It was a bit blustery when I was on the island for a few weeks ago. However, that did not deter me from revisiting an old favourite as well as finding two new venues that were serving interesting wines and one that had exceptional food as well. If you find yourself on Jersey over the coming year, these three venues should definitely be on the list.
1 - pêtchi
Opening only a few months ago, this had been flagged by a few mates as a place that must be visited. They were right. The most innovative, inspiring and exceptional food that I have ever tasted in the Channel Islands. The verb translates as 'to try to catch a fish', and their proposition is 'native produce cooked over fire'.
Every dish ordered was outstanding.
An unassuming door on the side of the old wharf, with only minimal signage, opens to a staircase heading into a stark and simplistic first floor dining room with an open kitchen where several chefs bustle away amongst wood burning stoves and ovens to create a series of masterpieces.
As the team for guidance. If the 'grilled chancre crab crumpets', 'raw Jersey beef and nori tarts', and 'wood-roasted Échréhous scallops' and amongst the starters, then begin the culinary delight with these and continue with whatever the excellent waiters recommend.
The wine list is fairly broad, and sensibly priced. Kevin Arnold's Waterford Chenin Blanc from South Africa has all the inherent traits of a winemaker who knows how to please, and Sylvian Bzikot's Puligny-Montrachet is a superlative glass of wine.
Pétchi Restaurant & Bar, Unit 13C, Liberty Wharf, La route de Liberation, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3NY - https://www.petchi.je
2 - La Capannina
This is an Italian time-warp. The senior team has not changed here in 30 years and neither, reassuringly, has the menu. Is it the finest carpaccio ever? Probably - especially when covered with white truffles. The classic Italian veal dishes are flawlessly executed and the old favourites such as Steak Diane, flambéed kidneys, seafood risotto, and afettato misto are lined up alongside fresh scallops, langoustines, soles and lobsters.
The wine list has an Italian bias, and my favourite for years has been Frescobaldi's Pomino Benefizio. An exquisitely tailored Tuscan Chardonnay - first released back in 1973, fermented and aged in oak - it consistently hits the mark.
La Capannina, 65-67 Halkett Pl, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4WG - https://www.lacapanninajersey.com
3 - Vinifera
Starts the day serving excellent coffee with croissants and pastries, then gradually transforms into a wine bar. In the middle of St Helier, with a good outside space when weather permits. Modern, very casual, great service.
From a distance it looks like a wine shop, then as you get close you see the tables, coffee machines, and customers munching and drinking away. Buzzy atmosphere.
The food moves from breakfast to a collection of tapas - cured meats, parfaits, cheeses, sardines - with an astonishing collection of wine on the shelves that can be served with a minimal corkage charge.
You do not see many small - 20 covers - wine bars in provincial towns with a superb selection of Champagnes - Krug, Dom Perignon, Cristal, Bollinger R.D. - all ready for immediate consumption, as well as a really eclectic collection of wines from around the world - Leflaive, Girardin, Trimbach, Guigal, JJ Prum, Passopisciaro, Ken Forrester, Felton Road, Montrose, Ducru, Fleur-Pétrus, etc. - but then, that's Jersey for you.
Vinifera, 4 Broad St, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3RR - https://www.vinifera.je
