The owner of a new Italian restaurant says it has been “super busy” despite opening in January.
Sul-Mare has been holding trial services since January 2 at the transformed former Galley Fisheries chip shop in Leysdown Road, Leysdown.
Sul-Mare in Leysdown held a grand opening for guests. Picture: Joe Crossley
At the grand opening last night (Wednesday), boss Al Jabir Miah joked he does not know what he is going to do when holidaymakers flock to the seaside village.
He said: “We opened in January to give the staff some time to get up to my standards, but it’s been super busy already.
“The response we got from everyone is amazing, really.
“Throughout the year, people have seen progress happening. They weren’t sure when it was going to open, and I wasn’t sure what was going to happen as we had a little bit of upsetting family news during the process.
“But I’m really glad that we’re open.
Owner of Sul-Mare restaurant in Leysdown, Al Jabir Miah. Picture: Joe Crossley
“It’s a big opening night.
“Everyone we invited is here, and they’re enjoying the food.
“I’m very pleased with all the hard work that everyone put into it.
“Our builders, carpenters, and electricians have done a fantastic job, and our staff and chef are doing an amazing job.”
Around 40 guests crammed into the restaurant, including people who had helped on the £200,000 revamp, local councillors and the Mayor of Swale, Cllr Karen Watson.
Around 40 guests packed into Sul-Mare, in Leysdown, for its grand opening. Picture: Joe Crossley
Al was first offered to take on the building at No.1 Leysdown Road, which he lives above, by his landlord two years ago.
The 45-year-old dad-of-one took on the property around a year ago and has spent £200,000 on the project altogether.
He 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.
Food was on offer for the guests at Sul-Mare’s grand opening in the reborn Galley Fisheries chip shop. Picture: Joe Crossley
Read more: Eat My Words: We review The Dining Room restaurant in Leysdown
Alona Gorbunova, who has been married to Al for 13 years, says she was “surprised” at how busy the restaurant has been during the trial run and thanked the Islanders for their support.
The 38-year-old said: “We have been so warmly welcomed onto Sheppey, and this is our way of giving back.
“We want this to be a place to where people can come with their families, relax and have a great meal.
“It’s surprising [how busy we have been]. January is usually a quiet month, but people have been able to come check us out.”
Boss of Sul-Mare, Al Jabir Miah and his wife Alona Gorbunova, at the grand opening of the restaurant in Leysdown Road, Leysdown. Picture: Joe Crossley
The restaurant has employed nine people, including head chef Mario Iovino, who is originally from Naples in southern Italy.
It serves seafood, pastas and pizzas.
Dining and Cooking