New restaurant Cafe Barletta to open at Dreamland

Cafe Barletta oysters

Dreamland is investing in the burgeoning restaurant scene in Margate by providing a permanent home to a new venture from chef Jackson Berg, previously of Kettner’s Townhouse and Xiringuito.

Cafe Barletta, a new 50 cover restaurant, will launch at the park in June. Taking inspiration from European cafe culture, the food will highlight seasonal vegetables from the Garden of England and British sourced meat. Dishes will include Uova de Raviolo, ricotta, broad beans and chicken jus, Smoked brisket ragu, bone marrow, pappardelle and Skate bacalao, roasted cauliflower, leeks, capers, mustard.

Drinks will be concise and fun, with Mediterranean classics such as vermouth & soda and Campari spritz. The wine list will include a selection of low-intervention wines and there will be a happy hour every Thursday and Friday. There will also be a four plate lunch offer at £19, which will allow guests to try a variety of dishes.

The indoor space is being constructed by Margate based creative duo, Kirstie and Gary of Vacuum Studios. The pair have designed a ‘conversation pit’ built around an 8ft olive tree, which will act as both a holding area for guests waiting to be seated and a  focal point in Dreamland’s indoor concourse.

Jackson Berg is no stranger to Margate as part of the duo who brought the  ‘moveable restaurant’ Xiringuito to the town in summer 2016.

He said: “I am excited to return to Margate where so many great people are doing great things in food and drink. We are looking forward to getting back into that world. The summer of 2016 definitely planted the seed in me for future endeavours and I am happy to not only be back in Margs, but Dreamland especially.”

It is hoped the new restaurant will further bolster Margate’s growing food scene and give even more choice to Dreamland diners, who can currently choose from  street food in the main park, American diner favourites at the Roller Disco and gastro-pub dining at Cinque Ports pub.

CEO of Dreamland, Eddie Kemsley added: “We loved having Xiringuito on our doorstep and part of the Dreamland family three years ago. Jackson’s food was so widely loved by the community, so we are delighted to be giving him and Café Barletta a permanent home in Margate. This the perfect partnership for us – the creative and flavourful food on Jackson’s menu in the exciting, sociable and wonderfully photogenic backdrop of Dreamland.”

Working on the project alongside Jackson is Ladies of Restaurants (L.O.R) founder Natalia Ribbe, who will lead on all front of house training as well as assisting with the curation of the wine list and cocktail menu.

Joining the team from London are Liverpool ‘expats’ and childhood friends, Cavan Power O’Keeffe (Camberwell Arms) and Milo Egan (Brawn) as Head Chef and Restaurant Manager respectively. Cav worked as a Chef de Partie at Xiringuito Liverpool and is looking forward to being re-united with Jackson in the kitchen.

The team will also be recruiting for front of house and kitchen roles and hopes to attract young locals interested in joining the hospitality industry.

Cafe Barletta will officially open from June 6 withopening hours:

  • Wednesday 6pm to midnight
  • Thursday – Saturday 12pm-midnight
  • Sunday 12pm-6pm
  • Closed Monday and Tuesday