An new Italian restaurant is set to open at a holiday destination.
Some lucky customers were invited into Sul-Mare during a trial period by its owner.
A new Italian restaurant will be opening in the former Galley Fisheries building in Leysdown Road, Leysdown. Picture: Joe Crossley
But now Al Jabir Miah, who has converted the former Galley Fisheries chip shop is getting ready to open fully.
The 45-year-old has been in the hospitality industry for more than 26 years and is known on Sheppey as the manager at The Dining Room.
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.
Read more: Eat My Words: We review The Dining Room restaurant in Leysdown
But around two years ago, the dad of one was offered the chance to take on the former chippy, which he lives above, by his landlord.
Al Jabir Miah, the owner of new Italian, Sul Mare, in Leysdown
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’.
When KentOnline visited No.1 Leysdown Road in October, work was still being carried out both inside and outside.
Since then, he’s employed nine people, and the majority of the revamp has been completed.
His head chef is Mario Iovino, who is originally from Naples in the south of Italy, will be serving seaford, pastas and pizzas.
Over the last two weeks, Al Jabir has been holding trial runs with select customers before he opens on Friday, January 2.
Italian restaurant Sul-Mare, in Leysdown, is set to open full on January 2
Speaking to KentOnline the day after the restaurant’s first service, Al Jabir said: “It was fantastic, and we’ve been really busy.
“We had around 26 people eat here. The first customers were the local people who knew me from The Dining Room.
“The message we are getting is that people are happy with it.
“Everyone is supporting us. There’s no Italian on the Island so they love it.
“Some of the customers have booked to come again the next night.
Al Jabir outside his under-renovation Italian restaurant in Leysdown Road, Leysdown. Picture: Joe Crossley
“It’s been a soft opening as some of the restaurant is not ready.
“I know we are going to be busy so we wanted a soft opening to get the staff up to standard.
“I have aims and targets I want us to hit and I want us to be ready for when the holiday makers come here in the summer.”
After the opening, Al Jabir will hold a “grand opening” for local community leaders on Wednesday, January 14.
Dining and Cooking