St James Hotel, Sydney

250gm certified Angus Rump steak with mash and jus $9.95

Wow. I'd heard good things about the $10 steaks at the St James hotel, but even this surpasses my expectations.

The Angus rump steak is perfect. It's seared and sealed satisfyingly on the outside. The flesh is juicy, tender and well-rested within. The steak is cooked to medium rare as requested. It is so far removed from the majority of cheap steaks I've eaten. It's even more tender than some $25 steaks I've paid for the privilege of swallowing.

A generous ladle of gravy puddles over a bed of creamy mash. And at the self-serve cutlery station I've helped myself to a saucer of mustard, all three kinds of course - Dijon, hot English and wholegrain, which I slather on generously to each forkful.

"How's your steak?" I ask G-man.

"Mmmm.... goooood," he mumbles in between mouthfuls.

It's not a huge meal though. I had been starving when we entered, and outside it was cold, wet and windy.

G-man says one word.

"Squid?"

I just grin in reply.

Salt and pepper squid $9.95

We share a serving of salt and pepper squid much to the dismay of our colleagues. In typical fashion, they all pinch a piece anyway once it arrives.

The squid is disappointing. I find the batter too thick, creating a soggy clagging taste between the shell and the somewhat rubbery squid. The G-man thinks it's okay but next time I'm sticking with the steak.

Hmm... maybe two.

St James Hotel
114 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
(near corner of Market Street,
opposite David Jones menswear)
Tel: +61 (02) 9261 8277

Monday to Saturday 10am-2am
Sunday 12pm-2am

Related GrabYourFork posts:
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Steak--Prime, Sydney
Steak $5--Forresters, Surry Hills
Steak $5--Slip Inn, Sydney

Steak options
Costa da Sol, Petersham
James Squire Brewhouse, Sydney
La Guillotine, Sydney
Mohr and Mohr, Surry Hills
Not Bread Alone, Crows Nest
Porterhouse, Surry Hills
Post Cafe, Marrickville
Rose of Australia Hotel, Erskineville
Southern Cross Hotel, St Peters
Una's on Broadway, Ultimo

5 Comments:

At 6/21/2007 9:01 am, Anonymous said…

Gravy makes everything delicious! It's true. ;)
At 6/21/2007 1:02 pm, Ali-K said…

Sigh, $5 steaks are something from Sydney that I'm really missing. Melbourne's Parma, whilst very good, just doesn't quite compare to the lottery of the $5 steak...and the excitement when you score a good one.
At 6/22/2007 6:51 am, MissK said…

I work nearby and can confirm the steak if fab,and especially the gravy and mash,add a side of marinated mushrooms as well.
At 6/23/2007 9:21 pm, Lilia said…

Hi, have u try the salt & pepper calamri in a food court? It's in the Food court next to Holiday Inn Haymarket, front of Novotel Rockford. The stall is between Korean stall and Japanese stall. I think it's the perfect one. I like the taste and the soft fresh squid that come with hot red chilli. Its never rubbery and never soggy, the batter is cooked fine. It's refreshing and not too expensive compared to the one in St. James.
At 6/26/2007 9:36 pm, Helen (Grab Your Fork) said…

Hi Stephen - lol. It certainly helps :)

Hi Ali K - No $5 steaks in Melbourne? Eek!

Hi MissK - I'm wondering whether they would let you swap the mash for chips instead? That generous slosh of gravy is just made for dunking! Marinated mushrooms sound good too :)

Hi Lilia - Do you mean Eating World at the top of Dixon Street? I am always on the lookout for some good SPC!