Joseph's Restaurant

What a gem! We had a meeting a few blocks away, found this on Google Maps, it looked interesting with Northern Italian cuisine.
Early on a Wednesday evening—No reservation no problem.
Great service from the staff, (many from Albania) wonderful atmosphere.
Joseph’s is a gem.
Food was excellent.
Wine was great.
Service very friendly, and accommodating.

Owner response

Tucked away in the bustling heart of NYC’s Financial District, Joseph’s Italian Restaurant offers a pre-fix dinner option within a setting that exudes comfort and a welcoming atmosphere.
Its proximity to the lively Stone Street and the renowned Harry’s Steakhouse adds to its allure as a dining destination in FiDi.
The interior ambiance strikes the right note for a pleasant dining experience, offering a respite from the urban rush. My decision to dine at Joseph’s was influenced by the promise of a serene environment paired with the convenience of its location.
However, while the setting met expectations, certain aspects of the service and culinary experience left room for improvement. The service was adequate up until the conclusion of our meal, when the attentiveness of our server notably diminished.
The prolonged wait to request our check, seemingly forgotten after our table was cleared, detracted from the overall dining experience.
Furthermore, the presentation of my leftovers in a simple plastic ‘Thank You’ bag, placed unceremoniously on the table before dessert was even served, lacked the finesse one might expect from an establishment of Joseph’s caliber. Culinary-wise, the dishes were satisfactory, yet unremarkable.
The steak, requested medium, leaned towards medium-rare, verging on rare at its core.
Additionally, a specific request to substitute the mushroom sauce due to allergies resulted in a plain, sauceless steak, rather than an alternative concoction from the chef.
This oversight was disappointing and contributed to the overall oddity of the meal. The dessert course brought its own set of mixed feelings.
While the tiramisu I received was enjoyable, the portion size compared to my friend’s—visibly about 20% larger—left me feeling somewhat overlooked.
Whether my slice was unusually small or my friend’s was generously oversized, it introduced a sense of inconsistency that marred the end of our meal. The value proposition of dining at Joseph’s Italian Restaurant is debatable.
While the location is undoubtedly prime, nestled within the FiDi area and surrounded by ample dining alternatives, the culinary and service missteps suggest that there’s room for refinement. In conclusion, Joseph’s Italian Restaurant earns a solid three stars from me.
It stands as a nice spot in the Financial District with potential for greatness, yet the inconsistencies in service, culinary execution, and the dessert disparity suggest that there is yet some way to go in fully realizing its promise.

Owner response

Nice Italian place with a really sweet ambiance.
Nice and welcoming .
Really cute bar, interesting service with so many people on the service, but a little disoriented.
The one thing I don't like is when your waiter is topping up your glass with water every second, I get it, they want you to spend a lot of money on the expensive sparkling water, but common you cannot be that aggressive. The food is good, nice pasta and appetizers, a great place to get together with coworkers and have dinner and a drink.

Owner response