
Step into the world of Jean-Pierre, a love letter to the bistros of the City of Lights that revives the romance and revelry of France’s golden age. A temple of decadence and debauchery where life is lived large and the rules are dialed down, Jean-Pierre invites guests into a nightly celebration where glasses clink, laughter erupts and bowtied captains weave between tables serving up French bistro classics with confidence and flair.
A restaurant story brought to life by founders Syed Asim Hussain and Marc Hofmann, Jean-Pierre is named for Marc’s father and represents a personal homage to French culture, dining and joie de vivre. Marc reflects on his childhood, describing his father as the ultimate host — a storyteller and bon vivant who filled their home with laughter and shared meals.
“As we raised a toast to Jean-Pierre the man in the restaurant he inspired, I can only hope he was looking down at these garçons, tipping a glass of pastis back at us. I know he would be so proud of Marc,” reflects Asim. “With this latest opening, Black Sheep has truly become a movement — something far greater than just my dreams and ambitions, now a canvas where passionate individuals on this journey with us can honour their own stories and heritage.”
The Menu
Jean-Pierre’s kitchen is helmed by rising star Chef John Troupis, under the mentorship of Executive Head Chef Matthew Kirkley, who he has worked alongside for the last five years, including at MICHELIN-starred BELON and Magistracy Dining Room.
The menu puts a spotlight on the canon of French bistro fare in all its glorious simplicity, starring the classics that defined French cuisine for the world. In a nod to Paris’ legendary Le Voltaire, the Oeuf Mimosa , the French-style devilled egg that outlived the Franc, is served one half-egg at a time for $8 — or €1 — for all guests, forever. Guests are invited to experience signatures such as the hand-cut Aquitaine beef collar Steak Tartare prepared with “Condiments de la Maison”; Pâté de Foie de Volaille features Hong Kong’s exceptional three yellow chicken liver and duck foie gras mousse whipped with V.S.O.P . Cognac, served on warm toasted baguette with chives; Escargots de Bourgogne, the classic French dish, is served with snails from Burgundy, no shell, sizzling in garlic-parsley butter & Pernod; the signature Poulet de Simone, an ode to the classic poulet roti, reimagined with three yellow chicken, prepared the classic way with a luscious stuffing of mushrooms, tarragon and spinach; piped pâte à choux Profiteroles served with freshly churned Madagascar vanilla bean gelato and drizzled with decadent dark chocolate sauce — all honour Jean-Pierre’s belief in the celebratory spirit of dining, where every dish is an invitation to share and partake in life’s simple pleasures.
“La cuisine vérité — truthful cooking. These are dishes that everyone knows,” says Chef John. “When you have a steak au poivre there is a lot less to hide behind, which creates higher pressure in the kitchen, as the execution needs to be perfect.”
“We are not trying to reinvent the wheel,” adds Chef Matthew. “The true art of bistro cuisine is not reinvention, but trying to make the best-ever rendition of classic bistro fare.”
For gourmands with a more advanced bistro palate, a blackboard of daily specials is presented tableside to guests, featuring dishes that showcase both the gastronomic finesse kitchen and tell stories that dive deeper into France’s regional culinary canon, such as oeufs en meurette, duck à l’orange, sole Veronique and veal sweetbreads with morel mushrooms, thoughtfully crafted offerings that showcase seasonal ingredients and classic French techniques.
To complete the experience, at the centre of the room, guests will find La Table de Jean-Pierre — a large round table that seats up to nine, right in the middle of the celebration, where they become part of the vibrant atmosphere of the room.
“Dining at Jean-Pierre is an experience where you, the guest, are a part of the show, and everyone is welcome in our show” says Marc. “For me, sharing meals has always been about entertainment, joy and unforgettable experiences. At Jean-Pierre, we want our guests to enjoy themselves to the fullest — however they choose to do so.”
From prestigious Grand Crus to Hong Kong’s first Languedoc wine on tap, the extensive French wine selection at Jean-Pierre is thoughtfully curated by Head Sommeliers Jean-Baptiste Copot and Nicolas Eyquem.
The signature Languedoc ‘Vin de Table,’ imported directly from the vineyard of a family friend, exemplifies the meaningful connections made with producers and artisans around the world. These personal connections yield extraordinary treasures, from highly sought-after bottles at incredible value to rare cuvées unavailable elsewhere in Hong Kong. Guests curious about these stories of provenance will find them lovingly documented in ‘Remerciements à Nos Amis’, a special section tucked within the wine list that celebrates the friendships and vignerons behind each bottle.
For those feeling extra celebratory, the restaurant offers a ‘Tournée de Jean-Pierre’ for HK$4,888, giving guests the opportunity to buy a glass of Ayala Champagne for every guest in the house to share a collective ‘Santé.’
The Atmosphere and Décor
Jean-Pierre is a reflection of a time in Paris when life was celebrated with fervour — from sumptuous meals to large gatherings. When handwritten letters still carried whispers of affection and haze-filled rooms were the norm, the decadent French bistro culture, now loved and adored the world over, became popularised across the country.
With a lively atmosphere that includes an elegant cocktail bar, made for early starts and late endings, a beautiful dining room that can seat 70 or more and an open-air outdoor terrace for drinks and conversation under the stars, there is plenty of space to unwind. Melissa Collison’s masterful design marries Art Deco elegance with sensual comfort — dark mahogany furnishings and plush red velvet banquettes invite lingering indulgence. Adding further depth to the space is the personal touch — cherished artifacts from Jean-Pierre’s life and history adorn the walls and shelves, creating an environment that honours the story of a life well lived.
Le Bar at Jean-Pierre
Situated at Jean-Pierre’s entrance, the bar is as much of a standout feature as the main dining room. With high ceilings and an elegant winding marble bartop, it sets the tone for fun as soon as guests arrive. Led by Maître des Cocktails Suraj Gurung, the menu is characterised by classic cocktails with a golden age French twist: A Chambord Margarita ($128) made with the Loire Valley’s classic raspberry liqueur, a Café Francais ($128) (a Francophone spin on an Irish Coffee served with a macaron d’ Amiens “Jean-Trogneux”) or the signature drink of the house, the delectable Cornichon Martini ($128).
Guests are equally welcome to visit Jean-Pierre for a cocktail and quick bite to eat at the bar. The bar menu includes the signature JP Burger ($208), serving only ten per day, or crispy Pierre Koffmann Frites ($68) and a classic Croque Monsieur ($268) (or Madame, with addition of an egg).
With 50 individual restaurant stories and counting, Jean-Pierre also represents a new chapter for Black Sheep: the company’s unique approach to creating restaurants now extends beyond Founder Syed Asim Hussain, allowing team members to tell their stories as well.
“Having the opportunity to co-author this story with Asim, my mentor, is one of the great joys of my life,” shares Marc. “I am grateful to Asim, our incredible chefs, passionate hospitalitiers, talented creatives and so many others here at Black Sheep who have helped to bring Jean-Pierre to life, and we look forward to welcoming Hong Kong to our table. And for the truly curious who want to know more about Jean-Pierre, the man who inspired our story, just ask our charming bowtied captains; they will be happy to indulge.”
Reserve your table here