June 23, 2008

Home, James!

James Restaurant Opens

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. (Prospect Heights.)

It’s a beautiful day for some neighbors (Deborah Williamson and Bryan Calvert), who — while running an events and catering company — designed a charming restaurant on a tree-lined street.

James, an elegant Modern American dining room opening tomorrow, is an homage to Calvert’s bloodlines (his great granddad was a chef in Harlem).

Pressed tin ceilings, silver bowls of citrus, and a Dutch Lucite chandelier beckon, as does the menu: semolina zucchini blossoms stuffed with peekytoe crab, seared scallops with watercress puree and roasted corn, fava bean ravioli with morel broth and ramps.

Simple desserts round it out: homemade sorbets, ricotta beignets, grilled pound cake. An old-world red helps carry you home.

But you’ll make your way back tomorrow. It’s the neighborly thing.

James, 605 Carlton Avenue, at St. Mark’s Avenue, Prospect Heights (718-942-4255 or jamesrestaurantny.com).