J Paul’s Dining Room

A Culinary Oasis in a Historic Hotel

Photos by Jeremy Gonsior

It was a warm Friday night in September, and I had just finished one of the longest, busiest weeks of my year.

So many things were on my mind: family drama, upcoming personal decisions, phone calls to make, work to finish, and, well, Vampire Weekend concert tickets to buy.

But when I entered J Paul’s Dining Room at The Kirby Hotel in Douglas, all those worries soon vanished. I immersed myself in a foodie oasis, a culinary journey that left me relaxed, inspired, and completely satisfied. I felt miles away from the norm but only a short drive down I-196 made it happe

The interior of the 19th-century Victorian building is striking. Eye-catching light fixtures. Curated art selections. A huge staircase. Dark wood floors. 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. Next time you are wise enough…I might just see you there!

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J Paul’s Dining Room at The Kirby Hotel
294 W Center St, Douglas, MI 49406
269-857-54722
thekirbyhotel.com/j-pauls-dining-room