We went to Chez Catherine because my mother was given a gift certificate as a present. Chez Catherine is an upscale, white linen French restaurant. It has a prefixed menu, so you get to choose one appetizer, one entrée, and one dessert. The meal begins with a soft French baguette that is absolutely delicious when covered in butter. You are also given a small bite from the chef. The day we went the taste was goat cheese stuffed apricots covered in honey. For appetizers we got escargot, arugula salad, and butternut squash risotto. My escargot was tender and pretty standard for escargot. After the appetizers, you get a small scoop of sorbet to cleanse your palate. The day that we went the flavor was cucumber, which I must say was surprisingly strong. For our main meals, we had scallops that came with amazing brussel sprouts topped with bacon. The scallops had a nice sear and the brussel sprouts were well cooked with a nice caramelization. I got the filet mignon in a peppercorn sauce. The steak was nicely cooked, but I found the peppercorn sauce to be slightly overpowering. Next time that I got this, I would get the sauce on the side. The table next to us got the dover sole, which was cooked and deboned table side, which was an interesting show to see. For dessert we got the pear and cherry crisp and soufflé of the day (pumpkin spice). The cherry crisp was very heavy on the toasted oats, but it was very tasty. A neighboring table had the crepe suzettes which was made table side. It was fascinating to see the crepe and caramel made and the grand marnier set ablaze. This was a pricey meal, but we would come again for a nice girls night out. read more

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I have been here to eat more times than I can remember and each and every time it has been a wonderful experience. The service is truly world class. The owner Stephane tends to you himself and is always friendly, funny and a pleasure to be around. His wine recommendations are always spot on and I look forward to seeing him as much as dining. There is a woman who works there as well, I have seen her the last few times I have been there and likewise she is truly welcoming and knowledgable about the menu and the wine they serve. The food is always top notch no matter what you order. The cocktails are always right, the deserts are phenomenal the ambiance is high class but friendly and warm. One of the best restaurants in the state. I will for certain be back. read more

This wonderful place still alive as top restaurants in NJ. Warm atmosphere, excellent cocktails selection,nice prix-fixed menu for dinner and a great selection wine list. Stephane Bocket know to please customers to make them "repeaters". Thank you for serving excellent food and wine in The Garden State..... read more

Love this place - a small place - a great experience Everything from the staff, all three courses and wine was terrific The seasonal blackberry soufflé was excellent!! Would definitely got back I would give 5 stars but it was not a cheap dinner - over 100 per person read more

By far, the best French cuisine in all of NJ. Service is impeccable. Ambiance is magnifique.

If I could end a review with just two words, I would. Dover sole. That is all. It's an upcharge item, but you will regret not getting it. I've been to the restaurant several times and I keep trying to find ANYTHING that will pull me away - the last time I finally gave in and just went for the dover sole (my wife opted for the bronzino filet which was also amazing, but just not the same). Light flaky fish prepared tableside in all the butter you can imagine. It's honestly one of the more phenomenal fish dishes I've ever consumed. Certainly miss Didier, but the new owner clearly knows his stuff, remembers his clientele, and (and it pains me to say this) his zabaglione made tableside may be even better than Didier's. VERY pricey, so this is definitely a special occasion type restaurant, but it's a fantastic experience. read more

We were in France recently and the food at Chez Catherine, from the delicious fresh out of the oven bread to the superlative chocolate mousse, saves you the airfare. Try the $28 2 course lunch! read more

Patrons were not wearing masks when leaving their tables. Food largely average for the price range with better value to be found elsewhere. Steak tartare was very good, scallops decent and much lauded Dover sole was very oily and not very flavorful. read more

Perfect venue for any occasion lunch or dinner. Authentic yet creative classic French cuisine paired with an extensive hand-picked wine selection. Delicious breads and appetizers to start ending with satisfying desserts and pastries. Great staff! Ample parking. A Westfield gem for decades. read more

overall it is a wonderful dining experience but sometimes things happen. ordered red snapper and it was terrible, overcooked and very dry, first bad meal i've gotten here. my date had the duck and it was cooked to perfection, needless to say i was envious. read more

Although no expert in authentic French dining, I still felt my family and I walked into a classic and amazing experience from the first step into the intimate dining room. On a Thursday, only several tables were occupied. Stephane is extremely attentive and accomodating His buoyant service is complemented by Didier's serious demeanor, but delightfully dry humor. Whatever questions we had, they answered with enthusiastic detail that could lead to its own conversation. The dining goes beyond the menu. There was an muse-bouche of deviled eggs and petit four of madeleines. We had the vegetable tart, escargot, and mussels, which we all individually raved about and felt were substantial hor d'oeuvres in their own right. The beurre blanc in my tart was exceptionally rich and filling. The dover sole was a beautiful fish (25 supplement), and Didier's well known tableside prep an ongoing testament of his serious work. The monkfish, certainly firmer and thicker than the sole, but wonderfully tender. With the quality of fish and dish design, I found myself more appreciating the fish flakes--not losing it in a drenching marinade that might be done elsewhere. The classic duck breast didn't disappoint. Chef's surprises were a mousse and lemon tart. The Souffle comes with a generous amount of sabayon. Will have to find another special reason for coming. read more

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My experience was meh a **** priced restaurant w/no website??? i guess they dont want to scare you away with the prices......... read more

We recently booked the lovely wine room for a private party . There are not enough superlatives to describe our experience. From the day I booked the evening 4 weeks prior , Stephane was extremely professional, helpful with suggestions and was in constant communication with me. No request was overlooked. The table was beautifully set, the food was perfectly prepared and presented and the service was flawless. Champagne was chilled upon our arrival and the wine list was extensive . Despite some last minute cancellations, Stephane handled the situation with complete aplomb. It was an unforgettable evening. Looking forward to having dinner at Chez Catherine again very soon. read more

Today was our first time back since the renovation, and it looks really nice. We went for lunch. I did the Duck entree (as always) and Mussels appetizer. A+ for both...phenomenal...perfect...both were arguably the best I've ever had. My business friend got the Dover Sole, and he quoted that it was probably the best he's ever had (we go out a lot, and he gets it quite a bit...so he knows his stuff). Again, I wish it was closer to Morristown...but the short 30 minute trip sort of makes it a treat a few times a year. I'd wear this place out quickly by going every day if it was here (and my wallet wouldn't be happy either!). read more

The Fois Grois Mousse at a 15.00 supplement was tasteless and disappointing. The Escargot were very good. The Dover Sole was excellent. The Duck was very good. The Scallop dish lacked flavor and was small. The Dessert Souffle was supposed to be Pear but also lacked Pear flavor, tasted like eating scrambled eggs. At those prices I expected much more. The service was very good and gracious but the Kitchen could not entice me back. read more

First we'd like to thank Brett W. for the referral to this wonderful restaurant. We were greeted by Jewel who with Stephan provided us an unforgettable evening to celebrate our Anniversary. They both saw to every need we could possibly have while attending to multiple tables all of which seemed to be enjoying their dinners, and why not, they were perfection. Our appetizers of mussels in a white wine sauce and the escargot were delicious. The wine sauce demands that you soak it up with the freshly baked bread. The garlic they use for the escargot is somehow both mild and incredibly bursting with flavor. Cheryll enjoyed the scallops and I treated myself to the duck. Neither of us were disappointed, her scallops were on point, delicious and prepared to perfection. My duck was without doubt the best I've enjoyed while out, it was seasoned and prepared just right and each bite was a moment to literally savor. To end the meal we enjoyed the cheese plate and soufflé, a raspberry delight to say the least. We can't thank the staff enough for an incredible evening out and again, thank you Jewel and Stephan, who saw to it that we were attended to as if the only table in the house. read more

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Had a couples night out over this past weekend. A nice place to go for a date night, with family or meal with friends. Great Hospitality! Try out the spring dinner menu - light but filling. For carnivores, Hubby enjoyed "Moules de I'Ile-du-Prince-Edward (mussels in a red pepper broth & chives) "Entrecôte de Boeuf, Sauce Bearnaise" (black angus steak with Bearnaise & fingerling potatoes) For herbivores: Try the Mesclun de Salade et Chèvre (Salad w' mix greens, lemon herb goat cheese, baguette croutons, English peas, tarragon vinaigrette) -Chef's Risotto (if you like a kick, ask for a spicy side sauce - will come out with a spicy honey, pepper flakes, and a spicy sauce similar to sriracha but not as sour/tart) Desserts: all were light and delicious - creme brûlée - lemon raspberry bread pudding - sabayon au Fruits Rouges (fresh berries with custard) There's this house cocktail that reminded me of limoncello. Definitely try that comes in a martini glass. read more

Classic French Restaurant. The food and service are outstanding. The Duck breast with blood orange reduction, the terrine of foie gras, sole are all excellent choices. It is one of the only spots in Westfield with a liquor license which is also nice. Save room for dessert; they were tempting and classic French selections. read more

Chez Catherine - French Near Me - Westfield, New Jersey

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I use to frequent this place under the old ownership and it was great! A couple weeks ago I wanted to try this place under the new ownership, and I was disappointed. First, I called and asked if they had availability for a reservation in 30 min. He said yes, but asked for my credit card. I asked why would you need my credit card if I'm coming in 30 min. I can understand if I was making an advance reservation or having a party, but it was for 2 people only and I was arriving in 30 min. When I got there I loved what the new owner did with the place it looked beautiful inside. The waiter we had was horrible though every time we asked for suggestions he refused to give us any just so weird. Most waiters make recommendation. Not only that his mind was all over the place, he was cold, and didn't want to be bothered. We ordered 2 appetizers the octopus and the goat cheese salad. The octopus was good, but the goat cheese salad awful. It was no dressing, it was very plain, and barely any goat cheese. For entrees we ordered the short ribs and coq au vin. The short ribs was ok, but the coq au vin was dry and not tasty at all. It totally lacked any flavor, and it was over cooked. For desserts we had the chocolate mousse and some sort of soufflé. The soufflé was disappointing, but I have to say the chocolate mousse was excellent! Overall I wouldn't recommend this place the food was not enjoyable. I was extremely disappointed since prior to the new ownership I use to love it here. read more

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One of my favorite restaurants. The chef is so creative with flavors and pairings. The risotto was divine. The coconut souffle was so good. I have had the various souffle flavors throughout the past few years and each time it is amazing. I would have never thought of some of the flavors that they offer and each time I leave saying that is my new favorite. The service is attentive without being overbearing. They truly make special occasions special. read more

My sweet husband decided to organize a romantic rendezvous for the two of us at Chez Catherine. We've been lucky enough to have enjoyed some spectacular dinners in similar-looking restaurants. So we were looking forward to this experience. Now I'm not sure what it is with French people and filet mignon. But they often seem to get offended, even insulted when I ask for it to be prepared "well done." I like filet mignon a lot, but I do not enjoy chewing bloody meat. They prepared my $46 filet mignon with a very pink center anyway. I should've sent it back... but I decided to try it their way. Let's just say I spent the whole night running to the restroom. I just can't give this establishment more than 2 stars after such an experience, despite the fact that the pan seared foie gras with chilled crème brûlée was mouthwatering. The waiter brought us a second bottle of VOSS sparkling water without asking us if we wanted it. Naturally, they charged us a exorbitant amount of money for it. As we were walking out, I happened to notice a picture of Per Se (a famous French restaurant in NYC.) It was signed by their chefs, who were wishing Chez Catherine the best of luck. I thought that it was nice and decided to compliment the owner and ask if she knew them personally. (She was giving us our coats back at the time.) To my surprise, she made a disgruntled face and started trash-talking her "competition." My jaw dropped. She called Per Se "pretentious" and "over the top" amongst a few other things. My husband and I hurried out the door of Chez Catherine, leaving it with a very unpleasant impression of the owner. read more

Absolutely one of the worst experiences I've had at a restaurant. I went to Chez Catherine during a town event. I was greeted extremely rudely by a man and woman who felt it necessary to berade me about not having a reservation. Since they were participating in the event and made no mention of reservations in their advertisement, I presumed I didn't need them. When I said I wasn't aware, the man told me that everyone knows that. Apparently, everyone minus one. I wouldn't spend a penny here if their food was the next best thing to heaven. I'm extremely surprised that a restaurant with such a good reputation was such a huge disappointment. Update: seeing the reply from the restaurant surprised me, yet again. The fact that the people in the restaurant are rude is, apparently, my fault. There is no mention anywhere about a reservation being needed and if it is, fine. There are so many nice ways to turn someone away. Instead, they chose to be nasty. Not a good business move but when people swear by your restaurant, I guess you can do what you feel like and assume it won't effect your revenue. read more

Wow! I've been curious about this place since we moved to Westfield about two years ago. My fiancée and I finally had a chance to stop by this Tuesday. It's beautifully decorated inside, with antique chairs, vintage French movie posters and Edith Piaf on the sound system. I ordered a steak and my fiancée got the Atlantic salmon. Both were incredible. The strip steak came with creamed spinach and little potato pendants in sauce. While we waited for our orders to come out, the maitre'd brought a basket of excellent, fresh-baked French bread. For dessert, we ordered profiteroles (cream puffs) and some excellent coffee. The amount of food we got was surprisingly generous. We chatted with the owner for a bit; he and the maitre'd were outgoing and attentive. It was very quiet when we were there (only one other table in the restaurant), but it looks a little busier at night. It's true that the prices here are eye-poppingly high. I'd recommend stopping by for lunch (or maybe during Restaurant Week), where prices are about half as high as at dinner. Even then, lunch was about $70 per person, after gratuity. But it's truly a great experience: you'll be so confused when you step out of this place and find yourself standing on North Ave in Westfield, NJ. :) read more

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Very disappointed. For the prices charged I would have expected better. First of all the drink prices are OUTRAGEOUS! We ordered the escargot and the mussels to start.. Both were just Ok, with a real lack of flavor. The mains were the problem. We had rack of lamb and the girls had scallops. The racks were ordered "medium rare"...they came out well done. OK taken back, 2nd time came back RAW. Ok 3rd time finally got it right. Meanwhile the ladies had to wait and their dinner got cold. 4 scallops on the plate with hardy anything else. With the lamb, we got fingerling potatoes that were undercooked. Wow! Dessert...we had the profiteroles...they were dry and you had to hack at them to get through them. The cookies served at the end were so dry you could not eat them. For a so called top 25,, don't waste your money here. Service was great. read more

simplement stupéfiant ! I live in Scottsdale and was back East visiting my family. My brother and I being foodies and having eaten at some of the finest restaurants in the world decided to sneak away and treat ourselves. Well, what a PHENOMENAL treat it was! Honestly the entire experience was superb; the ambiance, the service and the food.....it was as good if not better than some of the great restaurants in the South of France. We had the foie gras and escargot for appetizers and had the duck for our entree. Didier, the owner did the table side preparation and I have not seen this done since being in France. It is a dying art and Didier keeps it going with flying colors....he is an artist, AMAZING experience!!! My mouth is watering just thinking about returning, and the sooner the better! read more

This intimate restaurant is classic French, including the owner and the waiter, who are friendly and charmingly snooty at the same time. One word of caution: if you order beef cooked beyond "medium rare", they will berate you. There's something for everyone on the menu, and the food is truly excellent. Wines are on the expensive side, but it's up to you where you want to go with that. i ate here recently with several friends during the Westfield restaurant week promotion. They offered three courses for only $40, a veritable bargain. We all chose the "surprise" dessert (chef''s choice). Each of us received a different dessert, including chocolate souffle, lime panna cotta with raspberry coulis, coffee creme brulee, cinnamon bread pudding with fresh whipped cream, chocolate mousse, and profiteroles. The decor is a bit stuffy, and while there's no formal dress code, this definitely not a t-shirt and shorts-type place. Dress nicely, and enjoy a very high quality lunch or dinner. It's not cheap to eat here, but for a special occasion, it is definitely the best restaurant in Westfield. read more

My boyfriend took me here for a very special 30th birthday dinner. I do not have one negative thing to say. It was simply perfection! We started with a bottle of Cote-du-Rhone and it was a great compliment to our selections. The entire menu is prixe-fixe, but it's totally worth it. My appetizer was the foie gras - best I've had in my life - and my boyfriend got the crepes fruit de mer. The foie was served with a tiny brioche underneath and a spiced apple compote. I loved the apple with the foie - especially during the holiday season. The fruit de mer was just delicious and a very nice size dish for an appetizer. The lobster sauce on top made it especially rich and paired nicely with the seafood. For our main entrees, I went with the red snapper and my boyfriend got the duck confit special. Both outstanding and great portions. For dessert, I got the creme brulee and he got the apple tart. We didn't LOVE the tart but the creme brulee made up for it. As for service and atmosphere, the place is really cute - lots of holiday decorations. The owner is chatty and is right off the boat from France. He brings a real sense of French dining to the room. A lot of the dishes he serves tableside, and because the dining room is small and intimate, he does them with such ease and showmanship. The other waiter was a bit snobby but he may be that way because the food is so damn good! This is a great place for a special occasion or romantic night for two. Tres Tres Bon! read more

I have lived in Westfield for eighteen years and in my opinion, Chez Catherine is the best restaurant the town has to offer. It is a quaint little place with amazing food. The service is incredible and the waiters are all French so it feels very authentic. I've had the filet mignon and the chicken and both dishes are to die for. My father has also had the dover sole which they prepare right at the table, and he says it's the best fish he has ever had. It's a little pricy but quality food and service is definitely worth it! read more

We have gone to this place and were overcome by the quality of the food. She ordered the dover sole and I ordered the steak. They were OUTSTANDING. The fish was prepared by the owner table side. He offered that if you ever find a bone in his fish, the meal is free. We never found a bone despite a real attempt to find one. The fish was perfectly prepared. Perfectly. It smelled delicious and tasted delicious. The steak was prepared as ordered. It was terrific and I wished it was bigger. I later was glad it wasn't because they do desserts better than anyone. For dessert we ordered the trio of creme brulee. They were unbelievable. Vanilla bean, milk chocolate, and a berry flavor that my wife would not share. On another vIsit I had THE BEST DESSERT OF MY LIFE.: BREAD AND BUTTER PUDDING. I had to order a second one. That good!! Needless to say, we return there for every special occasion. I read all the reviews. I don't understand how anyone had a bad experience there. I really don't. The owner, Deiter, checks on every patron. This is top shelf food. Most restaurants in town are NOT high quality. They are not CHEF quality restaurants. You must like what they serve at Chez or maybe you are predestined to be unhappy. The true fact is, that less than 5% of diners know great food. 95% think regular food is great food. That is a fact. I'm sorry if you fall into that category. I mostly give bad reviews because those places deserve it and I want to warn other diners. That's it. This place deserves a great review. They earn it. You don't see this many 5 stars for no reason. I complimented the owner on the crab cake, and he took me into the kitchen to properly compliment the chef. This was the cleanest kitchen I have ever seen. It was small, but clean. I mean shinny clean. Be mindful in advance that the prices are not low. They are fair. You get what you pay for though. It is a value. This is not the place to take your kid and his team mates to after the little league game. This is the "I want to relax and have someone else cook me a delicious meal because I deserve it, once a week" place. If you were not happy, try it again. You will be happy. Lou read more

Superb French cuisine at its finest. My filet was seasoned just right. My wife's salmon was cooked to perfection. Service was outstanding and waiters were personable. Soufflé was amazing, cooked to just the right temperature. A must visit in NJ. read more

This is, by far, my husband and my favorite French restaurant. We love the service and the food. Their prix fixe menu is reasonable and delicious with menus changing based on the season. You must order their Ile Flotantes for dessert... so airy and delicious. read more

Extremely disappointing only Prix fix is available... My observation is that it is a special occasion restaurant and will keep me from returning more often. check other reviews for food and service..... read more

Outstanding meal. The atmosphere was great. Quaint and pretty. Food was excellent and service was good too. Will definitely go back. I had strip steak and partner had duck. read more

Amazing! Great food and superb service. I can't wait to go back. I have the lobster bisque with crab meat and truffle oil. Then I had the halibut with asparagus and hollandaise. For dessert I had the crème brûlée and the almond cake. The bottle of wine I ordered went perfect with the soup and the halibut, it was the white Chateauneuf-du-Pape for $120 and for dessert I had white Pacherec du Vic-Bilh for $45. All in all one of the best dinners I have had in a long time! read more

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Dider is chef Par Excellence! One of the last establishments to serve cuisine classique! I feel like I am in Lyons! Dider also assumed the role of sommelier and suggested great burgandy to pair with our dinner. read more

The world of fine dining with attention paid to high quality meals and faultless service has been Increasingly replaced by institutional food providers like the Outback, Red Lobster, and the Olive Garden and similar. Some admittedly provide tasty meals at reasonable costs, but more often than not, fall short of expectations. Chez Catherine is a holdover from our sophisticated past. While expensive and occasionally inconsistent, the food is a major treat for Francophile pallets. I've posted pictures of our most recent meal there. read more

Having dined at Chez Catherine on numerous occasions, for lunch and dinner, and I've always had a really pleasant experience. Each time I have been there the service is second-to-none--friendly, prompt, and entertaining. The food is consistently excellent; the only complaint I can muster is that the menu doesn't change too often. The cocktails are great too! Didier is the consummate maître d' and I look forward to every trip to his restaurant. Come here if you want that classic intimate French dining experience. read more

This review is waaaay overdue. May 7th my husband decided to surprise me by coming home early from work. I thought something had happened when I saw him from our balcony. But he had made big plans that evening, got his brother to babysit and made reservations at Chez Catherine which he knew I had been longing to go. He knows how much I love french cuisines and wines. Oh how glad I was to have this date night. :-) Yes! Anyhow, enough about me. Chez Catherine blew our minds, hearts and offcourse our palates hihihi. We were seated by Didier, what an awesome gentleman. The place was small and quiet but perfect for a special night. Simple decor, made me feel so at home. Our server Stephane was very very funny, throwing in a few jokes here and there with his fast toned accent. Made it funnier. He made our night. Lol. Thank you Stephane! Service was fantastic, we could not ask for a better Maitre D. You were amazing...every inch of the evening. We could not wait for the food which started with a simple but delicious amuse buche of a slice of french bread and goat cheese topped with a piece of wine reduction pear I believe. It was delicious. I could have had more hi hi, I just love goat cheese. We both enjoyed our appetizers of foie gras and escargots. I am a big fan of escargots, not much of foie gras like my husband and i was literally dipping my bread on the sauce before Stephane said enough and took it away lol. Everything in moderation i guess. My husband loved the foie gras and says he will have it again from Chez Catherine. Our main course of duck breast and fish was also delicious. Next time I will select the duck breast like my husband did. It was so full of flavour. My fish on the other hand was very lightly seasoned and I love salt and spices. Need I mention we had dessert too? OMG the best rice pudding I had ever had. The passion fruit puree on it was something I could never have thought of. Loved it. Perfect pairing. I know this is probably the longest review here hihihi but I will finish saying that we had an awesome dinner and to Mesieur Didier Merci for sharing the port wine with us toward the end of the night. Thank you for playing some songs from Edith and for chatting with us. You really made us feel at home and welcome. We will definitely go back again and again. Lady in red and husband :-) read more

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We wanted to try this place and to our great disappointment it was awful the servicer was snooty and the food was horrible, we ordered the Mussels the sauce was watery and very salty and the escargot was the worse I have ever had this too was in a watery garlic sauce not sure where they learned to cook but it was not France plus the prices are out of control, even for Westfield, seriously overpriced for what they serve, never again. read more

As I was typing my 3 star review for The Modern which we just visited, I realized what bothered me - We had had a way more stellar meal (different style) a while back at Chez Catherine. Similar price class (i.e. don't go if you have to ask), but compared to The Modern, a classic French place with a very solid edge of gleaming culinary excellence. Which in fact is harder for them as they serve a very classic French Cuisine. I'll be back. Worth the drive from NYC. read more