Amid the dynamic energy of Ardmore’s Suburban Square you’ll find the chic Saint James American bistro, a tasteful collaborative effort of Rob Wasserman (of Rouge) and chef Michael Schulson (of Sampan).
When the charming restaurant first debuted in early October 2012, our curiosities were piqued by Schulson’s approach to the food. He was dreaming of a suburban, “everyone-knows-your-name” place where he could feature approachable, soul-warming dishes that pay tribute to his upbringing. Although over time the menu has been enhanced, to now include some well-received options from his Center City staple Sampan, the current question on the tips of many tongues is—what about the drinks?
While yes, the food is number one reason to frequent any restaurant, if you’re out and about in Ardmore and happen to be in need of one terrific, stiff drink—is this the place to go?
With Saint James’ enticing retro touches and modernized approaches, not to mention one majestic, brightly-lit bar, Town Dish’s photog Nina Cazille and I hit happy hour on one summery afternoon to taste-test the in-house roster.
“When developing our cocktail lists, we follow the cocktail trends and see what translates to the Main Line,” shared general manager Michael Wirzberger. “We aim to keep it seasonal and fresh, and make everything from scratch,” such as fresh lime juice, fruit purees, etc.
From a list that marries modern creations with pre-Prohibition standbys, we selected our favorites from the seasonal tasting and detailed them for you below.
Pomegranate Martini
Laser red and so delicious it’s dangerous, this cocktail will quickly become every lady’s best friend. A well-balanced blend of Citroen vodka, house-made grenadine, and fresh pomegranate and lime juices, we are certain that you’ll order more than one of these ruby reds. (We did!)
Sangria
White sangria is in for the summer at Saint James—and, this variety has enough pull that we could see it becoming a mainstay. Punchy and thirst-quenching, this light and fragrant rendition focuses in on peach flavors and mingles the sweet juices with Chardonnay and St. Germain. The lingering zing comes from a splash of brandy, which we framed as the culprit of us speedily slurping through this irresistible twist on the popular wine-infused drink.
Greyhound
This rosemary-infused vodka cocktail is a true farm-to-glass option of the restaurant’s imbibing roster, crafted with fresh grapefruit juice and an added splash of champagne. Not only is the concoction creative and gardenesque, but it’s also on special at happy hour for just $5.
Manhattan
To me, the Manhattan is the boss of all drinks. To identify if a bar is packing serious heat, I suggest you channel your inner-Don Draper and order up this iconic drink. Saint James didn’t disappoint with their gentlemanly Maker’s Mark creation, a translation of the age-old classic that didn’t forget the necessary bitters but expanded with some help of Campari. We accepted port wine as an attractive substitute for usual sweet vermouth, making the already-stunning brown liquored drink so smooth, yet also sharp. This may become a weekly ritual.
Thirsty? Which cocktail will you be ordering ASAP?
Photography credited to Nina Lea Photography.
