Exile Restaurant @ JAG Hotel

Exile Restaurant 

115 George Street West @ JAG Boutique Hotel, St. John's, NL A1C 0B7                                                Phone: 1-709-738-1524

We recently had the pleasure of dining at Exile Restaurant, located within the very impressive JAG Hotel, on Friday night, and I must say, we were thoroughly delighted by our experience. Hence, I’ve moved Exile to the top of my Top Ten Places To Eat list. First and foremost, the newly added space, including JAG Soundhouse, is a stunning addition that really elevates the atmosphere of the hotel. The decor is beautifully executed, making it a feast for the eyes; we found ourselves wanting to explore every corner of the space. The ambiance is alive with great music and adorned with fascinating artwork, creating a truly unique environment that sets JAG apart from any other property in the province.

Now, let's talk about the food! We started our meal with a beautifully presented Caesar and a well-crafted Margarita—both excellent choices to kick off our culinary journey. We were pleasantly surprised with the delicious bread that tasted just like your grandmother made that our server brought to us with our cocktails. For our starter dishes, we indulged in the Pork Belly coated in soy maple glaze atop cauliflower purée with green onion and house pickle, and the Whipped Goat Cheese Salad....this tasty dish has confit cherry tomatoes marinated with herbs and garlic on whipped goats' cheese with olive oil, redwine vinegar, rosemary roasted pistachio, and arugula and is a five star flavour combo for sure. For our main dishes we chose the 10oz Striploin steak (cooked to perfection), with Bavarian Potato Salad and the Romesco Cod served with Orzo Alla Limone which was also cooked to perfection and starred a perfect crunchy flavour filled Romesco crust on the cod. Each dish was a celebration of flavour and creativity, showcasing the talent of their new Chef, Matt Evely. The rich and diverse flavours invited us to savour every bite and left us eager to return for more.

One particular highlight is Exile Restaurant's non-alcoholic cocktail menu—a thoughtful touch that many guests will surely appreciate, especially those looking to reduce their alcohol intake. The drinks not only look enticing but the ingredients are also sure to please the palate.

Service throughout the evening was impeccable; the staff was attentive and ensured our experience was nothing short of exceptional. Cleanliness and attention to detail were evident in every aspect of the restaurant, adding to the overall enjoyment of our visit.

In conclusion, JAG Hotel and Exile Restaurant offer a remarkable experience that combines fabulous food, captivating atmosphere, and top-notch service. We left feeling inspired and can't wait to return to try more dishes from the menu. I wholeheartedly recommend this gem to anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience in St. John's. We will certainly be back soon for another Bite Size Adventure and to check out a Jag Soundhouse live performance. Check out their website with menus and other details here: https://exilestjohns.com/

Hats off to Chef Matt Evely and the whole Exile team!!