I really liked this Babylon establishment. First the decor is top notch. As soon as you walk in there is a large elegant bar area and a beautiful staircase leasing upstairs which is where we were seated. There was a jazz band playing which enhanced the atmosphere. Baked clams, crab cake, calamari were all terrific starters. This was followed by the Ribeye and Beef Wellington which were both delicious and perfectly prepared. Our waiter was very helpful and informative and a credit to the establishment. It's a nice location for an upscale experience. For what you get, the prices are reasonable as well. Would go back. read more

Hospitality: -- the friendly, generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers, creating a welcoming, comfortable, and safe environment, making others feel valued and at home. This brings us to The James, managed by Joe Giannino under the fat-cat "Standard Hospitality Group," owned by Andrew Affa & Steve Squirtiro. It's hard owning a business and keeping it profitable but not when it's an almost algorithmic formula driven money extraction system so commonly found today. It's more difficult dining out in the world today when it feels like hospitality is vacating. Vining more about high-revenue than humanity. By very definition, I wouldn't call a good portion of the hospitality industry hospitality at all, and I certainly wouldn't say the James offers any. What I love about food is what it does for the soul, & what I've always loved about providing and caring for people is the sense of community; connection during good times and difficult ones alike; That's hospitality to me. Breaking bread is one of the most fundamental human gestures of generosity and true wealth. When you have it, you share it not squander it, not hoard it or treat it like it's something to take from others and line your pockets with. That's why this experience disappointed me so much, because I believe with the myriad of options, we must be far more selective and far more supportive of local and smaller family run establishments. Today, for a table they would still fill and never notice, I tried to cancel a reservation out of respect -- respect for the staff, for other guests, and for my damn self. Being charged a cancellation fee when a mom is sick on Mothers Day, is not hospitality, it is not empathy. It is greed disguised as brand experience self worth. I have supported the Arlo from this same restaurant group in the past and probably would have happily returned too, based on the menu alone, but coldhearted, rigid policies like this change how a place feels. There are many family-run restaurants that understand flexibility and empathy. That kind of environment matters to me, and this experience will forever make me decide to support those places instead. I've recently learned to name positive outcomes when something negative arises, so I believe this time, it's great that it only cost me fifty bucks to never give this group another dime. Typical corporate hospitality is more what the James can offer. These types of COMPANIES feed themselves, not the community. read more

Had a great experience. Went with my wife on their Thursday Jazz night. The interior design is gorgeous. I didn't realize how big it is inside! We split a steak and got a couple sides. Potatoes au gratin & Brussels. They were delicious. My one piece of advice; If you want to be an upscale American/steakhouse with art deco kind of vibes, jazz nights, etc., they NEED to learn how to make proper cocktails. I ordered a Manhattan. Don't assume bourbon. A traditional Manhattan is made with Rye. It's supposed to be spirit forward with the beautiful sweet vermouth to balance with 2 dashes ango. Express Orange and dress the peel, or not, doesn't matter. Most bartenders drown cocktails, this one included. And NEVER serve in a martini glass :) Nitpicky but only bc I loved everything else. They just need to learn how to make proper cocktails. The details matter! I'll be back for that Snake River Steak!! read more

This is the second time I've been to The James. First time was for my husband's birthday and this time he took me for Mother's Day. Last time we were seated on the ground floor, this time we got the chance to be seated upstairs. The decor is fabulous! I love the artwork perfectly placed around. The service is spectacular and our waitress was fabulous. They provided me with a complimentary Rosé. To start we had oysters, one was super small and hardly anything in it. I wouldn't do the lobster again, I felt like it was too overcooked. The crème brûlée was delicious. Thanks for a great evening. read more

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Came in on a Saturday night with reservations. We were promptly brought to our table. It was very loud around the bar area when we walked in, but the area we sat off to the side was not too bad in terms of volume. The ambiance was fun and lovely in my opinion. Our waiter was sweet and attentive. They brought out bread with butter, which was delicious and fresh. For appetizers, we ordered the beef tartare, which was my first time trying it. It was smooth and delicious and had a great flavor from the capers. We also ordered the calamari, which was nice and it was served with marinara sauce and fried jalapeños. For entrees, we ordered the skirt steak, which came à la carte. It was flavorful and came with two long pieces. Personally, I would prefer the skirt steak to be a little thicker, but it was overall soft and delicious. We ordered the charred broccolini side, and it was okay. Our other entree was the duck breast. We were intrigued by the chocolate chip cookie crumble, and it worked! The duck was cooked perfectly, the puree was nice, and the Brussels sprouts were okay. My only complaint would have to be the wait on the food. But luckily, the waiter was attentive to us, and we had nice company at dinner to kill the time. Overall, would recommend this place if you're celebrating an occasion or want a fancy experience. read more

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This place is STUNNING. The decor when you walk in is so grand, the staff is so kind when they greet you. Its an absolutely beautiful restaurant. They start you off with a whole loaf of warm bread which was delicious. They have two options when making resis, i suggest trying the prefix because it has so many options and you get an app, entree and dessert! Cannot wait to return back to this place read more

The James - the james burger - American Near Me - Babylon, New York

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It was nice but not my cup of tea. It's definitely gorgeous. You walk into a beautiful lobby with a stunning staircase. We opted to take the elevator and the hostess said it was quicker to take the stairs? Not a good welcoming. The bread that was brought to our table was great. My steak frites was mediocre. Although it was the cheapest steak, it lacked flavor. The fries were ok. It's a very expensive place but I'd rather take my money elsewhere. read more

The James - American Near Me - Babylon, New York

Went there for a birthday dinner on a Saturday night. This place was absolutely packed. This was my first time eating here but id guess for any weekend night you will need a reservation. The bar was also very packed out. This was some of the best service that I have gotten at a restaurant, very attentive. Music is not loud but when its that crowded it is pretty loud with everyone talking. Food was good. Burger was good, filet mignon was good. Id recommend this place. read more

Me as was wonderful! All of his suggestions were spot on and he had the menu down Pat! Thank You for a great timeN I don't read more

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Four of us went for the Angel Envy Pairing evening. The choice of food was horrible. Seems it was more important for a plate to be photo perfect than something to eat. First course was supposed to be an oyster, it was the just one oyster, the size of a cockle clam on a bed of some kind of kelp and a bed of salt . What followed, wasn't much better every thing came out room temperature. The main course was steak (cold) over a bed of smoked eggplant which was so smoky, it over powered the taste of the steak . None of us could eat the eggplant it was literally disgusting. I put ketchup on my steak to try to get rid of the taste. At LEAST the desert was excellent! We sat at a table for four in the center, so it was easy for server to work around us, and twice I had an arm across my plate. Don't they train there wait staff ? And most of all we were in the dining area on the ground level, it's a nice dining space but the level of noise made it very difficult, almost impossible to hear each other. Not a great dining experience at all. read more

This place is absolutely stunning. The staff on point friendly and amazing service. Stopped in on a Thursday night. Got seated right away no reservation. The bar was pumping. The food came out quick and was delicious. I'll definitely be back The Ceasar salad was amazing. Lots of cheese. And steak cooked to perfection read more

The James - Ceasar salad and grilled octopus - American Near Me - Babylon, New York

Truly love everything about The James! A great place for delicious drinks and an awesome spot to host a private party. I love the vibe and everyone that works there is super nice. The menu is lacking in shareables - but the entrees are great! read more

The James - Party - American Near Me - Babylon, New York

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Visited The James for my birthday dinner with family and could not have been more pleased. This was my first visit. I was immediately impressed with the beautiful interior, and the meal continued to be fabulous. Cocktails were excellent, service was excellent, food was excellent. The ribeye steaks & beef wellington were out of this world, and it takes a lot for me to say that, because I don't love red meat! My entree was the lobster pasta which was also wonderful. They capped off the meal with a complimentary round of champagne and a card for my birthday; very classy. Just an awesome experience. I will say this certainly isn't a place to go if you wanna save a buck, but the ambiance, service, great food, and experience really made it worth the price. The whole fam agreed and was happy. My only complaints were that the temperature upstairs was HOT, we were all a little uncomfortable, and I would say this restaurant is on the louder side. It was a bit quieter upstairs. read more

The James - American Near Me - Babylon, New York

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What an absolutely phenomenal evening at The James in Babylon. We came in to celebrate three birthdays with a group of close friends and from start to finish, the night was unforgettable. The moment you step inside, you're transported into an elevated, beautifully designed space. From the bartenders on the ground floor to the team upstairs the service was exceptional. Our group of 14 was taken care of flawlessly. every single person felt seen, never rushed and consistently checked on. A special shoutout to Matt, the assistant manager, who went above and beyond to make sure our celebration felt special. His attention and professionalism really stood out. And the food? Outstanding. Everyone at the table was raving about their meals there wasn't a single plate that didn't impress. The James delivers on ambiance, service and incredible food. It was the perfect place to celebrate friends and birthdays. read more

Came here for the first time as a party of five during restaurant week on a Thursday night. Had a reservation for 645 that we reserved that day. Desmond, our waiter was super attentive, friendly, and helpful. We ordered off the prefix menu for restaurant week and everything was delicious. I had the Caesar salad, salmon, entrée, and cheesecake dessert. The ambience of this place is great. One thing that I found cool and never experienced was if you take your order to go, they don't bring the food back to the table. Instead, they hand you a ticket and you have to claim your leftovers at the hostess station before you leave. Definitely try it out! read more

Pretty much perfect in every way. Setting. Service. Temperature. Food. Drinks. The place has a great bar and 2 floors of dining. Art adorns the walls with great museum lighting. The interior temperature was perfect. Not too warm. Not too cold. The service was impeccable. Stephanie did a great job making sure our drinks and food were perfectly timed. The ribeye was possibly the best steak I've had. Medium rare and sliced to perfection. The broccolini and potatoes were delicious. The drinks were strong and well crafted. The bar scene was also a watchers dream. Eclectic patrons that made the night even better as we people watched. read more

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I ordered the steak frites. The cut of steak was very cheap with the horrible sauce covering the top. I would not recommend. The service was okay. Drinks took awhile to come out and weren't brought out with the same timing as the food. For the vibe I read about the restaurant, I completely disagree. It's similar to J and R steak house level of food and service. read more

The old Carriage House in Babylon has a new look and a new name The James. You enter to a spacious lobby with the bar on your right and the Hostess to your left, well lit dining room. Service was good and the food was fresh. Had the James Salad was good but not for what they charge. The cod, shrimp pasta, pork chop, were delicious. Dessert Crème Brûlée was delicious, the bread pudding was ok would not order it again. Valet parking available if not a municipal lot is there also. CIAO FOR NOW read more

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We started with appetizers, my fiancé and I shared the special, a braised short rib croquette topped with lobster tail. It was okay, but again, not a wow factor. The other couple we were with ordered the steak tartare, and he said it was good. For mains, two in our group ordered the lobster pasta and really enjoyed it. I had the ragu pasta, which was tasty but nothing memorable, and another in our party had the branzino...good, but not amazing. Overall, the food was decent but didn't stand out. The drinks were more disappointing. My fiancé liked his espresso martini, but the other cocktails missed the mark. My strawberry Aperol spritz was not enjoyable, and the dessert cocktail described as a "rainbow cookie" was overly heavy on amaretto and didn't taste as expected. One of our friends ordered a dessert whiskey that was supposed to have hints of banana, peanut butter, and bacon...it didn't have those that's as much as expected, and he didn't like it. I tried it myself (and I'm not usually a whiskey drinker), but thought it was okay only because it wasn't as strong as most whiskeys I've had. Service was another downside. It took a long time to place our order, our server rarely checked in, and overall the pace was slow. Larger parties nearby frequently interrupted staff while they were helping other tables, which made the atmosphere feel chaotic. Our seating also hurt the experience. Despite requesting not to be near the kitchen or bathrooms, we were placed in a corner right next to the kitchen and drink cart. Many guests mistook the area for the restroom, so there was constant foot traffic around our table. One other note the chairs are extremely uncomfortable our if felt like the chairs were too tiny for an average person to feel comfortable and one of our friends was pregnant and she was very uncomfortable the entire time. If I ever decided to go back I would specifically want a booth but not sure if I would return honestly. The space itself is very pretty, but between the drinks, service, and atmosphere, we left feeling disappointed. Unfortunately, I don't think we'd return. read more

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Tonight I had the opportunity to check out The James for the first time. The James, formally the Carriage House, has been beautifully renovated for an upper scale dining experience. For a Wednesday night, it was pretty busy but we were seated right away. After arriving at our table, they offered coat service which was very appreciated considering the below freezing temperatures. During the week you have the option to order a three course prix fixe dinner, but we opted to offer off their standard menu which provides a great variety of options - truly something for everyone. We started off with drinks - a bottle of Pinot Grigio and a vodka martini. We opted to try the calamari, which was a bit on the saltier side and the duck cassoulet, which was excellent. For dinner we opted for the salmon and the Icelandic cod - both of which were fresh and cooked to perfection. We split the side of duck fat confit gratin potato which was recommended to us, and it was by far even better than what we expected. What really made the dining experience at The James great was the service. Our server, Katie, was welcoming and attentive. She stayed on top of making sure our drinks were full and checked in to make sure we were enjoying our meals. Upon finishing, our leftovers were boxed up and bought to a separate area. We were provided tickets to pick up our bags on our way out, which is a nice touch. It allowed us to not feel rushed to leave, and as someone who has accidentally left their leftovers behind on multiple occasions it ensured I'd get them when I grabbed my coat at the end of the meal. Overall, it was a great experience and I can't wait to go back! read more

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The James ambiance was pretty nice. It was on a busy Friday where everyone is chilling at the bar. The servers and service is very good. The food special recommendations was so good. The 40oz tomahawk steak and the branzino was delicious. Even though, the price is on the high side. The food is very tasty and delicious. In my opinion better than Peter Luger at this time. read more

The James - Tomahawk Steak with spinach puree and mash. Branzino Fish. - American Near Me - Babylon, New York

Though the drinks were OK and the appetizers were very good the entrees were a total miss. My son had the salmon which he said was sub average. My wife had the beef ragu that she didn't care for so I tasted it and I regret to say it has nothing on Chef Boy Ardee. Now for my entree I had the cod fish which didn't even look good and unfortunately tasted worse than it looked. I have no idea what they were thinking when they created this dish. My advice stay away and spend your money somewhere else. I almost forgot to rate the decor well the only thing I can say is who cares when the food stinks. read more

If I were only rating ambiance and service, I would rank the James much higher. The restaurant itself is beautiful. The main floor bar is expansive and stunning. Multi-level with an expansive staircase leading you to an elegant yet very on-trend (mood lighting, wall arches, dark walls) dining experience. My group was celebrating a birthday, so they started the table with a round of celebratory champagne; very nice touch. However the food, and overall menu options fell a bit flat for me. The cocktail menu seems to have more to choose from than the actual food menu. Mind you, if you're looking for steak and/or raw bar options, you'll likely feel the menu sufficient, but taking those off the table, the menu variety felt limited. I ordered the lobster tagliatelle, and it was solid. Great portion, decent amounts of lobster meat and the breadcrumbs helped add some dimension to the flavor profiles on the plate. However members of my party did not equally share a liking for what they ordered. The calamari for the table was okay, but there were more banana peppers and artichoke hearts on the plate than actual calamari. It was masked well however, bc it was all fried and you didn't know what you were biting into, until it was too late. Hamburger; under-seasoned and not the furthest thing from warm (cheese was not melted). Roasted chicken; ate dry, and again under-seasoned. Bronzino; the size of the fish for the price was a bad value. The filet was served skin side down which allowed the skin to become a soggy mess, and overall lacked flavor. With a tweak of the menu, the James could truly be a 5star dining experience read more

The James - Martini - American Near Me - Babylon, New York

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Thank goodness for valet parking. it was quite cold out, and the place is very popular. Upon entering, you'll notice the activity right away. Several hostesses were about, taking coats and seating people, and it was quite noisy on the main floor. We were seated upstairs where it was quieter. Waitstaff was hustling and our server milled around without being overbearing. Water glasses were filled regularly, and they came around to refresh our drinks as needed. We were here to celebrate a Friends' Christmas Dinner, and this place did not disappoint. They sat 11 of us in a large round table, and it was a little cramped, but not bad. Apps and food came out in a timely manner, no waiting. We had steaks, pork chops, salmon, duck, octopus, calamari, shrimp, and the variety was dizzying but it was all great. Rare steak was prepared perfectly, and the au poivre might have been a little past medium rare but very tasty nonetheless. The octopus was fantastic. I can't say much for the other dishes, but I had a taste of the duck and salmon because they were within arm's reach and they were equally as good. The duck was seasoned just right, and the temp was respected. The salmon was a nice chunk with that crisp sear, but moist inside. Desserts were also just right to cap off the experience. read more

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Honestly, I was excited to try something new. The location is great and the place looks amazing. The food was fine but I was a bit blown away by the tiny portion sizes and high price. For example, I got the James salad for (I think $28.00). It was tiny! And to be real, it did not taste much better than a salad in a bag. I'm sorry to say that, but it's true. And that's your signature salad?! My daughter got the Caesar salad and the chicken was super chewy/dry. The salad I had for 15.00 at Just Salad blows the door off this one. The salmon looked tiny, but it tasted pretty good. The NY strip was not good at all! My husband did not even eat half of it. My BIL had the Beef Wellington and he loved it. So, hit or miss. My big take away is if you're charging what they're charging - you better bring it. And, they did not bring it. read more

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The decor and atmosphere were excellent, creating a great vibe throughout the evening. Service was attentive and friendly. The paccheri was a bit more al dente than some might prefer, but the flavor was spot on. I wouldn't order the peppers again--nothing particularly memorable about that dish. However, the baked clams were very enjoyable, and everything else we tried was delicious. The branzino was delicate and flavorful, and the steak was cooked perfectly to our liking. As a crème brûlée fan, I was happy to find this one lived up to expectations. Overall, a very positive dining experience. read more

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Had an amazing experience at The James in Babylon. From the second you walk in, you're greeted right away and made to feel welcome, which honestly sets the tone for the whole night. The overall dining experience feels high quality without being over the top. Everything just runs smoothly, and you can tell they take pride in what they're doing. The service really stands out, attentive, professional, and genuinely friendly without feeling forced. The bartenders are on another level. You can tell they actually know what they're doing, not just pouring drinks but really crafting them. I had an espresso martini and it was easily one of the best I've had... seriously worth going for alone. Definitely a spot I'd go back to and recommend if you're looking for a great night out in Babylon. read more

So terrible. I don't even know where to begin the filet mignon was disgusting full of fat no flavor. The drinks were pure watered down. The server was nice but that was about it. Too loud crammed tables. I'm Sad I really am never wanna go back. It's overpriced and not good. I want a refund. read more

We went out grown-ups only! Finally! A restaurant with high quality ambiance, menu, and prices that also matches the food. I've always struggled in fancy restaurants that charge so much for average meals. The James is the first restaurant on Long Island where I don't mind paying the price for the meal because the quality matched. We had baked clams and raw oysters for appetizers and both were fantastic. The east coast oysters were small but tasted very fresh! My spicy margarita was made to perfection. I love that the garnish was only on part of the rim instead of the entire rim. For dinner, I ordered the skirt steak and spouts. The steak was not only cooked to perfection but also was the thickest cut of skirt I've ever seen. Everyone with me was very pleased with their meals. My girlfriend said the beef Wellington was exceptional! We ordered three desserts for a birthday celebration. The pudding was the best but the crème brûlée was also very good. The chocolate cake was massive! The bar cart was a cute addition. The ambiance was very enjoyable. I like the fact that when the wrap your leftovers they give you a ticket and pick it up on your way out. The service that evening could use some improvement. I would suggest more servers so that the wait staff could give their tables more attention. It was not the waitresses fault per se because I could see her constantly moving. We practically finished our meals before she returned with our bottle of wine that we ordered for dinner. We ate our meals without anyone returning to ask if we needed anything. I don't think this was due to lack of experience but maybe more so not enough staff? The waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable. I would definitely go back for any fancy or important celebration. read more

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Loved this place! The espresso martinis were phenomenal & I could not get enough of the brussel sprouts! The steak was also made to perfection. Our waiter was very attentive & always made sure our glasses were filled. The bar would be a perfect date spot & has great happy hour deals. An absolute MUST in Babylon! read more

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We had Easter dinner here (just two of us). The food was great but the service was even better. Our server Tori was 'just right'; helpful yet she gave us some space to eat at our pace. She offered helpful suggestions from the wine list to dessert. It was a very pleasant evening! read more

Awesome food - service - art work and valet parking! Highly recommend for dinner and also special celebrations. Very nice spaces for events too read more

The restaurant definitely has a romantic ambiance. The service was excellent. They were offering a taster's menu for $69 that contained both the salmon my wife was going to order and the filet that I was going to order. Then both came with a salad and a dessert. I also ordered creamed spinach to go with my steak. All elements of the meal were cooked to perfection and very tasty. Overall and outstanding experience. We will come again and tell others. read more

Great restaurant. Food, ambiance and service . That's the Triple play in Babylon. The upstairs is great place for dinner The 1st floor is loud better for drinks and get loose read more

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I will never try this place. The owners think they own a portion of a town municipal parking lot. Even when they are closed, they are blocking off perfectly good parking making it harder to frequent the many small businesses surrounding them. The best chef in the world could get me to walk through their doors. read more

If I could rate our server alone he would be 5+ stars. We had the best table in the house on the second floor, overlooking the entire dining room. Our server was attentive, a great conversationalist and gave great recommendations. Food was great-the calamari was excellent, the wedge was phenomenal, the ribeyes were tasty but a bit fattier than expected. I'd skip the chocolate cake. Cocktail specials were great too. read more

The James - American Near Me - Babylon, New York

The oysters served were a bit larger than seedlings. No where in our area have I seen such small oysters at 3.00 each. The Chilean seabass was over cooked and rubbery. They did take it off the bill. The prime steak was good. Pricing very high. Service was good but the disappointment on the meal over shadowed. read more

2 stars for the decor & ambiance. Average or below food, small portions, not so good service, high prices for the quality. Went twice since opening. Figured, they probably just gotta work out the minutia. They were worse the second visit. I'll try them again in a few weeks & see if anything changed. read more

Will start off by saying the restaurant is stunning. A great venue. It's huge but maintains a sense of intimacy somehow. I think it's the lighting and floor plan. Our waitress was prompt, helpful and kind. Drinks were great. Another delight of the night was the great music choices. The food was just ok. We didn't order any over complicated dishes. Everything was just a little bland and didn't feel fresh. We did go close to closing time to I'm assuming that attributed to that. Also, this restaurant is on the pricier side so please keep that in mind before planning a visit. read more

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I had a great evening with friends. This place looks really nice and has a very cool atmosphere and style. Food was very good and service on point. Their house white wine was perfect. Why I am giving than 4 stars? Well the fish wasn't the best I ever ate not I would order again. My husband meat was good but he wasn't extremely impress neither. The rest was perfect. Everyone has their own preferences and taste :) read more

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