Harden's survey result
Summary
“A stalwart in a desert for decent cooking” that’s still recommended after 25 years “under Alfonso La Cava’s friendly eye” and where there’s some “delicious food” to be had (be it light lunches, à la carte dinners or a newer set menu); afternoon tea is served in the recent (by the venue’s standards) Betsy’s Tearoom, which launched in 2018.
Summary
“This stalwart carries on doing good food well” after 25 years in Bushey village, and is “an oasis in the culinary wilderness of West Herts”. “Under the benevolent guidance of Alfonso La Cava”, it “offers the best dining experience in the area. Lunches and early-evening table d’hôte meals are particularly good value”. Afternoon tea is served in its Betsy’s Tearoom.
Summary
“By far the best restaurant in the area” – the foodie wastelands of Watford – where “Alonso runs a welcoming outfit with good food at sensible prices”. (One former fan did report a bad trip this year – hopefully just a blip).
Summary
A “stalwart modern British venue in Bushey High Street, in the otherwise culinary wastelands of Watford”, whose “very good, straightforward” cuisine makes it something of a “local gem” – another plus being the warm welcome from “affable” proprietor Alonso.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at St James?
30 High St, Bushey, WD23 3HL
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £19.50 | £21.50 |  |
 |
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 50.00 | Always available | 7 |
Traditional European menu
| Pudding |
|---|
| £0.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £15.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
30 High St, Bushey, WD23 3HL
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2 pm |
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