Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean Francois Poujol. They and their team shared their story with us below:
After spending 15 years in Los Angeles working in various restaurants and hotels, I relocated to San Antonio after 9/11. I started my career at Las Canarias, the prized restaurant of La Mansion Del Rio Hotel. The desire to open my restaurant grew every day. After a stint at The Conrad Hotel in Indianapolis, working with Chef Jonathon Wright, I returned to San Antonio knowing it was time. 2007, I opened Soleil Bistro & Wine Bar with the accolade (best news restaurant from the San Antonio Express-News). Surviving the great recession was challenging, and changes needed to be done in 2010; Soleil Because “Tost.” Tost rapidly became an iconic Brunch place in the community. Tribeca Restaurant followed up, and Julia’s Bistro & Bar opened 5 months before COVID-19.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My voyage could have been smoother, adapting to survive the 2010 recession. Covid has taught me a lot about business and never giving up.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Julia’s Bistro is a French restaurant serving traditional French cuisine with a San Antonio Flair. Our specialties include:
- Steamed mussels with a white wine cream sauce
- Lamb Shank a la Birria
- Escargot Bourguignon
- Steak Frite with herb butter
- Fresh East Coast Oysters
- Duck Confit
- Creme brulee
All this excellent cuisine is served casually, the San Antonio way. Your casual but professional service and our prices set us apart from others.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and are any essential lessons or epiphanies you can share?
Customer service is king. We only survived with our loyal clientele.
Contact Info:
- Website: Juliasonblanco.com
- Instagram: Juliasonblanco
- Facebook: Juliasonblanco
