Jiraffe is
worth a trip
to Santa
Monica for
Valleyites,
especially
for the
Monday Night
Bistro Menu,
a fabulous 3
course prix
fixe for the
bargain
price of
$35. If you
happen to
live in
Santa
Monica,
well, this
place should
be on your
speed dial,
particularly
for making
that Monday
night
reservation,
though any
night you
choose to
dine here is
delightful.
Local
foodies know
and love
Chef/Owner
Raphael
Lunetta, who
was born and
raised in
Santa
Monica, and
is indeed
known for
his surfing
as much as
his food.
Summers
spent in
France lend
influence to
his menu,
and devotees
of his
California
French
cuisine
could not be
happier.
Where ever
you are
seated, the
main dining
room or the
loft, this
beautiful
space
affords
great views
of the
neighborhood,
having two
walls of
windows. The
word is that
the Monday
three-course
menu has
never once
been
repeated,
and though
it features
elements of
the regular
menu, it
really is
special
enough to
maintain the
“Monday
night only”
mystique.
The main
menu itself
changes
often,
featuring
the best of
what is in
season for
produce and
seafood,
leaning
toward
Californian
grown as
much as
possible.
Raphael is
often seen
wandering
his
restaurant,
meeting and
greeting his
customers,
giving this
elegant
bistro a
very homey
neighborhood
feel.
