James

Cuisine: Italian

215-629-4980

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Hours of operation

Monday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tuesday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Wednesday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday Closed
824 S. Eighth St.
Philadelphia, 19147

Situated in a surprisingly spacious Italian Market nook, James exudes an atmosphere of comfort within the clean, modern lines of its minimalist interior design. The main dining area seats about 40 at well-spaced tables big enough to make passing dishes back and forth easy work. This is a boon — you’re going to want to share. Head chef Jim Burke’s cooking is richly creative but never pretentious, and boasts enough breadth to satisfy almost any palate. An appetizer featuring foie gras and mushrooms stuffed in a rolled-up cabbage leaf has a warm, mouth-coating earthiness set off splendidly by a purée of rutabaga. A soup made from flash-caramelized crimini mushrooms and an impressively deep stock comes topped with pine-scented steamed milk and shaved chestnuts. Paper-thin pappardelle is loaded with a duck ragu and topped with chocolate shavings. There’s no such thing as a perfect restaurant, but James comes awfully close for a chef making his first real step out on his own.


Restaurant Details

Reservations Yes


Vegetarian Dishes Yes


Alcohol Beer
Wine
Spirits


Meals Dinner


Payment Types Major Credit Cards
Cash