Hadleigh's Jet Lounge flying high again
By Charlotte Smith-Jarvis
9th Aug 2023 | Opinion
I have to be honest, the last time I visited the Jet Lounge (at the northern end of Hadleigh's high street) I was underwhelmed.
It was a Tuesday lunchtime, with my girlfriends. I think we'd booked, because pre-lockdown, you really would struggle to get a seat most days of the week.
Alas, we were the only ones in the joint.
A glance at the menu gave us the reason why. Not only was it enormous (how anyone could manage that level of stock was beyond me) but it was eye wateringly expensive.
Listen, I'm not one to usually complain about prices, especially as I talk with chefs and restaurateurs all the time, and understand the financial pressures they're under. But this was silly money. Over £20, for a burger, in a cafe.
And that's the sticking point. A cafe, at least in my eyes, should be the kind of place you can more or less comfortably afford, with prices that bridge a gap between takeaways and bistro/brasserie-type affairs.
It was a shame, because Jet Lounge is a really nice set up. So I was glad to hear it had been taken over recently, with new owner (and the cafe's chef for two years) Dan, on a mission to reduce costs, streamline the menu and, crucially, get bums back on seats.
Familiar faces revealed as new owners - full story here
There are some lovely heritage features in the cafe
I took a stroll down recently with my husband. Not much has changed inside. And it didn't need to. The historic, high-ceilinged building has been beautifully appointed with velvet banquettes and high-backed chairs. There's a sunny courtyard for al fresco dining, and a couple of tables at the front. The cafe has a bit of presence about it. It's the kind of place you could mosy into with the dog after a walk (it's dog friendly), or pop to for a special occasion.
The menu, although it still bridges across a few pages, has certainly been pared back, and straddles classic cafe cuisine, with a few modern touches along the way.
Breakfast is now available all day (because who doesn't want pancakes for lunch!), and there's an extended drinks menu, including wine, beer, fizz, frozen smoothie cocktails (yum), iced coffees and more. Basically something for everyone.
Settled in with a Lacons ale and very good (read, not bitter) iced latte, we fixed to choose something more traditional from the menu. My attention was briefly captured by the likes of the Jet Buddha Bowl, or pork and apple brioche burger, but what I wanted to put to the test was Jet Lounge's cafe credentials. Because when all's said and done, if you can't make a decent cake, scone, sandwich or quiche - are you really a cafe?
My quiche (a special of the day - the flavour changes regularly) had a golden, crisp, just-right-in-thickness pastry, and was deep-filled, almost to the top, with a quivering, savoury mixture of sausages and smoked cheese. Fantastic. I was most impressed that it hadn't been nuked to oblivion in the microwave, which is the death of a good quiche.
On the side were a basic dressed salad, and a tangle of piquant, sweet-sour slaw, which was a much-appreciated depart from your typical creamy coleslaw (which I absolutely hate).
READ MORE: Enjoy coffee in a Suffolk silo
Dan loves a bit of low and slow barbecue, and Jarv was only too happy to tuck into a filthy (in a good way) panini, stuffed to the hilt with sticky Texas-style pulled pork and melty cheese. A hefty portion, and packed with spice and a hint of sweetness. This also arrived with that excellent slaw, and he upgraded to chilli chips, which weren't (as some might think), fries covered in chilli con carne, but rather homemade chunky chips drizzled in some chilli sauce. I'm not convinced these worked.
They were a little pale (I want my chips crispy and golden). But they were light, and clearly hadn't been deep fried, which will be a plus point for many.
As ever there was room for something naughty afterwards. All the cakes and bakes are homemade at Jet Lounge, changing almost daily. But Dan has also introduced a dessert selection to the main menu. From this we had a humongous jam jar of tart lemon posset, with a crowning of whipped cream and crumbled shortbread. It tasted just like a lemon meringue pie. And in a feat of baking success, the cafe's chocolate fudge cake actually tasted of chocolate - let me tell you, I've eaten a lot of disappointing chocolate cakes in my time.
It was the kind of cake your nanny (or grandad) might have made at the weekend when you were growing up. Voluminous, bouncy, soft crumbed, and generous.
I'm really glad to see Jet Lounge taking flight again. Dan and wife Tia are clearly determined to put the cafe back on the map. And, as it's on our doorstep, I'm sure we'll be regulars once again.
A huge lemon posset
Light and fluffy chocolate fudge cake
Jet Lounge is open for breakfast and lunch every day, with some special evening dining events planned (see below).
Make sure, while you're in Hadleigh, that you pop next door to The Little Ginger Bee - an eco-friendly store selling lots of wonderful locally made goodies, from delightful one-off bucket hats, to artwork, bath and body products, and tea towels….oh, plus vegan fudge made by yours truly.
About the new Jet Lounge owners
Dan and Tia Farthing took over Jet Lounge on July 15, with Dan saying they've been overwhelmed by the positivity from new and returning customers.
Dan had been running the kitchen at the cafe for two years, and has worked in hospitality since he left school, previously working at The Boathouse in Dedham, and Hollow Trees at Semer.
When the couple were approached by Jet Lounge's former owners three months ago, they knew it was a leap they wanted to take. "We just thought it was a viable business for us, and we really wanted to put our stamp on it, to see it grow," says Dan.
The chef's vision is to make Jet Lounge the go-to place in Hadleigh for fresh, home cooked food. "And at reasonable prices. That's one thing we've looked carefully at. To make sure it's good value. Also we're introducing some evening dining, so it will be somewhere a bit different for customers to come at night in the town."
Almost everything is made from scratch on site in the semi-open kitchen, from slow-cooked, marinated meats, to sauces, salads, scones and cakes, with the menu marrying traditional fare, with 'something a bit different'.
"We have an all-day breakfast/brunch menu with classics like the full English, but we've also recently put on tarragon garlic mushrooms with sundried tomatoes, spinach, crumbled goats' cheese and poached egg, and pancakes with summer berry compote - those are going down well."
At lunchtime there's a wave of not-your-usual paninis, and salads, as well as the ever-popular signature burger.
And bakes change often, featuring the likes of rocky road and fudgy brownies, to Victoria sponge or Biscoff cake.
"I was scared, but now I'm at the excited stage," Dan says. "The reaction has been mind blowing - especially how many people are coming back to support us again. It's great."
Jet Lounge is open seven days a week for breakfast, brunch and lunch.
Bottomless brunch is available every day.
And events coming up include an Italian pop-up dinner on August 12, a walkies, wine and dine dinner for dog-owners and their pooches on August 17, and live music and dinner from 6pm on August 18 and 25.
*Charlotte Smith-Jarvis is a highly respected food reviewer and is founder and editor of Suffolk Food Stories; Explore more of her reviews here...
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