The James has quickly become my favorite restaurant on the South Shore. The restaurant itself is vibrant and beautiful, staff is warm and attentive, and the manager Sam always goes above and beyond whenever I'm there. She consistently checks in our table, creates a welcoming environment when we walk in, and always goes out of her way to make us feel special on nights were celebrating something. I love how the menu has a range of choices that allow you to have a high end steak house experience or more casual affordable options like pastas and burgers. My favorite items are the Caesar, Tuna Crudo, for entrees the beef wellington and Ribeye are outstanding. I also had the pasta special that was a fantastic midcourse. Can't go without having a caviar bump with their dill shot. A great restaurant with great staff that is a welcome addition to Babylon. read more

The atmosphere of the restaurant is amazing. So classy with just the right amount of light. The bar was very large and roomy. We were sat in the upper room of the restaurant and the food was fabulous. It is restaurant week and we were pleasantly surprised to see some of our favorites offered on that menu. Fried calamari and duck apps were delicious light and flaky breading and fall off the bone meet. Cheesecake and eclair were amazing. So light and flavorful. Portions of all were plentiful. This restaurant is not cheap with cocktails averaging $20, but well worth it for a splurge night during restaurant week. read more

overpriced overrated went in with a party of 10 and 9 were not impressed at all. Steaks were not cooked right, burnt on the outside and raw on the inside, wellington pastry was burnt, sides were tiny. Service was okay. read more

Visited The James for my anniversary A funny night , The James has a classical ambiance which is comfortable and classy . It began with a minor mishap with the wines , we ordered a bottle with a specific year and when it arrived at the table it was wrong . Jasmine made sure to offer us the bottle with a discount without hesitation . The duck cassoulet was spectacular, sort of a beef stew quality but light enough as a starter Matthew the manager stopped by the table to make sure all was well . Jasmine and Matthew did demonstrate absolute professional service while being conversational and fun. Entrees Beef Wellington and NY Strip delicious and presented perfectly . Jasmine recommended the dessert which was the best choice . read more

Went for dinner after hearing many good things. I must say not impressed at all. I dine out very frequently and there was many things that were very irritating for example. No offer of fresh pepper or any pepper for that matter. Not once did the waiter ask if everything was OK. One of the desserts did not come out and after waiting quite some time for it to finally come out not once was there an apology this was poor service at the very least. Based on my experience, I will not be recommending this restaurant. read more

Beautiful spot for a special occasion. Service and food were great. Portions on the smaller side but food is very good.

Had the opportunity to go by The James 3 times now and each time it's been an excellent visit. I've had the lobster Thermidor, the dover sole and the Beef Wellington as my entrees and each was outstanding. A level of upscale food that's been lacking a bit on the south shore for a while. The appetizer options are also excellent. Raw platter was very fresh. I've had the octopus multiple times which is excellent and the salads are fresh and loaded with the extras. Cocktails and desserts are also very good. Most importantly though, the service is at the high end level that you expect from very high end restaurants. Matt, the manager, is extremely attentive to guests, making it feel like a regular neighborhood spot in spite of being a new, high end eatery. The wait staff is attentive and willing to make suggestions. Even the busboy recommended a dessert we loved. A great experience and should be high on anyone's list. read more

So excited to dine at The James, first the place is absolutely stunning, they have done an amazing job remodeling this location. Secondly, we're a big fan of Arlo and being that it's the same owners there were high expectations. So the apps were amazing. They had a couple specials which we absolutely loved, the service was great, our server was awesome, his name is Micheal, super fun and energetic. Lastly was main course, and that's where it goes downhill, my wife had the beef Wellington along with the other couple that we were with and I could tell it off to bat she hated it, as soon as they brought it over I could tell it was overcooked, and I ordered the fillet, and I specifically said medium, rare and chard well it came out, medium well and super dry and extremely salty to the point where I let others at the table try and they said the same, which for a no place like this is completely unacceptable especially with these prices, the rest of the meals were just OK. It's a shame because the place is absolutely stunning. The drinks are amazing and everybody's very friendly, might give it another shot, but I'm probably not gonna order steak. Can't consider yourself steakhouse and not know how to cook steak, I should've complained and send it back, but I think we've all been in that position, and it's not easy. read more

Finally a proper steakhouse in our neighborhood. It rivals any NYC steakhouse. Excellent ambiance, great food and Carlos our server is exceptional. read more

Whole experience was great. It was our anniversary and we were greeted with complementary sparkling wine. All the food and service was amazing. We ordered the calamari appetizer, filet mignon, and short rib pasta dish. The servers were attentive and informative. The atmosphere was buzzing, yet our table was still private and we could have a conversation. We sat upstairs. We can't wait to return! read more

The James is a beautifully decorated restaurant. My grilled octopus appetizer was great as was my "Crooked Tiara" cocktail. We shared mashed potatoes as a table which were amazing. I thought the fries and my rib eye steak were just okay. I thought the service was good. The bar downstairs looks like a great place I may return to grab a drink. read more

Five Stars is not enough to describe my dinner experience at The James! We went on Monday evening, and it was crowded! We had a 6:30pm reservation and were seated right away. The hostesses were lovely. Within a minute of sitting down, we were greeted by Ana Besy, our server. She is a tremendous asset to The James, and is the main reason I am writing a review. The food was outstanding, the atmosphere and decor stunning, but it was the professionalism and kindness of Ana Besy that will make our group rush back to The James. We were celebrating my birthday, and all the personal touches that Ana Besy added were amazing! Wow, I can't say enough!!! read more

Amazing place the food was to die for! I had the duck and it was EXCELLENT!! The beet salad was very good and so was the chocolate cake. It is loud in this restaurant but I had also read that in other reviews. Next time I'll go early. You will not regret going there. Also I forgot to mention that it is a bit pricey. read more

Love the service and atmosphere, especially in the bar area! The bartenders are great, Jordan in particular! So sweet and helpful!

The place is beautiful. The food was average and service was very slow. Our waiter was nowhere to be found

My husband and I discovered The James several months ago and have been going there at least once a week. The decor is absolutely beautiful, the bartenders, servers and staff are delightful, met the owner and and he was so gracious and accommodating, The seafood is exceptional and I would recommend this beautiful venue as a place to have a quiet dinner to just stop in for a drink or to organize a family get together. Can't wait to go back. John & Dianne Dileo read more

The James was awesome! The food was so good. I have nothing bad to say. Ramon was an amazing waiter. He made the whole experience just awesome. My nephew has been through so much so we decided to take him out to enjoy his favorite food, steak. He made him feel so special which was worth every moment. Thank you Ramon we will definitely ask for you when we come back. read more

Beautiful decor. Music is deafening. The calamari app was delicious. My husband got the pork chop and I had the tagliatelle...both were just okay. Nothing ground breaking for the prices they get. Actually the sauce on the tagliatelle tasted like Ragu, but the lobster was good. Won't' return...we've had better meals at far less cost. read more

This place is beautiful, they did an amazing job w the renovation. Two martinis at the bar were $47 this is the highest price of any place I've been on Long Island, Fire Island, NYC or Vegas. I will happily treat myself now and then but the more expensive my meal is the more I expect. I want the best food, the best service and the best atmosphere, and this isn't it. Service and food were average but the place is beautiful. January 2025 was my second time eating here and other than the great service we got at the bar before dinner, I don't see any reason to go back. read more

I love this new place right on Babylon village.They had good food kudos to the shef,excellent service and nice ambiance.I definitely recommend this great new place"#TheJamesBabylon. read more

What a beautiful restaurant. Everything we ate was very good. Service was excellent as well. I think the James is my new special occasion restaurant. read more

Food was OK. Nothing to brag about. Dessert was not great,sticky toffee cake was awful. Spend your money elsewhere. Service was good.

I can honestly say that as far as atmosphere the place is real nice. The service was just okay. But the food? I don't think there was one dish from the appetizers to the entrees that was served to our table that we thought was good. A good portion of the dishes were just partially eaten and there wasn't even a thought in our waitresses mind that we were unhappy that was the strangest thing. I believe that she didn't really even care. So for me i'd rather starve then ever go back there for a meal. The prices are insane and the drinks were also just ok. You can do a lot better elsewhere. read more

The James is a gem of a restaurant in Babylon Village. The team from Mission Taco outdid themselves with this location. The bar is beautiful in the upstairs dining area really works. I just steak in the tuna Crudo both were awesome. read more

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The James was incredible!!! We sat upstairs, it's beautifully renovated. I made a reservation on open table for my parents 30th wedding anniversary and said "Anniversary" when making it, so they gave a card on the table to say happy anniversary and a round of champagne was given to us on the house! I got the croissant crusted flounder with a celery root puree... absolutely AMAZING. My dad got the cod (delicious but small portion) And my mom got the filet mignon which was incredible. We shared the creamed spinach (mediocre), and charred broccolini with a chili spice seasoning which was amazing!!! Took a little on the longer side, but waiter / ambience / food was 10/10. read more

Beautifully remodeled, would have preferred the name to be "The James Carriage House", but that's just me. Our server Gina, as well as all of the other back-up staff did a great job from start to finish. Drinks were very good, wine by the glass selection needs improvement. Appetizers were calamari and baked clams, both were very good. I had the Lobster Tagliatelle, which was spicy and delicious. My wife had the Flounder, and it was just ok. Our friends had the scallop special (very good) and the steak fritte, and ordered medium rare but looked well done, a little disappointing. One annoying thing was the pre-meal bread. Served in a bag with a knife on the tablecloth. Messy, difficult to cut without a board and the table was literally covered with crumbs. Please serve the bread warm, pre-cut and in a basket or on a board.... read more

Visited the James for the first time on Sunday night.We had the privilege of having Bessy as our server and she made our night! She was beyond friendly and knowledgable. Everything from our drinks to entrees to service were nothing but the best. We will definitely be going back soon! read more

Oh they need time to get it right. Food quality does not match the price. I hope they can get it right. Place is beautiful though

Dined at The James last night and it was incredible. The James has been completely transformed so tastefully and uniquely with such attention to detail. The team did not oversight one detail in the building that would not capture your eye. The ambiance is truly breathtaking. The service was impeccable. Brian our server was knowledgeable, professional and quick. Management team checked on our table as well as all the other people dining around us. The food was so savory. We shared multiple appetizers, dinner plates and desserts. Everything was presented so beautiful and tasted just as good as it appeared. A few favorites to highly recommend are the Crab Cake, Duck Confit A L'Orange, Lobster Thermidor, Tagliatelle, Dry Aged NY Strip, Duck Fat Confit Gratin Potato and the Crème Brûlée. The drinks were so tasteful and beautiful as well ! My suggestion, try them all, but especially the Espresso Martini! The James was nothing short of amazing and I will be a new frequent flyer! As a local, Babylon Village needed this refresh on fine dining. read more

Hello my name is Steven. I went to The James for a salad and a whiskey last evening. I ordered a Woodford 12 on the rocks. I know the place is low end when the bartender takes out the shot measure for a 1.5-2.0 ounce pour, so I asked the bartender to at least fill the glass ( with the ice already in it) to 3/4 fill. When I got the bill they charged me $28 x 2 = $56.oo for the drink. So if ownership ever reads this- not only did you lose me as a new client, I belong to a dining club with about 15 other members. We each spend on average $600 a week on restaurants. The likes such as Hendricks, Toku, Insignia, Opus, Blackstones, etc. and never ever do we have to ask to fill the glass up . You are being short-sighted and just plain dumb with your strategy. Not only will I be telling my dining club, but will tell this story to everyone I meet. Diners beware of this place it is a total rip off. read more

The decor is beautiful but the noise level is unbearable. The service is outstanding but the food is not as good. So sorry to say I wouldn't give it another try. read more

Excellent food and service. The wedge salad is amazing . The restaurant is beautiful and well staffed.

Everything was wonderful! Had a surprise party at The James last month with 25 people attending.. The food was delicious. The bartender and staff were excellent. Shout out to Stephanie who helped coordinate a flawless event. Recommend highly. read more

Food was good and Service was good as well, just good!!!!! I would have rated this with more stars but the horrible experience I had with the ambience was just that, horrible. As a restaurant owner, retired, the noise level upstairs was unbearable to the point that we couldnt have a table conversation so we rushed out with no desert. Heed this advice Andrew, you guys do a great job but you need to get the accoustics taken care of, there are many products out there to deaden the noise level. or just close upstairs.... read more

Had dinner here and it was awesome. Great service. They put us in a private room without us even asking. The lobster pasta was so good! Would go back in a heartbeat read more

Experienced excellent service and dinner. Visited approximately 2 weeks after they opened in a party of 3. The duck was definitely a highlight! read more

Ate at the bar!! Food was delicious, atmosphere wonderful, would definitely come back again!!!

The place looks amazing. The ambiance is perfection. It's perfect for that trendy date night with your companion. Food and drinks were good. Service was great. It's definitely pricey but you get what you pay for. Dinner, drinks, dessert for 2 came to $500 with tip. Disappointed i took my wife there for her 40th and was given a happy birthday card. No round of drinks, no free dessert. $500 for 2 people and couldn't send us a free drink for the birthday girl? Gotta do better if you want repeat business. read more

Wow... first impression is above and beyond. Not usually one to leave 5 stars but this is a spot to keep your eyes out for. The lobster tagliatelle was above and beyond. Clean flavor, delicious and savory but wasn't heavy. My husband had the shirt rib rigatoni which he loved so much he barely gave me a bite! The drinks were incredible, not weak, perfectly proportioned and balanced. We did have one complaint, his draft beer came out pretty tepid... hoping this was a fluke, but a minor one at that. Will be returning with a group as we're interested in trying a little of everything! Congrats to them on their opening and so excited to try more! read more

Service and ambiance were top notch. Pork chop and beef Wellington could use improvement. Bread pudding was excellent, as was its presentation. First floor dining room was incredibly noisy, and many tables were empty, even with the crazy noise level. Could barely hear across the table with the noise level. Something needs to be done with that before I would consider going back. read more