Emiles

I'veloved Emile's for years. It's now under new ownership and has retained its classiness, but increased its warmth. Pros: Great Host/Hostess - Wonderful food - terrific ambience Cons: A little pricey for the average dinner outing more

What can I say ? I am French, and I am most critical of American's that profess to serve French Food. I was very depressed to have been sent on business to San Jose. Hoping that I may partake of the exquisite food of Pros: Memories of Old Paris Cons: Well.....It is not in Paris! more

Drive through an alley then into an area like a mugging scene from a movie. In your finery, walk past all the staff members busy puffing away on their ciggies, knowing that they will be cooking and delivering your meal, yum. Inside is a glass walled room where a private party was on display like a human zoo. ""YOU are not special, WE are special. In fact, WE are so special, we'll allow you to see how much better we will be treated than you"", it seemed to shout. As there was only the private party and another table in the entire restaurant, service should be no problem. But we beg for attention to order our overpriced choices. After being told that three of our choices were binned by Chef, the waiter came to my husband and announces, ""...there is a problem with your sausage, sir."" I laughed until I though I'd hurt myself, the waiter was clueless. Seems that Chef thought that the sausages were 'wiffy' and binned them. Now, I am going through the entire scene from Gourmet Night, with Basil Fawlty doing his level best to bring Michelin stars to the ""English Riveria"". Meal was mediocre at best and not worth the money it costs. Veggies portion was stingy. Ah, the owner. I hope you like her, because she will monopolize your time while your over-priced meal quickly cools. She swans around like she's accepting an Academy Award. The most affected, over dressed, over made up, over perfumed, insincere woman I have ever met. I was looking for Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes to come out in full drag. Very ""Too Wong Foo"". As she prattled, we all struggled to maintain a straight face at her attempts to be youthful, seductive and alluring, despite her obvious old age and botched plastic surgery. Let's order dessert...but Chef strikes again, as he has chucked more items in the bin. The famous souffle is like pudding mix with egg whites. We pay our over-inflated bill, down the dimly lit alleyway, past the smoking staff, bums and go home to our Tums & Fawlty Towers. Pros: Fodder for my British sense of humor Cons: It's still open more

I have been to Emile's many times growing up with my parents. This has always been a special occassion place for all of our family celebrations. The old owner, Chef Emile always came to visit our table and made a fuss over us kids. I always loved the Mimosa Salad, the French Onion Soup, and of course the Grand Marnier Souffle. We always hated the mean hostess. Our father use to call her Old Ironsides. I just graduated SJSU and since living on my own couldn't afford Emile's. However, since San Jose did that Dining promotion, my friends and I were able to make a reservation and enjoy Emile's for a 30.00 pre fix menu. The food was awesome, the price was right, but the best part was being taken care of by the new owner Alexandra & her family. As soon as we entered we were greeted by a very friendly and bubbly hostess. We loved our server Michael who was a little slow, but very charming. After dinner Alexandra offered to take us on a field trip (as she called it ) throughout the restaurant. We even got to explore the kitchen and go behind where the chef cooks. We were surprised to see a young girl preparing a dessert plate. Alexandra informed us that it was her daughter training to be a chef! I never knew how big Emile's was. There are banquet rooms and a teaching kitchen. We even got to peek upstairs into the offices and the rooftop deck ! When we got back to our table, our server Michel presented us with the check and Alexandra introduced him......he was her husband. Upon leaving we found out the hostess was Alexandra's other daughter. We were treated like royalty! I totally reccommend Emile's to anyone that wants an awesome meal, friendly and warm service in an elegant atmosphere. Now that I know I can afford to eat there, Emile's will be my new ""grown-up"" hangout. Pros: Charming Family Run Downtown Legend more

Despicable that this restaurant considers itself 4 star and gourmet. Items missing from plates and food not prepared as menu stated (ie. no pistachio crust on the pistacio crusted salmon, no cherry tomatoes on cherry tomato and goat cheese gnochi, no lavender in the vanilla bean lavendar crem brule, no creme fraiche in the potatoe leak soup, no glaze on the beef medallions). Also, the gnochi were actually french fries (WTF?!) and the crab cakes were cold and obviously pre-packaged/frozen. Beyond overpriced. Beyond dissapointing. The servers were attentive and polite, though obviously not gourmet knowledgeable. I will never recommend this restaurant and I will never return. If you think this is gourmet, you've been frequenting TGIF's too long. Pros: Servers are attentive Cons: Horrific food for the price more

I am a long time customer of Emile's Resaturant. This is my 3rd time going to Emile's since the new owners took over. My husband and I went there on Valentine's Day, and I have been back twice. Once with my friends and once with my Mom. I think that other reviewer is very wrong. I am Asian. On Valentine's Day the new owner came to our table 2 times. She gave us a gift certificate also. For many years we didn't return to Emile's because we felt the food wasn't what it use to be, and the service had slipped. The food is better than it's ever been, and all the servers we have had since the new owners have taken over have been very polite, and extremely professional. I think the new owner has done a great job, and I certainly don't think she discriminates or I wouldn't have gone back. I think Emile's Restaurant is once again a 5 star restaurant. Pros: The New Owner Cares ! Cons: Off the beaten track more

Emile's offers a cosy French ambiance, which feels and tastes like true French cuisine. It is intimate, and until May 15th, they have this exhibit of a French artist called ""3 days in Paris"". Stunning photographs to match great food. A must see. Pros: Very tasty Cons: Hard to park more

Did not notice that the Owner was a bigot as Tweetster suggests. My husband and I went to Emile's for V-day and as a very young African-American couple we received a very warm welcome from the owner, she visited our table twice to see how dinner was going and to give us a free souffle certificate. We didn't happen to notice her treatment of Asians, however, like the other reviewer. But, that's not to say it didn't happen. Pros: Attentive owner. Cons: Horrible wait staff! more

I was here on V-day and there was a number of asian couples. And the NEW owner went around the tables and introduced herself, and informed the customers of a new breakfast/brunch thing, and inviting them to try it with a free suffle invitation flyer thing. i dunno if it was intentional or subconscious, but she totally neglected all the tables that were Asian. It's a small place, and i was sitting there for more than 2 hours with my boyfriend for their 5 course prefix V-day menu, and noticed that she skipped over all the asian/minority tables. Unbelievable, and I don't even think she's French. more

Maybe we came on an off night but when my husband and I went, there were some misses. Living near downtown, I wasn't concerned with the neighborhood or exterior but the interior seemed a bit cramped, maybe also because it was busy. My biggest problem was when I got the medallion of duck I ordered, they were undercooked. At the time I hadn't heard that duck was something that could be medium, but I was annoyed that I wasn't asked or told. We too got vegetables that were overly simple compared to the rest of the dinner. Overall, we just couldn't get excited about our meals, especially not at these prices. Maybe better luck next time but doubt there will be one. more

Elegant yet unpretentious atmosphere. Delicious food and very attentive staff. Not to miss, the most wonderful souffle! more

My boyfriend brought me here and at first I was put off by the neighborhood it was in, and its exterior seemed to lack but for downtown San Jose it is expected. However, the interior was an oasis. It is classy and has a very professional staff. I didn't lack for anything and the food was wonderful. The price reflects its decor, staff and food, so be ready to open your wallet. But it will be a wonderful experience. Pros: Food, Service , Romantic Atmosphere Cons: Neighborhood, Parking more

Emile's is a decent restaurant but is overpriced and living more on it's reputation than the food quality. The real pro about this restaurant is the service I received there was excellent and top notch. Food quality was ok and so was the portions, but the food did taste like it was reheated instead of cook fresh. I was there with a party of 6 and I noticed that the vegetables were all the same regardless of having a fish or meat dish. For the prices you pay at this place you should have vegetables paired with your meal instead of giving everyone the same thing. If a resturant is interested in giving you a good food ezperience they will design the side dishes around it and if they are interestied in just getting the next person in they will not. Unfortunately this is what Emiles has become. Pros: Excellent Service Cons: Reheated Food, Same Vegitable Pairin, Overpriced more