Review: Stick With What Works at the St. James

Overview:  offers a casual and comfortable dining atmosphere for families who want to enjoy the universally welcome tastes of American cuisine, while also providing ample bar space for a sports-viewing rendezvous. With its close proximity to the Mineola train station, it is attractive to weary commuters who want to cap off their workday by munching on good food that comes in a timely fashion.

Decor: Reminiscent of a family-owned inn, the St. James has a classic, yesteryear vibe featuring a strong sports theme in the form of countless old paintings and black and white pictures of golf, football, boxing, and basketball. Vintage cigar ad signs further establish the olden-era flow and a large moose head in the main dining area lends rustic hints to the eatery. Guests are able to dine in two separate cozy and ambient wainscot-walled rooms while being soothed by the music of James Taylor and Jackson Browne. Those who are so inclined may also glance up at the many television monitors displaying ESPN to get their sports fix.

Drinks: Familiarity is the word at the St. James. The non-alcoholic beverage listings include the basics of soda, juice, and unsweetened ice tea. The draft beer menu includes affordably priced domestics and Irish imports to match the green color scheme of the establishment.

Everyone can be a wine connoisseur at the St. James, as the $5.50 house wines of Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and White Zinfandel appeal to the masses, and the wine specials from California vineyards are available by the glass at prices ranging from $5.75 to around $7.50.

Appetizers: With prices ranging from $4.95 to $9.95, customers may choose from bar favorites including potato skins, chicken fingers, chicken quesadillas, nachos, and more. On Monday nights, an order of 12 mild, medium, or hot chicken wings for the price of $8.95 is reduced to $4.95. The homemade blue cheese serves as a decent mouth-coolant for adventurous fans of the hot-flavored variety.

A cup or bowl of French onion soup does the trick of taking the nip out of the air, and the filling salads are brazenly mixed with fruits, chicken, salmon, and scallops.

Entrees: Anyone who has the room after gorging on appetizers has a hearty main course list to choose from, including $10.95 sandwiches of pulled pork, grilled and lightly fried chicken, roast beef and more. A portobello mushroom panini with red peppers, pesto and mozzarella is also available. The buffalo chicken sliders that were served on a warm potato bun with fresh and crumbly yet smooth blue cheese will fill you up, but be forewarned that you might need a couple of unsweetened iced teas on stand-by. American staples such as burgers, wraps, and paninis are also included in the menu.

With prices ranging from $14.95 to $17.95, proponents of the knife and fork can decide on steaks, sauerbraten, pot roast, salmon, and turkey that will satisfy the appetite. If your Guinness is lonely, you may partner it up with a Sheppard's pie as well.

Sides: Mashed potatoes, fried onion strings, potato pancakes, rice with vegetables and good old-fashioned French fries share the plate of your entry as well as a house specialty, fresh homemade potato chips.

Service:  Customers will not have to wait for a table in the medium-sized dining area - which is separated from the bar by a partition - or in a second, equally sized separate dining room. While attentive, servers are not intrusive and will have a beverage refill ready before you put your empty glass down.