It is that season for the wonderful fish frys that happen all over Northeast Ohio. So where is the best deal for local Friday nights...well I am going to divide in to places to look for them.
1. Local churches. It is hard for me to tell you where the best value is located but I can tell you that the best location is St. Mary's on Warren Road. You walk in, place your order, are seated, and the food comes out to you. It is hot and fresh and not greasy at all. You need to check the different churches to see what is best. Some use really crappy old frozen fish others have homemade perogies and haluski.
2. Local Clubs. For this I mean look at the local Polish Club, Slovak Club, Italian Club. Sometimes they are open to the public on a Friday night for the fish fry or maybe you know a member. They usually offer a great deal and are fresh.
3. Local restaurant specials. I have seen a few great places for Friday specials. Soho in Ohio City offers pieces of fish, shrimp, or oysters for $5 with sides ranging from jalapeno hush puppies to mac a cheese to BBQ Cole Slaw for $3 a side. You could make a meal for $8-11. Wexler's Tavern offers fish dinners including cole slaw, fries, bread and butter from $9.99 to $13.99 and sides of periogies for $3. The best idea...Mac and Cheese with a salad for only $7.99.
BEWARE- some places try to lure you with a fish "special" that is just overinflated in price for where you are going. If a meal costs you over $15 at a restaurant and you are not at a restaurant like Pier W or Blue Point- they are gouging you. If it is more like a bar or casual dining restaurant, just watch what they try to sell.
Share your ideas for a great fish fry. I am always looking and looking forward to a nice church one this Friday. I gave up fried food for lent, except once a week so I could enjoy my Lenten treat.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week
One of my favorite weeks of the year. I know I am late in reviewing and it is already Wednesday but...my top picks and low picks for the best menus.
My love of restaurant week is not just for the value, but for seeing something different then the restaurant usually has and enjoying a meal that leaves me wanting to come back and pay full price. Places like Lola, Mallorca and Cowell and Hubbard have been favorites of mine in the past and make me want to find a reason to go there other than restaurant week. I have been to all of them for just special occasions since my restaurant week experience.
I have to start by saying it was hard to pick the top menus because so many restaurants had interesting items that made it well worth the value and purpose of restaurant week. This time the restaurants I picked are all places I have never been for dinner.
Luca Italian Cuisine- located on the via duct (already making it more promising because parking is easier to find) first course is a soup or salad-sort of boring but the rest of the meal sounds AMAZING. Choice of Vitello Tortellini, Pappardelli Bolognese, Filetto di Manzo, and Fieletto di Salmone. The salmon is wrapped in prosciutto with a creamy cognac sauce, the pappardelli has ground beef, duck and wild boar. Definitely interesting items that I am excited to try. For dessert- Tiramisu or decadent chocolate mouse- this may sound boring but an amazing tiramisu can make any dinner better. (Yes I am a little biased, many make tiramisu very few have perfected it)
Hodges- First course choice of Chicken Liven Toast, Canadian Mussels, Caesar Salad or Creamy beer and Tillamook soup- this is a great first course! Second course- braised beef cheeks, Salmon or fried chicken thighs. While salmon and fried chicken are not that exciting...you rarely see braised beef cheeks-thanks for going outside of the box Chef Hodson. Dessert- banana cream pie or chocolate bread pudding- ok this is sort of boring but the rest of the meal sounds amazing that I can let it go this time.
Ken Stewarts- First course has 8 different choices- the interesting ones: truffle fries, house made ricotta or calamari. Definitely not your typical soup or salad. Second course- five choices and the most interesting: wagyu and wild board meatloaf with sweet potato risotto and a roast tomato and soy BBQ sauce or scallops with sweet potato puree Brussels sprouts, crisp gaufrettes and pomegranate molasses. Each one different and with some personality. dessert- peanut butter bomb or chocolate tiramisu- why do the restaurants always wuss out on dessert.
Zocalo- Ok I have heard Zocalo's food has not been up to par lately. I have never eaten dinner there only went for drinks so I cannot comment on that, but the menu sounds fun. First course offers bacon wrapped scallops seared in orange glaze with a citrus habanero salsa or baked chili oysters on the half shell. I do not even like oysters but I want to try it out. Second course- there are 5 choices but the most interesting: Zocalo Paella- shrimp, scallops, chicken, oysters, rajas, and chicken stock served over saffron rice. Mexican Lasagna with chorizo and rajas. For dessert- lime sorbet or cinnamon tamale soppapillas.
Ok now for the ones that just really put in no effort at all:
San Souci- Salad, Pasta, dessert- really why bother participating if it is going to be that simple
Tomo Hibachi-you are offering dinner for 2 for $30 but- Edamame and Gyoza, Chicken Hibachi or Sushi, and Cheesecake or Chocolate cake- zero creativity although a good value for 2 people.
Slight disappointment- Chinato and Cowell and Hubbard- usually Zach Bruell does something really interesting not on his normal menu for restaurant week- while the choice constitutes a good value I just feel like they are not being as creative as normal. Also disappointing in Lola. Again great value for the meal but not interesting. Once of my first times at Lola was for a restaurant week and there was beef heart on the menu. That to me is fun and interesting and the purpose of restaurant week.
Maybe for another restaurant week or Cleveland Independents or Zach Bruell restaurant week the menus will be more exciting. Wow...we have a lot of restaurant weeks in Cleveland- we are a town that loves great food!
My love of restaurant week is not just for the value, but for seeing something different then the restaurant usually has and enjoying a meal that leaves me wanting to come back and pay full price. Places like Lola, Mallorca and Cowell and Hubbard have been favorites of mine in the past and make me want to find a reason to go there other than restaurant week. I have been to all of them for just special occasions since my restaurant week experience.
I have to start by saying it was hard to pick the top menus because so many restaurants had interesting items that made it well worth the value and purpose of restaurant week. This time the restaurants I picked are all places I have never been for dinner.
Luca Italian Cuisine- located on the via duct (already making it more promising because parking is easier to find) first course is a soup or salad-sort of boring but the rest of the meal sounds AMAZING. Choice of Vitello Tortellini, Pappardelli Bolognese, Filetto di Manzo, and Fieletto di Salmone. The salmon is wrapped in prosciutto with a creamy cognac sauce, the pappardelli has ground beef, duck and wild boar. Definitely interesting items that I am excited to try. For dessert- Tiramisu or decadent chocolate mouse- this may sound boring but an amazing tiramisu can make any dinner better. (Yes I am a little biased, many make tiramisu very few have perfected it)
Hodges- First course choice of Chicken Liven Toast, Canadian Mussels, Caesar Salad or Creamy beer and Tillamook soup- this is a great first course! Second course- braised beef cheeks, Salmon or fried chicken thighs. While salmon and fried chicken are not that exciting...you rarely see braised beef cheeks-thanks for going outside of the box Chef Hodson. Dessert- banana cream pie or chocolate bread pudding- ok this is sort of boring but the rest of the meal sounds amazing that I can let it go this time.
Ken Stewarts- First course has 8 different choices- the interesting ones: truffle fries, house made ricotta or calamari. Definitely not your typical soup or salad. Second course- five choices and the most interesting: wagyu and wild board meatloaf with sweet potato risotto and a roast tomato and soy BBQ sauce or scallops with sweet potato puree Brussels sprouts, crisp gaufrettes and pomegranate molasses. Each one different and with some personality. dessert- peanut butter bomb or chocolate tiramisu- why do the restaurants always wuss out on dessert.
Zocalo- Ok I have heard Zocalo's food has not been up to par lately. I have never eaten dinner there only went for drinks so I cannot comment on that, but the menu sounds fun. First course offers bacon wrapped scallops seared in orange glaze with a citrus habanero salsa or baked chili oysters on the half shell. I do not even like oysters but I want to try it out. Second course- there are 5 choices but the most interesting: Zocalo Paella- shrimp, scallops, chicken, oysters, rajas, and chicken stock served over saffron rice. Mexican Lasagna with chorizo and rajas. For dessert- lime sorbet or cinnamon tamale soppapillas.
Ok now for the ones that just really put in no effort at all:
San Souci- Salad, Pasta, dessert- really why bother participating if it is going to be that simple
Tomo Hibachi-you are offering dinner for 2 for $30 but- Edamame and Gyoza, Chicken Hibachi or Sushi, and Cheesecake or Chocolate cake- zero creativity although a good value for 2 people.
Slight disappointment- Chinato and Cowell and Hubbard- usually Zach Bruell does something really interesting not on his normal menu for restaurant week- while the choice constitutes a good value I just feel like they are not being as creative as normal. Also disappointing in Lola. Again great value for the meal but not interesting. Once of my first times at Lola was for a restaurant week and there was beef heart on the menu. That to me is fun and interesting and the purpose of restaurant week.
Maybe for another restaurant week or Cleveland Independents or Zach Bruell restaurant week the menus will be more exciting. Wow...we have a lot of restaurant weeks in Cleveland- we are a town that loves great food!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Jack Flaps Yum!
While parking in Ohio stinks...the food at Jack Flaps is worth it...as long as you like sweet. First of all these were some of the best pancakes I have ever had, crispy and fluffy at the same time, great flavor even without the toppings. Now when we get to the toppings- everything is sweet. My friend had just plan jack flaps and it comes with a side of cinnamon syrup- that is delicious and special butter which neither of us tried. I had the lemon curd pancakes. They were topped with lemon curd, berries and had graham crackers. They were delicious and I could not even fully finish them. We both ordered the cola braised bacon which was delicious and salty but also sweet. The happy hour...1-3 when all the jack flaps are $5. AWESOME!!!!
Onto the other items, many people ordered a side of eggs with their pancakes and waffles and they looked good. They have things other than just pancakes including waffles, eggy bread (French toast), a few others and sides that include root vegetable hash, bacon, eggs, yogurt. I really wanted to cola braised bacon or I would have gone with one of the non-sweet items on the menu- a homage to another one of his restaurants- the Happy Jack. A waffle topped with garlicky greens, everything cream cheese and an all beef hotdog. It is a waffle with three of my favorite ingredients from Happy Dog...add some Momocho habanero sauce and I would have been all over it.
The scene is fun and their is no alcohol so it is definitely a eat before your drink or next morning hangover place. That being said, there were families there were small children and you could definitely order items and share- the servings are big enough. I would love to go back again and try a waffle or maybe even the crab benedict and root vegetable hash...but alas that is for another day.
Onto the other items, many people ordered a side of eggs with their pancakes and waffles and they looked good. They have things other than just pancakes including waffles, eggy bread (French toast), a few others and sides that include root vegetable hash, bacon, eggs, yogurt. I really wanted to cola braised bacon or I would have gone with one of the non-sweet items on the menu- a homage to another one of his restaurants- the Happy Jack. A waffle topped with garlicky greens, everything cream cheese and an all beef hotdog. It is a waffle with three of my favorite ingredients from Happy Dog...add some Momocho habanero sauce and I would have been all over it.
The scene is fun and their is no alcohol so it is definitely a eat before your drink or next morning hangover place. That being said, there were families there were small children and you could definitely order items and share- the servings are big enough. I would love to go back again and try a waffle or maybe even the crab benedict and root vegetable hash...but alas that is for another day.
Press Wine Bar
Ok...so I have not blogged in a while. The cold kept me from going out to enjoy the great food of the city. But finally I have broken out and ventured into the cold wintery mix of Cleveland. So Press Wine Bar, great location, great décor and I have been there before for brunch and the amazing Bloody Mary's. But this time it was a catch up session with an old friend over drinks and food for happy hour.
To begin with they have many reasonably priced wines- under $9 a glass- and they have about 8-9 wines available during happy hour for just $5. This is better than most places that have one house red and one house white for happy hour. The cool thing about their choices, you have some. As for the food, to begin with everything is fresh and of good quality. There are only a few items for the $5 happy hour price, but they are a good bargain. On the $5 menu is their shrimp deviled eggs- which I did not have this time but have had before and they are amazing, mussels, two pizzas and the risotto balls.
My dining companion and I opted for a chicken flat bread pizza, risotto balls, and a salad. The flat bread pizza was great, crisp crust, good amount of toppings, great flavor. The risotto balls were crispy with a chunk of fresh mozzarella inside. They were topped with tomatoes and balsamic. It could have used a little bit more salt, but otherwise they were perfect. My dinner companion also ordered a salad that looked great. It had arugula and a poached pear that was perfect.
I would definitely go back. On a Monday night they had a decent crowd, never too busy, but constant., The bar tender was awesome. We were sitting there for over 4 hours catching up and he never made us feel rushed or like we needed to leave because we were not drinking anymore. If you like brunch I recommend their brunch to anyone. It was great when I went with some friends. Reasonably priced and delicious as well!~
To begin with they have many reasonably priced wines- under $9 a glass- and they have about 8-9 wines available during happy hour for just $5. This is better than most places that have one house red and one house white for happy hour. The cool thing about their choices, you have some. As for the food, to begin with everything is fresh and of good quality. There are only a few items for the $5 happy hour price, but they are a good bargain. On the $5 menu is their shrimp deviled eggs- which I did not have this time but have had before and they are amazing, mussels, two pizzas and the risotto balls.
My dining companion and I opted for a chicken flat bread pizza, risotto balls, and a salad. The flat bread pizza was great, crisp crust, good amount of toppings, great flavor. The risotto balls were crispy with a chunk of fresh mozzarella inside. They were topped with tomatoes and balsamic. It could have used a little bit more salt, but otherwise they were perfect. My dinner companion also ordered a salad that looked great. It had arugula and a poached pear that was perfect.
I would definitely go back. On a Monday night they had a decent crowd, never too busy, but constant., The bar tender was awesome. We were sitting there for over 4 hours catching up and he never made us feel rushed or like we needed to leave because we were not drinking anymore. If you like brunch I recommend their brunch to anyone. It was great when I went with some friends. Reasonably priced and delicious as well!~
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Toast Happy Hour
Toast is a great new place in Gordon Square, right across the street from the Capitol Theater and so great shops. While I have had drinks and appetizers and dinner here before, I had never tried the happy hour. The food and drinks can be pricey, but happy hour is a great way to experience this new gem!
To start with, the drinks are normally $11 each. They are all handcrafted and full of quality ingredients. For happy hour though, they offer discounted beer and a house red/Wine for $5 and this time a mulled cider for $5. These drinks are frugal worthy, the others are for indulgence!
The food...my favorite part of any blog. The food is delicious and sourced locally (another favorite of this frugal lady). We ordered and shared the fun. To start we have the corn dogs- hush puppies with a large slice of kielbasa inside topped with a drizzle of honey. yum! We also had an order of the trio of tapenade. This is $1 less then normal menu price. This time the trio included eggplant, smoked white trout, and beef. The toast were perfectly sliced and toasted and the tapenade was the perfect ratio. Now onto the main course- we had the burger and the grilled cheese. Sounds boring right? WRONG! The burger was made from brisket, served on a home baked brioche roll with egg, cheddar and BBQ sauce. The grilled cheese was beautiful Middlefield cheese and grilled to perfect with a special type of bacon and homemade peach preserves. The food was delicious, fresh and filling. The prices very reasonable for the quality received.
This was a special night out so we did order some specialty cocktails. They were also delicious and well made. I would put some of their hand crafted cocktails at $11 a piece against anything from Velvet Tango room at $20 a piece. These are well worth the money and just as good. To make the atmosphere even better, the bartenders are friendly and accommodating and knowledgeable of what they are serving and the drinks they are crafting.
To start with, the drinks are normally $11 each. They are all handcrafted and full of quality ingredients. For happy hour though, they offer discounted beer and a house red/Wine for $5 and this time a mulled cider for $5. These drinks are frugal worthy, the others are for indulgence!
The food...my favorite part of any blog. The food is delicious and sourced locally (another favorite of this frugal lady). We ordered and shared the fun. To start we have the corn dogs- hush puppies with a large slice of kielbasa inside topped with a drizzle of honey. yum! We also had an order of the trio of tapenade. This is $1 less then normal menu price. This time the trio included eggplant, smoked white trout, and beef. The toast were perfectly sliced and toasted and the tapenade was the perfect ratio. Now onto the main course- we had the burger and the grilled cheese. Sounds boring right? WRONG! The burger was made from brisket, served on a home baked brioche roll with egg, cheddar and BBQ sauce. The grilled cheese was beautiful Middlefield cheese and grilled to perfect with a special type of bacon and homemade peach preserves. The food was delicious, fresh and filling. The prices very reasonable for the quality received.
This was a special night out so we did order some specialty cocktails. They were also delicious and well made. I would put some of their hand crafted cocktails at $11 a piece against anything from Velvet Tango room at $20 a piece. These are well worth the money and just as good. To make the atmosphere even better, the bartenders are friendly and accommodating and knowledgeable of what they are serving and the drinks they are crafting.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Don's Lighthouse- Fabulous Happy Hours and specials
Don's Lighthouse is right down the street. For years I have enjoyed a meal there and a few times I have been there for restaurant week. But for some reason I never went to happy hour- my mistake! To begin with Skyy Vodka martini's are only $5. The choices for happy hour are extensive and cheap! Definitely go with a friends.
I was on my own this night so I ordered the sampler- one crab cake, 2 shrimp, 3 bruschetta all for 6.50. The crab cake was all crab to the point where it sort of fell apart. It was topped with corn and a fresh cream sauce- very tasty. The shrimp were jump plain shrimp cocktail with delicious cocktail sauce with horseradish. The bruschetta were long thin pieces of bread grilled and topped with tomato and balsamic. I did see a neighbor at the bar who ordered the mussels ($5) and the mini burgers (4.50). Both were large. The mussels were served with a wine and tomato broth, the mini burgers were four nice size burgers on beautiful fluffy rolls. IF you are with a group also order the artichoke/spinach dip at $3.88 it is well worth it and perfect to share. Also on the menu escargot ($4.50) and order of Bruschetta ($6.75) and Crab cakes.
There are also great specials almost every night. Tuesday night is $15 lobster tail served over mashed potatoes with drawn butter. Sunday is $10 off steak and lobster dinner. One night is burger night as well.
The crowd is a bit older, but the food is really good. Young foodies definitely should tyr this place out.
I was on my own this night so I ordered the sampler- one crab cake, 2 shrimp, 3 bruschetta all for 6.50. The crab cake was all crab to the point where it sort of fell apart. It was topped with corn and a fresh cream sauce- very tasty. The shrimp were jump plain shrimp cocktail with delicious cocktail sauce with horseradish. The bruschetta were long thin pieces of bread grilled and topped with tomato and balsamic. I did see a neighbor at the bar who ordered the mussels ($5) and the mini burgers (4.50). Both were large. The mussels were served with a wine and tomato broth, the mini burgers were four nice size burgers on beautiful fluffy rolls. IF you are with a group also order the artichoke/spinach dip at $3.88 it is well worth it and perfect to share. Also on the menu escargot ($4.50) and order of Bruschetta ($6.75) and Crab cakes.
There are also great specials almost every night. Tuesday night is $15 lobster tail served over mashed potatoes with drawn butter. Sunday is $10 off steak and lobster dinner. One night is burger night as well.
The crowd is a bit older, but the food is really good. Young foodies definitely should tyr this place out.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Cleveland independent restaurant week
So it is restaurant week and this is my favorite time of the year. While most places are awesome, I want to point out the most interesting.
A few offer pairings with wine. My two favorites are tartine bistro and pier w. Pier w always has the best food offerings. This year is the same. The most interesting choices include the braised baby root vegetables in coconut milk, sweet basil, and Thai chili's; blackened gulf shrimp with chorizo, cornbread stuffing, and tomato and baby squash fondue; Bavarian chocolate smore baked Alaska. All $30 and can add wine pairing for an extra $15.
Tartine offers the meal for $33 with a glass of wine. The choices include any salad, coq au vin, and tarte tatin.
Bac offers a "fourth" course of either dessert or a drink. Most interesting choices green papaya salad, coconut milk crepe, and any of their big plates.
A new restaurant to Cleveland independents is Toast in Gordon Square. There most interesting items include beef tartar, pumpkin oats with sage, risotto, walnut, farm egg, and pumpkin; chocolate Bavarian with black tea, plum and almond.
On the east side and where I am hoping to go...Paladar. best choices tilapia and avocado crevice; jalapeno spiced lamb stew; pineapple rum,upside down cake.
And a few oldies but goodies....
Dons Lighthouse with mussels, lobster tail, creme brulee. GREAT value. Players include grilled portabelli with caramelized onions, Sun dried tomato, chevre, spinach and calamita; Mediterranean salad, mustard seed glazed Berkshire pork chop with butternut squash pierogies, apple's sage and walnuts.
Most interesting dessert...Flour. for dinner try fried olives with goat cheese, calabrian salmon with salsa Verde and polenta croutons and dessert...nutella and popcorn ice cream bar.
Now these are just my suggestions and a few of them direct you to the restaurant website for the menu. Check out Grovewood and new this year Townhall on their site.
Happy eating!
A few offer pairings with wine. My two favorites are tartine bistro and pier w. Pier w always has the best food offerings. This year is the same. The most interesting choices include the braised baby root vegetables in coconut milk, sweet basil, and Thai chili's; blackened gulf shrimp with chorizo, cornbread stuffing, and tomato and baby squash fondue; Bavarian chocolate smore baked Alaska. All $30 and can add wine pairing for an extra $15.
Tartine offers the meal for $33 with a glass of wine. The choices include any salad, coq au vin, and tarte tatin.
Bac offers a "fourth" course of either dessert or a drink. Most interesting choices green papaya salad, coconut milk crepe, and any of their big plates.
A new restaurant to Cleveland independents is Toast in Gordon Square. There most interesting items include beef tartar, pumpkin oats with sage, risotto, walnut, farm egg, and pumpkin; chocolate Bavarian with black tea, plum and almond.
On the east side and where I am hoping to go...Paladar. best choices tilapia and avocado crevice; jalapeno spiced lamb stew; pineapple rum,upside down cake.
And a few oldies but goodies....
Dons Lighthouse with mussels, lobster tail, creme brulee. GREAT value. Players include grilled portabelli with caramelized onions, Sun dried tomato, chevre, spinach and calamita; Mediterranean salad, mustard seed glazed Berkshire pork chop with butternut squash pierogies, apple's sage and walnuts.
Most interesting dessert...Flour. for dinner try fried olives with goat cheese, calabrian salmon with salsa Verde and polenta croutons and dessert...nutella and popcorn ice cream bar.
Now these are just my suggestions and a few of them direct you to the restaurant website for the menu. Check out Grovewood and new this year Townhall on their site.
Happy eating!
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