Fantastic experience. Going during the winter, there are about 10 tables available inside so definitely make reservations. The limited tables makes the ambiance more quaint and personable. Walking to our table the music was low and the surrounding convos were quiet so it seemed I was in someone's house and I loved it. The Greek salad was the best one my wife has ever had. I had the special Lentil soup which was very good but I honestly had better. For the main dish, I tried the zereshk chicken which was fantastically seasoned. I also tried the soltani which both meat options were tasty. I believe everything was reasonably priced and the best addition is the ability to BYOB with NO corking fee. read more

Deliciousness at its finest. The Basil Cafe was one stop at St.James that we did not want to miss and it did not disappoint. The appetizers shrimp and watermelon salad not only looked good presentation wise but they were outstandingly tasty at which point we were eager for the main course. The Persian dish Saltani was just excellent, it was prepared just right, juicy and delicious. The vibe inside was as wonderful as the outside, where we were able to really enjoy the delicious cuisine surrounded by natural atmosphere, soft music, and great company. It is truly a wonderful experience and a unforgettable atmosphere. We highly recommend this spot if you are looking for a great meal and incredible atmosphere. Thank you Basil Cafe. read more

First time, last time. My wife had sea bass. I had a steak. Both meals were good but not great. The steak had been cooked with herbs or spices that were off putting to my tastes. I solved the issue by dousing the meat in ketchup. I might as well have been eating at Outback. My wife's fish was well prepared. It was served on a very sparse bed of spinach and accompanied by white rice. Since the restaurant counted the spinach as the vegetable and offered nothing else, the serving should have been more generous. And since the spinach was invisible under the fish, there should have been a garnish of something that would have added color to what was an entirely white plate of food. Then there was the wait, oh my, the wait. We had a 6:30 pm reservation for which we arrived on time. We were promptly seated and served three small pieces of flat bread. We placed our order quickly. The food arrived an hour later. The place wasn't particularly busy. The prep and cooking time for baked fish and fried steak are short. What's up with our having to sit there for a hour? Why was no apology or explanation given, perhaps accompanied with the offer of additional bread or something to tide us over? A couple of other things. The place is relatively expensive, e.g., beef or fish entrees are about $50, so to add a surcharge for using a credit card and to charge plate sharing and corkage fees signals cheap. There is no parking other than on the street -- Lake Avenue, which is narrow and busy. The place doesn't serve alcoholic beverages, which is fine if you're a wine drinker and bring your own bottle. But if you weren't in the know or didn't plan ahead or don't drink wine, you're left with no way to dull the pain of the long wait for your food. Lots of reviews praise the friendliness of the owners, and name them. I'm not sure who the owners are, but if the older guy who said "Welcome" when we arrived and "Thank you for coming" as we left is an owner, maybe visiting the tables and engaging in a little conversation would be in order. As we were getting in our car to leave my wife opined "that was okay but I don't think we'll want to come back.". That pretty much sums it up. read more

Has a superb meal here last week. Ambiance: 5/5 We sat outside on the deck in the back of the restaurant which was a nice area. Decor inside with an open kitchen looked like nice places to dine as well. If sitting outside there were a few mosquitos flying around so you might want to spray on some bug spray before dinner. Food: 5/5 From the complimentary bread (a pita-like bread with some herbs and some kind of tomato spread) to dessert all the food we tried at Basil Cafe was original, well-prepared and delicious. I had the lamb shank for my entree which was a huge fall-off-the-bone tender piece of meat that I was savoring long past our meal (as I had plenty of meat to take home for lunch the next day!). Most entrees are served with basmati rice with a nice firm texture that works great to compliment the flavorful broths accompanying many of the Persian dishes. I didn't try any other meals in my party but from the Cornish game hen to the shrimp pasta, everybody was very satisfied with their choices! For dessert I had the bread pudding which was served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that was to die for. Especially appreciated its crispy outside and wet inside. Drinks: n/a It's BYOB so we brought our own wine Service: 5/5 Our waitress was very friendly. Our bottle of wine was de-corked as soon as we arrived and food came out quite quickly from the kitchen. Overall an easy 5/5. If looking for a local restaurant with a mix of more unique fare (Persian) or excellently-prepared Mediterranean dishes you must give Basil Cafe a try sometime soon! read more

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Despite of Covid, owners of Basil Cafe in St. James Ray and Arezoo continue to work hard by providing exquisite service to people, yet minding social distancing guidelines through curbside pickup service. Their food is just as wonderful and I am glad to help them during this challenging time. But their excellent food is nothing new; what is remarkable is that even though their own business is struggling as result of this Covid calamity, and they are worried about what the future may bring for them, they are such generous people of good heart and spirit that they are giving back to a local school community! They have donated at least 30 meals (Cornish Hens no less) to families in need. This is what being human ought to be like for all of us; helping each other out and being grateful for what we have. Thank you to Basil Cafe! They have the best food, and they can definitely use the support in these uncertain times. Check them out! Order from them so that we can all continue to enjoy their excellent meals. read more

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I loved this place the food is amazing and service was great until last Saturday, me and my girlfriend would try to be there at least every 2 weeks since we are far from the place but we went last Saturday and when the guy who would serve our drinks offer us the dessert menu we said yes (i just love the bread pudding) and i guess he went to go get the menu but the lady the waitress just came back with my check i felt that was kinda rude it felt like we were getting kicked out if our reservation time was up she could've at least offer the dessert to take out but i guess she doesn't have that ability on her customer service. read more

Off the chart delish. Incredible service. Very friendly. The blackened chicken pasta is delightful. Apps and dessert also spectacular. A must visit! read more

Foods was..Meh..very over overpriced for what we got. Service was exceptional!!! My fish taste read more

Tiny gem. Corine was a great wait staffer. Good specials. Ample portions delicious seasonings. Cozy atmosphere. Reservations a must. You won't be disappointed. Menu is diverse enough for everyone's palate. read more

Intimate space and delicious meal! My had the tenderloin kebab which was tasty with the jewelled rice. My chicken was a bit dry but had nice seasoning read more

So this is actually the second time that I am reviewing this restaurant. Just went back the other night after an absence of about seven months. The food, ambiance and staff is still wonderful. This time, we had Nikki as our server. She was very helpful in swaying me towards one dish on the menu. I am a creature of habit and I am a big fan of their sea bass. Salmon is something that I make frequently at home, so I don't have a tendency to order it when I go out. This time, I did and it was wonderful. It was pan seared and seasoned to perfection. Ray, owner and Chef did a stellar job as always. I had it served with their special "jeweled" rice and broccoli. Hubby had the lamb shank which was fall off the bone delicious served with eggplant., on the side. So as the creature of habit, we ordered our usual delicious egg plant and pita bread appetizer with a kale salad that was light flavorful Although I was more than sufficiently full, my husband ordered dessert. Once again, the chocolate bread putting topped off with vanilla ice cream was delicious. This time, I won't wait seven months to go back read more

Basil Cafe Restaurant - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Saint James, New York

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The food at this restaurant is delicious and the service is wonderful. The owner Ari is very attentive to her customers. You can bring your own wine and no corking fee. Can't wait to go back again!!!!! read more

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Excellent food.I have never been disappointed. Rarely do we have dessert but their poached pear over rice pudding is so special. read more

Always wanted to give this place a try and so glad we did. It was a beautiful warm night so we sat in the back garden area. The wait staff was very attentive. Inside isn't the biggest so probably will call ahead for a reservation if needing to sit inside. Started with a a shrimp appetizer. The mango drizzle was an amazing touch. For dinner I had 2 types of chicken skewers, the flavors it was marinated in wereexcellent. I had also ordered a great veggie medley while my wife had a pasta dish that was very flavorful. Lastly, the poached pear over rice pudding with raspberry drizzle was to die for! Pairing it with a cappuccino really ended a delightful dinner. George was our server and very knowledgeable of the menu with suggestions. Also, its BYOB so I know to bring a bottle of wine with me next time (all the regulars clearly had that part down :). Love the location right on Lake too! So convenient for those of us that live in Saint James. Will definitely be coming here regularly! read more

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Cant wait to go there again. So good we decided to host my sisters birthday there. Great food, wonderful, warm welcoming staff.

Had a delicious dinner here with my sister and aunt and uncle during a weekend trip to Long Island a couple weeks ago. My aunt and uncle had been here before and enjoyed it, and my sister and I thought the fusion Persian-Italian menu sounded interesting. We made a reservation for 7 pm and were seated immediately upon entering. Unfortunately, and this is where the 1 star comes off, the interior space is very small, and very cramped, and our table was wedged between two other big tables. My sister and I, who are both petite/thin, had to wedge ourselves into the space between the table and bar, which our chairs backed up to. From that point on, there was no moving. My aunt and uncle had their backs to the space between tables where the servers walked and were constantly bumped as the servers made their way back and forth. I felt that the tables could have been arranged more thoughtfully as there seemed to be wasted space with 2-seater tables that were empty around the periphery. Despite this, we had wine, and with wine, everything is usually made better! And, the food, which is really the point of this review, was really fantastic. We started with two salads - the Citrus Spinach Salad and the Kale Salad. Both were huge! Fresh greens, perfectly balanced dressings, good textures and beautiful to look at. I could not imagine getting one of these per person as your personal dinner salad and then eating your meal, unless you have a ravenous appetite. Since we didn't know the salads would be so large, we also ordered the sauteed eggplant appetizer. It was also really tasty, a nice portion for sharing, and a great foreshadowing for the flavors yet to come with our mains. My sister and I had decided to split an entree because we wanted to have dessert, and we figured that with the salad and eggplant dip, we would be OK...and we were totally right. We got the Zereshk Polo, which came with several pieces of succulent chicken in a light saffron sauce, with the jewel rice. We shared some with our aunt and uncle who wanted to try it; otherwise we finished our portions and were very happy. I cannot remember what my aunt and uncle ordered, but they enjoyed their meals and took home left overs. We finished with a dessert which we all split - the chocolate lava cake - the same perfection I expect whenever I order this anywhere - and we then ordered baklava to take home for later. Overall a really elegant, delicious dining experience, and one that, despite the cramped seating, I would definitely repeat. read more

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Great place wonderful Persian-Mediterranean dishes.... pleasant backyard with picnic tables with umbrellas... hostess was the owner-wife Ari and chef was the owner-husband Ray who had made our reservation the day prior... we had possibly the favorites on thr Persian specialities dinner menu... ...their Koresh Budemjon...Lamb shank "falling off the bone" in a tomato based saffron broth like sauce with eggplant..with basmati rice on the side... was incredible... ...and the Zereshk Polo... chicken (cooked as if skewered) in saffron sauce with basmati rice and wild Persian barberries (made sightly sweet and sour tasting called Zereshk in Persian) with pistachio and almonds was marvelously flavorful... We started with the eggplant and pita appetizer just perfect! read more

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We had dinner with a few friends from out of state and it was our first time. I was a bit nervous feeling responsible for the outcome. Our server Carla was delightful, knowledgeable sweet and funny. We ordered too much to list lamb, salmon, pasta as well as apps but everything was outstanding. Especially the "Jewel Topping" for the Jasmin rice. I can't believe I live one town over and haven't experienced it before. We will be back. read more

Food was good-service was terrible! We sat outside, which seemed like a good idea, but we were basically forgotten.

Excellent food and service! Family run putting their heart into this gem. Go and check it out, we'll worth it! Elegant and comfortable decor, lovely atmosphere. We took my mother-in-law and father-in-law for a birthday lunch and the food was faultless in our opinion. We shared the humus plate for the table - crisped, fresh pita triangles, hummus was airy yet flavorful on the palate. Also for the table was the eggplant appetizer which was uniquely delicious and crave-worthy. Husband and I both very much enjoyed medallions of tender pork loin, lighted dusted with flour, sautéed with perfectly crisp edges with a fig sauce. Pan sautéed fingerling potatoes were savory nether in just enough butter and there's a limitless magic going on with the broccoli and julienned carrots that elevated them superbly. My in-laws opted for the salmon and the grilled shrimp appetizer, both of which were blissfully prepared. The chocolate lava cake is timeless and a must-have. Theirs is a light chocolate cake with a dark chocolate lava that is perfectly balanced. The food here is thoughtfully prepared with deft hands and skill. read more

Basil Cafe Restaurant - a woman sitting at a table - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Saint James, New York

This restaurant is sooooo delicious!! You need to come, dine and drink BYOB!!!!!!!! The food is top notch. The staff is fabulous and accommodating!! Everything about this restaurant is fantastic. A hidden gem in St. James on Lake Ave. All of the food great, some of the standout's are the crab cakes, clam chowder, hummus, ALL of the seafood! Chocolate chip bread pudding and the baklava!!! My sister had the filet mignon and potatoes, she pretty much licked her plate clean. Everyone (5 of us) loved their dishes. We will be coming back very very soon because we really can't get enough. Make sure you make a reservation days before because it can be a tough resy to get at the last minute, or you may end up with a later reservation time. It's worth the wait. read more

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This place seems to keep getting better,great pasta dish's and good service. The dining area near the Bar is tight and dark, outside seems to be the favorite seating. Been going here for over 35 years, it's a pleasant stop and consistent. read more

A true hidden secret, food was amazing. Great atmosphere, wait staff very attentive.

I love taking a chance on Yelp places! We wanted a nice place to eat near Smith Haven Mall. We didn't want to Eat on a main highway road because it just seemed like a lot of chains and also we wanted to feel like we went somewhere. Basil came up in the heart of St. James village, and all we had to read was Persian-Mediterranean and we were there. Now we're masked up and still not into indoor dining since we are both just recovering from the COVID, so we were a bit wary when we saw how small and cozy the place was - once we would have once considered it quaint and romantic, we just feel different about tight small spaces right now. However, we were about to take that plunge when the waitress mentioned OUTDOOR HEATED SEATING!! OMG!! And there we were seated in a warm spot with lots of space and embarked on a romantic dinner for 2. The food? Amazing! We salivated at the specials but opted to go for the Persian Menu. Hubby had Chicken, I ordered the meat combo, and boy did we enjoy our meals. We both started with delish butternut squash soup! And after stating emphatically that I did not want dessert, multiple times, and seeing a selection of items being delivered to a nearby table- I caved. Apple blossom WITH Ice Cream! A lovely place, great service and great food! read more

The Good - Food is wonderful. The concerns - Customers be aware. We had dinner there last night 5-11. We have been there several times before. Its a BYOB restaurant. We decided to bring 2 wine bottles this time. A red and a white. Found out that after the first bottle there is a $10.35 corking fee PER BOTTLE. This is NOT identified anywhere on their web site. This means if you are a party of 4 or 6 and you bring 4-5 bottles of wine there will be an extra $40 or $50 line item on the final bill. In our experience last night, our waitress improperly corked the red wine and got corking material in the bottle so I had cork in my drink. I expressed my displeasure. The $10 fee was still charged. It's possible they charge this fee to assist with profitability since they don't serve alcohol. I understand that, but they should post the extra $10 fee on their web site. read more

Picked up a $45 to go order. When asked for one piece of pita I was told I'd have to order a side order of pita. They don't give it out?!!! Owner heard conversation and still didn't offer the pita. Food was good not amazing This was the second chance I gave this place. First time I was disappointed at the unwelcoming and snide comments made when bringing in my handicapped parents for dinner with no reservation. Won't give a third chance read more

Hidden gem in St. James. Persian/Mediterranean fare in a quaint cozy restaurant with an open kitchen. Warmly decorated and inviting. Service was excellent. BYOB, no corkage fee. The appetizers were outstanding all around- my friends had the ceasar salad, crab cakes and the eggplant. I had the kale salad which was well dressed, generous portions. We all enjoyed our entrees and service was excellent. Thinking this may be another go to place in Suffolk County. read more

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Last night we had a delectable dinner at Basil. The chilien sea bass jumped from the sea in my plate. The seasoning was perfect. The rice was cooked to perfection. The cuisine is light and tasty. My husband had the beef skewers which he enjoyed and he is very difficult to please. Desert got a high mark with the baklava and the chocolate bread pudding which you should not miss. The service was perfect. The ambiance was noisy and bubbly. We will definitely return to Basil for its excellent table. read more

$69. per fixed price Valentines day dinner, rack of lamb was delicious, veggy broccoli frozen errrr, better choice would have been Fresh Sautéed Broccoli Rabe. Small comfortable place asked to wait outside for reserved table No waiting area ,BYOB 1st time I have ever encountered this is pretty cool "I guess" , pleasant wait staff, felt a lil rushed ,( I'm aware it was a holiday) desert chocolate cake, good if you like chocolate cake no choices , coffee not included ,another $4 bucks ea. on to the $69. Compliments to manager/Owner my guest had an issue with her dinner, a NEW entree was prepared and served no questions asked. regretfully 3 stars .all this being said I did save at least $90 not having a bar bill,. read more

Terrific mix of Italian, Mediterranean and Persian foods with flavorful composition. Bread pudding desert was epic. Friendly well-paced service at this family restaurant. Nice decor, lighting (maybe too bright but accommodating) fireplace. Small, comfortable welcoming venue. Have enjoyed grilled salmon, barg, mushroom bisque and shrimp skewers read more

Basil Cafe Restaurant - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Saint James, New York

Excellent food and we love eating in the outside garden. It makes you feel like you are at home in your own backyard. Service is excellent and the food dishes are excellent. I love the lamb Persian style. It was my favorite. I also like their grilled chicken with the basmatic rice and caramelízales onions. The best part is that you can bring your own wine and they will serve it for you. Excellent place. I highly recommend it. read more

Absolutely delicious! I ordered the blacked chicken pasta and it was amazing. I love the fact that it's BYOB, will definitely be back!

Found this little jewel of Persian food in St. James. Basil Cafe's food was freshly prepared in an open kitchen setting. I enjoyed watching the chef meticulously prepare each dish, including my own. The NE Clam Chowder came out hot and tasty, the recommended lamb shank was tender and nicely spiced. I finished the meal with an apple blossom dessert. The staff was friendly, attentive, and very helpful. The owner was friendly as well, helping the chef whenever he had the chance. They have a nice garden seating area in the back, which I'll have to make reservations for the next time I go there. read more

Great food, great service, and wonderful cozy ambiance. Really enjoyed the experience there!

I highly recommend this true gem of a restaurant in St James! Friendly owners and staff make you feel so welcomed and cater to all your dining needs! read more

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Our neighbors invited us out to dinner with reservations and we were told they were fully booked tonight. Wow, they were correct - every table was full by the time we left! It was very cozy though and didn't feel crowded. The food was delicious - my husband and I scarfed down it all - our fall salad split as an appetizer, our main course (we both got the pistachio-crusted salmon with basmati rice and broccoli), and our chocolate lava cake w/ ice cream dessert. We brought our own wine without issue and the wait staff took our dishes the moment we were done with them. It had been a few years since we were there last, but we were pleasantly surprised!! read more

Basil Cafe Restaurant - A perfect night out - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Saint James, New York

My husband and I waited at least 15 minutes to be greeted or even acknowledged once we were sat at our table. Not one waitress came to say hello, open our bottle, or even ask if we would like something else to drink. Our breaking point was watching a waitress bus a large table (this was after waiting 15 minutes for someone to come by). We walked out and no one even asked us what happened. I really wanted to give this place a shot but how could we if we weren't even properly greeted and taken care of. We went to another local restaurant with no reservations and were sat and greeted within 2 minutes. read more

Small restaurant but definitely a hidden Jem. The food is delicious. The service is great. The owner was very nice and came to talk to our table of four. We ordered the clam chowder, eggplant spread, flatbread, lamb shank, lamb chops, pasta and chicken soup. We are looking forward to coming back. read more

Excellent food, service and atmosphere. You must remember to make a reservation and BYOB. I hope you get Marcus as your waiter! It's a small quaint spot with excellent service. You will meet the chef/owner! Nice guy! read more

If I could give it more stars Basil Cafe would deserve it. Smoothly run family business with such delicious food and fresh ingredients. The flavors are unique and the portions are generous. Don't miss this place. read more