JiRaffe
502 Santa Monica Blvd. (5th St.)
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Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-917-6671 | Make Restaurant Reservations
Cuisine
Open
Dinner nightlyFeatures
- Heart-healthy dishes
- Private room(s)
- Full bar
- Reservations required
- Valet parking
- Casual
* Click here for rating key
Thanks to the dedication of chef-owner Raphael Lunetta, JiRaffe has established itself as a serious dining destination without any unnecessary pretensions. Lunetta, a meticulous artisan, shops at local farmers' markets and picks the best he can find---often at a price, of course. Specials incorporate the ingredients he has discovered that very day, and his menu evolves seamlessly with the seasons. We see in his cuisine a strong foundation in classical French technique, but he also incorporates a diversity of influences---from Asia to South America---all the while respecting the seasonality of local ingredients. Signature dishes include a caramelized pork chop with wild rice, smoked bacon, apple chutney and a cider sauce; New Zealand rack of lamb with a curried vegetable moussaka, jasmine rice and thyme-scented lamb jus; and the terrific crispy-skinned salmon with parsnip purée and sweet balsamic nage. Among the favored appetizers, the roasted beet salad is still going strong, as well as the slow-roasted organic tomato tart with balsamic onion confit and mozzarella with a garlic emulsion. We find that the wine list is well-conceived but lacking in value. Service is swift, efficient and friendly. The two-level restaurant, with generous windows and white linen-clad tables, has the comfortable feel of a modern-day bistro.
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RESTAURANT AWARDS
Just published! Our annual restaurant issue features the Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S., including Spago Beverly Hills, Providence, Urasawa and more!
DINING ON A BUDGET
Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area. Also, check out our picks for the Top 40 Cheap Eats in the U.S.












Thanks to the dedication of chef-owner Raphael Lunetta, JiRaffe has established itself as a serious dining destination without any unnecessary pretensions. Lunetta, a meticulous artisan, shops at local farmers' markets and picks the best he can find---often at a price, of course. Specials incorporate the ingredients he has discovered that very day, and his menu evolves seamlessly with the seasons. We see in his cuisine a strong foundation in classical French technique, but he also incorporates a diversity of influences---from Asia to South America---all the while respecting the seasonality of local ingredients. Signature dishes include a caramelized pork chop with wild rice, smoked bacon, apple chutney and a cider sauce; New Zealand rack of lamb with a curried vegetable moussaka, jasmine rice and thyme-scented lamb jus; and the terrific crispy-skinned salmon with parsnip purée and sweet balsamic nage. Among the favored appetizers, the roasted beet salad is still going strong, as well as the slow-roasted organic tomato tart with balsamic onion confit and mozzarella with a garlic emulsion. We find that the wine list is well-conceived but lacking in value. Service is swift, efficient and friendly. The two-level restaurant, with generous windows and white linen-clad tables, has the comfortable feel of a modern-day bistro.



