This restaurant does not have a liquor license and charges a $10 corking fee for the second bottle of wine per table. The first bottle has no corking fee. How revealing is that. Showing their way of cutting corners to nickel and dime the customer. There is no choice if you want wine with your meal. If you go there with a group, there is going to be more than one bottle of wine unless you all sit separately in groups of two then they open all the bottles for free. The same amount of bottles are opened. Where else do they cut corners? Corking fees should only be charged if the restaurant has a liquor license. The food was fair. Shrimp in the signature pasta entree were way over cooked. The waitress service was great! They also charge more for credit card use. read more

We have been to Basil quite a few times. The emphasis is Persian food but the menu is not limited to that. I always say to my wife that should his road have taken him on another path, the chef/owner would have had a Michelin Star. He has an amazing sense of flavor. The seasoning and flavor combinations are always on point. I love the grilled chicken Zereshk Pollo. If you don't get that, make sure you add the Persian rice to whatever you get. Also, try the salads or the shrimp appetizer. The space itself has a NYC vibe, a/k/a a little tight, but comfy. In the summer they have nice outdoor seating behind the restaurant. The price point is fair. The service is always attentive and friendly. Best, of all, it's BYOB. What's not to like? Seriously. read more

Simply aaaaaaaaamazing! No other way to describe the experience at Basil Cafe. Ray and his lovely wife Ari always deliver the most scrumptious and authentic food! The staff are so professional and welcoming. Everything on the menu is fresh, cooked to perfection and just so wonderful. The New England clam chowder is a must; I've never had better! My favorite dish by far is the Zereshk Polo: plump grilled saffron chicken over jasmine rice with toasted almonds/pistachios and tiny zereshk berries. You will never find more humble and wonderful owners that always make our dining experience so special! We are ALWAYS treated like family...Save room for savory and sweet desserts....Bring your own wine to add to your spectacular meal, and you're good-to-go! Enjoy, as you will definitely become a regular guest as we have been for years now....Kudos to Ray and Ari for making it all possible! read more

I came with a friend specifically looking for Persian food close by. This was my first time having Persian and I greatly enjoyed the food. The service was on point and the light music in the background was sufficient for conversation. The food was wonderful. I got thr jewels over my rice and glad that I did. Hope you go and enjoy. read more

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This little hidden gem is not to be missed. Small but cozy interior, with an outdoor patio that's equally welcoming and comfortable. We started with the hummus appetizer as well as the shrimp skewers. Both were excellent! I especially loved the chili mango sauce that accompanied the shrimp. So flavorful and light. For entrees we chose the salmon special (pistachio crust with a honey glaze and basmati rice) and their signature pasta dish of grilled shrimp in a garlic butter wine sauce with tomatoes and roasted red pepper over a bed of linguini. Absolutely delicious. Had to get a side of pita bread to soak up the remaining sauce, it was that good. We had the poached pear with raspberry sauce over rice pudding to top off the meal. Our server Chris was attentive and spot on with his suggestions. When I tell you, GO to this restaurant, I mean it. Run. You will not be disappointed. read more

Food service and friendly vibes. The owner was lovely ( Arie) she came over to our table and checked on us. Rebecca was our waitress she was fun and very knowledgeable about the cuisine. Make a reservation. The spot is small and quaint. Definitely date night. We will be back. THANK YOU Basil read more

Very personal friendly service. Intimate, small room . Nice clean flavors. It's a persian theme , the seasonings are subtle, mild. Plenty of good options for any palette read more

I'd never had Persian food before but this was very good! It's basically Mediterranean food, which I did not know. Delicious, simple, recipes with unique ingredients. Friendly service and cozy atmosphere; menu could be a little more expansive but that's my only note. read more

This place is a gem, food was amazing. Kudos to the chef's attention to detail. Food was absolutely delicious, thank you to our server Chris who made all the right suggestions. Service was on point. The ambience was very nice, a rustic feel inside. We will be coming back and trying the outdoor space. read more

We just left there. Beautiful atmosphere and setting. Server was personable and pleasant I had Buttered Salmon with veggies and it was great. Not overly special but good My wife had the Filet Mignon medium. It came rare. At 50. It should cooked correctly There were 4 people in the restaurant It came back quickly ... well done She ate it. It was terrible and should have been embarrassing for the chef to serve it at all. A deal breaker for us. Mistakes are made, But there is no way this should have been served. Lesson learned read more

Basil Café in Saint James is one of those restaurants that never fails to impress. The second you walk in, you're greeted with the comforting aroma of delicious Thai food and the kind of warm, genuine smiles that make you feel instantly welcome. The space is clean, modern, and cozy, with a calm, relaxing vibe that makes it perfect for date night, a casual dinner with friends, or even a solo meal when you just want something amazing to eat. The service here is truly next level. The staff is friendly, patient, and always attentive without hovering. They're the kind of people who actually seem happy to be there and excited to share the food with you. Our server was so helpful, answering every question with a smile and giving honest recommendations that ended up being spot-on. Drinks came out quickly, the food arrived hot and beautifully plated, and they checked in just enough to make sure we had everything we needed. You can tell the team here really takes pride in what they do. Now let's talk about the food because it is absolutely incredible. Every dish at Basil Café tastes fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor. The Pad Thai is one of the best I've ever had, perfectly balanced with that signature mix of sweet, salty, and tangy. The Drunken Noodles are bold and packed with just the right amount of heat, and the Thai Basil Fried Rice is addictive in the best possible way. Every bite bursts with flavor and freshness, and you can taste the care that goes into each dish. The curries are another highlight. Whether you go for the red, green, or panang, they are creamy, aromatic, and perfectly spiced. Each one feels comforting and full of depth, and they pair perfectly with a side of jasmine rice. The appetizers are a must too. The crispy spring rolls are light and crunchy, the dumplings are soft and flavorful, and the soups are pure comfort in a bowl. Don't skip the drinks and dessert either. The Thai iced tea is phenomenal, that perfect balance of creamy and sweet that cools you down after a spicy dish. And if you have room left, the mango sticky rice is an absolute must. It's sweet, soft, and a perfect ending to an amazing meal. The overall vibe of Basil Café is what really seals the deal. It's relaxed yet elegant, lively without being loud, and always full of happy faces. You can come here for a quiet dinner or a fun night out and it always feels just right. The combination of great food, excellent service, and a welcoming atmosphere makes this place a true gem in Saint James. Basil Café isn't just a restaurant, it's an experience you'll want to relive again and again. Every visit feels special, the food is consistently fantastic, and the staff makes you feel like family. If you haven't been yet, make it your next stop. You'll leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit. read more

The pan-seared salmon came in with a peppercorn coating so good ...crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.The citrus spinach salad somehow managed to taste warm without actually being hot, like a hug. The jeweled rice? Forget comfort food this is emotional support rice. Pro tip: BYOB if you want wine with your meal. They're chill about it, so you can pair your $12 bottle with food that tastes like it belongs in a magazine. Cozy ambiance right in the heart of St. James makes it feel like your fancy but chill neighborhood secret. read more

Absolutely adorable, homey, warm, and cozy inside. Small, quiet, and intimate, it's a great spot for dates. Staff was so friendly. Food was outstanding. The chicken stuffed with pomegranate was absolutely phenomenal, so many flavors in their jeweled rice as well. Persian food is amazing that way. And the chocolate lava cake was lava'ing. Highly recommend this hidden gem! read more

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Cute place. Very small adds to charm. They have outdoor seating when weather cooperates. Service is excellent. It is a BYOB restaurant. Food is very good. Mediterranean read more

Last night. Another perfect dining experience. The food was amazing as usual, everyone loved what they ordered. From the appetizers to dessert, everything came out in a timely manner and was delicious. Water glasses were constantly filled, and we brought our own wine which they uncorked for us. Pretty much ate everything. Always a great dining experience at this little gem of a restaurant. read more

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Basil is a true gem. I didn't expect to find such exquisite Persian cuisine in a small town in Long Island, but Reza does not just make very delicious Persian kebobs, but he makes them using high quality ingredients. His cuisine is not the ordinary bazaar food, but the fine dinner Iranian hosts cook for their most revered guests. The restaurant has a cozy homey atmosphere, befitting such a host. Just as a side note, they don't serve alcohol but you can BYOB. read more

I celebrated my 70th birthday at Basil Café and words cannot express how great everything turned out. We were 14 on a Saturday afternoon and Ray, the owner, made us a beautiful table. Nicole and Ray were our servers and their attention to small details was easily seen. My friends and family loved everything that was served. Thank you, Basil Café for making my 70th birthday and exceptional day! ...Jo Magri read more

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When I opened the takeout containers, I noticed that the barg, koobideh and joojeh had such a small amount in each one. The only gigantic containers were the 3 basmati rices. The joojeh had no saffron flavor at all. Goya yellow rice mix had more saffron! What was the Barg marinated in? Does your kitchen have dill, garlic, cilantro or any herbs? It was cooked properly, but tasteless. The koobideh was dry and didn't taste like it was marinated in anything. We were very disappointed to spend $100 for nothing and will not order from this restaurant again! read more

Was greeted by name by a man at the front who seemed like he could have been the manager or owner. We called 30 mins earlier for a reservation and I gave him my name. The place was cozy and quaint. Nicole came over right away to greet us and a man came and gave us water quickly. It was BYOB and they opened our wine for us and poured it right away. The food was delicious... but I have had better lamb skewers. Some of the pieces of lamb were hard to cut and were a little chewy.... but I felt that the review was more a 4.7 so still had to give it five stars. Everything else in this place was great. read more

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Went here a few nights ago with the family. This is my third time here, they still keep thriving. Service was absolutely excellent. Our waiter was very attentive. Ambiance is cozy. Food was very good. I was trying to be on the healthy side so I had the shrimp as my appetizer which was better than I expected it would be. For my entree I tried the sea bass. I didn't have any of the bread they put out in the beginning but my family devoured it. Overall was a great meal and I would certainly come back again. read more

Basil Cafe Restaurant - MEDITERRANEAN SEA BASS (Bronzini) - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Saint James, New York

A hidden jewel. A cozy venue, clean and cheerful. The server is so friendly, efficient, knowledgeable, and joyful. The food is simply great. Must repeat. read more

Great restaurant with Intimate setting and Amazing service. Finally some very good Mediterranean food with great veg options. Both Desert bread pudding and chocolate lava cake was cherry on the top. Our sever was so good too. He recommended us food options and everything was great. read more

BJ and I celebrated our Anniversary at Basil Cafe in St James Tue nite. Our rezzy was waiting for us and the people couldn't have been more accommodating! This quaint venue is tiny with large kitchen putting out some delish food. It's BYOB so we did...added to our enjoyment .. For appys we shared a Greek salad, Hummus and a bowl of Beef Lentil soup. Our mains were Rack of Lamb and Lamb Shank...both delish! Our dessert was Balava, sweet and tantalizing! We enjoyed our meal and the service was spot on! read more

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Be prepared to pay 25%-30% more than what they advertise! Prices by on their website is a lot less than what you pay! Specifically when you order out, they tend to have the smallest portion compared to if you dine in! Since you don't check what you get! When you open the food, they don't even have the basic items that the dish should come with! For instance: their kebab are the smallest, has no tomatoes that is part of the dish! Completely dissatisfied! Never again! read more

Great food... It would have been better if the food was hot upon delivery... Just had to microwave... otherwise food was yuuummmy! read more

Very disappointed. Small portion. Overpriced. Not tasty. Much better Persian cuisine in Huntington.

Lovely intimate setting. Fast courteous service. Delicious menu. Prices reasonable. Reservations a must as it is a very small restaurant.

Recently had a great meal at basil . have been several times and they never disappoint ! i will be back soon

Everything at Basil is perfect. The lamb shank is fall off the bone in a delicious sauce. Fish is always fresh. The backyard garden is lovely. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the service is too notch always. And- it is byob with a very small uncorking fee- even better! read more

Dinner took 55 minutes to come out. Got the Barg. Tougher than beef jerky and not good. Switched it for the Filet Mignon.. tasted like butane. Very tough. We didn't eat it and told the waitress about flavor. We didn't eat it but we were charged anyway. Positive was atmosphere was cute. read more

MUST TRY!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND. NEW FAVORITE RESTAURANT! One the BEST meals I've had in a while. The rest of my party agreed. Apps & entrees phenomenal (had the shrimp appetizer, NE clam chowder & salmon), didn't try dessert. Great selection on the menu. Beautiful outdoor patio. Will not disappoint. Already made a reservation to go back!! HUGE perk: bring your own wine, with NO corkage fee. Saves $$ read more

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

Fabulous food. Lamb shank meaty and succulent with great flavor. Eggplant appetizer is my favorite. Kabobs also great. Beautiful outdoor in season. read more

Delicious & nutritious, I had a nice relaxing lunch & the service was impeccable. I'll definitely be back :) read more

Basil Cafe Restaurant - Kale salad with wild salmon - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Saint James, New York

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

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

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

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

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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