Sister restaurant to Michelin Bib Gourmand rated Cane, St James delivers a modern take on pan-Caribbean popular dishes. Guests can also enjoy liquor from around the Caribbean as well as rum-inspired cocktails. Restaurant is peanut free.
"Jeanine Prime’s culinary ode to her native Trinidad comes to life at St. James, her lively restaurant named after the bustling district in Port of Spain, the country’s capital. Prime’s small and large-format dishes pay homage to the melting pot port city, including West Africa’s callaloo, a stew full of leafy greens, Trini-style Chinese steamed buns stuffed with spicy pork, and curry crab. A vast collection of imported rums lined along the soaring mirrored bar help build fragrant and floral cocktails like a hibiscus highball. Also worth checking out: Prime’s Bib Gourmand-designated sibling Cane, which focuses on Caribbean street foods." - Tierney Plumb, Emily Venezky
"With Eater DC’s 2019 Chef of the Year Peter Prime no longer involved, his sister Jeanine Prime pushed the long-awaited culinary ode to their native Trinidad past the finish line in spring 2022. St. James, named after the bustling district in Trinidad’s capital, Port of Spain, breathes life into brick-lined Quarter + Glory’s former home. At 2,800 square feet, the remodeled space is almost three times larger than its Bib Gourmand-designated sibling Cane, which focuses on Caribbean street foods. Small and large-format dishes that pay homage to the melting pot port city include West Africa’s callaloo, a stew full of leafy greens, Trini-style Chinese steamed buns stuffed with spicy pork, and curry crab. A vast collection of imported rums lined along the soaring mirrored bar help build fragrant and floral cocktails like a hibiscus highball." - Tierney Plumb, Eater Staff
"Owner Jeanine Prime has done it again—now with this modern Caribbean concept named for the district within Trinidad’s Port of Spain. The contemporary space with industrial touches is enlivened with vivid pops of color, while the shared plates-style menu evokes a convivial spirit. Influences hail from all over the globe, all paired with Trinidadian rum-focused cocktails. Begin with a bowl of Callaloo soup, a deep green blend of puréed spinach, chilies and coconut milk topped with lump crab meat with a great depth of flavor. Don't miss the jerk brisket, which marinates for 12 hours before it's smoked. Follow that up with the Trini-style taro dumplings in a curry sauce, but be sure to get a side of sweet plantains finished with candied ginger." - Michelin Inspector
"Prime parted ways with his sister and business partner Jeanine Prime at the end of 2021, simultaneously splitting with both Cane and its highly anticipated 14th Street NW sibling St. James." - Tierney Plumb
"Prime departed Cane and the highly anticipated St. James restaurant in mid-February." - Stephanie Carter
