Image by GinaLisa Tamayo

You may have recognized Jacobson’s name from season three of Bravo’s hit show, "Top Chef." Since his days on TV, he’s currently the head honcho in the kitchen over at The Yard, off Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica.  

The Yard, a gastropub, has an extensive menu that Jacobson customizes around ingredients he picks up at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market every Wednesday and Saturday.

“Our menu is seasonally inspired,” he said. 

By using local and sustainable ingredients, Jacobson is able to craft his food accordingly. Though the main entrées on the menu won’t change, the secondary ingredients rotate depending on what’s fresh. 

According to Jacobson, there will always be a duck confit salad on the menu but he will substitute the grilled pears, long beans and hazelnuts to what the farmers market is selling that day. 

He’s also mindful of daily and weekly specials during his bi-weekly trips to the market. 

Thursday nights’ starting at 5 p.m. is known as “The Big Cheese”, where you can order a good ol’ grilled cheese. 

However, they take classic dishes and make them classy. The short rib grilled cheese ($12) is stuffed with a potato gratin béchamel and served au jus for dipping. The creaminess of the tangy potato-cheese mixture and the tender shredded beef are harmoniously melded together to create the perfect meat and potato marriage. 

Their take on a classic grilled cheese ($9) is a sophisticated twist on the American classic. It’s made with four cheeses: blue cheese, gruyere, parmesan, and mozzarella and served with a tomato puree on the side.  The sandwich comes out perfectly toasted with a little bit of caramelized cheese oozing out the side making for a delectable instant burst of flavor. 

Add a side of sweet potato fries ($6) to either one of these cheesy choices and you will be one comfortable diner. 

You don’t have to order a grilled cheese on “The Big Cheese” night. They offer a spread of delicious choices on their main menu, including fish tacos with cumin slaw ($11), red wine and mushroom risotto ($12) and the house ground yard burger ($16). 

For dessert, try the chocolate cake ($9).  It’s no ordinary chocolate cake - it’s filled with a layer of peanut butter ganache and plated with a fluffy charred marshmallow paired with fresh banana ice cream. A spoonful with all three components is an incredible flavor of sweet and salty that is well balanced and succulent. 

Whether you go to The Yard to eat a grilled cheese or order a duck confit salad, you will get the same result—good tasting food. 

Reach reporter GinaLisa here .