a precious side of asparagus. Who is Chef Joseph, anyway? He used to be at Agio, where the food was mediocre (mid-west Italian) and is now, properly, closed. I assume that Joseph's will likewise close. Why is niggling the word of the day in restaurant servings? Have the portion-control restaurant college grads taken over? Prices of ordinary food are already inflated by 8 - 10 times by eateries. And, who does not love being served a $12 glass of wine with two inches of wine in a six inch bowl glass? Our cocktails were $8, which for downtown was about right, even low, depending on the venue. My cost for the same cocktail at home is $2. Waitress was second-rate, blowsy, and had to squat (lovely~ - who does not enjoy squatting?) next to our table in order to hear or be heard over the wailing jazz singer and piano. Overall, a blah experience and we'll not go back. Are restaurant owners able to try their own restaurants and evaluate them objectively? Apparently not.
(1)Edward M.
This is the destination establishment when very important friends and family come from out of town! The wine list is unequalled as is the personal service each patron enjoys! Chef Joseph prides himself in pleasing diners of all tastes. His preparation of every type of meat, fish, and their presentation is a guaranteed treat. Desserts are sinful and will make you wish you could spend several extra hours. The atmosphere is elegant, but relaxed.
(5)Jason B.
As Heather H. said, I was here for a birthday dinner and had a special Vegan dinner made for us. The atmosphere was pretty fancy. It will be a nice place for fancy date night. When we were there, they had live entertainment. The music was at a nice volume so that you can enjoy it, but still have a conversation with others at your table. The food was also excellent. Granted, we had a meal specially made for us, but considering the food we had isn't something that is made all the time, I can only image the regular food is also excellent. Pro tip: the bathrooms are downstairs. Looks for a spiral staircase.
(5)Lane P.
Simply amazing! We visited Chef Joseph's at The Connoisseur Room for our third anniversary. We arrived about 20 minutes prior to our reservation and the staff quickly accomodated us without any wait. Everyone we met from the time we arrived until the time we left was professional, warm and friendly. The atmosphere is dignified, yet laid back, the latter being a must for me. We were seated at a table next to the window which made for some great people watching both inside and out. The restaurant is laid out so that even when it is busy, it never feels crowded. We started with a couple of dry martinis, which (along with the rest of the martinis) were on special on Thursday night. They were superb. We also ordered a couple of small plates off their menu including the lamb confit taco and the baked goat cheese. Both were made to perfection. For dinner, I had the shrimp with fried polenta. The shrimp were perfectly cooked as was the polenta (not too mushy like some polenta). The entire dish was bursting with flavor. For dessert, we opted for a couple glasses of port wine with creme brulee. Again, amazing flavors and made to perfection. Given the quality of the entire experience and product, we were also surprised how incredibly reasonable the prices were. We will definitely be coming back again and again.
(5)Bovary T.
If you like your hospital food tastless, eaten in a somewhat swank setting, accompanied by a lounge singer with a grating yet somehow limp falsetto, and washed down with a really great Temperanillo, I think you're really gonna love Chef Joseph's. I feel somewhat like a jerk leaving a snarky review about this place. Alas, Chef Joseph's! I WANTED to love you. I love my city, I love all the super awesome, exciting places to eat and drink here, and I triple-love trying out new places. But if you want staying power, especially when faced with competition like Bluebeard, etc...face it. Step your food quality game up. TOUGH LOVE TIME: Service scenario - Warm greeting by smiling owner, patience on his part as me and my dining company were momentarily dumb about our seating preferences. Server was kind, robotically assertive/autistic about the specials, and prompt with glasses of Moscato. As I am wont to do, I began to engage in an insense jaw-flapping session with my friend. Server I think felt bad about interrupting us accidentally to ask us if he could take our order (selection-making delayed due to chatting), which resulted in the overcompensating hassle of being ignored for twenty minutes. Oh well. Service after that was stellar and appropriate, glasses filled, food issues taken care of with nary a hiccup. Nice comeback! Food situation - Let me preface this by saying that I will eat food still left in the pan, still on the stove, left out for 24 hours without refrigeration, with the spatula it was stirred with. Once, I ate a 24 hour old Taco Bell taco that accidentally fell out of the bag into the passenger seat of my car. (Granted, I did it kind of as an experiment to see if anything would happen.) I say this because...I ordered lamb chops! With risotto! Which I love! And! Brussel Sprouts that I thought were revolting as a kid but then my friend sauteed them for me this one time with truffle butter and they're my most favorite things now! Exciting-sounding, right? Definitely better than cold slime pan leftovers, right? Um. I couldn't finish my meal. I think I took about 2 bites of everything, one just to try, and one more out of disbelief. Brussel sprouts, what have they done to you? You, once nobly prepared and made tender and smoky, believably sexy -- now shamed into cold, unfeeling mini-cabbage half-marbles. I remember why I hate you now. A moment of silence, please, as we mourn in awe at the spectacularly befitting yet still tragic karma of what was probably a serial killer person reincarnated into a possibly once adorable lamb, unable to ever escape the destiny of ending up cooked at a decent temperature (props) and stuck on a plate, chops slathered in a sauce so bereft of taste that it practically created a taste vacuum, a taste black hole. A sort anti-matter non-sauce that has its own taste gravitational pull which sucks all the taste out of anything that has taste within a two-mile radius. And you, Cheesy Risotto. Don't think I don't see you trying to skulk away and hide under lamb chops. They told me once that cheese made everything better. "JUST MELT SOME CHEESE SOMEWHERE IN IT", they said. YOU HAD ONE JOB, CHEESE. You once had a commerical commanding the general public to behold your power, and I have adopted you into my own personal lexicon and YOU ARE NOW A VERB. But even you, that fabled and mythical power was neutered completely when you were faced with the villianous offspring of undercooked rice and the kind of glue paste that kindergarteners find appetizing. The adventure in edible chagrin that was my main course was remedied by our server elegantly removing it from our check and by me drowning myself in a gorgeous earthy, floral 2010 Temperanillo that made my knees weak. Outstanding bottle of wine, folks. I needed that. Crème brulée for dessert was as good as it can be, I suppose. I have ambivalent feelings about crème brulée, as I tend to become bored after arbitrarily hacking through it. Conclusion: There's potential here at Chef Joseph's. Go elsewhere for dinner, stop by for the Temperanillo. Oh, and I totally have my friend's phone number for when you want that brussel sprout recipe.
(2)Jane G.
I love it here! The food is amazing and the staff is too. Live music and bottomless champagne on Sunday. Prices are very reasonable for what you get!
(5)Anthony G.
I was so excited to come here. My last night in INDY. The menu sounded interesting so I went with a friend. There was a lady singing so loud that our conversation was like two soldiers in a Fox Hole during a bomb raid. The music was nice but it dominated the room. The place itself was red and dark wood, reminiscent of The Colony in NYC, a place where Don Draper drink and picked up a floozy. I ordered the Duck Manicotti and waited. The first bite reminded me of a nice Mexican place. The second bite told me that there was so much duck fat that I was going to have a heart attack and die in INDY. My friend had some steak and he said it was ok. The salad had croutons from Costco probably. It was a nice place and I wanted to like it but now I'm back at the hotel and wondering if I should've gone to have Thai at Thai Palace. This place is nice maybe for lunch or cocktails but the food was just OK and the waitress looked like she had killed someone back in 1980. The entire thing was Boy George singing: You come and go/you come and go.
(2)Matt M.
We have been here 4 times and we mostly go for the atmosphere and the drinks. It's very comfortable, friendly and who doesn't love some live music via piano, harp, ect. The owner or manger is always welcoming, remembers his customers and tries to ensure a first class dining experience. It's difficult to give them a to give them a tough rating but it's only fair. The thing about charging on average of $24 an entrée is there's expectations for the food. Let's be honest, it's just not all that great. Now that said, we did have a dish there that we both loved, the mushroom ravioli. My dad had a bison burger that he enjoyed, some of the other items weren't bad but really not worth the price. You're paying for the environment and that's what you should enjoy the most. If you go looking only for an amazing meal, I'm not saying it can't happen, it's just that there are far better restaurants in town for the price. We've been there 4 and I'm sure there will be 5 or more visits. It's just a nice date night and that's why we keep coming back. This place is best served by dropping in after a great dinner elsewhere and pick on some desert, appetizers and enjoy their fine drinks and music from the lounge/bar.
(3)Mahrukh K.
My husband took me here for my birthday last night and we had a great evening. I loved the vibe, and the decor and live singer and pianist made it really romantic. For appetizers we had the crab cakes, sriracha crab Mac n cheese, and the soup special which was a tomato vegetable. The crab cakes were great. I loved the sauce and mango salad it came with. The Mac n cheese was def satisfying but my husband thought it wasn't spicy enough. The soup was meh. It had a funny curry type taste to it. I had the sword fish and my husband had the chicken breast. We both enjoyed our entrees. The portions are pretty generous. I ate half and asked the waitress to pack the rest for me. She said she would but I never got it back. I didn't realize until halfway home so that was a bummer. No couscous midnight snack for me :(. Tempted to rate it 3 stars because of that. The Creme brûlée was meh. It was large enough to share but burned on top and not as sweet. We've had better. Overall I think this is a great date night restaurant and we will probably be back.
(4)John H.
Man was this a disappointment. I got recommended here by a local in town and went with high expectations and that quickly turned around. They brought me a burger which i ordered medium rare came out well done, then did not give me an option to deny the replacement.. They then charged me full price on half price apps to spite me.
(1)Barry L.
A perfectly reasonable meal, but nothing spectacular. The ambiance is very cool - kind of old fashioned supper club place. The space is very small and cozy, but the challenge is that there is a major draft from the doorway (it was very cold last night). The service was very good - the service team was right on top of their game. There was live entertainment which made for a nice background. Unfortunately, we were seated about five feet from the singer, so it was a bit loud. Unfortunately, the food was only above average. My wife ordered a chicken dish with artichoke hearts, and the artichokes were very stringy. I had a scallop dish with polenta and asparagus - all of which were terrific, but the accompanying sauce was disappointingly bland. The best thing about the night was not the doing of the restaurant - a bit of luck on the timing. There was a bus of drag queens going around restaurants in Indy, and the "ladies" came in and vamped for tips - which are going to anti-HIV charities. All in all an OK place. Different from the standard dinner experiences, but not enough to make me want to go back the next time I visit Indy.
(3)Jerry M.
Booked a reservation for our anniversary. Got stuck in traffic enroute so I called to move our time back - no problem. When we did arrive, the host said he hoped the traffic had not caused too much anxiety (Nice Touch #1 remembering). Then he wished us a Happy Anniversary (NT #2). When we were seated there was a card on the table signed by all the staff wishing us Happy Anniversary (NT#3). Within a few moments our waiter arrived with a complementary bottle of Champagne! (NT#4). Thursdays are $5 martinis (yea!), so we each enjoyed one after our champagne. Because we were there before 7:00, all appetizers were half price (yea!). The Calamari melted in our mouths. We also got the crab cakes which were great. For an entree, she got the short rib (she loved it) and I got the shrimp. Seldom in my mind is shrimp fantastic, but here it was. Cooked perfectly and in a sauce that was unbelievable. Creme Brulee for dessert. The atmosphere was cozy and romantic. The live music really set the mood. It was open mic night which made me a bit leery, but singer after singer went up and belted out tunes that were phenomenal. You'd have thought we were at a high class musical audition or something. These were not your average drunken karaoke singers. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun at a restaurant, at such an amazing value to boot. We're already planning the friends we know that we want to take there soon. Food was great. Service was superior. Atmosphere was perfect. This place was clicking on all cylinders.
(5)Cara N.
Celebrated Valentine's Day here last night. Very elegant and cozy atmosphere. You must try the Sriracha mac and cheese! My steak was cooked perfectly. Robert was a very attentive waiter who made our experience perfect. Thank you Chef Joseph and Robert!!!!
(5)Chris C.
My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Chef Josephs. It was a very romantic, cozy atmosphere, mellow jazz piano and singer (think Nora Jones), soft lighting with candles flickering...all you could want for a special evening. The wait staff was knowledgable but not pretentious. Attentive, but not disruptive. We started with crab cakes...absolutely loved them. I could have ordered more as my meal. I had the strip steak with garlic mashed potatoes with asparagus....wonderful and flavorful. My husband had swordfish and couscous. He was real happy with his choice and enjoyed it. Dessert...we shared a creme brule and cheesecake. Both housemade, and a great finish to a perfect, romantic dining experience. If you are looking for something special, Chef Joseph's Connesiour Room totally delivers.
(5)Alex F.
This is a nice place to get some nice breakfast or brunch. Its kind of fancy and a little pricey, but the food is delicious and the service is great. They change menus every once in a while so it's great to check out new dishes. I would come back again.
(4)Jeanluc C.
Great place for a date. Everyone in this place is very friendly and professional. Food is amazing price too. Will go back.
(4)Christine B.
Absolutely the best darn scallops and calamari I've ever had in my entire life. I had no idea calamari could be so tender. The scallops were perfect and nestled in a lobster cream sauce with cheese polenta. Delish! My parents both loved their meals as well. My mom had the swordfish and my dad had a steak. Really cool jazzy and classy feel to this place. Not overly crowded, small, nice, and intimate. Definitely a romantic place to go on a date. To me, for fine dining I think the prices are very reasonable. There's no flashy signs outside, just signage on the building an an awning, but Chef Josephs really is a nice classy place and is like taking a step back in time, in a good way when restaurants were ultra classy and featured live jazz singers on the weekends. I'll be back!
(5)Kacey M.
Their food quantity, quality, price and service did not match up for us. Their definition of a salad was quartering a romaine lettuce and sprinkling croutons around it. Service was really below par as they wanted to close. They should have been a bit more considerate and provided some alternative options when they served me meat that I don't eat. Also, the duck manicotti that my friend ordered for lunch was bland, small portioned, and well not worth the price. We ended up going elsewhere to continue lunch.
(1)Holly B.
Went here on Valentine's Day. The Cosmo martini was great and strong :) I am sure the food was good but I could not taste it due to having a bad cold.. The waitress was a little unprofessional for such a fancy place.
(4)Jillian B.
the ambiance is very nice. Sunday brunch is amazing. unlimited champagne cocktails and delicious food. I know I'll be back for sure.
(5)Rachael L.
The $4 well drink happy hour lured me in on my way to the Pacers game. It was a Friday around 6pm, so not too badly priced! Especially when you consider there was a man playing classical music on the baby grand piano! How often do you get to sit at a piano bar downtown with an affordable cocktail? Its definately a nice change of pace from the usual bar. If you are on your way to a show downtown, I suggest stopping in to check it out.
(4)Anoosh A.
My husband and I went to this restaurant for Valentines Day and it was the best experience ever. We loved our appetizer (calamari and mac n cheese) and our entree was even better than the appetizer (Bison burger and the mahi mahi). We had excellent service and our waiter was one of the nicest waiter. My husband gave him a good tip because he was just so sweet and nice. I would definitely recommend and would go for a romantic evening because my husband and I had a great time.
(5)Scott J.
Wow. Just wow. We go to a lot of nice places to eat. It's something we enjoy. I'm not going to say this was the "best" food ever or the "best service" ever. BUT, when a place gets damn near everything right??? Awesome decor. You feel transported when u enter the door. The owner greets and sits you. Our server, William, fantastic. Engaged, informative, fun, interesting. What else could u ask for? Wine list is a little limited, but thoughtful and well priced. Wife had the sea bass special for 36.95, one of the best done pieces of sea bass we ve ever tasted. The mashed potatoes were a little bit of an odd pairing, but interesting in their own way with paprika adding a slightly smokey flavor. She said her asparagus was good, but since I hate that veggie, I will reserve comment. My dish was the chicken spaghetti. 18.95. Sort of a chicken parm dish but with fresh onions and bell peppers. I really enjoyed it. But the star was the goat cheese app. I know everyone makes it and it's pretty basic. But, every one should learn how to make the way they do here. The sliced almonds add a unique and well balanced addition. I could have easily had another of this app. Oh, and all of u snooty high end places I love so much, take note, double expresso, 2.75!!!! How nice to end a meal NOT getting ripped off on coffee. We will be back. We will bring friends. And if u go without us, ask for William to take care of u. He's an excellent server and u won't regret it. Live piano music, spiral staircase to the downstairs bathroom, beautiful bar, great service, great food, fair prices, and u feel like you're in NO OTHER place in Indy. Go this week, thank me later.
(5)Chelsea G.
Stopped in while in town for a game for lunch. Place was pretty empty but good was great. Lamb tacos were excellent!
(4)Joshua W.
Fantastic atmosphere, especially for the price. The calamari appetizer might be the best calamari that I've ever had. The pork loin was good, and I tried the shrimp from my friend's plate, and it is to die for. I'll definitely be back just to have that shrimp. If there would have been chocolate on the dessert menu today, I'd have had dessert too! :) I also enjoyed the singer and the gent playing guitar, loud enough to hear, but not so loud that it killed conversation.
(5)Will W.
Absolutely incredible place for brunch on Sundays. Endless champagne cocktails and bloody mary bar are an excellent deal. The food is of high quality (to be honest, it's perfect for hangovers). Highly recommend.
(5)Dusten N.
good food, live music, attentive servers, reminds me of the Brown Derby at Disney, umbrellas hanging ceiling instead of hat light fixtures
(5)Kristie S.
I wanted to take my husband out for a special dinner last weekend. Wanted something new and after looking at numerous reviews for a romantic dinner - I was really excited to try Chef Joseph's! I made reservations, requested good seating up front since there was live music that night, and let them know I was really looking for great service for the special occasion. We showed up on time (truly a miracle!) and were seated right away at a table right next to the live music. We are off to a good start! Then we look over, and there was a card signed from the staff wishing us a happy anniversary and lovely evening. WOW I think this is really going to be great! Our waiter came and asked us for our drink order, and we asked for water and some time to look at the wine list. No joke, our waiter did not come back to our table for at least 30 minutes. We finally ordered our drinks and it took another 20 to get those. Also, during this whole time - we never actually got to place our order, not even an appetizer!!! I could go on and on about this evening because it seriously took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get through it. The only reason we didn't just leave is because we were enjoying the music. Food was good, however, I absolutely cannot excuse the horrible service. They weren't even busy that night.... I really regretted my decision to come here and spend close to $100 for a dinner we didn't even enjoy.
(2)Alex D.
This was the first time coming for dinner prior to attending the Symphony. The dirty martinis were not spectacular at all. I requested Kettle One vodka but it didn't taste all that good. I'm not sure if they used the wrong vodka or if the drink was made worse by the pre-stuffed olives they use. There is a definite taste difference between store bought stuffed olives and stuffing it yourself. The dinner was pretty good. I had the mussels and they were excellent. The food is definitely good and reasonably priced.
(2)Molly S.
The service could not have been worse. We came with a group for a bachelorette brunch and asked the waiter to divide the check 9 ways. It took five attempts to get it correct. We also spent two hours having brunch and waited about an hour and a half for food. It was unacceptable. The restaurant was only a third full. Will never be back.
(1)Casey B.
What a great find in the circle city. Moderately priced unique food that comes up in good portions and wonderful flavors. Atmosphere and wait staff were very pleasant. I also enjoyed the one page menu, which tells me that the chef focuses on what he does and does it right. 5 dollar martini Thursday is also a plus. This is a good date night place.
(4)teri a.
Horrible Went at 8;00pm on Weds and were only other couple in dining room Maybe 8 or 9 people at bar... Guess that should had been an omen Server had a very poor attitude and had not been trained properly if dining companion had not leaned back a couple of times he would have been hit in face!! Food was mediocre at best and served lukewarm. Barely. When asked to leave a few items off a dish we were met with quite a nasty attitude Plse avoid this place,, which shouldn't be a problem. As I doubt they will be around
(1)Alexis B.
I had a lunch date with my husband here recently. It had a nice atmosphere, sumptuous and cozy, and the service was very prompt. I wouldn't have minded seeing a drink menu, but I got the feeling that for lunch it was more of a business-type place, so we just ordered water. It was nearly empty for lunch. Unfortunately, my meal was terrible! I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of kale slaw. The pork was terribly oversalted and tasted only of salt and vinegar. Also, it had some problems in concept. It was an open-faced sandwich, with the lettuce and tomato on top of the bread and the pork on top of that. There was no way to pick it up and eat it without the whole thing sliding onto the plate, which it did. I wouldn't have minded that too much if it had tasted good, though. I did eat most of it - I hate sending food back, destroying the date vibe, and sitting there with nothing while my husband eats his meal. But I can't believe anyone had tasted that pork. The kale slaw was nothing special - it was just kale and mayo, a little too sweet for my taste. My husband had the bison burger with chips, which was much tastier than my meal. I had a creme brulee for dessert. I haven't had creme brulee in a long time, and was trying to remember if I liked it or not. It was perfectly fine, but confirmed my memory that it's usually good for a couple of bites but gets boring by the end. I should have gone for the PB&J cheesecake, the other option. The coffee was good. So, I was just expecting something a little more special, and my main course was a total disaster. Maybe it's better for dinner.
(2)Kelsee H.
When this little nook of downtown has closed down for the evening after 5pm, Chef Joseph's is a diamond in the rough for those looking for a meal in a swanky restaurant! Seriously, I had heard of the place before this weekend, but I had never been there! I was not disappointed! The menu had something for everyone: burger, salad, seafood, or even small plates. I enjoyed a shrimp and ravioli dish that arrived at my table exactly as it was described in the menu. I even got to try a special dessert - a peppercorn flan! Are you intrigued? Well, you should be. It was great! This particular night was super busy because of the live entertainment scheduled, but service didn't miss a beat! Even had the owners make a stop at our table! How often does that happen at any restaurant?! So, make Chef Joseph's your next stop for date night (or for a pre-theater dinner) and be prepared for a friendly, tasty, and pretty fancy evening! I've already made my next reservation!
(5)Yahaira T.
This place has excellent customer service & food! We had a great time with my mom for her bday! Great music too! I had the chicken with spaghetti, large portion & yummy. My brother & boyfriend had the ribs & they loved it, boneless & tasty. My mom had the special that day & she was happy with it & her free dessert! Also, good cocktails. The chef can help u pick out wine if u tell him what u r going to order, FYI!
(4)Karen J.
Chef Joe's never disappoints. Live music. Excellent cocktails ($5 martini in Thursday night) Lamb meatballs and goat cheese flatbread small plates were delicious and enough for a meal. But seriously, have a martini!
(5)Heather H.
We came here for my mom's birthday on Friday and really had an excellent time. Both my parents are vegan, and my husband and I are vegetarian, so I had emailed the restaurant ahead of time to see if arrangements could be made for a three course vegan meal for our celebration. I received a very prompt response from John Mays, one of the proprietors, who told me they could certainly arrange this for us. When we arrived on Friday there was a little confusion with the host about our reservation, but John was actually there and had everything arranged and taken care of for us. We were seated and our server brought us water and a drink menu, and John came over and told us about what we would be having that night so we could make a wine choice, and then also was able to offer his thoughts on the wine offerings as well. For our meal we were served: - Salad with avocado, orange and tomato with an orange vinaigrette dressing - Mixed vegetables in a tomato sauce (this was MUCH more exciting than it sounds, as the vegetables were a mix of portabellas, red and yellow peppers, zucchini, green beans, and asparagus and the sauce was so amazing we were all nearly licking our plates by the end) - Apples baked in a sweet yam sauce All three courses were really, really good and paired very well together. The service was also excellent. Our water was kept full, and courses were brought at appropriate intervals. The live music was also a great touch and really added a fun element to the dinner. As others have noted, the decor in here is absolutely beautiful. I will definitely be coming back for regular dinners in the future. This was an overall very enjoyable experience. It's great to find a place so willing to make a creative and delicious vegan meal for us!
(5)Bob S.
Great atmosphere, great service, great food! We came for a full dining experience which was very good, but I would also like to come back more often for after work drinks and appetizers as they have good deals and unique and tasty food. I believe that they also often have some live entertainment there, but it's not overwhelming or distracting from the experience.
(5)Erin Q.
I took a client to lunch here and neither of us had been before. We both loved the interior, very rich looking with all the wood. We were quickly seated and greeted by our server. He went over the specials and the soup of the day. I opted to try the soup and it was a spicy tomato and zucchini. It was perfect for that blustery, cold day! It was hard to choose from the menu because everything looked tasty, but I ended up with the tempura battered flounder sandwich. I'm not sure why they put it on bread. The size of the fish completely obliterates the fact that there is a sandwich bun underneath of it! The lemon caper mayo was a nice touch and the fish was light and flaky, as it should be. The house made chips were warm and crisp! I would like to come back and check out their happy hour that they had posted. Seems like a very cool vibe. However, negative point for the trek to the bathroom. Thank goodness I didn't have anything to drink because you must go down a teeny tiny spiral staircase to get to the restrooms.
(4)Eddie C.
Went to Chef Joseph's for first time for a happy hour event. Very impressed w/ the atmosphere and decor. There was a front dining area w/ sofa-like seating for larger groups, and bar toward the back. It makes for an excellent space for group events and private parties. The restaurant offered several apps for us to try. There was a fancy cole slaw type salad and several meat-related dishes (duck meatballs and BBQ meatloaf were the ones I remembered). All of the appetizers were outstanding but one of them was a little over seasoned. The restaurant is currently open for lunch only, but from what I was told it will begin serving dinners on the weekends (Thurs-Sat) in late March. There are also various dining/special events such as wine pairing dinners and rum tastings. Check their website for details. The location is a little off the beaten path, not quite downtown and not quite Mass Ave. However, it makes it very easy to park the car. I was able to park almost directly in front of the restaurant on a weeknight on Ohio St.
(4)Rebecca M.
This place is posh - red carpets, chandeliers, sultry wood grains - it was almost intimidating! But as I settled into my comfy seat, I could see that my lunch date (a client) was really impressed with my choice of venue. It feels very exclusive and VIP. I was pleasantly surprised that the prices aren't astronomical. My guest's gourmet burger was "Tasty" (he says). I can only comment on how nice the presentation was. My salad, with chicken added, was more than enough for lunch, and I felt like the chef put as much care into constructing my salad as he would any lofty steak dish. The service is probably more attentive than I'm used to. To me, it was the same level of service that I would get at a swanky date-night restaurant - multiple waiters, one for your water glass, one for your juice glass, one for your salad, one for your entree - all facilitated by a pretty, smiling, even-your-mother-would-love-her waitress. One last very important detail: It was very easy to talk business at this restaurant. We weren't distracted by 'needing' anything, there wasn't a gaggle of noise to talk over, and there weren't any distracting visuals/TVs/staff. I'll definitely go back!
(4)Ryan J.
This may just be my new favorite place downtown. The atmosphere is wonderful. The decor is beautiful and matches the ambience of the place. While we were there we got to listen to one of the best singers I've heard in a while, paired with a man on the piano. I saw a few reviewers saying they felt intimidated in there but I disagree. As someone who doesn't drink, I am used to getting a rude look when I just order a water-our waiter last night did not do that. He treated us great and the service was excellent! Not to mention the food was 5 stars. Everyone in our party was extremely satisfied with their meal. We will definitely be returning.
(5)Jessica T.
I absolutely love this place! My first visit to Chef Joseph's was for a work event. John and Chef were so amazing and went above and beyond to make the event special. The food was fantastic, particularly the flat bread. Oh, and the meatballs. Seriously, so good. Since the event, we have been there several times. It's almost like we enjoy showing off our new find! The menu changes, and there are times when I'm not as drawn to the menu as others. But normally there is something I can't wait to try. I absolutely love the Tuscan Eggplant Ravioli (I'm a sucker for eggplant), and there is a hamburger my husband loves - it's called sushi burger, and it might have wasabi sauce. I can't remember exactly what it's called, or what's on it (it doesn't actually have sushi on it!) but it was amazing. The sweet potato fries are a must. And if you're feeling adventurous, the alligator tail is very good too. If you enjoy wine, this is a great place to try. There are many different wines to choose from, and several wines I don't see in any other restaurant in the city. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The ambiance is business casual, but they like to have fun. Not stuffy at all. You get great food, great service, great wine, without the stuffy better-than-thou attitude found in other restaurants. I highly suggest giving Chef Joseph's a try.
(5)DeAnna P.
I went to an event here last night. I can only comment on bar and decor. Apparently a TON of free food was served, but I was 30 minutes late to the event and vultures had walked away with all of it already. :-( We ordered martinis at the bar. The bartenders there are not the fastest, but they are meticulous in drink preparation. I was pleased to see one of them fill our martini glasses with ice water to chill them while he prepared our drinks. They have a lot of high end and great local liquors and beers (happy to see Prohibition Gin and Upland, Flat 12 and another local beer on tap). Even the well gin that I had was very good. I spoke to one of the owners, who said he likes to source locally when possible. Others here have waxed more poetically that I can about the decor. I will just say I agree -- sumptuous without being stuffy. They also have this great little side room that has a giant roundish table that holds about 20 people and a door that closes it off from the rest of the restaurant. I think it would be great for a baby shower, birthday party, etc. I heard rumblings of an open mike night on Fridays, where it is BYOSheetMusic. Count me in!! Review to be updated once I try the food.
(4)Sigrid F.
the ambiance here is very nice, understated elegance. Had their Sunday champagne brunch. There are options for unlimited champagne cocktails and also options for unlimited bloody Marys which is awesome. there was as usual a variety of foods in every price range. it was a bit odd today as the crowd consisted of big burly Colts fans, who were sipping their little mimosas to the tunes of the live harpist... something you do not see every day. Anyways, food quality was great. I enjoyed every bite.
(5)Amber B.
We tried Chef Joseph's at the Connoisseur Room for the first time today for their Brunch, my first thought while writing this, I CANT WAIT TO COME BACk! Everyone we came into contact with was so kind and helpful and welcoming. Our server was attentive and amazing, offering suggestions and keeping our drinks filled. The owner was kind and came to our table to welcome us and share conversations with us! Even the Chef, Joseph, came to our table and helped our friends with his dietary restrictions! They offer brunch on Sunday with a bottomless mimosa options! I had the Hangover bowl which was amazing, I would highly suggest this restaurant! They also had live music! Cheers, they are doing it right! Can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)Janelle G.
Still at Chefs Joseph's for Sunday brunch. Got to say Nathaniel has been an excellent waiter. The food was amazing and our unlimited champagne beverages are wonderful. Loved the mimosa and the Bellini. Definitely will be back.
(5)Ryan D.
I am always trying to find new an different places for special occasions, for this it was our 3 year wedding anniversary. It was also a special day because Indiana, even if it was only for 72 hours, allowed gay marriage. When looking for Chef Joseph's don't blink! It doesn't jump out at you. If you are standing on Ohio it is to the right of Punch burger. When you walk in the first thing you see is dark wood, wonderful fabric, and a warm smile from the owner. We were a bit on the early side but they were able to seat us very quickly. After a bit of conversation with John, who we found out was the owner, splits of champagne arrived at our table! Another awesome surprise was the fact that on Thursday the special of the day are the martinis - which are awesome! Add to it half price small plates and the night was going in the right direction. The wait staff is very attentive but not intrusive, a fine line some places do not understand. There was live music and a festive evening was had by all. The food is wonderful. We split 2 different appetizers - baked goat cheese and the lamb confit taco's. The flavors were powerful and blended perfectly. I had the fish special which was served with seasonal veggies. Lane had the shrimp polenta - of course I stole a bite! Everything was amazing. The polenta held it's structure, the shrimp were great! Of course we had to cram dessert in as well. Creme Brulee, port, and signing! We knew there was always live entertainment but this night was the sing a long night. We watched as the bar became more full, tables had parties gathered around, and everyone enjoyed a great night with wonderful food and even better company!! This is a must if you are an Indianapolis resident or just coming into town.
(5)Jeff M.
We went here one weekday for lunch without knowing much about the place and were impressed by the greeting that we received by the host and the very nice decor. Although we had lunch, it appeared that the space was ideally set up for a night of lounging on the comfy looking couches or at the impressive bar. I had the Italian beef sandwich, and in defense of Chef Joseph's I knew that I was not likely going to get the south-side Chicago sandwich that I'm used to. That being said, it was still good in a sophisticated way. The pasta side was excellent - very refreshing with a hint of lime. The shrimp appetizer was very good as well, although it was light on the bacon in my opinion (the bacon was what attracted me to it on the menu from the start). My wife enjoyed her chicken parmesan sandwich, and the portion was big enough that she ended up taking half of it home for later. The waiter was very polite and cordial, and he made sure to tell us of the upcoming events at the restaurant, the weekend dinner hours, etc. Although a bit pricey for lunch, it is not too far out of the norm for downtown. I would definitely take a client here, and I look forward to checking out their weekend food/wine/music events.
(4)Jessica K.
The service I had for a large work party was disappointing. The drinks were spilled on the table and left without being cleaned up until I covered my place mat with my napkin so I wouldn't have to get wet. And while the server offered to fix my place setting, he did not offer to fix my neighbors. The gent sitting next to me had to ask for his to be fixed. The food was also disappointing. I got a caprese salad in the month of July and the tomatoes were not ripe. How can that happen in July in Indiana? Fresh tomatoes are everywhere. Also I got a fish sandwich and the bread was stale. Just not a good experience. The atmosphere was nice. I would go back for drinks, but would probably avoid the food next time.
(2)Joanna B.
I went here for a meeting the other week and I must admit that i was not impressed. The drinks were good but I feel like any bartender can make a martini or a screw driver, nothing out of the ordinary but the food was nothing to write home about. In all fairness the food was preset and I didn't get a chance to choose off the menu which I may have enjoyed more.
(2)Ben L.
Great service. Good food. Good specials during the week. Open mike night, soft jazz.
(5)John A.
Nice quaint jazz club. Get a table by the window if you want some privacy and its quieter. We had the 3 course meal special. Just enough food for us. If you have a big appetite this may not be enough food for you . It include some olive poppers with a pepperoni mayo sauce, then a grilled salmon on a mixed green veggie, finished with a Mexican Hot Cocolate bread pudding topped with marshmallow cream and chocolate drizzle . With two glasses of wine and tip we were under a $100 for 2.
(4)Anneke R.
Chef and his team are back in action, and I couldn't be more pleased! We had an event in one of the rooms recently, and Chef delighted us with some delicious dishes. Duck sliders that melt in your mouth (a little foie in there), spicy meatballs that are THANK YOU quite spicy, duck pate with just one of his many award winning condiments. Service? Very friendly and ultra professional. And a wine list that rotates with top selections. Bravo!
(5)Rick B.
Couldn't wait to try this place. I pass it en route to the office almost every day. We went for the Valentine's wine pairing dinner. Beautiful place. Warm greeting and a fine server who was most personable (though he did have a tough time remembering to bring forks with each course). The first course of a bacon quesadilla was delish and the pairings were great. Second course of rich mushroom and artichoke soup and/or the tuna told us we were on a good roll. Those wine pairings were near perfect as well. The third course, the entrees of veal and/or salmon were lackluster and didn't hold up to the first two excellent courses. Desserts were outstanding. Lovely place, decent dinner though not as over the top as we anticipated. We'll try it again to see if we can turn into fans.
(3)ChRles C.
Had a great special wine dinner last night. The scallop was perfect with a perfect cheese wine sauce. The chocolate risotto was unusual and delicious. Service outstanding
(5)Scott J.
Wow. Just wow. We go to a lot of nice places to eat. It's something we enjoy. I'm not going to say this was the "best" food ever or the "best service" ever. BUT, when a place gets damn near everything right??? Awesome decor. You feel transported when u enter the door. The owner greets and sits you. Our server, William, fantastic. Engaged, informative, fun, interesting. What else could u ask for? Wine list is a little limited, but thoughtful and well priced. Wife had the sea bass special for 36.95, one of the best done pieces of sea bass we ve ever tasted. The mashed potatoes were a little bit of an odd pairing, but interesting in their own way with paprika adding a slightly smokey flavor. She said her asparagus was good, but since I hate that veggie, I will reserve comment. My dish was the chicken spaghetti. 18.95. Sort of a chicken parm dish but with fresh onions and bell peppers. I really enjoyed it. But the star was the goat cheese app. I know everyone makes it and it's pretty basic. But, every one should learn how to make the way they do here. The sliced almonds add a unique and well balanced addition. I could have easily had another of this app. Oh, and all of u snooty high end places I love so much, take note, double expresso, 2.75!!!! How nice to end a meal NOT getting ripped off on coffee. We will be back. We will bring friends. And if u go without us, ask for William to take care of u. He's an excellent server and u won't regret it. Live piano music, spiral staircase to the downstairs bathroom, beautiful bar, great service, great food, fair prices, and u feel like you're in NO OTHER place in Indy. Go this week, thank me later.
(5)Chelsea G.
Stopped in while in town for a game for lunch. Place was pretty empty but good was great. Lamb tacos were excellent!
(4)Joshua W.
Fantastic atmosphere, especially for the price. The calamari appetizer might be the best calamari that I've ever had. The pork loin was good, and I tried the shrimp from my friend's plate, and it is to die for. I'll definitely be back just to have that shrimp. If there would have been chocolate on the dessert menu today, I'd have had dessert too! :) I also enjoyed the singer and the gent playing guitar, loud enough to hear, but not so loud that it killed conversation.
(5)Will W.
Absolutely incredible place for brunch on Sundays. Endless champagne cocktails and bloody mary bar are an excellent deal. The food is of high quality (to be honest, it's perfect for hangovers). Highly recommend.
(5)Dusten N.
good food, live music, attentive servers, reminds me of the Brown Derby at Disney, umbrellas hanging ceiling instead of hat light fixtures
(5)Kristie S.
I wanted to take my husband out for a special dinner last weekend. Wanted something new and after looking at numerous reviews for a romantic dinner - I was really excited to try Chef Joseph's! I made reservations, requested good seating up front since there was live music that night, and let them know I was really looking for great service for the special occasion. We showed up on time (truly a miracle!) and were seated right away at a table right next to the live music. We are off to a good start! Then we look over, and there was a card signed from the staff wishing us a happy anniversary and lovely evening. WOW I think this is really going to be great! Our waiter came and asked us for our drink order, and we asked for water and some time to look at the wine list. No joke, our waiter did not come back to our table for at least 30 minutes. We finally ordered our drinks and it took another 20 to get those. Also, during this whole time - we never actually got to place our order, not even an appetizer!!! I could go on and on about this evening because it seriously took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get through it. The only reason we didn't just leave is because we were enjoying the music. Food was good, however, I absolutely cannot excuse the horrible service. They weren't even busy that night.... I really regretted my decision to come here and spend close to $100 for a dinner we didn't even enjoy.
(2)Alex D.
This was the first time coming for dinner prior to attending the Symphony. The dirty martinis were not spectacular at all. I requested Kettle One vodka but it didn't taste all that good. I'm not sure if they used the wrong vodka or if the drink was made worse by the pre-stuffed olives they use. There is a definite taste difference between store bought stuffed olives and stuffing it yourself. The dinner was pretty good. I had the mussels and they were excellent. The food is definitely good and reasonably priced.
(2)Molly S.
The service could not have been worse. We came with a group for a bachelorette brunch and asked the waiter to divide the check 9 ways. It took five attempts to get it correct. We also spent two hours having brunch and waited about an hour and a half for food. It was unacceptable. The restaurant was only a third full. Will never be back.
(1)Casey B.
What a great find in the circle city. Moderately priced unique food that comes up in good portions and wonderful flavors. Atmosphere and wait staff were very pleasant. I also enjoyed the one page menu, which tells me that the chef focuses on what he does and does it right. 5 dollar martini Thursday is also a plus. This is a good date night place.
(4)teri a.
Horrible Went at 8;00pm on Weds and were only other couple in dining room Maybe 8 or 9 people at bar... Guess that should had been an omen Server had a very poor attitude and had not been trained properly if dining companion had not leaned back a couple of times he would have been hit in face!! Food was mediocre at best and served lukewarm. Barely. When asked to leave a few items off a dish we were met with quite a nasty attitude Plse avoid this place,, which shouldn't be a problem. As I doubt they will be around
(1)Heather H.
We came here for my mom's birthday on Friday and really had an excellent time. Both my parents are vegan, and my husband and I are vegetarian, so I had emailed the restaurant ahead of time to see if arrangements could be made for a three course vegan meal for our celebration. I received a very prompt response from John Mays, one of the proprietors, who told me they could certainly arrange this for us. When we arrived on Friday there was a little confusion with the host about our reservation, but John was actually there and had everything arranged and taken care of for us. We were seated and our server brought us water and a drink menu, and John came over and told us about what we would be having that night so we could make a wine choice, and then also was able to offer his thoughts on the wine offerings as well. For our meal we were served: - Salad with avocado, orange and tomato with an orange vinaigrette dressing - Mixed vegetables in a tomato sauce (this was MUCH more exciting than it sounds, as the vegetables were a mix of portabellas, red and yellow peppers, zucchini, green beans, and asparagus and the sauce was so amazing we were all nearly licking our plates by the end) - Apples baked in a sweet yam sauce All three courses were really, really good and paired very well together. The service was also excellent. Our water was kept full, and courses were brought at appropriate intervals. The live music was also a great touch and really added a fun element to the dinner. As others have noted, the decor in here is absolutely beautiful. I will definitely be coming back for regular dinners in the future. This was an overall very enjoyable experience. It's great to find a place so willing to make a creative and delicious vegan meal for us!
(5)Bob S.
Great atmosphere, great service, great food! We came for a full dining experience which was very good, but I would also like to come back more often for after work drinks and appetizers as they have good deals and unique and tasty food. I believe that they also often have some live entertainment there, but it's not overwhelming or distracting from the experience.
(5)Erin Q.
I took a client to lunch here and neither of us had been before. We both loved the interior, very rich looking with all the wood. We were quickly seated and greeted by our server. He went over the specials and the soup of the day. I opted to try the soup and it was a spicy tomato and zucchini. It was perfect for that blustery, cold day! It was hard to choose from the menu because everything looked tasty, but I ended up with the tempura battered flounder sandwich. I'm not sure why they put it on bread. The size of the fish completely obliterates the fact that there is a sandwich bun underneath of it! The lemon caper mayo was a nice touch and the fish was light and flaky, as it should be. The house made chips were warm and crisp! I would like to come back and check out their happy hour that they had posted. Seems like a very cool vibe. However, negative point for the trek to the bathroom. Thank goodness I didn't have anything to drink because you must go down a teeny tiny spiral staircase to get to the restrooms.
(4)Eddie C.
Went to Chef Joseph's for first time for a happy hour event. Very impressed w/ the atmosphere and decor. There was a front dining area w/ sofa-like seating for larger groups, and bar toward the back. It makes for an excellent space for group events and private parties. The restaurant offered several apps for us to try. There was a fancy cole slaw type salad and several meat-related dishes (duck meatballs and BBQ meatloaf were the ones I remembered). All of the appetizers were outstanding but one of them was a little over seasoned. The restaurant is currently open for lunch only, but from what I was told it will begin serving dinners on the weekends (Thurs-Sat) in late March. There are also various dining/special events such as wine pairing dinners and rum tastings. Check their website for details. The location is a little off the beaten path, not quite downtown and not quite Mass Ave. However, it makes it very easy to park the car. I was able to park almost directly in front of the restaurant on a weeknight on Ohio St.
(4)Rebecca M.
This place is posh - red carpets, chandeliers, sultry wood grains - it was almost intimidating! But as I settled into my comfy seat, I could see that my lunch date (a client) was really impressed with my choice of venue. It feels very exclusive and VIP. I was pleasantly surprised that the prices aren't astronomical. My guest's gourmet burger was "Tasty" (he says). I can only comment on how nice the presentation was. My salad, with chicken added, was more than enough for lunch, and I felt like the chef put as much care into constructing my salad as he would any lofty steak dish. The service is probably more attentive than I'm used to. To me, it was the same level of service that I would get at a swanky date-night restaurant - multiple waiters, one for your water glass, one for your juice glass, one for your salad, one for your entree - all facilitated by a pretty, smiling, even-your-mother-would-love-her waitress. One last very important detail: It was very easy to talk business at this restaurant. We weren't distracted by 'needing' anything, there wasn't a gaggle of noise to talk over, and there weren't any distracting visuals/TVs/staff. I'll definitely go back!
(4)Ryan J.
This may just be my new favorite place downtown. The atmosphere is wonderful. The decor is beautiful and matches the ambience of the place. While we were there we got to listen to one of the best singers I've heard in a while, paired with a man on the piano. I saw a few reviewers saying they felt intimidated in there but I disagree. As someone who doesn't drink, I am used to getting a rude look when I just order a water-our waiter last night did not do that. He treated us great and the service was excellent! Not to mention the food was 5 stars. Everyone in our party was extremely satisfied with their meal. We will definitely be returning.
(5)Jessica T.
I absolutely love this place! My first visit to Chef Joseph's was for a work event. John and Chef were so amazing and went above and beyond to make the event special. The food was fantastic, particularly the flat bread. Oh, and the meatballs. Seriously, so good. Since the event, we have been there several times. It's almost like we enjoy showing off our new find! The menu changes, and there are times when I'm not as drawn to the menu as others. But normally there is something I can't wait to try. I absolutely love the Tuscan Eggplant Ravioli (I'm a sucker for eggplant), and there is a hamburger my husband loves - it's called sushi burger, and it might have wasabi sauce. I can't remember exactly what it's called, or what's on it (it doesn't actually have sushi on it!) but it was amazing. The sweet potato fries are a must. And if you're feeling adventurous, the alligator tail is very good too. If you enjoy wine, this is a great place to try. There are many different wines to choose from, and several wines I don't see in any other restaurant in the city. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The ambiance is business casual, but they like to have fun. Not stuffy at all. You get great food, great service, great wine, without the stuffy better-than-thou attitude found in other restaurants. I highly suggest giving Chef Joseph's a try.
(5)DeAnna P.
I went to an event here last night. I can only comment on bar and decor. Apparently a TON of free food was served, but I was 30 minutes late to the event and vultures had walked away with all of it already. :-( We ordered martinis at the bar. The bartenders there are not the fastest, but they are meticulous in drink preparation. I was pleased to see one of them fill our martini glasses with ice water to chill them while he prepared our drinks. They have a lot of high end and great local liquors and beers (happy to see Prohibition Gin and Upland, Flat 12 and another local beer on tap). Even the well gin that I had was very good. I spoke to one of the owners, who said he likes to source locally when possible. Others here have waxed more poetically that I can about the decor. I will just say I agree -- sumptuous without being stuffy. They also have this great little side room that has a giant roundish table that holds about 20 people and a door that closes it off from the rest of the restaurant. I think it would be great for a baby shower, birthday party, etc. I heard rumblings of an open mike night on Fridays, where it is BYOSheetMusic. Count me in!! Review to be updated once I try the food.
(4)B R.
I went here alone on an evening that I wasn't in the best of moods. From out of town, my expectations were low. The staff was exceedingly friendly and helpful. The food was great, too! The owner showed up and chatted. The patrons of this bar were nice, too! By the time I left, my mood was good. Thanks, Chez! Good spot for a truly "happy hour"!
(4)Genna P.
After reading the reviews we decided to pop in. We arrived right at 5 as they just opened. We were greeted promptly and seated right away. We got there before the dinner rush. It was out anniversary and they brought us champagne and welcomed us to the best table in a quiet window corner. Juan was a wonderful server and let us take our time ordering. We had the bruschetta to start and bison burger and chicken BLT. We were floored at how great the food was, and Juan was perfect and not interrupting our conversation and delightful when we was at our table. We asked for the manager as we just had to compliment someone. The host that sat us was actually the owner and come over and thanked us. He then sent chef Joseph out. We were excited to hear about their changing menu and music in the evening. This will be a new spot for us. We absolutely can't wait to go back. It was like a great Chicago restaurant with out all the attitude. True indy gem.
(5)Rob H.
Chef Joseph's is great and I'm so pleased to see them open up dinner service beyond events and the wonderful wine dinners. I was there for the recent Bourbon tasting and (besides the obvious) loved the tapas laid out by the chef. Really superior food at good prices and the ambience is great. Cool new spot in Indy!
(4)Brent Z.
Bison burger was good. Spicier than I thought, but very good. I would've like to see them offer more side options. The only options were either fries or chips. Would have liked to see veggies or some other options.
(4)Jim W.
It was a fantastic evening. Small plates paired with French wines, conversing with friends, and an opportunity to speak with the chef throughout the meal made this a fantastic experience. We didn't love every wine, but we liked every dish. I look forward to repeating the experience with new flavors!
(4)TOMMY o.
love this hidden gem, these people aim to please, the entire staff goes all out for you! one of the best brisket sandwiches i've EVER had, it was to Die for!! the desserts make my diabetes shutter ! Sara Fabulous behind the bar, many nights with live music, i first heard about the chef joseph on Indy Style, which i record every day
(5)Susan K.
I wish I lived near Indy so I could return to Chef Joseph's. Food fantastic; service excellent. Soft jazz added to the ambience without drowning out dinner conversation. The maître'd stopped by and later, the co-owner Tom stopped by. Would love to make it a place where "everybody knows my name": if you live near there, lucky you!
(5)Stirling M.
Full Disclosure: As a journalist (who normally writes about things that go "vroom") I feel obligated to disclose that I am the director of a professional ballet company (shameless plug: btindiana.org ) and Chef Joseph's hosted a fundraiser for us a few months ago. I'm very appreciative. My and I just dined here for the first time, and we decided to split some small plates. We got the duck fries with asiago and duck bacon, crab cakes, the soup du jour, lamb confit tacos, and raspberry swirl creme brulee. The service was that rare and unusual occurrence of fine dining without even a hint of pretension. The servers are friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and it makes you want to become one of the regulars. If you eavesdrop a bit, you can tell that regulars are indeed a regular occurrence here. People want to come back. As for the food, it was excellent. The fries managed to be both light and fluffy on the inside and deliciously crispy and ducky on the outside. The meaty chunks of duck fat added huge flavor and umami while the acidity of the asigo helped balance the dish. Eat them. They are spectacular. Eat the lamb confit tacos too. It's such a wonderfully meaty experience that I'm not going to describe it in too much detail for fear of making some disgusting innuendos. The soup was also quite nice, while the crab cakes were the freshest tasting I've had since I left Annapolis, and were offset by a very nice mango salsa. Now the creme brulee; that was something special. I'm not usually that much of a dessert guy, but I do occasionally go for it, and I quite like creme brulee. Normally, when I get creme brulee, it comes out exactly how my brother-in-law describes it "an overpriced, tiny cup of vanilla pudding with some crispy crap on top." The top often doesn't have much flavor, and that's because people don't hit it with the torch long enough. To make a really excellent creme brulee, you need to flirt with disaster, and get as close as you can to burning it. This extracts a depth of caramel and coffee-like flavors from the sugar which plays with the pudding itself to create something wonderful. I've had creme brulee in a number of countries in a ton of restaurants (many of which came with a few Michelin Stars) and none can touch what I had tonight. Even, Thomas Keller's Michelin starred Bouchon Bistro in Yountville, CA didn't serve me a creme brulee this good. Even if this place wasn't run my nice, philanthropic people who have taken an interest in my cause, I'd recommend it whole-heartedly. From the swanky, speakeasy-esque atmosphere (complete with live jazz) to the delicious food, you want to eat here.
(5)Jason B.
As Heather H. said, I was here for a birthday dinner and had a special Vegan dinner made for us. The atmosphere was pretty fancy. It will be a nice place for fancy date night. When we were there, they had live entertainment. The music was at a nice volume so that you can enjoy it, but still have a conversation with others at your table. The food was also excellent. Granted, we had a meal specially made for us, but considering the food we had isn't something that is made all the time, I can only image the regular food is also excellent. Pro tip: the bathrooms are downstairs. Looks for a spiral staircase.
(5)Matt M.
We have been here 4 times and we mostly go for the atmosphere and the drinks. It's very comfortable, friendly and who doesn't love some live music via piano, harp, ect. The owner or manger is always welcoming, remembers his customers and tries to ensure a first class dining experience. It's difficult to give them a to give them a tough rating but it's only fair. The thing about charging on average of $24 an entrée is there's expectations for the food. Let's be honest, it's just not all that great. Now that said, we did have a dish there that we both loved, the mushroom ravioli. My dad had a bison burger that he enjoyed, some of the other items weren't bad but really not worth the price. You're paying for the environment and that's what you should enjoy the most. If you go looking only for an amazing meal, I'm not saying it can't happen, it's just that there are far better restaurants in town for the price. We've been there 4 and I'm sure there will be 5 or more visits. It's just a nice date night and that's why we keep coming back. This place is best served by dropping in after a great dinner elsewhere and pick on some desert, appetizers and enjoy their fine drinks and music from the lounge/bar.
(3)Sigrid F.
the ambiance here is very nice, understated elegance. Had their Sunday champagne brunch. There are options for unlimited champagne cocktails and also options for unlimited bloody Marys which is awesome. there was as usual a variety of foods in every price range. it was a bit odd today as the crowd consisted of big burly Colts fans, who were sipping their little mimosas to the tunes of the live harpist... something you do not see every day. Anyways, food quality was great. I enjoyed every bite.
(5)Amber B.
We tried Chef Joseph's at the Connoisseur Room for the first time today for their Brunch, my first thought while writing this, I CANT WAIT TO COME BACk! Everyone we came into contact with was so kind and helpful and welcoming. Our server was attentive and amazing, offering suggestions and keeping our drinks filled. The owner was kind and came to our table to welcome us and share conversations with us! Even the Chef, Joseph, came to our table and helped our friends with his dietary restrictions! They offer brunch on Sunday with a bottomless mimosa options! I had the Hangover bowl which was amazing, I would highly suggest this restaurant! They also had live music! Cheers, they are doing it right! Can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)Janelle G.
Still at Chefs Joseph's for Sunday brunch. Got to say Nathaniel has been an excellent waiter. The food was amazing and our unlimited champagne beverages are wonderful. Loved the mimosa and the Bellini. Definitely will be back.
(5)Ryan D.
I am always trying to find new an different places for special occasions, for this it was our 3 year wedding anniversary. It was also a special day because Indiana, even if it was only for 72 hours, allowed gay marriage. When looking for Chef Joseph's don't blink! It doesn't jump out at you. If you are standing on Ohio it is to the right of Punch burger. When you walk in the first thing you see is dark wood, wonderful fabric, and a warm smile from the owner. We were a bit on the early side but they were able to seat us very quickly. After a bit of conversation with John, who we found out was the owner, splits of champagne arrived at our table! Another awesome surprise was the fact that on Thursday the special of the day are the martinis - which are awesome! Add to it half price small plates and the night was going in the right direction. The wait staff is very attentive but not intrusive, a fine line some places do not understand. There was live music and a festive evening was had by all. The food is wonderful. We split 2 different appetizers - baked goat cheese and the lamb confit taco's. The flavors were powerful and blended perfectly. I had the fish special which was served with seasonal veggies. Lane had the shrimp polenta - of course I stole a bite! Everything was amazing. The polenta held it's structure, the shrimp were great! Of course we had to cram dessert in as well. Creme Brulee, port, and signing! We knew there was always live entertainment but this night was the sing a long night. We watched as the bar became more full, tables had parties gathered around, and everyone enjoyed a great night with wonderful food and even better company!! This is a must if you are an Indianapolis resident or just coming into town.
(5)Bob J.
They were closing when we walked in the door at 8:30 pm. The cab driver of ten years had never heard of the place. The musician was the only person in the place. We were hoping to hear a nice piano player at dinner but they had no customers and decided to close early.
(1)Thai N.
I'll chalk this one up as the chef had a bad night - because that happens. Went here with several business associates basically because none of us could agree on anywhere to eat. We also had a couple stipulations - needed to be within walking distance from the office, it needed to have a diverse menu and it needed to be ready to seat 6 ASAP. Chef Joseph's fit the bill. We entered with live music filling the air. A woman was singing covers from the 70's, 80's and some current stuff all to a "lounge-y" beat. It was pleasant, but it appeared she had some fiends where none to pleased to have a group of 6 sit near them and actually have conversations. But I digress - let's focus on food. Overall, the food was not delivered as advertised by our waiter. All agreed it was underwhelming, quite flavorless, overcooked or just not good. Between all of us, we shared the fried calamari steak, duck fat seasoned fries with duck bacon and asiago cheese, and the sriracha mac & cheese. The calamari was cold and flavorless - as if it just came out of the freezer. The mac & cheese was pretty bad. Each person took a bite and that was it. There was still plenty of it left over. One person said the $1 Kraft Mac-n-Cheese was a lot better! The duck fat fries however were pretty good - but hard to go wrong when it's fried in duck fat. For entrees, others had the lamb confit taco (2 orders), meatball sandwich, sauteed scallops, the angus beef steak burger and I had the duck manicotti. Not a single plate was finished. Each person responded with, "eh, it's ok" when asked about their meals. My duck manicotti was annihilated. When it was brought out, all agreed it looked like burnt enchiladas. It was way overcooked. I took two bites and left the rest behind. To sum up the evening, out of all the food, the favorite thing seemed to be the house made chips. Everyone was asking the guys with the burger and meatball sandwich for their chips.
(2)Rick B.
Phenomenal experience. Th staff were very polite and helpful. The lamb chops were excellent and I usually don't like lamb. Loved the drinks as well.
(5)Blake S.
This place is excellent. The atmosphere of the building and live music are really very cool. My wife and I came here for the first time for our 4th anniversary last year, and they really made it special. We came back last evening for dinner and it was just as great as we remembered. The service is awesome, food excellent, and it is just a good time. I also think it's pretty cool how the restrooms are down that old staircase. Definitely worth a visit!
(5)Anoosh A.
My husband and I went to this restaurant for Valentines Day and it was the best experience ever. We loved our appetizer (calamari and mac n cheese) and our entree was even better than the appetizer (Bison burger and the mahi mahi). We had excellent service and our waiter was one of the nicest waiter. My husband gave him a good tip because he was just so sweet and nice. I would definitely recommend and would go for a romantic evening because my husband and I had a great time.
(5)Lane P.
Simply amazing! We visited Chef Joseph's at The Connoisseur Room for our third anniversary. We arrived about 20 minutes prior to our reservation and the staff quickly accomodated us without any wait. Everyone we met from the time we arrived until the time we left was professional, warm and friendly. The atmosphere is dignified, yet laid back, the latter being a must for me. We were seated at a table next to the window which made for some great people watching both inside and out. The restaurant is laid out so that even when it is busy, it never feels crowded. We started with a couple of dry martinis, which (along with the rest of the martinis) were on special on Thursday night. They were superb. We also ordered a couple of small plates off their menu including the lamb confit taco and the baked goat cheese. Both were made to perfection. For dinner, I had the shrimp with fried polenta. The shrimp were perfectly cooked as was the polenta (not too mushy like some polenta). The entire dish was bursting with flavor. For dessert, we opted for a couple glasses of port wine with creme brulee. Again, amazing flavors and made to perfection. Given the quality of the entire experience and product, we were also surprised how incredibly reasonable the prices were. We will definitely be coming back again and again.
(5)Mahrukh K.
My husband took me here for my birthday last night and we had a great evening. I loved the vibe, and the decor and live singer and pianist made it really romantic. For appetizers we had the crab cakes, sriracha crab Mac n cheese, and the soup special which was a tomato vegetable. The crab cakes were great. I loved the sauce and mango salad it came with. The Mac n cheese was def satisfying but my husband thought it wasn't spicy enough. The soup was meh. It had a funny curry type taste to it. I had the sword fish and my husband had the chicken breast. We both enjoyed our entrees. The portions are pretty generous. I ate half and asked the waitress to pack the rest for me. She said she would but I never got it back. I didn't realize until halfway home so that was a bummer. No couscous midnight snack for me :(. Tempted to rate it 3 stars because of that. The Creme brûlée was meh. It was large enough to share but burned on top and not as sweet. We've had better. Overall I think this is a great date night restaurant and we will probably be back.
(4)John H.
Man was this a disappointment. I got recommended here by a local in town and went with high expectations and that quickly turned around. They brought me a burger which i ordered medium rare came out well done, then did not give me an option to deny the replacement.. They then charged me full price on half price apps to spite me.
(1)Mahrukh K.
My husband took me here for my birthday last night and we had a great evening. I loved the vibe, and the decor and live singer and pianist made it really romantic. For appetizers we had the crab cakes, sriracha crab Mac n cheese, and the soup special which was a tomato vegetable. The crab cakes were great. I loved the sauce and mango salad it came with. The Mac n cheese was def satisfying but my husband thought it wasn't spicy enough. The soup was meh. It had a funny curry type taste to it. I had the sword fish and my husband had the chicken breast. We both enjoyed our entrees. The portions are pretty generous. I ate half and asked the waitress to pack the rest for me. She said she would but I never got it back. I didn't realize until halfway home so that was a bummer. No couscous midnight snack for me :(. Tempted to rate it 3 stars because of that. The Creme brûlée was meh. It was large enough to share but burned on top and not as sweet. We've had better. Overall I think this is a great date night restaurant and we will probably be back.
(4)John H.
Man was this a disappointment. I got recommended here by a local in town and went with high expectations and that quickly turned around. They brought me a burger which i ordered medium rare came out well done, then did not give me an option to deny the replacement.. They then charged me full price on half price apps to spite me.
(1)Matt M.
We have been here 4 times and we mostly go for the atmosphere and the drinks. It's very comfortable, friendly and who doesn't love some live music via piano, harp, ect. The owner or manger is always welcoming, remembers his customers and tries to ensure a first class dining experience. It's difficult to give them a to give them a tough rating but it's only fair. The thing about charging on average of $24 an entrée is there's expectations for the food. Let's be honest, it's just not all that great. Now that said, we did have a dish there that we both loved, the mushroom ravioli. My dad had a bison burger that he enjoyed, some of the other items weren't bad but really not worth the price. You're paying for the environment and that's what you should enjoy the most. If you go looking only for an amazing meal, I'm not saying it can't happen, it's just that there are far better restaurants in town for the price. We've been there 4 and I'm sure there will be 5 or more visits. It's just a nice date night and that's why we keep coming back. This place is best served by dropping in after a great dinner elsewhere and pick on some desert, appetizers and enjoy their fine drinks and music from the lounge/bar.
(3)Karen J.
Chef Joe's never disappoints. Live music. Excellent cocktails ($5 martini in Thursday night) Lamb meatballs and goat cheese flatbread small plates were delicious and enough for a meal. But seriously, have a martini!
(5)Michael A.
Delicious food. Cool space. Feels like your on a ship because the floor and the bar mirror are slanted at an angle. The calamari was the best I've had in years. Seriously. The dinner specials were $48 which felt like a robbery. Ask the prices before you commit.
(4)Stirling M.
Full Disclosure: As a journalist (who normally writes about things that go "vroom") I feel obligated to disclose that I am the director of a professional ballet company (shameless plug: btindiana.org ) and Chef Joseph's hosted a fundraiser for us a few months ago. I'm very appreciative. My and I just dined here for the first time, and we decided to split some small plates. We got the duck fries with asiago and duck bacon, crab cakes, the soup du jour, lamb confit tacos, and raspberry swirl creme brulee. The service was that rare and unusual occurrence of fine dining without even a hint of pretension. The servers are friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and it makes you want to become one of the regulars. If you eavesdrop a bit, you can tell that regulars are indeed a regular occurrence here. People want to come back. As for the food, it was excellent. The fries managed to be both light and fluffy on the inside and deliciously crispy and ducky on the outside. The meaty chunks of duck fat added huge flavor and umami while the acidity of the asigo helped balance the dish. Eat them. They are spectacular. Eat the lamb confit tacos too. It's such a wonderfully meaty experience that I'm not going to describe it in too much detail for fear of making some disgusting innuendos. The soup was also quite nice, while the crab cakes were the freshest tasting I've had since I left Annapolis, and were offset by a very nice mango salsa. Now the creme brulee; that was something special. I'm not usually that much of a dessert guy, but I do occasionally go for it, and I quite like creme brulee. Normally, when I get creme brulee, it comes out exactly how my brother-in-law describes it "an overpriced, tiny cup of vanilla pudding with some crispy crap on top." The top often doesn't have much flavor, and that's because people don't hit it with the torch long enough. To make a really excellent creme brulee, you need to flirt with disaster, and get as close as you can to burning it. This extracts a depth of caramel and coffee-like flavors from the sugar which plays with the pudding itself to create something wonderful. I've had creme brulee in a number of countries in a ton of restaurants (many of which came with a few Michelin Stars) and none can touch what I had tonight. Even, Thomas Keller's Michelin starred Bouchon Bistro in Yountville, CA didn't serve me a creme brulee this good. Even if this place wasn't run my nice, philanthropic people who have taken an interest in my cause, I'd recommend it whole-heartedly. From the swanky, speakeasy-esque atmosphere (complete with live jazz) to the delicious food, you want to eat here.
(5)Anneke R.
Chef and his team are back in action, and I couldn't be more pleased! We had an event in one of the rooms recently, and Chef delighted us with some delicious dishes. Duck sliders that melt in your mouth (a little foie in there), spicy meatballs that are THANK YOU quite spicy, duck pate with just one of his many award winning condiments. Service? Very friendly and ultra professional. And a wine list that rotates with top selections. Bravo!
(5)Sigrid F.
the ambiance here is very nice, understated elegance. Had their Sunday champagne brunch. There are options for unlimited champagne cocktails and also options for unlimited bloody Marys which is awesome. there was as usual a variety of foods in every price range. it was a bit odd today as the crowd consisted of big burly Colts fans, who were sipping their little mimosas to the tunes of the live harpist... something you do not see every day. Anyways, food quality was great. I enjoyed every bite.
(5)Janelle G.
Still at Chefs Joseph's for Sunday brunch. Got to say Nathaniel has been an excellent waiter. The food was amazing and our unlimited champagne beverages are wonderful. Loved the mimosa and the Bellini. Definitely will be back.
(5)Amber B.
We tried Chef Joseph's at the Connoisseur Room for the first time today for their Brunch, my first thought while writing this, I CANT WAIT TO COME BACk! Everyone we came into contact with was so kind and helpful and welcoming. Our server was attentive and amazing, offering suggestions and keeping our drinks filled. The owner was kind and came to our table to welcome us and share conversations with us! Even the Chef, Joseph, came to our table and helped our friends with his dietary restrictions! They offer brunch on Sunday with a bottomless mimosa options! I had the Hangover bowl which was amazing, I would highly suggest this restaurant! They also had live music! Cheers, they are doing it right! Can't wait to come back for dinner!
(5)Ryan D.
I am always trying to find new an different places for special occasions, for this it was our 3 year wedding anniversary. It was also a special day because Indiana, even if it was only for 72 hours, allowed gay marriage. When looking for Chef Joseph's don't blink! It doesn't jump out at you. If you are standing on Ohio it is to the right of Punch burger. When you walk in the first thing you see is dark wood, wonderful fabric, and a warm smile from the owner. We were a bit on the early side but they were able to seat us very quickly. After a bit of conversation with John, who we found out was the owner, splits of champagne arrived at our table! Another awesome surprise was the fact that on Thursday the special of the day are the martinis - which are awesome! Add to it half price small plates and the night was going in the right direction. The wait staff is very attentive but not intrusive, a fine line some places do not understand. There was live music and a festive evening was had by all. The food is wonderful. We split 2 different appetizers - baked goat cheese and the lamb confit taco's. The flavors were powerful and blended perfectly. I had the fish special which was served with seasonal veggies. Lane had the shrimp polenta - of course I stole a bite! Everything was amazing. The polenta held it's structure, the shrimp were great! Of course we had to cram dessert in as well. Creme Brulee, port, and signing! We knew there was always live entertainment but this night was the sing a long night. We watched as the bar became more full, tables had parties gathered around, and everyone enjoyed a great night with wonderful food and even better company!! This is a must if you are an Indianapolis resident or just coming into town.
(5)Bob J.
They were closing when we walked in the door at 8:30 pm. The cab driver of ten years had never heard of the place. The musician was the only person in the place. We were hoping to hear a nice piano player at dinner but they had no customers and decided to close early.
(1)Jason B.
As Heather H. said, I was here for a birthday dinner and had a special Vegan dinner made for us. The atmosphere was pretty fancy. It will be a nice place for fancy date night. When we were there, they had live entertainment. The music was at a nice volume so that you can enjoy it, but still have a conversation with others at your table. The food was also excellent. Granted, we had a meal specially made for us, but considering the food we had isn't something that is made all the time, I can only image the regular food is also excellent. Pro tip: the bathrooms are downstairs. Looks for a spiral staircase.
(5)Yahaira T.
This place has excellent customer service & food! We had a great time with my mom for her bday! Great music too! I had the chicken with spaghetti, large portion & yummy. My brother & boyfriend had the ribs & they loved it, boneless & tasty. My mom had the special that day & she was happy with it & her free dessert! Also, good cocktails. The chef can help u pick out wine if u tell him what u r going to order, FYI!
(4)Thai N.
I'll chalk this one up as the chef had a bad night - because that happens. Went here with several business associates basically because none of us could agree on anywhere to eat. We also had a couple stipulations - needed to be within walking distance from the office, it needed to have a diverse menu and it needed to be ready to seat 6 ASAP. Chef Joseph's fit the bill. We entered with live music filling the air. A woman was singing covers from the 70's, 80's and some current stuff all to a "lounge-y" beat. It was pleasant, but it appeared she had some fiends where none to pleased to have a group of 6 sit near them and actually have conversations. But I digress - let's focus on food. Overall, the food was not delivered as advertised by our waiter. All agreed it was underwhelming, quite flavorless, overcooked or just not good. Between all of us, we shared the fried calamari steak, duck fat seasoned fries with duck bacon and asiago cheese, and the sriracha mac & cheese. The calamari was cold and flavorless - as if it just came out of the freezer. The mac & cheese was pretty bad. Each person took a bite and that was it. There was still plenty of it left over. One person said the $1 Kraft Mac-n-Cheese was a lot better! The duck fat fries however were pretty good - but hard to go wrong when it's fried in duck fat. For entrees, others had the lamb confit taco (2 orders), meatball sandwich, sauteed scallops, the angus beef steak burger and I had the duck manicotti. Not a single plate was finished. Each person responded with, "eh, it's ok" when asked about their meals. My duck manicotti was annihilated. When it was brought out, all agreed it looked like burnt enchiladas. It was way overcooked. I took two bites and left the rest behind. To sum up the evening, out of all the food, the favorite thing seemed to be the house made chips. Everyone was asking the guys with the burger and meatball sandwich for their chips.
(2)Rick B.
Phenomenal experience. Th staff were very polite and helpful. The lamb chops were excellent and I usually don't like lamb. Loved the drinks as well.
(5)Blake S.
This place is excellent. The atmosphere of the building and live music are really very cool. My wife and I came here for the first time for our 4th anniversary last year, and they really made it special. We came back last evening for dinner and it was just as great as we remembered. The service is awesome, food excellent, and it is just a good time. I also think it's pretty cool how the restrooms are down that old staircase. Definitely worth a visit!
(5)Lane P.
Simply amazing! We visited Chef Joseph's at The Connoisseur Room for our third anniversary. We arrived about 20 minutes prior to our reservation and the staff quickly accomodated us without any wait. Everyone we met from the time we arrived until the time we left was professional, warm and friendly. The atmosphere is dignified, yet laid back, the latter being a must for me. We were seated at a table next to the window which made for some great people watching both inside and out. The restaurant is laid out so that even when it is busy, it never feels crowded. We started with a couple of dry martinis, which (along with the rest of the martinis) were on special on Thursday night. They were superb. We also ordered a couple of small plates off their menu including the lamb confit taco and the baked goat cheese. Both were made to perfection. For dinner, I had the shrimp with fried polenta. The shrimp were perfectly cooked as was the polenta (not too mushy like some polenta). The entire dish was bursting with flavor. For dessert, we opted for a couple glasses of port wine with creme brulee. Again, amazing flavors and made to perfection. Given the quality of the entire experience and product, we were also surprised how incredibly reasonable the prices were. We will definitely be coming back again and again.
(5)Bovary T.
If you like your hospital food tastless, eaten in a somewhat swank setting, accompanied by a lounge singer with a grating yet somehow limp falsetto, and washed down with a really great Temperanillo, I think you're really gonna love Chef Joseph's. I feel somewhat like a jerk leaving a snarky review about this place. Alas, Chef Joseph's! I WANTED to love you. I love my city, I love all the super awesome, exciting places to eat and drink here, and I triple-love trying out new places. But if you want staying power, especially when faced with competition like Bluebeard, etc...face it. Step your food quality game up. TOUGH LOVE TIME: Service scenario - Warm greeting by smiling owner, patience on his part as me and my dining company were momentarily dumb about our seating preferences. Server was kind, robotically assertive/autistic about the specials, and prompt with glasses of Moscato. As I am wont to do, I began to engage in an insense jaw-flapping session with my friend. Server I think felt bad about interrupting us accidentally to ask us if he could take our order (selection-making delayed due to chatting), which resulted in the overcompensating hassle of being ignored for twenty minutes. Oh well. Service after that was stellar and appropriate, glasses filled, food issues taken care of with nary a hiccup. Nice comeback! Food situation - Let me preface this by saying that I will eat food still left in the pan, still on the stove, left out for 24 hours without refrigeration, with the spatula it was stirred with. Once, I ate a 24 hour old Taco Bell taco that accidentally fell out of the bag into the passenger seat of my car. (Granted, I did it kind of as an experiment to see if anything would happen.) I say this because...I ordered lamb chops! With risotto! Which I love! And! Brussel Sprouts that I thought were revolting as a kid but then my friend sauteed them for me this one time with truffle butter and they're my most favorite things now! Exciting-sounding, right? Definitely better than cold slime pan leftovers, right? Um. I couldn't finish my meal. I think I took about 2 bites of everything, one just to try, and one more out of disbelief. Brussel sprouts, what have they done to you? You, once nobly prepared and made tender and smoky, believably sexy -- now shamed into cold, unfeeling mini-cabbage half-marbles. I remember why I hate you now. A moment of silence, please, as we mourn in awe at the spectacularly befitting yet still tragic karma of what was probably a serial killer person reincarnated into a possibly once adorable lamb, unable to ever escape the destiny of ending up cooked at a decent temperature (props) and stuck on a plate, chops slathered in a sauce so bereft of taste that it practically created a taste vacuum, a taste black hole. A sort anti-matter non-sauce that has its own taste gravitational pull which sucks all the taste out of anything that has taste within a two-mile radius. And you, Cheesy Risotto. Don't think I don't see you trying to skulk away and hide under lamb chops. They told me once that cheese made everything better. "JUST MELT SOME CHEESE SOMEWHERE IN IT", they said. YOU HAD ONE JOB, CHEESE. You once had a commerical commanding the general public to behold your power, and I have adopted you into my own personal lexicon and YOU ARE NOW A VERB. But even you, that fabled and mythical power was neutered completely when you were faced with the villianous offspring of undercooked rice and the kind of glue paste that kindergarteners find appetizing. The adventure in edible chagrin that was my main course was remedied by our server elegantly removing it from our check and by me drowning myself in a gorgeous earthy, floral 2010 Temperanillo that made my knees weak. Outstanding bottle of wine, folks. I needed that. Crème brulée for dessert was as good as it can be, I suppose. I have ambivalent feelings about crème brulée, as I tend to become bored after arbitrarily hacking through it. Conclusion: There's potential here at Chef Joseph's. Go elsewhere for dinner, stop by for the Temperanillo. Oh, and I totally have my friend's phone number for when you want that brussel sprout recipe.
(2)Sarah K.
My husband and I went to this restaurant for Valentines Day and it was the best experience ever. We loved our appetizer (calamari and mac n cheese) and our entree was even better than the appetizer (Bison burger and the mahi mahi). We had excellent service and our waiter was one of the nicest waiter. My husband gave him a good tip because he was just so sweet and nice. I would definitely recommend and would go for a romantic evening because my husband and I had a great time.
(5)Jane G.
I love it here! The food is amazing and the staff is too. Live music and bottomless champagne on Sunday. Prices are very reasonable for what you get!
(5)Anthony G.
I was so excited to come here. My last night in INDY. The menu sounded interesting so I went with a friend. There was a lady singing so loud that our conversation was like two soldiers in a Fox Hole during a bomb raid. The music was nice but it dominated the room. The place itself was red and dark wood, reminiscent of The Colony in NYC, a place where Don Draper drink and picked up a floozy. I ordered the Duck Manicotti and waited. The first bite reminded me of a nice Mexican place. The second bite told me that there was so much duck fat that I was going to have a heart attack and die in INDY. My friend had some steak and he said it was ok. The salad had croutons from Costco probably. It was a nice place and I wanted to like it but now I'm back at the hotel and wondering if I should've gone to have Thai at Thai Palace. This place is nice maybe for lunch or cocktails but the food was just OK and the waitress looked like she had killed someone back in 1980. The entire thing was Boy George singing: You come and go/you come and go.
(2)John W.
This is an old fashioned supper club. The food is very good and the music is outstanding. Music is not too loud so you can still converse. Highly recommend it.
(5)Roberta R.
I read the recent poor reviews and I wanted so badly to post a raving one. Sorry. Everything we ordered and saw at other tables was just like dishes you can get anywhere else. Nothing special BUT not bad by any means. Just boring. Our server was enthusiastic and good at her job. The ambiance is nice (just nice) and patrons were mainly older, wearing suits/ties. Later in the meal, there were more casual diners showing up. And then the singing started. No thanks! She sang beautifully, but the piano alone would have been delightful. No loud singing needed. We will not be back. $86 + tip for 2 people; 1 drink each, 1 salad each, and 1 entree each. We can do better elsewhere.
(3)Melissa S.
We had a pleasant evening at Chef Joseph's last night. The food was all good, not exceptional, but tasty, nicely presented. Duck fries were quite greasy. My steak was nice, although the potatoes and asparagus were lukewarm. My husband's burger was well-done, not the medium he had ordered, but good, with nice house-made chips. The service was... A little odd. Our waiter seemed simultaneously distracted and fussy. He stopped at our table no fewer than three times before taking a drink order, left his iPad with us to peruse the list that he described as "tons of different beers"... Three beers on tap and about a dozen bottles. Then the runner brought our appetizer before we'd received said drinks. It was friendly service, but not organized or very graceful. We were also in a side dining room, which completely emptied about thirty minutes after we arrived... while the live music played next door in the full main dining room. I might give it another try, but not likely. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Loved the atmosphere and plush banquettes.
(3)Molly S.
What an awesome night at Chef Joseph's. I had family in town and wanted to take them to a nice place- maybe a little upscale, nothing too loud (have some hard of hearing in the crew), delicious food. Chef Joseph's hit the spot- and then some. Not only did we have impeccable service, a custom wine recommendation from the chef himself, and great ambience; but the food was delicious. I had the halibut which was outstanding. Many at the table had the tuna special for the evening with a delicious soy ginger wasabi sauce. For dessert- an amazing creme brulee- perfectly torched, not too sweet, and a great dish to share. There was a jazz singer performing throughout most of our meal, and she added greatly to the fun of the evening. Nothing too loud or overpowering, but she had a great voice. Overall, it was a lovely evening, and we will definitely be back. Our regards to the chef and the entire staff at Chef Jospeh's!
(5)Rachael L.
The $4 well drink happy hour lured me in on my way to the Pacers game. It was a Friday around 6pm, so not too badly priced! Especially when you consider there was a man playing classical music on the baby grand piano! How often do you get to sit at a piano bar downtown with an affordable cocktail? Its definately a nice change of pace from the usual bar. If you are on your way to a show downtown, I suggest stopping in to check it out.
(4)Barry L.
A perfectly reasonable meal, but nothing spectacular. The ambiance is very cool - kind of old fashioned supper club place. The space is very small and cozy, but the challenge is that there is a major draft from the doorway (it was very cold last night). The service was very good - the service team was right on top of their game. There was live entertainment which made for a nice background. Unfortunately, we were seated about five feet from the singer, so it was a bit loud. Unfortunately, the food was only above average. My wife ordered a chicken dish with artichoke hearts, and the artichokes were very stringy. I had a scallop dish with polenta and asparagus - all of which were terrific, but the accompanying sauce was disappointingly bland. The best thing about the night was not the doing of the restaurant - a bit of luck on the timing. There was a bus of drag queens going around restaurants in Indy, and the "ladies" came in and vamped for tips - which are going to anti-HIV charities. All in all an OK place. Different from the standard dinner experiences, but not enough to make me want to go back the next time I visit Indy.
(3)John A.
Nice quaint jazz club. Get a table by the window if you want some privacy and its quieter. We had the 3 course meal special. Just enough food for us. If you have a big appetite this may not be enough food for you . It include some olive poppers with a pepperoni mayo sauce, then a grilled salmon on a mixed green veggie, finished with a Mexican Hot Cocolate bread pudding topped with marshmallow cream and chocolate drizzle . With two glasses of wine and tip we were under a $100 for 2.
(4)Jerry M.
Booked a reservation for our anniversary. Got stuck in traffic enroute so I called to move our time back - no problem. When we did arrive, the host said he hoped the traffic had not caused too much anxiety (Nice Touch #1 remembering). Then he wished us a Happy Anniversary (NT #2). When we were seated there was a card on the table signed by all the staff wishing us Happy Anniversary (NT#3). Within a few moments our waiter arrived with a complementary bottle of Champagne! (NT#4). Thursdays are $5 martinis (yea!), so we each enjoyed one after our champagne. Because we were there before 7:00, all appetizers were half price (yea!). The Calamari melted in our mouths. We also got the crab cakes which were great. For an entree, she got the short rib (she loved it) and I got the shrimp. Seldom in my mind is shrimp fantastic, but here it was. Cooked perfectly and in a sauce that was unbelievable. Creme Brulee for dessert. The atmosphere was cozy and romantic. The live music really set the mood. It was open mic night which made me a bit leery, but singer after singer went up and belted out tunes that were phenomenal. You'd have thought we were at a high class musical audition or something. These were not your average drunken karaoke singers. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun at a restaurant, at such an amazing value to boot. We're already planning the friends we know that we want to take there soon. Food was great. Service was superior. Atmosphere was perfect. This place was clicking on all cylinders.
(5)Cara N.
Celebrated Valentine's Day here last night. Very elegant and cozy atmosphere. You must try the Sriracha mac and cheese! My steak was cooked perfectly. Robert was a very attentive waiter who made our experience perfect. Thank you Chef Joseph and Robert!!!!
(5)Chris C.
My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Chef Josephs. It was a very romantic, cozy atmosphere, mellow jazz piano and singer (think Nora Jones), soft lighting with candles flickering...all you could want for a special evening. The wait staff was knowledgable but not pretentious. Attentive, but not disruptive. We started with crab cakes...absolutely loved them. I could have ordered more as my meal. I had the strip steak with garlic mashed potatoes with asparagus....wonderful and flavorful. My husband had swordfish and couscous. He was real happy with his choice and enjoyed it. Dessert...we shared a creme brule and cheesecake. Both housemade, and a great finish to a perfect, romantic dining experience. If you are looking for something special, Chef Joseph's Connesiour Room totally delivers.
(5)Alex F.
This is a nice place to get some nice breakfast or brunch. Its kind of fancy and a little pricey, but the food is delicious and the service is great. They change menus every once in a while so it's great to check out new dishes. I would come back again.
(4)Jeanluc C.
Great place for a date. Everyone in this place is very friendly and professional. Food is amazing price too. Will go back.
(4)Kacey M.
Their food quantity, quality, price and service did not match up for us. Their definition of a salad was quartering a romaine lettuce and sprinkling croutons around it. Service was really below par as they wanted to close. They should have been a bit more considerate and provided some alternative options when they served me meat that I don't eat. Also, the duck manicotti that my friend ordered for lunch was bland, small portioned, and well not worth the price. We ended up going elsewhere to continue lunch.
(1)Holly B.
Went here on Valentine's Day. The Cosmo martini was great and strong :) I am sure the food was good but I could not taste it due to having a bad cold.. The waitress was a little unprofessional for such a fancy place.
(4)Christine B.
Absolutely the best darn scallops and calamari I've ever had in my entire life. I had no idea calamari could be so tender. The scallops were perfect and nestled in a lobster cream sauce with cheese polenta. Delish! My parents both loved their meals as well. My mom had the swordfish and my dad had a steak. Really cool jazzy and classy feel to this place. Not overly crowded, small, nice, and intimate. Definitely a romantic place to go on a date. To me, for fine dining I think the prices are very reasonable. There's no flashy signs outside, just signage on the building an an awning, but Chef Josephs really is a nice classy place and is like taking a step back in time, in a good way when restaurants were ultra classy and featured live jazz singers on the weekends. I'll be back!
(5)Jillian B.
the ambiance is very nice. Sunday brunch is amazing. unlimited champagne cocktails and delicious food. I know I'll be back for sure.
(5)Alexis B.
I had a lunch date with my husband here recently. It had a nice atmosphere, sumptuous and cozy, and the service was very prompt. I wouldn't have minded seeing a drink menu, but I got the feeling that for lunch it was more of a business-type place, so we just ordered water. It was nearly empty for lunch. Unfortunately, my meal was terrible! I had the pulled pork sandwich with a side of kale slaw. The pork was terribly oversalted and tasted only of salt and vinegar. Also, it had some problems in concept. It was an open-faced sandwich, with the lettuce and tomato on top of the bread and the pork on top of that. There was no way to pick it up and eat it without the whole thing sliding onto the plate, which it did. I wouldn't have minded that too much if it had tasted good, though. I did eat most of it - I hate sending food back, destroying the date vibe, and sitting there with nothing while my husband eats his meal. But I can't believe anyone had tasted that pork. The kale slaw was nothing special - it was just kale and mayo, a little too sweet for my taste. My husband had the bison burger with chips, which was much tastier than my meal. I had a creme brulee for dessert. I haven't had creme brulee in a long time, and was trying to remember if I liked it or not. It was perfectly fine, but confirmed my memory that it's usually good for a couple of bites but gets boring by the end. I should have gone for the PB&J cheesecake, the other option. The coffee was good. So, I was just expecting something a little more special, and my main course was a total disaster. Maybe it's better for dinner.
(2)Kelsee H.
When this little nook of downtown has closed down for the evening after 5pm, Chef Joseph's is a diamond in the rough for those looking for a meal in a swanky restaurant! Seriously, I had heard of the place before this weekend, but I had never been there! I was not disappointed! The menu had something for everyone: burger, salad, seafood, or even small plates. I enjoyed a shrimp and ravioli dish that arrived at my table exactly as it was described in the menu. I even got to try a special dessert - a peppercorn flan! Are you intrigued? Well, you should be. It was great! This particular night was super busy because of the live entertainment scheduled, but service didn't miss a beat! Even had the owners make a stop at our table! How often does that happen at any restaurant?! So, make Chef Joseph's your next stop for date night (or for a pre-theater dinner) and be prepared for a friendly, tasty, and pretty fancy evening! I've already made my next reservation!
(5)Jeff M.
We went here one weekday for lunch without knowing much about the place and were impressed by the greeting that we received by the host and the very nice decor. Although we had lunch, it appeared that the space was ideally set up for a night of lounging on the comfy looking couches or at the impressive bar. I had the Italian beef sandwich, and in defense of Chef Joseph's I knew that I was not likely going to get the south-side Chicago sandwich that I'm used to. That being said, it was still good in a sophisticated way. The pasta side was excellent - very refreshing with a hint of lime. The shrimp appetizer was very good as well, although it was light on the bacon in my opinion (the bacon was what attracted me to it on the menu from the start). My wife enjoyed her chicken parmesan sandwich, and the portion was big enough that she ended up taking half of it home for later. The waiter was very polite and cordial, and he made sure to tell us of the upcoming events at the restaurant, the weekend dinner hours, etc. Although a bit pricey for lunch, it is not too far out of the norm for downtown. I would definitely take a client here, and I look forward to checking out their weekend food/wine/music events.
(4)Jessica K.
The service I had for a large work party was disappointing. The drinks were spilled on the table and left without being cleaned up until I covered my place mat with my napkin so I wouldn't have to get wet. And while the server offered to fix my place setting, he did not offer to fix my neighbors. The gent sitting next to me had to ask for his to be fixed. The food was also disappointing. I got a caprese salad in the month of July and the tomatoes were not ripe. How can that happen in July in Indiana? Fresh tomatoes are everywhere. Also I got a fish sandwich and the bread was stale. Just not a good experience. The atmosphere was nice. I would go back for drinks, but would probably avoid the food next time.
(2)Joanna B.
I went here for a meeting the other week and I must admit that i was not impressed. The drinks were good but I feel like any bartender can make a martini or a screw driver, nothing out of the ordinary but the food was nothing to write home about. In all fairness the food was preset and I didn't get a chance to choose off the menu which I may have enjoyed more.
(2)Ben L.
Great service. Good food. Good specials during the week. Open mike night, soft jazz.
(5)Rick B.
Couldn't wait to try this place. I pass it en route to the office almost every day. We went for the Valentine's wine pairing dinner. Beautiful place. Warm greeting and a fine server who was most personable (though he did have a tough time remembering to bring forks with each course). The first course of a bacon quesadilla was delish and the pairings were great. Second course of rich mushroom and artichoke soup and/or the tuna told us we were on a good roll. Those wine pairings were near perfect as well. The third course, the entrees of veal and/or salmon were lackluster and didn't hold up to the first two excellent courses. Desserts were outstanding. Lovely place, decent dinner though not as over the top as we anticipated. We'll try it again to see if we can turn into fans.
(3)ChRles C.
Had a great special wine dinner last night. The scallop was perfect with a perfect cheese wine sauce. The chocolate risotto was unusual and delicious. Service outstanding
(5)Rod R.
Saturday evening, 042013. Pleasant staff, loud jazz singer (does anyone want to talk quietly anymore?). Nice bar. Limited menu, small portions, no bread or anything other than menu items. My friend's small walleye portion was served blandly on a small bed of rice, no veg, no nothing, and limited taste. Lamb sausage manicotti (two - what? Three would have broken the bank?) were good with non-melted cheese on top and a precious side of asparagus. Who is Chef Joseph, anyway? He used to be at Agio, where the food was mediocre (mid-west Italian) and is now, properly, closed. I assume that Joseph's will likewise close. Why is niggling the word of the day in restaurant servings? Have the portion-control restaurant college grads taken over? Prices of ordinary food are already inflated by 8 - 10 times by eateries. And, who does not love being served a $12 glass of wine with two inches of wine in a six inch bowl glass? Our cocktails were $8, which for downtown was about right, even low, depending on the venue. My cost for the same cocktail at home is $2. Waitress was second-rate, blowsy, and had to squat (lovely~ - who does not enjoy squatting?) next to our table in order to hear or be heard over the wailing jazz singer and piano. Overall, a blah experience and we'll not go back. Are restaurant owners able to try their own restaurants and evaluate them objectively? Apparently not.
(1)Edward M.
This is the destination establishment when very important friends and family come from out of town! The wine list is unequalled as is the personal service each patron enjoys! Chef Joseph prides himself in pleasing diners of all tastes. His preparation of every type of meat, fish, and their presentation is a guaranteed treat. Desserts are sinful and will make you wish you could spend several extra hours. The atmosphere is elegant, but relaxed.
(5)