Justine’s on Hudson: A Farm-Fresh, Wine-Fueled Culinary Gem in the West Village

A Hidden Gem Where Wine and Heritage Intertwine

In a quiet corner of Manhattan’s West Village, a new restaurant is quietly redefining what it means to be a wine bar. Though its signage and ambiance suggest a casual neighborhood retreat, Justine’s on Hudson is anything but ordinary. Opened in April, this intimate venue is not just a wine destination — it’s also a culinary extension of Neal Rosenthal, one of the nation’s most respected wine importers.

But beyond the bottles, what makes Justine’s truly unique is its food — curated and cooked by Chef Jeanne Jordan, who weaves her Filipino heritage into every dish, using ingredients grown at Rosenthal’s upstate New York farm.

The result? A hyper-seasonal, deeply personal menu that delivers warmth, elegance, and a sense of story — plate by plate.

The Setting: Rustic Charm Meets Wine Cellar Chic

Justine’s on Hudson exudes a kind of quiet sophistication that’s increasingly rare in New York City. Located slightly off the main bustle, the space is intimate and cellar-like, with soft lighting, wood-paneled walls, and a curated rustic charm.

It feels less like a restaurant and more like an invitation into a private tasting room — the kind of space you’d expect behind the scenes at a vineyard in Burgundy or a farmhouse kitchen in Provence.

Wine bottles line the walls, and every table seems to glow with intention. It’s cozy, refined, and personal — an ambiance that perfectly reflects the ethos of its founders.

A Culinary Voice: Jeanne Jordan’s Deeply Personal Menu

At the heart of Justine’s is Chef Jeanne Jordan, a seasoned talent who previously helmed the kitchen at Mas (farmhouse) — a now-closed but once beloved New American restaurant known for its ingredient-driven philosophy.

With Justine’s, Jordan is cooking food that’s closer to her soul. Her menu pays homage to both her Filipino roots and her deep respect for seasonality and locality.

Signature Highlights Include:

• Kinilaw-style Marinated Fish – Inspired by Filipino kinilaw, this raw seafood dish balances vinegar, citrus, and heat.

• Golden Roast Chicken – An ode to her mother’s home cooking, this comforting entrée is deceptively simple yet deeply flavored, often served with farm greens and seasonal vegetables.

• Egg & Lettuce Compositions – Featuring produce from Rosenthal’s upstate farm, the ever-changing salads bring texture, subtlety, and surprising richness.

• Seasonal Tarts & Vegetable Plates – Showcasing what’s freshest that week — whether it’s asparagus, heirloom carrots, or squash blossoms.

Her cooking feels personal, poetic, and grounded in the idea of food as memory. You can taste the history behind every ingredient, yet the presentations are contemporary and unfussy.

The Wine: Curated by a Master of the Craft

While Chef Jordan’s food is reason enough to visit, Justine’s also serves as a living showcase for Neal Rosenthal’s wine philosophy. As one of the most respected figures in the world of wine, Rosenthal’s portfolio includes small, independent producers from France, Italy, and beyond — all of whom practice low-intervention winemaking and respect for terroir.

At Justine’s, guests can enjoy:

• Rare pours by the glass

• Biodynamic and organic selections

• Unfamiliar varietals rarely found on mainstream NYC lists

• Expertly paired recommendations from a thoughtful, educated staff

The pairing of filipino-influenced seafood with crisp Loire whites, or earthy vegetable dishes with elegant Beaujolais, is not accidental — it’s crafted with the same precision as the kitchen menu.

A Farm-to-Table Commitment That’s Actually Real

In a city where “farm-to-table” is sometimes more marketing than philosophy, Justine’s offers a refreshing truth. Much of the produce on your plate comes from Neal Rosenthal’s own farm in upstate New York. Eggs, lettuces, herbs, and soon even grapes (from a budding vineyard project) are grown with care and intention.

Chef Jordan builds her menu around this supply, adjusting weekly to reflect the changing micro-seasons. The connection between farmer and chef here is direct, meaningful, and creatively empowering.

More Than a Meal: A Story of Culture and Continuity

What makes Justine’s on Hudson stand out isn’t just the quality of the food or the rarity of the wine — it’s the quiet layering of culture and collaboration. Chef Jordan’s Filipino heritage becomes a thread of flavor that enriches every dish, while Rosenthal’s decades of wine expertise anchor the experience in global tradition.

The restaurant is both a tribute to legacy and a celebration of new expression. Filipino cuisine is often underrepresented in fine dining, and Jordan’s work here reclaims that space — not by replicating classics, but by honoring ingredients and intention.

Who Will Love Justine’s on Hudson?

This restaurant appeals to a variety of discerning guests:

• Wine lovers seeking rare, curated pours and expert guidance

• Locavores passionate about seasonal, farm-grown menus

• Foodies eager to explore Filipino flavors in a fine dining setting

• Couples looking for an intimate, upscale date-night venue

• Culinary enthusiasts interested in chef-driven stories and cultural depth

A Quiet Power in the West Village Dining Scene

While some NYC restaurants lean on hype and spectacle, Justine’s thrives on subtlety and sincerity. It doesn’t need a celebrity name or a neon sign to turn heads. Its appeal is in the honesty of its food, the integrity of its wine, and the care in its storytelling.

This is a restaurant that invites you to slow down, taste with intention, and leave feeling like you’ve learned something — not just about a cuisine, but about a person, a place, and a way of life.

Final Thoughts: Where Wine, Memory, and Local Bounty Converge

Justine’s on Hudson is not just a wine bar. It’s not just a restaurant. It’s a deeply personal collaboration between a chef with a story to tell and a wine legend offering his table — literally and figuratively — to do so.

Here, every glass and plate carries a narrative: one of heritage, harvest, and human connection.

In a city brimming with culinary options, this quiet, candle-lit corner of the West Village reminds us that the best meals are the ones that balance soul with skill, and passion with purpose.

Justine’s on Hudson – Restaurant Info

Address: 518 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 255-2500
Instagram: @justinesonhudson
Reservations: Recommended (particularly for weekends and wine dinners)
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM