How Many Restaurants Does Jonathan Waxman Have?

Jonathan Waxman Restaurants: Key Takeaways

Jonathan Waxman owns a total of 3 restaurants, all located in the United States.
His restaurant portfolio currently includes no Michelin-starred establishments.
Waxman’s signature concepts feature casual Italian and seasonal American cuisine, with notable venues like Barbuto and Jams.
His collaborations include partnerships with 1 Hotels, anchoring some of his prominent restaurants in New York City.

Chef Jonathan Waxman is renowned for his influential role in modern American and Italian cooking. His intimate collection of just three restaurants showcases an emphasis on quality and distinct culinary identities rather than broad mass expansion.

This article explores exactly how many restaurants Jonathan Waxman owns, their locations, culinary styles, and how his portfolio balances casual dining with elevated seasonal fare in key U.S. markets.

Jonathan Waxman Restaurants: Global Presence and Restaurant Count

Jonathan Waxman’s restaurant empire is deliberately focused and carefully curated, with only three restaurants worldwide, all based in the United States as of 2025. This small portfolio highlights his preference for personally owned establishments with unique culinary identities rather than licensed or franchised chains.

His venues range across casual Italian, seasonal American, and California-Italian styles, reflecting his deep expertise in Californian-American cuisine with influences from Italy. Unlike many celebrity chefs, Waxman has not pursued international expansion or franchising, choosing instead to maintain ownership and direct culinary control.

Region	Approx. Number of Restaurants	Notable Examples
United States	3	Barbuto (New York City), Jams (New York City), Park Tavern On Washington Square (San Francisco)

Note: All locations are fully owned by Waxman’s group and do not operate under franchise or licensing agreements.

For restaurant owners looking to improve their hiring strategies, understanding how to effectively staff unique and high-quality venues like Waxman’s can be aided by expert insights in restaurant staff hiring.

Michelin-Starred Flagship Restaurants

Unlike many top-tier chefs with extensive Michelin recognition, Jonathan Waxman currently does not own any restaurants that have received Michelin stars. His efforts center on approachable, high-quality cuisines and authentic dining experiences rather than Michelin accolades.

Waxman’s culinary style embraces rustic simplicity and seasonal ingredients, contrasting with the highly stylized presentations often seen in Michelin-starred fine dining. This approach has established him as a pioneering figure in California cuisine and a revered chef respected for flavor and atmosphere rather than formal rankings.

No Michelin-starred restaurants currently owned or operated by Jonathan Waxman.

If you're interested in the differences between types of chefs and their roles in such establishments, explore the executive chef vs chef de cuisine differences to better understand kitchen leadership.

Notable Jonathan Waxman Restaurant Concepts and Locations

Jonathan Waxman’s restaurant portfolio spans three distinct concepts that emphasize casual elegance and seasonal, regional cooking. These venues showcase his signature cooking styles while offering varied dining experiences in two major U.S. cities.

“Barbuto” Restaurants

Barbuto is Waxman’s flagship casual Italian restaurant located in New York City. This sole location is celebrated for its well-executed rustic Italian dishes, most famously the roast chicken with salsa verde.

Opened in the West Village, Barbuto offers a laid-back yet refined atmosphere that echoes Waxman’s California roots and love of Italian simplicity. The price range per person typically falls between $50 and $100, making it accessible yet premium for the neighborhood.

To understand how to manage and train key restaurant staff to deliver consistent quality in such venues, see this server training manual template.

Jams

Jams is another New York City-based restaurant located within the luxury boutique 1 Hotel Central Park. The concept focuses on fresh, seasonal American cuisine often tailored to highlight sustainable ingredients and local sourcing.

Jams provides guests an approachable seasonal menu within a stylish environment, usually priced between $30 and $60 per person. This venue highlights Waxman’s ability to blend upscale casual dining with an emphasis on quality product-driven dishes.

Many hospitality professionals interested in becoming chefs might find useful guidance in the how to become a chef career overview.

Park Tavern On Washington Square

The Park Tavern On Washington Square in San Francisco marks Waxman’s singular California presence, offering California-Italian cuisine. It reopened under Waxman’s guidance with a menu featuring fresh, bright flavors inspired by Californian ingredients and Italian influences.

Positioned overlooking the iconic Washington Square Park, this comfortable venue serves a range of Italian-inspired dishes with California flair. The dining experience is priced from $40 to $80 per person, placing it between casual and moderately upscale.

Owners and managers might be interested in strategies for reducing employee turnover to retain quality staff at such unique restaurants. Learn more about strategies to reduce restaurant employee turnover.

Jonathan Waxman Restaurant Empire: Conclusion

Jonathan Waxman’s restaurant portfolio is intentionally selective and manageable, with 3 fully owned restaurants concentrated entirely in major U.S. cities such as New York and San Francisco.

While his establishments do not currently hold Michelin stars, they embody Waxman’s culinary philosophy of rustic, ingredient-driven Italian and American cooking. His partnership with brands like 1 Hotels and focus on unique, quality-driven venues distinguish his empire from larger franchised empires.

Waxman avoids franchising or licensing, emphasizing genuine ownership and direct involvement in his limited but impactful restaurant collection. This method has earned him a loyal base of diners and a respected place in modern American gastronomy.

Overall, Jonathan Waxman’s empire is not about scale but authenticity, quality, and a carefully crafted dining experience that resonates with fans of California and Italian cuisine.

Hospitality employers looking to hire talented chefs may consider reviewing advice on how to hire top chefs for your kitchen to find the right culinary professionals for upscale yet approachable venues like those in Waxman’s portfolio.

01. How involved is Jonathan Waxman in day-to-day restaurant operations?

Jonathan Waxman maintains a hands-on approach in his small portfolio, directly overseeing culinary direction and menu development. Though he may not be present at every location daily, he ensures that each restaurant aligns with his vision and quality standards.

Given the limited number of venues, Waxman personally collaborates with executive chefs and staff to preserve the authenticity and consistency of the dining experience across his restaurants.

02. Are Jonathan Waxman’s restaurants expensive—and which ones offer the best value?

Jonathan Waxman’s restaurants generally fall within a moderate price range, with most venues offering menus priced between $30 and $100 per person.

For example, Barbuto commands a higher bracket around $50–$100, reflecting its refined Italian casual dining experience, while Jams offers more affordable seasonal American cuisine priced $30–$60.

Those seeking the best value may prefer Jams due to its approachable price combined with high-quality ingredients and stylish setting.

03. How does Waxman choose new cities or countries for expansion?

Jonathan Waxman has historically focused on select U.S. cities that align with his culinary style and personal ties, rather than rapid geographic expansion.

His approach favors partnerships with hospitality groups (such as 1 Hotels) in key metropolitan areas like New York and San Francisco.

Decisions for new venues or locations are guided by factors including market fit, quality of partners, and alignment with his brand’s focus on seasonal, unpretentious cuisine.

04. Are Waxman’s restaurants sustainable or locally sourced?

Sustainability and local sourcing are important components of Jonathan Waxman’s culinary philosophy. His restaurants prioritize fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced largely from local producers.

Particularly at Jams, located within 1 Hotel Central Park, sustainability principles are reflected in ingredient choices and environmentally conscious operations.

While not formally branded as “farm-to-table,” Waxman’s venues emphasize ingredient integrity and respect for seasonal availability.

05. Can you book Jonathan Waxman’s restaurants online—and are there loyalty programs?

Yes, reservations at Jonathan Waxman’s restaurants can typically be made online via popular platforms such as OpenTable or directly through each restaurant’s website.

There is no centralized loyalty program spanning Waxman’s portfolio, but individual restaurants sometimes offer email newsletters or occasional special promotions.

Guests are advised to book in advance, especially for Barbuto and Jams, as these locations are often busy due to their favorable reputation and prime settings.