Croquettes with oxtail mayo
So what do we need to know about the Jones Family Kitchen?
Not to be confused with Jones Bros, this is the group's second restaurant - they already run a popular restaurant and bar the Jones Family Project on Great Eastern Street in Shoreditch. They pride themselves on the provenance of their food - they have a longstanding relationship with Ginger Pig which supplies all their steaks and they also work with Flying Fish to bring in day boat fish from Cornwall.
So where is this one?
They're the first restaurant to open in Eccleston Yards - the new mixed use development that Grosvenor Estates have carved out of an old power station next to Victoria coach station. They share the space right now with Barry's Bootcamp and hairdresser Smuk among others, and they'll eventually be joined by Tart Kitchen. Victoria station is only a few minutes walk away.
Scallops with cauliflower puree and wild garlic gremolata
Where should we meet friends for a drink first?
Well there's always the large bar here - cocktails start at £8 and there's an extensive G&T list. Otherwise you could always try The Thomas Cubitt on nearby Elizabeth Street.
And where should we sit?
On a fine day, the easy answer's going to be on the terrace outside if you can nab a table. With no passing traffic and the whole thing still in its perfectly new, manicured phase it's a lovely spot to eat out. Otherwise, we rather liked the section of the restaurant looking out on the Yards themselves.
The pork rib eye with aubergine puree
What's on the menu?
Their big thing is the section of Josper grilled Longhorn steaks so you can share a prime rib or porterhouse if there's a group of you, or order other cuts individually. But actually it's one of those menus that has just loads you'd genuinely fancy eating on. Make sure, though, that you start with the cheese croquettes (£3.50) - the oxtail mayo they're served with is just amazing.
From our starters whipped goats cheese with proscuitto and fresh peas (£7) was a super summer dish - perfect for the terrace and the seared scallops served on creamed cauliflower with a wild garlic gremolata (£9) was a generous dish. We opted for both a rib eye (£28 for 350g) which came with that wonderful sear only the Josper can give and a pork rib eye with smoked aubergine puree (£18) - you could really taste the quality of that Ginger Pig pork.
Sides were all super, but we would be remiss if we didn't tell you to order the brown crab roast potatoes - a dish of sheer genius from chef Oliver Pollard (who comes here via SMOKESTAK, Marcus Wareing and Barrafina).
After all that we weren't able to go big on the desserts, but the black pepper pannacotta with balsamic strawberries was perfectly wobbly and a scoop of their malted cornflake gelato made us want more.
The Ginger Pig rib eye
What about if you're veggie?
There's an entirely separate menu for vegans who are well catered for here. The charred cauliflower dish sounds worth a try (£14) and the heritage tomato salad with sherry vinegar and basil (£4) was one of the sides we tried and was very good indeed.
And to drink?
There's a decent section of wines by the glass - with an option of 125ml (why?), 175ml, a carafe and a full bottle. The Etna Bianco from Sicily's Planeta vineyard was at the top end of that at £11.25 for a proper glass, but was worth it. Otherwise there are plenty of bottles in the upper 20s and early 30s or you can push the boat out and get yourself a magnum o Artesmis from the Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in Napa for £190.
Overall thoughts:
Just a super restaurant - and one we'd happily come back to. There's plenty to enjoy here and although the emphasis is on the steaks, there's so much more than that's also worth trying on the menu. A great addition to the Victoria area.
Black pepper pannacotta with balsamic strawberries
Hot Dinners dined as guests of The Jones Family Kitchen
More about The Jones Family Kitchen
Where is it? 7-8 Eccleston Yards, London SW1W 9NF. The Yards can be accessed either from Ebury Street (about half way between Belgrave Place and Elizabeth Street on the east side) or Eccleston Place (between Re-Mind and Tailor Made on the west side.)
How to book? Book online.
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Twitter @JonesBelgravia.
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