Situated in the heart of London, a short walk from Piccadilly Circus and a stone’s throw from St James’ Palace, Just St James is more than a restaurant; it is a dining experience.
Opened by renowned chef Peter Gladwin in November 2000, Just St James is set within an imposing former bank, built by Lloyds in 1912 at a then unprecedented cost of £4 million.
The quality of the food offering is now assured, under the auspices of new Head Chef, Damien Pondevie, who helmed the kitchens at both the award-winning City Inn Hotel and Bank Aldwych. Damien’s dishes reflect his belief that food should be simple, visually stunning and delicious. He uses only the freshest and most seasonal of ingredients; with all of the main ingredients fished, farmed and cultivated in the UK.
Mayfair’s most glamorous eatery is now offering customers all-day dining options in addition to its existing lunchtime and evening offering including the recently launched breakfast and afternoon tea menus.
Just St James
British Restaurant in St James's
Ad
No longer at this address
Our records show that Just St James is closed.
Address
12 St. James's Street
St James's
London
SW1A 1EF
12 St. James's Street
St James's
London
SW1A 1EF
Cuisine
British
British
Region
St James's
St James's
All In London Review
Fine dining and affordable cocktails in style under one roof
The menu is a delight for any enthusiast of British quality produce, and head Chef Damien Pondevie appears to be unashamed in his appreciation of game and fowl, with dishes such as Pan Fried Wood Pigeon Breasts with Damson Tart, and Whole Oven Baked Grouse. Nevertheless my vegetarian dining companion was also well catered for, and whilst I admired a richly smooth Foie Gras Parfait with Pear & Apple Chutney she sampled the Wild Mushrooms on Toast with Rocket and Truffle Oil, the truffle oil lending the mushrooms a most rich, almost nutty flavour.
Between courses I glanced around trying to compose a picture of the diners in attendance. A mature crowd plus the odd young couple dined here, the restaurant’s swirling shape around the downstairs leading staircase conveniently allowing for privacy.
Our mains arrived, seemingly on the small side, however in fact surprisingly filling. The Highland Venison Haunch was in fact a rather large portion cut into small pieces and piled high on a potato rosti, served with fig chutney. Always a little weary of ordering meat in case it doesn’t arrive cremated, the venison had been cooked well and was perfectly complemented by the chutney. My companions’ Golden Beetroot and Stilton tart was also more filling than it appeared to be, and possibly the most triumphant dish of them all, the strength of the Stilton hinted at through the crunchiness of the beetroot.
To finish off we ordered deserts of Cox’s Orange Pippin Apple Crème Brulee, and White Chocolate and Cardamom Mousse Ice Cream. The Crème Brulee arrived in one dish whilst the apple confit arrived in another; blended together they were delicious despite seeming to be an odd combination at first. The cardamom’s taste was not apparent in the mousse but unexpectedly it was the white chocolate ice cream that stole the show.
After our meal we wondered downstairs to the dimly lit Just Oriental, and perused the cocktail menu, which proved to be exciting both for the drinks on offer and the prices, the latter more in tune with those of an average West End cocktail bar than a swanky Mayfair venue, however thankfully lacking the hustle and bustle of neighbours Soho and Fitrovia. From Mojitos and Daiquiris to extravagances such as a St James Rouge consisting of Disaronno Amaretto, passion fruit, raspberry puree and vodka, or for chocolate lovers, the Tiramisu, with Cognac shaken with Kahlua, chocolate liqueur and cream; there are cocktails for all palates.
Just St James is a very interesting concept which has brought together the high end of dining with affordable drinking in a stylish venue. A three course meal for two with wine is approximately £120, a hefty yet deserved price tag. To experience the ambience, I recommend the elegant bar, which remains pleasantly relaxed even on weekend nights, and if one gets peckish also serves oriental specialities and a two course menu for only £9.95.
Reviewed by Leila
Published on Oct 26, 2008
User Reviews
Anonymous
Mar 29, 2010
I went to Just St James last Friday evening for a dinner. The place is superb, the waitress informed that it was a Bank before, it really is an amazing building full of marble. Very sophisticated. The service was friendly and very attentive. The food outstanding. I had the spring Lamb, it was full of flavour and so juicy. I highly recommend this place. I'll be back again. Definitely one of my favorites.
Anonymous
Sep 7, 2009
I booked my 30th birthday party with them and had a confirmed booking. When I contacted them 2 days prior to the party and they told me that they are close and that they cannot accommodate my party any longer. They didn't even bother to phone me to tell me this and if I didn’t phone to confirm with them I would have turned up at a closed door with 15 of my guest that travelled from all around the country!
Also the guy on the phone was so rude; he told me that there is nothing really he can do about it and that he would have phoned me when he got to it..........
There is nothing constructive to say about this other than it is the worst treatment I ever experienced and needless to say will never ever go there.
Do not waste your time their service is awful!
Also the guy on the phone was so rude; he told me that there is nothing really he can do about it and that he would have phoned me when he got to it..........
There is nothing constructive to say about this other than it is the worst treatment I ever experienced and needless to say will never ever go there.
Do not waste your time their service is awful!
Anonymous
Mar 25, 2009
Finding a decent and not too expensive afternoon tea in St James's should not be a problem. I've been eyeing up Just St James' afternoon tea menus for some time now and decided to give it a go on a sunny Sunday a week ago (March 09).
I had not been to this restaurant before, so a few words about the venue before I go on to food. Intimate and warm Just St James is not, posessing of an extremely high ceiling and three floors of seating all within one very large open-plan dining room, which made it rather noisy. My table on the gallery bythe windows was also rather dusty, but I reckon this is because the windows look out onto a busy road. Toilets, which the restaurant shares with a bar downstairs were dimly lit, dirty and in need of redecoration.
Now, the food. We opted for the Royal Afternoon Tea and a Selection of Sandwiches with Tea and expected to be utterly stuffed as we were picking our way through range of 'scones', 'cakes and pastries' and a selection of sandwiches times two! What arrived on two square plates amounted to 1x supermarket-sized scone with trimmings, 1x small square of caramel slice and 1x choux pastry with a blop of technicolour pink icing on top. The 'Royal Victora Sponge' which supposedly lended its name to the menu was again a tiny square of thin sponges lined with jam and cream and stacked together. Again, sandwiches left us wanting more: each 'selection' was made up of 4 bits of a third of a slice of bread - to ensure we did not overindulge or simply miserly? Besides, it is simply dishonest to bring out anything mentioned on the menu in multiples as single items. Food was fresh but very plain. Neither the sweet nor the savoury items were particularly inventive, pleasant looking or exceptionally tasty.
At the price of around 20 quid for the Royal lot and 10 for sandwiches we did leave feeling somewhat ripped off and well, hungry.
Service was quick and attentive, and was perhaps the best past of the experience.
I had not been to this restaurant before, so a few words about the venue before I go on to food. Intimate and warm Just St James is not, posessing of an extremely high ceiling and three floors of seating all within one very large open-plan dining room, which made it rather noisy. My table on the gallery bythe windows was also rather dusty, but I reckon this is because the windows look out onto a busy road. Toilets, which the restaurant shares with a bar downstairs were dimly lit, dirty and in need of redecoration.
Now, the food. We opted for the Royal Afternoon Tea and a Selection of Sandwiches with Tea and expected to be utterly stuffed as we were picking our way through range of 'scones', 'cakes and pastries' and a selection of sandwiches times two! What arrived on two square plates amounted to 1x supermarket-sized scone with trimmings, 1x small square of caramel slice and 1x choux pastry with a blop of technicolour pink icing on top. The 'Royal Victora Sponge' which supposedly lended its name to the menu was again a tiny square of thin sponges lined with jam and cream and stacked together. Again, sandwiches left us wanting more: each 'selection' was made up of 4 bits of a third of a slice of bread - to ensure we did not overindulge or simply miserly? Besides, it is simply dishonest to bring out anything mentioned on the menu in multiples as single items. Food was fresh but very plain. Neither the sweet nor the savoury items were particularly inventive, pleasant looking or exceptionally tasty.
At the price of around 20 quid for the Royal lot and 10 for sandwiches we did leave feeling somewhat ripped off and well, hungry.
Service was quick and attentive, and was perhaps the best past of the experience.
Sooz
May 26, 2006
I really liked the food and the setting was great... got a bit annoyed with the waiter constantly topping up the wine, but I guess they have to make their money somewhere if you go on a special offer! I agree with Mogwai - was great with the offer, but I don't think I would have been happy paying the full price for the food.
TheMog
May 19, 2006
The restaurant is set in a very nice building and is well designed/decorated. Given the location you can understand that this isn't a £15 a head kind of restaurant. We booked the 50% off food special offer through this site and ended up paying around £40 each for 3 courses. Although I wouldn't be happy paying full price I thought the food and wine was very good.
All in all a nice restaurant for a special occassion.
All in all a nice restaurant for a special occassion.