James St’s New Coffee Bar Is A Drool-Worthy Dedication To The Croque Monsieur

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By Dinushka Gunasekara | 13th October 2023

There are many iterations of a sandwich, but arguably none are as decadent or delightful as the croque monsieur. The French take on the ham and cheese literally translates to the gentleman’s sandwich and it’s also the source material for James St’s new coffee bar, sure to take the top spot on your must-visit list.

From the team behind Mitch & Antler comes James & Antler: a hole-in-the-wall joint taking inspiration from European market-style food culture in an ode to the croque sandwich. Slinging a signature sanga filled with smoked ham and egmont cheese, topped with their signature leek cream and manchego cheese, James & Antler have also created contemporary fillings to pad their menu – think wagyu bolognese, cod brandade, creamy cauliflower, and the sweet dolci featuring stewed pineapple and pistachio, topped with macadamia butter and roasted shaved coconut.

Focusing on quality ingredients from 72-hour fermented sourdough to the perfectly fried sunny side up egg, James & Antler’s croques are also joined by baguettes filled with locally produced charcuterie, made-to-order salads such as the classic nicoise with flame-grilled tuna loin, and Hokkaido vanilla soft serve perfect for the summer season. As for drinks, the venue earns its title of ‘coffee bar’ with locally roasted beans from Providore and Co., soft serve-topped frappes, and cold coffee drinks canned on site to order. Grab, go, and gobble it up!