Jones & Co opens in Kingston

Jones and Co is the fresh new bistro in Kingston.

The eatery's previous incarnation was Me and Mrs Jones but owners Soc Kochinos and Dan McConnell bid a fond farewell to Mrs Jones and gave the restaurant a bright new makeover and a bit of grown up, date night appeal.

They've reopened it as Jones and Co - a more sophisticated bar and restaurant.

"There was nothing wrong with Me and Mrs Jones, it was still busy and we had a great following. But we had a separation in the partnership," Dan McConnell says. "Me and Soc are both very passionate about restaurants and bistros and not fine dining. I've done a lot of fine dining but [it's more about] just quality offerings, quality service and not trying to turn over huge amounts of people."

So they gave it a bit of a refurbishment, with a backlit white bar where you can order oysters, sip a cocktail or grab a bite to eat.

"We decided to make it slightly more formal. Give it a facelift but not too much. With the menu I've tried extremely hard to find that balance between formal and casual," McConnell says. "I've tried to make it so people can come in and have a formal business lunch, come in for a really special occasion, have a whole spread on the table. But it also can be a local - people can come in and have oysters and a beer or a Reuben sandwich at the bar and not be scared off by tablecloths and cloth napkins."

The menu has changed from Me and Mrs Jones' pub style staples. There's a raw bar, for starters, serving up oysters, ceviche and beef tartare. Small plates include sticky lamb ribs, tempura zucchini flowers with local honey and scallops served with boudin noir from legendary Sydney butchers Victor Churchill.

There's a section called "In a Bun" - everything from the classic cheeseburger to a Reuben sandwich and pork belly bao. A new grill with smoke box offers steaks with a big selection of butters and sauces.

"Soc's been aiming for a big city New York bistro, we're a lot more cocktail focused now, we've got a really top quality cocktail team," McConnell says. "And our wine list is lot more extensive as well. It's smart and grown up but still relaxed."

In a nod to Canberra's other favourite dinner sport - pollie spotting and power dining - there's a new private dining room, discreetly screened off with crushed velvet drapes and a huge brass topped table.

Jones and Co is on the corner of Kennedy and Giles Street, Kingston. See facebook.com

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