Chez Jean-Pierre

Right price, right presentation, right everything. This is what eating out is all about. don't miss the opportunity to eat here if it presents itself.

I don't always agree with the so-called food blogs and experts, but this time they got it right. This place is the real deal. The food is as good as you would expect of a Zagat's rated 28.

...Service was blase and uninterested, to say the least. While cutlery and water was replenished appropriately, every request or question to our server seemed like a huge imposition (i.e. asking what kind of vegetables were in the soup was answered by a sigh and "all of them"). But really, looking around, should I have expected anything else?
Cocktails were a disappointment, mainly because I didn't have one. I asked for a cocktail menu, but they didn't offer a menu and I feared asking if they could make this or that would just result in another round of sighs.  Alas, I digressed and went for the wine. Going with our server's recommendation for something more floral, I ended up with a Sauvignon Blanc (probably my least favourite white variety, generally speaking). Thankfully, both of us ended up enjoying our choices.
Foodwise, the menu is large, simple and old school. I wasn't as much excited by the appetizer options which was populated predominantly by simple salads that I can make easily at home, but the main courses were all really enticing. We ended up going with:

Feuillete of Escargots with Shiitake Mushrooms, Garlic Cream Sauce, in a Puff Pastry
This was cooked exceptionally well, and the puff pastry was a luxurious touch (as if escargot in a cream sauce wasn't luxurious enough). My only quibble was that I found the sauce a touch underseasoned, but otherwise a delicious dish.

Pureed Vegetable Soup
This was just okay, but like I said, I wasn't very excited by the appetizer menu, so I figured I would play it safe. Again, I felt it was underseasoned, and was screaming for some sort of garnish to take it from cafeteria food to high end bistro.  Also, way too big of a portion. I would have to be incredibly hungry to finish this boat of soup while in anticipation of our main meal.

Fresh Artichoke with Vinaigrette
Very old school, simple and delicious but we both agreed it would have been much better had it been served warm.

Beef Short Ribs with Bourguignon Sauce and Mashed Potatoes
Massive portion, and very rich. The meat was impossibly tender and seasoned well, I just felt the sauce could have used a touch more acid as there was still a bit of the raw wine flavour lingering. The mashed potatoes were basic, and smooth, but cold, which was a stark contrast to the steaming hot beef.

Cheesecake with Black Cherry Sauce
Probably one of the richest cheesecakes I have ever tasted. It lacked the mild tart flavour that I love in a traditional NY style, but wasn't light and fluffy like some Italian (ie. ricotta) versions. Certainly too much rich creaminess for one person, but delicious none the less. I was particularly grateful for the  cherries to cut through some of that richness, I only wished I had more of them!