The moment I entered J Paul’s Dining Room in Douglas, I was instantly transported into a foodie oasis—a culinary escape that left me feeling relaxed, inspired, and completely satisfied. Despite being just a short drive down I-196, it felt like I had stepped miles away from the ordinary.
Housed inside the historic Kirby Hotel at 294 W Center St, the 19th-century Victorian building boasts a striking exterior that immediately catches the eye. But it’s the interior that truly seals the deal: from the eye-catching light fixtures and curated art selections to the grand staircase and rich dark wood floors, every detail of the space exudes charm and elegance.
Soon my lovely friend Sarah arrived, and we shared a hug. Then it was time to set our sights on our food and drinks.
Our server and bartender, Mel, was outstanding from the start. She effortlessly explained the menu features were all, in her opinion, top-notch.
While enjoying our window table by the bar, we transitioned from gushing about the ambiance to exploring the drink menu. Sarah selected the Raspberry Lemon Martini, and I chose a classic Old Fashioned. We clinked our glasses together with a spirited “Cheers!” and a few sips into our drinks, we knew we made the right decision to visit J Paul’s Dining Room. Our drinks hit all the right flavor notes, along with that smooth burn going down. Plus the presentation was Instagram worthy.
There was an exciting buzz in the dining room around us. The staff interacted with many people by name making it clear regulars were everywhere. At this point, we were beginning to understand why this was true.
We were in full relaxation mode, soaking up every aroma drifting out from the kitchen, when it was time to order entrees ourselves. The menu is small and changes often, but we agreed that’s the sign of an elite restaurant. Dishes like the Skin Crisped Seared Duck and Seared Scallops jumped off the page initially. In the end, I chose the Harissa Seared Halibut and Sarah couldn’t resist the Vegan House Curry.
The food arrived promptly with another eye-catching presentation. I was surprised by the kick in the sauce on my halibut, and I loved it. It featured a side of green beans that were cooked perfectly. Meanwhile Sarah noted her dish was a perfect balance of warmth and creativity. Comforting without being boring.
We asked Mel if there was any dessert because we didn’t see it on the menu. She said of course they did and easily sold us on trying the Chocolate Torte. Without exaggerating, the rich dessert was borderline life changing.
“This makes my heart happy,” Sarah said smiling after the first bite.
The restaurant was emptying out when we struck up a conversation with Owner and Chef Christopher A Labelle. He offered a tour of the attached hotel and as he took us upstairs, Labelle shared the journey he took to get the restaurant to this level. A big part of it was hiring the right people like Mel. We agreed.
There’s zero doubt that I’ll be back to try new items on the menu and have Mel craft another masterful cocktail. J. Paul is open for dinner Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, from 5–9 p.m. and Friday & Saturday, 5–10 p.m.
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