JP French Restaurant

JP French Restaurant has been a fixture on Sukhumvit Soi 31 for well over a decade, founded by Frenchman Jean-Pierre Thiaville. The two-level room is warm and a little old-school, with red banquettes and curtains, white tablecloths, a chalkboard of specials and framed rugby shirts on the walls, reflecting the owner's sporting past.

The menu sticks to French bistro classics with a heavy lean towards beef. Regulars come for the hand-cut beef tartare, bœuf en croûte in the Wellington style and the côte de bœuf for sharing. Start with Burgundy snails in garlic butter or a terrine of foie gras, and expect a small amuse-bouche of pâté and rillettes on toast before the meal. Specials rotate, and the French wine list is fairly priced for the area.

It suits a relaxed dinner for two or a small group of friends who want traditional cooking without fuss. Book through Chope or by phone, especially at weekends. Lunch is served Tuesday to Saturday and the restaurant is closed on Sundays.