Chez Tj

I've had ubber tasting menus with super-ubber prices, and yes this is expensive, but I think it was not outrageous. Quality was okay, but it cannot compete with the Napa equivalents. Pros: walking distance to my home Cons: not competitive to the tasting menus in like restaurants more

We took my hubbys Grandma on Saturday and were very disappointed. We had the 4 courses with wine pairings, $140 each, my husband upgraded his appetizer to the fois gras (+ $15), we added one cheese plate (+ $25) with wine (+ $10 ea). With t&t, it was $700. Pros: Erm, erm, its the nearest michelin starred restaurant to our house? Cons: Doesn't deserve the star, overpriced, impersonal. more

Be sure to bring your own magnifying glass! The portions were too small to choke a toddler, but the bill was astronomical ($320 for the two of us). When we arrived home, my husband reached for the pizza and I grabbed a bowl of cereal. This felt like something out of a Seinfeld episode. We'll stick with Le Petit Bistro for our French fixes. more

We went to this restaurant, for the first time, to celebrate my birthday In February of 2008. Compared with other French restaurants, it was a big disappointment. To start with, the girl at the desk could not find our reservation and made us feel very unwelcome, until she found it. Pros: Nice ambience What food there was tasted good Cons: Big price for tiny amount of food more

Have been to Chez TJ four times in the past 3 1/2 years for b'day and other celebrations. The first visit was smooth as silk, but subsequent meals have been less than stellar. On our last visit (Dec, 2007) the meal was mediocre at best. Being a vegetarian (with occasional seafood) in California is usually never an issue. Beware the vegetarian meal at Chez TJ. Prior to the visit, I emailed the restaurant and requested a vegetarian menu. No response. Once there, we were seated promptly, but in a small room with a large party. It was impossible to have a converation with the noisy group. We looked forward to when the group got their next course since it usually meant the room would quiet for a few minutes. Pros: Beautiful rooms Cons: Service, food, too noisy more

Dined on Friday, Nov 2 for anniversary dinner due to Michelin 2-star rated recently in the San Jose Mercury. Slight confusion when we checked in for our 7:00 pm reservation. 3 parties checked in at the same time, which should not be a problem for an experienced hostess, but another employee had to be called on how to read the computer to see what table we would be seated at...so strike 1. When we were seated, we received bread, water and complimentary appetizer. However, we had a fairly long wait to place our order...strike 2. Our waitress was friendly, explained the menu to us and we choose the wine pairing dinner. We received our wine for the first course but the first course came much later and we finished our wine with our complimentary appetizers...strike 3. The remaining meal was completed without any problems. Overall the service was ""robotic""...they served us but it was like it was their job and we did not feel like a guest...the service was not rude but they could have been more cordial. The food was very good but with small portions...the wine was excellent. We will not return because we expected the overall experience to be excellent but the pricey menu negated the good points. Pros: Food, Wines Cons: Price, Service, Ambience more

If all you care about is the 2 Michelin stars, then try it. But if you want a wonderful dining experience, and especially the kind of service that one might hope for at this price, go elsewhere. We have lived in the Bay Area for 5+years and regularly enjoy restaurants such as La Folie, Chez Robert, Myth, Range, Quince, Aqua, Chez Panisse, Gary Danko, etc. Danko stands out because of its combination of innovative cuisine and perfect service. We live much closer to Chez TJ and looked forward to something comparable or perhaps even better, given the 2 stars and even higher price. Unfortunately TJ compares to those others in only one way: the food is unusual and challenging (you will probably taste something you haven't anywhere else). Other than that, I can't think how it earned those stars. The Michelin people must put very little weight on the actual dining experience. The attitude here is ""We know what you should like, don't tell us what you want."" There are 3 fixed-menu choices--poussin, pig and lamb in our case--and input from diners (eg whether they actually want their lamb sushi-grade raw) is NOT solicited. The menu mentions a vegetarian option, but our server made it clear by lack of enthusiasm that we should avoid it. The wine list is very short; diners are pressured to accept the recommended pairings. Apart from a sardonic French sommelier, the servers were local young people who rushed through high-speed memorized recitations of each menu item without looking at us to see if we understood. I ordered a glass of wine from one to start with, but it had still not arrived 10 minutes later when the first dishes came. I had to ask someone else. We did not have a single server, who could get to know us, but instead a succession of different ones. Dishes were whisked away from under us, in one case while we were still chewing. The sommelier came by at the end to ask if we'd like some port. We would--but our server had already gone away to ring up the check. Pros: Food Cons: Service more

I had my reservations about dining at Chez TJ. Mountain View is better known for a fabulous burrito and... more

I had my reservations about dining at Chez TJ. Mountain View is better known for a fabulous burrito and eclectic Asian food than as the home of an... more

From the moment we arrived, the staff at Chez TJ made sure that our experience was fantastic. They were attentive without being obtrusive. The food was delicious and the restaurant setting beautiful. I especially enjoyed when Chef Kostow came by the table to talk to us. Pros: Fantastic food, wonderful ambience more

When I'm in town on business this is my ""close the deal' venue. I count on the professional service, excellent cuisine and a private rooms to finish my discussions with VIP clients. Pros: professional service, great ambiance, excellent dinner Cons: need to book ahead, for private room more

This was so obnoxious. My wife and I went here for our anniversary. Everything was wonderful until dessert. The couple sitting next to us received mulitply dessert dishes ""compliments of the chef"", which is not a big deal, except we were the only other couple in the room (the other couple was French, and the wait staff found this ""interesting""). So after having to listen to the waitor talk to them for 5 minutes about how his parents were French, and that he went to Ohio State and was going to be a surgeon but decided to be a waitor instead, to have this happen was really unpleasant an almost uncomfortable. Anyways, ordinarily we wouldn't care, but this dinner was really expensive, so it pretty much ruined the evening. We do not recommend dining here. Pros: romantic, delicous Cons: wait staff, wait staff, wait staff more

Artfully presented prix fixe dinners. Modern cuisine with masterful flavor combinations that appeal to the senses with a quiet confidence. Professional service. Very nice surroundings. Pros: excellent food, professional service, nice surroundings Cons: small menu, a bit pricey more

Food is very overpriced and very small portions for being so expensive and the people that work there are very snooty. Pros: Cute House Cons: Too Expensive, Food not that good more

We had such a grand time at dinner last night. We were totally spoiled from the moment we walked through the door. We were seated at the table in the front of the bay window. On such a perfect, mild evening with the moon glowing through the leaves of the magnolia tree. Magical. It was the food and beverages inside that kept our attention focused. Bite after sumptuous bite. Contrasting textures and flavors and colors; rich or light, all were melt-away sensations and surprises on our tongues. Deep inhalations accompanied the arrival of each course, the first step to opening and enjoying the offerings. Artful presentation on special plates, warmed or chilled, we were in dining heaven. The staff were attentive and professional. We turned ourselves over to their capable hands and walked away hours later sated and smiling. It was an incredible evening for us! Pros: the food!, the atmosphere, the experience Cons: the price - worth it! more

The dishes were unique, innovative, beautiful and most of all delicious. Service was warm and attentive, not in the least bit pretentious. The restaurant used to be a small house so it's very cozy. Prix fixe menus go for $45, $55 or $65 and well worth every penny. For dessert, get the warm chocolate cake. Pros: extraordinary food, great service, nice atmosphere more

We entered the restaurant and immediatly felt like we were at a friend's home. As soon as you come in the waiters greet you like royalty. We chose the prix-fixe with the fewest courses but the service was still excellent. The sauteed salmon was absolutely delicious. When I returned from the bathroom, my napkin was neatly folded into a boat sitting on the table. The waiters came frequently to make sure our night was going well and offer their services. We had a wonderful experience at Chez TJ and would highly recommend it. Pros: great service Cons: spacing b/w tables more

The staff and food make Chez TJ a must visit restaurant. This is the one and only place I consider when I want to celebrate in style any special occasion! I enjoy the fact that menu changes frequently and have been introduced to so many wonderful taste sensations when I vist here. While you don't have to take a 2nd mortgage out on your house to eat here, you may wish to save up in advance. The cost is well worth the entire experience. If you are fortunate as I have been, you will have a chance to get to meet the owner, George, and have a tour of the kitchen. It is impressive how such a small area in the back produces the meals that Chez TJ does! Oh, ask to be seated in Mohammed's section and sit back and enjoy a dining experience and service! Pros: Food, Service, Never Rushed Dining more