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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