Review: Jackie, Greek eats with a New York touch at The St. Regis Riyadh
There is a reason why you’d go to Jackie Restaurant for dinner…
What’s in a name?
To Shakespeare, a name means nothing. When he wrote, “That which we call a rose; by any other name would smell as sweet…”, he was saying that it is the essence of the thing that matters.
British author, clergyman, and art collector Charles Caleb Colton would disagree. As quoted by him, “The inheritance of a distinguished and noble name is a proud inheritance to him who lives worthily of it.” The essence, in Charles’ view, is the direct result of a name.
Therefore, when you name your restaurant after the former First Lady of the United States, the food needs to be unforgettable.
Jackie Restaurant, nestled in the stunning St. Regis Riyadh in Via Riyadh, is that and much more.
The ambience
The all-day dining restaurant is a destination for opulence, refined dining, and nighttime glamour. Its sophistication, coupled with the embodiment of class and an appreciation for worldly tastes, gives you the essence of the iconic Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis all rolled into one jazzy location.
Every single detail at Jackie is executed with a specific purpose. A mural of the former First Lady greets everyone approaching the entrance. From there, it’s the lighting, drinkware, furniture, and music that collectively create the atmosphere you wish to experience.
The space is adorned in soothing shades of white and teal, featuring marble floors, mirrored walls, and soaring triple-height ceilings that create a bright and inviting space. A blue piano occupies one end of the restaurant, while black-and-white photographs of the former First Lady decorate the walls leading up the elegant staircase.
Plush booths create a sense of intimacy and an atmosphere that is part Dolce Vita elegance, part fabulous.
It was a quiet Wednesday night when we popped into the restaurant, save for the captivating presence of a singer and a pianist who were the sole entertainment. The atmosphere was intimate, with their performance being the only sound.
The menu
Jackie’s culinary focus is a blend of Greek and American influences. We love that the dishes are prettily plated on gorgeous Ginori chinaware.
The best thing I ate at Jackie’s made me feel like a kid. It was the selection of different types of warm bread – some filled with cheese, others topped with olives and even salmon.
The Jackie O salad (SAR100) – consisting of cherry tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cucumbers, topped with creamy oregano feta cheese – is a nice nod.
The baby fried squid served with caper sauce (SAR135) was gone within a matter of seconds.
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We also had a few mocktails: the Pink Elegance (SAR65), the Socialite (SAR62), and the Iconic (SAR65). As expected, they were pretty drinks and a good distraction while we waited for the mains.
The Maine lobster (SAR220), accompanied by smoked eggplant and caramelised onion arranged in a crescent shape, had a pleasant presentation. Although there was a good amount of meat, the lobster pieces were somewhat chewy. But the luscious tarragon bisque foam at the centre added a delightful touch.
Special mention must be made of the ‘Guess the Weight’ experience. Now, this is why you’d go to Jackie Restaurant for dinner. The chef slices the ribeye (or whatever is available that evening) and places it in your hand. All you need to do is guess its weight. If you guess correctly, you can enjoy the steak for free.
You then choose your seasonings for the steak – from salt with rosemary and salt with thyme to Himalayan pink salt and chilli pepper – and the chef will cook it according to your liking.
Once prepared and presented at our table, we eagerly dug into the ribeye accompanied by sides of grilled green asparagus and broccolini (SAR65), sautéed mushrooms (SAR65), and potato mash (SAR65). Who could ask for anything more?
It was a filling meal, but it didn’t stop us from devouring three desserts to round off our evening. We were quite pleased with the chocolate Greek yoghurt brownie (SAR80), complemented by the zesty passion fruit sorbet.
The vanilla planifolia (SAR80) – an almond cake with mascarpone mousse, drenched in bright strawberry compote – was a little heavier but spongy. The light honey Greek yoghurt panna cotta (SAR80), though, was a refreshing cap to the meal.
Verdict: Jackie Restaurant is conveniently situated just off the front doors of The St. Regis Riyadh hotel, making it easy to locate. The premises are plush and elegant; it is worth noting that its namesake was chosen as a tribute to a bygone era of style and sophistication. The menu may not be extensive, but the food portions are quite generous, making sharing effortless if you wish. While Jackie serves as a decent weekday option if you find yourself in the area, the restaurant will need to bring a bit more of that “Jackie’s magic” if it’s to truly reach for the stars. But overall, it’s a place worth visiting.
Jackie Restaurant, The St. Regis Riyadh, Al Hada, Riyadh 12912, Sat to Thurs 6.30am to 11am & noon to 11pm, Fri 6.30am to 1pm & 4pm to 11pm. @jackierestaurantriyadh
Images: Social