Ohio City's Jaja reopens its doors today, offering Cleveland a fresh dining experience after a car crash necessitated its closure back in 2024. This neighborhood favorite is introducing a brand-new, globally influenced menu emphasizing Mediterranean flavors fused with the essence of Midwestern hospitality, as reported by WKYC.
Following the incident, which led to its unexpected shutdown and the evacuation of nearby apartments, Jaja utilized the closure period to reinvent itself. With strategic collaboration between Harbor Bay Hospitality and Minneapolis-based JJJ Hospitality, a revised identity for the restaurant came to fruition, as documented by Cleveland Magazine. The refreshed culinary approach is dubbed "Med-West," blending Mediterranean and worldwide influences, while keeping a Midwestern touch.
New to the team, Executive Chef Logan Abbe, known for his ingenuity and affinity for Mediterranean cuisine, played a pivotal role in curating the updated fare. The establishment's wood-fired grill, which once stood as a central feature, has been swapped out for gas cooking equipment, marking a significant shift in Jaja's cooking ethos. According to Cleveland Magazine, this modification was a critical step in expanding the menu's diversity and revamping the kitchen's functionality.
The ambiance still offers a touch of the familiar, guests will continue to be taken on the same dramatic elevator ride to reach the lush, rooftop dining space. Some nuanced changes have been made to the interior design, removing visual noise and adjusting color palettes to create a cleaner, more grounded atmosphere. The reworked space also features a new four-seat drink rail that grants a panoramic view of the West Side Market, enhancing the venue's appeal as explained in News 5 Cleveland's reporting.
Diners can expect an interactive experience with the new menu's format, which invites them to snack, share, and feast. Options range from lighter bites like warm olives with labneh to more communal offerings such as campanelle with Moroccan lamb bolognese. This revised approach to dining supports the idea of a flexible, shared meal experience. "We still love the idea of larger format dishes," Jonathan Gans, one of the partners at JJJ Hospitality, told Cleveland Magazine, "The menu is organized into ‘to snack,’ ‘to share’ and ‘to feast.'" Jaja's renewed vision also comprises a refined cocktail program and plans for an indoor-outdoor patio set to open later in spring. The restaurant now operates Tuesday through Saturday, from 5 to 9 p.m., promising a distinctive Cleveland dining destination.
