Jon & Vinny's
One of my favorite things a restaurant can do is to vary the menu according to what’s freshest each season: you never know what you’re gonna get, and that’s just fantastic. Variety is the spice of life! And Jon & Vinny’s is the perfect example of nailing it in the seasonally-inspired menu department. There are two locations: Fairfax and Brentwood. The OG is the smaller location in Fairfax, where there are only about ten tables and a small counter that overlooks the kitchen. I typically find myself visiting the OG. I love the vibe there.
Bright by day, vibey by night
If you visit Jon & Vinny’s in the daytime, you’ll enjoy how bright and airy the ambiance feels. As the sun goes down, the vibe inside changes. The music increases in volume, the lights dim, and a soft, pink glow permeates the restaurant. One of my favorite spots in LA, I enjoy both the daytime and the nighttime vibes. But I’m not the only one – this is a popular spot, so do yourself a favor and plan ahead: reservations strongly recommended.
A simple menu reminiscent of your Italian grandma’s cooking
I’ve never had a bad meal here. The simple offerings are served family-style and are a great complement to the minimalistic interior; it’s almost Japanese in design, with sharp lines, and the walls are clad floor-to-ceiling in blonde wood, as are the booths and chairs. On the menu, you can always expect to find the cult favorites: gem lettuce (like a spicy, crunchy Caesar salad), mozzarella sticks, meatballs, spicy fusilli, cacie e pepe, bolgonese, and a variety of pizzas. The meatballs are the closest I’ve ever had at a restaurant to my family’s recipe. All of the staples are delicious; however, I am a sucker for the seasonal rotating offerings based on the freshest ingredients of the season.
Best dish on the menu
My favorite thing at Jon & Vinny’s is not what you’d expect: a seasonal salad with peaches and burrata. It won me over! Even though I’m a sucker for carbs, I’m glad I branched out and tried this incredible creation, and I’ll return with the sweet memory of this delicacy tingling on my tongue.
In summary, I recommend a visit to Jon & Vinny’s and visit often. You never know what specialties chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo have up their sleeves, so always prepare for taking your taste buds on an adventure.
