Went here because we had a Groupon and we wanted to check it out. I can honestly say... their food is AMAZING!!! i lived in Ridgewood for 5 years and had no idea this place was around. Their Bloody Mary Oysters were to die for and their main courses were great and so yummy. We had a groupon, so our meal came to only $50 (including the Bloody Mary Oysters we ordered extra). For $50 i would defiantly go back, as it included one appetizer, two main meals, and a dessert. However if we did not have the groupon, we would have paid about $110, and for that price, unfortunately Janice is not worth is. Do like that it is BYOB though :)
(5)
Jon K.
We were drinking unsweetened iced teas with mango nectar and lime. Very refreshing. No free refills! Wife began with a grilled calamari and shrimp salad appetizer. There was a noticeable lack of greens but otherwise she said the dish was outstanding. I did not tasted but there was a generous portion of great looking seafood. I began with a mussels with chorizo appetizer. It was great. Huge amount of mussels and generous amount of sliced chorizo in a tomato broth. Her main course was a seared tuna with soba noodles. She loved. My main was a special which was a French cut pork chop stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella with polenta and sauteed spinach. This dish, along with mediocre service, was the difference between a 3 and 4 star review. The meat and sauce were overly salted and the portion size was not a good value for the money. Desserts were a chocolate cream pie and an apple crumb pie with caramel gelato. Both were made in-house and very good. I still wish they would print out the extensive list of daily specials instead of reciting them sans prices.
(3)
Elizabeth R.
Unique, Cozy, Romantic at dinner time, We love it. If risotto is on the specials menu, be sure to order it. Only suggestion would be to print out the specials, there are too many to remember.
(5)
Jennifer C.
I really enjoyed this restaurant. I can't remember the name of the first appetizer we ordered but they were these delicious mozzerella and prosciutto bite size sandwiches ... amazing. I LOVE seafood, but the fried clams not so much; they were rubbery and had no flavor other than fish. No good. For dinner, I ordered the veal milanese. While it could've used a touch of salt, the portion was much larger than I expected and very, very good. I'm not a dessert lover, but the chocolate cake was sinfully warm and delicious. Overall, this place was definitely a good find. The prices are rather high, but if you can snag a groupon like I did, go for it! The staff was incredibly friendly and the place itself was very quaint. If I lived closer to the area, I would visit again.
(4)
Maurice H.
I pushed this place to 5 stars for our dinner last night! The mussels, although a little expensive are excellent, cooked in a delicious broth with (a surprise) that adds to the flavor. Plentiful and good for two if you use the bread to soak up the broth. My bride's onion soup was a big bowl of very flavorable soup with cheese and crouton floating in it. They could add more cheese as my cholesterol is controlled by medication and my cheese craving monumental. She followed that with the special fillet Mignon with Gorgonzola butter. She said is was among the best she has had in any restaurant in years! I had the special osso bucco, which I have ordered about 4 times in the last two months in 4 different restaurants. Janice did it to perfection over mushroom risotto which was masterful. The best of the four. A BYOB with funky ambiance (booths and a counter in a converted coffee shop type place) make this one of my favorites. Janice is also known for excellent desserts. We will have to start with that on our next visit. Probably next week!
(5)
Sarah D.
The food and service are consistently top notch!! We don't order anything fancy, but the burger is to die for!
(4)
John R.
Any restaurant on New Year's Eve has the potential to be wildly disappointing. Most are ill equipped to deal with the hordes of amateur drunks all expecting the times of their lives with little regards to food quality. I'm happy to report that Janice did a great job, particularly with the food. I sat with a party of 10 and there was not one dish that was flawed. Also, they do a great job with gluten-free dishes. Save room for the Coconut Cream Pie.
(4)
Bruce M.
Nice atmosphere but get a booth unless you are with a party of six. Tables in front are right on top of each other so not great for couples if you want a romantic night out. Booth in the back enjoys a cool breeze from the kitchen fan. Too bad we went on a cold winter night! We started with the potato leek soup which was a disappointment. Basically a dish of loose mashed potato with very little flavor. Don't waste your money. My wife had the beef tenderloin over a parmesan polenta and this was very good. I ordered the Tuscan Chicken from the menu and was told that this was replaced with Chicken Scarpiella. Sounded good so I gave it a try. A bit too much vinegar for my taste and the chicken was more like a hen. Two small legs with a small thy and a tiny piece of white meat. Four small pieces of sausage and a few pieces of potato. In summary, the portion was small for a dinner entree. Desserts are home made so we ordered the chocolate cream pie from the specials. To our disappointment they were out of it so we tried the chocolate bunt cake which was very good. Overall, the wait staff was very polite but novice in what they knew about the menu. Will give this place another try as it has potential. Hopefully next time I will be surprised with an entree that is a full portion!
(3)
Nancy H.
Where to begin . . . went for 'brunch' - one person in our party had French toast - for $10 - two pieces of regular, twin bread, served with Kraft pancake syrup - not even real maple syrup - and they had to wait for a forgotten, miniscule amount of 'berry sauce'; eggs benedict $12 - southwest eggs benedict (adding two teeny slivers of avocado and a spoonful of diced tomato, make that $14 (ordered without onions, watched as they merely scraped the onions off the top after it was prepared - good thing this was a preference and not an allergy!) - the special omelet was the smallest we'd ever seen - 'Barbie' sized . . .and then, eating the accompanying potatoes, found half a piece of bacon in the potatoes - asked the waiter, 'should there be bacon in the potatoes" - "oh no," says the waiter - "well, here you go," as we point to the bacon . . . he says, "I will let them know," and he tells a woman by the counter, and she waves her hand to shrug it off . . . (again, who expects bacon in potatoes? fortunately, not an allergy, vegan, or religious concern . . .) I could go on, however, hopefully that is enough for anyone to make their own decision on this one !
(1)
Thomas R.
My gf and I just fininshed up a wonderful dinner at Janice. We had bought a groupon for the restaurant, but I had eaten there a few times in the past (mostly for brunch), so I kinda knew what to expect. Ambiance is great. There are a number of comfortable leather booths and it feels like a cross between a diner and a french bistro. Very cool. Could see it being a great date spot on a quiet night. The meal was really wonderful. We started with an app of crabcakes and fries, which came with a spicy mustard sauce on the side. Big chunks of real lump crab in there and cooked to perfection (not too much mayo either). I then had the mustard crusted trout, which came with sweet potato mash (with goat cheese mixed in!) and some spinach. The fish was cooked perfectly, breaded well and pan fried. The portion was absolutely huge and I took some home for tomorrow. My gf had the veal milanese, which was essentially breaded and fried veal topped with arugula, tomato and mozz. That was delicious. She had a similar dish a few nights before at another nearby restaurant and this blew it out of the water. We finished the meal with the pecan pie. My gf is quiet the baker and lover off all things sweet. She said "best pecan pie.....EVER". Nuf said there. While this is not a cheap place to dine, the ambiance and food are exceptional. The owner is extremely friendly and outgoing and will make sure that you enjoy your meal best I can tell. We will be back very soon, Groupon or not. If I had one complaint it would be noise level and how crowded the restaurant can get on a busy night (they really pack the tables in). But its BYOB, so the wine is flowing and people are having a blast, which is always great to see.
(5)
Christina A.
Although its quiet a drive from where I live, it's one of the best French bistros i've been to in Jersey. The atomsphere changes depending on the time of the day you go. For breakfast/brunch, it has a bright and family oriented feeling and amazing eggs benedict! For dinner the low lighting gives off an intimate but cozy feeling whoever you're dining with. Their pastas aren't particularly out of this world, but their artichoke salad is absolutely divine. The only negative thing I have to say about this restaurant is the narrow path to the bathroom, which makes you feel a little claustrophic on the way =T. If you don't have anywhere to go on a Sunday morning/brunch time definitely stop by here to enjoy all their brunch specials!
(4)
Rich R.
We love this place for dinner, Sunday brunch and whenever. They are always rotating the specials so you never eat the same thing twice unless you want to. If you are in the area I highly suggest this place.
(5)
Lauren L.
My husband and I went to Janice on a recent Tuesday night around 7 PM. We did not have reservations and the place was packed. We've been before and it was a similar situation. We patiently waited and got a table by the window. As other diners have pointed out in their reviews, the tables at the front of the restaurant are VERY close together. We were happy to have a table anywhere, since it was so busy, but be warned. The food at Janice is delicious. My husband and I enjoyed each item we ordered. I gave the restaurant a mediocre review, and not a great one, because of the owner/manager of the establishment. From the time we got there and observed his actions while we waited at the bar, he does not appear to be a nice man. He was rude to his staff, yelling at one particular waitress several times in front of the patrons. I had a major problem with this. Other reviewers have noted that Janice is quite understaffed. I can't help but wonder if their lack of enough waitstaff and bus people is because of the management. Times are tough and people need jobs, but they shouldn't have to endure this kind of treatment. I told our poor waitress this, who appeared to be on the verge of tears during the entire time she served us, yet managed to keep it together and be attentive to us, despite such poor treatment from her boss. We left her a generous tip because I did not enjoy seeing her get reprimanded like a child. Very unprofessional of the manager. Now - for more on the food. I had the arugula and parmesan salad to start - very delicious. For entrees, my husband ordered braised shortribs which he enjoyed. I ordered seared tuna with cold sesame noodles. The dish was delicious and I would order it again, no questions asked. However, I'm not so sure I would go back to Janice. The food was wonderful and the restaurant itself is a very cute place with great ambience. But unless the manager begins to treat his staff with a little more respect, I wouldn't patronize his establishment again. Good people deserve thriving businesses. Not rude ones.
(3)
Karyn V.
Have been here several times. The food lately seems to be going downhill and the poor attitude of the owner and manager hasn't improved at all.
(2)
Laura O.
I admit, we only went here because of a Groupon we purchased. No one ever told us about this place, I didn't check Yelp first, etc. My expectations were low. I was EXTREMELY surprised by how fantastic the food was. I felt as if I was in a cute East Village restaurant . This is one of the best food places I've seen in Bergen County.
(5)
Patrick D.
My wife and I ate here last night. She had eaten lunch at Janice several times with friends, and we took advantage of a Groupon to check it out for dinner. The good news is the food is EXCELLENT. We ordered off the menu, veal milanese and a stuffed pork chop. Both entrees were very enjoyable. The only downer was the bread dish which had some dried out bruschetta and bread sticks. But we don't pick a restaurant for the bread. The restaurant is very small, a converted luncheonette and we waited a half hour to be seated despite having a reservation. We found out later they were unusually busy for a Thursday evening so the wait was understandable. Unfortunately, they had a tv playing while we were waiting which appeared pretty tacky to us and out of character with the restaurant. The service was very courteous, but we were blown away when are bill came with a suggested gratuity of 20%. I don't know if they got burned by another groupon patron, but we found suggested tip to be very offensive. We'll probably try Janice's Bistro again, hopefully on a quieter night, without a tv, and see if the gratuity is left to our discretion.
(3)
Matt S.
Went to Janice's Bistro last nite for dinner. The place is very popular because it was crowded. Had an 8:00 reservation and they sat us down 5 minutes early. First the food, very very good. Also has Gluten free dishes which are very cool. We had the mussell's and crab cake with Frittes. Both were delicious. Our main meals were the blackened salmon with a lentil salad and asparagus and the Rib-Eye Steak with Pom Frittes. Again, both very very good. I don't know the difference between Pom Frittes and steak fries but I must say they are tasty. We shared a slice of key lime pie and really enjoyed the meal. The place must have been a luncheonette at some point because there is a counter with seats as well as booths along the side of the restaurant. They had a couple of tables outside and some tables as you walk in to the place. They have tried their best to make it as romantic as they can. We had a booth in the rear of the restaurant. It is very dark but that's OK. But the kitchen was on the otherside of a wall next to our booth and you can really hear them cook. We knew when a fresh batch of Frittes were coming because you could really hear them boiling. The place is called a bistro so what the heck. The food is very good and if you can handle the noise (like me), its a place you must try. It's BYOB. We will dedfinitely be back again.
(4)
W W.
Good food, nice place, great service. Dined for lunch, and it was very good. Love their oatmeal. Delicious. Someone in our party had salads and they looked great, and they said it was Delicious too.
(4)
Daniel D.
This is a quaint and cozy Italian Restaurant, with some of the most delicious Italian foods with original old country recipes located in the Historic Town of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ. Each time I visit there I get a fresh selection of homemade dishes that bring back fond memories of my Italian heritage and family gathering of my home town. The Hosts and staff welcomed me like family from the first time I ever entered. What a refreshing, vibrant atmosphere this restaurant provides each and every customer who walks through their doors. Can say enough about their charm. It's worth the experience if you haven't been there before.
(5)
Deborah H.
We have eaten here three times. First I did brunch and had a good plate of eggs benedict with some poached asparagus. Next lunch with a good burger and a nice beer (BYOB) with excellent fries. Then we had dinner. The fish I had had way too much fennel in the sauce and the rest of the flavors were missing/flat in the dish. Service was good and the atmosphere is very nice for having a meal with friends.
(3)
Al J.
Had 8pm reservations on a Saturday night. Got there around 7:55p and was told by the "conductor" behind the coffee bar to take a seat on the very wobbly diner stools. He told us about 15mins. After waiting an HOUR, and after finishing our entire bottle of wine, we got up and left starving at 8:55pm. He didn't even seem to care when we walked out. Will never return to this poorly run dump. Good thing the Ho-ho-kus Inn is just a short walk away.
(1)
Susan M.
So we went back, even though our wait was really long last time. This time the wait for food, to order, and coffee refills was totally reasonable. The real reason for this review is the breakfast special that was scrambled eggs with goat cheese, truffle oil and asparagus wrapped in prosciutto. My husband ordered it, but changed the cheese for cheddar instead of goat cheese (not a fan). It was hands down one of the most amazing things I have ever tried. I was sad I didn't order it. I wanted to get an order to go. Seriously. I can't wait to order it next time, I don't care how long of a wait it would be!
(5)
John B.
I'm a big fan of this restaurant especially since its BYOB. I'm always delighted by the specials and love the trout they have on the menu. The desserts are always great too especially the bread pudding. I Just wish it was a little bit cheaper and I would eat out more often
(4)
J. A.
My wife and I love this place! We come here about 2x a month and we are always remembered by John and/or his son. Although it can take a little while to be seated at times, especially during prime time hours/weekends/Sunday brunch, the food is well worth the wait. Fairly priced grub and it's BYOB. My only complaint is that I wish the menu had a little more variety, but that being said the food on the menu is tasty.
(4)
Elizabeth L.
Cute atmosphere, way overpriced for the quality of food. Lobster bisque was terrible, overpriced iced tea and lemonade were both watered down. Turkey and pear sandwich on a croissant was good... Not $12 good, but decent. My husbands burger was also decent, nothing special, I'll give them another chance for dinner, byob is a plus.
(2)
Jeff S.
Couple things about this place. First the food is good, not great, but good. My steak was solid and my wife had a good pork chop. Do not go here to late or you will be sorry. I was leaning forward in my chair all night so in wasn't hit on the fly by a waiter. Tables were wayyyy to close together so unless you get a booth you will not be happy w the atmosphere. I could have head butted the woman next to me we were so close. This could have been 4 stars if they didn't try and pack solo many tables into a small restaurant.
(3)
Lori B.
One of our favorite places to take friends and family when visiting! We have been completely satisfied with every meal - lunch or dinner!
(4)
Adrienne B.
Been here twice, once for dinner, and today for brunch. Both times I was there, our order got screwed up. The food has been good both times, I really think they just need more waiters or better communication. The atmosphere is really cozy and background music is nice. I would definitely choose this place over many other brunch options in our area.
(3)
Kristina F.
I had lunch at Janice for the first time last week and enjoyed it so much that I went back for dinner the week after. Both meals were delicious, the service was friendly and the place just has such a warm feeling that even though it looks like a restaurant, you feel like you're eating in someone's home.
(5)
Jo Ann S.
My husband and I went for diner with another couple on a Saturday night. My friend called for reservations and was told they did not take them. We arrived at 7 and were seated. Although everything we had was very good my husband and I will not be returning. Janice must work very hard serving 3 meals a day but her husband is undermining her! We were so insulted when he came to our table right after we had just finished dessert and asked us to leave because people with "reservations" were coming. As we left we did not see anyone waiting for a table. In all our years dining out, we have never been asked to leave, how RUDE of you! We will take our business elsewhere. Jo Ann S.
(3)
Cortney S.
I have been to Janice's Bistro for brunch and have had great experiences. Last night we went to Janice's Bistro because we had a Groupon deal that stated we could have 2 entrees, an appetizer, and one dessert for $35. We thought that was a great idea so we called for a reservation. The response to the Groupon offer must have been huge because the place was very busy. When we showed up for our 8 PM reservation the owner?/host? barked at me that I could have the table right in front of the entrance way (all of the free-standing tables are VERY close together, so do not go here for an intimate dining experience). When we asked about whether or not another table was available we were told rudely to pick between 2 tables. As I mentioned, the tables are on top of each other and we became friends with the people next to us and they reported similar treatment, in fact they were asked to leave right after paying their check- no lingering over coffee. I am not sure if the owner was overwhelmed with the crowd or not, but we all had reservations... On another note, our server was courteous and attentive. We had the crabcakes, Tuna entree and short-rib entree and followed that with Key-lime pie and sorbet. The food was excellent and I when the sting of encountering the owner has worn off, I may try this place again.
(2)
Jack P.
My wife and I really like this place. A cute local atmosphere, attentive waiters and an owner that cares enough to come to the table and ask if your meal was good. Continental cuisine that's consistently good.
(4)
Northern N.
Went here, like many other posters, with a Groupon. Started with crab cake appetizer, which was excellent. My friend got blackened salmon, which he enjoyed, I got the tuna, which was also very good. We finished with pecan pie, and again, very good. It's BYOB without an uncorking fee. Now to the negatives - it's a bit on the pricey side if you don't have a Groupon. The appetizers were mostly $12-$14, and even salads start at $10+. You basically won't leave there spending less than $100 with tax/tip. It's overcrowded, and particularly noisy. So much so, it detracted from the atmosphere. They cram too many people into too small of an area. The top negative point is the service. They were understaffed, and inattentive. As someone else mentioned, the suggested gratuity of 20% that they write on the bill is offensive - especially for service that doesn't warrant a 20% tip. How about just earn your 20% tip and not request it.
(3)
Bob C.
Went here because of Groupon on a Friday night. Had 7:00 reservations, and was told it would be a couple of minutes. It was almost a half an hour till we sat down. We gave our Groupon and throughout the night we felt like 2nd class citizens. Service was slow and we could not order any specials without paying full price for them. The dinner menu was somewhat limited, I ordered the rib-eye, which I was then told they were out of! The lobster bisque tasted like it came out of a can. The artichoke appetizer was lukewarm and bland. The scallop dinner, although very good, had only 3 scallaps for $34! Then they were out of the special dessert! The place is run like a Chinese fire drill and we came out smelling like food. Isn't the point of Groupon to get you to try their place so you give them repeat business?!?
(2)
Brian K.
have been frequenting the place for a few years and always enjoyed until tonight... manager failed to mention horrible valentine's day menu when reservation was made for a birthday dinner. clearly, food was prepped early and poorly reheated. filet ordered "medium" came out purple and gushing juice; clearly not cooked well nor rested. other dish was supermarket freezer aisle fare. complained to server and took john (owner/manager) 15+ minutes to come over. no apology, no accommodation, horrible treatment of loyal patrons. due to lack of respect from john, will no longer be visiting/recommending this overpriced establishment. steer clear; not recommended.
(1)
Rebecca S.
If you love simple and light gourmet fare, Just Janice will be your new favorite restaurant! As for the food, I can vouch for the quality of ingredients. Everything is homemade, down to their fresh brewed raspberry iced tea or lemonade (complete with *gasp* real raspberries!) The menu is small, and vegetarian options are slim to none, so I usually build myself a sandwich that includes cheddar cheese, avocado, and chipotle mayo. Mmm, mmm, mmm! During my last visit, I noticed the restaurant's look has greatly improved. Before the walls were painted with caricatures of regulars. It was kitchy, but when you're shelling out big bucks for food, you expect a nice atmosphere too. It now looks much more modern and upscale, but still doesn't feel hoity toity. The service here is also top notch. You can tell they don't just hire anyone who walks in - these people are professionals that care. I usually feel awkward ordering something that's not on the menu, but the staff at Janice's are so accomodating they make you feel right at home. Sure, it's a little pricey, but all of the qualifiers are there to make it worth it! Fresh gourmet food, nice atmosphere and supreme service equals 5 Yelpy stars. Also, this was my mom's favorite restaurant, so I'm happy to leave a raving review in her memory :)
(5)
B L.
Gave it a 2nd chance a few weeks ago and really regret it. Bottom line: the food just wasn't good. Ordered the NY strip - completely overcooked and worst of all was smothered BBQ sauce. Bland frozen veggies along with it. no idea how this place stays in business was empty on a saturday night i guess everyone else already knows this place sucks!
(2)
Mike G.
I had been here a long time ago and had a bad experience, but some friends suggested I go back. I was pleasantly surprised. I had a wonderful salad with goat cheese, fresh fruits, and blackened chicken. My wife had a chicken sandwich. Servers were very pleasant, and it has a nice atmosphere. My only gripe was I think for $4.00 you should get a free refill on the ice tea. Other than that, the place is great.
(4)
Amyy K.
We went here for a work lunch... My colleague had the Chicken Paillard with arugula (which she's a HUGE fan of), tomatoes, olives, red onion and dijon vinaigrette and she said it was great! I had the Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast Salad with mesculin lettuce, and basil, with sundried tomatoes, pine nuts and shaved parmesan with dijon vinaigrette also really great! Our waiter was attentive but not intrusive. Nice atmosphere, still relatively quite even as they filled up. Have the option to sit outdoors although today was too hot for it. They also offer a great DATE NIGHT deal on the chalkboard on the wall. Will definitely be back!
(4)
Lee S.
This is my second visit to this restaurant, the first when it was called Janice Bistro. My first visit was favorable which is why I suggested it for lunch with a friend visiting from out of town. The first thing that hits you when you walk in is the smokey (burnt) smell of the place - almost burns your eyes and makes you cough.... like something went terribly wrong in the kitchen and they are in dire need of airing the place out. In fact, I'm sorry to say that the horrid stench has followed me home... my clothes and hair now smell as if I've been sitting in front of a campfire for hours. Lunch menu is limited to a handful of salads, quiche, and maybe 6 sandwiches. There were some specials, but they were told to us so quickly, that we weren't sure if they were sandwiches, salads or what. My dining companion opted for one of the specials.... it was described to us again, and we were able to discern that it was a sandwich. She seemed to enjoy it. I ordered the asparagus/goat cheese quiche with white bean & escarole soup. The eggplant sandwich was a generous size, but my meal was miniscule, and I left the restaurant hungry. The wedge of quiche was probably a quarter of a 6" pie pan but it was good. The cup of soup was mostly broth with a few beans... no substance. I had been hoping for something a little heartier. My dining companion mentioned, upon returning to the table from the restrooms, that she was practically choking while in the back of the restaurant, again from that horrid rancid oil-smelling smokiness. I'm a bit embarrassed that I suggested this place for lunch. It's unlikely I'll be returning, and I can't in good conscience recommend it to a friend.
Four of us ate dinner here Saturday night (3/8/14) and while the place had a good vibe about it, the food & service were not up to par unfortunately. We started out with the appetizer special - artichoke heart bottoms w/bechamel sauce & calamari & beans. Both plates were plunked down on the table with no serving spoons or plates for us to put the food on. We flagged the waiter down who then brings 3 plates instead of 4! The artichoke appetizer had no seasoning & the calamari was like eating rubberbands. The rest of the calamari dish was ok. All night the waiter was disengaged and not attentive at all. The bus boy was wonderful - he should be promoted immediately! For dinner, the steak was the best entree - really good. The cheeseburger that someone ordered medium rare came out medium well, the pork special was bland and the fish taco's hardly had any fish in them - all lettuce. The rolls that are given at dinner are excellent. We called the manager over to explain our disappointment but he did not seem to care and nothing was taken off the bill and OK that's fine but then offer a free dessert or something. Overall, iIt was clear that the owners were not around & that the wait staff do not put pride in their work. I dine out a lot and I have not witnessed a restaurant that had such terrible service or food that was uneven - uneven - I mean - some things were good and some things were just terrible. A shame because I dined at this restaurant a couple of times a few years ago and I remember it being A LOT better.
(2)
Billy V.
When I think of Janice I think of two things. The girl who dated Ross on and off for a few years on "Friends" and a restaurant that tries to be New York Times rated. While Janice was funny on Friends, it was disappointing as a restaurant. Looking at my experience one year later reminds me of my immediate feelings then as well as my feelings 12 months later; the same. Entrees at NYC pricing with the amateur technique of a home cook. A party of eight at 6 PM on a Saturday night. Who goes to dinner this early; my in laws that's who. While I am not a fan of early dinner reservations, I made the journey from Astoria to Ho Ho Kus for this family event. Our table was situated in the front of the restaurant with seating east to west. Now I have to mention this because the width of the restaurant is maybe 25 feet wide. The length of our table and the booth by the wall, left about 2 feet wide space to walk by from the front to the back. Think about it, 24 inches between the end of both tables for servers, busboys, food runners and guests to walk by. Every time someone did, my wife's left shoulder and my right was bumped into in one form or the other of a butt, an arm, a hip. Someones body just hit us through the 2.5 hours of this annoying experience. Now, that was my highlight of the evening. As the floor manager (I believe to be the owner) preceded to greet every guest from behind us. Every time someone walked in, he would greet them with a warm welcome. Dude, walk around from the counter to the front door and give them that warm welcome. Let me tell you, I met everyone in Ho Ho Kus that night. Door open; hi there; come on in; everyone in our party just stopped and looked; 2.5 hours of this. Entrees lacked the imagination of an experience chef. Average at best, zero presentation and the most simplistic entrees imaginable. Rib eye served with Pomme Frittes was as inspiring as the same steak bought at the Shop Rite down the road and served at home. Visually unappealing with beef and fries on a plate. While the lamb chops were cooked to perfection the sauce was a molasses of sweetness. A saturated sauce that overpowered the essence of the lamb. The brussels sprouts was again amateurish. Something that could have been executed at a higher level. Over cooked, but still hard. Again the imagination, did not do justice to a lobster bisque that was just liquid in a bowl. Presentation did just that; it lacked presentation. Overall, Janice is the little engine that wants to play with the big leagues, but lacks the imagination of simple entrees executed right. If your looking for simple American entrees with NYC pricing. Janice has a niche, as evident with a full restaurant on a Saturday night. The balance of atmosphere and food falls short for me. I am a fan of simplistic food and entrees, but execution should be at a high level. Tip Parties of 5 or more may be seated in wrong locations. Restaurant does not do a good job with large groups. Tip Mr. Owner not cool to ask a party of eight to leave immediately after spending a good dollar in your establishment. I mean, check paid and 30 seconds later telling the host "party has to leave". Com'on man..........
(2)
Maggie M.
This place was awful. We sat down for brunch at noon, and it took us asking someone at 1230 to finally get someone to take our order. We brought champagne to celebrate the BYO factor, only to be required to ask for our own glasses after waiting for 30 minutes. Furthermore, the food was far from impressive. I ordered the breakfast tacos, and was disappointed to find the whole dish bland and tasteless. I noted that my friend, who ordered French toast, received Kraft maple syrup in a plastic package. I expect more from an eating establishment in northern New Jersey. We continued to lack service throughout our meal, forced to seek out our own check after 20 minutes of sitting with empty plates. I will not visit this restaurant again.
(1)
Anita B.
I really wanted to love this restaurant. I had been there twice before and just remember being underwhelmed. With a Groupon type voucher I decided to try it again. This time we kept it simple and had fish & chips. I'm shaking my head as I write this but it was largely a fail. I suspected bad food to come when I heard our food hit the fryer. What a commotion. To my uneducated ear, the oil was way too hot. When the food arrived, my suspicions were confirmed. The coating on the fish was falling off the fish, and the fish itself didn't appear to be the sturdy cod-type fish that would stand up to coating and frying because it was very wet and thin. Parts of the coating were way too dark, bordering on burned, so I picked them off. The home-made fries were all stuck together and therefore in my plate especially , there were many slices of almost raw potato in between the over cooked ones. Let me say that it is a pleasant place, and the service was nice enough, but I'd think fish and chips are your cooking school's 101 course. And really, if something doesn't come out right, don't put it out! We would have waited. The waiter also didn't even mention anything about the plate of raw potato and burned coating I put on my butter plate. My bad - I could have and probably should have sent it back. But chef put it out there herself. She gave the plate a good look and then looked at us and then threw craps. Was she gambling that we don't know what fish and chips should be like? Oh speaking of which, for the best fish and chips ever, try the Mud City Crab House in Manahawkin, NJ. Out of the way but so worth it!
(2)
Maggie L.
I love going to Janice's because of the warm and friendly atmosphere. Dave at the bar always has a nice smile and greets every customer the food is superb . The boothes are intimate and cozy.I recommend everything actually on the menu but my favorites are Janice's salads and homemade soup. ... never a miss!
(5)
Allison M.
We had the shrimp appetizer and it was too die for. A completely different taste than I expected. I had the rib eye cooked to perfection, and my date had a juicy burger. Everything was perfect. The service was wonderful. Recommend it!
(5)
Lizzz E.
Service and atmosphere were amazing! I think you need a reservation on the weekend, we had one for 6pm on Saturday and lucky we did - the place was full by 6.30! Loved the meatball and ravioli starters! Was not a fan of the short-ribs or the horseradish mashed potatoes but I loved the chicken marsala w veggies. Ill definitely return to this place! SOOO good!
(4)
Jack S.
Went there on a living social and I have to say the service and friendliness of our waiter was excellent. Nice menu food was very good but not over the top. Salad could have used a little more dressing, scallops were very good but coconut custard pie was superb. I would go back.
(4)
Mike T.
I have been there a couple of times now. I've have to say never been disappointed with the quality of the food. My favorite thing about this restaurant is that they always change the menu. You never get the same thing when you go. its great mediterranean food fresh and delicious. We still haven't gotten a bad meal there one downside is that they are a little pricey. But you save on liquor because it's byob. Great restaurant give it a try. P.S. it does get really crowded you might want to make reservations. Absolutely we all should spread the word out when something it good. I loved the appetizer that you had with white kidney beans and grilled calamari. We came again and you added grilled shrimp. The you change it again to chorizo. P.S claims casino are out of this world. Even you Chilean seabass in a lemon butter sauce. Great. Keep it up.
(4)
Nancy L.
Sure.... We had 11:30 reservations and we sat all the way up front by window and were a party of 12! He had glasses. It certainly wasn't his fault I think he felt terrible bc he was waiting by kitchen for the last hamburger for father in law. All the buyers were well done while some should have been med rare. The salad never came so we asked him to forget about it. All in all he should have seen how upset we were and done something about it. A nice morning turned into a real disaster.
(1)
Susan F.
Just Janice is an excellent restaurant. Our salads ( each of our party of three. had a different one), fish tacos, Veal Milanese and Chicken Milanese were all delicious.
(4)
Richard R.
My first time at Janice was about a year ago. Saw an add on living social to try the place. I went on a Saturday and thought we had a good meal was not allowed to use the voucher so I paid full price. My fault but bummer right there as it did not sit well as the restaurant had no empathy. Almost seemed as a aha got you reaction. I returned a year later with the credit to give it another try this time asked if I could use the voucher and was denied after the waiter called the manager. I was told they would not be paid by living social. Now I'm ticked as I feel this place offers a deal to try the restaurant but will not honor it. So I would never step back in this establishment for this very reason. Living social apologized to me and told me the restaurant was already paid when I bought the voucher so I was lied to. I received a credit. Janice shame on you for lying to a potential customer who will never be and when asked will never recommend.
(1)
Jennifer W.
Have been coming for years....and we have always enjoyed the food. But since it is JUST JANICE now...LOVE the updated decor. the vibe is great. Tonight we had the veal meatballs as an appetizer which we shared and then shared the fabulous creamy gargonzola salad. LOVE THAT SALAD! We ended up sharing the special which was the Mahi Mahi and ended up sharin as well a piece of the fabulous Key Lime Pie. This place gives ample portions so for us empty nesters, sharing is sweet! Rather spend a little more at a restaurant like this and truly enjoy the meal wonderfully compared to some mediocre local place that's mediocre.
(5)
P F.
I really don't understand all of the sketchy reviews. My daughter and I visited on April 8th. We were seated promptly and the waitress came to our table immediately. They gave us a bowl of ice and glasses for the Martinis that we were able to bring in. BYOB always a big plus at a restaurant. The atmosphere was really quaint and cute. It looked like a luncheonette with an upscale flair. Quite comfortable. We arrived at about 5:30, and the restaurant began to fill up about half hour later. We did have reservations. They served us bread which was really good. I ordered the Beef Short Ribs and Horseradish Mashed Potatoes. The short ribs were excellent, but didn't taste the horseradish in the potatoes. But they were good anyways. My daughter ordered the Ribeye Steak and Fritas (fries). The steak was excellent, but I would suggest trying a different type of fry. they were too thin and crispy to accompany a rib eye. I did have a living social which covered the entire dinner. The service was satisfactory. I would go back again but with another deal in tow. I do think it was a tad bit overpriced (for me) for the type of establishment without a deal. But then again some people are prepared to purchase anything without knowing the price tag. To each his own.
(4)
Janice L.
Pretty darn good and great name to boot!!! ;) I had a salad that was plentiful and refreshing. For the meal, I had the penne vodka which was amazing. One of the best in my life. They also cater to those with gluten allergies for those who have that. For dessert, I had the chocolate flourless cake which was awesome! All my friends and I really liked everything we had there. Staff was so friendly and the host was so nice when I made my reservations. Staff alone I'd go back for. We loved our waiter. Also really great atmosphere for a date!!
(5)
susan s.
So disappointed in breakfast today! Service was fine but the Omelets were underwhelming. Well done, not at all fluffy. Less than you would expect from a diner. My omelet was supposed to have caramelized onions , couldn't find them. We have been here for breakfast and lunch once before and we thought it was good. Will not be coming back.
(1)
A. W.
If you are looking for a great meal look no further. I would put Janice's brunch up to any 5 star restaurants any day. You must try the Scrambler for brunch. Her dinners are always great. The food as only improved with time. The staff is always going out of their way for their customers. P.S. They have a lot of gluten free options on the menu, too.
(5)
Catherine F.
5 stars!! It is always such a pleasure dining at Just Janice. Upon entering the establishment, the guests are welcomed with warm, family like generosity and care. It is something people take for granted these days. I can confidently say Just Janice receives 5 stars for hospitality on it's own. With great hospitality, comes great food. I personally can not stop thinking about the risotto. It is so creamy, and yet so light. Making a risotto rich, but not heavy shows sheer talent on it's own. It's when you get to the specials, though, that's when the real mastery really presents itself. Rack of lamb, diver sea scallops, filet mignon, veal, mahi mahi, pork tenderloin, seasonal crab, all of which are a true indulgence that allows one to make one cheat day turn into two. I highly recommend dining at Just Janice for you will feel right at home and you definitely won't leave hungry or feeling robbed. Bravo! Until next time....
(5)
Liz M.
Dined here for the first time with the girls, & a restaurant.com coupon. It was a Thursday night & the place was full. The food was delicious, & nice that it was a byob.; however had we not had a coupon, it would've been way to,pricey for what it was. I will return, but only with a coupon.
(3)
Suzanne Z.
Great food, although the lunch menu is smaller than it used to be. Blackened chicken paillard is one of the best things in the menu, the burgers and sandwiches are just perfection. Friendly service, it is loud inside, but it's a very popular place to eat, so that's to be expected. BYOB if that's your thing, and be sure to try some of Janice's freshly made desserts!
(4)
Scott G.
When I asked if they had a opening Response. "Do you have a coupon". Sketch---/// suspect Great food & atmosphere Forgot my coupon
(4)
Anne S.
My first time here. I had lunch here last week. It was perfect. A special salad/ with blackened shrimp on mixed greens w goat cheese, dried cranberries, sliced candied almonds in a light balsamic dressing. Flavors were a delightfully perfect combination.
(5)
Randy M.
Not worth the trip for Breakfast or Brunch. The prices are high and the portions are small. For a two-egg omelette, a French toast, and two eggs-Benedict's, with one side of bacon and two OJ's, the bill was over $70. Go to Mathews Diner for breakfast instead.
(2)
Janice T.
Waist of time and money. First off could not even read their menu because the lighting is horrible. There menu says no substations but it was okay for them to sub something out of my meal and not even tell me because they ran out. The others an came out like shoe leather and they had nothing to say but would you like to take it home for your dog if you are not going to eat it. And still left it on my bill. Shame shame shame. They won't stay in business to long with this mentality.
(1)
W K.
Feeling hungry from a morning at the garage waiting for my ride...I stopped in at our favorite restaurant in HoHoKus...Janice. One of the lunch specials was egg salad on pumpernickel with asparagus and smoked salmon...so so delicious. My partner had the delicious Southwest Chicken sandwich which is on a really delicious toasted grain bread with avocado and bacon. Amazing! Janice never dissapoints! Love this wonderful restaurant :)
(5)
Jennifer Palagano B.
Food was average. There was not a lot of menu options. Came with a restaurant.com gift card and felt because of this we got rushed. The waitress even said they were hounding her for the table. Very upsetting because I was with a friend that I don't get to see often. Won't be returning!
(1)
Ira G.
Another bad experience! Downgrading to two stores. Very poor service and mediocre meal.Sunday mornings seem to be a problem for this place.
(2)
Dave S.
Disappointing.... NIce decor, but unmemorible food. Chorizo shrimp appetizer was tasty, but the braised short ribs were bland on top of horseradish mashed potatoes which were not flavorful - an unenjoyable meal. Fish tacos were good toppings on top of fish that wasn't good. Didn't have any desire to order desert and extend the experience there. Insulting was the note on the menu that only 2 credit cards are accepted per table yet for a party of 6 (eg our three couples who could not use 3 credit cards ) , they have no problem adding 20% mandatory tip (on top of the tax too). Too much hassle, especially for food that I had.. Would go elsewhere. Oh well, now I know.
(2)
bruce s.
Janice is everything it is supposed to be and everything it was meant to be. It fires on all cylinders if you are seeking the cuisine and vibe of an authentic bistro. I'm hard pressed to think of anyplace in NJ that refers to themselves as a 'bistro' that pulls it off like Janice does. Reminded my wife and me of going to Raoul's off Spring Street in SoHo back in the day. Our meal was delicious and everything was 'clean'.....not hiding behind a heavy handed chef disguising his food with excess seasoning. The muscles and clams oreganata was exceptional....fresh and nicely prepared. I had the trout, my wife the beef short ribs and daughter had pork osso bucca....all beautifully prepared, nice portions and piping hot out of the kitchen. Our waitress was terrific. Very friendly, very competent. Place is loud but super cozy and overall inviting. Will be back again soon!
(4)
Hamon W.
I have been dining at Janice's for over eight years. And after reading some of the negative harsh comments, it's hard to believe they're talking about the same place. First off the atmosphere is warm and inviting, whether you choose to dine al fresco in the warmer months or grab a booth or table inside. The staff is always smiling and eager to please, and the food ... their food is amazing! Constantly changing, Janice seems to get it right consistently with creating new items using local fresh ingredients of the season. I can honestly say we have never had a bad meal here. And this includes dessert, which is out-of-this-world, each item made fresh daily by Janice. My only disappointment was once stopping in after a movie for coffee and dessert and just missed getting the last slice of pecan pie. But thankfully the coconut custard was recommended and now also vies as one of our favorites. Being a neighborhood eatery for almost a decade and reinventing good food and pleasant dining experiences is no easy task. And Just Janice gets it Just Right! -H.W.
(5)
Conrad B.
So let's see... We went here twice in the past week and a half. The first time was on a Saturday with a Living Social coupon. Silly me as I didn't read the fine print and the coupon is not accepted on Saturday. (Hence the second outing about 10 days later!) Janice is a BYOB, so that's always a big plus. Dinner #1- Their salad special was excellent. My wife had the pork osso buco and it was a bit dry, but the extra sauce we asked for helped. I had the pork chop special with polenta which I enjoyed very much. But the dessert we had (they make all their own desserts)... the coconut custard pie was KILLER! OMG (and I hate saying OMG) this was the best coconut custard pie I'd ever had. If you're here and like coconut custard... ya gotta try it. Dinner #2 - We had mussels with fries instead of a salad and they were very good. (No grains of sand at all!) The fries were "McDonalds like" (a good thing) but would have liked them a bit crispier. My wife had the chicken marsala which was tasty, but just a bit tough. I had the burger which was very good... served medium rare. I didn't want more fries, so they made a mashed sweet potatoes with gorgonzola cheese and truffle oil. We weren't crazy about these sweet potatoes... tasted a bit off. I'm not sure if it's the gorgonzola or what, but it didn't work for us. Will I go back? Sure... if I'm hungry and in the area.
(4)
Peter A.
This place is hands down the best restaurant in North Jersey. I order take out from here a lot but ocassionally will dine in with company. The service is top notch, the food is always fresh and the dishes are pretty unique sometimes. Everything tastes so home-made and fresh and the atmosphere is very elegant yet calmly casual at the same time. Excellent place to dine in - food is top notch on all ends. Did I mention they are incredible at accomodating allergies? Well, they are - especially gluten. Just wish they would carry gluten free buns as well as the gf bread they have. Dedicated fryer too for the allergies is a huge plus.
(5)
Rushan S.
Mussels in garlic broth was fantastic. Burgers were overcooked and lacked seasoning. They repainted interior.
(3)
Starvin M.
Diner on a Saturday night was decent at best. The place had been remodeled for the better since I last dined there, I just wish the food was as good as I remember. The appetizer of clams oreganata and the chopped gorgonzola salad were both tasty. The entrees on the other hand were disappointing. I am a steak guy and let me tell you I could have made a better rib eye in a frying pan in my kitchen than the flavorless, loaded with fat, poor excuse for a piece of steak I was served. My wife got the short ribs, which were much better than my steak, but that is not saying much. They were dry and lacked flavor. The horseradish mash potatoes were good although absent if any horseradish flavor. I will say the service was good as well as the ambiance, but at the end of the day you don't eat ambiance. I'd like to think I had a bad night, but after reading a few recent reviews, I may not be alone.
(2)
Beth P.
My daughter had a craving for eggs Benedict so we figured we would give this place a try. She ordered the eggs Benedict which came with a side of potatoes. Hollandaise sauce was overly thick and very skimpy amount was on top. English muffin did not look toasted enough. Potatoes were tasteless. This dish was $12. I ordered the scrambled eggs mixed with goat cheese and truffle oil served over multi grain bread with a side salad. This was a $17 dish probably because of truffle oil which they used way too much of in the eggs. You could barely taste the goat cheese that was supposed to be in dish. The side salad that was served on the same plate had way too much vinegar in the dressing. I asked the waiter initially if something else could be substituted for the salad or put on separate plate and was told this is how it comes. We barely touched our dishes and the waiter didn't seem to notice. Had we not been so hungry we would have left before we ordered and I also would have complained about our food but we were in a rush.
(1)
Kristine D.
Added: lots of updates in decor but not the menu. We don't eat here as much bc it seems to be getting pricey for the same old options. Always great and consistent! Not sure what other reviewers are talking about I never encountered attitude from anyone...always friendly service. I've had everything on the menu pretty much and never had a bad meal! Well the burger wasnt so great but this isnt a 'burger' sort of place anyway. Booth seating is best as the tables up front are too long and big to have a conversation w/o speaking too loud. I love how cozy the decor is here too ....an old diner vibe but a very comfy diner.
(4)
Jeff S.
Too bad this place dissapoints. We would love to love it, but from the spoiled oysters to the bad attitude, we won't. We've eaten here many times. The first time was pleasurable for brunch. Every time since has been disappointing. The most recent we tried everything... The steak, oysters, salmon, trout... A few oysters were rotten (didn't take off bill) "sorry we forgot to smell them" Steak was still living, then came back as charcoal. Salmon, dry and tasteless. Trout wasn't bad. Afogato was good. The manager's attitude is reason enough to not visit, as described in many other reviews. I don't care if he's Janice's husband or ex, his focus on the business and not the customer is apparent, and will steer this ship into the rocks. Oh well, many other great choices around.
(2)
Megan D.
A+!! I have had the pleasure of dining at Janice a Bistro and now under its current name, Just Janice, after John the front manager left. All I can say is wow, I am hooked! The food, ambiance, staff, location, and decor is something you can't find anywhere else in our area. They always have delicious specials which change frequently and are always unique and well made. For breakfast/brunch I would highly recommend the Bistro Scrambler; I absolutely love anything truffle and this dish was out of this world GOOD! At lunch I always enjoy their salads especially the shrimp and sesame noodle salad, yum!! At dinner you cannot go wrong with any of their specials. I recently had their pumpkin goat cheese ravioli with sage brown butter sauce for an appetizer, pecan crusted rack of lamb for my dinner, and flourless chocolate cake for dessert...one of the top 5 meals I have ever had. And I can't say more about how attentive and warm welcoming the staff are at Just Janice; made me feel right at home and that goes really far in my book. Plus, great music...trust me when I say you won't be disappointed; this is a whole new restaurant!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Dani S.
Went here because we had a Groupon and we wanted to check it out. I can honestly say... their food is AMAZING!!! i lived in Ridgewood for 5 years and had no idea this place was around. Their Bloody Mary Oysters were to die for and their main courses were great and so yummy. We had a groupon, so our meal came to only $50 (including the Bloody Mary Oysters we ordered extra). For $50 i would defiantly go back, as it included one appetizer, two main meals, and a dessert. However if we did not have the groupon, we would have paid about $110, and for that price, unfortunately Janice is not worth is. Do like that it is BYOB though :)
(5)Jon K.
We were drinking unsweetened iced teas with mango nectar and lime. Very refreshing. No free refills! Wife began with a grilled calamari and shrimp salad appetizer. There was a noticeable lack of greens but otherwise she said the dish was outstanding. I did not tasted but there was a generous portion of great looking seafood. I began with a mussels with chorizo appetizer. It was great. Huge amount of mussels and generous amount of sliced chorizo in a tomato broth. Her main course was a seared tuna with soba noodles. She loved. My main was a special which was a French cut pork chop stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella with polenta and sauteed spinach. This dish, along with mediocre service, was the difference between a 3 and 4 star review. The meat and sauce were overly salted and the portion size was not a good value for the money. Desserts were a chocolate cream pie and an apple crumb pie with caramel gelato. Both were made in-house and very good. I still wish they would print out the extensive list of daily specials instead of reciting them sans prices.
(3)Elizabeth R.
Unique, Cozy, Romantic at dinner time, We love it. If risotto is on the specials menu, be sure to order it. Only suggestion would be to print out the specials, there are too many to remember.
(5)Jennifer C.
I really enjoyed this restaurant. I can't remember the name of the first appetizer we ordered but they were these delicious mozzerella and prosciutto bite size sandwiches ... amazing. I LOVE seafood, but the fried clams not so much; they were rubbery and had no flavor other than fish. No good. For dinner, I ordered the veal milanese. While it could've used a touch of salt, the portion was much larger than I expected and very, very good. I'm not a dessert lover, but the chocolate cake was sinfully warm and delicious. Overall, this place was definitely a good find. The prices are rather high, but if you can snag a groupon like I did, go for it! The staff was incredibly friendly and the place itself was very quaint. If I lived closer to the area, I would visit again.
(4)Maurice H.
I pushed this place to 5 stars for our dinner last night! The mussels, although a little expensive are excellent, cooked in a delicious broth with (a surprise) that adds to the flavor. Plentiful and good for two if you use the bread to soak up the broth. My bride's onion soup was a big bowl of very flavorable soup with cheese and crouton floating in it. They could add more cheese as my cholesterol is controlled by medication and my cheese craving monumental. She followed that with the special fillet Mignon with Gorgonzola butter. She said is was among the best she has had in any restaurant in years! I had the special osso bucco, which I have ordered about 4 times in the last two months in 4 different restaurants. Janice did it to perfection over mushroom risotto which was masterful. The best of the four. A BYOB with funky ambiance (booths and a counter in a converted coffee shop type place) make this one of my favorites. Janice is also known for excellent desserts. We will have to start with that on our next visit. Probably next week!
(5)Sarah D.
The food and service are consistently top notch!! We don't order anything fancy, but the burger is to die for!
(4)John R.
Any restaurant on New Year's Eve has the potential to be wildly disappointing. Most are ill equipped to deal with the hordes of amateur drunks all expecting the times of their lives with little regards to food quality. I'm happy to report that Janice did a great job, particularly with the food. I sat with a party of 10 and there was not one dish that was flawed. Also, they do a great job with gluten-free dishes. Save room for the Coconut Cream Pie.
(4)Bruce M.
Nice atmosphere but get a booth unless you are with a party of six. Tables in front are right on top of each other so not great for couples if you want a romantic night out. Booth in the back enjoys a cool breeze from the kitchen fan. Too bad we went on a cold winter night! We started with the potato leek soup which was a disappointment. Basically a dish of loose mashed potato with very little flavor. Don't waste your money. My wife had the beef tenderloin over a parmesan polenta and this was very good. I ordered the Tuscan Chicken from the menu and was told that this was replaced with Chicken Scarpiella. Sounded good so I gave it a try. A bit too much vinegar for my taste and the chicken was more like a hen. Two small legs with a small thy and a tiny piece of white meat. Four small pieces of sausage and a few pieces of potato. In summary, the portion was small for a dinner entree. Desserts are home made so we ordered the chocolate cream pie from the specials. To our disappointment they were out of it so we tried the chocolate bunt cake which was very good. Overall, the wait staff was very polite but novice in what they knew about the menu. Will give this place another try as it has potential. Hopefully next time I will be surprised with an entree that is a full portion!
(3)Nancy H.
Where to begin . . . went for 'brunch' - one person in our party had French toast - for $10 - two pieces of regular, twin bread, served with Kraft pancake syrup - not even real maple syrup - and they had to wait for a forgotten, miniscule amount of 'berry sauce'; eggs benedict $12 - southwest eggs benedict (adding two teeny slivers of avocado and a spoonful of diced tomato, make that $14 (ordered without onions, watched as they merely scraped the onions off the top after it was prepared - good thing this was a preference and not an allergy!) - the special omelet was the smallest we'd ever seen - 'Barbie' sized . . .and then, eating the accompanying potatoes, found half a piece of bacon in the potatoes - asked the waiter, 'should there be bacon in the potatoes" - "oh no," says the waiter - "well, here you go," as we point to the bacon . . . he says, "I will let them know," and he tells a woman by the counter, and she waves her hand to shrug it off . . . (again, who expects bacon in potatoes? fortunately, not an allergy, vegan, or religious concern . . .) I could go on, however, hopefully that is enough for anyone to make their own decision on this one !
(1)Thomas R.
My gf and I just fininshed up a wonderful dinner at Janice. We had bought a groupon for the restaurant, but I had eaten there a few times in the past (mostly for brunch), so I kinda knew what to expect. Ambiance is great. There are a number of comfortable leather booths and it feels like a cross between a diner and a french bistro. Very cool. Could see it being a great date spot on a quiet night. The meal was really wonderful. We started with an app of crabcakes and fries, which came with a spicy mustard sauce on the side. Big chunks of real lump crab in there and cooked to perfection (not too much mayo either). I then had the mustard crusted trout, which came with sweet potato mash (with goat cheese mixed in!) and some spinach. The fish was cooked perfectly, breaded well and pan fried. The portion was absolutely huge and I took some home for tomorrow. My gf had the veal milanese, which was essentially breaded and fried veal topped with arugula, tomato and mozz. That was delicious. She had a similar dish a few nights before at another nearby restaurant and this blew it out of the water. We finished the meal with the pecan pie. My gf is quiet the baker and lover off all things sweet. She said "best pecan pie.....EVER". Nuf said there. While this is not a cheap place to dine, the ambiance and food are exceptional. The owner is extremely friendly and outgoing and will make sure that you enjoy your meal best I can tell. We will be back very soon, Groupon or not. If I had one complaint it would be noise level and how crowded the restaurant can get on a busy night (they really pack the tables in). But its BYOB, so the wine is flowing and people are having a blast, which is always great to see.
(5)Christina A.
Although its quiet a drive from where I live, it's one of the best French bistros i've been to in Jersey. The atomsphere changes depending on the time of the day you go. For breakfast/brunch, it has a bright and family oriented feeling and amazing eggs benedict! For dinner the low lighting gives off an intimate but cozy feeling whoever you're dining with. Their pastas aren't particularly out of this world, but their artichoke salad is absolutely divine. The only negative thing I have to say about this restaurant is the narrow path to the bathroom, which makes you feel a little claustrophic on the way =T. If you don't have anywhere to go on a Sunday morning/brunch time definitely stop by here to enjoy all their brunch specials!
(4)Rich R.
We love this place for dinner, Sunday brunch and whenever. They are always rotating the specials so you never eat the same thing twice unless you want to. If you are in the area I highly suggest this place.
(5)Lauren L.
My husband and I went to Janice on a recent Tuesday night around 7 PM. We did not have reservations and the place was packed. We've been before and it was a similar situation. We patiently waited and got a table by the window. As other diners have pointed out in their reviews, the tables at the front of the restaurant are VERY close together. We were happy to have a table anywhere, since it was so busy, but be warned. The food at Janice is delicious. My husband and I enjoyed each item we ordered. I gave the restaurant a mediocre review, and not a great one, because of the owner/manager of the establishment. From the time we got there and observed his actions while we waited at the bar, he does not appear to be a nice man. He was rude to his staff, yelling at one particular waitress several times in front of the patrons. I had a major problem with this. Other reviewers have noted that Janice is quite understaffed. I can't help but wonder if their lack of enough waitstaff and bus people is because of the management. Times are tough and people need jobs, but they shouldn't have to endure this kind of treatment. I told our poor waitress this, who appeared to be on the verge of tears during the entire time she served us, yet managed to keep it together and be attentive to us, despite such poor treatment from her boss. We left her a generous tip because I did not enjoy seeing her get reprimanded like a child. Very unprofessional of the manager. Now - for more on the food. I had the arugula and parmesan salad to start - very delicious. For entrees, my husband ordered braised shortribs which he enjoyed. I ordered seared tuna with cold sesame noodles. The dish was delicious and I would order it again, no questions asked. However, I'm not so sure I would go back to Janice. The food was wonderful and the restaurant itself is a very cute place with great ambience. But unless the manager begins to treat his staff with a little more respect, I wouldn't patronize his establishment again. Good people deserve thriving businesses. Not rude ones.
(3)Karyn V.
Have been here several times. The food lately seems to be going downhill and the poor attitude of the owner and manager hasn't improved at all.
(2)Laura O.
I admit, we only went here because of a Groupon we purchased. No one ever told us about this place, I didn't check Yelp first, etc. My expectations were low. I was EXTREMELY surprised by how fantastic the food was. I felt as if I was in a cute East Village restaurant . This is one of the best food places I've seen in Bergen County.
(5)Patrick D.
My wife and I ate here last night. She had eaten lunch at Janice several times with friends, and we took advantage of a Groupon to check it out for dinner. The good news is the food is EXCELLENT. We ordered off the menu, veal milanese and a stuffed pork chop. Both entrees were very enjoyable. The only downer was the bread dish which had some dried out bruschetta and bread sticks. But we don't pick a restaurant for the bread. The restaurant is very small, a converted luncheonette and we waited a half hour to be seated despite having a reservation. We found out later they were unusually busy for a Thursday evening so the wait was understandable. Unfortunately, they had a tv playing while we were waiting which appeared pretty tacky to us and out of character with the restaurant. The service was very courteous, but we were blown away when are bill came with a suggested gratuity of 20%. I don't know if they got burned by another groupon patron, but we found suggested tip to be very offensive. We'll probably try Janice's Bistro again, hopefully on a quieter night, without a tv, and see if the gratuity is left to our discretion.
(3)Matt S.
Went to Janice's Bistro last nite for dinner. The place is very popular because it was crowded. Had an 8:00 reservation and they sat us down 5 minutes early. First the food, very very good. Also has Gluten free dishes which are very cool. We had the mussell's and crab cake with Frittes. Both were delicious. Our main meals were the blackened salmon with a lentil salad and asparagus and the Rib-Eye Steak with Pom Frittes. Again, both very very good. I don't know the difference between Pom Frittes and steak fries but I must say they are tasty. We shared a slice of key lime pie and really enjoyed the meal. The place must have been a luncheonette at some point because there is a counter with seats as well as booths along the side of the restaurant. They had a couple of tables outside and some tables as you walk in to the place. They have tried their best to make it as romantic as they can. We had a booth in the rear of the restaurant. It is very dark but that's OK. But the kitchen was on the otherside of a wall next to our booth and you can really hear them cook. We knew when a fresh batch of Frittes were coming because you could really hear them boiling. The place is called a bistro so what the heck. The food is very good and if you can handle the noise (like me), its a place you must try. It's BYOB. We will dedfinitely be back again.
(4)W W.
Good food, nice place, great service. Dined for lunch, and it was very good. Love their oatmeal. Delicious. Someone in our party had salads and they looked great, and they said it was Delicious too.
(4)Daniel D.
This is a quaint and cozy Italian Restaurant, with some of the most delicious Italian foods with original old country recipes located in the Historic Town of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ. Each time I visit there I get a fresh selection of homemade dishes that bring back fond memories of my Italian heritage and family gathering of my home town. The Hosts and staff welcomed me like family from the first time I ever entered. What a refreshing, vibrant atmosphere this restaurant provides each and every customer who walks through their doors. Can say enough about their charm. It's worth the experience if you haven't been there before.
(5)Deborah H.
We have eaten here three times. First I did brunch and had a good plate of eggs benedict with some poached asparagus. Next lunch with a good burger and a nice beer (BYOB) with excellent fries. Then we had dinner. The fish I had had way too much fennel in the sauce and the rest of the flavors were missing/flat in the dish. Service was good and the atmosphere is very nice for having a meal with friends.
(3)Al J.
Had 8pm reservations on a Saturday night. Got there around 7:55p and was told by the "conductor" behind the coffee bar to take a seat on the very wobbly diner stools. He told us about 15mins. After waiting an HOUR, and after finishing our entire bottle of wine, we got up and left starving at 8:55pm. He didn't even seem to care when we walked out. Will never return to this poorly run dump. Good thing the Ho-ho-kus Inn is just a short walk away.
(1)Susan M.
So we went back, even though our wait was really long last time. This time the wait for food, to order, and coffee refills was totally reasonable. The real reason for this review is the breakfast special that was scrambled eggs with goat cheese, truffle oil and asparagus wrapped in prosciutto. My husband ordered it, but changed the cheese for cheddar instead of goat cheese (not a fan). It was hands down one of the most amazing things I have ever tried. I was sad I didn't order it. I wanted to get an order to go. Seriously. I can't wait to order it next time, I don't care how long of a wait it would be!
(5)John B.
I'm a big fan of this restaurant especially since its BYOB. I'm always delighted by the specials and love the trout they have on the menu. The desserts are always great too especially the bread pudding. I Just wish it was a little bit cheaper and I would eat out more often
(4)J. A.
My wife and I love this place! We come here about 2x a month and we are always remembered by John and/or his son. Although it can take a little while to be seated at times, especially during prime time hours/weekends/Sunday brunch, the food is well worth the wait. Fairly priced grub and it's BYOB. My only complaint is that I wish the menu had a little more variety, but that being said the food on the menu is tasty.
(4)Elizabeth L.
Cute atmosphere, way overpriced for the quality of food. Lobster bisque was terrible, overpriced iced tea and lemonade were both watered down. Turkey and pear sandwich on a croissant was good... Not $12 good, but decent. My husbands burger was also decent, nothing special, I'll give them another chance for dinner, byob is a plus.
(2)Jeff S.
Couple things about this place. First the food is good, not great, but good. My steak was solid and my wife had a good pork chop. Do not go here to late or you will be sorry. I was leaning forward in my chair all night so in wasn't hit on the fly by a waiter. Tables were wayyyy to close together so unless you get a booth you will not be happy w the atmosphere. I could have head butted the woman next to me we were so close. This could have been 4 stars if they didn't try and pack solo many tables into a small restaurant.
(3)Lori B.
One of our favorite places to take friends and family when visiting! We have been completely satisfied with every meal - lunch or dinner!
(4)Adrienne B.
Been here twice, once for dinner, and today for brunch. Both times I was there, our order got screwed up. The food has been good both times, I really think they just need more waiters or better communication. The atmosphere is really cozy and background music is nice. I would definitely choose this place over many other brunch options in our area.
(3)Kristina F.
I had lunch at Janice for the first time last week and enjoyed it so much that I went back for dinner the week after. Both meals were delicious, the service was friendly and the place just has such a warm feeling that even though it looks like a restaurant, you feel like you're eating in someone's home.
(5)Jo Ann S.
My husband and I went for diner with another couple on a Saturday night. My friend called for reservations and was told they did not take them. We arrived at 7 and were seated. Although everything we had was very good my husband and I will not be returning. Janice must work very hard serving 3 meals a day but her husband is undermining her! We were so insulted when he came to our table right after we had just finished dessert and asked us to leave because people with "reservations" were coming. As we left we did not see anyone waiting for a table. In all our years dining out, we have never been asked to leave, how RUDE of you! We will take our business elsewhere. Jo Ann S.
(3)Cortney S.
I have been to Janice's Bistro for brunch and have had great experiences. Last night we went to Janice's Bistro because we had a Groupon deal that stated we could have 2 entrees, an appetizer, and one dessert for $35. We thought that was a great idea so we called for a reservation. The response to the Groupon offer must have been huge because the place was very busy. When we showed up for our 8 PM reservation the owner?/host? barked at me that I could have the table right in front of the entrance way (all of the free-standing tables are VERY close together, so do not go here for an intimate dining experience). When we asked about whether or not another table was available we were told rudely to pick between 2 tables. As I mentioned, the tables are on top of each other and we became friends with the people next to us and they reported similar treatment, in fact they were asked to leave right after paying their check- no lingering over coffee. I am not sure if the owner was overwhelmed with the crowd or not, but we all had reservations... On another note, our server was courteous and attentive. We had the crabcakes, Tuna entree and short-rib entree and followed that with Key-lime pie and sorbet. The food was excellent and I when the sting of encountering the owner has worn off, I may try this place again.
(2)Jack P.
My wife and I really like this place. A cute local atmosphere, attentive waiters and an owner that cares enough to come to the table and ask if your meal was good. Continental cuisine that's consistently good.
(4)Northern N.
Went here, like many other posters, with a Groupon. Started with crab cake appetizer, which was excellent. My friend got blackened salmon, which he enjoyed, I got the tuna, which was also very good. We finished with pecan pie, and again, very good. It's BYOB without an uncorking fee. Now to the negatives - it's a bit on the pricey side if you don't have a Groupon. The appetizers were mostly $12-$14, and even salads start at $10+. You basically won't leave there spending less than $100 with tax/tip. It's overcrowded, and particularly noisy. So much so, it detracted from the atmosphere. They cram too many people into too small of an area. The top negative point is the service. They were understaffed, and inattentive. As someone else mentioned, the suggested gratuity of 20% that they write on the bill is offensive - especially for service that doesn't warrant a 20% tip. How about just earn your 20% tip and not request it.
(3)Bob C.
Went here because of Groupon on a Friday night. Had 7:00 reservations, and was told it would be a couple of minutes. It was almost a half an hour till we sat down. We gave our Groupon and throughout the night we felt like 2nd class citizens. Service was slow and we could not order any specials without paying full price for them. The dinner menu was somewhat limited, I ordered the rib-eye, which I was then told they were out of! The lobster bisque tasted like it came out of a can. The artichoke appetizer was lukewarm and bland. The scallop dinner, although very good, had only 3 scallaps for $34! Then they were out of the special dessert! The place is run like a Chinese fire drill and we came out smelling like food. Isn't the point of Groupon to get you to try their place so you give them repeat business?!?
(2)Brian K.
have been frequenting the place for a few years and always enjoyed until tonight... manager failed to mention horrible valentine's day menu when reservation was made for a birthday dinner. clearly, food was prepped early and poorly reheated. filet ordered "medium" came out purple and gushing juice; clearly not cooked well nor rested. other dish was supermarket freezer aisle fare. complained to server and took john (owner/manager) 15+ minutes to come over. no apology, no accommodation, horrible treatment of loyal patrons. due to lack of respect from john, will no longer be visiting/recommending this overpriced establishment. steer clear; not recommended.
(1)Rebecca S.
If you love simple and light gourmet fare, Just Janice will be your new favorite restaurant! As for the food, I can vouch for the quality of ingredients. Everything is homemade, down to their fresh brewed raspberry iced tea or lemonade (complete with *gasp* real raspberries!) The menu is small, and vegetarian options are slim to none, so I usually build myself a sandwich that includes cheddar cheese, avocado, and chipotle mayo. Mmm, mmm, mmm! During my last visit, I noticed the restaurant's look has greatly improved. Before the walls were painted with caricatures of regulars. It was kitchy, but when you're shelling out big bucks for food, you expect a nice atmosphere too. It now looks much more modern and upscale, but still doesn't feel hoity toity. The service here is also top notch. You can tell they don't just hire anyone who walks in - these people are professionals that care. I usually feel awkward ordering something that's not on the menu, but the staff at Janice's are so accomodating they make you feel right at home. Sure, it's a little pricey, but all of the qualifiers are there to make it worth it! Fresh gourmet food, nice atmosphere and supreme service equals 5 Yelpy stars. Also, this was my mom's favorite restaurant, so I'm happy to leave a raving review in her memory :)
(5)B L.
Gave it a 2nd chance a few weeks ago and really regret it. Bottom line: the food just wasn't good. Ordered the NY strip - completely overcooked and worst of all was smothered BBQ sauce. Bland frozen veggies along with it. no idea how this place stays in business was empty on a saturday night i guess everyone else already knows this place sucks!
(2)Mike G.
I had been here a long time ago and had a bad experience, but some friends suggested I go back. I was pleasantly surprised. I had a wonderful salad with goat cheese, fresh fruits, and blackened chicken. My wife had a chicken sandwich. Servers were very pleasant, and it has a nice atmosphere. My only gripe was I think for $4.00 you should get a free refill on the ice tea. Other than that, the place is great.
(4)Amyy K.
We went here for a work lunch... My colleague had the Chicken Paillard with arugula (which she's a HUGE fan of), tomatoes, olives, red onion and dijon vinaigrette and she said it was great! I had the Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast Salad with mesculin lettuce, and basil, with sundried tomatoes, pine nuts and shaved parmesan with dijon vinaigrette also really great! Our waiter was attentive but not intrusive. Nice atmosphere, still relatively quite even as they filled up. Have the option to sit outdoors although today was too hot for it. They also offer a great DATE NIGHT deal on the chalkboard on the wall. Will definitely be back!
(4)Lee S.
This is my second visit to this restaurant, the first when it was called Janice Bistro. My first visit was favorable which is why I suggested it for lunch with a friend visiting from out of town. The first thing that hits you when you walk in is the smokey (burnt) smell of the place - almost burns your eyes and makes you cough.... like something went terribly wrong in the kitchen and they are in dire need of airing the place out. In fact, I'm sorry to say that the horrid stench has followed me home... my clothes and hair now smell as if I've been sitting in front of a campfire for hours. Lunch menu is limited to a handful of salads, quiche, and maybe 6 sandwiches. There were some specials, but they were told to us so quickly, that we weren't sure if they were sandwiches, salads or what. My dining companion opted for one of the specials.... it was described to us again, and we were able to discern that it was a sandwich. She seemed to enjoy it. I ordered the asparagus/goat cheese quiche with white bean & escarole soup. The eggplant sandwich was a generous size, but my meal was miniscule, and I left the restaurant hungry. The wedge of quiche was probably a quarter of a 6" pie pan but it was good. The cup of soup was mostly broth with a few beans... no substance. I had been hoping for something a little heartier. My dining companion mentioned, upon returning to the table from the restrooms, that she was practically choking while in the back of the restaurant, again from that horrid rancid oil-smelling smokiness. I'm a bit embarrassed that I suggested this place for lunch. It's unlikely I'll be returning, and I can't in good conscience recommend it to a friend.
(2)chris s.
We hadn't been here since the name change and after eating there last night we regretted that we had been away so long! Atmosphere: definitely casual but had a nice light trendy/cool feel! I like that the murals are gone as it feels airy now. Service: That was fantastic in spite of the poor waiter being on his own when we first got there - he remained cool and professional focusing on each table in an unhurried way. (back-up came in to help in as the place really started getting hectic.) Food: The rib-eye with the Gorgonzola butter was delicious but the star of the night was the shrimp in risotto appetizer and within that dish, it was the risotto that was the clear star! I could have had just the risotto as an entrée and been in heaven! Just Janice is now on our go-to list,
(4)Cat M.
Four of us ate dinner here Saturday night (3/8/14) and while the place had a good vibe about it, the food & service were not up to par unfortunately. We started out with the appetizer special - artichoke heart bottoms w/bechamel sauce & calamari & beans. Both plates were plunked down on the table with no serving spoons or plates for us to put the food on. We flagged the waiter down who then brings 3 plates instead of 4! The artichoke appetizer had no seasoning & the calamari was like eating rubberbands. The rest of the calamari dish was ok. All night the waiter was disengaged and not attentive at all. The bus boy was wonderful - he should be promoted immediately! For dinner, the steak was the best entree - really good. The cheeseburger that someone ordered medium rare came out medium well, the pork special was bland and the fish taco's hardly had any fish in them - all lettuce. The rolls that are given at dinner are excellent. We called the manager over to explain our disappointment but he did not seem to care and nothing was taken off the bill and OK that's fine but then offer a free dessert or something. Overall, iIt was clear that the owners were not around & that the wait staff do not put pride in their work. I dine out a lot and I have not witnessed a restaurant that had such terrible service or food that was uneven - uneven - I mean - some things were good and some things were just terrible. A shame because I dined at this restaurant a couple of times a few years ago and I remember it being A LOT better.
(2)Billy V.
When I think of Janice I think of two things. The girl who dated Ross on and off for a few years on "Friends" and a restaurant that tries to be New York Times rated. While Janice was funny on Friends, it was disappointing as a restaurant. Looking at my experience one year later reminds me of my immediate feelings then as well as my feelings 12 months later; the same. Entrees at NYC pricing with the amateur technique of a home cook. A party of eight at 6 PM on a Saturday night. Who goes to dinner this early; my in laws that's who. While I am not a fan of early dinner reservations, I made the journey from Astoria to Ho Ho Kus for this family event. Our table was situated in the front of the restaurant with seating east to west. Now I have to mention this because the width of the restaurant is maybe 25 feet wide. The length of our table and the booth by the wall, left about 2 feet wide space to walk by from the front to the back. Think about it, 24 inches between the end of both tables for servers, busboys, food runners and guests to walk by. Every time someone did, my wife's left shoulder and my right was bumped into in one form or the other of a butt, an arm, a hip. Someones body just hit us through the 2.5 hours of this annoying experience. Now, that was my highlight of the evening. As the floor manager (I believe to be the owner) preceded to greet every guest from behind us. Every time someone walked in, he would greet them with a warm welcome. Dude, walk around from the counter to the front door and give them that warm welcome. Let me tell you, I met everyone in Ho Ho Kus that night. Door open; hi there; come on in; everyone in our party just stopped and looked; 2.5 hours of this. Entrees lacked the imagination of an experience chef. Average at best, zero presentation and the most simplistic entrees imaginable. Rib eye served with Pomme Frittes was as inspiring as the same steak bought at the Shop Rite down the road and served at home. Visually unappealing with beef and fries on a plate. While the lamb chops were cooked to perfection the sauce was a molasses of sweetness. A saturated sauce that overpowered the essence of the lamb. The brussels sprouts was again amateurish. Something that could have been executed at a higher level. Over cooked, but still hard. Again the imagination, did not do justice to a lobster bisque that was just liquid in a bowl. Presentation did just that; it lacked presentation. Overall, Janice is the little engine that wants to play with the big leagues, but lacks the imagination of simple entrees executed right. If your looking for simple American entrees with NYC pricing. Janice has a niche, as evident with a full restaurant on a Saturday night. The balance of atmosphere and food falls short for me. I am a fan of simplistic food and entrees, but execution should be at a high level. Tip Parties of 5 or more may be seated in wrong locations. Restaurant does not do a good job with large groups. Tip Mr. Owner not cool to ask a party of eight to leave immediately after spending a good dollar in your establishment. I mean, check paid and 30 seconds later telling the host "party has to leave". Com'on man..........
(2)Maggie M.
This place was awful. We sat down for brunch at noon, and it took us asking someone at 1230 to finally get someone to take our order. We brought champagne to celebrate the BYO factor, only to be required to ask for our own glasses after waiting for 30 minutes. Furthermore, the food was far from impressive. I ordered the breakfast tacos, and was disappointed to find the whole dish bland and tasteless. I noted that my friend, who ordered French toast, received Kraft maple syrup in a plastic package. I expect more from an eating establishment in northern New Jersey. We continued to lack service throughout our meal, forced to seek out our own check after 20 minutes of sitting with empty plates. I will not visit this restaurant again.
(1)Anita B.
I really wanted to love this restaurant. I had been there twice before and just remember being underwhelmed. With a Groupon type voucher I decided to try it again. This time we kept it simple and had fish & chips. I'm shaking my head as I write this but it was largely a fail. I suspected bad food to come when I heard our food hit the fryer. What a commotion. To my uneducated ear, the oil was way too hot. When the food arrived, my suspicions were confirmed. The coating on the fish was falling off the fish, and the fish itself didn't appear to be the sturdy cod-type fish that would stand up to coating and frying because it was very wet and thin. Parts of the coating were way too dark, bordering on burned, so I picked them off. The home-made fries were all stuck together and therefore in my plate especially , there were many slices of almost raw potato in between the over cooked ones. Let me say that it is a pleasant place, and the service was nice enough, but I'd think fish and chips are your cooking school's 101 course. And really, if something doesn't come out right, don't put it out! We would have waited. The waiter also didn't even mention anything about the plate of raw potato and burned coating I put on my butter plate. My bad - I could have and probably should have sent it back. But chef put it out there herself. She gave the plate a good look and then looked at us and then threw craps. Was she gambling that we don't know what fish and chips should be like? Oh speaking of which, for the best fish and chips ever, try the Mud City Crab House in Manahawkin, NJ. Out of the way but so worth it!
(2)Maggie L.
I love going to Janice's because of the warm and friendly atmosphere. Dave at the bar always has a nice smile and greets every customer the food is superb . The boothes are intimate and cozy.I recommend everything actually on the menu but my favorites are Janice's salads and homemade soup. ... never a miss!
(5)Allison M.
We had the shrimp appetizer and it was too die for. A completely different taste than I expected. I had the rib eye cooked to perfection, and my date had a juicy burger. Everything was perfect. The service was wonderful. Recommend it!
(5)Lizzz E.
Service and atmosphere were amazing! I think you need a reservation on the weekend, we had one for 6pm on Saturday and lucky we did - the place was full by 6.30! Loved the meatball and ravioli starters! Was not a fan of the short-ribs or the horseradish mashed potatoes but I loved the chicken marsala w veggies. Ill definitely return to this place! SOOO good!
(4)Jack S.
Went there on a living social and I have to say the service and friendliness of our waiter was excellent. Nice menu food was very good but not over the top. Salad could have used a little more dressing, scallops were very good but coconut custard pie was superb. I would go back.
(4)Mike T.
I have been there a couple of times now. I've have to say never been disappointed with the quality of the food. My favorite thing about this restaurant is that they always change the menu. You never get the same thing when you go. its great mediterranean food fresh and delicious. We still haven't gotten a bad meal there one downside is that they are a little pricey. But you save on liquor because it's byob. Great restaurant give it a try. P.S. it does get really crowded you might want to make reservations. Absolutely we all should spread the word out when something it good. I loved the appetizer that you had with white kidney beans and grilled calamari. We came again and you added grilled shrimp. The you change it again to chorizo. P.S claims casino are out of this world. Even you Chilean seabass in a lemon butter sauce. Great. Keep it up.
(4)Nancy L.
Sure.... We had 11:30 reservations and we sat all the way up front by window and were a party of 12! He had glasses. It certainly wasn't his fault I think he felt terrible bc he was waiting by kitchen for the last hamburger for father in law. All the buyers were well done while some should have been med rare. The salad never came so we asked him to forget about it. All in all he should have seen how upset we were and done something about it. A nice morning turned into a real disaster.
(1)Susan F.
Just Janice is an excellent restaurant. Our salads ( each of our party of three. had a different one), fish tacos, Veal Milanese and Chicken Milanese were all delicious.
(4)Richard R.
My first time at Janice was about a year ago. Saw an add on living social to try the place. I went on a Saturday and thought we had a good meal was not allowed to use the voucher so I paid full price. My fault but bummer right there as it did not sit well as the restaurant had no empathy. Almost seemed as a aha got you reaction. I returned a year later with the credit to give it another try this time asked if I could use the voucher and was denied after the waiter called the manager. I was told they would not be paid by living social. Now I'm ticked as I feel this place offers a deal to try the restaurant but will not honor it. So I would never step back in this establishment for this very reason. Living social apologized to me and told me the restaurant was already paid when I bought the voucher so I was lied to. I received a credit. Janice shame on you for lying to a potential customer who will never be and when asked will never recommend.
(1)Jennifer W.
Have been coming for years....and we have always enjoyed the food. But since it is JUST JANICE now...LOVE the updated decor. the vibe is great. Tonight we had the veal meatballs as an appetizer which we shared and then shared the fabulous creamy gargonzola salad. LOVE THAT SALAD! We ended up sharing the special which was the Mahi Mahi and ended up sharin as well a piece of the fabulous Key Lime Pie. This place gives ample portions so for us empty nesters, sharing is sweet! Rather spend a little more at a restaurant like this and truly enjoy the meal wonderfully compared to some mediocre local place that's mediocre.
(5)P F.
I really don't understand all of the sketchy reviews. My daughter and I visited on April 8th. We were seated promptly and the waitress came to our table immediately. They gave us a bowl of ice and glasses for the Martinis that we were able to bring in. BYOB always a big plus at a restaurant. The atmosphere was really quaint and cute. It looked like a luncheonette with an upscale flair. Quite comfortable. We arrived at about 5:30, and the restaurant began to fill up about half hour later. We did have reservations. They served us bread which was really good. I ordered the Beef Short Ribs and Horseradish Mashed Potatoes. The short ribs were excellent, but didn't taste the horseradish in the potatoes. But they were good anyways. My daughter ordered the Ribeye Steak and Fritas (fries). The steak was excellent, but I would suggest trying a different type of fry. they were too thin and crispy to accompany a rib eye. I did have a living social which covered the entire dinner. The service was satisfactory. I would go back again but with another deal in tow. I do think it was a tad bit overpriced (for me) for the type of establishment without a deal. But then again some people are prepared to purchase anything without knowing the price tag. To each his own.
(4)Janice L.
Pretty darn good and great name to boot!!! ;) I had a salad that was plentiful and refreshing. For the meal, I had the penne vodka which was amazing. One of the best in my life. They also cater to those with gluten allergies for those who have that. For dessert, I had the chocolate flourless cake which was awesome! All my friends and I really liked everything we had there. Staff was so friendly and the host was so nice when I made my reservations. Staff alone I'd go back for. We loved our waiter. Also really great atmosphere for a date!!
(5)susan s.
So disappointed in breakfast today! Service was fine but the Omelets were underwhelming. Well done, not at all fluffy. Less than you would expect from a diner. My omelet was supposed to have caramelized onions , couldn't find them. We have been here for breakfast and lunch once before and we thought it was good. Will not be coming back.
(1)A. W.
If you are looking for a great meal look no further. I would put Janice's brunch up to any 5 star restaurants any day. You must try the Scrambler for brunch. Her dinners are always great. The food as only improved with time. The staff is always going out of their way for their customers. P.S. They have a lot of gluten free options on the menu, too.
(5)Catherine F.
5 stars!! It is always such a pleasure dining at Just Janice. Upon entering the establishment, the guests are welcomed with warm, family like generosity and care. It is something people take for granted these days. I can confidently say Just Janice receives 5 stars for hospitality on it's own. With great hospitality, comes great food. I personally can not stop thinking about the risotto. It is so creamy, and yet so light. Making a risotto rich, but not heavy shows sheer talent on it's own. It's when you get to the specials, though, that's when the real mastery really presents itself. Rack of lamb, diver sea scallops, filet mignon, veal, mahi mahi, pork tenderloin, seasonal crab, all of which are a true indulgence that allows one to make one cheat day turn into two. I highly recommend dining at Just Janice for you will feel right at home and you definitely won't leave hungry or feeling robbed. Bravo! Until next time....
(5)Liz M.
Dined here for the first time with the girls, & a restaurant.com coupon. It was a Thursday night & the place was full. The food was delicious, & nice that it was a byob.; however had we not had a coupon, it would've been way to,pricey for what it was. I will return, but only with a coupon.
(3)Suzanne Z.
Great food, although the lunch menu is smaller than it used to be. Blackened chicken paillard is one of the best things in the menu, the burgers and sandwiches are just perfection. Friendly service, it is loud inside, but it's a very popular place to eat, so that's to be expected. BYOB if that's your thing, and be sure to try some of Janice's freshly made desserts!
(4)Scott G.
When I asked if they had a opening Response. "Do you have a coupon". Sketch---/// suspect Great food & atmosphere Forgot my coupon
(4)Anne S.
My first time here. I had lunch here last week. It was perfect. A special salad/ with blackened shrimp on mixed greens w goat cheese, dried cranberries, sliced candied almonds in a light balsamic dressing. Flavors were a delightfully perfect combination.
(5)Randy M.
Not worth the trip for Breakfast or Brunch. The prices are high and the portions are small. For a two-egg omelette, a French toast, and two eggs-Benedict's, with one side of bacon and two OJ's, the bill was over $70. Go to Mathews Diner for breakfast instead.
(2)Janice T.
Waist of time and money. First off could not even read their menu because the lighting is horrible. There menu says no substations but it was okay for them to sub something out of my meal and not even tell me because they ran out. The others an came out like shoe leather and they had nothing to say but would you like to take it home for your dog if you are not going to eat it. And still left it on my bill. Shame shame shame. They won't stay in business to long with this mentality.
(1)W K.
Feeling hungry from a morning at the garage waiting for my ride...I stopped in at our favorite restaurant in HoHoKus...Janice. One of the lunch specials was egg salad on pumpernickel with asparagus and smoked salmon...so so delicious. My partner had the delicious Southwest Chicken sandwich which is on a really delicious toasted grain bread with avocado and bacon. Amazing! Janice never dissapoints! Love this wonderful restaurant :)
(5)Jennifer Palagano B.
Food was average. There was not a lot of menu options. Came with a restaurant.com gift card and felt because of this we got rushed. The waitress even said they were hounding her for the table. Very upsetting because I was with a friend that I don't get to see often. Won't be returning!
(1)Ira G.
Another bad experience! Downgrading to two stores. Very poor service and mediocre meal.Sunday mornings seem to be a problem for this place.
(2)Dave S.
Disappointing.... NIce decor, but unmemorible food. Chorizo shrimp appetizer was tasty, but the braised short ribs were bland on top of horseradish mashed potatoes which were not flavorful - an unenjoyable meal. Fish tacos were good toppings on top of fish that wasn't good. Didn't have any desire to order desert and extend the experience there. Insulting was the note on the menu that only 2 credit cards are accepted per table yet for a party of 6 (eg our three couples who could not use 3 credit cards ) , they have no problem adding 20% mandatory tip (on top of the tax too). Too much hassle, especially for food that I had.. Would go elsewhere. Oh well, now I know.
(2)bruce s.
Janice is everything it is supposed to be and everything it was meant to be. It fires on all cylinders if you are seeking the cuisine and vibe of an authentic bistro. I'm hard pressed to think of anyplace in NJ that refers to themselves as a 'bistro' that pulls it off like Janice does. Reminded my wife and me of going to Raoul's off Spring Street in SoHo back in the day. Our meal was delicious and everything was 'clean'.....not hiding behind a heavy handed chef disguising his food with excess seasoning. The muscles and clams oreganata was exceptional....fresh and nicely prepared. I had the trout, my wife the beef short ribs and daughter had pork osso bucca....all beautifully prepared, nice portions and piping hot out of the kitchen. Our waitress was terrific. Very friendly, very competent. Place is loud but super cozy and overall inviting. Will be back again soon!
(4)Hamon W.
I have been dining at Janice's for over eight years. And after reading some of the negative harsh comments, it's hard to believe they're talking about the same place. First off the atmosphere is warm and inviting, whether you choose to dine al fresco in the warmer months or grab a booth or table inside. The staff is always smiling and eager to please, and the food ... their food is amazing! Constantly changing, Janice seems to get it right consistently with creating new items using local fresh ingredients of the season. I can honestly say we have never had a bad meal here. And this includes dessert, which is out-of-this-world, each item made fresh daily by Janice. My only disappointment was once stopping in after a movie for coffee and dessert and just missed getting the last slice of pecan pie. But thankfully the coconut custard was recommended and now also vies as one of our favorites. Being a neighborhood eatery for almost a decade and reinventing good food and pleasant dining experiences is no easy task. And Just Janice gets it Just Right! -H.W.
(5)Conrad B.
So let's see... We went here twice in the past week and a half. The first time was on a Saturday with a Living Social coupon. Silly me as I didn't read the fine print and the coupon is not accepted on Saturday. (Hence the second outing about 10 days later!) Janice is a BYOB, so that's always a big plus. Dinner #1- Their salad special was excellent. My wife had the pork osso buco and it was a bit dry, but the extra sauce we asked for helped. I had the pork chop special with polenta which I enjoyed very much. But the dessert we had (they make all their own desserts)... the coconut custard pie was KILLER! OMG (and I hate saying OMG) this was the best coconut custard pie I'd ever had. If you're here and like coconut custard... ya gotta try it. Dinner #2 - We had mussels with fries instead of a salad and they were very good. (No grains of sand at all!) The fries were "McDonalds like" (a good thing) but would have liked them a bit crispier. My wife had the chicken marsala which was tasty, but just a bit tough. I had the burger which was very good... served medium rare. I didn't want more fries, so they made a mashed sweet potatoes with gorgonzola cheese and truffle oil. We weren't crazy about these sweet potatoes... tasted a bit off. I'm not sure if it's the gorgonzola or what, but it didn't work for us. Will I go back? Sure... if I'm hungry and in the area.
(4)Peter A.
This place is hands down the best restaurant in North Jersey. I order take out from here a lot but ocassionally will dine in with company. The service is top notch, the food is always fresh and the dishes are pretty unique sometimes. Everything tastes so home-made and fresh and the atmosphere is very elegant yet calmly casual at the same time. Excellent place to dine in - food is top notch on all ends. Did I mention they are incredible at accomodating allergies? Well, they are - especially gluten. Just wish they would carry gluten free buns as well as the gf bread they have. Dedicated fryer too for the allergies is a huge plus.
(5)Rushan S.
Mussels in garlic broth was fantastic. Burgers were overcooked and lacked seasoning. They repainted interior.
(3)Starvin M.
Diner on a Saturday night was decent at best. The place had been remodeled for the better since I last dined there, I just wish the food was as good as I remember. The appetizer of clams oreganata and the chopped gorgonzola salad were both tasty. The entrees on the other hand were disappointing. I am a steak guy and let me tell you I could have made a better rib eye in a frying pan in my kitchen than the flavorless, loaded with fat, poor excuse for a piece of steak I was served. My wife got the short ribs, which were much better than my steak, but that is not saying much. They were dry and lacked flavor. The horseradish mash potatoes were good although absent if any horseradish flavor. I will say the service was good as well as the ambiance, but at the end of the day you don't eat ambiance. I'd like to think I had a bad night, but after reading a few recent reviews, I may not be alone.
(2)Beth P.
My daughter had a craving for eggs Benedict so we figured we would give this place a try. She ordered the eggs Benedict which came with a side of potatoes. Hollandaise sauce was overly thick and very skimpy amount was on top. English muffin did not look toasted enough. Potatoes were tasteless. This dish was $12. I ordered the scrambled eggs mixed with goat cheese and truffle oil served over multi grain bread with a side salad. This was a $17 dish probably because of truffle oil which they used way too much of in the eggs. You could barely taste the goat cheese that was supposed to be in dish. The side salad that was served on the same plate had way too much vinegar in the dressing. I asked the waiter initially if something else could be substituted for the salad or put on separate plate and was told this is how it comes. We barely touched our dishes and the waiter didn't seem to notice. Had we not been so hungry we would have left before we ordered and I also would have complained about our food but we were in a rush.
(1)Kristine D.
Added: lots of updates in decor but not the menu. We don't eat here as much bc it seems to be getting pricey for the same old options. Always great and consistent! Not sure what other reviewers are talking about I never encountered attitude from anyone...always friendly service. I've had everything on the menu pretty much and never had a bad meal! Well the burger wasnt so great but this isnt a 'burger' sort of place anyway. Booth seating is best as the tables up front are too long and big to have a conversation w/o speaking too loud. I love how cozy the decor is here too ....an old diner vibe but a very comfy diner.
(4)Jeff S.
Too bad this place dissapoints. We would love to love it, but from the spoiled oysters to the bad attitude, we won't. We've eaten here many times. The first time was pleasurable for brunch. Every time since has been disappointing. The most recent we tried everything... The steak, oysters, salmon, trout... A few oysters were rotten (didn't take off bill) "sorry we forgot to smell them" Steak was still living, then came back as charcoal. Salmon, dry and tasteless. Trout wasn't bad. Afogato was good. The manager's attitude is reason enough to not visit, as described in many other reviews. I don't care if he's Janice's husband or ex, his focus on the business and not the customer is apparent, and will steer this ship into the rocks. Oh well, many other great choices around.
(2)Megan D.
A+!! I have had the pleasure of dining at Janice a Bistro and now under its current name, Just Janice, after John the front manager left. All I can say is wow, I am hooked! The food, ambiance, staff, location, and decor is something you can't find anywhere else in our area. They always have delicious specials which change frequently and are always unique and well made. For breakfast/brunch I would highly recommend the Bistro Scrambler; I absolutely love anything truffle and this dish was out of this world GOOD! At lunch I always enjoy their salads especially the shrimp and sesame noodle salad, yum!! At dinner you cannot go wrong with any of their specials. I recently had their pumpkin goat cheese ravioli with sage brown butter sauce for an appetizer, pecan crusted rack of lamb for my dinner, and flourless chocolate cake for dessert...one of the top 5 meals I have ever had. And I can't say more about how attentive and warm welcoming the staff are at Just Janice; made me feel right at home and that goes really far in my book. Plus, great music...trust me when I say you won't be disappointed; this is a whole new restaurant!
(5)