Don't order the Chia pet, I mean Harissa squash!! If you do decide to try it l, order it as your first meal, so you won't be disappointed at the end - like we were. Otherwise a very unique, wonderfully crafted food and drink experience! Can't wait to return. Staff super friendly - atmosphere on point! read more

Jaja had been on my list of places to try before their initial closing, so I was sad I never got the chance to go. When I saw the teasers that they were coming back I was excited for the opportunity and jumped on a reservation as soon as they were available. I'm happy to report the experience didn't disappoint! The atmosphere, food, and service were all awesome! Our server Anthony was warm, knowledgeable, and happy to answer questions we had regarding menu items. Their menu is meant to share and that's exactly what my friend and I did. My bestie is pescatarian so we went towards veggie and fish items. To start we got the chips and caviar. The house made chips were yummy and seasoned and somehow with the dip weren't too salty. I think having them with a cocktail is good choice. For mains we landed the red snapper, which was cooked to perfection, the skin was so crispy. We also had the squash rigatoni which was so good, amazing flavors and textures. We were pretty satisfied at that point and knew we wanted to dessert, so we stopped there and got the pistachio tres leches, which was also yummy. Jaja would make a great date night or just a cute meet up with friends. I look forward to visiting again. read more

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From the moment you walked into the lobby to the perfectly curated lighting and wait for it..retractable roof! I.cant.wait to visit in the summer. The staff was beyond kind and knowledgeable. They were well prepared, could answer any question about the menu, and didn't miss a beat. My favorite part of my service was the damp cloth cleaning of our table post-meal. I'm not one to dine at many upscale places but my two gals do and I left the ordering up to them! We shared chips and caviar, scallop crudo, milk bread rolls, basque mushrooms, grilled Spanish octopus, and campanelle. Finished the night with basque cheesecake and pistachio tres leches read more

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Beautiful rooftop that opens when it's nice and warm like today! Tons of natural light. Comfy chairs! Pretty expensive but unique and very flavorful food here. ~$18 cocktails. Delicious milk bread rolls with sherry sauce and butter. The octopus appetizer was tasty with a nice mix of textures from the blistered tomatoes and little crispy potato chip like slices. The red snapper was beautifully played with a tomato consommé poured atop table side. The cocktails are unique and delicious too! Get the smashed potatoes to share- crispy yet soft spots, tons of sauce and flavor. Must try downtown. Valet is only $12! read more

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I'd give this place 1000/10 stars . Amazing customer service and experience from start to finish! Upon arriving you're greeted by the amazing hostess who guides you to the elevator to the restaurant. Upon entering the restaurant I was seated immediately. Our server was Michael and he was amazing. While waiting on the rest of my party he made sure I had beverages. The ambiance was amazing. We were seated by the window so we had an amazing view of the city. Now on to the food. We ordered the snapper which was crisp to perfection. The rigatoni is to die for. And the chips and escargot is chefs kiss . And dessert was the pistachio tres leches the best dessert I've ever had. For drinks we had the featured house bourbon drink and the spicy tequila drink. If you're interested in JaJa just do it! You won't be disappointed. read more

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I came here for my birthday last year and had an amazing time. The decor inside and the elevator up and the ceiling and wallpaper are just stunning. One thing though, the entrance is so underwhelming that it was hard to find. I walked past it twice and had to ask someone where the heck it was. I have gripes about hidden, hard to find entrances and tiny lobbies/entrances. But having the elevator take you up to the actual restaurant was literally on another level. The menu had a lot to choose from but the prices were just too high for the small portions and value of the dishes. Our server was very chatty and friendly but in the end, the octopus he highly recommended was too acidic and the puree was too bland. It was seared fine but I would have combined way different flavors. We needed 3 dishes to even be close to full. They don't do anything for birthdays (the 2 candles were free, lol) but of course my BF splurged for the dessert which was pretty good but I remember the dryness of the granola kind of getting in the way of an otherwise soft pie in a cup. I would absolutely come back again for a special occasion and come not too hungry, haha (or should I say jaja?). read more

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Food was excellent, service top notch, (thanks Jacob) setting is lovely and conducive to enjoying the meal. Mushroom dish was amazing. Pasta very tasty. read more

Outstanding service, atmosphere, and drinks! Our server was very nice and knowledgeable about all of the dishes and drinks. The new decor is such a good vibe and relaxing. My friends and I were bummed about some of the food. The scallop crudo and beef tartar were overpowered by a TON of raw garlic and cumin. The octopus was tasty but very overcooked and tough to cut. The squash, you could tell, was boiled because it was watery and didn't have much flavor besides cumin. Presentation for all the dishes was great, flavor just didn't hit. We did LOVE the carrots and milk buns. We are hoping the menu gets tweaked a bit because it was otherwise a great experience. read more

Brunch is FIRE here. Sure it's a bit pricey but they don't give you just basic cheap foods like pancakes and bacon and eggs. They have pork belly, fancy pastries, steak, etc. The fried chicken was super flavorful, juicy, spicy, and crispy. Bomb. Can't wait to come back for another fancy brunch soon. read more

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Jaja is a perfect spot for an intimate dinner for a date and it's also a great restaurant to come hangout with friends or family. I visited for the first time in mid-March 2024 with some of my friends. We came to celebrate a friend's birthday (a late celebration). I already can't wait to return again. AMBIANCE -- I love the decor inside -- the sofas, cute little lambs, and flowers on the ceiling really elevates a dinner experience. Lighting is somewhat dim but nice. SERVICE -- Fantastic. Once we all entered from the elevator in the lobby, we were greeted and seated towards the back area. I believe a friend made reservations for us 5. The complimentary drink was a nice touch to the overall great service. DRINKS -- Before our food came out, we were given a complimentary drink called kava which to me tasted similar to a white wine. I hardly drink alcohol so I don't know what kava is. I did glace at the cocktail menu because most of my friends got a drink and Jaja certainly has a great selection of cocktails. DINNER -- There are lots of options to choose from on their menu. I had their LAMB ALBONDIGAS ($20) which comes with 5 thick pieces of lamb meatballs in a bed of cucumber yogurt with lemon parsley oil drizzled over the yogurt. The lamb and 'nduja sausage meatballs were absolutely delicious and I was so full after eating it. The meatballs were topped with a tiny piece of red pepper. The cucumber yogurt had a nice refreshing taste which complimented well with the meatballs. While I thought that there was too much yogurt in the dish, it brought a nice cool flavour to the whole dish. All my friends enjoyed their food too. I think my friend Sabrina got the LAMB LOLLIPOPS SCOTTADITO ($36) which come with four grilled lamb ribs, english pea purée, smoked yogurt, cherry mostarda, mint oil. It looked so tasty that I should have asked to try a piece. My friend Leslie ordered the 12OZ RED SNAPPER ($45) which is a fish dish in a bed of peppers/salsa. While I've just described alot of meat, for the vegetarians, I did notice some appetiser dishes in the cool and warm menu such as the PERI-PERI CAULIFLOWER BOUQUET ($13), POTATO DA DELFINA ($10) - "thinly-shaved potatoes, layered and crisped, tossed with chipotle butter", BUTTERNUT SQUASH HUMMUS ($14) which is made out of chickpeas, and so much more. We ended dinner with the birthday lady enjoying a CHEESECAKE($14) which I tried about 2 bites from without getting the cream and it was yummy but a bit too sweet for me. I recommend Jaja for dinner and I can't wait to try some dishes from their brunch menu. **** GOAL of 150 reviews in 2024 - 19/150 total reviews in 2024 - 669 total overall Yelp reviews - Reviewed on 15 April 2024 read more

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Jaja is gorgeous, you take the elevator to the second floor and you step into a lush tropical botanical garden space with a ceiling of windows and soft mauve seating. The menu is set up for sharing and divided into cool, warm, meat, grilled fish, etc. and they suggested 4-5 plates for our party of two. Our server told us that each dish would be brought out when it was ready, not necessarily all at once. We started with butternut squash hummus (cool) which was sweet and a little bland (needed salt), although when we ate it with the charred naan, that livened it up. We enjoyed the chanterelle mushrooms with polenta (recommended by our server) from the warm section and it was creamy and the mushrooms were earthy and chewy. The lemon zest added a nice bright touch. The Brussels agrodolce were perfectly roasted, tender, lightly sweet and charred. Up to this point the dishes were nicely paced but here's where the fault in the menu setup shows. We didn't want to entirely finish these dishes as we were waiting for the wagyu. So the warm dishes started to get cold and after about 10 minutes we asked the server about the steak. She came back with some complimentary cava and said since we ordered medium, it was still in process. After another ten minutes she dropped off the wagyu and we could immediately see it was cooked well. We told her it was cooked well, not medium and she was cavalier about it, asked if we wanted it redone. At this point, we didn't want to wait another 20 minutes so we declined. This kinda killed the mood for dessert. Overall, Jaja is a gorgeous setting, and we enjoyed our dishes. If the steak had been cooked correctly this would have been 5 stars. Instead 3.5 stars. read more

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An evening at Jaja is like a fake luxury handbag - sure it looks great at first but over time the true quality reveals itself and you're left wondering why you paid so much. The great - Jaja is beautifully decorated with tasteful wallpaper, fun lamps and enough plush seating to fill more than a couple of living rooms. If you want a hit of the extremely strong vibe, see the attached photo of a silly king sloth. The solid - Jaja has some creative cocktails on offer and a varied wine list (expect to drop upwards of $60 if you want a bottle). The wait staff are efficient and attentive. Our dinner started with a complimentary shot of sparkling wine which was a nice touch. The less than impressive - Overall, my date & I agreed that Jaja's food left a lot to be desired. We ordered mostly vegetable plates along with the lobster and skipped the expensive steaks. Steaks are definitely a featured item on the menu, so maybe we missed out. The food we ate had strong, unsubtle flavors that lacked the complexity I expect from a quality kitchen. The lobster was a small portion of somewhat chewy meat piled atop a garlicky cauliflower puree. Worst were the brussel sprouts which came late to the table and were an overly sweet, soggy mess. I'd be happy to come back to Jaja for a cocktail at the bar but I doubt I'll return for an expensive dinner. read more

Jaja - Wallpaper! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Came to Jaja for an anniversary dinner and it was absolutely wonderful! From the service to the ambience, everything was great. Our server Derek was super attentive without being overbearing, and gave lovely recommendations when we said it was our first time. The food and drinks were all delicious. The food is small plates and meant to be shared. My favorite by far was the smoked eggplant spread with charred bread; absolutely scrumptious! The prosciutto wrapped dates were also so special and tasty. For dessert we ordered Creme brûlée, which came out with a little commemorative chocolate plaque and candle because we said it was our anniversary :,) My only gripe from our night was their music choice; they were playing pop hits which I felt like did not match the classy vibe of the restaurant. Overall, wonderful dining experience and would highly recommend for a special occasion or an upscale date night. read more

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jaja is a great restaurant! I've been for brunch 3-4 times and once for dinner. I love the decor and the "vibe" - it's a unique location. The brunch buffet is fulfilling and the options are plentiful; I believe it's worth the price point. Definitely make reservations and for brunch, I would suggest selecting an earlier time in the day. If you go after 1:00pm, your buffet options might be limited. The service has always been great and the staff members are responsive/friendly. The additional patio/bar space that was recently added is a plus! Looking forward to hanging out their at some point this summer. read more

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JAJA more like JAW DROPPED! Step into a hidden oasis . Jaja (pronounced as such, not yaya) is an unexpected treat in an otherwise dull-looking neighborhood. ambiance: 4/5: tropical-themed decor with quite a large selection of taxidermy animals. Think rainforest cafe but classy. If you've ever been to Eataly in NYC, there is quite a resemblance with the branchy ceiling. food & drinks 5/5: Mediterranean style bites with a modern twist. Cocktails were delicious and everything was affordable. service 4/5: wait staff was friendly and quick, very attentive but not breathing on your shoulder. They offered us a glass of free champagne because we said it was our anniversary. quick tips: - sit indoors (not the patio) if ur coming for aesthetics - come for the cocktails read more

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This place is a lot of fun and walks the line between casual and fine dining. It offers shareable plates that are familiar yet slightly elevated. The service is very good (perhaps a bit too hovering in some cases), and our server suggested we order four plates. We really could have/should have only ordered three (plus dessert). Everything was delicious except the lobster, though tasty, was very rubbery. I would avoid that dish. On the other hand, the sea bass was excellent. Your GPS may tell you the wrong building. It's a bit of a strange intersection, so we had to drive around the block a couple of times. I'd recommend using valet parking ($10) rather than wasting time looking for street parking. read more

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Jaja has been on my list to visit since it opened. The photos and ambience looked great! I was finally able to make it down and made a reservation ahead of time which went through smoothly. We were placed in an area that I requested. The waiter came by and asked if we wanted complimentary wine. When I said no, he repeated himself in a rude tone saying "you DON'T want any complimentary wine?", allusive to the fact that not every person in the world drinks alcohol. It was inappropriate and rubbed me the wrong way for the rest of the night. Just because something is free, does not mean that the customer will accept it and you need to be accepting of the fact. We ordered appetizers only as I wasn't comfortable eating a main meal here at this point. The burrata was bland and lacked flavor. The lamb chops were extremely small in portion for a $36 appetizer, and tasted ok. You're paying for the ambiance. In my opinion, it isn't worth it as the service and food did not make anything worthy of returning. Additionally, this was for a birthday and it didn't seem like they do anything for birthdays as nothing was noted. I hope the staff is able to rethink their mindset when approaching strangers from all walks of life and hope the food can improve in taste and/or portion size. read more

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Got a brunch reservation with some friends at Jaja and was very impressed! The food, the drinks, the vibes, all amazing. You walk into the front door and are greeted by a hostess in a very bird themed entry room. You enter an elevator to the top floor, where you walk out into an amazingly well lit dining room (featuring even more taxidermied birds) with a large glass ceiling, some trellised faux plants, and cute velvet furniture. We started off with a delicious mezcal coffee cocktail (Carajillo de Jaja). It had nice coffee notes, perfect for brunch, with a sweet and salty side to it. A really nice start to brunch. I also enjoyed my mimosa, with some more nuanced citrus juices that packed a more special punch than your typical OJ. For my main, I had the crab benedict. The crab was cooked perfectly, very tender with fresh crab flavor. The eggs were poached well with a nice runny yolk, and a rich spiced hollandaise that tied the dish together nicely. The salad offered a balanced brightness to the dish. I'm not much of a sweet brunch kind of guy, but my friends and I agreed the french toast was only fine. A little tough, and maybe nothing special. I also tried a bite of my friends umami omelet, which was packed with mushrooms and was really nice. The prices for brunch here are pretty standard for a nice brunch, making it an accessible way to see Jaja compared to their more pricey dinner menu. Which looks amazing, by the way. Overall, this is a slam dunk brunch spot to take someone you want to impress or just vibe out with some friends. I'm excited to return for brunch again! read more

Jaja - Carajillo de jaja - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Came in on a recent weekend night, to celebrate my wife's birthday...and it was a real treat! The weather was gorgeous, so the retractable rooftop was fully open and it was a lovely evening. The entryway at street level is easily overlooked on the corner it resides, so keep your eyes peeled! You enter into this uber-interesting small-ish lobby and a host greets you before sending you on your way in the secret (not really that secret! Ha!) elevator up to the bar and dining areas. We settled in to our seats and before we placed an order for a round of drinks they served each of us a complimentary glass of cava to kick off the evening right! The atmosphere is lively, friendly and bustling with activity. Each drink came in a uniquely shaped glass and was a delicious concoction. Here, you are encouraged to sample lots of plates and have the meal served "family style" which is our preferred way to dine out wherever we go, so that made ordering for the table quite simple. We landed on a slew of appetizer-style plate plus a fish dish and a steak dish. Our served said she'd do her best to pace out the meal, to make it consist of several courses., which she did. After our cocktails, the first meal course consisted of the burrata with lemon candy and the smoked eggplant spread with labneh. My wife simply died for the burrata and it was her clear favorite of all the items we ate that evening. The luxurious orb sat atop a moat of arugula-based pesto peppered in with figs and candied lemon slices. The warm, charred naan-style bread it was served with became a never ending vehicle for consuming bite after bite of this scrumptious preparation. Similarly, the eggplant spread was expertly crafted with eggplant, roasted tomatoes, labneh, chili oil and a dash of lemon. This dip was also consumed using the same charred bread as the burrata. Next came a singly-plated course...the prosciutto-wrapped dates filled with goat cheese and dripping with honey. OMG, this dish just blew me away with its salty, tangy, spicy, sweet flavor combinations. Our last course consisted of the two meaty selections plus an order of grilled zucchini spears (served in an almost elote style prep). The claws of cauliflower dish came with large chunks of fresh ,sweet lobster atop a puree of the veg along with some paprika oil. It was unctuous, but honestly could have been a little heavier seasoned. The picanha steak was served slice-cut making it easy to share around the table, and came with both a chimichurri and tomato-based dipping sauces (the chimichurri was the table favorite). With all that delicious food, we left little room for dessert, so we'll have to save that for another visit. Overall, I'd say our group enjoyed the appetizer-style dishes way more than the mains (i.e., meat dishes), and the menu appeared to have enough choice to make return trips worth exploring. read more

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Jaja was a wonderful experience! I went last month for my birthday and our server Liam was WONDERFUL!!! He explained everything on the menu for us and answered all of our questions! When we first sat down we got a complimentary glass of champagne! We decided to order the Mariscos platter, with olives as our appetizer! The olives come warmed and they are SO DELICIOUS! The seafood platter was also amazing! It came out at the perfect time! My favorite part of the whole platter were the prawns, they came with a delicious sauce on the top! The scallops, oysters, and lobster tails were also to die for!! The platter comes with four different sauces - Chimichurri, spiced butter, plain butter, and a jalapeños salsa! Its so fun to mix and match the sauces with the seafood! To top it all off I did get a dessert (no it wasn't free for my birthday, which I expected because this is a very nice place) but our server did put a candle in it for me! We had a great dinner and a wonderful night/experience with our server Liam!! He truly was amazing and made my birthday dinner one to remember! read more

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WOW! What an incredible dining experience! Jaja is a stunning restaurant for its decor, design, plates, and drinks. Every detail is obviously thoughtfully curated. I came here with my fiancé and another couple on a busy Saturday. Make sure to have a reservation! They do offer valet and you can pay for it right on your bill. The menu is all shareable plates - with lots of flavor profile and size options. There's no appetizer/entree split, everything comes out when it's ready! Service is fast so I suggest ordering in batches so you never have too much food at the table. The burrata was delicious! A very unique take on burrata, sitting on a bed of pesto and the lemon candy was dynamite. This was a must get. The Brussels agrodolce were good not great. I love Brussels, and these had a nice flavor but I felt we're not quite crispy enough. Not a must get but yummy. The tuna belly crudo was tied for my fave dish with the burrata. It's served w/ sliced mango, chilies, and a citrus "gel" that you'll def want to dip in. It's sweet, SPICY, and fresh. I say a must get. Prosciutto wrapped dates were the table favorite. They're stuffed w/ goat cheese and topped w/ honey. I mean come on! You gotta get these. The pork belly asada was good but I think I just prefer more Asian style pork belly. It was good, pork was tender, and I loved all the toppings, but not a must get. The fresh cucumber salad was not great, probably the only sure miss that we ordered. Nobody liked it and we didn't finish it. It's very watery and just a weird texture. Skip. We also all had cocktails - they have a large and inventive cocktail list so you're sure to find something. We all tried each others and the stand out was She Only Wears Green. If you like gin, get this! I got the Papa Doble which was just the right amount of sweet and tart. Our friend got the El Beso de Fuego which we all hated - it's sort of like drinking Sharpie ha, you can skip it. There is also a beautiful patio for when it gets warmer and the roof opens up! Overall, we had a great time at Jaja and it's definitely a new Cleveland favorite!! read more

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Truly doesn't feel like you are in Cleveland when you step into JaJa!! They spared no expense when decorating the space. You took the elevator up and were welcomed by the staff when you walked in. We were offered complimentary cava when we sat down (amazing touch). Our waiter was amazing and walked us through the whole drink & food menu. There were 4 of us, and we ended up splitting multiples items from the menu. The cocktails were sooo good. I can't wait to try out their brunch next time I come back! read more

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Wonderful spot on Ohio city! It's a small space but very cozy. Definitely make a reservation! We had to make ours a few weeks in advance for a Saturday night. Started off with complimentary champagne which was a nice touch and some delicious cocktails! I tried the she only wears green, and it was subtly sweet and refreshing. The food is served tapas style with the dishes ranging in size. The menu is vegetarian friendly. We tried the eggplant dip, leeks and paparadelle. The eggplant dip with the charred bread was probably my favorite dish but everything was tasty and enough food between 3 people. I though the paparadelle could have used some more mushroom flavor, but overall was tasty. The staff was friendly and helpful about menu items. A little pricey but a great spot for a special occasion/dinner. I will def be back to try brunch! read more

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Went to Jaja Let me pause and say, fellas this is a great spot to take a lady for drinks. The rooftop bar is a whole vibe. Especially on a breezy day. The drinks were great I didn't like the whole bird. It was over charred and it lacked salt and flavoring. Once I added salt the chicken was decent. I'd still come back. My friends loved their dishes read more

Jaja - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Love the vibe here and the food truly is to die for delicious! I can't wait to come back and try the regular menu. Dined here with two girlfriends for brunch Sunday and our service was great. They need to figure out the music though...it was really a bizarre playlist for the crowd/time of day. Other than that the assortment of food at the brunch buffet was great. The chicken and waffles, eggplant hummus and fresh naan and shrimp were my three favorite dishes. The kale salad with Dijon dressing was amazing as well. They ran out of a few things and since we were dining toward the end of brunch it looked like they didn't plan to refill the buffet and we had to ask for a few items to be brought out, which was a little frustrating because when you pay so much for a meal you'd think they would have everything they advertise available but we ended up full and happy! I'll be back. read more

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Finally made it to jaja for their new brunch buffet and I must say, it is definitely worth the ticket price. I came for brunch exactly one year ago when it was just a normal menu, but they've since switched to a $45 all you can eat buffet. Obviously this place is a stunner as far as decor and instagram-worthy backdrops. Jaja is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful restaurants in Cleveland and I find myself slightly mystified everytime I visit. I've actually only ever sat at the bar, so I don't think I've really gotten the full affect of the Parisian aesthetic. One day. We called on the way there and I was pleasantly surprised (but also very grateful) ) to find that they had open seats at the bar at 11:00 am on a holiday weekend. The buffet is small but nicely laid out. It didn't feel like a typical buffet that looks picked over and refilled with subpar, mass produced food. Most items were placed on platters and in bowls, with each new platter looking just as appetizing as the last. Some of my favorite items were the potatoes, the eggplant dip with grilled naan, and the chicken and waffles. The waffles weren't soft, but more like that hard, sugar chunk style. The chicken was breaded tenders in some sort of asian inspired sauce. The mini pancakes were so cute and pillowy. My favorite items were the french toast and the prime rib at the carving station. The French toast was the perfect level of soft without being soggy. The gentleman at the prime rib station was amazing. Super funny and great at carving nice pieces of the meat. The prime rib was well-season and the chimichurri sauce added a delicious amount of oil to the meat. My only gripe is that there were a few menu items missing. I was definitely looking forward to the crabcakes and shakshuka. But they were subbed out with other items like a this delicious dinosaur kale salad. The drinks at jaja are always amazing. They use fresh juices and mixers, and you can definitely tell the difference. They only have a few speciality drinks on the brunch menu but they've perfected them. I don't recall our bartenders name, but watching her mix up the same 4 drinks was mesmerizing. Overall, I would definitely return, especially for the brunch buffet. jaja just does it right and really delivers a good experience. The shift to this buffet instead of a traditional brunch was good. Now, I feel like I'd return not only for the vibes and drinks, but the food as well. read more

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In one word, otherworldly. This was an experience from the wallpaper to the service, everything was appealing to each of the senses. Especially liked the retractable roof that provides a rooftop feel in the summer months! Our server and bartender was Jackie (sorry if I misspelled). She was lovely, knowledgeable, fun, attentive and makes one of the best nonalcoholic beverages I've ever tasted! This is a place you definitely have to savor, take your time and be fully present as there is so much to take in. We will return. Highly recommend! read more

Jaja - Nameless nonalcoholic on the left and She Only Wears Green on the right!!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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The ambiance is unbeatable, with the a cool, very Chicago vibe. The service is excellent! They give you complementary champagne on arrival FOOD: -5/5 the torched oysters are so yummy and juicy! Amazing flavors, and very quality oysters -4/5 the steak was cooked ok, albeit slightly uneven cooking with some parts pretty medium. I would personally like the sear to be more crispy on the surface, but the side Chimichurri and grilled corn salsa def make the dish. For the price (57$) it didn't feel as worth it -5/5!! Pork belly was phenomenal and so well priced ($16)! All in all would come back for a special occasion. they are pretty strict about reservations so GET ONE LOL. I literally had to make a normal 6:45 dinner res on a Friday like... 2 months out. read more

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Jaja is so freaking beautiful!! I literally just wanted to look at and take pictures of everything! I think it would be really nice to go during sunset since the roof is basically glass, so if I go again, I would definitely strive to get a reservation for around then (especially since there isn't that much lighting, which helps create the mood but can be kind of hard on the eyes). It's also kind of loud inside since there isn't that much space, but that can't really be helped. When we were seated, the waiter brought us some complimentary wine which was delicious! We ended up ordering: Charred house bread - this was super good but not what I expected. I thought we would get like a loaf of bread with butter but it was more like naan. No complaints here though, I really liked it. It was warm and chewy and a perfect starter. Pork Belly - I think this was my favorite thing we ordered. The pork was super tender and that corn chimi was really refreshing. Prosciutto wrapped dates - I think this had the potential to be my favorite. Because it was also really good but I wish they either wrapped it in more meat or filled it with more goat cheese to balance out the sweetness of the dates. It ended up being a little too sweet for my taste but then again, I don't have the biggest sweet tooth. Marrow bones - Bone marrow just seems really fancy and delicious but these were nothing special. And the bread it came with was low-key burnt so I didn't care much for this dish. Overall, I really enjoyed eating here and it's a great place to take pictures. But it's a little too expensive for what I think it's worth, and it's a little too loud to do good quality catching up with others. read more

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Went to Jaja to celebrate Valentine's Day. The ambiance is amazing, very intimate feel to it. Romantic. We were sat at a table next to the window. The table was somewhat uncomfortable as it was really low to the ground. Service was a bit slower than we would've liked. Took a bit to get our drink order in. Thankfully the food arrived quickly and everything was delicious. Started with pork belly and raviolo. Both were fantastic. The pork belly was very tender and paired well with the frozen orange. I got the snapper and my fiancé got a steak, both delicious. Steak was cooked perfectly. The sauces that came with the steak were very tasty. We got the peanut butter tart and cheesecake along with some cocktails for dessert. Again, everything was very good. But it is on the expensive side so I'll probably save it as a special occasion restaurant. read more

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Jaja is a great new addition for Brunch in Cleveland! When you arrive, you'll be heading into a very small lobby (which can get bottlenecked easily) and taking a small elevator up to the restaurant. While Jaja says they take walk-ins: do NOT bet on this. It is far too popular, centrally located, and everyone makes reservations. We lucked out and had a really cute table that faced the West Side Market against the window. The ambiance of Jaja is truly special - it has fabulous vibes, decor, and a clear identity as a stylish spot. It's romantic and welcoming and at night, I bet it's even more beautiful. I'm also still actively thinking about the sloths on their wallpaper. It's so quirky and fun. For brunch, I had the bloody mary and the crab benedict. Both entirely hit the spot. There is such a thing as a bad bloody mary versus a good bloody mary, and this one was delicious from a skilled bartender. My crab benedict came with the perfect amount of sauce, which was so appreciated as most places don't do this. We had a wonderful brunch that was filled with great drinks, views, and food! Jaja should definitely be a stop on your new restaurant bucket list. read more

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First of all, the ambience at Jaja gets full marks. The tropical wallpaper was reminiscent of White Lotus Season 2's title sequence, plants worked their way into decorating every corner, tassled lampshades set a secretive mood, and the restaurant's bar was complete with a taxidermied peacock. The decor was very unique and unlike anything else in Cleveland, and while the design contributed to the overall hype for the restaurant, it's always fair to give points for ambience. Second: the drinks at Jaja were good. We had the "Wide Sargasso Sea" and the "She Only Wears Green." I didn't find the cocktails particularly strong, but they tasted delicious and went with everything we ordered. The food was mixed - while some of the things we ordered were great, some were outright disappointing. Plates are designed for sharing. Without the ambience, I would probably give Jaja a 3/5 based on the food. The "Smoked Eggplant Spread with labneh" was delicious. There was a ton of flavor in this spread, between the roasted tomato, basil and chili oils, pickled eggplant, and labneh. We had this as an appetizer but ended up trying it with every subsequent dish we ordered and it paired well with most of them. I definitely recommend ordering this as a shared plate or as a snack with drinks. The "Chargrilled Octopus" was not good. It came out room temp (cold) and lacking in the "chargrilled" department. None of the three sauces it was served with were able to elevate the dish. Even if the octopus had come out hot, I don't think this would have been a particularly stellar dish. I would not recommend ordering this. A dish that was just ok was the "Potato da Delfina." The texture was a good balance between creamy and crispy but not flavorful, even with the chipotle butter. We did enjoy this as a vehicle for the eggplant spread or as a side with steak but I probably would not order again. The last dish we ordered was the "Picanha" which was served with a chimichurri and some sort of bell pepper salsa. The chimichurri definitely elevated this plate but the flavor of the pepper sauce was overshadowed by the meat and didn't do much. I can't speak to all of the steaks on the menu, but the picanha was good - not great. I would say it felt overpriced compared to some of the other dishes, and that you could get better steak elsewhere at the same price point. Jaja is a restaurant I would definitely return to and I am interested to see what else the menu has to offer. read more

Jaja - Chargrilled Octopus, Eggplant Spread - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Lovely atmosphere where all of the design elements were considered, even the restrooms. Great cocktails and service that started with a cava toast. Fish and octopus were expertly prepared and nicely plated. Main course portions were on the lighter side but perfect for exploring some of the delicious smaller plates and adding veggie dishes. The mushroom polenta and apple & beet tartare were a delight. read more

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Well it's been 9 months since our first visit to JaJa. Our first visit was in the cold month of November when it gets dark very early. The dark leant a very warm, intimate, sophisticated air to the feel of this establishment as you can see from my photo. Our visit this evening was during the daylight which completely changed the vibe to a more airy, fun, eclectic feel. It was just as wonderful but completely different. This evening the initial experience was very much the same as before. The valet service was efficient. The entry to the establishment was very "speakeasy" like, just as before. Arriving upstairs at the second greeter desk was just as pleasant and efficient as the first visit. But this is where I initially noticed the difference. This time the dining room was well lit by the sun pouring in all the large windows as well as the marvelous glass ceiling. This time it was more like entering a large, airy, garden rather than a warm, cosey, speakeasy. And to add even more fun to the experience; the sliding glass roof was open. So it not only looked like a garden but the beautiful breeze made it feel like it too. The very pleasant young lady that was our server for the evening explained a fully automated system monitors weather conditions and will automatically close the roof if necessary. It turns out this happens so quickly and quietly the roof closed while we were eating and we didn't even notice until quite a while later. Just as was true during our first visit, the service was very pleasant and efficient. Our server, Jasmine, was excellent. She was always there when we needed her but never in the way. The extensive staff of support personnel were quite efficient in their duties and items continually appeared on our table and empty dishes seemed to just vanish. The menu is still very nice with a good selection of dishes to choose from without being overwhelming. I'm sorry I don't have any pics to share, but I was in such a hurry to try every new item as they served it, I just forgot until it was too late. You'll just have to trust me when I say it was all excellent in it's presentation, quality, and marvelous flavors. I must make note of the only negative... which I don't remember being an issue during our first visit. As seems to be the pattern in most dining establishments now days (I really do not know why); the background music was MUCH too loud. It was not "background music". It was definitely "foreground music". And it definitely got in the way of a totally enjoyable evening. However, I repeat what I said at the end of our first visit. JaJa is definitely a place you should have on your list of must sees. Winter is warm, cosey, and intimate. Summer is an open, airy, garden. You choose... or just do both like we did. Enjoy... read more

Ambience in here is a 10000/10 - we have been in during daytime and at night and i think it's beautiful both ways. We sat at the bar with no reservation and were happy with the service. Really nice touches like the hooks under the bar for purses/bags (why do so many restaurants leave this out?!) and lavish decor. The host that checks out in downstairs really makes this place feel exclusive. Their appetizers definitely won't fill you up (that fine) but I didn't see anything I really wanted as an entree - i wonder if/when they'll change their menu. I liked the lemon burrata appetizer more than the carrot one. Drinks were great. read more

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It was ok... wish they had caring staff. Waiter took a while to come. Food was mediocre at best. The atmosphere was pretty nice.

Believe the hype , all of it! I don't mind spending money when the quality matches. Jaja has Argentinian cuisine, so that means a lot of flavor. They do take reservations , but I like to risk it and ended up with a rooftop spot. This was at 9pm, so all the hungry people had cleared out. From the beginning, walking in catching the elevator up the decor is beautiful. The menu is served a la carte, so get enough to share or eat alone. Great portions, but the star of my show was dessert. That fluffy cheesecake, if I wasn't so full I would have ordered 2. But most importantly, the service. Our wait staff Ryan was too good. Who likes great food with wack service? NOBODY! This is a little expensive but I don't mind it. read more

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Cannot recommend Jaja enough. Definitely the best new restaurant in Cle. The ambiance is beautiful and everything we ordered was outstanding. The host was pretty rude to us, but the food and other service made up for it. read more

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I was really looking forward to going to Jaja, as I've had several friends go and give raving reviews. That being said, unfortunately I was not impressed. I'll start with the good. The ambiance was top notch. The host was very kind. I was seated immediately for my reservation. The water was FLOWING, always full, and we received a complimentary small glass of wine. We ordered pork belly and Brussels sprouts as appetizers to share. Both were good- I highly recommend the pork belly. It was cooked very well and the orange granita was excellent on top. I ordered an 8oz waygu filet for $60, which to be honest seemed very cheap for waygu. It arrived plated well and cooked medium rare as asked, but seasoned very minimally. It tasted like a basic filet and was seriously disappointing. Maybe that's my fault for having higher standards for waygu. It was not the typical "melt in your mouth" filet, but more "fleshy" like a standard one you can get anywhere. I asked the waiter if I had ordered the waygu, he said I did, and then proceeded to inform me that the reason it wasn't as buttery was because "it was recently off the truck and therefore warmer, and so it melted down faster than usual". He immediately had an excuse for the quality of the meat, with zero accountability or apologies. He basically stated it wasn't normal, but did nothing about it. Overall very subpar filet and subpar customer service. Would not recommend as a steakhouse, but if you want to get small plates and share then it's fine. read more

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The atmosphere alone here deserves 5 stars, but the bartenders were excellent, drinks were perfect, and we had an appetizer that was some kind of eggplant and roasted tomatoes that I'm still dreaming about! Definitely my new favorite place in Cleveland. Honestly didn't even feel like we were in Ohio. We felt like we were on vacation, it was incredible!! read more

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