Past The Line

Bistro On Lincoln Park

2009-01-28T12:07:00.001-05:00

2391 W11th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
216-862-2969
bistroonlincolnpark.com

There has been a lot of talk of this new little bistro in Tremont lately. I have heard good things and bad, so I had to check it out. It is situated in the space that is notorious for short lived restaurants so hopefully they will withstand the current economic situations in addition to their location.
Bistro on Lincoln Park had no problem accommodating our party of five for an early reservation on a Saturday evening, which was good for us, but it did make me a bit nervous...
We arrived promptly for our 6:30 time slot, and were greeted with some confusion as to where our reservation was and when. I did find a bit odd seeing as one our party was already seated.

Anyway, to my surprise the restaurant was very sharp. Blonde wood floors and light walls kept the space very open. The lighting was dim, but I think I am just partial to darker decor.
The gentleman taking care of our table was very personable and attentive.

After drinks I ordered the Spanish Black Bean Cake to start.
My appetizer arrived and I was pleased with it. The cake itself had a very nice flavor and had just a hint of spice. I thoroughly enjoyed the Cilantro cream and the creme fraiche that topped off the cake as well.
Some of my companions ordered the Onion Soup Gratine made with Venison broth. I found the soup palette pleasing, but I think I was expecting a deeper flavor.
Next I ordered the Duck Confit, served with Crispy truffled Potatoes, Bacon Lardons, and Wild Mushroom Fricassee. I have been ordering duck dishes more and more lately and since my companions were ordering most of the other items, I figured this was another good time.
The duck was good. The skin was crisp and the meat was tender and juicy. It was served with the "Wild Mushroom Fricasse", which I found to be quite thick and salty. Maybe that is what the chefs were going for, but I was put off a little and it definitely over powered the potatoes and the Duck for that matter.
All together my experience at Bistro On Lincoln Park was a good one, although I was not necessarily blown away by the food. If I happen to be in the area and in the mood for a few drinks and a bite I may stop back, but I don't think I will be making a special trip any time soon.

Seoul Hot Pot

2009-01-18T22:28:00.000-05:00

3709 Payne Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
216-881-1221

Ok, people it is cold here in Cleveland. It is cold and there is a whole bunch of snow outside. One thing that Clevelander's love to do and know how to do in these conditions is eat, and eat well.
If you are looking for that soul satisfying, toe tingling, and that cure for bone chilling cold, then Seoul Hot Pot is the place to go.
Seoul Hot Pot is situated in an unassuming free standing building in Asiatown. There is an entrance in the front and one in the back that takes you through the small produce-packed kitchen. I have yet to visit when they are busy, but that does not change their delicious offerings. Appetizers, grilled meat lettuce wraps, and hot steaming bowls of veggies and meats.
Every meal starts with little bowls of succulent selections including Kim Chi to nibble on.
This visit we ordered the Shrimp and Scallion Pancakes, grilled beef lettuce wraps and the Rice Cake and and Egg Drop Soup. All three were delicious. The appetizer pancakes were sweet and savory. The Beef was seasoned and cooked perfectly, and the soup was fantastic.
The little rice patties floated through the strands of cooked egg, and the broth was light and satisfying.
Seoul Hot Pot is a must for this chilly season, if not any other part of the year.

Ariyoshi (Sukiyaki Dinner)

2009-01-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

2206 Lee Rd
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 321-1020

Where the hell have I been? I can't believe it has been over a month since I last posted anything. I have been going out and what not, just been busy I guess.
Anyway, Sukiyaki!

I have spoken of Ariyoshi before. The sushi place on Lee Road in Cleveland Heights. And as someone commented before, I AM talking about Ariyoshi, not Aoeshi across the street. The individual had requested I return to Aoeshi to give them a good review, but I have yet to return, keep ya posted...

As always, we were warmly greeted and the hot sake continued our warm reception. The sushi, the other menu items, and the people that run Ariyoshi are always wonderful. The other week I got the chance to try their Sukiyaki dinner for the first time.
We ordered our usual appetizers; Age Dashi Tofu, Edamame, and Shumai. All very tasty indeed. In addition to some Nigiri sushi and sushi rolls we ordered the Sukiyaki Dinner; Beef, Chicken, or Seafood, simmered table side with veggies and and a sweet and savory brown sauce.
We opted for the beef that arrived as raw thinly sliced strips, similar to that of a Beef Carpaccio. The Madame of Ariyoshi proceeded to prepare our meal, adding first the plate full of onions, mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, zucchini, tofu, and pea pods. The veggies were sauteed for a few minutes before the rich broth was added, followed by thin rice noodles.Our mouths watered as we watched her add each strip of the raw beef to the bubbling vat that was soon to be set in front of us. After simmering for just a few moments she then divided the succulent concoction into our individual bowls.
Add a little rice, and it was perfect. The veggies swam through the rich sauce while the tender beef absorbed the sweet flavor.
Not ever having this dish, I was pleasantly surprised.
As always, I leave Ariyoshi feeling warm and fuzzy, but this time I left with a new deliciously satisfying experience, that I will be sure to indulge in again.

Melt

2008-11-25T10:32:00.013-05:00

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

2008-11-14T10:12:00.019-05:00

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.

La Brasa

2008-10-20T09:05:00.004-04:00

6110 Denison Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44102
216-319-0500

La Brasa, located in the Old Brooklyn area of Cleveland is one of those tiny and unassuming neighborhood restaurants. La Brasa specializes in Ecuadorian and El Salvadorian cuisine. The five table restaurant is situated so that I probably wouldn't have even noticed it if I hadn't been specifically looking.
The first thing I noticed were the bars on the windows as we entered the small space. As soon as I crossed the threshold into this hidden gem, the smell of the grilled meats from the long charcoal grill at the back of the open kitchen wafted over me.
The menu was written on a dry erase board to the right of the counter where you place your order. I really liked the place settings on the tables; what more would you need?
In addition to the dry erase board menu, there are also photos above the counter that depict combination meal options complete with descriptions in Spanish and English. The nice young lady behind the counter explained which was Spanish and which was English...
There were eight of us for dinner, and the three of us at my table ordered three appetizers and three entrees. We started with the Tamale, the Pepusa, and the Enchilada. I believe they called it an Enchilada but it was open faced like a Tostado. The Enchilada was one of my favorite items of the meal. The crisp tortilla was dressed with thinly sliced radish, grilled onions, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, and cilantro. I loved the radish in the dish. It was sweet, crisp, and the accompanying cilantro brought the dish together perfectly.
The Pepusa was a dough pocket filled with refried beans that you top with cabbage and a mild red sauce. This also was quite tasty and flavorful. Next, the Tamale. Ohh, the tamale. Sweet, soft corn filled with meat and chilies, delicious.
For the entrees we ordered the Beef Stew served with beans and white rice, the half roasted Chicken served with French fries and spiced rice, and the Grilled Steak served with beans, white rice, Plantains, and salsa. The Beef Stew was flavorful, tender, and succulent. Even the white rice was delicious, perfectly cooked with a mild sweetness.
The roasted chicken had a spicy rub that left it with a very nice and unique flavor when combined with the smokiness of the grill. The French fries were perfect; hot and crispy.
Finally, the grilled Steak. I would not recommend this dish. The steak itself was so rubbery, I could barely cut it with the knife, and I could hardly bite into it. Fortunately the Plantains were wonderful, very sweet, and had a slight char from the grill. Once again, the rice was very good and the beans were tasty, it is unfortunate that the Steak was so tough.La Brasa ended up being quite a pleasant surprise. If I happen to be in the area again I would definitely stop in to savor their flavors.

Larchmere Tavern

2008-09-19T08:31:00.011-04:00

13051 Larchmere Blvd
Cleveland, OH 44120

(216) 721-1111

The Larchmere Tavern has been around for years now. In fact the last time I went was six years ago, and I can't really remember what dishes I enjoyed or didn't. Well, we gave it a try the other night. There were six of us, and we wanted to go some where we haven't all been yet.
Big Mistake.
Not only did we spend a ridiculous amount of money on such ( I want to say slop, but I feel that is too harsh, so we will go with) dishes, the service was ridiculous as well. I don't have a problem with spending money on good food, but that is the difference, GOOD FOOD. I wished I had spoke up and suggested after the three appetizers that we pay the bill and move on, but I didn't so we endured the uninspired fare that we were served.
Now, before I continue the company was wonderful and the occasion was fabulous, it is just unfortunate that this place gets away with serving this sub par fare. Maybe this is what some people like, maybe this is what people are into, so be it.
I only took one pic of the meal. I was trying not to focus on the food, but on my companions and the wine that I seemed to be drinking just a bit faster than the rest. And speaking of the wine, we started with a bottle that four of us were drinking. We finished it, so we ordered another of the same bottle at the same time we ordered our entrees.
We were served the salad course, no wine.
The salads were cleared, still no wine.
Not only were our wine glasses empty, so too were our water glasses. The place had maybe three other tables, with what I could see, at least, three individuals taking care of the room. Hmmm. So I asked the gentleman taking care of us for another bottle of wine, when he exclaimed, "oh, yea! The wine." We all forget things, I understand, that is just fine, but so far this isn't going well for the old Larchmere Tavern.
The appetizers we ordered were the Calamari, the Chicken Taco "Stackers", and the Roquefort Cheese Fritters with Granny Smith Apple Puree. Needless to say I was not impressed in the least. The "Stackers" were some taco mix on chicken with what tasted like cinnamon. The Calamari; I just don't know what was going on there. The Cheese Fritters with a "puree", were so doughy, and the "puree" was chunks of apples that obviously had been sitting in the hot kitchen for some time.
Ridiculous.
Here we go with the entrees: I ordered the Chicken Paprikash. There is nothing like a good Paprikash, and let me say this presentation was nothing near to a GOOD Paprikash. First of all there were both green and red peppers in the sauce, the sauce was thick and the spaetzle were obviously pan fried so they were chewy and brown on one side. Two of my companions ordered the Beef Short Ribs of which I tasted. The Mashed Potatoes that were served, were piped onto the plate and had the consistency of wet sand paper. The sauce on the ribs was gooey and reminiscent of a canned demi glace.
It is unbelievable that people actually come to dine here and apparently continue to come back, because they have been there forever. If that is what people are into, go for it, but I have no reason to return. Thanks but no thanks.

Vine and Bean Cafe

2008-09-01T09:16:00.006-04:00

12706 Larchmere Blvd.
Cleveland, OH
216-707-3333
www.vineandbeancafe.com

The owners of Lucky's Cafe in Tremont have opened up a new cafe in the Larchmere district and I finally got a chance to go check them out the other weekend. Vine and Bean Cafe has taken over the old Cafe Limbo house and serves up the same delectable menu items as Lucky's. They day I visited there were two individuals working the front counter and serving the outside patio that had two other tables seated when we arrived. They have not been open too long so they are still ironing out the details of staff and hours. They seemed to be a bit disorganized as whom was doing what, i.e. menus/delivering food/drinks, etc. That is one of the good details about Lucky's in Tremont, you order at the front counter and then someone brings the food to the table. Nice and easy, there is no question of traditional table service, but at Vine and Bean, there was definitely some confusion of table service or no table service. I am just fine without the traditional, but they need to decide which works best for them and just go with it.
We ordered cappuccinos which were delicious. I opted for the Lemon Waffles with honey whipped cream and a Blueberry Compote. The waffles had a great Lemon flavor, but I wasn't all that impressed with the texture of the waffles. You can't go wrong with Honey Whipped Cream and I am not usually a huge fan of the Blueberry, but the compote was delicious. The blueberries lent a perfect tartness that paired well with the sweet cream.
My companion ordered an egg, ham, and cheese croissant sandwich. He seemed very pleased with his selection, and said it was exactly what he was looking for.
The space of the new Vine and Bean Cafe is very comfortable and the outside patio is a great place to relax on a late morning or early afternoon. I look forward to sipping a glass of wine on their patio, as they advertise live music sometime in the future.
Vine and Bean Cafe is definitely a place I will return to if not for the delicious cappuccino, for the beautiful surroundings and relaxed atmosphere.

Bar Jules

2008-08-05T13:05:00.002-04:00

609 Hayes St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 621-5482
www.barjules.com

Ok, last post about San Francisco...This will not be a long post, but I have to mention Bar Jules in the Hayes Valley of San Francisco. Again no pics because of how much I enjoyed the experience. Which is kind of a funny thing I guess, but no pics.
We were wandering around the Hayes Valley one evening during our stay in San Francisco and happened upon Bar Jules. As I have mentioned, I had done the research in preparation for our journey, Bar Jules was a place I did take notice of, but that night I had not realized we were in the vicinity.
We entered into a small room full of people chatting, laughing and eating everywhere we looked. Bar Jules seemed to have a special air that surrounded you as soon as you crossed its threshold. We grabbed seats at the bar which overlooked the prep counter of the open kitchen. The menus for Bar Jules are written on chalkboards, one on the back wall and one on the side wall by the entrance.
The daily menus are limited to what the chef gathers at markets or receives from their farmers for the night. A small selection of appetizers and a soup and then about three entrees and a few desserts. That is it. The wine list is small too; one wine of each varietal they have for the evening. We selected some glasses of wine and started with the seared scallops appetizer which was served with greens beans, carrots, and a lemon tarragon butter. We conversed with one of the chefs that was preparing our scallops no more than a foot away from us. He and one other gentleman were running the kitchen that night with swift movements, not once becoming flustered from the multiple orders that were coming in from the dining room.
The scallops were perfectly cooked and the tarragon butter was delightful.
The simple yet superb menu, the warmth you feel when you enter, and the delicious offerings of Bar Jules should definitely be commended.
We moved on after that delicious tease, but I will certainly make a point to return to Bar Jules the next time I am in the Hayes Valley.

Clover Coffee at the Coffee Bar

2008-07-26T18:30:00.002-04:00

1890 Bryant St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 551-8100
www.coffeebar-usa.com

The Clover Coffee experience has been around for a few years now. I got wind that a coffee place called The Coffee Bar in the Mission District of San Francisco serves this rich coffee, so I had to go give it a whirl. The Coffee Bar is located in a somewhat industrial strip of the Mission. The Coffee Bar is a sleek and simple space with no nonsense menu and patrons. Really, I came specifically for the Clover Coffee.
The Clover Coffee machine is a single cup brewing process that is similar to a reverse French Press process. Hot water (of which the temperature can be regulated) is poured in the top of the machine from its own spout. The per order measured grounds are then raised up and down within the machine. The brew is extrapolated down and the grinds rise up to the top of the machine where they form a perfect disk and are then discarded. This Clover Coffee machine can cost between $8,000 and $20,000. The coffee I purchased was $3.
The Clover coffee was definitely rich. The flavor was deep and a sheen of coffee oil danced upon the surface of the brew. I would get the Clover again in the future if I happened to be somewhere that served the luscious brew, but I would not go out of my way again to find it.
Also, as of recent the Starbucks Company has purchased the Clover Coffee Machine Company. Now, I don't know how you feel about Starbucks, but I have never really liked the taste of their coffee. Nor do I support their attitudes about "venti", "grande" and the like. I much rather support a mom and pop coffee shop instead, or at the very least, a coffee establishment that has a better cup of coffee.
This is the quote from the Clover Equipment Company regarding "What's Next" for the merger:
"Starbucks is uniquely positioned to change the way the world thinks about brewed coffee with its coffee heritage and tremendous passion for the industry. Working together profound change is possible." (Clover Coffee Equipment)
Now yes, I am sure "profound change" is possible, but do we really want someone that makes bad coffee to take over something that makes good coffee? We shall see I suppose. I am just glad I was able to try it before the buy out.

The Slanted Door

2008-07-11T09:31:00.011-04:00

1 Ferry Building
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 861-8032
www.slanteddoor.com

Still talking about San Francisco...As I have mentioned, I had been doing research for a spell before embarking on the West Coast excursion. The Slanted Door kept coming up. I asked people from the San Francisco area as well as other online sources, and all said that the Slanted Door was a must. So, who am I to argue, and it IS Vietnamese cuisine, so of course I had to go check it out.
The Slanted Door is located on the Embarcadero, which is the strip of piers in downtown San Francisco just Northeast of Union Square where we were staying. So, in the afternoon I set out through the business district to the water.
As I walked soaring buildings and cabs screeching around corners surrounded me. As I began to get closer to the Embarcadero I could smell the faint scent of the water. It grew stronger and stronger as I approached and then finally the buildings fell away and opened up to the beautiful sparkling bay. Sounds of cooing Seagulls came from all directions. I will never get tired of the sound of Seagulls. I know when they are overhead I am going in the right direction: towards the water.
A short stroll along the water and I arrived at the Slanted Door around 2:30. I had seen on their website that they offered a limited "Afternoon Tea" menu between 2:30 and 4:30, it sounded like exactly what I was looking for.
I entered the glass doors and requested a table for one, the young lady behind the desk said, "well we have a limited menu and you can sit at the bar" as she handed me a menu and motioned with her eyes towards the bar. I headed to the bar and took a seat in the middle. The sleek decor of the dining area stretched around to the left and was full with the lunch crowd finishing up their meals and there were a few of others at the bar and lounge area behind me.
I sat there at the bar for at least 10 minutes if not closer to 15 before any one of the three people behind the bar said anything to me. Yes, of course I could have said something, but I wanted to see exactly how long it would take for them to do anything...Finally one of the individuals came over to me and said, "do you have any questions?" I said that I did not have any questions, but a few requests. I asked for some ice water and some Chrysanthemum tea. I was given the water and he walked away. A few minutes later he came back and I ordered the Slanted Door Spring Rolls with shrimp, pork, mint and peanut sauce and the Prather Ranch beef Carpaccio, with roasted peanuts, rau ram, (Vietnamese cilantro) and lime juice.
I again sat there for about 15 minutes, then a young lady brought out my tea, and I turned around and a gentleman placed both of my dishes down in front of me. All three items arrived at exactly the same time. Hmmm.
The tea was delightful, I also very much liked the presentation with the loose tea in individual pots. As I steeped my tea, I looked around and realized I had no set up, and when I say set up, I mean no napkin, no chopsticks, no fork, nothing. I looked around to try and get the attention of one of the three people behind the bar, but I looked and saw that they were busy sipping martinis at the end. Now don't get me wrong, I understand that the lunch rush was over, and it is now a quieter time of day, I get it. But as I sat there a few others came to sit at the end of the bar closer to the sipping employees and were given a drink menu and a food menu right away.
Another gentleman appeared with glassware from the back, which I would assume was a bar back or busboy, but HE looked at me and promptly gave me the napkin, fork and chopsticks, I told him how much I appreciated it, he deserves a raise.
Let's continue on to the food at the Slanted Door. The Spring Rolls were good. The thin rice paper wrapper was soft and the shrimp was crisp. The peanut sauce was pretty good, it was nice and thick and had a great salty finish.
The Carpaccio was thinly sliced and was adorned with a crispy black sesame seed rice cake, which added a wonderful crunch to the dish. The food was good, but it wasn't great. I am a firm believer in good service in a restaurant that is of this supposed caliber. It's not that I am a perfectionist or demanding, but I have been in and out of the service industry, and I know what is good and what is bad. Sipping martinis when you have customers at the bar with no menus or no utensils is bad.
I sat there with empty plates for a littlw while, and finally a young lady behind the bar came by and asked if I wanted anything else, I was pretty discouraged with the place at that point but I still wanted something sweet and to give them one more try. I asked to see the dessert menu, and I ordered the Vanilla Bean poached Rhubarb, served with Blackberries, yogurt, and Black Tapioca.
The dessert was definitely tasty and the Rhubarb was soft and sweet. The yogurt lent a nice creamy contrast to the blackberries and the tender Tapioca.
The Slanted Door. The food was good, that is to say it wasn't spoiled, although it was nothing to write home about. Even though I did not try every one of their offerings, the lack of attention and service really left a sour taste for me. As I mentioned above, there are different ways to do things. The way the staff executed their daily operations, was pretty disappointing and I definitely will not be in a hurry to return.

Kiji Sushi

2008-07-08T14:44:00.002-04:00

1009 Guerrero Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 282-0400
www.kijirestaurant.com

Continuing my culinary adventure in the beautiful San Francisco, it was time for some sushi.
I had been doing research for weeks before our trip attempting to find the off the beaten path spots. One of the places I found was Kiji Sushi between the Noe Valley and the Mission. It was a warm sunny afternoon when we set out on our trek from Union Square to the Mission District. Of course we stopped from time to time at a cafe for an espresso or a bar for a libation, so we finally arrived just around six in the evening.
As early as it was, we were the only two people in the place. We sat at the sushi bar that was situated to the right of the restaurant. There was a small dining area to the left, and the walls were decorated with deep reds and blacks. The space extended to the rear to another dining area that was slightly secluded and would be a perfect place for an intimate gathering. I enjoyed the feel of the place very much, the dark colors were offset perfectly with dim lighting, and a nice display of Sake bottles adorned the back wall.
We ordered the two Sake flight options, one filtered and one unfiltered. All six selections had distinctively different flavors and aromas, and were a great start for our meal at Kiji Sushi.
We began with the Kanpachi Carpaccio (Amberjack fish which is the name of a pair of species of fish of the Carangidae family, which includes the jacks and the pompanos) served with thinly sliced Jalapeños, sea salt, and olive oil. The fish was paper thin and sweet. The flavor reminded me of a sweet Yellowtail, and the Jalapeños gave it a slight kick that was perfect. Next, we ordered the Potstickers. The dumplings were so light, flavorful, and the pork that was tucked inside was seasoned wonderfully.
Next we opted for a special that evening which was also a thinly sliced fish. This time it was Halibut dressed with Tobiko, Japanese Cilantro, and Truffle Oil. The sushi chef was masterful again with the presentation of the paper thin slices of fish, and the combination of the salty Tobiko, the earthy Truffle oil and the sweet and peppery flavor from the Japanese Cilantro was fabulous.
As we spoke more with the Chef, we discussed sushi places we had been to and items we enjoyed. He then informed us how Kiji Sushi had been there for about two years and apparently was named one of the best Japanese restaurants in the city according to the Zagat's guide, of which he promptly offered to show us their listing in the book. So much for off the beaten path and hidden gems of the city. Either way, I am glad that Kiji Sushi has received such praise because they certainly did from me.

1550 Hyde Wine Bar and Café

2008-06-25T12:20:00.003-04:00

1550 Hyde Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 775-1550
www.1550hyde.com

I have mentioned that San Francisco is a wonderful place. I think either I have lived there in a past life, or am destined to. Either way, every time I am there, it gets better and better. Whether it is the weather, the food, or the people it just keeps calling me back.

This trip was superb. I will first discuss 1550 Hyde Wine Bar and Café.

(I must tell you, I did not take this pic which will be explained later...)

1550 is located in the Russian Hill neighborhood and was about a one mile walk from where we stayed near Union Square.
The San Francisco night air was crisp and cool, and as we climbed up and down the hilly streets our anticipation grew for what was awaiting us behind the glass door that read "1550".
We entered into a lively candle lit room, full of positive energy, so far so good. My eyes scanned the small packed dining room and were immediately drawn to the ceilings which were adorned with wine corks arranged in the shapes of flowers.

We were greeted by a gentleman that told us there would be at least an hour wait for a table. We spied two seats at the end of the six-seat bar and promptly grabbed them. The bar was tiny, but pleasantly cozy, and the gentleman that originally had greeted us was now telling us the evening's specials as he handed us menus. We ordered some wine and started with their Antipasto Plate offering.

(Now before I continue, I have to say because I enjoyed this whole experience so much, the camera stayed tucked away in my bag. I am sorry, but the place was that great, pics were momentarily forgotten about, my sincere apologies.)

Anyway, the Antipasto came complete with about six different types of olives that had been warmed and dressed with just a bit of oil, a locally farmed and cured Salami, a warm beet salad, a beautiful Porcini Mushroom Crostini that I could have eaten all night, and finally a nice mix of roasted nuts.
It was a perfect selection of items. On the menu that evening were also a selection of cheeses. We selected the Toma Piedmontese, a cow' s milk cheese from the Piedmont region of Italy, which arrived with slices of walnut bread. The cheese was divine. Since returning to Cleveland we have been scouring the city to find it, no such luck yet. (I may just have to order it online, it was THAT good.)
As we continued to nibble on our lovely items, the gentleman informed us about how the restaurant has personal relationships with food suppliers and farmers all local to that region of California. Because of these relationships the menu changes often as menu items are dependent on the fresh harvests and the availability of various cured meats. We wanted to try some of the entrees next, but we decided that something sweet was in order after all of the salty choices.

We were given the dessert menu, and everything sounded fabulous. We were then informed that the evening special dessert was a Brown Rice Pudding with Sauternes macerated Strawberries. That clinched it. We ordered the rice pudding and the Scharffen Berger Bittersweet Chocolate Pot de Crème with Straus whipped cream and shortbread cookies.
Holy $#%@! The Brown rice in the pudding had a perfect texture; not mushy and not stiff, right in between, the pudding itself was not overly sweet, and the Sauternes with the Strawberries was an exquisite compliment.
Now onto the Pot de Crème. This was absolutely delicious. The consistency of the chocolate was so smooth and creamy we fought over whom got to lick the dish. The Straus whipped cream was also a perfect addition and the crisp shortbread cookies lent a delightful crunch.

1550 Hyde Wine Bar and Café was such a wonderful neighborhood find in the Russian Hill district of San Francisco. If it were my neighborhood, I know I would be there all the time.

Posting Pause

2008-06-20T13:52:00.005-04:00

As some of you may know, I was out of town for a spell on the West Coast; San Francisco specifically. Therefore, I apologize for the temporary pause in my posts. Very soon, I will be giving you the heads up on my culinary adventures in the city that I love more each time I visit.
Thanks and here is to reveling in flavor adventures!

Sun Luck Garden

2008-06-01T12:18:00.002-04:00

1901 S Taylor Road
Cleveland, OH
(216) 397-7676
www.sunluckgarden.com

I have passed this little restaurant located in a strip mall many times and never thought anything of it. It is located in such an unassuming area that you wouldn't expect to find such a beauty as Sun Luck Garden. A fellow Cleveland food blogger, clevelandfoodie, mentioned this little spot awhile ago and I realized that something was hiding behind those covered windows. What that something was, I had to find out.
About a month or so ago we decided to give it a try. As you enter you are surrounded by a perfectly dimly lit small space, with dining areas on either side of the entrance. We were warmly greeted and seated. The menu was extensive. Choices from many styles including Szechwan, Cantonese, and Mandarin, as well as great vegetarian options were on the menu. They have a large wine list that one would not expect from such a small place and a nice beer menu too. I started with some warm sake, and we ordered the Egg rolls and a Halibut appetizer that was a special for the evening. The Egg rolls were crisp and fresh, and you could tell were hand rolled and not frozen. The Halibut appetizer was such a pleasant surprise. Thinly sliced Halibut rolled with ginger and scallion and wrapped in a crisp shell and tied with thin strips of scallion on the ends. The Halibut dish was perfectly well rounded with bursting flavors.
Next, we ordered the Egg Flower and Wonton Soups. The Egg Flower Soup is basically an Egg Drop Soup but not as heavy. The Egg Flower was delicious; the egg strands floated in the rich broth and had just enough sweetness. The Wonton Soup was savory and the wontons had a great texture.
Finally, we ordered the Beef Chow Hawphen, which was from the "Pasta Dishes" area of the menu. The Soft wide rice noodles served with beef, bean sprouts, pea pods, and tossed with a hot Szechwan chili sauce. We were asked if we wanted the dish mild, medium, or hot. We chose the hot since we both enjoy spicy and it couldn't have been any better. It was spicy but did not overpower the flavor of the dish.
I am so glad I finally got to peak behind the curtain and discover the pleasure of Sun Luck Garden. I can't wait to return to try more of their fresh and flavorful offerings.

Il Bacio

2008-05-27T12:20:00.003-04:00

2181 Murray Hill Road.
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 231-5977
www.ilbaciorestaurant.com

Il Bacio has been around for a year or so now. I have to say I was extremely disappointed the first time I dined there shortly after their opening . The other night I gave Il Bacio another try, and I heard that they switched chefs, so I was ready.
I absolutely love the petite space of the restaurant. With its dim lighting, light colored walls, and the dark wood bar, it is just perfect. The night we visited they had a gentleman playing the Mandolin the whole time we were there, which added to the comfortable surroundings.
The service was perfectly attentive and not pushy or overbearing at all, this can sometimes be the case in smaller restaurants.
We started with the Prosciutto di Parma and fresh Mozzarella appetizer. The Prosciutto was nice and thinly sliced as were the disks of Mozzarella, served with a light drizzle of Olive Oil and crushed Oregano. We then chose to split the Arugala Salad, simple and refreshing. The salad arrived dressed with just Olive Oil and a pinch of salt, and a lemon on the side. Once we gave the lemon a squeeze, the salad came together perfectly.
Next, I ordered the Veal Scallopine served with roasted potatoes and Asparagus. The Veal arrived as thin medallions that were grilled wonderfully with just a simple citrus and natural jus. The potatoes were crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and seasoned just right.
My companion ordered the Linguine with Roasted Salmon, which was served with chopped tomatoes and a light cream sauce. The linguine was perfectly al dente and the sauce was just the right consistency, not too heavy and not too light.
We finished with the house made Tiramisu that we were told was the owner Antonino Calandra's mother's recipe. The Tiramisu was creamy and sweet, although the dusting of the cocoa I thought was a little heavy handed. It was served with little cookies and chocolates at the base of the footed glass. The Tiramisu was the sweet finish we were looking for to complete our delightful dining experience.
I am so pleased that Il Bacio worked out its kinks from the last time I dined with them. I am looking forward to sitting out on their sidewalk patio this summer, sipping on wine and nibbling on their luscious offerings.

Momocho Update

2008-05-20T16:00:00.007-04:00

1835 Fulton Road
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 694-2122
www.momocho.com

I am not usually one to mention chefs or drop names of individuals involved in the establishments where I dine, but I had to mention this.

Chef Nolan Konkoski has left the building!

(He might not like that I am posting this, but he deserves some props never the less.)
Many may not realize that Nolan has been the "Go-To" guy of Momocho for the past few years. Yes, we all know who owns the place, but sometimes the one in the spotlight is not the one whom actually is keeping the place going. Nolan has been the behind the scenes guy who makes sure the restaurant has food to eat, and GOOD food to eat for some time now. Nolan has been the brains behind most of the tasting menu items as well as the regular menu. Most of you have probably seen him working his A#@ off in Momocho's tiny kitchen upstairs for some time, but no longer.
It has yet to be determined if Nolan will continue to offer part time work or consulting services to Momocho in the future.
All I know is, Momocho has a very interesting road ahead of them in order to keep up the high standards that Nolan has been dishing up since the opening of this Ohio City gem.

Good Luck!

Li Wah

2008-05-20T15:14:00.000-04:00

Revisited:

2999 Payne Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 696 6556

Since I have returned from the West Coast, I have been slightly obsessed (just slightly) with finding the best Dim Sum in Cleveland. I just can't get enough, and I can't wait to go to San Francisco in a few weeks to dive into their Dim Sum offerings.
In Cleveland the Dim Sum options are limited. As far as I knew, there were three to choose from; C and Y, Bo Loong, and Li Wah. In the past I have tried C and Y Chinese restaurant and their Dim Sum was quite tasty. In retrospect, they were my first encounter with Dim Sum, and I still think that they were very good after experiencing Dim Sum at other places. Unfortunately, C and Y is now closed. The next option, as I have mentioned in the past, is Bo Loong. Bo Loong's Dim Sum was very good, but Li Wah is even better. I wrote about Li Wah before as well, and I wasn't impressed or pleased in the least, but their Dim Sum has made my return worth it.
Since returning from the West Coast we have been back to Li Wah three times just for the Dim Sum, and it is now our favorite in the city.
We have been on Sundays so far, and they are packed. Our most recent visit we had to wait for a table, and the place is huge. The servers keep coming around with the carts full of steaming options to choose from. It still is a bit overwhelming as they continue to bombard you with tasty options, but I am starting to grow accustom and even restless if they don't come at me from all angles.
Of course we got our now usual selections, Har Gow (steamed shrimp dumplings), Siu Mai (steamed pork dumplings), fried Taro Root, (which I still love oh so much), and steamed shrimp with green peppers. As always, we order some type of Tofu, fried or stuffed with either pork or shrimp. We are really getting the hang of ordering the items we like and being able to recognize the ones we don't. We did try a new sweet offering, which ended up being preserved egg on top of a Lotus Seed and ginger paste, stuffed inside a petite sesame seed bun. The flavors were hard to pin point at first, but they were quite unique and had a delightful sweet finish.
After indulging in all of the delicious morsels my companions and I couldn't possibly have another bite. We asked for the check and prepared to leave full and satisfied. That was until a nice young gentleman came over with plates full of Crispy Roasted Pork with a Cucumber Slaw. At first we said, "oh, no thank you", as we were so full, but after a short conference with my two equally intrigued companions, we couldn't resist. It was a good thing we changed out minds and got this fabulous dish. The Pork skin was so crisp and salty I could eat it alone as a snack. The meat was so tender and juicy and the layer of Pork fat underneath was a guiltily sumptuous finish. We couldn't possibly finish the Pork dish, but all three of us were glad that we decided against our initial response.
Li Wah has now proven to me that sometimes first impressions can be wrong. I will continue to return to lavish in their Dim Sum offerings and to satisfy my newest addiction.

Old Town Cafe

2008-05-14T17:57:00.001-04:00

4288 Dublin Boulevard
Dublin, CA 94568
(925) 833-8300
www.otcafe.com

During my West Coast culinary adventure we visited The Old Town Cafe, another Asian restaurant in Dublin's Ulferts Plaza. Ulferts Plaza is a multi-leveled outdoor mall with several restaurants (including previously mentioned Koi Garden), markets, and stores. The Old Town Cafe serves Singaporean cuisine. Singaporean cuisine is a delightful mix of influences, from Indian to Chinese.
The Old Town Cafe occupies a small square open space consisting of about thirty tables. It was early in the evening when we arrived and the place was not too busy, but as we continued our meal Old Town Cafe began to fill up with people of all ages.
Our meal began with the Roti Canai appetizer, which is a multi-layered Indian style flatbread served with a curry dipping sauce. As one of my companions put it, the flatbread was like an "Indian Croissant". The layers were buttery and flaky and the dipping sauce, similar to a South Indian Sambar, had just enough spice.

Next we ordered the Herbal Pork Rib Soup to share. The soup is stewed with 17 Chinese herbs, and served with Chinese Donuts, and crispy Tofu Skin. This soup was quite delightful. The broth had so many flavors from the different herbs, and the Pork was falling off of the bone. The Chinese donut, which was similar to a fried wonton, added the perfect amount of crunchy texture.

We then ordered three dishes to share: Butter Prawns, Singapore Old Town Tofu, and Singapore Noodle.
The Butter Prawns arrived lightly coated with a crisp batter and lying upon a bed of lettuce and Cilantro. The Shrimp were cooked perfectly, still adorning their edible shells. The fresh Cilantro added a great zest.

The Tofu dish was seriously delicious. The Tofu was also lightly coated with a batter, pan fried, and dressed with mushrooms, shrimp, and a satiny brown sauce.

And finally, the Singapore Noodles were perfectly cooked, savory, and presented with a cabbage slaw on the side.
All of the dishes we enjoyed were wonderfully prepared. The bustle of all the families that were also dining at the Old Town Cafe that evening added to the positive energy, creating a very welcoming atmosphere.
The Ulferts Plaza has so many tasty offering; one could eat three meals a day for days without getting bored. The Plaza is definitely an asset to the area, and I can't wait to return to continue the culinary adventures.

Koi Garden

2008-05-06T12:57:00.010-04:00

4288 Dublin Blvd
Dublin, CA 94568
(925) 833-9090
www.koipalace.com

I am addicted to Dim Sum. My significant other and I cannot get enough of the little steamed and fried dumplings. We have been on the hunt for the best Dim Sum we can find. We have had a few adventures here in Cleveland, but our recent trip to the West Coast has opened our eyes and just made us want more and more.After getting off of the plane, we headed to get Dim Sum. We went to a restaurant called Koi Garden that was assured by our hosts to be the place to go in the Livermore area (specifically, Dublin) for Dim Sum.
So far, as I have mentioned we only have had Dim Sum in Cleveland before this, and Cleveland has nothing on Koi Garden. I don't know whether it was this place specifically or if it was the fact the West Coast has entirely different approaches to it's Dim Sum. Either way, we were in heaven.
Everything from the standbys of Steamed Pork Dumplings and Steamed Shrimp Dumplings, tasted lighter and much more fresh. We of course had to get the Taro Root dumplings, but we were surprised that they weren't as good as the ones we had enjoyed in Cleveland.
At Koi Garden we tried items we had not had before. For example we had a delicious mushroom cap stuffed with Ginger and Shrimp. It was served with a slightly sweetened glaze, and the mushroom had a nice earthy flavor. We also really liked the Cilantro and Shrimp dumplings. The flavor of the Cilantro melded perfectly with the shrimp, and you could tell they were made fresh and not too long before being served.
I always try to get some type of Tofu dish when ever we go, and this time we got the fried Tofu. The Tofu was served with a crust that was crispy, but a bit dense and cardboard like. With the dipping sauce, I kinda of enjoyed it, although my companions didn't really care for it.
We also ordered a dish of the Peking Duck. This duck was so tender and juicy, it was worth gnawing on the chopped bones.
We finished with the Sugar Egg Puffs. These babies are right up my alley. Light, sugary sweet, moist on the inside, and yet crisp on the outside. I had not seen these on any other Dim Sum menu as of yet, and will surely be looking for them from now on, they were that good.
Dim Sum is an addictive flavor adventure. I just can't get enough. Since we have been back from the West Coast we have already gone twice and I am sure we will continue to search for more savory or sweet selections no matter what city we are in.

California

2008-04-29T12:58:00.000-04:00

I have just returned from a trip to the West coast so keep a look out for some posts of the tasty places that I visited while there. Specifically, Livermore, California and surrounding areas. The California sunshine just makes me feel good. It gives me that feeling of taking one of those all encompassing deep breaths that energizes and invigorates you. All the wine tasting didn't hurt either.
Also, I will be returning to Cali. again in a month or so, so there will be places from the San Francisco area coming soon.
Bon Appetit!

Momocho

2008-04-29T11:51:00.000-04:00

1835 Fulton Road
Cleveland, OH
(216) 694-2122
www.momocho.com

I do not know where to start when it comes to Ohio City's Momocho. I have been there many times, and have always loved it. The music, the lighting, the service, and the food make you feel comfortable and looking forward to the next time.
Knowing we were in for a good meal, we were excited to attend Momocho's latest tequila tasting dinner. I have attended a wine tasting dinner and a tequila tasting dinner there so far, so I couldn't possibly miss the last of the season. We sat at the bar, which was a perfect spot to be able to see all the activity around us. Not everyone was there for the tasting dinner; many chose to order off of the menu. Their menu choices are wonderful, but if there was a delectable tasting menu being offered, why wouldn't you get in on that!? To each his own I suppose.

First, we were presented with a "play on soup and salad". A bowl was placed in front of us with a dollop of chopped rock shrimp and a basil pesto sauce nestled in the bottom.

Over the rock shrimp and pesto sauce, they poured in the Tomate Amarillo Soup. The soup had just enough spice to wake you up but not to knock you out. The consistency of the soup was of a smooth puree and it was a perfect way to set the stage for the following courses.

Patron Silver was the tequila partner for the first course. Although Patron Silver is not my favorite of tequilas, it definitely fit well with the spicy soup and tender shrimp.
The second course offering was the Sweet Corn Fritters, served with roasted chilies and Queso de Urgell Fondue.

The corn fritters were served on skewers over the bed of chilies. The Urgell Fondue was on the side for dipping or pouring. The Urgell was just the right accompaniment for the corn fritters. The creaminess of the queso brought out the sweetness of the corn and the smokiness from the roasted chilies beautifully. Herradura Reposado tequila was served with the fritters.

This tequila also brought out the sweetness of the corn and cut through the queso nicely.

The third course was the Tuna Cebiche Taquito, served with Watermelon Pickles and a Sour Orange Crema. First of all I love cebiches. The citrus denaturing the fish is just a lovely frolic for the tongue. This cebiche presentation was no different.

With the squeeze of lime served on the side, the tuna was bursting and the Watermelon Pickles I could eat all by themselves. With the drizzle of the Sour Orange Crema the dish came together superbly.

The cebiche was accompanied by Don Julio Anejo tequila, and with its honey undertones was absolutely perfect.
Next was Momocho's intermission course. I love this unique offering. The intermission includes a flavorful little selection to cleanse the palette before continuing on the culinary journey.
Served in a shot glass was Guanabana Punch with a Vanilla Bean Nieve, topped with thinly sliced Strawberries.

This was perfect. The guanabana, which is a sweet tropical fruit, with the vanilla bean and a bit of sorbet was delicious. The thin strawberries added just enough texture to the little shot glass of sweet heaven.
Next, my favorite course, was the Pork Confit served with Baby Ramps, Coconut Foam, and Mango Salt.

This dish was so good that I felt drunk after finishing it. I love discovering dishes that just intoxicate you, or immediately give you that euphoric feeling, this dish accomplished both. The sweet fatty pork belly was exquisitely spiced and the lightly sweetened foam danced on the surface before it melted and surrounded the saltiness that lay beneath it.

The mango salt sat on the plate tormenting you, as if it knew, after a bite of the pork, you wanted that extra sweet and savory addition. Served with this was Corazon Anejo tequila. This tequila has a hint of spice to its finish, and complimented the fattiness of the pork well.
As if that weren't enough, the fifth and final course was dessert. The dessert was a Latin Crepe Cake, with Milk Chocolate Mojo and a Tequila Spiked Horchata.

Thin crepes were stacked upon one another and placed on the Milk Chocolate Mojo, with a shot glass of milky Horchata for sipping, shooting or pouring. I opted for a few sips then the pouring. My companion opted for the complete pouring over the sweet crepes. The Mojo was wonderful and was perfect with the thin crepes. The mild sweetness of the Horchata was very nice sipped or cascading down the layers of the thin crepes.

Momocho has never disappointed, and this trip was no different. The tasting menu and it's pairings were perfect and thoughtfully executed. Unfortunately, the season is over for the tasting menus, but now that the weather has changed their beautiful patio will be open. I will surely be visiting them again soon, very soon.

Tom's Seafood Restaurant

2008-04-15T12:10:00.002-04:00

3048 St. Clair Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
(216) 771-1928
www.tom-seafood-restaurant.com

I am always open to trying a new Asian cuisine restaurant. I have not heard anyone talk about Tom's Seafood Restaurant, and I have passed it often so the other night we gave it a try.
You walk through the glass doors into a large open dining room. Only about three tables were occupied early on this Tuesday night.
We started with tea of course and ordered Crab Rangoon, Pan Fried Dumplings, and Spring Rolls. All three were not that exceptional; as a matter of fact the dumplings had a weird flavor to them. We also ordered the Egg Drop and Wonton soups. The Wonton was very bland and unexciting. But, the Egg Drop was quite tasty and flavorful. We then ordered the Ong Choy with preserved tofu sauce, the Shrimp and Scallop with Black Bean sauce hot plate, and the Beef with Pan Fried Noodles. The Beef with Pan Fried Noodle dish was nothing compared to Siam cafe's version. The flavors were lacking and the beef had a certain flavor to it that I just didn't care for. The Shrimp and Scallop dish was pretty tasty and I really liked the Black Bean Sauce. The Ong Choy was a nice dish also, but it didn't have much to it, although I had not tried Ong Choy before, I have to say I prefer it's cousin the Bok Choy. The meal was finished with sliced oranges. The sweet citrus was a perfect conclusion to the meal.
Tom's Seafood Restaurant had its good points and it's bad points. I don't think I will be in any rush to return, but I am glad I got to try another one of Cleveland's Asian restaurant offerings.

Lucky's Cafe

2008-04-11T12:10:00.000-04:00

Revisited:

777 Starkweather
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 622-7773
www.luckyscafe.com

An afternoon stop at Lucky's...
After having lunch downtown I had a craving for something sweet. Lucky's was the spot. I had experienced their sweets in the past, and had mixed feelings. I was ready to try again, and I had no complaints. A cappuccino and a Milk Chocolate Brownie with Butter cream frosting and burnt sugar crust. Mmmm. The Brownie was moist and smooth and the slight crunch from the sugar crust was perfect with the creamy frosting. The cappuccino was exquisitely frothed and the espresso was perfectly balanced. The two were just what I was looking for, and as always Lucky's was there for the afternoon treat.

Bo Loong

2008-04-08T11:37:00.002-04:00

3922 Saint Clair Ave NE
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 391-3113

I have heard mixed reviews of Bo Loong forever. All my years in Cleveland not once had I passed through their doors. It was a Saturday afternoon and there were six of us in the mood for Dim Sum. We wanted to go to C & Y Restaurant like we had in the past, but apparently it is closed! Closed forever! (I am going to get more information on this situation.)
Anyway, Bo Loong was the place we chose for our Dim Sum adventure, and an adventure it was. Bo Loong is another sprawling restaurant complete with fish tanks pretty much on every wall. This being only the second time I have experienced Dim Sum, I was ready to dive back in to the multitudes of selections.
I do love how the staff just bombards you with choice after choice of the steamed dumplings, steamed buns, and soups, and all the rest, but it can be a bit daunting. The next thing I knew we had a table full of little beauties to try.
Steamed Shrimp dumplings,

Pork and Shrimp, Bbqued Pork, Chicken Dumplings, Tofu skin stuffed with mushrooms and onions, fried Taro Root,

(which was very nice, but I definitely liked the Taro Root at C & Y better), Spring Rolls, fried Tofu, and last but certainly not least Congee. I have been interested to try Congee for some time, and I finally got to try this gelatinous concoction of rice porridge with bits of pork and fish.

I have to say, it was good. The texture was definitely something to get used to, but once you do, it was tasty stuff.
Some of us ordered some soups as well; the Egg Drop, and Wonton. Unfortunately, they were not that impressive.
Our last experience with Dim Sum we didn’t get to try any of the sweet selections, so this time we made sure we did.

Mexican Bough, which was a bun stuffed with Lemon Cassata, Sesame Bun, a chewy morsel stuffed with sesame paste, little egg custard cups, and the Silken Tofu pudding with sweet syrup. The Lemon bun was delicious, sweet lemon custard with a baked bun shell. The Sesame Bun was not my favorite, nor were the egg custard cups, which were like biting into a congealed egg yolk.

The Tofu pudding on the other hand, if you can get past the consistency, was lightly sweetened, silky and quite pleasing.

After giving the bowl a stir, the sweet syrup surrounded the Tofu and left you with a slurpy sweet and smooth finish.
I am quite glad that I finally got the chance to try Bo Loong, if not for the Dim Sum, just to give them a chance. The service and the food were very good and I will happily return in the future.

Town Fryer

2008-04-04T13:03:00.001-04:00

3859 Superior Ave E
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 426-9235

The Town Fryer has been around for a while now. They closed their doors for a spell then reopened under the same ownership and decided to only be open for lunch. When I visited in the past the food was consistently good. The fried pickles, fried chicken, red beans and rice, fried Twinkies, all were delicious. Every time I entered the small establishment complete with two dining areas, one by the bar and one on the other side of the entrance, they were busy and the sweet fried aroma wafted through the air. They even had live music on certain nights of the week, and the bar is looked down on by a deer head complete with Elvis sunglasses.
Well, my first visit back since the reopening was just not the same. Everyone was friendly, and the service was prompt and attentive. Unfortunately, the food was just not as good as it once was. First of all, I ordered a cup of coffee. I don't necessarily have a problem with flavored coffees, well maybe I do, but if your standard cup of coffee is flavored you would think the establishment would tell you. The coffee was hazelnut.
We started with a basket of Fried Pickles. Sweet, salty, fried, greasy morsels. Good stuff. I ordered the red beans and rice. The portions are offered in small, medium, and large. The medium was huge. The beans and rice were perfectly cooked, the Andouille Sausage was tasty, but not quite as spicy as I would prefer, and there were only about six pieces of the meaty slices in the whole bowl, not enough I would say. I also ordered the Fried Mac and Cheese, but again was disappointed. The crust was dry and doughy instead of crisp and light. The Mac and Cheese itself lacked the cheesy flavor that it had in the past. My companion ordered the gumbo. They didn't seem too impressed either.
After the not so impressive meals we passed on the fried Twinkies and fried Oreos this visit, although they were very good last time.
I wish them all the best in the future but if they continue to serve the uninspired lack luster fare it probably will be a while before I return.

Anatolia Cafe

2008-04-02T18:22:00.002-04:00

Revisited:

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

Anatolia Cafe continues to please. Since the post regarding my first visit, I have returned to Anatolia Cafe twice. Both times I tried new items, and both times I have enjoyed the service and mostly enjoyed their selections.
These past visits I tried the Falafel, the Zucchini Pancakes, and the Sigara Borek (Sigara Böreği, Phylo dough wrapped around Feta and spices). All of those were quite tasty, and I would order all of them again. I also tried their Red Lentil Soup, which was quite flavorful and had a nice texture.
During our most recent visit, my companion and I tried the Chicken and Okra and the Doner dinners. The first arrived in a shallow dish with onions, green peppers, okra and cubes of chicken. The flavor of the dish was adequate, but was definitely not overly pleasing or extraordinary in any way. The Doner is a dish similar to Greek Gyro meat, served with vegetables and rice. We were informed that the meat is house made, as in layered into a roll in their own kitchen. Being that they prepare their own meat for the Doner, I have to give them some credit. However, I have to say that the red meat dishes I have tried have had a weird gamy essence to them. The Doner was no different. The first few bites of the dish were very pleasing to the palette, and with the addition of the yogurt sauce were exquisite. Unfortunately, the next few bites of the Doner meat left a strange and unsettling flavor that was not satisfying or pleasant in the least. The flavor of the meat made me think of something spoiled or just not right in the meat's composition.
Of course, we had to order dessert. The Rice Pudding and the Kazandibi are still wonderful endings to the meals, and I have since been tempted to stop in just for dessert to go.
Anatolia Cafe's inconsistency with their red meat dishes is certainly a turn off, but fortunately everything else is fabulous and you still can't deny the beautiful space that just gets better with each visit.

Mama Santa's Restaurant Pizzeria

2008-04-01T11:11:00.003-04:00

12305 Mayfield Rd.
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 421-2159

Anyone who knows Cleveland or Cleveland's Little Italy knows about Mama Santa's. It is a quaint red and white-checkered table clothed Italian Eatery. Many people coming to visit Cleveland go to Mama Santa's, many coming home to Cleveland go to Mama Santa's.
Mama Santa's cuisine is simple and the prices can't be beat. I wouldn't say that the food is groundbreaking or even outstandingly delicious, but if you are in the mood for a cheesy thin crust pizza, Mama Santa's is the place. Although they serve traditional pasta dishes of Ravioli or Spaghetti with a Bolognese sauce and even your Picatta or Parmigiana, I would have to say that most come for the pizzas.Mama Santa's is cheap and satisfying.
I have to mention that there have been times I have visited Mama and her pizza was not fully cooked. This past visit the crust was thicker than usual, but in most cases, she pleases and her pizzas continue to bring back the crowds. Mama Santa's does not take reservations, so you may find yourself waiting in a line winding out the front door. Although you might have to wait, it will be worth it once you are sitting in the cute and cozy dining room.

Le Petit Triangle

2008-03-30T19:22:00.002-04:00

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

2008-03-28T12:45:00.003-04:00

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)

2008-03-25T11:27:00.005-04:00

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"

2008-03-21T11:23:00.003-04:00

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

2008-03-18T16:29:00.005-04:00

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

2008-03-14T12:01:00.004-04:00

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

2008-03-11T14:37:00.004-04:00

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

2008-03-07T14:30:00.005-05:00

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

2008-03-05T17:10:00.001-05:00

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

2008-03-04T12:57:00.001-05:00

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.

Villa Y Zapata

2008-02-29T12:33:00.001-05:00

8505 Madison Ave.
Cleveland, OH
(216) 961-4369
www.villayzapata.com

Villa Y Zapata on Cleveland's West Side is a small and simple Mexican restaurant. You can't miss the red, green, and white striped building sitting on the corner of an otherwise drab area of Cleveland.
The ceiling of the small restaurant is adorned with intertwined colored paper rings that remind me of something I used to make as a kid to decorate for someone's birthday. The food is simple and filling. The lime margaritas are an electric green color that is somewhat discomforting, but after a couple, you don't seem to mind anymore. The staff is always very nice and attentive. This last visit, we started with the Flamiado. A Chorizo and cheese concoction topped with slices of Jalapeños, and served with flour tortillas.
It was rich, cheesy, and satisfying. Next, I ordered the Guisado Bistec and my companion the Guisado Puerco. The first was strips of steak marinated and cooked in a tomato-based sauce with cactus, onion, potato, and Jalapeños. The second was marinated pork in a green sauce. Both were tasty, but the flavors were a bit lacking and didn't have much umph, although the pork was superbly tender.
We finished with the Cajeta dessert. It is a bowl of caramel gooeyness spotted with crystallized sugar bits and topped with whipped cream. It is dangerously delicious, even though we found out that it comes in a can with no label. Which in itself is scary enough.
Villa Y Zapata; when you are in the mood for Mexican simplicity and the feeling of walking in on a constant subdued celebration.

2020 Martini Cafe and Lounge

2008-02-26T10:58:00.019-05:00

2020 Center Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 776 0202
www.2020martini.com

Saturday afternoon after a downtown lunch, a friend of mine suggested we go check out a new place that opened up on the West Bank of the Flats of Cleveland. As most people from or around Cleveland know, the Flats have been struggling to get going again for some time.
The Stonebridge Condominiums, a newer addition to Cleveland's downtown living, now has the 2020 Martini Cafe and Lounge on it's ground floor. It is a huge space decorated with a theatrical theme with Italian accents, which is apparent from the stone facade at the entrance made to look like an Italian street corner. As you pass through the glass door you can go left to the cafe decorated in the a palette of deep chocolate booths and comfy chairs and sofas. Or, you can continue into the main dining area with towering ceilings and an open kitchen. Then to your right are modern rolled couches in the complimentary colors of bright oranges and blues, surrounding a full bar. They did pay attention to the decorative detail for the vents in the ceiling were painted to look like olives in martini glasses. Nice touch.
We ordered a few drinks and some coffees and relaxed on the couches near the glass patio doors that will be a wonderful place to enjoy outside seating once the weather changes.
The pours on the cocktails were perfect and the staff seemed very eager to accommodate. As we relaxed, we looked over the menu for both the restaurant and the bar. The selections they offer ranged from appetizers of calamari and shrimp cocktails to stone oven fired pizzas and sandwiches. Since we had just come from lunch we did not dine there, so we will have to return at another time to sample their cuisine. Unfortunately, as we read the menu, we saw multiple misspellings and grammatical errors. Something as simple as misspelling Dom Perignon, on a champagne bottle list of only four or five options! I don't think anyone would pay $200 for a bottle of "Dom Piernon". Also, their "Quattro Formaggi" pizza listed five cheeses...
Other than fixing these details, I will return and hope them all the best in the future. Cleveland's Flats definitely needs to keep moving in this direction of new innovative spaces and I hope that other places follow suit.

C and Y Chinese Restaurant

2008-02-22T14:59:00.004-05:00

2222 St Clair Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 566-1188

Keeping along the Asian kick I have been on; C and Y Chinese Restaurant in downtown Cleveland dishes up tasty dish after tasty dish. I have been there a handful of times for dinner and never had any complaints. The service was impeccable and the food always left me wanting more. Recently, I went for their Dim Sum on a Sunday afternoon. I realized that I had never experienced the Dim Sum before. From what I heard, this is just the place. I also heard that Li Wah Chinese restaurant, was recommended for such endeavors, but after my experiences there, I think not. C and Y serves Dim Sum until 3 pm on Sundays and we arrived around quarter til 2, just enough time.
We started with tea of course, and we were then bombarded with cart after cart of small steaming plates of dumplings and different goodies to choose from. Everything was more interesting than the next. It was a bit overwhelming, being that none of the three of us had experienced Dim Sum before. Each of us just kept repeating "yes, okay"as the young ladies placed each tantalizing plate in front of us.We chose the pork and vegetable buns, the bbq pork buns, shrimp dumplings, pork dumplings, spring rolls, meatballs, and my favorites of all of our choices, the vegetables wrapped with tofu skin, and the taro dumplings. But, we must not forget the Chicken feet. Oh yes. The sauce on the feet was sweet and savory at the same time. The consistency of the flesh was appetizing, but the crunchy cartilage is something that will take getting used to. Although I did not fully enjoy the feet, I did appreciate them and would definitely try them again in the future.
At that point, we were all so full that we couldn't think of getting anything else and unfortunately we missed out on all the sweet dumplings they had to offer.
Next time we will know a bit more of what we are getting ourselves into, and we will know how to space out the little dishes in order to go the distance.

Li Wah

2008-02-19T10:33:00.005-05:00

2999 Payne Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 696 6556

I suppose I have been on an Asian cuisine kick lately. But, I love the flavors and the different techniques that go into such cuisines. I have been looking for the best that Cleveland has to offer. I have been doing research on what others say is the best in the city, and so far we seem to have somewhat differing opinions. Li Wah in Cleveland's Asian Plaza, has been toted as one of the "best" Chinese restaurants in the city. Okay, you walk in, and the place is pretty, everything matches. It is a large and sprawling place, and when we arrived it was early on a Saturday evening. We were promptly seated, and our server came over a few moments later.
We looked around the dining room and saw parties of four or more of people not of Asian decent. Not that is exactly what is important, but I feel it can be a good indicator of whether the food is authentic and or good. We ordered some tea, and decided to get the "Spring Roll" appetizer and the "Vietnamese Spring Roll", just to compare. Both arrived, and served with two plastic squirt bottles of spicy mustard and sweet sauce. They were crisp rolls, both I found to be uninspired and lacking flavor. The only flavor was from the fishiness of the Vietnamese rolls; not a good flavor. I ordered the Vegetable and Tofu soup and my companion ordered the Spicy Beef Noodle Soup. The soup I ordered was meant to be a starter soup, and the other as a meal, which I realized when we ordered, but the server I think thought that I did not know this information.
After about 45 minutes I would say, the vegetable and tofu soup arrived. A large bowl of raw vegetables tossed into a salty broth with cubes of Tofu bouncing around. There were chunks of shrimp and crab as well, which I was not aware there would be in a vegetable soup. The beef soup was lacking flavor as well, and only had the bean sprouts to thank for texture which came on the side for your own addition. The noodles were over cooked and also lacking.
Even though we only had a few items, and it was early on a Saturday evening, I still feel that is no excuse for a restaurant that is supposedly the "best" in a city.

Aoeshi

2008-02-15T14:28:00.011-05:00

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

So, I have mentioned Ariyoshi, the sushi spot in Cleveland Heights before. But there are new and interesting developments in the area. Apparently, the space across and up the street a bit, the old Starbucks coffee, that thankfully closed sometime ago, has been advertising on the windows that a place called Aoeshi will be opening soon. Listing sushi, panini bread, and wraps as their cuisine. The place is tiny, and who would open a sushi place right next door to another? So, we inquired with what seems to be the Madam of Ariyoshi, that now knows us since we go there so often. She told us that the owners of Aoeshi opened a restaurant next door to their West side location also, and now have followed them here to the East side too! Obviously, there is more to the story, she told us that she knows the owners well, but she did not tell us how, very interesting. We will have to wait and see how this unfolds.

Superior Pho

2008-02-15T12:52:00.002-05:00

3030 Superior Ave E
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 781-7462

Superior Pho in Cleveland's downtown is a tiny 15 or so table, Vietnamese restaurant specializing in Pho soups. Pho: savory rice noodle soups that are traditionally made with beef. But, can be made with chicken and pork, and come with garnishments of bean sprouts, basil, lime, and peppers. Usually, the soup starts with a slow simmered beef broth and is then served with beef shank, eye of round, flank steak, brisket, or fatty flank options.
As soon as you walk through the glass door you are enveloped by sweet and savory smells of basil and simmering beef. It was a Saturday afternoon and there were people of all ages having lunch when we arrived. Families, couples, and some friends, were all enjoying warm and soul comforting soups. They serve Jasmine tea by the never-ending pot full, as well as bubble teas. We started with a few summer rolls, of rice paper wrapped around shrimp and sprouts, and an order wrapped around Chinese sausage and fried egg,served with a sweet peanut dipping sauce. We also started with the crisp spring rolls stuffed with marinated, and chopped pork. Next, we all ordered a Pho soup. I tried the one served with fatty flank steak and eye of round. The fatty flank was falling apart as it floated in and around the cilantro, scallions, and tender noodles. I wanted to curl up in the large bowl and take a nap, swimming amongst the sweet broth. My sis in law chose the Barbeque pork and shrimp soup, which arrived steaming with a salty broth, but bursting with flavors of the cilantro and a sweet smokiness from the pork. It was served with chopped lettuce on the side for personal addition.
The staff was quite pleasant and ready to make our stay more comfortable at each pass.
Superior Pho serves up simple and delicious concoctions with ease, and it is definitely a spot I will return to every time I get the hankering for a smooth, and delightfully filling Pho.

Nighttown

2008-02-12T10:40:00.001-05:00

12387 Cedar Road
Cleveland Heights, OH
(216) 795 0550
www.nighttowncleveland.com

Nighttown on Cedar Road on the way down the hill towards downtown has been an institution to many people for quite some time. They offer a great venue for well-known and local jazz artists alike. They serve English style pub fare every day of the week, til midnight and 1 am on the weekends. I personally have never been impressed with their food. Every time I have dined there, there was something wrong with the dishes that I ordered. If it was a seared piece of Tuna appetizer, it was cooked through instead of seared and quite fishy in taste and smell or, just a bland entree. Every time someone suggests going there, I suggest somewhere else. Over the past few months, I have tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, that they might actually have some merit. If all these people in this city go there so often, am I missing something or do these people just not know what the hell they are talking about?
Don't get me wrong, the bar is nice and dark, and if someone is tickling the ivory on the other side, you can enjoy the sounds without having to sit on top of the piano. The bar staff is usually polite enough, but can be lackadaisical at times, when it comes to clearing an obviously finished plate, finished for some time.
So, I tried again. I suppose, I didn't fully try again, for we sat at the bar and not at a table. We are so apprehensive to give them a chance to redeem themselves, that we are taking baby steps. It's not like they owe us anything, who are we? But, at least we do know what is good and what is bad.
So, at the bar Nighttown has a deal that if you order a burger, it is only $5. So, we started there, and perhaps we will give them another chance in the future. The burger was good. Cooked to the preference. I ordered mine medium with blue cheese and grilled onions. It arrived in perfect time and prepared just that way. The fries were perfectly crisp and hot. We had no complaints. (Other than the plate ordeal, but no biggy)
As I sat at the bar finishing up my bourbon, at 10:30 on a Thursday night, I watched as people poured in the door ready for dinner. There was a party of ten just arriving, and walk in parties of fives and sixes. It was good to see that a restaurant in Cleveland Heights can still be happenin at that time during the week, because there are not a lot of options for later night dining in the area. But, it just made me ask a new question...Do these people just not have any other options? Do they not know what they are talking about? Or, maybe I AM missing something.
Well, the burgers were good, the bourbon was delicious, and the pour was great. We will see when I am ready to go back for more than the burger, but I guess I have to try...maybe.

Lucky's Cafe

2008-02-08T11:21:00.004-05:00

777 Starkweather
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 622-7773
www.luckyscafe.com

Lucky's Cafe in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood is a perfect place to sit and sip coffee all day or just stop in for a quick bite. The cafe has indoor seating and outdoor seating. The seating outside consists of picnic tables lined up along side their personal herb and vegetable gardens.
Each time I have been to Lucky's I have left pleased and sometimes overly caffeinated, due to over indulgence of the luscious coffee. They are open seven days a week, but only serve brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. They offer sweet selections like scones, tarts, cookies, and cupcakes as well as soups and sandwiches. The sandwiches are served on your choice of house baked breads from focaccia and multigrain, to baguettes and flaky croissants. My most recent visit I left with two cupcakes and a peanut butter brownie, and unfortunately, all three were dry and unimpressive. Because of how good everything else has been, I surely will try again.
On the brunch days they serve delectable options, from gingerbread waffles with maple apples, honey whipped cream and house made caramel, to the Shipwreck: an egg scramble of bacon, potatoes, peppers, and cheese, served with buttery toast. I also have enjoyed their house made granola served with yogurt and fruit, as well as the oh so rich, brioche stuffed French toast, with sweetened ricotta and served with caramelized peaches. Sweet deliciousness. Even if you arrive on a busy weekend morning, the overstuffed couch near the front is a perfect spot to enjoy your meal and coffee while looking out of the large picture window on to the street, or conversing with your neighbor across the table.
The staff is always helpful and courteous. A few additional perks are that they adorn the walls with local artists' works, and also feature a daily dark roast, medium roast, and flavored coffee.
There is nothing like a locally owned cafe; especially one that grows it's own veggies and herbs, and Lucky's is definitely not one to overlook.

Ariyoshi

2008-02-05T15:36:00.002-05:00

2206 Lee Rd
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 321-1020

Ariyoshi, the Japanese restaurant on Cleveland Heights' Lee Road came through once again. I have spoken of this place before, and mentioned how I wanted to try and dine there often not only because the food was great but also to try and do my part to keep them around.
Well, I dined there once again the other night, and they did not disappoint.
The lighting was nice and dim, although they do have two huge flat screen televisions that seem to follow you wherever you go in the restaurant, which is a little intrusive. But once you are comfortably seated and focused on the tasty morsels in front of you, it is easier to block them out. This visit we tried the Ika Sansai salad. It is cooked squid tossed with sesame seeds and a savory dressing, served with shaved Daikon radish. The flavor was there but it did not wow me enough to say that I would order it again. We also ordered the Age Dashi Tofu appetizer, just to make sure it was as good as it had been previously; it was. So tender and tasty. There were four of us so we decided to order a few large sushi rolls (Futomaki), and a few small rolls (Hosomaki), as well as, a few pieces of Tuna (Maguro) nigiri style.
Each selection was perfectly assembled by the sushi chefs, and the fish was sweet and fresh. Our server was very engaging and attentive, and our carafe of hot Sake never sat empty.
Thankfully, Ariyoshi rose to the occasion once again and we all left with full bellies and planning our next visit.

Siam Cafe'

2008-01-25T22:02:00.003-05:00

3951 Saint Clair Ave NE
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 361-2323

What can I say? This is the best Thai/Cambodian cuisine to be found in Cleveland, (so far.) I say so far, because I have not been to every single Thai place in the city, but I have been to a good handful, so up to this point Siam Cafe' is the best. Every time you walk in to the place you are greeted with a warm hello, but for my personal taste it is way too bright. (Although I do like the lights to be lower than most in restaurants.)
They are always friendly and helpful if you should have questions about dishes, how prepared or their favorites. I personally love the Tom Khar Gai soup. Made with coconut milk, galanga, lime, scallions, and tender pieces of chicken. My significant other opts for the spicy Tom Yum Goong soup, which is great too. A must are the pan fried dumplings and the crispy spring rolls, just to get started while you figure out the rest. The rice paper rolls are refreshing with the bean sprouts and basil too. Going along the beef route, i would have to insist on the Beef with Pan Fried noodle.
It is served with a hearty brown sauce with carrots, shrooms, and broccoli. The noodles are crispy and juicy at the same time, from the savory sauce dowsed upon them. The duck dishes are quite fabulous as well, if you are in to duck. Most of the seafood dishes I have tried are succulent and well rounded with flavor. And if you are really hungry or have some friends with you, call ahead and see if they have any Ham hocks around...We went there with good friends of ours, and they luckily had the Ham hock special available, we couldn't resist. The platter full of fall off the bone meat came to the table surrounded by bok choy. It was just that simple. Juicy, tender, falling apart meat covered in a lightly sweetened gravy and perfectly cooked bok choy. Not only was this dish delicious, but the price was unbelievable! $15! Yes, that is right. The four of us with two beers each, tea, appetizers, soups, one dish, and the Ham hock got out of there for around $65! Can't beat that.
This is a place that you know every time you will get a damn good meal and not have empty pockets when you leave.

Smoke Daddy

2008-01-25T12:28:00.002-05:00

1804 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 772-6656
www.thesmokedaddy.com

Smokey is right... This joint is chill, tasty, and where it is at if you like Bbq and ribs. I have been there twice now, and the second time was just as good as the first. Last April I went there with my significant other, his sis, and his parents. So, there were five of us, and let me just say we did our part that night on some ribs! The ribs were permeated with that oh so good smokey flavor that can be sometimes hard to find. The pulled pork was juicy and tender, and the chicken was sweet and delicious. The mac and cheese was a gooey delight, and the baked beans were bacon infused mushy goodness.
The second visit this January, during our trek around Wicker Park in negative 20-degree weather, was just as enjoyable. We stopped in to warm up with some bourbon and a quick bite. We split a half slab of baby backs, mac and cheese and corn bread. The ribs did not disappoint once again. The corn bread was super moist and made with just enough jalapeños for a fiery boost. Again the staff was courteous and friendly, and we left there happy and warmed up for the next stop.

Lee Road

2008-01-22T23:49:00.003-05:00

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Cleveland Heights’ Lee Road is finally coming back to life.
Don’t get me wrong, the street has always been alive, with Irish pubs like Parnells where you can get an awesome Guinness and some Jamesons, and your other local hang outs like the Tav. Co., and don’t forget the Colony who never disappoints for better pub fare than most. But, now the up and coming Cleveland Heights strip of Lee Road is not just watering holes anymore, now the street is beginning to open a restaurant row of sorts. Under new construction is Anatolia Café (Update; 3/28/08 Now open and delicious.)that has its original space at Cedar Center just up the road. It is a Turkish spot, with tasty kabobs and grilled meats with yogurt sauces. The apple tea is like biting into a warm apple and can’t be beat, and please make sure you have some Kazandibi. A milk pudding dessert that I could eat by the plateful, for real.
Also, the Wine Room is under going a full renovation (Bliss Bistro and Lounge) and will hopefully reopen soon with a full kitchen and the previous dark wood, and inviting feel. Prabu was always there to talk wine and offer any knowledgeable suggestions.
I must not forget to mention Marotta's. A small dimly lit Italian restaurant. It is quaint and has an extensive wine list. The antipasto plate is perfect with cured meats, cheeses, artichokes, peppers, eggplant, olives, and greens, just to name a few. Their thin crust pizzas and pasta dishes are also delicious.
Ariyoshi is another new addition, a Japanese restaurant with a full sushi bar and tasty udon noodle soups, and Teriyaki dishes that I have yet to try. But the Age Dashi Tofu appetizer for $4.50, is a definite winner. With the sweet and soft tofu inside just a slightly fried skin, served with a salty special sauce. I have been there three times now and left pleased each time. I plan on trying to go there at least once a week to ensure they stick around.
Okay, I cannot lie, I did get a bone in a bite of some yellowtail sushi. But, that was my only complaint, and the sushi chef did make up for it by making a special salmon, crab, and ginger sauce plate. After that... what bone?

Buddy Guy/Carlos Johnson

2008-01-22T23:29:00.002-05:00

Buddy Guy’s Legends
754 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 427-1190
www.buddyguys.com

Buddy Guy a blues legend. I am by no means an expert when comes to blues or any genre of music for that matter, but I do know what sounds good and what I like. Oh Buddy!
Buddy Guy plays only a certain amount of shows at his own club every January. Unfortunately, from what I hear this will be the last series, because Columbia College in downtown Chi-town owns the land and is kicking Buddy out to make room for dorms or something that they could build somewhere else instead of on such a landmark sight as Buddy Guy’s spot. Ridiculous really, but what can you do? The “man” wins again…
Regardless, the show was definitely entertaining. I bought the tickets online in November on the day they went on sale for a Friday night show. That following Monday they were sold out for Friday nights.
We showed up at four in the afternoon and got the last open table in the house. We hung out for the next seven hours with people that had gotten there around eleven in the morning!
So, what else did we have to do, but eat and drink? Some beers, fried okra, and fried crawfish tails to start. Very good while hot, but don’t let them sit for too long or you will be sorry. Later after a few more drinks we ordered the chicken and sausage Jambalaya. The sausage was good and hearty, but I don’t think the dish was as good as it should and or could be. It lacked that kick in the ass you look for in a dish of that sort, especially when served at Buddy’s Legends.
We ended up meeting some locals who were planning on attending a half dozen shows over the course of the month and last year had actually purchased one of Buddy’s guitars for a nominal fee.
A surprise guest showed up around seven…Muddy Waters Jr…He sat in on a few good ol’ jams and you could hear his father’s sultry tones coming out as he crooned. Not to mention his freakin awesome suit.
Carlos Johnson (pic) opened up for Buddy around nine o’clock. I had not see him perform before, and his enthusiasm was contagious, I could not keep still while he was up on stage doing what he does, and I was happy to have witnessed his talents.

Buddy finally started playing around eleven. Walked right in off the street and went at it. He started the first song and had one of his female employees bring him a shot on stage. He belted out the riffs like the pro he his, but someone once said, "it his voice that is most impressive." How he keeps going night after night at his age is something to be respected and admired. Not to mention how he continued to do shots as he took his wireless guitar all around the club stopping at the bar on his way, and sharing the mic with the ladies as he went.
One thing that was disappointing, was that as these talented musicians played their hearts out, I looked around the room to see not one other soul moving to the groove. We were the ONLY two dancin in our seats. The whole crowd just sat or stood in their spots and stared at the stage. Every once and awhile I would see a smile break out, but that was about it.

Bongo Room

2008-01-22T23:26:00.003-05:00

1470 N Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago , OH
(773) 489-0690

I first heard about the Bongo Room by doing searches online for breakfast spots or cafes in Wicker Park. It kept showing up with rave reviews, so I had to see for myself. A freezing early Saturday morning we braved the elements and made it. We had about a 10 minute wait until we were seated. The fact that there were only two of us was extremely helpful, I watched parties of three and more waiting at least 20 if not 30 more minutes for a table. From what I hear we got off easy, usually the wait is out the door on the weekends. The tables are close together so you will get to know your neighbors. Our neighbors were a very nice couple that shared quite a bit of their knowledge of the city, and to our surprise they were from the Cleveland area as well.
The service was great. They ran a tight ship. The water in the glass never fell below half and neither did the coffee, which by the way was delicious. I ordered the Pumpkin and Graham Cracker Pancakes, served with a vanilla bean crème anglais and dusted with cinnamon. Talk about rich. Talk about sweet. The pancakes themselves had great graham flavor and if I were to get the dish again, I would certainly get the anglais on the side. There was no way I could finish the portion or anything else for that matter. My companion ordered the breakfast burrito, meatless and served with chunky potatoes. The burrito was filled with fluffy eggs and veggies and he seemed quite pleased.
After we departed, he later told me that he did find a hair on the plate, but did not want to ruin the visit, although it wouldn’t have changed the company or the experience.

Marche'

2008-01-22T14:28:00.002-05:00

833 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 226 8399
www.marche-chicago.com

Negative 20 degrees in Chicago is not fun. Crazy windy and you have to stop every two blocks to get some coffee or some booze just to keep going. After an afternoon of just such stops, needless to say we needed a nap...
The original plan was to take a restaurant crawl up Randolph, in the West Loop, stopping in place after place to experience as many as we fancied...Perhaps warm up with some hot sake and some maguro at Meiji, then to Blackbird for a small bite too. Well, after our nap, we just barely made our nine o'clock reservation at Marche' a few blocks down the street from the above mentioned restaurants.
The size of the place was not at all what we expected, its soaring ceilings were adorned with elaborate and colorful fabrics, something that of a circus...It had us worried. We had read the reviews and praise, but we began to doubt the quality from the flurry of activity we witnessed as we were guided to our table situated in the back corner of the restaurant. Much to our contentment, the place was dimly lit, (although the website would have you believe something different).
The music echoing overhead at first was a bit intrusive, until we heard Les Nubians piping through the speakers, then we knew we were in good hands for the time being.
We started with a few glasses of champagne ($14) for the middle of the road choice. Our server was nice. She realized we were not in a rush and we invited her to join us and enjoy the food, she politely declined with a chuckle. We proceeded with steak tartar, and escargot which both were extremely tasty. Although, I personally did not need the bread crumb topping on the little guys, since the bread served, was perfect for dipping in the buttery, garlic goodness. A bottle of Chinon that reminded us of our trip to the Loire Valley of France a few years back followed...Next the evening selection of pate'. Pork and pistachio wrapped with pork fat, and served with duck liver mousse accompanied by whole grain mustard and cornichons. Rich and guiltily dirty. (dirty in the good way, dirty).
Moules Mariniere came next. The pommes frites were perfectly crisp and salty, and the mussels arrived in a creamy shallot broth. Finally we opted for the cheese plate, since we were getting quite full at that point. Three or five choices; we went for five of course. Served with some dried fruits and nuts each was tastier than the next.
We really wanted to try a dessert, but our guts would not allow us. So we decided on an after dinner drink...no such luck, they did not carry Navan (the Madagascar vanilla bean flavored creation of Grand Marnier) which we both had a taste for, so we moved on to a place next door for espressos and limoncello...
All in all, the low light, the great service, and the rich flavors of France brought back a flood of memories from our travels and if given the option we would definitely go back to indulge, but, really, Chicago has so many French eateries that I would rather try a new spot before my return.