Picture this: you’re taking the first bite of your meal, which looks and smells delicious. As that first morsel hits your lips, you feel yourself slipping away into a realm of pure bliss. A smile spreads across your face, and you can’t wait to dive back into your plate. That’s how I felt my first time dining at Santa Monica hot spot, Jonah’s Kitchen + Bar.
Chef Jonah Johnson
Founded by Chef Jonah Johnson in 2021, Jonah’s Kitchen is an accumulation of Chef Jonah’s global travels and the unique culinary landscape of his hometown of Los Angeles. Combining Latin, Caribbean, and Asian flavors, Jonah’s Kitchen offers everything from sashimi-grade fish to carefully sourced meats, all cooked on a Santa Maria grill to provide a bold dining experience.
As a private chef to some of Hollywood’s biggest stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, and Scott Eastwood (all of whom frequent the restaurant!), Jonah Johnson has traveled the world and enjoyed an array of unique culinary techniques, ingredients, and dining experiences which he has incorporated into the menus at Jonah’s Kitchen.
A Tantalizing Globally-Inspired Diverse Menu
Dining at Jonah’s is like booking a trip around the world. With items like the gooey Truffle Lobster Mac, robust Lomo Saltado, tender K-Town Chicken, simple yet delicious Grilled Spanish Octopus, and tangy Mediterranean Salad, there is something for everyone and every palate.
Aside from fresh ingredients and specially curated recipes, what makes the food at Jonah’s Kitchen so succulent? The secret is the almond wood, used on the Santa Maria grill. Unlike other woods that overpower the taste of the food, almond wood cooks seamlessly igniting the food’s natural zest. The result is a meal erupting with flavor, causing your taste buds to dance in delight.
Jonah’s menu is exquisite, but there’s more to the restaurant than the food. The vibe is equally as enticing.
The Vibe
At Jonah’s Kitchen, guests can dine in the main dining room, out back, or at the tiki bar. Those who chose the lively main dining room are surrounded by lush greenery while watching their food being cooked on the Santa Maria grill. Those who dine out back like we did, can enjoy a romantic candlelit meal under the stars. The sexy open-air space has hanging lights, eye-catching artwork, and a beautiful olive tree. The tiki bar is also out back and is perfect for lounging with cocktails. No matter where you sit, the vibe is warm and inviting with a splash of rustic chic.
And I can’t forget to mention that you never know who you might see at this hot spot. There were not one but two celebs dining while we were there. And from what I saw, they too cleaned their plates.
Weekly Programming
In addition to dinner, Jonah’s Kitchen is quickly becoming a Santa Monica staple with its weekly programming including the below, (with more coming soon):
- Happy Hour (Mondays – Fridays, 5 – 6:00 pm)
- 50% off wine bottles on Mondays
- Taco Tuesdays with live DJ entertainment
- $1 Oysters on Wednesdays
- Reverse Happy Hour (Thursdays – Saturdays, 10:30 pm – close)
Bottom Line
Jonah’s Kitchen is a culinary gem that perfectly captures the essence of California’s vibrant and diverse food scene, making it a must-visit destination, and your new favorite hot spot. Bon appétit!
$30+; Mondays – Saturdays, 5:00 pm – 12:00 am; 2518 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403; 310.471.9200
