Two separate venues merge into one at St James’ latest opening. Outside there’s a comfortable, amply sized bar area, while adjacent to that, further seating along a short, sheltered walkway leads to the main event: the indoor bistro with its lengthy bar and open-plan kitchen with serving hatch.
Not dissimilar to bontá’s District 10 in design, the overall feel is that of a lively, American-style sports bar-cum-restaurant, whose pleasingly old-school, smart-casual ambience is engendered by a decor of muted brown and black, front-of-house jazz performers and immaculately tailored staff.
The bar has a mostly New World wine selection that dates back to 2004, and a small cocktail, beer and sake list. Its food menu spans Europe, from Turkish bread and duck rillette ‘cigars’ in the small plates section ($8-$48) to smoked Norwegian salmon pasta ($18) in the main.
Drinks: glasses $7-$55, bottles $38-$570.