The air was abuzz with excitement on Saturday, February 25, as anticipation built ahead of the Wales vs England match - whilst renowned Cardiff chef Lee Skeet opened the doors to his brand new hospitality venture, Jackson's, in Duke Street Arcade.
The sister venue of his popular 12-cover restaurant Cora - which is currently being renovated in a unit above Jackson's - Jackson's is a stylish new seafood and wine bar serving up a "simple menu" of Welsh and Cornish oysters, steamed mussels - sold by weight at market price - Welsh lamb and seaweed buns, smoked mackerel pâté and a handful of special dishes which will change by the season.
Over at the bar, you'll find Jackson's own beer on draft, alongside Oyster Shell IPA and Black IPA - both of which have been created by Vale of Glamorgan Brewery repurposing the oyster shells once they've been used. You'll also be able to enjoy Jackson's own 'Bones Brew' coffee, roasted by fellow Cardiff business Quantum Roasters, and a "specially selected" brand of popular spirits including Barry Island gin and Tan Dowr Cornish sea salt vodka. Plus, there's a great selection of wines to choose from.
Read more: Black Sheep, West Pizza, Gaucho and all the Cardiff restaurants and cafes opening this spring
Jackson's opened at midday on Saturday and we were lucky enough to have a sneak-peek inside ahead of the opening - and we must say, it looks amazing!
Speaking about the opening and process of getting Jackson's ready to open, Lee explained: "Opening Jackson’s has been such a huge achievement for Helen [my wife] and I. We’ve funded it completely ourselves with no backers or loans, and we’ve done all of the work on the renovation- except plumbing and electric- by ourselves."
Discussing the inspiration behind the interior décor, he said: "We wanted to open somewhere based on my favourite bars on the coast of Devon and Cornwall mixed with the surf bars of southwest France."
"We want to be somewhere that everyone feels welcome and comfortable, whether you fancy a few pints, some of our signature blend coffee, a mountain of fresh mussels and oysters, or you’d like to come and sample some of our unique wines which are all available by the glass," he added. "We’re so excited to open this weekend and welcome everyone into our new home!"
Jackson's is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am to 6pm, and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 9pm.
READ NEXT:
- The Welsh village dairy helping you celebrate St David's Day in style
- The takeaway voted best in Wales at the Just Eat Awards
- The hospital cook from Greece who started selling takeaways from his house and now has his own Swansea restaurant
- The two Welsh chippies just miles away from eachother ranked among the UK’s very best takeaways
- Best takeaways in the UK officially named at star-studded awards ceremony
