James

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KarenInSC

Joined 3 years ago

We so enjoyed our evening at James this past weekend. What a charming spot! Exceptionally clean, lovely decor, and a staff that are genuinely interested in attentive, personable service.

There was no wait to be seated, although we chose to sit at the bar, and I am now a huge fan of the fresh mint, hand-muddled, Ginger Fizz; on a warm summer evening it's a perfect refresher, as was the cold cucumber soup. Watching the bartender's care in preparation is a wonderful precursor to the overall experience.

The garlic-roasted chick peas became our new favorite, and the burger is as advertised - delicious. We ended up having an exceptionally entertaining conversation with another bar-seated patron, and celebrated both his and my companion's birthday with Blueberry-Rhubarb Slumps all around.

We are back in SC now, but I am recommending this little treasure to all of my friends here when they visit Brooklyn. We found the prices surprisingly reasonable, and the surrounding neighborhood delightful for an after-dinner stroll.

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Dorothy0202

Joined 3 years ago

Southern taste with a fancy twist. We had plans to go to another eatery, but they changed their name and stopped serving food two days ago! So, we ended up doing a restaurant search on Jay's Zagat app and found James. Our changed plans turned out to be a wonderful experience. The decor blends modern and classic 1920s with ease. The staff is very friendly and casual. But the food...AMAZING. Jay played it safe with a cheeseburger topped with Vermont cheddar and a side a thick fries with an incredible seasoning. I had pressed chicken with mustard greens and braized radishes. Every bite reminded me of my grandmother's fried chicken when the vinegar and collard greens migrated on my plate and got mixed up with the chicken. I can't wait to go back and try the desserts.

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jorgiegirl

Joined 4 years ago

JAMES. Beautiful space tasteful decor...great selection and wine choices..lovely owner, overall wonderful experience and would certainly go again and again...YAY...I really loved this place and I am a picky restaurant gal

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courton

Joined 5 years ago

Must try restaurant - James. I live in NYC but James is my new favorite restaurant. I went there after hearing how great it was from some of my friends and it was the best dining experience I have had in a long time. The whole vibe was incredible. We sat at the bar for a few minutes and had great cocktails served by a very cool and welcoming bartender. The ambiance is perfect - great lighting, music and decor. We ordered a few appetizers, entrees and desserts and loved every single thing they brought to the table. The food really was fantastic and the staff was warm and helpful. I would highly recommend James!

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awdixon

Joined 5 years ago

Grilled Lemon Pound Cake. I had heard so many good things about this restaurant and was very excited to go. I love supporting small restaurants especially in Brooklyn and in this economy. However, I was slightly disappointed in James. The meal started off on the right note. I ordered a gin fizz which was very tasty and started me off in a very good mood. Then, I had the prawn appetizer which was under-seasoned and the plating was under-whelming. My dining companion had the sweetbreads which was very tasty. Next was the ravioli which was completely devoid of salt and there is no coming back from that. The burger was also under-seasoned and perhaps too thick for the brioche that became mush underneath it. The french fries were surprisingly perfect. My dessert order was wrong but the service quickly and graciously amended that. NOW the grilled lemon pound cake and the ricotta beignets are worth the price of admission alone. I've never had a pound cake quite like this one. The cake was dense, the flavor was bright and oddly refreshing (and it is grliled). As far as the appetiizers and entrees--I'm hoping that they were just having an off night (I'm convinced of it) because I plan to return soon and give it another shot.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Fresh and fun New American cuisine and inventive cocktails on a quiet brownstone-Brooklyn block.. In Short
In an old-world Brooklyn brownstone, husband-and-wife team Bryan Calvert and Deborah Williamson have created a resolutely New American eatery kitted out with white-brick walls, wide windows and a long wooden bar behind which barkeeps pour classic cocktails. But the lure for locals and curious Manhattanites are the innovative small plates, such as seared diver scallops with watercress puree and crispy sweetbreads swimming in rhubarb-honey glaze, served alongside sautéed skate and a great, grass-fed burger smothered by a Cotswold cheese blanket.

Hits: You'll relish the delicious grub, superb service and potent, balanced cocktails at a fraction of the price you'd pay across the East River.

Misses: Order carefully and watch how many drinks you imbibe, because the small plates and sips quickly add up to a huge bill. Also, it's nearly noisy enough to require earplugs.