Le Petit Triangle

1881 Fulton Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 281-1881
www.lepetittrianglecafe.com

The former home of Le Oui Oui Cafe is now another French cuisine based bistro called Le Petit Triangle. The space is tiny and cozy, and only has about ten tables that are right next to the open kitchen complete with a crepe cook top. The menu includes salads, sandwiches and an extensive crepe menu, both sweet and savory. I have been looking forward to trying the quaint bistro for some time and finally got a chance to have lunch the other day.
We started with the French press for two. A delightful French Roast coffee steeped and pressed. Next, I ordered the Croque Madame Sandwich.The Croque Madame is a grilled ham and Gruyere cheese sandwich, topped with a fried egg and Béchamel sauce, and served with roasted potatoes on the side. Le Petit Triangle is a French inspired cafe, but the portions are definitely Americanized. I remember ordering a Croque Madame in France along my travels, and the sandwich was no where near the size it was at Le Petit. Don't get me wrong, it was tasty and I did nearly finish the whole thing, but it certainly was a hefty lunch. My companion ordered the Chicken and Mushroom Crepe with Gruyere cheese. The chicken was tender and the crepe was perfectly cooked. We passed on dessert because we were so full at that point.
The space is so cozy and intimate that I will surely return if I am in the neighborhood and ready for a pleasing crepe.

On The Rise Bakery

3471 Fairmount Blvd
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 320-9923

On The Rise Bakery on Fairmount Boulevard in Cleveland Heights is a tiny and quaint neighborhood bakery. They offer delicious options; scones, cookies, fruit brownies, rustic tarts,croissants, as well as a plethora of house baked bread options. On the list is everything from rustic Italian breads like Pave to classic French baguettes. For something a little more adventurous, try the olive loaf or the sunflower shaped loaf crusted with sesame seeds. They also serve coffees and have a few tables for sitting.
I once purchased a loaf of the Pave bread which is no more than six inches long, and it was so tasty, that I ate the whole thing by itself for lunch with a cup of coffee. No butter, no fruit spread necessary. It was hearty and flavorful all on its own.
I also have enjoyed a fabulous raspberry croissant that was so perfectly buttery and flaky that I have stopped back just to see if they had any in stock. The list goes on; each treat I have tried was exquisite in its own way and I will continue to revel in their delights.

Sokolowski's (University Inn)

1201 University Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 771-9236
www.sokolowskis.com

Sokolowski's in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland was established in 1923 and has been a Cleveland institution ever since. They are only open for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, and serve lunch Monday through Friday. They serve grandma's good old home cookin cafeteria style and that just adds to the homey atmosphere and feeling you get as soon as you walk through the door. The bar stays open til 2 am and has a full selection of any booze you can think of.
Every time I have been to Sokolowski's I left so full and satisfied that I practically had to be rolled out of the place.
Everyone that works there has always been friendly, including the owner whom always greets with a smile. Every dish that I have tried has been fabulous. From stuffed cabbage, to Tempura battered shrimp, to Salisbury steak, to Bratwurst, to Kielbasa, delicious. This past visit, I ordered the Prime Rib, it was served with au jus and a luscious horseradish sauce. The meat was melt in your mouth tender.

Each entree comes with two sides, anything from Mac and Cheese and corn, to mashed potatoes and dumplings.

A must are their Pierogies.

They are served as an entree or as a side. No matter what else I order I always make sure I order some of their chewy pockets of buttery heaven.
They also have selections of international beers to choose from, in the cafeteria line or at the bar. And lets not forget the desserts. Cherry pie, carrot cake, chocolate silk, you name it.

No matter what you select you won't be disappointed. And if you still need some encouragement, you can just look at the walls of the restaurant to see all that have walked through their doors, everyone from Anthony Bourdain to Bill Clinton.
If you happen to miss out on something there is always next time, because if you have been there once, you will be there again.

Lopez Bar and Grill "Southwestern Food Club"

2196 Lee Rd
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 932-9000
www.lopezonlee.com



Lopez has been around for some time now on Lee Road in Cleveland Heights. I have not been there for a little while because the food just has not been the same since they changed chefs a few years ago. So, when sis in law suggested we go there for dinner, I was a bit hesitant.
It was a Tuesday night, one of the nights that they offer half price Tequila. We made a reservation for 6:30, and the place was crazy busy. Our server came over promptly and asked if we wanted to start with some cocktails. We couldn't decide just then, so we told him we needed a few minutes to figure it out. We didn't see him again for at least 25 minutes, and only after we flagged down a different server that had to go find him. We ordered a pitcher of Margaritas, and then ordered our meals.
I started with a new addition to the menu, the Mango and Scallop Ceviche, served with green onion, cilantro, and prickly pear vinaigrette and served atop crisp baby corn tortillas. The Scallops were chopped into chunks and had the consistency of rubber. The flavor was not even pleasing. The "Prickly Pear" vinaigrette was a bright reddish color and was not a flavor I would like to experience again. To top it all off the garnish was sprigs of dill and there was no dill in the dish! Not a good start.
Next, I ordered the Pulled Pork Burritos, which I was informed was also a new addition to the menu. The pork was tender and came wrapped in two flour tortillas and topped with black beans, chili rajas, jack cheese, and a charred tomato guajillo sauce. This dish was actually not too bad.
Also ordered at the table were the Chicken and goat cheese egg rolls, which were soggy and flavorless. The saving grace for the egg rolls, was the "Tomato Jam" accompaniment, which had a nice sweet flavor. The Kobe Beef burger was also ordered and from what I understand, was dry and crumbled like a dry cookie. Also, the Flatbread Pizza, dressed with chicken, goat cheese, roasted garlic, and a Malbec Balsamic drizzle. I recall having the Flatbread in the past. Sis in law said, as I remember from my experience, was more like bread with stuff on it, not a "Flatbread". The best part when I had it was the reduction, which when Balsamic is involved adds so much flavor that it can save almost any dish, almost.
The Cowboy Cobb Salad was also ordered, and a friend of mine actually used to get the salad frequently, because it was always good. The salad consists of greens with a bunch of stuff on top, not too difficult to screw up.
Two of us then ordered coffee. 20 Minutes later, it arrived and our server said, and I quote, "sorry it took so long, I had to brew a fresh pot, I hope it is not too hot." As if him saying that would brainwash us into believing it was actually hot instead of being as cold as it was!
Although, Lopez has a nice bar, and good Tequila selection I will definitely make sure I eat before I return if someone should suggest it.

Lelolai Bakery

1889 W 25th St.
Cleveland, OH 44113

(216) 771-9956
www.lelolaibakery.com

Lelolai Bakery in downtown Cleveland on West 25th Street is a small family run cafe and bakery. They have a small dining area and offer catering services. The staff is always helpful if you have questions, and are patient if you can't make up your mind. If you are looking for a sweet flan, or some Guava Jelly pastries, you need to go to Lelolai. The flan is sold plate size or by the slice. Their Guava Jelly pastries, which are my favorite, are just sweet enough and perfectly flaky, and are made bite size or palm size.

They have specials everyday ready for a quick lunch. On the menu are also sandwiches including the fantastic Cuban or Caribbean, both made with their roasted pork. Or try a beef or chicken Empanada. If you are just looking for a quiet place to enjoy your afternoon coffee, Lelolai is just that place.

Anatolia Cafe

2270 Lee Road
Cleveland, OH 44118
(216) 321-4400
www.anatoliacafe.com

Finally, Anatolia Cafe, the Turkish restaurant previously located at Cedar Center, has opened up on Lee Road, adding to the restaurant choices on the strip. As I have mentioned they have been under construction for some time and at last opened their doors on the 1st of March. I loved their previous location, but the new location is absolutely beautiful.
They did a fabulous job designing the space. The restaurant takes up four storefronts. One space is the bar area complete with a fireplace and about six tables. The next space over has glass counters stocked with their delicious desserts and an open kitchen. The third area is a dining room, and the last space is another dining area also with a fireplace to the rear of the room.
We visited this past Saturday when there were blizzard conditions, so only the bar was open.
We ordered a few drinks, and the barkeep offered us some Turkish wine, and said, "Americans usually like this wine, well Turkish people too, but Americans like it." After a tasting, I ordered some vodka. One of my companions liked it and ordered a glass, and after trying it again with some food it was a bit better.
We started with the mixed appetizer plate, offered in small, medium or large. We chose small, and it arrived complete with, Hummus, Haydari, (yogurt dip with walnuts, garlic, and dill) Kisir, (cracked wheat with peppers, parsley, and onions) Babbagannush, (which is how they spelled it on their menu) Eggplant with sauce, (a spicy concoction with tomatoes and onions) Ezme Salad dip, (tomatoes, walnuts, onions, lemon and olive oil) and if that weren't enough, stuffed grape leaves as well, and served with never ending baskets of bread. Each selection was delectable, and the small was plenty, two of us could not even finish. We also tried the Turkish Feta and black olives plate. The Feta was tangy and refreshing, and the olives were nice and salty.
Next, I ordered the Chicken Adana with Yogurt. A delightful assembly of herb marinated grilled chicken, a tomato and onion sauce, and a yogurt sauce served atop of grilled and herbed croutons. Also ordered was the Lamb and Chicken Kabob combination. Each item was seasoned perfectly and the Kabobs were perfectly grilled and tender.
For dessert, we of course ordered the tremendous, Kazandibi. The Milk custard dish dusted with cinnamon, that I could eat all day long. Also, the rice pudding, served in its own crock arrived creamy and sweet. Again, like previous visits I also ordered the Apple Tea, which is a nice compliment to the sweet selections.
Anatolia Cafe; the next scrumptious addition to the Lee Road restaurant row.
I will continue to visit them regularly, if not for the comfortable surroundings, for the tasty Turkish delights.

Athens Imports

2545 Lorain Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 861-8149

I have been looking for this dessert wine lately. Nectar of Samos. It comes from the small island of Samos, off the mainland of Greece. Only Samos island can produce Samos wine, so I had to find it...
Athens Imports downtown, down the street from the West Side Market, is a corner store specializing in Greek foods and products.
There were two older gentleman that glared at me as I walked through the door, as they sat at one of the two tables sitting in the middle of this Greek grocery. I wandered up and down the aisles, seeing everything from organic Italian wines to Turkish candies.
They had a whole aisle dedicated to olives in jars, in addition to vats of ones to help yourself. They had cases of cheeses sitting in their own juices, and a case full of prepared foods. Spanakopita, Tyropita, Baklava, and others to choose from.
Everything looked so good it was hard to decide, and it didn't help that the people behind the counters were staring at me, putting on the pressure to make the decisions of which morsels to take with me. I found the dessert wine. The wine of Samos, although it was not the specific one that I was looking for, it was from Samos, so I will start there.
The Tyropita; phyllo dough wrapped around an egg and cheese mixture, was so moist and delicious, the Spanakopita; phyllo dough wrapped around spinach and feta cheese, was salty and crisp, and the Baklava, was fantastically sweet and heavenly.
Athens Imports is definitely the place to go if you are looking for everything from international wines to freshly baked Greek delights.

Paladar

28601 Chagrin Blvd
Woodmere, OH 44122
(216) 896-9020
www.paladarlatinkitchen.com

Cleveland's suburb of Woodmere, neighbor to Beachwood: Paladar Restaurant, "Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar". Paladar is owned by the same individuals of Boulevard Blue on Larchmere Boulevard, in Shaker Heights. Nuevo Latino, Cuban, Latin, Caribbean, call it what you'd like. They have a large selection of rums, hence "Rum Bar" in the name, tequilas, and a substantial wine list.
The room was bustling with activity, and we were seated behind the partition to the front of the restaurant. Our server was very polite and patient when we couldn't decide what to order. I ordered a strawberry Caipirinha and it was perfectly muddled and delicious. For an appetizer, I started with the Trio of Ceviche: Tuna and Watermelon, with a sweet chili vinaigrette. Coconut-Lime Salmon, with coconut milk and red onions. And Ecuadorian Shrimp, with Tamarind and pickled garlic. All three were presented on a narrow divided dish alongside one another. They were sweet assemblies and I couldn't decide which was my favorite between the Salmon or the Tuna.
We also ordered the Tiny Tacos. Rum smoked Mahi Mahi with pickled Jalapeños. The Tiny Tacos were scrumptious. The Mahi Mahi was sweet and smoky and the crisp Malanga tortillas were a perfect change from the usual corn or white flour tortilla.
We also ordered their made to order Guacamole. We chose the "spicy", and it arrived not spicy and a peculiar brown color. It was served with Malanga, Plantain, and tortilla chips, the chips were very nice, but the Guac. unfortunately was not.
I also ordered the Butternut Squash and Tortilla Soup. I love Butternut Squash. Any way I can get my hands on it, I will. This soup seemed to be just a puree of Squash with strips of Tortillas on top. I was expecting something more, some complex flavors that would deepen the sweetness of the squash, not the case.
Next, I ordered the Slow Roasted Pork "Cubano". Rum glazed Pork Shoulder served with black beans, and coconut and mango rice. The dish was extremely sweet. The rum glaze on the pork resulted in a sweet and tender pulled pork, that was juicy and tasty, but served with the mango and coconut rice it was just way too sweet. I feel if the rice was not as sweet it would have balanced the dish out a bit better. I also tasted the Lamb Stew, served with rice and a Jalapeño Cilantro Broth. I am not the biggest fan of Lamb, but do indulge from time to time. This Lamb Stew was not my cup of tea. It had a gamy flavor to it that I just couldn't get past. Other dishes ordered were the Hangar Steak, Baja Inca Stew, and the Grilled Mojo chicken. All that dined upon them seemed to be pleased with their selections.
For dessert we had Cuban Coffee (sweetened Espresso, which you can't go wrong with), the Coconut and Caramel Flan, and the Churros. The Flan had a nice flavor, but seemed a bit firm. The Churros were very tasty with fried goodness, although they seemed a little gooey inside.
Paladar did impress with the cocktails and appetizers, and the place was packed and lively on a Wednesday night. To be honest, from what I had heard, I expected not to like the place, but after recounting my experience, it was quite pleasant and I would easily return if someone suggested it.

Bliss Bistro and Lounge

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Cleveland Heights' Lee Road, home to the old Wine Room, has been undergoing a complete renovation all winter.
Finally, there are signs of life coming from behind the covered large glass windows, announcing Bliss Bistro and Lounge. I heard through the grapevine that it is going to be a fusion of French and Asian cuisines, under the direction of the chef from Fat Cats restaurant in Tremont. I had always liked the Wine Room. The space was nice and dark and the wine list was extensive. I can't wait to see what emerges from behind the illusive construction tarps.

Saigon

2061 E. 4th Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 344 2020

The newest addition to Cleveland's East Fourth Street strip of restaurants is Saigon, a Vietnamese restaurant opened by the owners of #1 Pho on Superior Ave.
Do not confuse #1 Pho with Superior Pho, the delicious restaurant I have mentioned before. In fact, #1 Pho, and Saigon, cannot even compare to Superior Pho. Based on our experiences with #1 Pho, we did not have high expectations for Saigon but were willing to give it a shot. They had a good range of menu items to impress us with, but unfortunately the flavors did not.
We were one of three tables in the whole place at 9:30 on a Friday night. It was during Cleveland's first annual Restaurant Week, and this could be one of the reasons why they were so slow.
The decor is modern and sleek. Back lit blue framed pieces adorn the walls and there are Bamboo accents and divisions throughout the space. There is a three seat bar at the rear of the restaurant, which you would think would be larger considering that it is located right on the East Fourth strip. You would think a larger bar would be much more attractive to someone looking for a quick appetizer and sake, but instead there are about ninety seats spaced out over the shiny hardwood floors.
We started with the spring rolls and summer rolls. I liked the presentation of the summer rolls, with the sauce at the end of the dish. Unfortunately, the flavor was not as impressive. The spring rolls, as my companion pointed out, tasted as if they had just been defrosted from a grocery store. The fresh julienned cucumber slices were the best part of the two appetizers, not a good sign so far. Next, we ordered the Rare Beef Pho soup and the Vermicelli and Barbecued Pork. The Pho broth was salty and had a strange powdery undertone, the beef had a gamey essence to it that was a bit unnerving. The Barbecued Pork was bright red and had a good flavor and the Vermicelli noodles were nice and refreshing with the crisp bean sprouts, this dish was not too bad.
The service was great and our server was very friendly. Only three tables were occupied, and I wondered if they ever get busy. Was she so pleasant because the rush was over, or because she finally had customers?
All in all, if Saigon continues to dish up sub par meals and remain empty on a Friday night, I doubt they will make it much longer.