Saint James - San Diego

My experience at the restaurant was largely positive, particularly regarding the food. I found the French Onion Soup to be excellent, with a unique puff pastry topping instead of cheese, and a sprinkle of hard cheese at the bottom. The sherry flavor was a nice touch. The mussels were also excellent, served in a briny emulsion with delicious bread for dipping. However, the salt level with the mussels was a bit too much. The fries were hot and crisp. Regarding service, if you can secure a clean table, the waiters and waitresses are polite.

I was excited to check out St. James French Diner after hearing about it, and it certainly lived up to the anticipation. The restaurant is attached to the adorable boutique hotel, The Pali Hotel, which adds to its charm. Our server was excellent, explaining the family-style menu and how each dish would be served. The Bergamot Spritzer was delicious and refreshing. The first course, featuring avocado toast and a Caesar salad with endive lettuce, was a fantastic start. The avocado toast was perfectly salted with a citrus flavor, and the Caesar salad, with its endive lettuce, was a dream, perfectly dressed. The second course offered the Burger Parisienne, Moules Frites, and the Croque Madam, each served separately to savor. While I don't eat red meat, the burger was clearly a hit based on everyone's ecstatic reactions. I absolutely loved the mussels, expertly cooked in a saffron cream sauce that was divine. Surprisingly, my favorite dish was the Croque Madam, topped with a perfectly cooked fried egg. With a dash of Tabasco, it was exceptional, and I would order it again and again. The third course, French Toast coated with coconut and pine nuts, was a smart, not-too-sweet addition, like a breakfast dessert. I had a terrific time with every bite of this sensational, wonderfully curated meal. Thank you, St. James!

I'd heard great things about this place's French food and finally got to try it. We had a 6 pm reservation and were seated right away. Our server was really nice and incredibly helpful throughout the entire night, which was very memorable. For food, we ordered the Bouillabaisse Boil (snow crab, shrimp, sausage, potatoes, fennel), the Burger Parisienne (caramelized onions, American cheese, sauce bordelaise), and a side of Ratatoullie. The Bouillabaisse Boil was one of the best things I've ever eaten. It's quite buttery and garlicky, which I love, and packed with a ton of seafood. I felt it was worth the price. The Burger was also really good, with high-quality meat and a nice flavor. Overall, we had amazing dishes, great service, and a great vibe.

On our way into the city, we made last-minute dinner plans and luckily, Saint James French Diner had reservations open for a Saturday night. I was surprised by how easy it was to get a reservation in the heart of the Gaslamp District, and even more surprised after eating here that it isn't busier. Let me tell you about this great French restaurant. Atmosphere: The restaurant boasts very classy vibes, reminiscent of an alternative history where late 1800s/early 1900s French design took over the world. Vertical wood slats frame the entrance windows with round tables. Teal hues cover the upper walls, complemented by white subway tiles and maroon booths below. The bar, occupying the back half of the dining room, is a square design stacked with bottles around the perimeter, brightly lit from below. It feels cool to dine here, and by association, so are you. Food: The food is mostly hits with a few misses. The Moules Frites and Steak Frites are fantastic. The frites are fantastic! With the Moules Frites, the mussels were cooked perfectly, and the accompanying sauce was divine – easily drinkable and perfect for slurping or sopping up with the savory, perfectly crunchy bread. The Steak Frites featured fries fried to a golden brown with the ideal crispness for a thinner cut. Topped with rosemary and a green peppercorn sauce, these fries become the fries of dreams. The steak is cooked to your preference; I highly recommend ordering it medium rare, as it cooks slightly more with the green peppercorn sauce, creating a delectable cut of beef with a wonderful textural contrast. In the middle of the pack was the Beef Bourguignon and Beef Tartare. The beef bourguignon was tender, easily breaking apart under a fork, and the noodles were cooked perfectly. Mixed with the sauce, the dish should have been perfect, but for something that looks like it should deliver strong flavor, it was quite mild and in some bites, dry. Still tasty and easy to eat, but underwhelming. The beef tartare had an interesting green and gray color, likely due to the horseradish, which gave a slight nose-burning sensation. However, when the chunks of beef emerged, they were a ray of sunshine to the tongue. The lows were the sides. While not expected to be showstoppers, they were just adequate. The asparagus was well-cooked and seasoned but nothing unique, and the same goes for the green beans. The ratatouille, though pretty, was a dish you could have skipped without missing anything. Conclusion: I love boutique hotels, and the fact that such an amazing restaurant as Saint James is connected to the Pali Hotel would make me a fan of the hotel even more if I were staying here. Rarely do hotel restaurants stand their ground on their own, but Saint James not only stands on its own but is dancing with great food and a chic vibe. It's hard not to smile in their dining space, and even harder not to gravitate towards their bar. A perfect place for both casual dining and casual drinking; don't be surprised if you linger longer than expected. It can be a pleasant surprise to the start of your evening.

I believe people are overlooking this restaurant, and it's not receiving the attention that other establishments do. It excels in many areas: rooftop dining is available, the menu is eclectic, the interior is a retro new design, and the service is good. The menu has a French influence but is diner-oriented, offering a more relaxed experience. The cocktails are good, and the staff is friendly. It's not the place for an intimate date, nor is it a loud, social media-driven vibe. It's a great place to sit, eat, have a conversation, and enjoy. It's very worth a visit.