Although Jean-Robert de Cavel and his partners decline to say how much they spent renovating and furnishing the restaurant, some estimate the partners have invested as much as $3.5 million. Partner Martin Wade does say he suspects Jean-Robert at Pigall's will be “the most expensive restaurant built in Cincinnati.”

On display are 50 sets of antique salt and pepper shakers from de Cavel's personal collection. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        At the least, it is the costliest “per seat” new restaurant in town. Jean-Robert at Pigall's will seat 75 downstairs plus 40 in an upstairs dining room reserved for private parties. Competitors such as Maisonette seat more people. Maisonette seats 120 in its main dining rooms and 94 in its party rooms.

        Here are some of the features at Jean-Robert:

        • A front bar covered with rare, green lava stone from Auvergne, France.

        • Mustard yellow marble floor tile, imported from Italy, in the bar and part of the kitchen.

        • Fifty sets of antique salt and pepper shakers from Mr. de Cavel's personal collection displayed in dining room shadow boxes, which are individually lit and framed in burled cherry.

        • White porcelain dinnerware made by renowned china-maker Bernardaud of Limoges, France, featuring delicate ribbing around the plate rims.

        • Cotton damask table linens made by French company Garnier Thiebaut. They are chaume — a light golden, apricot color.

        • Three subdued food scenes painted by Milford artist Leslie Shiels for the main dining room. One oil painting features peaches, artichokes and snails; another the shadowy “Woman of Arles” (a figure she borrowed from 19th century artists Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin) with a basket of pears and a parrot; and the third is a whimsical rooster weather vane made of colorful fruit and vegetables. The artist describes her work as “post-Impressionistic.”

        • Vitrified stoneware sinks crafted by potter Scott Kelley of O'Bryonville for the four customer restrooms.

        • “Show” plates, which remain at table settings until diners are seated, handmade from terra cotta by Covington artist Janet Tobler. A chef is depicted in the center of the whimsical glazed plates, surrounded by apples, fish, other food items and utensils on the rim.

        • A 425-bottle wine cellar, among the largest in Cincinnati. It is composed mostly of French wines priced from $25 to $1,500 per bottle. Most wines will cost $35 to $85. Sommelier Gary Boswell selected the wines with help from consulting master sommelier Kenneth Fredrickson of Denver.

        • A “chef's table” in the kitchen, which will seat six customers who will be able to watch the staff in action.

Sunday's Stories

PART 1: Restaurant's opening bittersweet Can new restaurant succeed downtown? Pigall's building dates from city's early days

Monday's Stories

PART 2: Restaurant's opening bittersweet Menu favors seafood, vegetables Prices, tips European-style Imported furnishings, local artists decorate restaurant