Jackson's (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | July 1998 |
| Founder | Neal Jackson |
| Defunct | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Highgate, Perth , Australia |
| Products | Dining, degustation menus, Australian cuisine |
Jackson's operated as a dining establishment in Highgate, a suburb located close to the center of Perth, Western Australia. Founded in July 1998 and ceasing operations in 2014, it was widely regarded as Perth's foremost venue for exceptional evening dining throughout much of its existence. The restaurant garnered multiple accolades and received acclaim from The New York Times, which described it as "... arguably the city's finest table, boasting an impressive array of Australian wines ...".
Neal Jackson, the proprietor and head chef, hailed from England and completed his culinary training at London's prestigious Savoy Hotel before relocating to Australia in 1971. He gained experience working at several restaurants across Western Australia prior to launching his inaugural venue, the Anchor and Hope Inn in Donnybrook, in 1981. Subsequently, he managed Louisa's in Bunbury, drawing patrons from Perth. In 1998, Jackson established his namesake restaurant in Perth.
Among the restaurant’s hallmark offerings were dishes such as rack of Amelia Park lamb accompanied by confit lamb belly and a shank shepherd’s pie, alongside dessert selections like Turkish delight soufflé paired with rose petal ice cream.
Jackson's was a pioneer in introducing degustation menus to the Western Australian dining scene. Up until August 2013, its degustation option, called "The Dego," remained a prominent feature alongside an a la carte menu that included vegetarian dishes. The establishment was also distinguished for its extensive wine selection; sommelier Kjell-Ove Almeland earned the Sommelier of the Year title at the 2009 Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards.
The restaurant achieved a two-star rating and was honored as Restaurant of the Year by The West Australian Good Food Guide 2011, sustaining its two-star status through to 2014.
On 26 November 2013, Neal Jackson declared his retirement after nearly five decades in the culinary industry and announced plans to sell the restaurant early in 2014 while pursuing other opportunities. In response to patron requests, he reinstated the degustation menu during his final months of operation. Jackson remarked on notable advancements in ingredient quality and heightened public appreciation for fine dining since his arrival.
In July 2014, St. Michael 6003 commenced operations at the site formerly occupied by Jackson's.
See also
External links
- Qantas Travel Insider: Critics' Choice: Event venues – features a review of Jackson's originally published in Qantas The Australian Way
- The Food Pornographer: Jackson's, Highgate: The Say Goodbye Dego – critique of the final iteration of Jackson's "The Dego"