I have nothing but praise for this place. Reminds me of many a French holiday. The only downside is that the food is so tasty and sumptuous that I’ve never made it as far as dessert. Will keep trying though!
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Hilary Carpenter,
3 months ago
Had Christmas Eve lunch and was agreeably surprised. Wonderful ambience which was set by the waitress who was a real character. Carrot and orange soup was delicious, followed by pork casserole which was wholesome and a yummy pear belle helene. The rest of my party were equally pleased with their food. Would happily return again.
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Catherine Blunt,
4 months ago
Went to Chez JJ tonight and boy was it packed – the food was amazing! but I was next to this table of 16 or so people who i can only describe as the most petty embaressing people in Tunbridge Wells – after an entire evenings meal and wonderful service they insisted on paying individually and then arguing that they didnt want to pay for the extras . I felt awful watching the poor waitress try to get the money out of them. cant we begin to do reviews on people and get them not to come out and ruin our evenings! thank you Chez JJ for keeping your cool and for such a great night!
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katie criapeppi,
8 months ago
Went back to Chez JJ after a bit of a holiday in France and was so suprised on how incredibly French it is. The food, the decor, the wine. I have never ever had a bad meal there. I always enjoy myself. I am suprised at the last review as I have never experienxced that there. This restaurant is fast becoming my favourite restaurant in town. As for the new additions on the menu, the calamari is amazing, and the mussels are the freshest tastiest morsels. I invited my French in-laws to eat there and they loved it and it reminded them on what iot used to be like in France food wise.
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Willy Wonka's Mrs,
10 months ago
Fantastic bistro – take a carefully selected dinner guest or two and add in a visit to Chez JJ for its relaxed atmosphere, delicious food, good service, great wine, and good value and the end result is a perfect evening – what more could you ask for ?
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Katie Criapeppi,
1 year ago
I found Chez JJ by accident one night. We walked in later and were told that we were very lucky to get a table. What a find, the food is amazing, the whole atmosphere of the place is perfect. It is a hidden gem. The food I ate was so delicious I was almost emotional. I had the most tender fillet steak and my wine was so good. The staff seem to really enjoy working there – which makes a change. I will absolutely go again.
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Andy B.,
1 year ago
I live just along from Chez JJ and eat their fairly regularly when it first opened I was releived that a restaurant had opened that neither pandered to the percieved notion that everyone in Tunbridge Wells would welcome yet another over priced pretencious fine dining experince or the equally mediocre chain dining experince where both the staff and customer meet with the same sub zero expectations for poor food and service that they willingly pay a premium for. When I first moved to Tunbridge Wells from London i was shocked by the state of its restaurant scene and in the 15 years I have lived here it has not improved that much. The country pubs in surrounding areas surpass anything anything on offer in the town centre. I have to say though that JJ’z was one of the exceptions to the rule. A local restaurant that wanted to serve the local population rather than exploit them. I started to eat their regulary because I really felt it stood above the rest of dross, I wanted this business to succeed I still beleive the owner tries hard to provide his customers with good food and service and at a very reasonbable price. What i enjoy most about JJ’s though is the warm welcome I receive the buzz when I look around I see a full restaurant packed with diners who seem to be geuinely enjoying themselves. I was saddened when the exuberant French Maitre D left at the beginning of the year as he really made my evenings their
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James Rigby,
1 year ago
Went there on 20th November. Enjoyed it very much. Steaks were excellent – we both ordered rare, and we got proper rare, not the medium you get in so many restaurants when you want it bloody. It was very French in terms of the service – and I agree with the previous writer who said it was intrusive when you didn’t want it, and not there when you did. We were upstairs in a corner next to a little cupboard – it was a bit cramped – and there were two other tables near us that were empty all night. I would have expected them to sit people at the most roomy tables first.
I’d like it closer to the town-centre too! But I’m nit-picking. All the food was top-drawer.
Overall a fantastic little find.
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The Bonners,
1 year ago
We have been several times to Chez JJ and always had good food and excellent service. We love a good old french meal! Nothing pretentious just great food at a sensible price. The atmosphere is very welcoming and the menu offers a variety of traditional French food.
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Nomadnz,
1 year ago
Average, has slipped a bit in recent months. French Onion soup a bit insipid and flavourless, the real disappointment was the steak frites..the frites were replaced with chips that look like they are from the local chippie. Why not throw in some baked beans and a fried egg to finish it off and call it Chez Greasy Spoon. A staple of any French Bistro, the frites are essential and I genuinely know most people would be disappointed with what they are serving as a replacement. That said it has a nice authentic atmosphere with haphazard but friendly service. Deserts were great.
Patchy. Some of the food was good but some very average. Not memorable. Certanly didn’t reflect the prices which were not steep but were not bistro prices. Service was peculiar – intrusive without being there when you need it – quite a French feel now I come the think of it!! Will give it another go but not wild about the place.
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SnowPixie,
2 years ago
Went to Chez JJ this week for our Christmas celebrations and I’m sorry to say I was not that impressed with some elements of the meal. This is now the third time that I’ve been to Chez JJ and I feel that the quality hasn’t always been as super as people make it out to be. In the past I’ve had onion soup that’s too salty and a vegetable gratin that didn’t taste of anything. On this occasion the vol au vent with sea food was the let down, the vol au vent was almost non-existent under the mountain of sea food that was overcooked and thus very chewy, the scallops were far too small to be sustainable and though the portion was generous I’d rather have less filling but cooked better. Our entree and desert were lovely and the wine was good, the service was OK, not the best customer service in town but not the worst. Overall I would definitely advise people to go, but not to expect something out of this world. The key is “variable”, some things they do well and others not so, it’s comparable to any half-decent, cheap restaurant in France as mentioned by another reviewer.
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Hannah,
2 years ago
Slightly disappointed after hearing great things about Chez JJ. There seemed to be a few arguments going on between a couple of the staff. The moules marinieres were nice on the whole, but not enough liquor, and some of them were a bit anaemic. Service was a bit patchy and we were halfway through our mussels before a dish appeared for the shells. On the plus side, the frites were great. Also, they had Lescure butter, which is always a good sign.
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Alfred Bouch,
3 years ago
I’ve eaten three times in this restaurant and while the service and quality of the food has been slightly variable depending on how busy it is, I find it similar to a cheap restaurant in France. The food is substantial and well-cooked although I thought the range of dishes was a bit limited. No complaints though. I’d recommend this to anyone.
Greer, 3 weeks ago
I have nothing but praise for this place. Reminds me of many a French holiday. The only downside is that the food is so tasty and sumptuous that I’ve never made it as far as dessert. Will keep trying though!
Hilary Carpenter, 3 months ago
Had Christmas Eve lunch and was agreeably surprised. Wonderful ambience which was set by the waitress who was a real character. Carrot and orange soup was delicious, followed by pork casserole which was wholesome and a yummy pear belle helene. The rest of my party were equally pleased with their food. Would happily return again.
Catherine Blunt, 4 months ago
Went to Chez JJ tonight and boy was it packed – the food was amazing! but I was next to this table of 16 or so people who i can only describe as the most petty embaressing people in Tunbridge Wells – after an entire evenings meal and wonderful service they insisted on paying individually and then arguing that they didnt want to pay for the extras . I felt awful watching the poor waitress try to get the money out of them. cant we begin to do reviews on people and get them not to come out and ruin our evenings! thank you Chez JJ for keeping your cool and for such a great night!
katie criapeppi, 8 months ago
Went back to Chez JJ after a bit of a holiday in France and was so suprised on how incredibly French it is. The food, the decor, the wine. I have never ever had a bad meal there. I always enjoy myself. I am suprised at the last review as I have never experienxced that there. This restaurant is fast becoming my favourite restaurant in town. As for the new additions on the menu, the calamari is amazing, and the mussels are the freshest tastiest morsels. I invited my French in-laws to eat there and they loved it and it reminded them on what iot used to be like in France food wise.
Willy Wonka's Mrs, 10 months ago
Fantastic bistro – take a carefully selected dinner guest or two and add in a visit to Chez JJ for its relaxed atmosphere, delicious food, good service, great wine, and good value and the end result is a perfect evening – what more could you ask for ?
Katie Criapeppi, 1 year ago
I found Chez JJ by accident one night. We walked in later and were told that we were very lucky to get a table. What a find, the food is amazing, the whole atmosphere of the place is perfect. It is a hidden gem. The food I ate was so delicious I was almost emotional. I had the most tender fillet steak and my wine was so good. The staff seem to really enjoy working there – which makes a change. I will absolutely go again.
Andy B., 1 year ago
I live just along from Chez JJ and eat their fairly regularly when it first opened I was releived that a restaurant had opened that neither pandered to the percieved notion that everyone in Tunbridge Wells would welcome yet another over priced pretencious fine dining experince or the equally mediocre chain dining experince where both the staff and customer meet with the same sub zero expectations for poor food and service that they willingly pay a premium for. When I first moved to Tunbridge Wells from London i was shocked by the state of its restaurant scene and in the 15 years I have lived here it has not improved that much. The country pubs in surrounding areas surpass anything anything on offer in the town centre. I have to say though that JJ’z was one of the exceptions to the rule. A local restaurant that wanted to serve the local population rather than exploit them. I started to eat their regulary because I really felt it stood above the rest of dross, I wanted this business to succeed I still beleive the owner tries hard to provide his customers with good food and service and at a very reasonbable price. What i enjoy most about JJ’s though is the warm welcome I receive the buzz when I look around I see a full restaurant packed with diners who seem to be geuinely enjoying themselves. I was saddened when the exuberant French Maitre D left at the beginning of the year as he really made my evenings their
James Rigby, 1 year ago
Went there on 20th November. Enjoyed it very much. Steaks were excellent – we both ordered rare, and we got proper rare, not the medium you get in so many restaurants when you want it bloody. It was very French in terms of the service – and I agree with the previous writer who said it was intrusive when you didn’t want it, and not there when you did. We were upstairs in a corner next to a little cupboard – it was a bit cramped – and there were two other tables near us that were empty all night. I would have expected them to sit people at the most roomy tables first.
I’d like it closer to the town-centre too! But I’m nit-picking. All the food was top-drawer.
Overall a fantastic little find.
The Bonners, 1 year ago
We have been several times to Chez JJ and always had good food and excellent service. We love a good old french meal! Nothing pretentious just great food at a sensible price. The atmosphere is very welcoming and the menu offers a variety of traditional French food.
Nomadnz, 1 year ago
Average, has slipped a bit in recent months. French Onion soup a bit insipid and flavourless, the real disappointment was the steak frites..the frites were replaced with chips that look like they are from the local chippie. Why not throw in some baked beans and a fried egg to finish it off and call it Chez Greasy Spoon. A staple of any French Bistro, the frites are essential and I genuinely know most people would be disappointed with what they are serving as a replacement. That said it has a nice authentic atmosphere with haphazard but friendly service. Deserts were great.
Cottage Reviews, 1 year ago
Patchy. Some of the food was good but some very average. Not memorable. Certanly didn’t reflect the prices which were not steep but were not bistro prices. Service was peculiar – intrusive without being there when you need it – quite a French feel now I come the think of it!! Will give it another go but not wild about the place.
SnowPixie, 2 years ago
Went to Chez JJ this week for our Christmas celebrations and I’m sorry to say I was not that impressed with some elements of the meal. This is now the third time that I’ve been to Chez JJ and I feel that the quality hasn’t always been as super as people make it out to be. In the past I’ve had onion soup that’s too salty and a vegetable gratin that didn’t taste of anything. On this occasion the vol au vent with sea food was the let down, the vol au vent was almost non-existent under the mountain of sea food that was overcooked and thus very chewy, the scallops were far too small to be sustainable and though the portion was generous I’d rather have less filling but cooked better. Our entree and desert were lovely and the wine was good, the service was OK, not the best customer service in town but not the worst. Overall I would definitely advise people to go, but not to expect something out of this world. The key is “variable”, some things they do well and others not so, it’s comparable to any half-decent, cheap restaurant in France as mentioned by another reviewer.
Hannah, 2 years ago
Slightly disappointed after hearing great things about Chez JJ. There seemed to be a few arguments going on between a couple of the staff. The moules marinieres were nice on the whole, but not enough liquor, and some of them were a bit anaemic. Service was a bit patchy and we were halfway through our mussels before a dish appeared for the shells. On the plus side, the frites were great. Also, they had Lescure butter, which is always a good sign.
Alfred Bouch, 3 years ago
I’ve eaten three times in this restaurant and while the service and quality of the food has been slightly variable depending on how busy it is, I find it similar to a cheap restaurant in France. The food is substantial and well-cooked although I thought the range of dishes was a bit limited. No complaints though. I’d recommend this to anyone.