The St. James
Gym · Springfield ·
Caribbean restaurant with Trinidadian rum cocktails & callaloo
Caribbean restaurant with Trinidadian rum cocktails & callaloo
"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 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. Must-try dish: Callaloo, a West African stew full of leafy greens" - Tierney Plumb
"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
"At The St. James the new music- and choreography-driven cycling class is set up as an energetic indoor spin experience that pairs with a post-workout happy hour at Vim & Victor; each $10 Cycle & Cervezas ticket includes a free drink and happy-hour pricing at the bar (event 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)." - Eater Staff
"Spanning about 450,000 square feet in an industrial area of Springfield, Virginia, the St. James is a luxury sports-and-wellness complex with a health club and spa, a massive indoor field house with artificial turf, two NHL-size ice rinks, a rock-climbing wall, an indoor water park, and an active entertainment center featuring indoor trampolines and virtual-reality suites. I noticed the property’s scale allows integrated food-and-beverage operations (Mendelsohn holds a 10-year contract) and a liquor license that covers the entire site, enabling drinks for parents in the stands and pop-up bars; there are common-area kiosks between turf fields and rinks, and every member of Vim & Victor’s staff receives a St. James membership." - Gabe Hiatt
"The massive recreation center in Springfield, Virginia, opened September 15 and contains turf fields, an ice rink, and a rock climbing wall; it welcomes a diverse range of visitors and is the site where Mendelsohn will operate Vim and Victor and oversee all the food-and-beverage offerings, from 'epic' packed lunches for day-camp kids to corporate happy-hour menus and spectator kiosks." - Gabe Hiatt