From the team behind Grillshack comes Jackson + Rye, the latest American diner-style restaurant to hit Soho. There are so many cool restaurants and bars on Wardour street, and J + R fits in nicely with the edgy vibe.
It was Wednesday night and I was meeting Anna, my bestie for over twenty-five years, who will also be my bridesmaid in three months time. Another good friend, Lizzie, who is now six months pregnant was also joining us for dinner.
When I arrived, I was pleased to see the place packed out. The design is ‘New York’ style with free standing tables as well as banquettes. It is also much bigger than you may think at first, extending into a large back room and a downstairs.
Jackson + Rye serves an all-day menu inspired by America’s East Coast and includes classics such as shrimp and grits, corn bread and buttermilk fried chicken.
Us non-pregnant ladies ordered a glass of prosecco each to start things off.
Also for those not ‘with child’ we ordered a tuna tartare starter with smoked paprika creme fraiche and some bread.
I love tuna tartare and this dish definitely didn’t disappoint. The tuna was generous so there was plenty to share and it had a zesty lime flavour.
The bread arrived in a unaffected paper bag, it was simple toasted brown bread but sometimes the simple things are the best!
And the mains
Lizzie ordered Blue Swimmer Crab Cake with apple slaw which was crunchy and fresh.
Jackson and Rye serve a daily market fish, today it was tuna and, despite having tuna for starter, Anna and I both fancied it for main too. The waitress came back to table apologising that they were out of tuna but would substitute with salmon.
‘Lovely’ and we agreed we’d share the two dishes.
The salmon was served with crushed new potatoes and cherry tomatoes. The fish was flakey and deliciously oily with a superb crispy skin.
The tuna was perfectly rare just how I like it! With green beans, new potatoes and tomatoes.
We had some rather colourful side dishes too.
Lizzie, having missed out on the raw starter, decided to plump for a dessert.
A blueberry cobbler with apple and vanilla custard. It was homely and delicious, but the portion was huge and definitely more for sharing.
The service at Jackson + Rye was very friendly, but a little slow with things like bringing us more water but as the restaurant was totally packed, it was understandable.
My friends and I loved Jackson + Rye, its not just another average American diner. The food is good but you really come for the atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to come on a Friday night where you can just order some good food and just get really drunk with your friends!
