There are some real restaurant gems in New York, places that consistently serve excellent food in a wonderful ambiance without draining your wallet. Chez Jacqueline in the West Village is one of them. It can proudly boast to have been in business for more than thirty years now and business is still excellent, as the line outside the door on a Saturday night shows.
The cuisine shows the influence of France’s Côte d’Azur and if you close your eyes, you could be sitting in a fabulous spot on a cobble-stone street in that very place, although sitting by the large windows and watching the foot traffic on MacDougal and the guys playing ball across the way is an excellent substitute.
Appetizers of steamed mussels (you have a choice of preparations) and an excellent tuna carpaccio went deliciously with the bottle of Sancerre we ordered, a wine that with its light apple-y notes, is too often passed over. I also had to indulge in a serving of foie gras that was beautifully seared on the outside and like a buttery heaven in the middle.
Our entrées, a perfectly cooked medium-rare filet mignon and gorgeous dish of fresh dorado were superb but I have to admit to be utterly distracted by a side dish of cauliflower gratin which with its creamy béchamel sauce, had me in raptures. This is not a dish for sharing; you will want your own!
To satisfy a sweet tooth at the end of a beautiful meal here, there is a tangy tarte au citron, a wonderful apple tart and of course, a molten chocolate cake that is to-die-for! I also recommend ordering the cheese plate early in your visit so it can sit on the table and warm a little, which will really bring out the taste and aromas in the gorgeous cheeses.
The atmosphere at Chez Jacqueline is so convivial and welcoming, it feels a warm embrace. It feels familiar without being too casual and with tables of repeat customers, it is clearly a place that people hold dear in their hearts and where memories are made.
—Fiona Tedds
