I went with a large group late on a Friday night, and very much enjoyed my entire experience at Cafe Joul. The staff was friendly (bonus points for being able to accept multiple credit cards), the food good and tasty and the service friendly. As I said, we had a large group and our waitress instead of shouting the specials down our long table, simply gave us the specials twice, once at each side of the table. The restaurant is a small place, but the tables do not feel crowded together. The bathrooms are very clean. I have never been here for brunch, so I can't comment on that.
(4)
Margaret F.
The atmosphere is very cozy and has a family-feel to it, ironically also being very romantic. I ordered the salmon for dinner which was done to perfection with a light broth and savory corn. The side of mashed potatoes is extremely bland on its own but complements very well with the lemon fettucini. Probably won't return because of the location, but it was a nice experience.
(4)
Laurin C.
Bad service consistently every single time bar none. They're a bit, rude (not all of them but some of them), you have to ask for things multiple times and also it takes an extremely ridiculous amount of time. It seems like they just ignore you sometimes. We still eat here very often because its a block from our apt and the only good brunch close by. to be fair, the food is great though. It's the ONLY reason to come to this place.
(2)
Sabrina L.
I love this place. MY new local go to!!! Service is excellent and everyone is extremely nice. My fish was amazing, delicate. The Health Salad is a must as well. Has good flavors
(5)
Michael J.
After getting off the tram we did a quick yelp search for food around us and found this nice restaurant. The french hostess wasn't to impressed with the way we looked, you could totally see it on her face. We had just spent the last six hours walking the town, we were tired and dressed extra warm. After being seated our waiter was much nicer, made many food recommendations and even chose the wine that would best go with the dish I chose. The duck was tender and moist. The resteraunt was beautiful and not to loud, perfect date restaurant, The meal ended up costing $45.00, including a glass of wine.
(3)
Li M.
You should go to Cafe Joul when: you find out that the love of your life is going out with your worst enemy, when everyone you come across that day gives you the cold shoulders for no particular reason, when you miss the subway by ten seconds THREE times in one single day. Cafe Joul will infinitely make you feel better; it's like a small diner place...but not really, only it has that dineresque atmosphere...and you can sit here for hours and eat and mope all you want.
(4)
Isabella M.
I have been going to Cafe Joul for years since it opened in the neighborhood, and for dinner, it is fabulous. Yet unlike the majority of the Yelp reviews here, I have never been to Cafe Joul for Brunch, so I cannot comment on that. I always get the mushroom ravioli, and it never disappoints. I used to joke with my family that I wanted it as my "last meal" - it's amazing. The rest of the family usually orders the Burger Joul, which is also delicious. The French fries are perfectly cut skinny fries, which are delicious. They serve it with horseradish, for those who like the extra spice. We have also had experience with the chicken, which is always well cooked and the fettuccine is delicious. They steak is worth trying as well - the peppercorn sauce is awesome!! I sometimes get it as a side to the burger. My reason for 4 stars? A couple cons: the wait for food is frequently quite lengthy (small kitchen maybe?), their bread and butter they serve are always under salted, not to mention cold out of the fridge (if only you would heat it up!), and finally, over the years the prices continue to climb with quality seeming to go down rather than up. Please don't skimp on ingredients on dishes that are now $8-$10 more than they were when you started. I know there's inflation, but that's a lot of money to not be serving the same product.
(4)
Charanya K.
Very nice neighborhood French restaurant. The Prix Fixe brunch menu was $25. The food was good and service was even better.
(3)
Michael T.
I went with two friends on a Wednesday night. I ordered the special Cauliflower Soup and the house made veggie burger and fries. The soup was out of this world delish. And the veggie burger (with quinoa) was also really good. It was a little mushy to bite down on (like a Dr. Praeger's type) but I'm used to that with veggie burgers. I would definitely go back and check out some of the other dishes. The beet salad and mussels my friend had also looked and smelled really good.
(4)
Tiffany C.
The service is 50/50. One time we went, we had a group of 6, but there was only a table of 4 plus a few tables of 2 available. Obviously - well which was not obvious to the waiter was to combine a 4 seater and a 2 seater table together. The waiter had the nerve to say, oh we don't do that, and we can't do that, so you have to wait 30 mins for a table... what the heck?! Half the restaurant was empty, and you're willing to risk a table of six? Well we left. We have tried brunch a couple of times prior, and here's my review on the food. The brunch selection was fair, and the food is good. The pastry basket has a wide range of selection, but all were good. The Eggs Benedict was good. I really like the french toast with homemade lemon cream. The salmon with kale is also pretty tasty. The healthy salad was not bad. Service was a little 50/50 - they messed up on my drink order and forgot about the my correct drink order. I had to ask a couple of times for my correct drink to show up. Some of the staff were pretty new, some were old time workers. Therefore the service is a hit or miss.
(3)
Ryan H.
I'm not convinced any of this food was really even made here. Everything on the menu probably came from the frozen food section at Costco.
(1)
James S.
Food is always great, it's a staple in the neighborhood. Delicious and consistent. Service is always solid; very professional and friendly!
(5)
Gordon C.
A cozy nook tucked in the shadow of the 59th Street Bridge, we ventured to Cafe Joul for a friend's birthday on a stormy Sunday evening. We were greeted with friendly staff and treated to great food. Our group shared the moules saffron and foie gras appetizers, and a few onion soups and were not disappointed. For main, I went with the burger and fingerling potatoes - loved it. Burger was juicy and yet the bun held up. They actually cook it to the right degree so don't try to compensate by ordering down a color. Also sampled was the duck entree which was superb. Dessert was had too: creme brulee, rice pudding with blueberries and caramel, and flourless chocolate cake. Why are you still deciding? Just get them all.
(4)
Mandy L.
$22 at this restaurant for brunch is not worth it. It does come with a drink (mimosa, bloody mary, OJ, coffee, or tea) and a pretty good and plentiful pastry basket, but the entrees left something to be desired. I ordered the garden egg white omelette which came with a mesclun salad and sweet potato fries that were okay. However, the omelette was pretty bland and didn't have too many of the vegetables in it. It did have a lot of parsley, which wasn't included as an ingredient on the menu and which I really don't like. My friends ordered the short rib hash and weren't too crazy about it as it seemed less like a hash and more like a mush.
(2)
Eric G.
Came here for a team lunch one day and it was so good. I'm already thinking about what I want to get next time (Le Burger Joul). But, this time, I got the veggie burger, which was delicious. Fries were good, too. Nice quaint place for a laid back lunch. Our server was super nice, too. See you again soon, Cafe Joul.
(4)
Theodore R.
A very warm neighborhood restaurant, with very good French food. A bit pricy, but worth it
(4)
J R.
Very nice neighborhood place. Came with our baby/stroller and they were very accommodating. Be careful on the "All you can eat mussels" special though as it is not as advertised. The saffron mussels are amazing but when I asked for another order they told me they had no more mussels at all, they ran out. No offer of anything else to replace the sold out item just "oops"...
(3)
Valentina L.
$22 for Saturday afternoon brunch is absurd. What's in those eggs? Crack? Are the eggs imported from French poulettes? I don't think so, but they were pretty tasty. And if I'm not in the mood to leave my hood for a good brunch I will just crawl up the street and hand them my credit card. The clientele is what you would expect from the neighborhood- senior citizens, families, and me. The food is great! The brunch included coffee/tea and mimosa/bloody mary. A bread basket with butter and jam magically appeared with our coffee and bloody mary's. I had the Croque Madame- really tasty. Ooey, gooey cheese, grilled ham on perfectly toasted bread, with sunny eggs on top. They added $2. C'mon man! $22 is more than enough for a grilled ham, egg, and cheese. The service was weird. The waitress seemed a little scared of us, but it was pleasant enough. I can be a lot to handle sometimes, especially if I'm excited. My friend and I were just chatting away, as if I hadn't seen him two days ago, and we sent her away a few times. After the 3rd time, she stayed away. I understand. Rejection is tough. We eventually got our order in, and it was smooth sailing.
(3)
Nancy H.
The $22 brunch prix fixe is a good deal. It comes with a drink, tea/coffee, a basket of Sarabeth's pastries and the entree. We went on Labor Day weekend so it was slow which makes it even more disappointing that the service was sub par. The pastry basket was the best part of the meal. I ordered the short rib hash entree and my friend had the omelette. Nothing special, the short rib has was weird, very mushy, it tasted like short rib mixed with mashed potatoes and was extremely disappointing. The french toast that the table ordered next door looked really good though. The service was friendly enough but a little incompetent. When I asked for egg whites instead of sunny side eggs the server told me it was not possible. But when my friend ordered an omelette she offered egg whites? I got my egg whites in the end.
(2)
Stephanie Q.
The prie fixe brunch for $22 is ok in terms of price. It includes a mimosa/ bloody mar/ virgin screwdriver aka OJ and coffee or tea. The alcoholic in me wanted to get a mimosa but I held back and got the OJ instead. It came in a tiny champagne flute. I also had a coffee, because I need caffeine to wake myself up. You also get a breadbasket which contained muffins, carrot cake bread (I think that's what it was.. is there even such a thing?) and croissants with strawberry jam, blueberry jam and butter. The muffins were so small and delicious!! The carrot cake bread was ok. I opted for the scrambled eggs with potato fries, which came with broccoli and french pork sausage. I'm not trying to sound dirty but I usually dislike sausage but this sausage was actually quite good, though it was oily. The sweet potato fries were delicious, I wish they'd given me more. I had my scrambled eggs changed to egg whites, and it still tasted pretty good. You don't seem to get designated waitress here, we were served by 3 different people. Anyways, this place is small. The bartender did his bartending duties, and acted as a host as well, so I guess everyone is a jack of all trades here. The food was tasty, and I really loved the jams. I will be back!
(4)
Alexandra K.
I met my cousins here after my company's holiday party for a late night dinner. I was surprised that I had never been, as it is just around the block from my office, and would be a great setting for a business lunch. We had the beet salad, and then I ordered the veggie burger. Likely one of the best veggie burgers on the UES, it had such a lovely, texture-filled combo of grains and vegetables, and was topped with a smooth fontina cheese. Delicious. For dessert my cousins split rice pudding garnished with blueberries. They seemed satisfied, but I abstained as I was beyond full from the burger.
(4)
Jon D.
First time here even tho it's in my hood. Came for brunch. The bucket of pastries were quite tasty and the spreads were amazing. downhill from there tho. the service was attentive but aloof. the Bloody Mary was awful--you get more flavor with vodka and v8. the blueberry pancakes were tasty. but the eggs Benedict, well, they weren't great. the poached eggs were practically hard boiled and the sauce wasn't anything memorable. the Benedict came with sweet potato fries which were tasty but not spectacular, and one slice of bacon. lol. one slice. hahaha. almost funny. not worth the trip unless you're in the neighborhood. I'd compare the food to standard diner fare, just more expensive. price fixe brunch is $22. I'll probably visit Cafe Joul again, but not for brunch.
(2)
Justine D.
Come Saturday or Sunday for Cafe Joul's price fixe brunch starting at $21. I say starting at $21 because a few of their breakfast entrees are a few extra dollars (Croque Madame, lobster quiche, steak and eggs, etc.). With my price fixe meal I choose the Bloody Mary and I recommend it if you enjoy lots of horseradish. Breakfast also is served with a lovely basket of house made croissants and muffins. The orange marmalade jam that accompanies them will definitely over indulge your tastes buds. I would have been content on eating those pastries alone. I ordered the huevos rancheros and they were nothing special. The tortillas were soggy and hard at the same time. I did eat the eggs, which were perfectly cooked, slathered in hot sauce. The Croque Madame, however, is awesomely ooey, gooey, and rich. Plus the salad that comes with it is lightly dressed in a vinaigrette. I would come back for this dish alone.
(4)
Olga P.
Brunch is nothing special. Have had better french toast and eggs benedict elsewhere. Their coffee is good and the sweet potato fries were exceptional but for a $23 pre-fix not a good enough reason to come back.
(3)
Meri S.
My parents took my boyfriend and me here for Sunday brunch and I could not find a single fault with the food. My croque madame was AMAZING. My dad said his Eggs Benedict was terrific, my mom had no complaints about her lobster quiche and my boyfriend had the omelette and totally cleaned his plate. I thought the $22 price fix was completely reasonable since it came with your choice of one drink, coffee or tea, one main course and a basket of pastries that was incredibly fresh. The service was attentive and while the ambiance was nothing special, it was completely appropriate for the laidback introduction of my parents to the BF.
(4)
Steve D.
Came in for lunch. I had a organic mushroom salad gf had a goat cheese pizza with bibb salad on top. Everything was really fresh and delicious.
(5)
Stephen C.
Cafe Joul is: a quaint neighborhood place, with a subtle French feel, nice staff, reasonable price, fresh food, decent Bloody Mary and very adequate Brunch menu. What more do you want?
(4)
Karin G.
Good neighborhood french bistro. Service was great, food was well prepared and authentic. Price point is too high for the setting and the food, but I had to give them 4 stars for the awesome sauteed kidneys I had. It was a little odd to be younger by a decade at least the next youngest patrons, but we still enjoyed the experience.
(4)
Ade G.
I'm back home after a god awful brunch at Cafe Joule. I'm not overly bothered by the fact that the food was less than stellar or that they were out of their brunch bread baskets but I'm peeved as hell that the waitress dumped more than half of my bloody mary all over my dress, barely apologized or offered to make up for it in any way. Will not return--ever.
(1)
Mark T.
I came here for brunch with what I would call an obnoxiously large group (22) on New Years day. They have a prix fix menu for $22 with several offerings including Eggs Benedict, hanger steak, blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, omelets, and croquets, and steel cut oats. The menu also included choice of juice, a Bloody Mary, or a mimosa, and a host of house-made baked goods. Service-wise, I thought that with the touch situation, they're staff was very accommodating in letting us essentially taking over the restaurant. In terms of food, the highlight: Their baked items (scones, muffins) and jellies. were AMAZING. I'm an egg person, but if I could have these daily, I would become a baked good breakfast man. Otherwise, their food was good, not amazing, but good. I had their version of Eggs Benedict, which was standard. Their home fries (seasoned potatoes) were a bit over-seasoned. I've heard good things about their hanger steak, but they sadly ran out right before I had a chance to order.
(4)
Laura R.
Great little brunch spot! Prix fixe for $22 with drink, coffee and brunch entree. Everyone loved their meal and all of the options were very yummy and a little different than other brunch places. The French toast was great! Almost like a funnel cake and a must try.
(4)
Jason H.
Pricey but good brunch!
(4)
Maxine M.
Great mussels! Great service. Lovely little neighborhood gem
(4)
Lorna B.
The brunch menu wasn't too appealing. The food was okay but probably won't come back for the brunch menu.
(3)
bonnie w.
Just had mussels for lunch best I've ever had. Service was outstanding. I love this place- never rushed service great food- hey the owner/chef is French what more is there to say? Never had a meal here that wasn't delicious. As a ps- the hamburger-whenever I bring someone here they always think it's the best in NYC.
(5)
Sara K.
I had high hopes for Cafe Joul after reading some of the reviews on Yelp, but it was a big disappointment. I usually eat at another restaurant during my work lunch hour but I thought I'd venture out of my comfort zone and try this classy little upscale French place - not worth it. My bread and drink were both mediocre. The Caesar salad was good but a bit too cheesy. Most of all, it was not worth the $30+ price tag (for one!) I could've gone to other restaurants nearby that serve better food at a third of the cost. It's all show and no talk... maybe I'll come back to try the croque madame or something, but don't count on it.
(2)
Jess C.
I come to this neighborhood gem of a restaurant when I am in the area and just want a simple, low-key, cozy American/French meal with just a couple of friends. I have been here for both dinner and brunch, and have thought their food is generally not too bad - however, this review is for their brunch. Brunch is served with a basket of breads/muffins/etc. and Sarabeth's jam on the side. I really like the basket but have always wondered why they wouldn't kick it up a notch by making the pastries warm?! Even a simple plain croissant tastes that much better when it's warm and buttery and crispy...mmm... ok fine, I guess Sarabeth's jam somewhat compensates for it :P At $22 for a brunch prix-fixe, it is a bit over-priced for what it is, but it's still an enjoyable neighborhood place for a casual meal.
(3)
Krista J.
Best Brunch in New York City!!! Cafe Joul has an incredible weekend brunch menu, with thirteen entree options all available for the set price of $20. While the price may seem high, its really reasonable considering all that you get: a bread basket full of fresh pastries and muffins (delicious!), your breakfast entree (the Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes with Crispy Bacon was so huge that I couldn't finish half of it), choice of tea or coffee, and choice of juice, mimosa, or bloody mary. There is no outside seating, but this small restaurant has ample room for groups and couples looking to grab breakfast between 10:30am and 3:30pm on the weekends. I can't wait to get back!
(5)
Akira O.
This is a review for weekend brunch. I live in the neighborhood and have been to Cafe Joul a few times, mostly for brunch. I do not think the food is amazing and it's pretty generic, but I give 4 stars for the relaxing, quiet, and comfortable ambiance of this restaurant. This place is a good alternative for other hectic and busy brunch places in the city. The $25 prix fix isn't a bad deal, it comes with mimosa/bloody mary, coffee, pastries, and an entree. We had huevos rancheros and hanger steak today. Pretty decent. I haven't been there for dinner over a year so will give another try and update my review.
(4)
John H.
I come here for dinner with my grandmother every once in a while because it's very close to her house and she can't go too far. The food is good. I usually get the french onion soup and a hamburger, or the salmon. The burger is really juicy, and the have this delicious homemade relish that they spread on the bun; the accompanying thin-cut fries are well done and tasty. The french onion soup varies in quality, but when done correctly is one of my favorites in town. My Nana usually gets the Bibb salad and the hamburger, both of which she enjoys. Why only 3 stars? The service in this place, while competent, is very unfriendly and impersonal. We've been coming here for years, and I just get weird vibes from almost everyone who works there. You never get a smile or a warm hello, no gaiety, no humor.... it's a morgue in there. Maybe they don't treat their employees very well, or they train them to master snooty French service. Very strange and off-putting. Even though I like the food, I don't know if I'd come here if it weren't so convenient to where my Nana lives. Good place to have simple, elegant, French bistro food. I'd give another star if only they could be more welcoming.
(3)
Kika K.
I came here for brunch last weekend. They have a $22 prix fixe menu that includes your choice of mimosa or bloody mary, a basket of pastries, an entree, and your choice of either coffee or tea. The food was good, but it wasn't amazing. The pastries, again, were pretty good, but they didn't taste entirely homemade, which I expected in a place like this. I ordered the Croque Madame, which came with a small salad and was tasty. My friend ordered the lobster quiche which she said was good. You get a choice of green or black tea. I opted for black, and was given English Breakfast tea. My friend had the coffee. I didn't really ask how it was, and she didn't offer, so I'm to assuming it wasn't bad. Overall, since the food was decent and it's so close to my apartment, I think I might come back, but maybe for dinner instead!
(3)
Yasmine K.
I had high hopes for this place, but unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. I got a group of friends together to go here for brunch on a Saturday. The best thing we had was the basket of breads and pastries. They were very fresh and of a good variety. However, the prix fixe menu was just average. When I asked the waitress for a recommendation, she could not really tell me of a good one. I had the scottish salmon with cream cheese and a toasted bagel. It was not that delicious. And in the end, no one really complemented their individual dishes. The prix fixe only came with a bloody mary or mimosa, or coffee/tea and orange juice. With the food being not that great and at $22, it's a little over-priced. Perhaps I should try it some other time but not for brunch.
(3)
Eimear K.
This is a sedate place and the patrons are definitely predominately grey haired .... buuuuuut, their burger rocks. ROCKS. Expensive, yes. But soooooooooo good. If you live in the neighborhood, do yourself a favor and try it sometime (it is only a buck or two cheaper at lunch, so you may as well go for dinner). It is the kind of burger you have with a big fat glass of red wine. Shout outs also go to thier mushroom salad (garlicy) and bibb salad (citrus-y). I think they still do an all you can eat moules frites night (Thursdays, I think). Brunch is expensive and only ok. There are better places in the neighborhood .... unless your grandparents are visiting ... Also, they don't deliver unless they have your credit card on file (last time I check on this was last year).
(4)
Katie S.
I came here last week with a coworker for lunch. This felt much more like a neighborhood restaurant than most of the other places in midtown which cater to corporate expense cards. We each had an onion soup and split the mussels marinieres and their house burger (medium rare). The onion soup was just okay, a little bland and nothing special. I think it needed more salt. The mussels were so so small. I mean itty bitty tiny small. There were also about 8-10 closed shells. I would have been disappointed if that was my entire entree. The broth was absolutely delicious but they didn't provide any bread. We should have asked but there was no room on our table and I didn't know the person I was dining with that well and so didn't want to start demanding things from the waiter. The french fries were good though. The burger was cooked medium, not medium rare as ordered. I thought the meat itself was kind of bland. However, the red onion marmalade and roasted tomatoes were absolutely delicious. If the burger was seasoned better and cooked medium rare, it would have been awesome. The burger comes with a salad or fries. We chose the salad and it was tasty. Overall, lunch was okay but nothing great. Our table was wobbly and the service was kind of slow. The mussels situation was unacceptable. A solid two stars because I have experienced better.
(2)
Mike S.
After my initial review, I was contacted by the owner as she wanted to apologize for my experience and get more information as to when my family was dining at her restaurant. The owner invited me back to dinner on the house. I was impressed that someone actually reached out to me and that a generous offer was made. I was assured that my experience was not normal. I went back with a friend. I didn't inform the restaurant that I was coming as I'm not looking for a free meal. We shared the muscles in saffron broth. The muscles were delicious. They were a little small but you will get plenty of them so that makes up for the size. We both ordered the rabbit special. This also was very good. For quality of food, it seems my first experience was an outlier and mistakes do happen. The only recommendation I would make is to have the staff seem more interested in serving you. The service still felt somewhat disjointed; however, the food made up for it. I will be going back to this restaurant!
(4)
Emily M.
i have been coming to joul at least once a month since it opened (the old people in there that everyone is talking about are my parents). Honestly, brunch is not their strong point. its good, but its not where to find their best food. their dinner menu is fantastic. they always have interesting and delicious specials, and their regular menu is really stellar. at one point or another i think I've tried everything. the raw mushroom salad is a standout for a meal opener. the grilled chicken leg with lemon fettuccine, which they recently brought back to the menu by popular demand, is prob my fav. i also love the lemon sole with spinach and basmanti rice. i mean i really have nothing bad to say about any dish on the menu or the service or the decor. dinner at Joul is truly a five star experience.
(5)
Gretchen W.
I had a very nice brunch today at Cafe Joul. A small but busy little French Restaurant on the border of upper and midtown east. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a table, but once we were sat, the service was good and we didn't have to wait too long to order and receive our food. Cafe Joul does a weekend Brunch prix fixe, which includes a delicious basket of pasteries (yummy stuff like chocolate croissants and muffins,) brunch drink, tea/coffee, and an entree. The highlights of the meal were the Orange French Toast and Huevos Rancheros. My mimosa was delish and they make a good cup of coffee. Overall, a great place to come for brunch. Not sure whether they take reservations, but you might want to try, since the wait was long and I don't think it was a fluke! A nice brunch find. I'll be back!
(4)
Andrea C.
I wish I had a place like this in my neighborhood! Very warm and friendly environment and great food. A strong argument against eating at home.
(4)
Katherine D.
LOVE this place... I had such a craving for their bibb lettuce salad last Friday night, it was painful. It's so simple, yet so wonderful. Also tried their parmesan risotto cake special - different and awesome - like grown-up mac and cheese almost. And the rice pudding, yum! The decor is charming and relaxing, and the staff is super helpful and nice. Expensive, but worth it!
(4)
Claire F.
Had lunch yesterday with family & it was lovely. The French onion soup was perfect & not too salty & I ordered the pate which which was delicious. The kids had the chicken with fries, my cousin the mussels, the other the burger with fries & my husband the fish. It was perfect bistro food.
(5)
A. K.
The place is very pretty. You almost feel like you are in a French restaurant in France. The food is good, but there is just not enough to eat. For $150 for two, I suggest not going to this restaurant unless you eat first! Also, the waitress got an order wrong--no apologies for doing so.
(2)
Sara Z.
Came here for brunch and was really disappointed. The brunch fixe was priced fine but I've gotten better deals elsewhere. The hueves rancheros were really gross. My friend and I both ordered them but they came out so soupy we could barely finish. Also the drinks come in small glasses. The atmosphere and overall decor is very cute and the waitress was friendly, but I wouldn't come here again just because I didn't enjoy the food.
(2)
Nicole R.
Came here at an odd hour...for a light early dinner before a movie. We arrived at about 6p. The place wasn't crowded at all...it was very warm, though. I like that, but I'm one of those people who's always cold. Besides me and a couple of my girlfriends, there wasn't anyone under the age of 60 in there. We wanted small dishes with tea...nothing big. Damn was it pricey! I ordered a butternut-squash soup (it was alright) and shared a side with my friend. We all had tea, and it came to about $17 each. But the entrees on the dinner menu were all priced over $15. Meh.
(2)
lynn n.
Finally, after two years and countless walks past this establishment, my husband agreed to eat here! Hahahaha... we didn't know it was french. I just thought it was a cute cafe w/ expensive food. We walk in just after Noon and were the first and only patrons for the initial 15 minutes. We ordered the croche madame (ham and cheese topped w/ soft egg and cheese sauce), fries and a grilled chicken sandwich w/ avocado and sun-dried tomatoes on a toasted baguette w/ a mesclun salad. The total bill was almost $34.00. Including the gratuity, we spent $41. on two okay sandwiches, inedible burnt fries, a side salad, and tap water. We waited 25 minutes for that?!? It wasn't worth it. The service was fine.
(2)
Sean C.
2 words. Croque Madame. Amazing! We loved the pastries that come with the brunch, and we loved that they allowed us to sit and enjoy the place as long as we wanted. If you can spring for the $22 prix fixe, I can tell you it's worth it. Really enjoyed!
(5)
Richard B.
Very cute place, came for a glass of wine. A nice date atmosphere. I would come back to try out some of the food.
(3)
Jules Y.
Uhmm.. De-freaking-licious. Thank you Diner's Deck for introducing me to this cute off-the-beaten-track restaurant. I stumbled in one random weekday, a little after the brunch rush. I had the entire restaurant to myself. Plopped down with a nice book, had the Salmon with Caramelized Fennel infused Quinoa and it was phenomenal. Inhaled it. For dessert I had their warm flourless chocolate cake and hazelnut biscotti ice cream. Service was super nice and attentive. They had no problem with me dining by myself. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
T G.
I've been dining at Cafe Joul for 6 months now, and surprised to read through some of these reviews. The staff is helpful and friendly, and beyond all, the food is OUTSTANDING. The place is cozy, warm, and inviting. It has a sort of Retro-Paris vibe, and a genuine one at that. The bi-weekly neighborhood regulars go to show that this place holds its own against any other place in a 20 block radius. You and your taste buds will be pleased with Joul.
(5)
Wafa Y.
The place is very nice but that is the only think that we would recommend. The brunch is not typically french at all and very expensive for what you eat. There is a prefix course but for most of the dishes, you have to add $2 or $3 (croque-madame, quiche with bacon and lobster...). At last, the food is prepared with a lot of butter/sauce/oil which is not very healthy :-(. Just the pastries are tasty.
(2)
Jessicka C.
I've worked nearby this lovely place for several years and don't know why it took me so long to have dinner here. I was completely blown away by the pleasant and refreshing fare. I really loved their wild mushroom salad. The flavors are simple, unadorned, complimented. In today's world of "badder, newer, bigger" restaurants, always trying to outdo, outdo, outdo" the ones who came before, I found this place to be a perfect little haven. I'll be back sooner than later. It just goes to show, quality shines through and sticks around.
I picked this place because of the 4-star ratings it received for its brunch. I however, think it was more of a 3-star experience. It is a good little place, the service and food aren't bad, but not out of this world to deem a 4 or 5 star. The weekend brunch is from 10:30-3:30 and you start with a basket of pastries...with sarabeths' jam! YAY! The pastries truthfully didn't taste super fresh, but still yummy none the less. I ordered the salmon burger, which was a salmon patty with chipotle mayo on brioche. Overall the taste was fine, but the salmon smelled a bit fishy which made me suspicious. You also get a mimosa and coffee with your brunch. Mimosa was pretty run of the mill (i mean, it's hard to mess up oj and champagne), but the coffee was quite tasty - i even drank it black! All of this came to about $24 with tax and tip. Kind of pricier compared to other places I have been for brunch. Would I go back? No, probably not, but just because I think there are places that offer better value and quality for price.
(3)
Eve D.
Brunch is just okay, and for $22(+) per person, I'm really expecting amazing. The bread basket is good, but not amazing (it would be better if at least some of the pastries - say, the muffins - were home baked/warm), same is true of the entrees - good but not great (we tried the poached eggs and the french toast). I do give them credit for knowing how to properly poach an egg. Our server was friendly, but inattentive even though the restaurant was pretty quiet - we asked for ketchup when our food arrived (it didn't come and our server didn't check on us again until we were done eating), our water went empty for quite a while, etc. He was busy discussing his singing/acting/dancing (endless musing about whether he considers himself a singer or actor first) with the hostess across the room and was impossible to flag down unless we were to literally stand up and walk over to him - which we didn't do, but considered! Would I come back if it were $12-14? Probably (even if the mimosa is eliminated). But for $22, I expect more and would take Sarabeth's any day at that price point.
(3)
Alli J.
Was visiting NY and in the mood for some french food. I heard the buzz about Cafe Joul from an Italian artist pal who said it had the best cassoulet. I didn't feel like such a hot dish in the summer, but the place looked like it had a cute atmosphere, so I went in for a snack and chill out with a friend. I was a little turned off at first due to the wait to get in (it wasn't a weekend but the place was packed) but they had a nice bar to wait in with cool modern art (new local art scene). However it was well worth the wait! The food was fresh and delicious, and my friend is very picky about his wine but he loved the offerings, which made me happy. Also, the prices seemed on the low side given some of the gourmet ingredients. All in all great find that I'll visit again when i'm back in NYC -- just remember if you go to allow some time because its a popular place.
(5)
Arben S.
Awesome neighborhood spot! Portions were just right! Def will be back!
(4)
Dano W.
Tried this place out for brunch, and it's definitely a good option, if possibly a little pricy. My group showed up around noon on a Saturday, and the place was mostly empty. It filled up a bit more as we ate and sat, but I don't think it got packed on this particular day. Not a bad thing, as we didn't want to be rushed out by our somewhat haughty French waiter. We went with the prix fixe menu, which had a good variety of entrees (some of the more appealing options were a few extra bucks). Some looked like interesting twists on brunch standards, but based on the specials menu you should come back for dinner if you're looking for more authentic French-style fare. Food was tasty, served with potatoes (nicely-done) and broccoli (a little of a downer). Mimosas or Bloody Mary's come with, if that's your thing.
(3)
K B.
A lovely dining experience. The heirloom tomato salad was delicate and packed full of flavor. I enjoyed the lemon sole with saffron rice- it was seasoned perfectly. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Carole B.
The food was good, but way too expensive for a neighborhood place. The service was good and so was the wine.
(3)
Lynn T.
The $20 prix fixe brunch is awesome. There's a pretty good selection from brioche French toast to poached eggs to hanger steak to salmon burger to huevos ranchero -- something for everyone. The vibe is relaxed, the food is tasty and on the healthier side (portions aren't too crazy big or small -- just right). The staff is very friendly -- no attitude whatsover. I arrived to meet my friends at our agreed meeting time of 12 noon. Of course, this being New York and this being a grey, lazy Saturday, they ran about 20 minutes late. The waitress did not make me give up my table or throw any sort of attitude -- even when we stayed a bit longer after we finished our meals to shoot the breeze. I'm told that dinner is pretty darn good, so I guess I'll have to make a return visit. Think this will become a fave UES neighborhood spot!
(4)
Emily C.
New the neighborhood and really wanted to like this place but we won't be back. The dinner portions were incredibly small. And we're not very big eaters! My husband's portion of fish was a sliver - not more than an 1/8th of a pound at the very most, which is not an acceptable portion size at any restaurant, no less for $26 dollars. I don't know if that was typical or if they were running out of salmon but it was a joke. Appetizers were very small too, although I guess that is more to be expected. Still, if you are going to charge $14 for a burrata salad, there should be more than 2 tablesoons of burrata on the plate. A "small" sparking water is literally a baby size bottle of Pelegrino that fills up a normal glass only halfway. For $3.50. I am giving them 2 stars because the food was good, but we left hungry and with an overall bad taste in our mouths. Definitely doesn't warrant a return visit.
(2)
Tricia R.
Nice little place for brunch. Came here on Saturday around 1PM and there was no wait at all. Their menu for brunch is prixe fixe - for $21, your table gets a shared bread/pastry basket, your choice of bloody mary, mimosa, or freshly squeezed OJ, your choice of entree, and coffee/tea. Some of the menu items have a supplemental cost (at most an add'l $3). The bread/pastry basket was good - there were croissants (some filled), muffins, and some kind of carrot-cake bread type thing. We had the had the hanger steak and eggs - this also came with potatoes and broccoli. Everything was good, but the steak was slightly overdone for me. The croque madame was the best dish on the table - the bread was buttery and toasty, and the eggs were cooked perfectly.
(4)
Chinku G.
I ate here about a month ago. woo was it good the best country pate I have ever had. As a professional chef I feel this place ranks in the top 10 of traditional french restaurants.
(4)
Rae T.
I went here for brunch. For $20 I got a basket of pastries, tea, orange juice and french toast. The best part of the meal was the basket of pastries. The french toast was just ok. I've had better french toast at regular neighborhood diners and for less money. I feel like $20 was too much for what I got.
(2)
Tara S.
Excellent little Sunday brunch at this quaint, homey restaurant. No frills, nothing fancy, just good Sunday morning food ($20 for the deal). Friendly service. A great place to go after a long night out when you need a little R&R and a good brunch steak to take the edge off. Also, they do a $20 all you can eat mussels and fries on Saturdays.
(4)
Holly W.
wanting something a little more fancy than a bagel or the diner down the street, my friends and i wandered up to cafe joul for a nice sunday afternoon brunch. we found a wait - not surprising - and settled ourselves onto the benches outside to enjoy the gorgeous weather and study the menu to pass the time during our '10-15 minute wait'. cafe joul is a small place, perhaps a dozen or so tables. we were a party of 5. what started off as a 15 minute wait turned into 20, then 25, then 30. somewhere around 40 minutes the hostess (manager? owner?) came out, apologized profusely and offered us a round of mimosas on the house (yes please!). i thought this was extremely generous of her - it wasn't her fault that their several of their patrons were sitting lazily at their tables reading books and newspapers on a busy sunday afternoon with a line out the door (ahemmm...). it also wasn't her fault that the table we were supposed to get all of a sudden decided to celebrate someone's birthday and ordered a cake to be delivered last minute and served by the cafe (ughhhh). so finally, FINALLY, a table left and a few tables were pushed together for us and we were seated. we ordered immediately because we were :::starving::: the basket of pastries and muffins is a nice touch, though not the freshest, but the jams were great. we also asked for another basket because we were, again, :::starving::: it took 4eva to get some coffee (so-so service), but no big. our meals came out quick and they were delicious. overall, this is a cute place to grab brunch and not terribly overpriced for what you get.
(3)
Rich J.
Cafe Joul has an exceptional weekend brunch. It includes an entree, coffee or tea, juice, and a basket of muffins and breads. The entrees are interesting and excellent. My favorite is the huevos racheros. My wife prefers the blueberry buttermilk pancakes with bacon. One warning, you'll enjoy the fresh muffins and breads so much you might not leave enough "room" for your entree. I also really enjoy their coffee. It's hot and strong, just the way I like it. Lastly, Cafe Joul operates in a small but very charming space with unique artwork that is available for purchase. So, if you're looking for a charming and unique weekend brunch give Cafe Joul a try.
(4)
Patrick K.
Went here for brunch. Food was good, not great, and in full agreement with other posters, pretty expensive. I left completely unsatisfied. Service was really poor and rigid; they wouldn't accommodate some simple substitutions for breakfast. I prefer Ritz Diner or even the deli across the street for my weekend morning eggs. I've been wanting to try their burger - but I can't bring myself to go back after the brunch experience.
Cafe Joul is a cute little hidden gem. It's tiny and cozy and was perfect to warm me up on a cold winter night. I had the endive salad and the goat cheese pizza. Both were appetizers but they filled me up. Both were equally delicious. Definitely must return!
(3)
Cindy X.
I came here for brunch on a saturday. I only chose this place because it was close to my bf's apartment, but now I'll be coming back for their food! Their brioche french toast was the most amazing french toast I've ever had! It's cripsy and covered with berries and powdered sugar. It also comes with lemon mascarpone! Oh and did I mention that they give you a complimentary basket of pastries with sarabeth's jams and choice of juice/coffee/cocktails too? All that for $22.
(5)
Don M.
Unfortunately, Cafe Joul has closed. This was a nice little neighborhood spot with great food. A sign on the door said the rent became prohibitive.
(3)
Jody F.
First experience here was positive; food good and reasonbly priced. Service was a bit slow for my taste, but cordial. Salmon from the lunch menu was tasty over lentils and corn. Omelet with a side salad was sizable and looked good as well. Everything was very fresh. Will likely return for a second pass.
Stephen M.
I went with a large group late on a Friday night, and very much enjoyed my entire experience at Cafe Joul. The staff was friendly (bonus points for being able to accept multiple credit cards), the food good and tasty and the service friendly. As I said, we had a large group and our waitress instead of shouting the specials down our long table, simply gave us the specials twice, once at each side of the table. The restaurant is a small place, but the tables do not feel crowded together. The bathrooms are very clean. I have never been here for brunch, so I can't comment on that.
(4)Margaret F.
The atmosphere is very cozy and has a family-feel to it, ironically also being very romantic. I ordered the salmon for dinner which was done to perfection with a light broth and savory corn. The side of mashed potatoes is extremely bland on its own but complements very well with the lemon fettucini. Probably won't return because of the location, but it was a nice experience.
(4)Laurin C.
Bad service consistently every single time bar none. They're a bit, rude (not all of them but some of them), you have to ask for things multiple times and also it takes an extremely ridiculous amount of time. It seems like they just ignore you sometimes. We still eat here very often because its a block from our apt and the only good brunch close by. to be fair, the food is great though. It's the ONLY reason to come to this place.
(2)Sabrina L.
I love this place. MY new local go to!!! Service is excellent and everyone is extremely nice. My fish was amazing, delicate. The Health Salad is a must as well. Has good flavors
(5)Michael J.
After getting off the tram we did a quick yelp search for food around us and found this nice restaurant. The french hostess wasn't to impressed with the way we looked, you could totally see it on her face. We had just spent the last six hours walking the town, we were tired and dressed extra warm. After being seated our waiter was much nicer, made many food recommendations and even chose the wine that would best go with the dish I chose. The duck was tender and moist. The resteraunt was beautiful and not to loud, perfect date restaurant, The meal ended up costing $45.00, including a glass of wine.
(3)Li M.
You should go to Cafe Joul when: you find out that the love of your life is going out with your worst enemy, when everyone you come across that day gives you the cold shoulders for no particular reason, when you miss the subway by ten seconds THREE times in one single day. Cafe Joul will infinitely make you feel better; it's like a small diner place...but not really, only it has that dineresque atmosphere...and you can sit here for hours and eat and mope all you want.
(4)Isabella M.
I have been going to Cafe Joul for years since it opened in the neighborhood, and for dinner, it is fabulous. Yet unlike the majority of the Yelp reviews here, I have never been to Cafe Joul for Brunch, so I cannot comment on that. I always get the mushroom ravioli, and it never disappoints. I used to joke with my family that I wanted it as my "last meal" - it's amazing. The rest of the family usually orders the Burger Joul, which is also delicious. The French fries are perfectly cut skinny fries, which are delicious. They serve it with horseradish, for those who like the extra spice. We have also had experience with the chicken, which is always well cooked and the fettuccine is delicious. They steak is worth trying as well - the peppercorn sauce is awesome!! I sometimes get it as a side to the burger. My reason for 4 stars? A couple cons: the wait for food is frequently quite lengthy (small kitchen maybe?), their bread and butter they serve are always under salted, not to mention cold out of the fridge (if only you would heat it up!), and finally, over the years the prices continue to climb with quality seeming to go down rather than up. Please don't skimp on ingredients on dishes that are now $8-$10 more than they were when you started. I know there's inflation, but that's a lot of money to not be serving the same product.
(4)Charanya K.
Very nice neighborhood French restaurant. The Prix Fixe brunch menu was $25. The food was good and service was even better.
(3)Michael T.
I went with two friends on a Wednesday night. I ordered the special Cauliflower Soup and the house made veggie burger and fries. The soup was out of this world delish. And the veggie burger (with quinoa) was also really good. It was a little mushy to bite down on (like a Dr. Praeger's type) but I'm used to that with veggie burgers. I would definitely go back and check out some of the other dishes. The beet salad and mussels my friend had also looked and smelled really good.
(4)Tiffany C.
The service is 50/50. One time we went, we had a group of 6, but there was only a table of 4 plus a few tables of 2 available. Obviously - well which was not obvious to the waiter was to combine a 4 seater and a 2 seater table together. The waiter had the nerve to say, oh we don't do that, and we can't do that, so you have to wait 30 mins for a table... what the heck?! Half the restaurant was empty, and you're willing to risk a table of six? Well we left. We have tried brunch a couple of times prior, and here's my review on the food. The brunch selection was fair, and the food is good. The pastry basket has a wide range of selection, but all were good. The Eggs Benedict was good. I really like the french toast with homemade lemon cream. The salmon with kale is also pretty tasty. The healthy salad was not bad. Service was a little 50/50 - they messed up on my drink order and forgot about the my correct drink order. I had to ask a couple of times for my correct drink to show up. Some of the staff were pretty new, some were old time workers. Therefore the service is a hit or miss.
(3)Ryan H.
I'm not convinced any of this food was really even made here. Everything on the menu probably came from the frozen food section at Costco.
(1)James S.
Food is always great, it's a staple in the neighborhood. Delicious and consistent. Service is always solid; very professional and friendly!
(5)Gordon C.
A cozy nook tucked in the shadow of the 59th Street Bridge, we ventured to Cafe Joul for a friend's birthday on a stormy Sunday evening. We were greeted with friendly staff and treated to great food. Our group shared the moules saffron and foie gras appetizers, and a few onion soups and were not disappointed. For main, I went with the burger and fingerling potatoes - loved it. Burger was juicy and yet the bun held up. They actually cook it to the right degree so don't try to compensate by ordering down a color. Also sampled was the duck entree which was superb. Dessert was had too: creme brulee, rice pudding with blueberries and caramel, and flourless chocolate cake. Why are you still deciding? Just get them all.
(4)Mandy L.
$22 at this restaurant for brunch is not worth it. It does come with a drink (mimosa, bloody mary, OJ, coffee, or tea) and a pretty good and plentiful pastry basket, but the entrees left something to be desired. I ordered the garden egg white omelette which came with a mesclun salad and sweet potato fries that were okay. However, the omelette was pretty bland and didn't have too many of the vegetables in it. It did have a lot of parsley, which wasn't included as an ingredient on the menu and which I really don't like. My friends ordered the short rib hash and weren't too crazy about it as it seemed less like a hash and more like a mush.
(2)Eric G.
Came here for a team lunch one day and it was so good. I'm already thinking about what I want to get next time (Le Burger Joul). But, this time, I got the veggie burger, which was delicious. Fries were good, too. Nice quaint place for a laid back lunch. Our server was super nice, too. See you again soon, Cafe Joul.
(4)Theodore R.
A very warm neighborhood restaurant, with very good French food. A bit pricy, but worth it
(4)J R.
Very nice neighborhood place. Came with our baby/stroller and they were very accommodating. Be careful on the "All you can eat mussels" special though as it is not as advertised. The saffron mussels are amazing but when I asked for another order they told me they had no more mussels at all, they ran out. No offer of anything else to replace the sold out item just "oops"...
(3)Valentina L.
$22 for Saturday afternoon brunch is absurd. What's in those eggs? Crack? Are the eggs imported from French poulettes? I don't think so, but they were pretty tasty. And if I'm not in the mood to leave my hood for a good brunch I will just crawl up the street and hand them my credit card. The clientele is what you would expect from the neighborhood- senior citizens, families, and me. The food is great! The brunch included coffee/tea and mimosa/bloody mary. A bread basket with butter and jam magically appeared with our coffee and bloody mary's. I had the Croque Madame- really tasty. Ooey, gooey cheese, grilled ham on perfectly toasted bread, with sunny eggs on top. They added $2. C'mon man! $22 is more than enough for a grilled ham, egg, and cheese. The service was weird. The waitress seemed a little scared of us, but it was pleasant enough. I can be a lot to handle sometimes, especially if I'm excited. My friend and I were just chatting away, as if I hadn't seen him two days ago, and we sent her away a few times. After the 3rd time, she stayed away. I understand. Rejection is tough. We eventually got our order in, and it was smooth sailing.
(3)Nancy H.
The $22 brunch prix fixe is a good deal. It comes with a drink, tea/coffee, a basket of Sarabeth's pastries and the entree. We went on Labor Day weekend so it was slow which makes it even more disappointing that the service was sub par. The pastry basket was the best part of the meal. I ordered the short rib hash entree and my friend had the omelette. Nothing special, the short rib has was weird, very mushy, it tasted like short rib mixed with mashed potatoes and was extremely disappointing. The french toast that the table ordered next door looked really good though. The service was friendly enough but a little incompetent. When I asked for egg whites instead of sunny side eggs the server told me it was not possible. But when my friend ordered an omelette she offered egg whites? I got my egg whites in the end.
(2)Stephanie Q.
The prie fixe brunch for $22 is ok in terms of price. It includes a mimosa/ bloody mar/ virgin screwdriver aka OJ and coffee or tea. The alcoholic in me wanted to get a mimosa but I held back and got the OJ instead. It came in a tiny champagne flute. I also had a coffee, because I need caffeine to wake myself up. You also get a breadbasket which contained muffins, carrot cake bread (I think that's what it was.. is there even such a thing?) and croissants with strawberry jam, blueberry jam and butter. The muffins were so small and delicious!! The carrot cake bread was ok. I opted for the scrambled eggs with potato fries, which came with broccoli and french pork sausage. I'm not trying to sound dirty but I usually dislike sausage but this sausage was actually quite good, though it was oily. The sweet potato fries were delicious, I wish they'd given me more. I had my scrambled eggs changed to egg whites, and it still tasted pretty good. You don't seem to get designated waitress here, we were served by 3 different people. Anyways, this place is small. The bartender did his bartending duties, and acted as a host as well, so I guess everyone is a jack of all trades here. The food was tasty, and I really loved the jams. I will be back!
(4)Alexandra K.
I met my cousins here after my company's holiday party for a late night dinner. I was surprised that I had never been, as it is just around the block from my office, and would be a great setting for a business lunch. We had the beet salad, and then I ordered the veggie burger. Likely one of the best veggie burgers on the UES, it had such a lovely, texture-filled combo of grains and vegetables, and was topped with a smooth fontina cheese. Delicious. For dessert my cousins split rice pudding garnished with blueberries. They seemed satisfied, but I abstained as I was beyond full from the burger.
(4)Jon D.
First time here even tho it's in my hood. Came for brunch. The bucket of pastries were quite tasty and the spreads were amazing. downhill from there tho. the service was attentive but aloof. the Bloody Mary was awful--you get more flavor with vodka and v8. the blueberry pancakes were tasty. but the eggs Benedict, well, they weren't great. the poached eggs were practically hard boiled and the sauce wasn't anything memorable. the Benedict came with sweet potato fries which were tasty but not spectacular, and one slice of bacon. lol. one slice. hahaha. almost funny. not worth the trip unless you're in the neighborhood. I'd compare the food to standard diner fare, just more expensive. price fixe brunch is $22. I'll probably visit Cafe Joul again, but not for brunch.
(2)Justine D.
Come Saturday or Sunday for Cafe Joul's price fixe brunch starting at $21. I say starting at $21 because a few of their breakfast entrees are a few extra dollars (Croque Madame, lobster quiche, steak and eggs, etc.). With my price fixe meal I choose the Bloody Mary and I recommend it if you enjoy lots of horseradish. Breakfast also is served with a lovely basket of house made croissants and muffins. The orange marmalade jam that accompanies them will definitely over indulge your tastes buds. I would have been content on eating those pastries alone. I ordered the huevos rancheros and they were nothing special. The tortillas were soggy and hard at the same time. I did eat the eggs, which were perfectly cooked, slathered in hot sauce. The Croque Madame, however, is awesomely ooey, gooey, and rich. Plus the salad that comes with it is lightly dressed in a vinaigrette. I would come back for this dish alone.
(4)Olga P.
Brunch is nothing special. Have had better french toast and eggs benedict elsewhere. Their coffee is good and the sweet potato fries were exceptional but for a $23 pre-fix not a good enough reason to come back.
(3)Meri S.
My parents took my boyfriend and me here for Sunday brunch and I could not find a single fault with the food. My croque madame was AMAZING. My dad said his Eggs Benedict was terrific, my mom had no complaints about her lobster quiche and my boyfriend had the omelette and totally cleaned his plate. I thought the $22 price fix was completely reasonable since it came with your choice of one drink, coffee or tea, one main course and a basket of pastries that was incredibly fresh. The service was attentive and while the ambiance was nothing special, it was completely appropriate for the laidback introduction of my parents to the BF.
(4)Steve D.
Came in for lunch. I had a organic mushroom salad gf had a goat cheese pizza with bibb salad on top. Everything was really fresh and delicious.
(5)Stephen C.
Cafe Joul is: a quaint neighborhood place, with a subtle French feel, nice staff, reasonable price, fresh food, decent Bloody Mary and very adequate Brunch menu. What more do you want?
(4)Karin G.
Good neighborhood french bistro. Service was great, food was well prepared and authentic. Price point is too high for the setting and the food, but I had to give them 4 stars for the awesome sauteed kidneys I had. It was a little odd to be younger by a decade at least the next youngest patrons, but we still enjoyed the experience.
(4)Ade G.
I'm back home after a god awful brunch at Cafe Joule. I'm not overly bothered by the fact that the food was less than stellar or that they were out of their brunch bread baskets but I'm peeved as hell that the waitress dumped more than half of my bloody mary all over my dress, barely apologized or offered to make up for it in any way. Will not return--ever.
(1)Mark T.
I came here for brunch with what I would call an obnoxiously large group (22) on New Years day. They have a prix fix menu for $22 with several offerings including Eggs Benedict, hanger steak, blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, omelets, and croquets, and steel cut oats. The menu also included choice of juice, a Bloody Mary, or a mimosa, and a host of house-made baked goods. Service-wise, I thought that with the touch situation, they're staff was very accommodating in letting us essentially taking over the restaurant. In terms of food, the highlight: Their baked items (scones, muffins) and jellies. were AMAZING. I'm an egg person, but if I could have these daily, I would become a baked good breakfast man. Otherwise, their food was good, not amazing, but good. I had their version of Eggs Benedict, which was standard. Their home fries (seasoned potatoes) were a bit over-seasoned. I've heard good things about their hanger steak, but they sadly ran out right before I had a chance to order.
(4)Laura R.
Great little brunch spot! Prix fixe for $22 with drink, coffee and brunch entree. Everyone loved their meal and all of the options were very yummy and a little different than other brunch places. The French toast was great! Almost like a funnel cake and a must try.
(4)Jason H.
Pricey but good brunch!
(4)Maxine M.
Great mussels! Great service. Lovely little neighborhood gem
(4)Lorna B.
The brunch menu wasn't too appealing. The food was okay but probably won't come back for the brunch menu.
(3)bonnie w.
Just had mussels for lunch best I've ever had. Service was outstanding. I love this place- never rushed service great food- hey the owner/chef is French what more is there to say? Never had a meal here that wasn't delicious. As a ps- the hamburger-whenever I bring someone here they always think it's the best in NYC.
(5)Sara K.
I had high hopes for Cafe Joul after reading some of the reviews on Yelp, but it was a big disappointment. I usually eat at another restaurant during my work lunch hour but I thought I'd venture out of my comfort zone and try this classy little upscale French place - not worth it. My bread and drink were both mediocre. The Caesar salad was good but a bit too cheesy. Most of all, it was not worth the $30+ price tag (for one!) I could've gone to other restaurants nearby that serve better food at a third of the cost. It's all show and no talk... maybe I'll come back to try the croque madame or something, but don't count on it.
(2)Jess C.
I come to this neighborhood gem of a restaurant when I am in the area and just want a simple, low-key, cozy American/French meal with just a couple of friends. I have been here for both dinner and brunch, and have thought their food is generally not too bad - however, this review is for their brunch. Brunch is served with a basket of breads/muffins/etc. and Sarabeth's jam on the side. I really like the basket but have always wondered why they wouldn't kick it up a notch by making the pastries warm?! Even a simple plain croissant tastes that much better when it's warm and buttery and crispy...mmm... ok fine, I guess Sarabeth's jam somewhat compensates for it :P At $22 for a brunch prix-fixe, it is a bit over-priced for what it is, but it's still an enjoyable neighborhood place for a casual meal.
(3)Krista J.
Best Brunch in New York City!!! Cafe Joul has an incredible weekend brunch menu, with thirteen entree options all available for the set price of $20. While the price may seem high, its really reasonable considering all that you get: a bread basket full of fresh pastries and muffins (delicious!), your breakfast entree (the Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes with Crispy Bacon was so huge that I couldn't finish half of it), choice of tea or coffee, and choice of juice, mimosa, or bloody mary. There is no outside seating, but this small restaurant has ample room for groups and couples looking to grab breakfast between 10:30am and 3:30pm on the weekends. I can't wait to get back!
(5)Akira O.
This is a review for weekend brunch. I live in the neighborhood and have been to Cafe Joul a few times, mostly for brunch. I do not think the food is amazing and it's pretty generic, but I give 4 stars for the relaxing, quiet, and comfortable ambiance of this restaurant. This place is a good alternative for other hectic and busy brunch places in the city. The $25 prix fix isn't a bad deal, it comes with mimosa/bloody mary, coffee, pastries, and an entree. We had huevos rancheros and hanger steak today. Pretty decent. I haven't been there for dinner over a year so will give another try and update my review.
(4)John H.
I come here for dinner with my grandmother every once in a while because it's very close to her house and she can't go too far. The food is good. I usually get the french onion soup and a hamburger, or the salmon. The burger is really juicy, and the have this delicious homemade relish that they spread on the bun; the accompanying thin-cut fries are well done and tasty. The french onion soup varies in quality, but when done correctly is one of my favorites in town. My Nana usually gets the Bibb salad and the hamburger, both of which she enjoys. Why only 3 stars? The service in this place, while competent, is very unfriendly and impersonal. We've been coming here for years, and I just get weird vibes from almost everyone who works there. You never get a smile or a warm hello, no gaiety, no humor.... it's a morgue in there. Maybe they don't treat their employees very well, or they train them to master snooty French service. Very strange and off-putting. Even though I like the food, I don't know if I'd come here if it weren't so convenient to where my Nana lives. Good place to have simple, elegant, French bistro food. I'd give another star if only they could be more welcoming.
(3)Kika K.
I came here for brunch last weekend. They have a $22 prix fixe menu that includes your choice of mimosa or bloody mary, a basket of pastries, an entree, and your choice of either coffee or tea. The food was good, but it wasn't amazing. The pastries, again, were pretty good, but they didn't taste entirely homemade, which I expected in a place like this. I ordered the Croque Madame, which came with a small salad and was tasty. My friend ordered the lobster quiche which she said was good. You get a choice of green or black tea. I opted for black, and was given English Breakfast tea. My friend had the coffee. I didn't really ask how it was, and she didn't offer, so I'm to assuming it wasn't bad. Overall, since the food was decent and it's so close to my apartment, I think I might come back, but maybe for dinner instead!
(3)Yasmine K.
I had high hopes for this place, but unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. I got a group of friends together to go here for brunch on a Saturday. The best thing we had was the basket of breads and pastries. They were very fresh and of a good variety. However, the prix fixe menu was just average. When I asked the waitress for a recommendation, she could not really tell me of a good one. I had the scottish salmon with cream cheese and a toasted bagel. It was not that delicious. And in the end, no one really complemented their individual dishes. The prix fixe only came with a bloody mary or mimosa, or coffee/tea and orange juice. With the food being not that great and at $22, it's a little over-priced. Perhaps I should try it some other time but not for brunch.
(3)Eimear K.
This is a sedate place and the patrons are definitely predominately grey haired .... buuuuuut, their burger rocks. ROCKS. Expensive, yes. But soooooooooo good. If you live in the neighborhood, do yourself a favor and try it sometime (it is only a buck or two cheaper at lunch, so you may as well go for dinner). It is the kind of burger you have with a big fat glass of red wine. Shout outs also go to thier mushroom salad (garlicy) and bibb salad (citrus-y). I think they still do an all you can eat moules frites night (Thursdays, I think). Brunch is expensive and only ok. There are better places in the neighborhood .... unless your grandparents are visiting ... Also, they don't deliver unless they have your credit card on file (last time I check on this was last year).
(4)Katie S.
I came here last week with a coworker for lunch. This felt much more like a neighborhood restaurant than most of the other places in midtown which cater to corporate expense cards. We each had an onion soup and split the mussels marinieres and their house burger (medium rare). The onion soup was just okay, a little bland and nothing special. I think it needed more salt. The mussels were so so small. I mean itty bitty tiny small. There were also about 8-10 closed shells. I would have been disappointed if that was my entire entree. The broth was absolutely delicious but they didn't provide any bread. We should have asked but there was no room on our table and I didn't know the person I was dining with that well and so didn't want to start demanding things from the waiter. The french fries were good though. The burger was cooked medium, not medium rare as ordered. I thought the meat itself was kind of bland. However, the red onion marmalade and roasted tomatoes were absolutely delicious. If the burger was seasoned better and cooked medium rare, it would have been awesome. The burger comes with a salad or fries. We chose the salad and it was tasty. Overall, lunch was okay but nothing great. Our table was wobbly and the service was kind of slow. The mussels situation was unacceptable. A solid two stars because I have experienced better.
(2)Mike S.
After my initial review, I was contacted by the owner as she wanted to apologize for my experience and get more information as to when my family was dining at her restaurant. The owner invited me back to dinner on the house. I was impressed that someone actually reached out to me and that a generous offer was made. I was assured that my experience was not normal. I went back with a friend. I didn't inform the restaurant that I was coming as I'm not looking for a free meal. We shared the muscles in saffron broth. The muscles were delicious. They were a little small but you will get plenty of them so that makes up for the size. We both ordered the rabbit special. This also was very good. For quality of food, it seems my first experience was an outlier and mistakes do happen. The only recommendation I would make is to have the staff seem more interested in serving you. The service still felt somewhat disjointed; however, the food made up for it. I will be going back to this restaurant!
(4)Emily M.
i have been coming to joul at least once a month since it opened (the old people in there that everyone is talking about are my parents). Honestly, brunch is not their strong point. its good, but its not where to find their best food. their dinner menu is fantastic. they always have interesting and delicious specials, and their regular menu is really stellar. at one point or another i think I've tried everything. the raw mushroom salad is a standout for a meal opener. the grilled chicken leg with lemon fettuccine, which they recently brought back to the menu by popular demand, is prob my fav. i also love the lemon sole with spinach and basmanti rice. i mean i really have nothing bad to say about any dish on the menu or the service or the decor. dinner at Joul is truly a five star experience.
(5)Gretchen W.
I had a very nice brunch today at Cafe Joul. A small but busy little French Restaurant on the border of upper and midtown east. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a table, but once we were sat, the service was good and we didn't have to wait too long to order and receive our food. Cafe Joul does a weekend Brunch prix fixe, which includes a delicious basket of pasteries (yummy stuff like chocolate croissants and muffins,) brunch drink, tea/coffee, and an entree. The highlights of the meal were the Orange French Toast and Huevos Rancheros. My mimosa was delish and they make a good cup of coffee. Overall, a great place to come for brunch. Not sure whether they take reservations, but you might want to try, since the wait was long and I don't think it was a fluke! A nice brunch find. I'll be back!
(4)Andrea C.
I wish I had a place like this in my neighborhood! Very warm and friendly environment and great food. A strong argument against eating at home.
(4)Katherine D.
LOVE this place... I had such a craving for their bibb lettuce salad last Friday night, it was painful. It's so simple, yet so wonderful. Also tried their parmesan risotto cake special - different and awesome - like grown-up mac and cheese almost. And the rice pudding, yum! The decor is charming and relaxing, and the staff is super helpful and nice. Expensive, but worth it!
(4)Claire F.
Had lunch yesterday with family & it was lovely. The French onion soup was perfect & not too salty & I ordered the pate which which was delicious. The kids had the chicken with fries, my cousin the mussels, the other the burger with fries & my husband the fish. It was perfect bistro food.
(5)A. K.
The place is very pretty. You almost feel like you are in a French restaurant in France. The food is good, but there is just not enough to eat. For $150 for two, I suggest not going to this restaurant unless you eat first! Also, the waitress got an order wrong--no apologies for doing so.
(2)Sara Z.
Came here for brunch and was really disappointed. The brunch fixe was priced fine but I've gotten better deals elsewhere. The hueves rancheros were really gross. My friend and I both ordered them but they came out so soupy we could barely finish. Also the drinks come in small glasses. The atmosphere and overall decor is very cute and the waitress was friendly, but I wouldn't come here again just because I didn't enjoy the food.
(2)Nicole R.
Came here at an odd hour...for a light early dinner before a movie. We arrived at about 6p. The place wasn't crowded at all...it was very warm, though. I like that, but I'm one of those people who's always cold. Besides me and a couple of my girlfriends, there wasn't anyone under the age of 60 in there. We wanted small dishes with tea...nothing big. Damn was it pricey! I ordered a butternut-squash soup (it was alright) and shared a side with my friend. We all had tea, and it came to about $17 each. But the entrees on the dinner menu were all priced over $15. Meh.
(2)lynn n.
Finally, after two years and countless walks past this establishment, my husband agreed to eat here! Hahahaha... we didn't know it was french. I just thought it was a cute cafe w/ expensive food. We walk in just after Noon and were the first and only patrons for the initial 15 minutes. We ordered the croche madame (ham and cheese topped w/ soft egg and cheese sauce), fries and a grilled chicken sandwich w/ avocado and sun-dried tomatoes on a toasted baguette w/ a mesclun salad. The total bill was almost $34.00. Including the gratuity, we spent $41. on two okay sandwiches, inedible burnt fries, a side salad, and tap water. We waited 25 minutes for that?!? It wasn't worth it. The service was fine.
(2)Sean C.
2 words. Croque Madame. Amazing! We loved the pastries that come with the brunch, and we loved that they allowed us to sit and enjoy the place as long as we wanted. If you can spring for the $22 prix fixe, I can tell you it's worth it. Really enjoyed!
(5)Richard B.
Very cute place, came for a glass of wine. A nice date atmosphere. I would come back to try out some of the food.
(3)Jules Y.
Uhmm.. De-freaking-licious. Thank you Diner's Deck for introducing me to this cute off-the-beaten-track restaurant. I stumbled in one random weekday, a little after the brunch rush. I had the entire restaurant to myself. Plopped down with a nice book, had the Salmon with Caramelized Fennel infused Quinoa and it was phenomenal. Inhaled it. For dessert I had their warm flourless chocolate cake and hazelnut biscotti ice cream. Service was super nice and attentive. They had no problem with me dining by myself. I will definitely be going back!
(5)T G.
I've been dining at Cafe Joul for 6 months now, and surprised to read through some of these reviews. The staff is helpful and friendly, and beyond all, the food is OUTSTANDING. The place is cozy, warm, and inviting. It has a sort of Retro-Paris vibe, and a genuine one at that. The bi-weekly neighborhood regulars go to show that this place holds its own against any other place in a 20 block radius. You and your taste buds will be pleased with Joul.
(5)Wafa Y.
The place is very nice but that is the only think that we would recommend. The brunch is not typically french at all and very expensive for what you eat. There is a prefix course but for most of the dishes, you have to add $2 or $3 (croque-madame, quiche with bacon and lobster...). At last, the food is prepared with a lot of butter/sauce/oil which is not very healthy :-(. Just the pastries are tasty.
(2)Jessicka C.
I've worked nearby this lovely place for several years and don't know why it took me so long to have dinner here. I was completely blown away by the pleasant and refreshing fare. I really loved their wild mushroom salad. The flavors are simple, unadorned, complimented. In today's world of "badder, newer, bigger" restaurants, always trying to outdo, outdo, outdo" the ones who came before, I found this place to be a perfect little haven. I'll be back sooner than later. It just goes to show, quality shines through and sticks around.
(4)Caroline V.
We've been wanting to try this place and have walked by it countless times...Finally we had a chance and YUM! I've been back twice haha *bibb lettuce w. grapeseed vinaigrette: the buttery texture of the bibb lettuce and the tartness of the vinaigrette, a perfect combination. *friséeaux lardons w. quail eggs: this was my favorite. The vinaigrette is very tart but it offsets the frisée well. If it was any less then it would be overpowered. What makes the dish is the lardon...it is battered, fried and so damn good. Just the right saltiness and crispness... *lemon sole w. cilantro, basmati rice, baby spinach and saffron sauce: the sole is moist and delicious and the sauce...it has a delicious tartness perfectly complimenting the fish and is very very good. *moules marinières: a large dish of mussels swimming in a very very flavorful sauce. You can taste the wine and you wont stop dipping bread into it... *le burge joul w. red onion marmalade and dry roasted tomatoes on toasted brioche: Juicy burger, great flavor and paired up very nicely w. the marmalade and brioche...fiancé was very happy (he had a burger for lunch and yet still polished this one off and praised it!) *wild mushroom ravioli w. truffels and pencil asparagus: the mushrooms made this dish but i wished the sauce had been thicker...the pasta was slightly too thick for my taste but all in all this was still a good dish. *flourless chocolate cake: what an unbelievably delicious and perfect chocolatey ending!! We enjoyed it so much the table next to us ordering while we were eating it ordered it too since we looked SO HAPPY eating it!!! It is moist, rich and has a crisp shell....with a side of hazelnut ice cream and chocolate sauce drizzle...MMM...Worth a trip in just for this...heaven.
(4)Jyoti H.
I picked this place because of the 4-star ratings it received for its brunch. I however, think it was more of a 3-star experience. It is a good little place, the service and food aren't bad, but not out of this world to deem a 4 or 5 star. The weekend brunch is from 10:30-3:30 and you start with a basket of pastries...with sarabeths' jam! YAY! The pastries truthfully didn't taste super fresh, but still yummy none the less. I ordered the salmon burger, which was a salmon patty with chipotle mayo on brioche. Overall the taste was fine, but the salmon smelled a bit fishy which made me suspicious. You also get a mimosa and coffee with your brunch. Mimosa was pretty run of the mill (i mean, it's hard to mess up oj and champagne), but the coffee was quite tasty - i even drank it black! All of this came to about $24 with tax and tip. Kind of pricier compared to other places I have been for brunch. Would I go back? No, probably not, but just because I think there are places that offer better value and quality for price.
(3)Eve D.
Brunch is just okay, and for $22(+) per person, I'm really expecting amazing. The bread basket is good, but not amazing (it would be better if at least some of the pastries - say, the muffins - were home baked/warm), same is true of the entrees - good but not great (we tried the poached eggs and the french toast). I do give them credit for knowing how to properly poach an egg. Our server was friendly, but inattentive even though the restaurant was pretty quiet - we asked for ketchup when our food arrived (it didn't come and our server didn't check on us again until we were done eating), our water went empty for quite a while, etc. He was busy discussing his singing/acting/dancing (endless musing about whether he considers himself a singer or actor first) with the hostess across the room and was impossible to flag down unless we were to literally stand up and walk over to him - which we didn't do, but considered! Would I come back if it were $12-14? Probably (even if the mimosa is eliminated). But for $22, I expect more and would take Sarabeth's any day at that price point.
(3)Alli J.
Was visiting NY and in the mood for some french food. I heard the buzz about Cafe Joul from an Italian artist pal who said it had the best cassoulet. I didn't feel like such a hot dish in the summer, but the place looked like it had a cute atmosphere, so I went in for a snack and chill out with a friend. I was a little turned off at first due to the wait to get in (it wasn't a weekend but the place was packed) but they had a nice bar to wait in with cool modern art (new local art scene). However it was well worth the wait! The food was fresh and delicious, and my friend is very picky about his wine but he loved the offerings, which made me happy. Also, the prices seemed on the low side given some of the gourmet ingredients. All in all great find that I'll visit again when i'm back in NYC -- just remember if you go to allow some time because its a popular place.
(5)Arben S.
Awesome neighborhood spot! Portions were just right! Def will be back!
(4)Dano W.
Tried this place out for brunch, and it's definitely a good option, if possibly a little pricy. My group showed up around noon on a Saturday, and the place was mostly empty. It filled up a bit more as we ate and sat, but I don't think it got packed on this particular day. Not a bad thing, as we didn't want to be rushed out by our somewhat haughty French waiter. We went with the prix fixe menu, which had a good variety of entrees (some of the more appealing options were a few extra bucks). Some looked like interesting twists on brunch standards, but based on the specials menu you should come back for dinner if you're looking for more authentic French-style fare. Food was tasty, served with potatoes (nicely-done) and broccoli (a little of a downer). Mimosas or Bloody Mary's come with, if that's your thing.
(3)K B.
A lovely dining experience. The heirloom tomato salad was delicate and packed full of flavor. I enjoyed the lemon sole with saffron rice- it was seasoned perfectly. I will definitely be back.
(5)Carole B.
The food was good, but way too expensive for a neighborhood place. The service was good and so was the wine.
(3)Lynn T.
The $20 prix fixe brunch is awesome. There's a pretty good selection from brioche French toast to poached eggs to hanger steak to salmon burger to huevos ranchero -- something for everyone. The vibe is relaxed, the food is tasty and on the healthier side (portions aren't too crazy big or small -- just right). The staff is very friendly -- no attitude whatsover. I arrived to meet my friends at our agreed meeting time of 12 noon. Of course, this being New York and this being a grey, lazy Saturday, they ran about 20 minutes late. The waitress did not make me give up my table or throw any sort of attitude -- even when we stayed a bit longer after we finished our meals to shoot the breeze. I'm told that dinner is pretty darn good, so I guess I'll have to make a return visit. Think this will become a fave UES neighborhood spot!
(4)Emily C.
New the neighborhood and really wanted to like this place but we won't be back. The dinner portions were incredibly small. And we're not very big eaters! My husband's portion of fish was a sliver - not more than an 1/8th of a pound at the very most, which is not an acceptable portion size at any restaurant, no less for $26 dollars. I don't know if that was typical or if they were running out of salmon but it was a joke. Appetizers were very small too, although I guess that is more to be expected. Still, if you are going to charge $14 for a burrata salad, there should be more than 2 tablesoons of burrata on the plate. A "small" sparking water is literally a baby size bottle of Pelegrino that fills up a normal glass only halfway. For $3.50. I am giving them 2 stars because the food was good, but we left hungry and with an overall bad taste in our mouths. Definitely doesn't warrant a return visit.
(2)Tricia R.
Nice little place for brunch. Came here on Saturday around 1PM and there was no wait at all. Their menu for brunch is prixe fixe - for $21, your table gets a shared bread/pastry basket, your choice of bloody mary, mimosa, or freshly squeezed OJ, your choice of entree, and coffee/tea. Some of the menu items have a supplemental cost (at most an add'l $3). The bread/pastry basket was good - there were croissants (some filled), muffins, and some kind of carrot-cake bread type thing. We had the had the hanger steak and eggs - this also came with potatoes and broccoli. Everything was good, but the steak was slightly overdone for me. The croque madame was the best dish on the table - the bread was buttery and toasty, and the eggs were cooked perfectly.
(4)Chinku G.
I ate here about a month ago. woo was it good the best country pate I have ever had. As a professional chef I feel this place ranks in the top 10 of traditional french restaurants.
(4)Rae T.
I went here for brunch. For $20 I got a basket of pastries, tea, orange juice and french toast. The best part of the meal was the basket of pastries. The french toast was just ok. I've had better french toast at regular neighborhood diners and for less money. I feel like $20 was too much for what I got.
(2)Tara S.
Excellent little Sunday brunch at this quaint, homey restaurant. No frills, nothing fancy, just good Sunday morning food ($20 for the deal). Friendly service. A great place to go after a long night out when you need a little R&R and a good brunch steak to take the edge off. Also, they do a $20 all you can eat mussels and fries on Saturdays.
(4)Holly W.
wanting something a little more fancy than a bagel or the diner down the street, my friends and i wandered up to cafe joul for a nice sunday afternoon brunch. we found a wait - not surprising - and settled ourselves onto the benches outside to enjoy the gorgeous weather and study the menu to pass the time during our '10-15 minute wait'. cafe joul is a small place, perhaps a dozen or so tables. we were a party of 5. what started off as a 15 minute wait turned into 20, then 25, then 30. somewhere around 40 minutes the hostess (manager? owner?) came out, apologized profusely and offered us a round of mimosas on the house (yes please!). i thought this was extremely generous of her - it wasn't her fault that their several of their patrons were sitting lazily at their tables reading books and newspapers on a busy sunday afternoon with a line out the door (ahemmm...). it also wasn't her fault that the table we were supposed to get all of a sudden decided to celebrate someone's birthday and ordered a cake to be delivered last minute and served by the cafe (ughhhh). so finally, FINALLY, a table left and a few tables were pushed together for us and we were seated. we ordered immediately because we were :::starving::: the basket of pastries and muffins is a nice touch, though not the freshest, but the jams were great. we also asked for another basket because we were, again, :::starving::: it took 4eva to get some coffee (so-so service), but no big. our meals came out quick and they were delicious. overall, this is a cute place to grab brunch and not terribly overpriced for what you get.
(3)Rich J.
Cafe Joul has an exceptional weekend brunch. It includes an entree, coffee or tea, juice, and a basket of muffins and breads. The entrees are interesting and excellent. My favorite is the huevos racheros. My wife prefers the blueberry buttermilk pancakes with bacon. One warning, you'll enjoy the fresh muffins and breads so much you might not leave enough "room" for your entree. I also really enjoy their coffee. It's hot and strong, just the way I like it. Lastly, Cafe Joul operates in a small but very charming space with unique artwork that is available for purchase. So, if you're looking for a charming and unique weekend brunch give Cafe Joul a try.
(4)Patrick K.
Went here for brunch. Food was good, not great, and in full agreement with other posters, pretty expensive. I left completely unsatisfied. Service was really poor and rigid; they wouldn't accommodate some simple substitutions for breakfast. I prefer Ritz Diner or even the deli across the street for my weekend morning eggs. I've been wanting to try their burger - but I can't bring myself to go back after the brunch experience.
(2)Marisa C.
I've been coming to Café Joul for years and it is still the best place i n the neighborhood. The menu has a delicious variety of entrees and appetizers - my favorite is the sole. The staff is very friendly and you never feel rushed. They have a large, reasonably priced wine selection and offer several wines by the glass. Overall it's great place for a date or just a night out with friends.
(4)Katie H.
Cafe Joul is a cute little hidden gem. It's tiny and cozy and was perfect to warm me up on a cold winter night. I had the endive salad and the goat cheese pizza. Both were appetizers but they filled me up. Both were equally delicious. Definitely must return!
(3)Cindy X.
I came here for brunch on a saturday. I only chose this place because it was close to my bf's apartment, but now I'll be coming back for their food! Their brioche french toast was the most amazing french toast I've ever had! It's cripsy and covered with berries and powdered sugar. It also comes with lemon mascarpone! Oh and did I mention that they give you a complimentary basket of pastries with sarabeth's jams and choice of juice/coffee/cocktails too? All that for $22.
(5)Don M.
Unfortunately, Cafe Joul has closed. This was a nice little neighborhood spot with great food. A sign on the door said the rent became prohibitive.
(3)Jody F.
First experience here was positive; food good and reasonbly priced. Service was a bit slow for my taste, but cordial. Salmon from the lunch menu was tasty over lentils and corn. Omelet with a side salad was sizable and looked good as well. Everything was very fresh. Will likely return for a second pass.
(3)