Located in the Shoppes of St. Johns Parkway in St. Johns, Ember & Iron is a Northeast Florida-born restaurant serving up “Rustic American Fare” that is “modern,” “nostalgic,” and served with “warmth.” This week, the restaurant announced plans to expand to a second location, this time in Jacksonville, where it will open in The Village at Seven Pines in 2028.
Behind Ember & Iron are culinary and hospitality duo Chef Michael Cooney and Brittany Cooney. What Now spoke with Chef Michael Cooney on Thursday about plans for the second location, which is in fact the couple’s third restaurant (they also own Gemma Fish + Oyster).
“The inspiration for Ember & Iron came from my and my wife’s lifetime of culinary and hospitality,” the chef said. “It’s a style of cooking that’s really reminiscent of childhood. It reminds me of grilling with dad, throwing a few oak branches on the grill. It’s fresh ingredients, a simple way of approaching food.”
A press release descibes preliminary plans for the new Ember & Iron as comprising 4,900 square feat of space, bringing together indoor and outdoor seating, “along with a potential private dining space for large gatherings and special events.”
“The heart of the Ember & Iron concept is an 8-foot-long, oak-burning hearth grill that infuses smokiness and intense flavor to dishes,” the press release says, describing the menu: “Chimichurri steak with crispy fried garlic-rosemary potatoes, seared salmon with jasmine rice and pistachio pesto, ember-grilled shrimp in togarashi butter, and Logan Turnpike Mill skillet cornbread – in cast iron – with whipped honey butter and pepper jelly. The addition of a raw bar menu, inspired by sister restaurant Gemma Fish + Oyster, will be new to the concept. Additional specialties include a 16-ounce ribeye, beef short rib, shrimp linguini, the E&I steak burger and chef-driven daily specials. Sweets include house-made key lime pie, skillet cookie à la mode and s’mores pie. Ember & Iron will offer a full bar with a specialty bourbon and whiskey selection, including allocated whiskeys, as well as a signature cocktail menu featuring drinks such as the St. Johns County Housewife and the E&I Hibiscus Margarita.”
In the press release, Brittany Cooney described the community-centric nature of the brand, crediting it with the Ember & Iron’s continued success.
“Our success at Ember & Iron is rooted in the embrace of our community. St. Johns has allowed us to serve them from the heart – and hearth – and become part of their lives and celebrations over the last five years,” Cooney said. “Mike and I look forward to bringing our signature hospitality and ember-roasted dishes, made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, to our new neighbors at Seven Pines.”
You can keep up with all things Ember & Iron by following @emberandiron on Instagram.
