One of the faces behind an award-winning Indian fine dining restaurant is swapping poppadoms for pasta as he prepares to open a new Italian.
Al Jabir helped launch The Dining Room and is now converting the former Galley Fisheries shop at No.1 Leysdown Road, Leysdown, into a new eatery for Sheppey.
Al Jabir is opening a new Italian restaurant in Leysdown
The 45-year-old has been in the hospitality industry for more than 26 years.
His experience ranges from running pubs, opening restaurants and providing consultancy services to help other restaurant owners boost their business.
Most recently, in 2021, he helped his friend of 20 years, Naz Chowdhury, turn what was The Pavilion at No.38 Leysdown Road into an award-winning Indian fine dining spot.
But around two years ago, Al was offered the chance to take on the former chippy, which he lives above, by his landlord.
He decided to take up the offer and is in the process of turning it into a “vibrant, cosy and comfortable” Italian restaurant called Sul-Mare – Italian for ‘by the sea’.
Read more: Eat My Words: We review The Dining Room restaurant in Leysdown
A new Italian restaurant will be opening in the former Galley Fisheries building in Leysdown Road
The dad-of-one says it will not be fine dining like the nearby Dining Room. Instead, it will be less expensive and more geared towards families.
On the menu will be pasta, pizza, and seafood dishes.
He said: “The most important thing is the food. What I am trying to do is make it a family-oriented restaurant that caters for everyone.
“I chose to go for Italian food because I enjoy it, and I think this is needed on the Island. I am also business-minded, and the area does not have one.
“It’ll be for the holiday makers and give them a different option. I want it to benefit the area and the people who visit Leysdown.
“When you go abroad, there are so many different types of places, and I want to create that here.”
Currently, Al is renovating the lot, which has been vacant for around seven years.
While the original blue and white tiled floor is being kept, the walls are being painted in a salmon colour, and carpenters are building a bar area.
Pizza ovens have also been installed and in the summer, there will be outside seating, which will add to more than 30 seats inside.
In all, Al expects the project to cost around £200,000.
Al is set to employ a chef with experience working in Italian kitchens.
He is also looking to hire around 10 kitchen and front-of-house staff for when it opens.
While there is not currently an opening date for Sul Mare, Al says he is hoping to welcome customers in December or, failing that, in the new year.
Dining and Cooking