Melt

14718 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, OH 44107
(216) 226-3699
www.meltbarandgrilled.com


Ok, so I get it...People love Melt.
Melt is the Lakewood restaurant that is known for its over stuffed grilled cheese sandwiches. People go crazy talking about this place. Now, don't get me wrong. I love, LOVE grilled cheese sandwiches. I have always loved them since I was a child, and now that I am an adult, it is no different. But each time I have been to Melt, I have left disappointed.
Yes, the menus are awesome in that they are printed on old record covers, and yes, they have a superb beer menu, and yes, I had a Bloody Mary the other day that was pretty good, but...But, I am sorry people, but the bread is too thick on the sandwiches, the bread is too dry, and I went for brunch this past Sunday and even the waffles were dry!
I ordered the Chicken and Waffles. The possibilities of flavors and expressions are endless with a Chicken and Waffle dish, but Melt's version was just uninspired, flavorless, and did I mention dry?
The young lady taking care of our table asked me if I liked hot sauce, I said yes to which she replied, "Good, they are really good with hot sauce", without the Sriracha sauce they would have had no flavor at all, thank goodness for the hot sauce.
I know some might not like what I am writing here, but I don't understand what the deal is. The space is great, and the service is great, but I don't get why they receive such praise for the sandwiches. One would think if you have a restaurant with a menu of cheese sandwiches, it would be so wonderful you couldn't stand it, but I just don't get it. I mean, I guess it IS that wonderful to most, because I think I am in the minority here. Oh well, what can ya do?
Enjoy!

Frank Sterle's Slovenian Country House

1401 E 55th Sreet
Cleveland, OH‎
(216) 881-4181‎
www.sterlescountryhouse.com


AKA Sterle's.
Sterle's is a German restaurant that has been around for over 40 years and is complete with live polka music. I finally got the chance to go the other night, and I was not quite sure what to expect. I had heard mixed reviews of this Cleveland institution for some time and had to check it out for myself.
The walls of the hallway entrance are painted with small town scenes and you could hear the sounds of laughter, conversation, and an accordion as you continue to approach the expansive dining room. I felt as if I were walking into someone's cousin's wedding. The room was packed with people of all ages and the dining tables flanked the dance floor as the band played waltzes and polkas throughout the evening. We were seated right on the edge of the dance floor, and our server came over and asked if we wanted something to drink. We asked what draft beers they had, and she replied, "American or German". We asked what kind, to which she said, "Miller Lite, or German". We opted for the German.
The room was full of activity, from servers in German style dresses, to family's celebrating birthdays, to cute little old ladies all dressed for a Saturday night out.
We ordered our meals and started out with the Noodle soup with liver meatballs. The soup arrived in a large metal bowl filled for the four of us and our server put it in front of me and said, "you look like you have steady hands, don't drink too much", and put the soup bowls next to the bucket of soup. The soup was a simple chicken broth and egg noodles with chunks of liver. It was exactly what I had expected and was a very nice start.
I ordered the Sterle Schnitzel. Pounded veal smothered in a mushroom and sour cream sauce, and potatoes on the side. The veal was nice and tender and the savory sauce was quite tasty. The potatoes were a cross between hash brown and mashed potatoes, also very good.
Other dishes ordered were the Weiner Schnitzel and the Breaded Pork Chops, both served with the potatoes. The Pork Chops were ok, nothing too special there. The Schnitzel was also good but nothing too outstanding.
We ordered the Strudel and the Cheesecake for dessert, I found both dishes to be lacking in flavor and freshness.
Although the food was not outstandingly wonderful, having a live Polka band more than made up for it.
We danced the Polka and we waltzed and I don't know why it took me so long to come to Sterle's.
All four of us had a great time during our visit at Sterle's and next time, yes there will be a next time, I will be sure to try all the other menu options that we did not get to that evening. Sausages, sauerkraut, stuffed cabbage, mmm mmm.