Dover sole gets finished right beside your table here, and crepes suzette can get the same treatment. Yeah, I’m definitely looking twice at that.
Tableside cooking is rare these days.
The main dining room seats only about 30 people. Downstairs, a private room was designed to feel like a European cellar, complete with a stone arch and terra cotta floors.
Then there’s the team. The owner trained in fine dining rooms in Paris and New York.
The executive chef graduated with honors from The Culinary Institute of America.
I have to admit, that’s a lot of polish for such a small New Jersey dining room. I can see why people save it for anniversaries.
The funny part is how quietly it all sits on a busy downtown street.
A French Story That Started Back In 1979
Chez Catherine opened its doors in 1979, founded by Catherine, whose restaurant became a longtime Westfield dining destination. That makes it a true veteran of the New Jersey dining scene, with decades of French cooking behind it.
For about eleven years, Didier Jouvenet and his wife, Edith, owned and ran the restaurant before its ownership changed in 2016.Didier brought experience from famous New York spots like La Grenouille and The Carlyle Hotel.
Edith, meanwhile, became known for the decor and the fresh flower arrangements. Together, they earned praise from food critics across the metropolitan area.
Then came a smooth handoff around October 2016. Stephane Bocket, who had served as Maitre d’ for eleven years, took over ownership.
He already knew every corner of the dining room, which helped keep the spirit steady.
By 2018, Mike Cowan was also named as a co-owner alongside Bocket. So the restaurant has stayed in the hands of people who care about its long history.
Honestly, few restaurants survive one owner change gracefully. Chez Catherine has kept its classic French identity through several chapters.
That kind of staying power is worth noticing before you even open the menu.
Walls Were Moved To Let A Little Provence In
Out went a wall, and in came the light. When Stephane Bocket became owner, the interior got a thoughtful redesign that kept its French soul.
Workers removed an interior entryway door and a wall on the right side. A wall on the left was cut down, and glass was added to open things up.
Up top, the old ceiling tiles were replaced with white coffered ones. The height didn’t change, but the room now feels bigger.
Clever trick, right?
The artwork changed too. Black and white stills of old French movies gave way to colorful pictures of Provence.
Think lavender fields, stone streets, and seaports like Cannes.
Even the walls got a makeover. They now carry a heavily textured finish that mirrors older buildings in the Provence region of France.
That detail might be my favorite. It means the room itself tells a story about southern France, not just the food.
You get a little taste of a sunny French village while sitting in a New Jersey dining room. Pretty sweet trade for a dinner reservation.
Only About 30 Seats Upstairs, So Plan Ahead
Small really is the whole point here. The main dining room comfortably seats about 30 guests, so every table feels close to the action.
White tablecloths set a classic, refined tone. Yet the mood stays relaxed and inviting rather than stiff.
It’s the kind of room where you can actually hear the person across from you.
That size changes how a meal feels. Staff can keep a careful eye on every table without hovering.
Conversations stay soft, and the pace feels unhurried.
It also explains why the restaurant works so well for special moments. Anniversaries, birthdays, and quiet date nights fit naturally into a room this cozy.
Fair warning, though. A small room means limited seats, especially on busy weekend evenings.
Booking ahead is the smart move if you have a certain date in mind.
A dress tip helps too. A jacket isn’t strictly required, but gentlemen will fit right in wearing one.
The white-tablecloth setting kind of deserves it. Dressing up a bit makes the evening feel even more like an occasion, which is exactly what this place does best.
Head Downstairs For A Room That Feels Like A European Cellar
Below the main dining room sits a space with real personality. The downstairs private dining room is currently listed as accommodating up to 16 seated guests.
Designers wanted it to feel like a European cellar, and the details deliver. A stone arch frames the entryway, and terra cotta tiles cover the floor.
The walls carry the same Provence-style texture found upstairs. That ties the two levels together nicely, so the whole building feels like one story.
Large wooden racks filled with bottles line the room. They give the space a warm, old-world look that’s hard to fake.
So who should book it? Families planning a milestone dinner would be a great fit.
Small business gatherings or rehearsal dinners also make sense in a room this size.
Having your own space means your group can talk, laugh, and toast without worrying about nearby tables. You still get the same French cooking and polished service from upstairs.
Honestly, a stone arch and tiled floor beat a plain banquet hall any day. Your guests will remember the room as much as the meal.
The Chef Started Here And Came Back To Lead
Some careers come full circle. Executive Chef Christine Migton began at Chez Catherine as a chef tournant, a cook who rotates through different kitchen stations.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in culinary arts with honors from The Culinary Institute of America. After her early start here, she gained more experience at other notable New Jersey restaurants.
She later returned to Chez Catherine as executive chef, a position she held for five years before moving into another role. During her tenure, Migton focused on seasonal ingredients, sourced locally when possible, and prepared with careful attention.
That balance matters at a place with so much history. Migton keeps the menu true to the restaurant’s roots while letting it keep evolving.
She also enjoys creating specials. Those give her room to play with different ingredients and try fresh ideas beyond the regular menu.
Here’s a practical tip. When your server describes the specials, listen closely.
They often show off what’s in season and what the chef is excited about right now.
It’s a nice reminder that classic doesn’t mean frozen in time. The kitchen honors tradition, then adds a little creativity to keep each season interesting.
Your Server Might Finish The Dover Sole Right In Front Of You
Dinner and a show? Pretty close.
Chez Catherine is known for tableside preparations, a classic fine dining tradition that has become rare.
Dover sole is one of the dishes finished right at your table. Steak tartare can get the tableside treatment too.
Desserts join the fun as well. Sabayon with red fruit and crepes suzette are among the sweet options prepared in front of guests.
Why does this matter? Watching a dish come together builds excitement.
It also connects you to an older style of dining that many restaurants dropped long ago.
Owner Stephane Bocket brings more than 30 years of industry experience, including work with well-known chefs in Paris and New York. His goal is smooth service that never feels intrusive.
Staff are also known for remembering returning guests. That personal touch makes a second visit feel warmer than the first.
One helpful idea is to ask which dishes are prepared tableside before you order. Some may carry an added charge, so a quick question keeps your evening relaxed and free of surprises.
Classic French Plates With A Seasonal Twist
Escargot, duck, foie gras, and souffles. That lineup reads like a love letter to French cooking, and these favorites show up often in talk about the restaurant.
The menu changes with the seasons, but certain classic items stay consistent. The current menu features Magret de Canard aux Prunes, a seared duck breast served with wild rice, vegetables, and a plum gastrique.
Lunch is offered a la carte on weekdays. Dinner runs on fixed-price menus, so you’ll pick a set number of courses from the choices.
That format works nicely for first-timers. You get a full experience without stressing over a giant list of decisions.
Desserts deserve attention too. Souffles and chocolate mousse are well-known sweet finishes here.
Every plate arrives with careful presentation. The kitchen treats the look of a dish as part of the meal, not an afterthought.
Quick tip for picky eaters. Ask about the specials and any supplemental charges before ordering, since some premium dishes cost extra.
That way the only surprise at your table is how good dessert turns out to be.
Critics Have Been Handing Out Stars For Years
Gold stars aren’t just for school. Chez Catherine has collected plenty of strong ratings from serious food critics over the years.
The New York Times gave the restaurant an excellent rating. The Star-Ledger has praised Chez Catherine over the years, including a reported four-star rating.
New Jersey Monthly has repeatedly recognized Chez Catherine among New Jersey’s best restaurants. That’s a lot of applause for such a small dining room.
Those honors help explain its reputation as a culinary destination in the state. Food lovers from across the tri-state area have made the trip to Westfield.
It’s also on the Google Maps radar with a 4.6-star average. That’s solid proof the place keeps its standards high today, not just in the past.
What makes this interesting is the consistency. Plenty of restaurants shine for a year or two, then fade.
Chez Catherine has stayed strong through decades and owner changes.
So if you’re nervous about trying a pricier French spot, this track record offers comfort. You’re booking a meal with a long history of pleasing tough judges.
That’s a pretty good safety net for a big celebration night.
A Private Parking Lot In Downtown Westfield? Score
Parking downtown can be a headache. Luckily, Chez Catherine has its own lot, which is a rare perk in downtown Westfield.
You’ll find the restaurant at 431 North Ave W, Westfield, NJ 07090. It sits on the ground level of the Westfield Inn, part of the BW Signature Collection.
Taking the train instead? The spot is within walking distance of the town’s train station.
That makes it easy to reach from other parts of New Jersey without a car.
Timing matters here. The restaurant is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Lunch runs from noon to 2 PM Tuesday through Friday. Dinner runs from 5 PM to 10 PM Tuesday through Thursday and from 5 PM to 11 PM Friday and Saturday, with final reservations at 8:30 PM and 9 PM, respectively.
There’s even a newer option for staying home. The restaurant has started offering catering, so you can bring French comfort dishes to your own table.
Either way, this little dining room makes a strong case for a trip to Westfield. Good food, easy parking, and classic service.
Hard to argue with that combination.
