Set to open mid next month just outside Haywards Heath in the village of Lindfield, the venture will offer sharing plates.
Dishes will include pan-fried halibut with mussel beurre blanc and shaved fennel; seared scallop with risotto and ‘nduja; beef tartare with fried brioche and pickled shallot; and basil and ricotta cappellacci with cavolo nero, Parmesan and pine nuts.
A former tea room, the Le Flamant (The Flamingo) is owned by first-time restaurateur Tim Hinchliffe.
Designed by interior designer Taryn Driemeyer, the 34-cover space is described as evoking the feeling of a private members' club with design details including a handcrafted marble-topped oak bar, banquette seating and warm colours.
Heron has worked at some of East and West Sussex’s best-known places to eat including Matt Gillan’s now closed Heritage where he was sous chef.
His CV also includes Brighton’s 64 Degrees and Lee Westcott’s The Typing Room in London.
Jackson will be supported in the kitchen by Felicity (Fifi) Moseley who was previously at Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant Hide.
“The atmosphere we’re creating at Le Flamant is cosy and inviting – it’s a snug retreat that we hope people will come back to again and again. To complement this the cooking will be unpretentious but imaginative, with a focus on exceptional ingredients and bold, simple flavours," Heron says.
“A carefully curated drinks menu – much of which has been sourced from Sussex’s award-winning vineyards and local distilleries – will be another draw.”
Wine listings will include Bluebell Vineyard, Sugrue South Downs, Hidden Spring Vineyard and Artelium.
Hinchliffe added: “We want people to be able to enjoy amazing food, drinks and ambience on their doorstep. Our vision is that Le Flamant becomes woven into the DNA of local people’s lives - somewhere they gravitate to for casual meet ups, celebrations, long evenings and on-a-whim suppers. The team we have assembled is young, talented and hungry for the challenge of being at the heart of this reinvention.”
