Just St James

I took my son and his girlfriend to Just St James in St James's Street last week and the most I can say about it is mediocre. The space is fantastic but the staff and food really not up to much. There was no soap at all in either the mens or women's loos and no sign that there ever had been which made me wonder that if they don't expect their customers to wash their hands what do they expect of their staff?

Our lunch of two courses plus wine came to £145.00 not exactly value for money when the food itself was poor. I had fish which had been 'pan fried and grilled' why then was it soggy, undercooked and nasty?

The website has a set menu but when I asked to see it the waiter said there wasn't a set price option.

If I were to be asked to recommend it I honestly couldn't .
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Monday, October 22, 2007

I guess 2006 was a good year for this venue, or maybe the front of the house staff who were mentioned on the 2006 review walked out on them. Venue was great, location is fab, food once it arrived was OK, however took 45 mins to an hour before we were served the first course, not impressed. My partner and I work in the industry so maybe we do have high expectations than others. Overall, OK. Empty for a Saturday, so if you want a quiet Saturday get together, it's a good place.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Sunday, October 14, 2007

I booked Just St James on your 50% off offer, as it was my boyfriend's 30th birthday and we wanted to go somewhere a bit posher than we usually would but without the expense. I must admit I was somewhat sceptical about it, as 50% off the a la carte menu sounded a bit too good to be true, but it worked out great. We started off with a drink in the gorgeous Verve Cliquot bar upstairs, then were shown to our table. The menu was fabulous and it was difficult to choose. We went for a starter and main course, but alas had no room for pudding. The food was lovely and beautifully presented and the atmosphere of the restaurant and service was great, and at no time were we made to feel inferior because we were there on a 50% off deal. In the end, 2 courses each plus a nice bottle of wine and water came to £60. A bargain considering the quality of the food and that we did not have to choose from a special menu.
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Lauren
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, May 04, 2007

Had a very bad experience in this restaurant. Went there for a drink after work with my friends from abroad. My friend ordered a glass of red wine and her last sip of the wine was a mouthful of sediment. Complained about it and the waitress who served us said she was new and did not speak good English. Then sent the manager to us and he said it's very normal for red wine with sediment and would not refund the money but could only offer another glass of wine from the same bottle with sediment still in it. Will not go there again as they are a bunch of amateurs. Still had to pay them 12.5% service charge!!
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Moni
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Friday, April 20, 2007

Excellent. Magnificent surroundings, lighting and atmosphere. The food was delicious and well presented and the staff were superb. It can be difficult finding a place where you feel special on a busy Saturday night in this area but the waiters could not have impressed us more. Unpretentious and worth every penny.
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NCM, Crouch End
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, February 18, 2007

I went to Just St James to meet a friend after work for a drink. The bar was very busy and on asking if there was any space to sit we were shown to the Champagne bar upstairs. The bar was busy but we found a seat and ordered some champagne they do fantastic food to go with the champagne and had a great evening. Is this one of Londons undiscovered bars. It really was a great find.
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Jenny
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, October 16, 2006

This restaurant is one of new favourites! I've dined in so many pretentious London restaurants - many in the same vicinity as Just St James - so it was a refreshing change to dine in a restaurant offering such great service and attention to detail! The restaurant manager, Massimo is the most impressive of the bunch, aiding in choosing which wines would compliment the dishes we had ordered. I just love the actual building too - one feels utterly magnificent among the grand marble columns and the general surroundings. A must any discerning diner!
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Elle Clifton
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, October 12, 2006

Well reading the postings I find it hard to believe that we went to the same restaurant. From the the moment we got there and were met by the hostess we had THE best time. Food was great and the wine list covering all bases.Restaurant manager has a great team working for him. All in all a great evening
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Jamie
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, October 04, 2006

I have eaten here three times and on the first two occasions had good food, good service and reviewed as such. However, standards seem to have dropped. Last night, the music from the bar was so loud that my companion and I had to lean over the table and raise our voices. I arrived early and ordered a drink, which after three discussions with the waiter still hadn’t arrived. My companion was not offered a drink at all. When my drink finally arrived it was wrong. It took 45 minutes for our order to be taken – this restaurant wants a two hour turnaround. The starter was good, but the string beans in the main course had not been strung and lasooed my teeth. I had pancakes for dessert which had the pith still on the orange zest and were therefore sour. This is an expensive place, it was dreadful value for money in terms on the ambience, the food and the service. GC 3rd August 2006
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Friday, August 04, 2006

I have eaten and enjoyed many restaurants in London over the past four years (upmarket, mid-ranged and even the amazing kebab place down the street from my place) and I have never ever had such poor service or such a dissapointing meal (given what I was led to believe)...truly dissapointing. We went there as a group of 8 with four important clients and everyone was disappointed and shocked by the poor service and attitude of staff (waiting one hour for a piece of bread, being told that one of the specials was no longer available as everyone else's meals were being served, having to stand up to get the bottle of wine that we had ordered bc there was no staff around to bring it, waiters insisting that we had ordered a gin and tonic when we hadn't etc etc.) The quality of the food was also dissapointing and OXO Towers, Foliage, etc. all outshine this place by far. Finally, dessert was terrible and there was no point in bothering to finish. All in all, a horrible experience. PLEASE DO NOT GO.
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SD
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, July 18, 2006