J Fires’ Market Bistro pleases locals and not-so-locals alike

Waterloo-J Fires’ Market Bistro has been named to St. Louis Magazine’s A List as the “Best Reason to Cross the River”, and that’s a great thing, not just for owner Jennifer Pensoneau, but for all of Monroe County.

If you do a search online for J Fires’ you’ll find that this relatively new addition to Waterloo’s dining scene has already garnered quite a bit of positive attention from the metro-east media, turning the spotlight on Waterloo and Monroe County, which gives not only J Fires’ a chance to shine, but the whole community.

In the year and a half since Pensoneau, a Prairie du Rocher native, breathed life into a former winery by renovating the redbrick farmhouse into an upscale, yet comfy restaurant with a New Orleans flair, Monroe County natives as well as folks from around the metro-east have been steadily walking through the door or onto the fantastic- vine covered back patio that overlooks Pensoneau’s garden where she harvests fresh vegetables for her creations such as po’ boy sandwiches, fire-roasted pizzas, crawfish étouffée, and gumbo just to name a few.

It’s not surprising that Pensoneau, who studied the culinary arts in at the John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University in Louisiana and at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners in Italy, and worked under Chef Gerard Maras in New Orleans; decided to open her own restaurant.

Pensoneau fell in love with feeding people at age 15 at her first job at Lisa’s Market Grille in Prairie du Rocher. Her philosophy of only serving what she can make without preservatives and additives is based in how she grew up in Prairie du Rocher where her family and neighbors prepared foods fresh from the garden. She said that the idea of opening J Fires’ began with discussions with her dad about opening a shrimp shack, and evolved into what it is today.

As of landing in Waterloo, Pensoneau said the property and building just couldn’t be found anywhere else. “The community is health-oriented and has a great knowledge of quality in food. It’s also centrally located to local farms and to St. Louis. Through my research I saw this area had a lot of money going to restaurants, but the market wasn’t saturated. It was a good business decision.”

That decision seems to have been good one with local clientele and those further afield filling the restaurant. Pensoneau said that during the week 60 percent of her customers are local with most of the out-of-towners coming in on the weekends.

“We have a big support system locally. People were ready for a fresh, little more eclectic, not as main stream, restaurant. I would like everyone to know that by supporting us, you’re not only keeping a business going, but you are keeping many wonderful people happy. The staff here all enjoys serving or cooking for you and work hard to make the experience a pleasant one.

“We pride ourselves on having the highest quality products at a reasonable price. Ninety percent of our menu items are made in house. We strive to give the exact same quality service and food each time, so please do not hesitate to let us know if anything is wrong or you would like to see something new on the menu. We would have nothing if it wasn’t for the community. Thank you for your support.”

Pensoneau grows her own vegetables and is constantly trying to network with local producers to keep everything local and fresh. She is also in the process of expanding the J Fires’ campus by renovating the barn on the property. Her goal is that by spring 2012, the barn will house a banquet center, market, bar and open kitchen where cooking classes will be conducted.

Pensoneau is also involved with the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and the Think Monroe County First program’s Youth Outreach Committee. Working with youth, supporting the local business community and promoting the benefits of eating fresh, quality foods are some of her passions and are reflected in her involvement with local groups.

“I support the Think Monroe County First program because it’s a great program that brings awareness to the businesses in town. It makes sense to buy what is available in your own town as it keeps the money circulating between the residents in the county.”

She has also donated her time to the Youth Culinary Association and has a standing invitation to local youth to come check out J Fires’ kitchen and talk to the staff.

J Fires’ Market Bistro is located at 725 N. Market St., Waterloo. You can reach Pensoneau at 618-939-7233 or Jennifer@jfires.com.

For more information on upcoming live music, drink and food specials and other events you can also visit their website at www.jfires.com for a calendar of events and the blog. J Fires’ can also be found on Facebook under Jennifer Pensoneau or J Fires’ Market Bistro, and you can even follow them on Twitter.