Overview
Parisian-style cafe Jardin St James received points for originality when it opened in St. James' Crypt back in 2015. It's the CBD's dreamiest place for a coffee and a pain au chocolat — a seat in the old sandstone church with views of Hyde Park, St Mary's Cathedral and the law courts is about as European as you can get in Sydney.
And it's now the place to go for an aperitif on a Thursday or Friday after work too. JSJ has announced a new evening menu with drinks and nibbles to help wind down at the tail-end of the work week.
Tapping into into that truly French tradition of eating and drinking well, the aperitif menu includes tempura olives with beetroot dip, fromage croquettes with chipotle, a charcuterie board (complete with prosciutto, salami, chicken liver paté, chargrilled vegetables and baguette) and a cheese board (which includes a selection of local and imported cheeses with side condiments).
Don't forget to order a carafe of wine from a strictly French wine list. There's also a small selection of beers, too, including Frenchies' deep red bière de garde Astrolabe. As usual, Jardin St James is open for breakfast and lunch, Monday to Friday.
Jardin St James is now open on Thursdays and Fridays until 8pm at St James Church, 173 King Street, Sydney. For more info, visit jardinstjames.com.