31 situated in st. james 's square behind a dark green canopy that stretched from the front door to the street , the strathmore catered to a relatively small , highly select group of the nobility who preferred to gamble in more luxurious surroundings than the glaringly lit , noisy game rooms at white 's , and to partake of better fare than the tasteless boiled fowl , beef steaks , and apple tarts served at brooks 's and white 's .