Attentive service, fresh flowers and soft music surround guests at this intimate, Michelin Starred, restaurant in downtown Mountain View. Inside a lovely Victorian home, Executive Chef Jarad Gallagher creates a contemporary French cuisine that accentuates the vibrant, fresh flavors found naturally in high quality products. Chez TJ's leads guests through an exciting evening of culinary pleasure. Our prix fixe style encourages a relaxed and enjoyable evening of dining and conversation. Four dining rooms provide an intimate setting for a special dinner with family and friends. One Star Michelin 2012 Guide, "Top Restaurants 2007" SF Examiner, "Three and 1/2 Stars" - San Francisco Magazine and San Jose Mercury News. Top Scores, Zagat & Gayot Dining Guides 2007.
"Quality of food and service were poor in an otherwise empty restaurant. Dishes were similar in taste and all too salty. We were over-charged to top the evening and email request to restaurant to rectify has been unanswered. The Michelin Star on this establishment has definitely faded."
Dined on 5/02/2013
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"Chez TJ has been getting a new chef and staff every year, and the current staff just don't meet expectations from previous visits.
The whole experience was uneven. We ordered pre-dinner cocktails, the chef's tasting, and a wine tasting. The first glass of wine and amuse bouche arrived before the cocktails, and we noticed that other tables had the same problem as well. The amuse bouche was fantastic, and made us hopeful that the cocktail mishap wouldn't reflect the rest of the evening.
The timing was off all night, and we generally felt rushed. Some dishes, such as the beef (which had a $65 supplement!) were served lukewarm. Some were poorly executed. The desserts were not up to standard at all, and Parisian macaroon was inedible."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2005
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"Being the second time I have been to this restaurant and under a new chef, I am amazed. Not only is it as good as the first experience, it has somehow improved. Might be my #1 go to restaurant to really impress foodies in the entire SF Bay Area now. I won't name the others, but this is right up there with the best of them. It is a little too quiet and stuffy, but there are no other faults. Food, perfect. Waitstaff (stuffy) but perfect. tables, ambiance, location...all perfect.
I can't say enough about this restaurant. Even the new head chef, Jared, came to our table near the end of our meal to introduce himself. Wow."
Dined on 04/12/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"I have been here many times and was surprised to learn that there was a relatively new chef. We had the full tasting menu and most of the courses were consistently very good. However, we don't eat pork or shellfish and always let the restaurant know ahead of time. This time, rather than serving us alternative dishes (which is what has always happened in the past) we were served the same dishes on the tasting menu with the items we didn't eat simply omitted from the course. In each case, the dish just didn't taste complete and needed added salt and pepper to compensate for the missing flavors. I still love this restaurant located in a beautiful house. The sommelier was excellent! I'd definitely give the chef another try."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Far better than any other restaurant in the Bay Area. All foods were cooked to perfection and well presented. Service was top-notch, neither too slow nor too fast. Hopefully this restaurant will get back a Michelin star that it lost when Christopher Kostow left. Highly recommended!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"The terrible service unfortunately overshadowed the good food. Servers ignored us, incorrectly described the dishes we were served, and we had to wait at the hostess stand for 10 minutes before being seated, despite arriving on time for our reservation. Deeply disappointing experience, especially for a Michelin starred restaurant."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2005
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"We have recently visited Chez TJ to celebrate a special occasion. We Planned on spending a magical evening, eat spectacular food, and were ready to invest in a fabulous dining experience. To our surprise and despite the servers' constant care and attention, we left the restaurant feeling that we have paid so much and got very little in return (and not just size-wise). As a vegetarian, I could hardly find something on the menu that evening , and my daughter, although a picky eater herself, tried her best to nibble on some of the fancy and very artistic-looking dishes. My husband, who is a real foodie tried the Kobe steak (with addition of $65), and was very dissaponted, as well!!"
Dined on 03/05/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"We went there with my wife and it was a wonderful dinner. The service was excellent. The food was extraordinary, art in your place,so much attention to details, so much imagination and creativity. Every bite was delicate, and delicious. We will come back."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"I would have given the food 5 stars, except that I am not overly fond of meat that is rare. However, I did not want to send it back to the kitchen, because I know that it would have been insulting to the chef. I understand that gourmet chefs prepare meats this way and I am the oddball. I appreciated the special dessert that was added in regard to our anniversary. That was a very nice touch.
The service was very good. The ambience was okay. They gave us a room that was private and away from some large party that was quite noisy. The room's decor was not too my liking. I guess I expected beautiful hardwood floors and lighter walls. We also looked out onto driveway, but nothing can be done about that."
Dined on 03/12/2013
2012
Special Features: notable wine list, special occasion
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"We ate at Chez TJ recently - we always celebrate anniversaries with fancy meals (French Laundry, Cyrus, etc.) but needed to stay closer to home for this one. It was a good experience, but more expensive than it should be.
The food was good. Desserts were particularly excellent, and the amuse bouche and intermezzos also stood out. The surcharge for the Lobster ($25) was worth it, but the surcharge for the Wagyu beef was not. ($65)
One of us did the wine pairings, and while the pairings were good (very unusual wines, though not transformative with the food), the pours were laughably small. For $75 for the pairing, we got the equivalent of maybe 2 glasses of wine. Really miserly. Glasses ordered separately were normal pours."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2001
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"Spectacular food in a relaxed setting. The menu has two options: an eight-course tasting menu for $145, with wine pairings for another $75, or a four-course menu for about $85, with wine pairings at $55. The menu has a few choices, but basically, you put yourself in the chef's hands and plan to spend 2 1/2 or 3 hours. With these arrangements, and at these prices, one expects imaginative food, built on fine and sometimes unusual ingredients, beautifully executed, with excellent service and a knowledgeable sommelier. Chez TJ delivers on all of these. The restaurant is in the first floor of an old home in Mountain view, and it's been around for about 30 years. A place for special occasions."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2001
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"some tables provide a lot of noise from the kitchen.We did not like the fact that after telling them we would not drink a lot of water, they put another bottle of Pellegrino on our table and then opened it without asking ($20.00) a bottle."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2005
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"I loved the offering of the wine pairing which were excellent choices. We will definitely treat us again to this extraordinary dining adventure. Especially enjoyed that it is one menu. The presentation is artful and creative and the service impeccably attentive."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"It was our anniversary dinner. Service was great and ambiance was nice and quiet. We both had Chef special and it filled us up. At the end, they brought a dish of additional dessert plate (on top of three courses) says "Happy anniversary" from a little note on Open Table reservation. It was very nice of them."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"We went for Valentine's Day - our tradition is to go to a different fine restaurant on V. Day. Of the last three, this may have been the best. The Diver Scallop Veloute and Rice Pudding intermezzo were true standouts, as was the rib eye.
The setting in an old house made for small rooms with few tables. This was ideal for a romantic valentine's day. The only slip up was that the wine pairing for one of the dishes came after the dish had already been cleared. A minor slip up to be sure, but annoying none the less. However, we would gladly come back another time."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"Chez TJ is simply the best, totally deserving of its Michelin Star and then some. The setting is very unique, in an historic home in downtown Mountain View. It is quaint, quiet and takes you away from the hustle of a downtown. Service was fantastic with the staff tending to all of our needs. We had the Valentines Day Tasting Menu, and each item was fabulous. I especially enjoyed the Chez Garden salad with vegetables right from their organic garden in their yard as well as the ribeye. My husband had the wine pairing and each wine was perfectly matched with each course. Want to return to try the regular tasting menu next time. Highly recommend it!"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"The overall experience was good. I had a great time. They were really nice and courteous eventhough we were 1 1/2 hours late. They still honor our reservation. The only thing I must say is that we never knew how much things cost so it was a bit of a surprise when we got the check."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"My boyfriend and I went to Chez TJ for our first Valentine's Day togather. The food was excellent but remember that anything extra will cost you so be careful what you order. We had the truffle service which was delicious but added another charge per person. The staff seemed really enthusiastic about food and they were very nice. The neighboring tables had some rude parties that we felt were better served than us but that is not necessarily the fault of the restaurant. Chez TJ was definitely an experience. We will be back!"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"The food was better than Michael Mina. I didn't get a full description of what I was eating and didn't always know what the sauces were. Nevertheless, the food tasted good. I also had the wine pairing and those were quality wines.
This is an old house converted into a restaurant so the rooms were cozy. A bit too quiet for my tastes since I like to be able to have a nice conversation."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"Great food, and wonderful service - the restaurant paid attention to my note on the reservation that it was my wedding anniversary and gave us a beautiful dessert!"
Dined on 02/08/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Even though we were half an hour late they held our table. I LOVE this place. Incredible service and amazing chef's tasting menu. Outstanding wine pairings--we will be back."
Dined on 01/29/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"The food here was absolutely amazing, as well as the service. They made me feel like royalty, catering to every last need. They even send out black perigord truffles that were shaved onto the maine lobster tail dish, compliments of the chef! i had an amazing experience here at Chez TJ"
Dined on 02/05/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"This place can hang with the best in San Francisco. The only thing I would say that bad is. There really not much to do in the area.. No view, spa, or wine country tours."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"MY son and I went to Chez TJ for a mid-week night out. We both had the abbreviated tasting menu, and all the courses were great. The antelope preparation was something to remember. Service was attentive without being overbearing, the wine was good, and the experience was one worth repeating."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We went to Chez TJ 1/26. It is impressive this place has been around 30 years and is still innovative. The chefs tasting menu was phenomenal. The food plus wine paring were wonderfully matched. Overall the experience was a journey through new combinations and flavors. Portion size maybe small but it is perfect for the multiple course menu. We were both very pleased and full at the end. For ambiance, the 1 room we sat in was little dated (1980s?)in how the fireplace was decorated. All the other rooms were a bit more timelessly classy and romantic. The restaurant is very quiet and small. A lovely place for an anniversary dinner. It was worth the drive, and I would certainly go back again."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Maybe it was an off night or our server was having a bad day but he managed to almost ruin what should have been a great experience. It could have been that some large group was just seated as well but I'd expect those types of situations would be handled more elegantly than it was. The food was excellent, all the rest of the staff were great but for some reason our guy had a pretty bad attitude. I'd give the restaurant another try based solely on how nice the owner is - George was very apologetic and things went a bit smoother after he was alerted to our concern but no mention was made of any accomodation and for the prices I'd think even an offer for a glass of wine might have been offered."
Dined on 01/23/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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