Tucked away in Ecclestone Yards in Belgravia, well away from all the traffic, is one of my favourite steak restaurants in London – The Jones Family Kitchen – with its large outdoor terrace and innovative and creative cocktail menu, this is the perfect place to meet up with family or friends. It is also really easy to get to, being only a few minutes away from Victoria Underground and mainline station.
As soon as you walk through the door, you’re sure of a warm welcome by the friendly team at the restaurant and the name gives away the fact that this is very much a family-run business, with husband and wife team Duncan and Anna Watts who have been in the restaurant business for well over 20 years now, with their original “Jones family” restaurant being in Shoreditch, which was one of my go to places to pop in for a drink with a friend at lunchtime or in the evening.
But much like the original Shoreditch restaurant, The Jones Family Kitchen also has a talented and creative team behind the bar who are always coming up with new and innovative cocktails, and a cocktail list that changes seasonally but with the most popular always available.
Although the extensive menu is varied and pretty much offers something for everyone, including those of you with special dietary needs with their gluten free menu which is accredited by Coeliac UK, to many people, The Jones Family Kitchen is known for its great quality steaks cooked in their Josper charcoal oven. The meat is sourced from North Yorkshire farmer and butcher, The Ginger Pig, renowned for their quality and care. Personally, I like the 250g Fillet Steak for its tenderness, but they also serve a 350g Ribeye, a 350g Sirloin and a 300g 55-day aged Rump Steak. And if there are a couple of you and you like to share, then go for the Prime Rib, Porterhouse or Chateaubriand, which is served sliced on a large wooden board.
Without a doubt though, my favourite dish at the moment is the Jones’ Chuck Burger, which is a combination of a thick chuck patty topped with slow cooked oxtail, iceberg lettuce, tomato and accompanied with a sesame pickle and crispy fries. You can even add some bacon or mature cheddar cheese to make your perfect burger.
There are, however, plenty of lighter dish options that change on a seasonal basis with tried and trusted favourites remaining throughout the year, whilst other new dishes are added to go with the time of the year and availability. So, in the summer, expect to see more salads such as a Courgette and Broad Bean Salad, Smoked Bacon Salad or their Superfood Salad with a large bowl filled with spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, avocado, seeds, pomegranate, alfalfa sprouts and radish.
Lighter seafood dishes include a Chalk Stream Trout, Grilled Seabass, Seared Yellowfin Tuna and Pan Fried Scallops. Another great lunchtime option is the Everything on Toast, which is a combination of avocado, spinach, semi-dried tomato, poached eggs and Sriracha dressing sitting on top of a slice of sourdough toast.
When it comes to side dishes, I would thoroughly recommend a dish of their superb Truffle Macaroni Cheese – it’s got to be one of the best mac ‘n cheeses in Town!
A mention should also be given to the extensive international wine list, where I would be surprised if you did not find something you like, with a number of the wines also available by the glass. Their house red, priced at under £30, is an Italian Connubio from Sicily, and pairs perfectly with a burger or steak.
The Jones desserts are also rather special and change on a seasonal basis. In the past I have enjoyed summer desserts such as a Lime Avocado Cheesecake and Coconut Mousse with mango, whilst in the winter there are more comfort food desserts, such as Anna’s Triple Chocolate Brownie and a Treacle Sponge Pudding.
If you are looking for a good value meal, then there is the Lunch and Pre-Theatre menu starting at £21.50 for two courses and £25.50 with a choice of three starters, three mains and two delicious desserts.
The restaurant has also recently started opening earlier on Tuesdays to Saturday when you can enjoy their new breakfast menu.
The Details
The Jones Family Kitchen, 7-8 Eccleston Yards, Belgravia, London, SW1W 9AZ, England.
Tel: +44 (0)20 3929 6000
Website: www.jonesfamilykitchen.co.uk
Email: bookbelgravia@jonesfamilykitchen.co.uk
Eccleston Yards is a renovated pedestrian-only historic courtyard and can be accessed either from Ebury Street (on the East side between Elizabeth Street and Eccleston Street) or Eccleston Place (on the West side between Eccleston Street and Elizabeth Street.) It is an under five minute walk from Victoria Station and a 10-minute walk from Sloane Square Tube station.
The restaurant is open Monday from midday to 3:00pm and from 4:00pm to 11:30pm. Tuesday to Friday from 8:00am to 3:00pm and from 4:00pm to 11:30pm. Saturday from 9:00am to 11:30pm and Sunday from midday to 10:00pm.
Type of Restaurant: Steak Restaurant
Price Band: Medium
Insider Tip: If the weather is nice, I would recommend sitting out on the spacious terrace, being one of the few restaurants in London where you don’t have to contend with traffic fumes.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10/10
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of Our Man On The Ground, a former member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.
Photographs by Simon Burrell
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