American Restaurant the James Wants to Be a ‘Getaway From the Madness’ on James Island

Neighborhood restaurant the James (1939A Maybank Highway, Charleston) will open with a menu full of classic American fare on Monday, July 17. This new addition to the James Island scene comes from Neighborhood Dining Group (NDG), proprietors of Husk, Delaney Oyster House, and Minero.

The offerings at the James come from chef Mark Keiser (formerly at Oak Steakhouse) and include all the hits like tuna tartare, cream of mushroom soup, spinach artichoke dip, prime rib, Caesar salad, burgers, and more. “I hate to use the word comfort food,” says NDG president David Howard, “but there is a component of that. The items are easy to understand, and when you look at the menu you can say, ‘I know what that is.‘ I like the idea of an American grill with all-American fare and not being too out there.”

There are no surprises on the menu, but Howard says the restaurant strives for that sort of predictability. “I just want people on James Island and surrounding communities to have a place where they can go and be comfortable and get away from the madness,” he says, “You come in and you order something that is made the same way every time. It’s predictable and reliable.”

The drink menu follows the same playbook with a list of classic martinis (including ‘90s favorites like the lemon drop and appletini). Though, it gets a bit creative and unpredictable with a frozen James Island iced tea and a pomegranate Negroni.

The James wants to be the sort of place where neighbors and families (there is a children’s menu) can visit several times a month, and there’s always something for everyone. Once open, the dining room will serve dinner, starting at 4 p.m., seven days a week. Eventually, the restaurant will add lunch. Check out the full menu below.