Phnom Penh & Restaurant : Ruby Jack, 360° of prime rib art

Nestled on the 42nd floor of the prestigious The Penthouse residence in the heart of Phnom Penh, Ruby Jack Prime Rib is the restaurant renowned for its commitment to the art of prime rib.

Jean-Marc Chenier cutting up a unique piece of beef

Celebrating the essence of the latter as the centrepiece, this establishment offers a veritable culinary voyage where the prime rib leads the dance in the middle of its panoramic, revolving dining room.

Background

Son of a mother who was French consul in London and a father who was a master cellarman at Rolls-Royce, Jean-Marc Chenier, a Franco-Englishman, developed a passion for the restaurant and hotel business.

With his family based in Mauritius, it was after travelling there for many years that he became interested in the hotel business and decided to pursue this career path.

After completing all his studies in England, notably at Westminster Catering School (Westminster Kingsway College, School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts), he went on to study whisky (Master blender distiller for whiskies), which led him to work in Scotland for five years, notably for Gordon Ramsay and a two-star Michelin restaurant in London.

After travelling around Thailand and Laos, Jean-Marc decided to settle in Cambodia in 2011. At the time, the death of the King had devastated Cambodia. Touched by this event, but also by the history of the Kingdom and its atmosphere, he decided to stay.

“It really moved me and I think that in England we felt the same way when the Queen died, I knew the Queen Mother, I served the Queen Mother. So yes, it moved me and I was touched by the story, I think”, he says.

His journey in Asia and his arrival at Ruby Jack

Jean-Marc began his career with Comme à la maison, Moon and KWest restaurants in Phnom Penh. Each of these experiences was a challenge, particularly Moon, which was the first rooftop bar in Phnom Penh and where he stayed for five years as Bar Manager.

He then headed off to Indonesia to work as Food and Beverage Manager in a very large 5-star establishment. Since last November, he has been General Restaurant Manager at Ruby Jack in Phnom Penh.

Main dining room at Ruby Jack

The Ruby Jack touch

Specialising in prime rib, Ruby Jack is one of the only restaurants in Phnom Penh to offer such a menu accompanied by a unique wine list.

“I think we have an exceptional product that's tempting enough for everyone. I sincerely believe in it”, he asserts.

Beyond that, the culinary journey takes on its full meaning, offering a 360° view of Phnom Penh and leaving a unique memory for customers like Julia Pasquier-Desvignes, a young Frenchwoman who tried out the menu;

“My dining experience at Ruby Jack was extraordinary: first of all, the atmosphere in the dining room, a unique, chic and vibrant place with a magnificent view over the whole city!”

“The must: you turn 42 metres above the city, which allows you to have a look at every detail of the landscape!”

Secondly: The warm welcome and invaluable service from Jean-Marc, and all his staff. Jean-Marc kindly helped us order the right dish to suit our tastes, as well as the wine to go with it.

Thirdly: The food was excellent! For starters, we had the spiced salmon cake and pan-fried foie gras. It was delicate, well presented and perfectly seasoned.

Next, the main course: Over 400 grams of grain-fed Canadian beef rib roast, served with freshly grated horseradish and horseradish beef jus. As a side dish, we had asparagus and sautéed mushrooms. Jean Marc also took the time to carve the meat in front of us, which put on quite a show. The beef was perfectly cooked and seasoned, beautifully tender on the inside and nicely grilled on the outside. We finished our meal with a delicious cheesecake, rich and fruity, with harmonious textures. In short, from starter to dessert, my experience at Ruby Jack was excellent.

400g piece of roast rib of beef with sautéed asparagus and mushrooms

So whether you're planning a company meal or a moment of relaxation with friends or family, Ruby Jack is the culinary experience you need to try at least once. The Ruby Jack team, made up of around twenty experienced and passionate people, will transport you for a meal surrounded by the sun of Phnom Penh or the neon lights of its buildings.

For more information: https://ruby-jack.com/