CLEVELAND — Intro, the new nine-story apartment complex across the street from the West Side Market, welcomed its newest retail establishment Wednesday. Joining Edda Coffee Roasters and Pioneer sports bar, both of which opened this summer, is Jaja, located up on the second level.
Unlike Pioneer below, which can accommodate big crowds, Jaja was designed from the ground up to be intimate but buzzy, seating just 75 guests indoors. When diners exit the elevator on the second level, they are immersed in a drama-filled space that transports guests to a completely different environment. In addition to amazing views of the West Side Market and the city skyline, the restaurant features a fully retractable glass roof.
“It really adds to the dynamic of the room – and obviously tons of light and fresh air at night when the weather permits,” says president of hospitality Dan Whalen.
Whalen describes the concept as a shared-plate steakhouse with Latin American and Mediterranean influences. Many of the menu items are prepared over a real wood fire in the roomy kitchens of Pioneer.
“That really was kind of the genesis of how our menu started,” he explains. “It’s an Argentinian-style grill, and all the cooking that's hot comes off that grill. A lot of the prep for even our cold dishes happens on that grill."
Everything is built for sharing, from starters like warm spiced olives, burrata with charred bread, and smoked eggplant spread with yogurt on up to a 44-ounce dry-aged tomahawk. In between are plenty of vegetarian, pasta and seafood dishes to satisfy everyone in the group. The stars of the menu might be the parilladas, large mixed platters devoted either to seafood or grilled meats. Each features a variety of items served with plenty of accompaniments and grilled bread.
"So this is our seafood parillada and we’ve got some scallops here, pan-seared, charred, head-on prawns, which are a little different than most Clevelanders are probably used to having,” notes Whalen. “Our oysters here and then a whole split lobster. This is our 40-ounce porterhouse, cooked medium-rare. Nice sprinkle of sea salt on top."
To drink, there is an amazing wine list, stellar cocktails, and a few draft beers.
Whalen says that the dimensions, décor, and service at Jaja are intended to feel higher end while fostering a casual, comfortable, and carefree dining experience.
“We want to provide really high-end service along with this, but not stuffy right?” he says. “You don't see tablecloths, you're not going to walk into the quietest restaurant you've ever been in. There's going to be some music. The room hopefully transports people somewhere else, and that's what we want to the experience to be.”
Jaja will serve dinner every night but Monday and Sunday brunch. To look at the full menu and try and snag a reservation, click here. Just note that for opening weekend, most reservations are already taken.
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