The Family Jones Project restaurant in the heart of Shoreditch was founded by a “modern family” of tight-knit friends who have created a perfect space to share their passion for food and drink, whilst enjoying time with friends, colleagues and family.
The frequently morphing design and ever-evolving “project” concept means The Jones Family Project is exciting on every visit. Situated in a vibrant area of Shoreditch, the eclectic space offers a bar at street level and, whilst you wouldn’t expect it, a creative warehouse style restaurant for diners downstairs. With high expectations, StyleNest recently went to check it out and it didn’t disappoint.
Stepping inside The Family Jones Project, we were led to the bar area where we ordered two of their recommended Langley gin and Fever Tree tonics, and drank in the atmosphere. With open brick-work, book shelves, dimmed glass dome lamps hanging from the ceiling, and even a table with a tree growing through it, the warehouse theme continues and the urban vibe is a clear nod to East London’s inherent charm.
We were shown to our table downstairs – a spacious restaurant with a buzzing open plan kitchen where you can watch the chefs hard at work at their Josper charcoal ovens.
The seating arrangement is ideal for both couples and groups alike with secluded booths, a private dining area and a central dining space, which offers a warm and intimate feel. We took our seats, sipped our drinks and began browsing the menu intrigued at what treats lay in store.
There was a selection of nibbles for the table (priced at around £2 – £3), a range of starters (priced at around £6 – £10), including risotto cakes, spiced crispy squid, fillet steak tartare, a charcuterie board, Cornish crab, date and chorizo wrapped in bacon, and goats cheese with cranberry and port chutney. The main courses (priced at around £15 – £25) were mostly classic staples including a range of salads and fish dishes, although the main event was clearly meat – with an impressive selection of rib eye steak, sirloin steak, fillet steak, and rump steak as well as other meat options like free range chicken, pork rib eye steak, slow cooked oxtail, and their classic burger – all supplied by the Ginger Pig in Levisham North Yorkshire and other farmers that they know and trust.
We opted for the steak tartare, which arrived perfectly blended with a refreshing mix of herbs, and served with paper thin crostini. Beautifully presented and gorgeously fresh and flavoursome it was by far the best steak tartare we’ve ever tasted. We also enjoyed the Cornish crab with avocado sauce, served with a few of the dainty crostini’s and to his delight it was deliciously filling yet light.
For my main course we sampled the fillet steak served medium rare, cooked to perfection (so tender you could cut it with a butter knife) with an indulgence and quality to the meat that’s hard to forget. It was served with an utterly scrumptious peppercorn sauce – more like rich and peppery beef gravy. Meanwhile we were also recommended the chuck burger topped with slow cooked oxtail, so of course we had to try that too. The brioche bun was light in comparison to the rich meat dripping with juices, served with an oxtail mayonnaise, topped off with bacon, cheese and seed garnished gherkins…one of the best burgers we’ve ever had, and trust me – we know our burgers.
To polish it all off, we shared the Eton mess – creamy, yet tangy and light, the perfect combination of flavours – and three very fresh sorbets.
All in all it was one of the best dining experiences we have had in a while – the quality of the food was outstanding and with it’s intimate charm, impeccable service and natural warm welcoming atmosphere, The Family Jones Project will always make you feel you are one of the family.