I?m not sure how often the information on this site is updated so I decided to weigh-in on Jer-ne restaurant located at the Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey. According to this site and several others I?ve investigated, Jer-ne serves a rather confusing fusion of East Asian cuisines. Nothing could further from what I saw on the menu last week. \r
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With a new Chef comes change and in Jer-ne?s case the change is extreme and its more than welcome. Chad Minton previously of the Mosaic Bar and Grille in Vancouver British Columbia has put a local, sustainable and all-natural stamp on the simple yet inspired menus at the restaurant. Minton is quoted as describing his cuisine as ?sophisticated not complicated? and that?s evident from the menu?s sparse almost cryptic descriptions to its simple yet delicious combinations.\r
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Take for example the tomato salad dressed in extra virgin olive oil, minus 8 vinegar (it?s a Canadian thing) Buratta Mozzarella, micro basil and course salt. The salad is presented without fuss and I never got the feeling that too many hands were on my food; personally I do not like it when I received a plate that looks like it came with assembly instructions from Ikea. Simple food that tastes great. The black cod was pan fried and served with a creamy corn, braised baby leeks and perfectly roasted baby beets garnished with a beet and truffle mousse. The flavors ?popped? on the palate and worked well together. Again the presentation was refined but not pretentious. Everything worked. Everything including the impressive wine cellar and handsome service I received was top-notch. The young man that served me was one of the better servers I?ve had in Los Angeles, maybe he is a ?server? by trade and not an ?actor? posing as a ?waiter? until his big break comes along??!! All things considered the Jer-ne restaurant has come a long way from its far-East beginnings and for this writer/eater it?s a journey that Jer-ne needed to make! \r
Pros: beautiful water front location, five star, five diamond, cuisine, service, lunch
Cons: valet only
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