Tom's Seafood Restaurant

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.

Siam Cafe'

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.