Seth Shezi

Food
Jardine ticks so many of the boxes that make it a cleverly positioned restaurant of the times. Everything about it speaks to astute editing. The menu is short but inextricably offers enough variety to have something for everyone, and the dishes too aren’t heavily laden with superfluous ingredients.

The ginger-seared tuna dish comes with spicy dressing, lime labneh and chiffonade bright lights and the beautifully preserved freshness of the tuna is lifted by the zingy chilli in the dressing. The pan-roasted east coast hake with olive crust and beer-battered mussel and crushed peas is essentially a play on the classic fish and chips with mushy peas.

The whole meal reaches the sweet spot of refinement without being overly fussy, which is true right down to the desserts – especially the Valrhona chocolate ganache slice with caramel and vanilla, served with sesame ice-cream.

Drinks
You will find inviting cocktails on the menu, but the food menu almost begs for a wine pairing. The wine list is well-considered and offers both variety and value for money.

Service
Friendly and courteous service that will leave you feeling very well looked after, even if at times during peak service things may get a wee sluggish.

Ambience
A cosy and beautifully intimate space with a roaring fireplace for those frigid days. The old-school décor is apt, both paying homage to the heritage old building and giving the restaurant an approachable ease. Think neutral tones, wood finishes and foliage accents.

Best for…
A romantic night out or a business lunch.

(October 2019)

Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here.