Latitude 41 Yum

Latitude 41 has a new menu, some new specials but the same great prices that make them one of my favorite stops for a good fresh meal.  Every time you walk in the staff is friendly and inviting.  You order at the counter and then they bring the food to your table.  The place has great maps all over and hot sauce on every table!  As a bonus, they are part of Cleveland Independents and have a card in the deck.  My biggest problem is if by myself or even with one other person it is hard to get to $30 to be able to use the gift card. 

Last night was Friday and I was craving a fish fry like none other!  So I decided to try it at Latitude.  I ordered the one piece fish fry for $6.50!  That is cheaper then any of the local churches fish frys.  For $6.50 you get one large piece of hot fried fish, a dish of cole slaw, potato and sweet potato fries and fresh tarter sauce.  The fish was flaky and perfectly fried.  I added a little hot sauce and used a little bit of the tarter sauce on it.  The tarter sauce was delicious and also great a great dip for the fries.  The cole slaw was slightly sweet and delicious.  I do not even like cole slaw because of the mayonnaise, but this was well balanced.  For a fish fry, this was an amazing deal and you cannot get this much food that cheap almost anywhere!

During the week are other specials including: Wednesday night choice of 7 burgers for $6.50 and domestic beer for $2, Thursday choice of 8 chicken sandwiches (grilled or fried) for $6.50, and the famous breakfast Menage a Trois for $4.95.  the sandwiches include choice of cole slaw or fries and the Menage includes 2 eggs, 2 bacon, a homemade sausage, potatoes and toast.  It is an amazing deal in a clean fresh cooking environment. 

The new menu has some of the old favorites...like the amazing pizzas and Latitude Attitudes.  They have added some salads, meatball and meatless balls, and pasta dishes with things like mussels and chicken Parmesan.  What they, sadly as it was my favorite, got rid of were the pasta bakes.  Hopefully they will bring them back as specials once in a while. 

This is a great place to like on Facebook as they will put out specials for Facebook users during the week that is not on the menu.  Some days they will do a pizza special or a soup and sandwich special that is only posted in Facebook.  In addition to the menu are fresh specials every day.  Last night they also had a beautiful pasta with seafood on the menu.  I was set on a fish fry, but may consider that on another night if they have it again.  They serve wine and beer and desserts.  This is an old favorite and it is a great value for the quality of the food!

Cleveland Independents Restaurant Week

Another week...another prix fixe menu...this time for the 2 restaurant week of the year from Cleveland Independents.  This one is a bit more open as the restaurants are all over the city and they are all part of my favorite consortium of restaurants.  As per my usual plan of attack...I reviewed menus and put together what I think are the best menus for the value.  I also tried to look at places I have not been before.  the deal for Cleveland independents is $33 for three courses. 

The first place is Cowell and Hubbard.  I have to admit I picked this purely for the apps and dessert.  The appetisers include a fresh roasted tomato soup with grilled cheese or a salmon tartar with avocado and chimichurri sauce.  There is absolutely nothing that I do not love about both of these items.  For dinner he is offering a chicken panzenella or a shrimp and polenta cake.  But dessert...desert includes baked apple or peanut butter and jelly cheesecake...YUM!

My second choice is another place I have never been...but Flour has an amazing menu for restaurant week.  The appetiser includes a duck and prosciutto meatball with marscapone and red wine.  Dinner includes

Strozzapreti Castelvetrano Olives, Arugula, White Anchovies, Caper-Butter and a beef short rib with wild mushroom risotto.  Dessert just sounds amazing...nutella and banana ice cream bar with peanut butter powder. 

A favorite restaurant of mine is Pier W and they do not disappoint for restaurant week either. Apps include a truffle diver scallop or a wild boar pate en crute.  There are four dinner choices including a pesto crusted cod with lobster mashed potatoes or for meat lovers beef medallions or roasted duck.  Dessert is not so exciting with either a peppermint cheesecake or a selection of sorbet. 

My last choice was between Hyde Park and Flying Fig.  I went with Flying Fig purely based on the unique menu.  The appetiser includes polenta with greens and mushrooms.  Dinner includes

Posole with Confit Ohio Pork Shoulder Hominy, Lime and Smoked Chile or a Seafood Stew Shrimp, Scallops, Whitefish and Mussels in Coconut Curry Broth with Jasmine Rice.  Dessert also is not so exciting with a brownie parfait or apple crisp.

another couple of my favorites...which i always frequent during restaurant week so I am avoiding them this time...Players and Grovewood Tavern. 

So there are my best menus.  I hope everyone will go out and support these fine establishments which promote local food and culture.