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Cafe Jean Pierre
Categories: Restaurants French Restaurants Seafood Restaurants Creperies French, Seafood, Creperies [Edit]
4959 Pan American FwyAlbuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 345-3241
Yelp Deals
$10 for $20 Deal at Cafe Jean Pierre
- Limit 1 voucher(s) per table.
- Not valid Fridays and Saturdays.
- Promotion lasts for 1 year from date of purchase. After that period, your Certificate is redeemable for the amount you paid. Not valid with other certificates or offers. Gratuity not included; please tip on full value. Must use in a single visit. Only 1 certificate(s) can be purchased for own use. Up to 1 can be purchased as gifts for others. Subject to the Yelp Deals General Terms.
Deals Left 6
- Reg. Price $20
- Discount 50%
- Savings $10
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 11:30 am - 2 pm
Tue-Thu 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
42 reviews for Cafe Jean Pierre
Review Highlights
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"...of the day and the French onion soup were both delicious." In 8 reviews -
"4 cream crepe w/ lemon sauce (special ~ $7." In 12 reviews -
"So, great bread with the pate (a must), and great wine..." In 5 reviews
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42 reviews in English
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Review from Darcy K.
Albuquerque, NM
1/29/2012 2 Check-ins Here
5 stars, especially for Albuquerque. My boyfriend and I shared the spinach salad with pears, candied walnuts, bacon, gorgonzola, and onions (it's huge), he got the beef filet, and I got the special - swordfish. You will NOT leave here hungry, the portions are huge. We didn't even have room for dessert.
Most importantly, the quality & flavors are great. Most of the higher priced restaurants in Albuquerque don't have amazing food, but Cafe Jean Pierre was a pleasant surprise. My boyfriend's beef filet was so good that he couldn't help but smile after every bite. I was jealous - we'll have to come back so I can get it next time. Our waitress was also great at pairing good wines with both of our meals.
The atmosphere was intimate, with darker lighting. The place is so popular, though, that they shove tables too close together to get everyone in. You can hear the conversation going on right next to you, and easily could eat off your neighbor's plate. That was the only problem I had with the place.
Tips: Make reservations. Order the beef filet! -
Review from David f.
Austin, TX
2/21/2012
More like 3.5 stars but recommendable none the less. This is a small and intimate place with a very good vibe and atmosphere. They have a cool bar area. Recently had a dinner date there and I have to say that the service was good and Albuquerque-friendly. Had the pate, which was very good (not at a par with Chez Nous in Austin, however). We each had a puffed pastry entree: salmon and beef. Both were excellent, but the pastry was a bit heavy. I would order either of them again.
I felt that the place was a bit pricey, but acceptable.
A good experience. -
Review from YM H.
Tallahassee, FL
12/30/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal
There were so many good choices on the menu, and not to mention several tantalizing specials as well.
We tried the beet salad, Caesar salad, French onion soup, almond red trout, and the creme brûlée. They are generous with the portions, the dishes are bigger than your typical French bistro.
I love beets, and the combo on the beet salad was good. The dressing was light, and the hearts of palm were tasty. It would have been amazing if they didn't use canned beets.
Caesar salad had all of the right ingredients: homemade garlic toasted croutons, romaine, whole anchovies, and lemon juice. I would have preferred if they puréed the anchovies, garlic, and dressing together versus tossing them together. It would have a better infusion of flavors.
The onion soup was classically done, with melted cheese on two crispy pieces of bread floating on a cup of onion soup. It was a little salty, but a nice complement to the bread basket (pretty good, too).
The red trout was pan seared and buried under a mountainous pile of toasted almond slices. It was crispy and very flavorful.
To cap off our luxurious lunch, we had their creme brûlée. They used real vanilla bean and it was creamy, with a crunchy sugar crust. Loved it.
All in all, a satisfying place to eat. Have the correct approach to food, just need a few tweaks here and there. I would come back again. -
Review from Sharon L.
Albuquerque, NM
12/6/2011
.
The Old Man texts me and says *dinner and a movie*?
I say "Hells yeah, where are we going baby?" .
He says, "That cute little place tucked in a sorta strip mall, right by the Rio 24 movie theatres".
Right on! I don't even care which movie we see since I've been dying to get my French on at this place for awhile. If The Old Man is lucky he might get some smoochin' action at the movies if this place is good.
Decor was kitschy and kooky with out being tacky. The was one cool painting that was all 3 D and interactive.
I'm sure after a 1/2 bottle of that really good plonk I'd be trippin' hard on that and doing my best not to get yelled at by The Old Man for obsessively playing with it .
I really liked the giant frog maitre'd by the front door holding the mints, although The Old Man pointed out it should have been holding the green and brown mints intstead of the traditional white and red.
They have a nice little bar with the typical hootch plus a more than decent wine selection.
The waiter was very nice and informative with a adorable french accent and quirky personality. He also obviously eats well there as indicated by his rotund little physique.
We got the chefs special pate which was a little firmer than I liked and the crostinis they served it with totally tore my mouth into ground hamburger (mmm, mouth beef...).
The bread was awesomely crusty and it was all I could do to stop at one piece.
Bread like that makes it hard to stay gluten free.
I ordered the mussels and The Old Man ordered the beef en croute.
His was perfectly done and smelled so frickin good I almsot traded .
The bite he gave me was all melt in your mouth meat nummy nom-nom-noms and it also had a fabulously flaky crust.
Then my musselscame out...
OMG the heavenly garlicky, wine, butter aroma about made my head "esplode".
While he enjoyed his immensely once he got a look at my mussels it was all forlorn wistful (and sometimes) jealous looks towards my big bowl of awesome.
Being the" good wife type person" that I am, I gave him a few but that just made him want mine more.
Yes, I ate the whole damn bowl although I did let him soak his bread in my sauce
I'm a giver like that.
We've agreed to go back soon for a orgy of mussels for the both of us in the near future.
This should be 4.5 stars (cause of the weird pate thingy) while everything else was a flawless 5. -
Review from Corinne G.
Albuquerque, NM
5/23/2012 Purchased a Yelp Deal
The food was good but overpriced. Nice service.
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Review from Gabrielle S.
Redlands, CA
5/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Amazing scallops and endive, citrus salad. Best French cuisine. A true local treasure.
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Review from Laurie H.
Albuquerque, NM
5/21/2012
I love this little wonderful, fabulous gem of a restaurant. I have had great lunches, perfect service and gastronomical delights every visit. My advice, always try something new no matter how much you loved your last meal for you will love your next meal just as passionately. LOVE the waitress who offered tastees. Love that the owner/chef comes to the table inquiring in his French accent If all was well! This is a delight. Make reservations and take your time savoring this dining experience.
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Review from Tim G.
Sacramento, CA
4/24/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This place is seriously an unknown gem in a land of meh food. The environment was laid back and the portions are well sized. The quality of food though is what made this place for me. The freshness and originality of the dishes distinguished this place from other french restaurants. In addition, the wine pairing with the meal was well chosen. My only complaint is that this place is kind of small, so the tables are shoved very close together.
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Review from Matt A.
Albuquerque, NM
4/10/2012 Purchased a Yelp Deal 3 Check-ins Here
One of the best places to eat at in town. Nice atmosphere, nice service. Pass up the pretentious Asian joint next door and spend your money on actual decent food here.
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Review from Adi A.
Albuquerque, NM
3/27/2012 Purchased a Yelp Deal
Was there for lunch... service was a bit slow, but they were very friendly. The ambiance was nice... Appetizers we had melon with prosciutto, lunch I had the chicken marsala and my husband had the Florentine crepes. The food was very flavorful! I will go back :)
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Review from Jamie P.
Albuquerque, NM
9/2/2011
When we walked into the door and were greeted by the rotund Jean Pierre himself, I was optimistic because this guy looked like he knew how to cook.
To start, my husband and I shared the French onion soup. My first thought was "Mine is better." To be clear, I don't think myself an excellent chef. However, I don't think that it takes a lot of talent to create a great French onion soup. You simply need the time and patience to let the onions indulge themselves in the hot butter until they can no longer stand it and let go of all of their wonderful, carmelly sweetness. This was clearly a case of the onions being abandoned in a tub of beef broth. Alone and without guidance, they became stringy rebellious fibers gasping for breath in what may have been dirty ditch water. I think you should treat onions like you treat children, with love and solid boundaries.
I ordered the crepe Florentine and was greeted by a beautifully executed, tender golden crepe, filled to the brim with plasticy, bulk-food-wearhouse imitation Swiss cheese. This polymer also took it upon itself to smother the top of my crepe with its chemical warfare. I can't explain how depressing it is to see something so beautiful dressed in something so trashy. It was like seeing Catherine Zeta-Jones in a Hefty sack.
My husband ordered the Croque Monsieur. A simple dish that really is just a ham and cheese with some Bechemal . This sandwich had the misfortune of being assaulted with the same "cheese" that had attacked my crepe. In addition, the Bechemal was floury and closer to paper mache than food. I cannot forgive a bad Bechemal.
Aside from the crummy food, the service was outstanding. Our waiter was polite, attentive and charming. I only wish he had something delicious to serve alongside his warm personality.
I found myself sadly disappointed with this cafe, much like when I try a new bottle of wine only to find that it has a screw-top. -
Review from Kimi U.
Albuquerque, NM
The best French food I've ever had!
Went for lunch on Saturday around 1PM and didn't have a problem getting seated. Our waiter, Pascal, was hilarious and didn't disappoint. Everything was spectacular! Generous portions, even for lunch!
What we ordered:
- Mussels w/ french fries (lunch ~ $15)
- Lamb shank w/ vegetables (lunch special ~ $15)
- 4 cream crepe w/ lemon sauce (special ~ $7)
The mussels were filling and could have been an entree in itself, but also came with a side of string fries which were well-seasoned. The lamb shank was perfectly cooked and fell of the bone. I'm not a fan of lamb, but this special was to die for! Even the vegetables that came with it were delish! We finished our meal with Pascal's recommendation of the 4 cream crepe with lemon sauce. DO NOT PASS THIS UP! It's not on the regular menu, so if you hear it on the specials, be sure to give it a try!
We'll definitely be back to try other dishes!Listed in: ABQ Favorites
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Review from Jen M.
8/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
My husband and I were in Albuquerque from Chicago, and wanted to do French food for lunch. Based on Yelp reviews, this seemed like a great place to go and we were very satisfied!!
The place seems very new. It's bright, very clean, spacious, and the decor suits the menu and atmosphere. We started with the french onion and cream of potato and leek soups. Both were fantastic. Really fresh, nice balance of flavors, and generous in portions. For our entrees we had the chicken marsala lunch special and the pan-fried calamari cutlet. Both were superb. The marsala sauce was definitely fresh and cooked to order. Chicken was done perfectly. The portions, again, were very generous.
The real highlight was the dessert. We had a crepe filled with fresh nectarine slices, vanilla ice cream, hazelnuts, and caramel. OMG. It was so light, refreshing, and sweet. The ice cream was definitely homemade.
If we lived in Albuquerque, we would be here often. -
Review from Gary F.
Albuquerque, NM
1/6/2012
Had the mushroom crepes for dinner. I was pleased with the meal but not blown away. The location, being in a small strip mall is not ideal. When I eat French food the atmosphere is important so I will stay with La Provence or Petite Loius.
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Review from Katina K.
Albuquerque, NM
7/12/2011
French food in Albuquerque at it's finest with service to match.
My boyfriend and I discovered Cafe Jean Pierre while trying to find parking for Chama River Brewing Company. We both love French food and decided to give it a try...and we've never regretted it!
While the location is odd (off Pan-American? Next to a Coldstone), don't let it fool you. The food is delightfully French and exquisitely prepared. Each time I come, I leave full and happy...
Normally we start with the nicoise salad (and sometimes add the salmon) and the vichychoisse of leek and potato soup is incredible. Like, I may lick my bowl when I'm done. Our favorite entree is the onglet, an unusual cut of meat that is rich yet delicately sauced. Yum. We most frequently try the revolving assortment of chef's specialties that come out, including more beef and seafood dishes. We have yet to experience a dish we didn't like. And often, the chef, Jean Pierre will come out to see if we've enjoyed our meal, and we're always happy to tell him how much we've enjoyed it.
The desserts as well rotate - find out what's the special! I love the fruit tortes, crepes with creme or fruit, everything is always wonderful and freshly made. The French can make desserts and Cafe Jean Pierre is no exception.
However, I've failed to mention the other best part about Cafe Jean Pierre (that's not the food!). It's the attentive, well-informed waiter named Pascal. Pascal is a gem in a world of waiters who (pardon my french) don't give a shit. He will help you pick out the exact wine for your meal and tastes, tell you what's the best, discuss with the chef what you might want for dessert, give you a taste or two of wines to try, and genuinely help you enjoy your meal.
While the interior design of the restaurant is a bit quirky, it makes you feel like you've found a hidden gem in a land a mammoth movie theaters and chain restaurants/stores.
The service with a smile and fantastic food make Cafe Jean Pierre a place I return to regularly, but also tell everyone about. -
Review from Shari M.
Albuquerque, NM
2/12/2011
My husband and I just ate there tonight for our Valentine's Day Date dinner. Tempted to give 4 stars since our entrees were delightful, but cannot give more than 3 stars when we find the service lacking. We were disappointed with the service, as we had to wait 20 minutes plus before the wait help even acknowledged us. We were one of the first ones there since they opened at 5:30 and that was the time of our reservation. They weren't busy at all, and the waitstaff passed us numerous times without acknowledging us. If not for the waiter mistakenly thinking the plate of escargot in his hands was ours, we would have sat there even longer. I replied to him, "No it is not, no one has even taken our order yet." (YES! We got there the same time as 3 or 4 other tables and while they had their beverages and appetizers, we still sat there with nothing but water.)
No one apologized for our unusually long wait and our waitress was too touchy! She kept rubbing our arms/shoulders every time she came up to us. I'm not sure if we've ever gone to a restaurant where the waitress touched us. It was a bit creepy.
Many of the dishes sounded and looked very good. The spinach salad was nothing to write home about, but tasty enough. The bananas flambee dessert was pretty boring. (but the entrees were divine).
As far as the ambiance, it was almost excellent, except for the visible storage shelf containing trash bags, detergent, and various supplies.
The only thing that we would ever go back for are the entrees, and exploring a bit more of the French cuisine. Next time, I'd also like to ask the chef to remove his hat, to make sure a rat wasn't under there. :) We saw Ratatouille on the menu! lol -
Review from Tricia K.
Rio Rancho, NM
5/11/2011
One of the best meals I've had in my hometown in quite awhile. I had no idea this place existed since I don't go to the theaters very much and there certainly wasn't any advertising. But thanks to the Yelpers, I now have a new favorite place to lunch.
According to the waitress, this restaurant used to be on the corner of San Pedro and Candelaria which I never went to but now I'm a fan of this Pan American location. I came here for lunch on a friday and business was bustling.
I cannot resist testing a bistro's moules frites and CJP did not disappoint. The steaming hot mussels and crispy skinny shoestring fries were both perfectly cooked and seasoned. The portions here are pretty big so after starting with a house salad (super fresh and lightly seasoned) I only got 50% through my moules frites. My mom began with potato leek soup (excellent) and had a HUGE beet salad with lump crab meat for her main course which she was happy with but also had to box up to take home.
The service is more laid back here so you feel free to linger, therefore, if you are in a hurry, CJP may not be the best choice. I believe the waitstaff warms your bread up in the oven after you have been seated so it is toasty warm and perfect.
The only downside to our meal was the dessert. Seeing as how CJP is a crepe cafe we felt obligated to order one at some point so we opted for the pear crepe with ice cream and chocolate. The crepe itself was fine but the pears were canned (confirmed by the waitress). Still, I am so excited to find a decent french restaurant in ABQ, I am fairly certain my fellow Yelpers would enjoy it also. Can't wait to try it for dinner! -
Review from marisa t.
Albuquerque, NM
12/30/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal
Had a fantastic lunch with friends. It was very busy for a Wednesday afternoon, in fact we waited at the bar for a table. But the staff took good care of us to ensure that the wait was not tedious. I had the special - a shepherd's pie like concoction that was awesome. We waited a bit because one in our party ordered a souffle. They made sure that we understood it would take longer, but we were in no rush. We just ordered the prosciutto and cantaloupe starter. The wine was excellent, and there was a really nice selection. And you can't leave without sampling one of the dessert crepes. Definitely will go back to enjoy again!
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Review from RealWater W.
Albuquerque, NM
12/13/2011
Make friends with the chef and you will be a fan just as I am.
Every dining experience has been excellent. Clean French food for the soul. -
Review from nora k.
Albuquerque, NM
12/12/2011 1 photo
I went to Cafe Jean Pierre for lunch on a friday.the seafood crepe was wonderfully creamy and tasty! forgot the name of the salad but it was the smallest and cheapest one on the menu with just greens and tomatoes but the dressing was very good. The atmosphere made me feel like I was back in Europe. Despite the lunch crowd service was very quick. the sommalier advised me the perfect white wine pairing for my dish. I'll go back for dinner for sure !
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Review from Mindy J.
Albuquerque, NM
2/19/2011
Four of us went to dinner here and shared everything so we had a good sampling of the menu. We had a 3 hour dinner and never felt pressured to leave.
The food is straight ahead classic french food.
The Cesar salad was a large enough portion for two people to split. The only change we'd make was to have them cut the anchovies up they were stuck in the salad whole.
The beet salad was straight ahead and tasty.
The duck was awesome and a rather large portion. The scallops were awesome cooked hot and seared on the outside but moist on the inside. The tenderloin was delicious and perfect. The veal was also delicious and I would recommend it and I don't usually eat veal.
The creme brulee was divine, as was the pear crepe, and the eclair.
The only thing I'd suggest changing is the veggie sides. They seem like an after thought and come on their own plates.
I'll be going back here for sure. -
Review from Vincent T.
Albuquerque, NM
Updated - 1/24/2010
Since my first review, I have had the pleasure of eating at Cafe Jean Pierre three more times. And each time, reinforcing my love for properly prepared French Cuisine and allowing me to gain more intimate knowledge about Chef Jean Pierre, his staff and his restaurant.
The last time I attempted to dine at CJP, on a weeknight, I was surprised to learn that they were booked for the night. Sad for my me, but happy for Chef Gozard, who's reputation is obviously gaining momentum as his loyal following grows.
I believe many of the kinks associated with opening a new restaurant have been ironed out. The menu is expansive and the deserts divine. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable, as is Chef Gozard who makes periodic rounds in the front of house to check on patrons and get feedback.
I've upgraded Chef Jean Pierre to 5-stars! Can't wait to go again, and will remember to make reservations beforehand!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/26/2009
Starting with the obvious: There's not many places in Albuquerque where one can find classic French… Read more »
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Review from Erik E.
Albuquerque, NM
9/20/2009 6 photos
THIS PLACE IS FANTASTIC!!!!! This is the kind of restaurant for which I usually have to go on vacation! I am SO happy to have found this place. If it sounds like I'm gushing, it's because I am! My first visit here was on a Thursday night, and I was right back again the next day for lunch.
My dinner visit started with a glass of wine and the house pate (see pictures). The waitstaff is strictly professional (a rarity in Albuquerque). They actually knew about the wine and were able to make an intelligent suggestion to go with my dinner (Awesome!!!). BTW, I LOVE pate, and this place did it just right (I'm going to have to stop this. They did EVERYTHING right!)
Everything is made to order on site except the bread, which is from Fano (a local artisan bakery that makes the best (!) bread in New Mexico). So, great bread with the pate (a must), and great wine (double must). On to the entree!
For my entree, I had veal sweetbreads in a butter/lemon/caper sauce (... pant! pant! I need a moment ...) It was sooooooo good! My only complaint is that it is not a regular item on the menu, so I was happy to get it when I did. They were tender, flavorful, seasoned perfectly, and cooked perfectly. BTW, did I mention that this dinner was better than any meal I had last time I was in Paris (and I really liked the food in Paris!). The side plate of vegetables was (you guessed it) perfect! I especially liked the fried mashed potato balls (Pommes de Terre Menagere?)
For dessert? How else would you top off a meal like that? Crepe Suzette! By now you already know it was amazing, fantastic, awesome, to-die-for, blah blah blah. Yup them boys wuz tasty!
I was back the next day for lunch:
For lunch I again enlisted the waitstaff (sommelier?) to help me in choosing a wine. They were very gracious and helpful. We discussed my order and my wine likes and dislikes, and he brought out a couple wines for me to try. My lunch started with the jambon et fromage crepe (ham & cheese crepe -- see pictures). There was a sauce of some kind that brought it all together. Salty goodness! Delicious and filling! Again, there were perfectly prepared vegetables on the side and plenty of great bread.
After that, I wanted a little sumpin' sumpin' to cap it off. Everything sounded great, so I decided on this cream and berry desert. You know, something light. HA! Check out the photo of this glorious confection! A meringue base topped with loads of whipped cream (flavored with something? I don't know what, but it was awesome!) and berries and powdered sugar, and I devoured the whole thing right then and there along with a cafe noir on the house. Did I mention they were gracious?
AH!!! Life is good!!! -
Review from Lynne H.
Albuquerque, NM
4/28/2009
Wow. We were impressed. Spouse and I went for lunch on a Tuesday and the place was well populated (only 3 tables empty). When it became apparent that our waiter was too busy to attend to us in a timely manner, the hostess came and took our drink order to expedite the process. When the waiter did come to our table, we found him to be very pleasant and conversant with the items on both the standard and specials menus.
The menu selections are relatively small in number, but thoughtfully chosen. We shared an appetizer (the house pate), two entrees (Steak Frites and Fruits di Mer crepe), and a dessert (Belle Helene). The pate plate turned out to be a generous slab of delicious minced ham & pork (not liver) pate accompanied by capers, cornichons, pickled onion, tomato, olives, and great mustard. It was big enough to have made a perfect light lunch for an individual.
The menu says the Steak Frites is a 7 oz. sirloin with French fries, but the meat serving seemed larger than that. The steak was charbroiled with the surrounding fat layer attached, which kept the meat very juicy and flavorful (we cut off the extra fat ourselves). We suspect, but have no proof, that the fries were cooked in lard because they were far more flavorful than the usual fries cooked in vegetable oil. Yum.
And the Fruit di Mer crepe? This is the first time I've ever ordered a mixed-seafood dish and received what I felt was enough scallops. I counted at least 8 jumbo succulent scallops, accompanied by a dozen good-sized shrimp, slivered mushrooms, and a white sauce that was rich but never cloying.
Both entrees came with a side of delicious zucchini and carrots garnished with fresh thyme.
Dessert continued the path toward excellence with nary a bump in the road. The Belle Helene was a generously sized crepe filled with poached pears, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and toasted slivered almonds. The flavor combination worked perfectly. I seldom see my spouse shovel in the dessert so quickly.
When I first perused the menu I thought the prices a bit high, especially for the appetizers and desserts, but after experiencing them first-hand, I now think they're a good value. Our appetizer and dessert were each large enough to be shared by 2 or even 3 people, and the entrees were also ample. The quality of the food preparation was excellent too, so you get what you pay for. We'll definitely be back. -
Review from Patricia G.
Las Cruces, NM
7/16/2011
Great French food in NM! Husband & I went on a Friday night w/o reservations (sacré bleu!), but were greeted graciously and seated right away. We both loved our salads (spinach for me (1/2 portion--very generous) and beet for him) and crepes: one seafood, one chicken. We both got a glass of house wine. Service was flawless, food delicious and presentation beautiful. Only regret was we were too full for dessert! The restaurant is small and tables are close together; the decor is unusual, to say the least. Our meal, including taxes and tip was $75 and worth every penny.
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Review from Eric T.
Placitas, NM
1/15/2011
A superb dining experience. My wife and I ate here last night for the first time, and we had our best meal in Albuquerque. The coquille St. Jacques Provencal was perfect - fresh, fresh, fresh, with the huge scallops and prawns cooked exactly right. And the exquisite wine sauce with tiny pieces of tomato (you can't do that in a food processor) showed the care in preparation that French cuisine is famous for.
We also had the half duck (that turned out to be the bottom half, with two huge leg/thigh haunches) was fork tender, and a crisped skin - wow. I had the black currant sauce, but an interesting-sounding green peppercorn version is also offered.
The accompanying veggies were also delicious - lots of thyme, with an outstanding aromatic rice. BTW, portions here are generous - "Americanized" as our waiter Pascal mentioned.
The nightly Specials menu displayed an impressive range of choices, except perhaps for the vegan/vegetarian diner.
Ambience was warm and friendly, with a perfect level of diners chatter, despite the room having hard walls and ceiling. Servers were New Mexico friendly and efficient.
My wife and I are going to return for dessert and coffee served at the small, comfortable bar.
Suggestion: get reservations on Friday and Saturday evenings! -
Review from Dave T.
Albuquerque, NM
4/24/2011
Amazing service, amazing food, one of the best hidden gems in Albuquerque for sure.
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Review from Stanley S.
Albuquerque, NM
6/3/2011
Wonderful food, great service (ask for Pam). Do go and treat yourself.
It's a five star place........... -
Review from Ellena M.
Albuquerque, NM
4/9/2010
Pretty decent for a crepe place in Albuquerque. Amazing fresh french bread!
My boys and husband had the onion soup, and enjoyed it. I had the cream of vegetable, which was also very good. I had a chicken crepe, and it was good, but not outstanding. La Crepe Michel's crepes are better.
My son had a good Cesar salad; but it comes with anchovies, so if you are not a fan, ask for it without, because they don't ask you.
Service was attentive.
If you do visit you MUST have the chocolate mousse. It was by far the best mousse I have ever eaten in my entire life. Perhaps the best dessert I have ever eaten. Rich, smooth, very chocolaty and dense. With wonderful homemade whipped cream. And it was a huge portion. We shared around the table and it was plenty! -
Review from Judy C.
Rio Rancho, NM
10/26/2010
Two words: WORLD'S BEST!
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Review from K. M.
Albuquerque, NM
We had great food and great service. Lunch began with fresh baked bread. The soup of the day and the French onion soup were both delicious. My son's special steak burger was overcooked, but our waitress wisked it away, and it came back just right. We had very good chicken crepes, and finished with incredible chocolate mousse.
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Review from suburban r.
Albuquerque, NM
Don't hold it against this cafe of its unfortunate location: off the freeway amidst an ocean of striped asphalt parking for a multiplex theater- but such is the life here in nowhere Albuquerque. Because CJP redeems itself immediately by a cozy enough dining room, well lit at this 1130 am lunch hour on a Saturday morning. It features a bar seating half a dozen, an open counter of a kitchen and a dining room of about 15 tables replete with silk flowers on each. You can even overlook this fact about the hostess rushing to ask what may she bring you to drink when shown to your table and not yet had time to sit and or even look at the menu. This detail shows a lack of understanding of the proper service and definitely cheapens the experience just a notch. But the basket of bread is crusty and warm. And the onion soup gratinee makes you almost forget it [but the questions linger: was that an attitude? an affected French accent that aims for cultural gravitas?]
i have been to better places before of course [but it would be unfair to compare CJP to jacque cagna, gerard besson, boulouds, lippert, many a bistros both on the left and right bank and on ille saint louis, NYC, montreal, SFO, BSaS, and bourdain even] so you have to lower your expectations a little bit.
When I come back [for dinner] I expect for them to loose the attitude [the hostess, i am referring to] and stop being so earnestly important. and get a sense of humour [i joked, referring to a nice list of desert, "i guess the nutella-stuffed crepe is strictly off menu" with said hostess staring me like a deer in headlights. [the short back story: clubbing in the marais mid winter many years ago and encountering the street vendors making the subject heavenly concoction i referred to]
it's hard to evaluate fairly based on a lunch of onion soup, a quiche, a croque monsieur [all plated BTW in a colorful pile w/ fruits- "too nice to eat, aren't they?" says she ]. but from those items [and notwithstanding madam hostess' crankiness- lets just say she was having a bad day, or a bad previous night] its a decent enough place that satisfies a hunkering for french when it hits.
i shall return. -
Review from Fred T.
Redondo Beach, CA
10/25/2010
I ate here for the first time today and it was easily the best meal I've had in New Mexico so far (I've been here for a little over a year). I started with carrot soup, which is great with their crusty warm bread, then had the shrimp, scallops and mushrooms crepe. For dessert it was creme brulee. All of it was perfect, especially the side of veggies. The service was top notch too. I spent the last 17 years in Los Angeles and this place was easily as good as the best I had there. (Specifically it reminded me, in size, atmosphere and quality, of Joe's in Venice.)
By the way, while crepes are a specialty here, there are other dishes too. And the prices are very good for the quality you get (and the portions are not the stereotyped tiny ones that you see in movies). Expect to pay around $15 for an entree at lunch (I'm not sure if the dinner prices are different). A cup of soup is $5 (though possibly the French Onion Soup is more-- I didn't look).
I highly recommend this place and will definitely be coming back. EVERYTHING on the menu looked good and worth trying. -
Review from Roberta L.
Tucson, AZ
3/30/2010
Just happened to drop in for lunch before going to see a movie. What luck! Although they certainly do feature crepes here, you'd be amazed at the wonderful variety of other offerings, well I was amazed in any case.
I ordered onion soup (au gratin) which was very rich and full bodied and oh so satisfying (it could have been hotter, my only complaint). Then I had half of a featured spinach salad which was so refreshing and complex. Glad I ordered half because it was a lot to eat. The portions here are very generous. One of us ordered a crepe florentine which she described as very rich (she took home about half). The third ordered mussels which, again, was a plentiful serving with lots of plump mussels and delicious sauce.
The bread was always crusty and just warmed from the oven.
We saw the burger offering-fresh ground in the kitchen- and I can't wait to come back to try that dish.
The service was a bit slow but they were really busy-good for them.
The food here is not cheap but it's well worth the extra few dollars because it's obvious that this chef really knows what he's doing and loves turning out fine food.
My regret: I wish they had offered an authentic french omelet too-they are hard to come by and I'll bet this chef turns out a "mean" one.
I hope to get back here one day-just visiting from Tucson. -
Review from Barry K.
Albuquerque, NM
8/27/2011
The food here is great. I had the beef c and my wife had veal, for appetizer we had gazpacho, and for dessert, creme brule. Our server offered us wines to taste before our meal, so we could pick the one we liked best. Well, the food was excellent, the service was excellent and we will be going back here for sure.
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Review from Jeanne H.
Rio Rancho, NM
8/15/2009
Companion and I both had crepes for dinner (Boef & Florentine) and they were generous portions. Flavorful and lovely crepes. Pate was great. Many dessert choices-crepes and specials-and the poached pear was delightful. Service was efficient but not impressive. Chef visited the table and was warm and friendly but up until then I was puzzled by how my glass wasn't ever empty but it just hadn't felt like the service was up to the level of the food. Would definitley return.
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Review from William C.
Albuquerque, NM
8/14/2011
Great food, wonderful wait staff, and very friendly owner/chef. I had a chicken crepe which was incredible, and my wife had veal Marsala. Hers was way better than mine and I was envious, but I did have the best crepe I have ever had, so I was in a quandary. What to do? We will be back! IMHO, the food would rival most French restaurants anywhere, and is a great restaurant particularly in the land of enchanted chain restaurants!
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Review from Roxy C.
Austin, TX
12/26/2009 2 photos
This place is excellent!! Great lunch crepes as well as great desert crepes! Very fresh! Yummy! Totally reccomend it!
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Review from Carrie C.
Roswell, NM
10/20/2010
Incroyable! The french onion soup was authentically French - not too sweet. The tenderloin special with the green peppercorn and brandy cream sauce over Duxelles was exceptional. Then we ate dessert! Mon dieu! Two of us ordered three desserts and they brought tears to our eyes. Order them all! We enjoyed the special attention of Chef Jean Pierre at our table. The founder of many French restaurants in the Albuquerque area, Chef Jean Pierre has made this his piece de resistance.
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Review from brian c.
Calabasas, CA
12/9/2010
New Mexico is so lucky that Chef Jean Pierre makes his home in this state! This is a world class establishment. Better than most French cafes in LA or New York. We started with the duck pate rolled in veal which was outstanding and served with tomatoes that must have been from his own vegetable garden. Followed by a spinach salad with blue cheese and walnuts that was amazing. The beef tenderloin special was easily the most tender beef I have ever eaten anywhere. And the mushroom sauce so good I had to soak it up with their incredible home made bread. The bananas foster for desert was the perfect blend of sweet and chantilly sauce. The staff is courteous and efficient. And the prices make this an incredible bargain. I would never eat at another Ruth Chris or Mortons after tasting Chef Jean's cuisine. Food, value, service and ambience... you just can't beat this place!
