Are you looking for a delicious Santa Monica restaurant to have dinner at with your significant other or a group of friends? If so, you may want to consider making a reservation at JiRaffe. Located at 502 Santa Monica Boulevard, this eatery offers American cuisine with a French twist.
Owner and chef Raphael Lunetta has always made an effort to integrate local ingredients into his cooking since he opened JiRaffe in 1996. He was born in Santa Monica and grew up vacationing in the South of France where he and his family enjoyed simple but hearty and always delicious dishes. This is where he draws his inspiration from. On any given night, Lunetta can be found in the kitchen of his restaurant whipping up a mouth-watering lamb shank, seafood risotto or caramelized pork chop.
Patrons rave about the Roasted Beet Salad, which is made with organic beets, caramelized walnuts, dried cherries, goat cheese cream and banyuls-ginger vinaigrette, and the Mushroom Ravioli with aged Gouda. If you are in the mood for steak, consider ordering the Black Angus New York Steak for Two. This offering tastes so incredible, however, that you may find yourself wanting more than just half!
You'll have a wide selection of desserts to choose from if you have room after your appetizer and main course. Chocolate lovers are sure to appreciate the Chocolate Truffle Cake crafted with Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream, chocolate and raspberry sauce. Should you prefer something a bit on the tarter side, ask for the Meyer Lemon Souffle with sautéed blackberry sauce and blackberry sorbet.
Just remember that before leaving your Santa Monica vacation rental, you'll want to make a reservation as this eatery tends to get crowded very quickly.