St James Restaurant

dloizou

Deserving of its accolations 27th August 2009

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We went to this restaurant to celebrate a 50th birthday, it was mid week and packed. The staff were lovely, very welcoming and service was simply a breeze.

4 out of 5 in our party chose from the set 2 course menu for £16.95 (for dinner or £14.95 for lunch mon-fri). For entree I chose a salmon and prawn roulade which was surprisingly large and of excellent quality - it was delicious indeed. I had also ordered salmon for my main, but after the starter decided that I'd' struggle with two courses of salmon. I asked the head waiter if it was too late to change my dish, he spoke to the chef and although it was already cooked, they said it would be no problem at all to change it - so I went for the sausages and mash instead. The fact that they would allow me to do this was quite a pleasant surprise and very much appreciated. I was quite embarrassed to ask but humbled by the response.

It is a big call but the sausages were easily the best I have ever had, so flavoursome and succulent complemented superbly by the cabbage and bacon, onion gravy and smooth creamy mash potatoes.
My partner ordered from the al a carte menu, which offered more complex dishes - he had spicy lamb for his entree and duck for his main, he loved his food.

For desert we had brought a birthday cake, which the staff took total care of for us. We did look at the dessert menu as well, but were too full to contemplate any more food - it all sounded scrummy.

It’s rare to find a restaurant where all the key elements are right. At St James, the ambience is just right, the staff superb and the food is seasonal and simply delicious all without an unpretentious price attached to it.

It was over an hour’s drive for us to reach this restaurant, and I sincerely hope we find occasion to go back again. I can't add much more to all of the positive reviews and accolades this restaurant has already received.

Angella

Top Quality Food, Presentation & Service 14th March 2009

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St James appears in the major food guides for good reason. The flavours jump out at you. The presentation is eye-catching.

The venue is spotless and warm. Flowers, paper menus and candles greet you in the double doorway which shelters those inside.

The front room has a large mirror at the back which makes it appear larger. Although the red brick walls could seem rough, the red flowers and red pillars add an air of warmth.

Would you believe, beyond the bar on the right, behind the toilets on the left at the back is another room with half a dozen more tables. Despite the size, they were booked every weekend for several weeks until we had the foresight to book a fortnight ahead for a triple birthday celebration.

Tables have white clothes and a red fresh flower. White and brown bread is presented. The butter is under a tiny dome. So chic and elegant.

We were given a small amuse guele of chopped vegetables. Very tasty.

Wines ranged up to a bottle of Rothschild at well over £100 - did I see £450? After that I was very anxious to ask the price of a kir and a kir royale. The prices of wines by the glass were on a board on the wall behind me.

The kir was a dark pink and went down fast. The jug of tap water was presented with sliced lemon floating in it.

The owner Alfonso rushes over smiling and when I take a photo of him and another member of staff Alfonso says, 'I'm the handsome one!' I've heard that joke before but nonetheless I'm instantly beaming back.

My starter of smoked salmon in a circle is very pleasing to the eye. The mixture of salty salmon and creamy cheese and herbs is just right and I don't notice that the salmon is salty until the last mouthful.

The minced lamb was yummy. The pumpkin in ravioli impressed the person who ordered it, on the grounds that it was original. (The Alpine restaurant along the road has served me the same dish.)

Main courses were equally successful. The fish was moist and succulent. The person who had the duck did not want to share. My guinea fowl was like a rather solid piece of chicken.

Desserts I thought were great though two of the others found the desserts too sugary and might have reacted differently if I'd ordered the fruit salad with mango. I ordered the Toblerone cheesecake. It was triangular, solid and tasted like chocolate, with a thick biscuit base you had to hack through.

The dessert wine was very strong, very much a liqueur, like brandy.

The bill for four, including the 12 and a half per cent service charge, came to £173.

The owner was keen to know what we thought of his restaurant.

Our espresso coffee arrived with 'petits fours' of 'Turkish' delight, foil-wrapped chocolate and small round hard biscuits. The petits fours were okay, a good choice. Not really yummy. I would have liked pistachio nut or rose or lemon flavour in the Turkish delight, and a nut in the biscuit.

I told him the only thing missing was some effort to sing happy birthday. The man who'd taken the booking admitted that I'd mentioned that we had three birthdays but said that I hadn't asked for anything. I had thought he might volunteer a suggestion, and since none was made, I did not pursue the point.

The owner quickly tried to sort this out. So, belatedly, when we were waiting for our coats, they brought along another Toblerone cheesecake with a candle on it. (No singing - nothing to disturb or alert other patrons.)

(The Alpine used to present a birthday cake with the words Happy Birthday - maybe they still do - and some cheap and cheerful party type restaurants bring up funny hats and play a recording of Happy Birthday or get all the staff to sing.)

The owner is at the door to shake hands with each of the four of us, and exchange a couple of sentences or more until we are all ready to leave.

Despite the high price everybody seems very happy. I must try to get back again for one of their lunch specials, Monday to Friday.

Best in Bushey? Yes. And one of the top restaurants in North West London, along with Friends in Pinner.

St James has good food, elegant surroundings, a lively atmosphere and they are willing to please.

Who eats here? A very well turned out crowd.

bellaphon at 15/03/09

Sweet write up. To think I've only been to Bushey once, oh well should my daughter ever need me to pick her up from school in Elstree, I'll know where to head for dinner.

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NickFoster

14th September 2008

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Excellent food, reasonable wine list and a very affordable set menu for those occasions that can't quite justify a la carte :)

RobertReuben

The best in Bushey 30th August 2007

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Wonderful St James ... easily the best restaurant in Bushey. A good selection of French and quality English cuisine. Well presented, good service and food which varies from excellent to good. A wide selection of wine available with a good wine waiter who can advise, and doesn't only recommend the expensive ones. Overall: not perfect, but my choice nearly every time for that special occasion.