Jackie's on Corey Bistro & Catering is Chef's Dream Come True

"Restaurant Impossible" is the moniker given to Jackie’s on Corey Bistro & Catering by owner Jacquelin “Jackie” Smit. 

The keys to her dream restaurant changed hands on a Tuesday in May, and by that Sunday — this past Mother’s Day — Chef Jackie’s lifelong vision was finally a reality.

Smit had longed for a restaurant to call her own. A nomadic life as a chef led her from Windows on the World at One Trade Center in Manhattan, to Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa, to Parkshore Grill and Mazzaro’s Italian Market in St. Petersburg

“I feel I get places going. I get everybody set up and then I go to the next place that needs me,” said Smit.

Her new restaurant at 338 Corey Ave in St. Pete Beach needed her next, but this time she doesn't plan to leave. After seven years of loyal customers following her from one place to another, Smit said with a confident smile, “I’ll always be here now.”

Her talent in the kitchen isn’t all she’s known for, either. Smit makes it a point to connect with customers, calling each person that walks into her restaurant “part of her family.”

"This isn’t just my restaurant, it’s everybody’s restaurant” said Smit.

The fare is Mediterranean and European-inspired and “very light, fun and different.” Must-try’s on the menu include the macadamia nut-crusted goat cheese served on a watermelon wedge or asparagus wrapped in prosciutto with Asiago cheese.

Smit offers gluten-free items, and most of her menu is heart healthy and carb friendly.

Popular on Sundays is the Bottomless Mimosa Brunch, which features a live omelet station and bananas foster French toast that “Food Network has got nothing on," she said.

On Sundays Chef Jackie will turn her dining room around three or four times. Every day of the week at 7 p.m. like clockwork the place is packed. Already growing too fast for the space, Smit also bought the restaurant next door.

The expansion will house a dance floor, a stage for live music and full bar in the shape of a voluptuous (because she says nobody wants a skinny bar) and luminous mermaid.

Friend Steve Trinque is helping Smit with construction of the new site.

“Jackie [makes] the best food ever and I want to see her succeed," Trinque said.

And how does Smit measure success?

“My mission is to make people very happy with food” she said. 

If You Go

Jackie’s Bistro on Corey Avenue

338 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach

(727) 320-6358

Hours: Monday, 11 a.m. to  10 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 9 am to 2 p.m.