So another Friday came and went and we visited James on Main in Hackettstown NJ (surprise).  This time Lisa and

Lisa and Marcy at James on Main

 I had company - our friend Marcy.  As usual we scored the coveted counter seats and had a front row view of Chef Bill and the rest of the team's culinary skills.  That night we enjoyed (plus the usual bottles of red wine):

1) Cheese platter

2) Mussels in a curry lime sauce (or it could have been coconut)

3) Bison ribeye with veggies

4) Sea bass

5) Cheese cake with an apple sauce (it gets hard to remember the later on in the evening we go.

As usual, everything was friggin' outstanding.  Pics below.

Eric

Mussels in coconut and curry sauce

Ribeye Bison

Sea Bass

Cheese cake

Stopped by as usual for a 7PM reservation at the James on Main counter.  Here are some pics from the visit which was awesome as usual.  We had the cheese plate, mussels, two different kinds of soup, grilled veal chop, and cheese burger.   

Eric

Chef Bill from James on Main

Kaela Frenchman at James on Main

Charcuterie Board Cheese Platter James on Main

Cheese burger and Steak fries James on Main

Mushroom special James on Main

Veal chop with veggies James on Main

This is my original post from June 2016 that you will find on Yelp.  I've made James on Main a weekly stop for us - usually Friday nights at the counter.  It seems Chef Bill cooks better when we are seated at the counter 😊😊😊 Since this is really my first restaurant review post here I thought a little rules of the road would be appropriate.  I'll post my original review here and on Yelp.  Subsequent visits will only be here AND Instagram (@pardonmyfrenchnj), Twitter (@pardonmyfrench), and Facebook.

June 29, 2016 Review

I've eaten here twice in the past 2 weeks and James on Main is awesome.  The only complaint I have is that it can be hard to get a reservation so if you don't plan, you probably have little hope to get in.

Delicious Wood Fire Grilled Elk

The food is fresh and the recipes and food combinations are modern.  Last weekend I had their sausage mixed with vegetables in a broth and it was awesome.  As an entree, I had the elk special which was wood grilled and fabulous.  I ordered a side of quinoa and roasted vegetables which I completely enjoyed.  I sat at the counter both times (only spot I could get) and everyone's dish looked awesome.

It's BYOB so that keeps the overall price down.  The staff is super friendly.  Chef Bill is a pleasure to talk with.  He is also meticulous when it comes to making sure every dish  - app or entree, expensive or easy on the wallet, comes out perfectly cooked and perfectly presented on a plate.

Everyone there works hard to put out great food. If you are looking for a place to eat in Western NJ, it should be on your short list but don't think too long because they won't have any tables.

Eric

Lisa and Eric enjoying dinner at the counter where you'll find us most Fridays outside of the summer

Eric and Lisa at James on Main June 2016