Chowder House Café–Cuyahoga Falls Eclectic Greatness

I have to admit that I am a very happy guy, for a while it seemed like I was in a bit of a rut, hitting places that were ok, but nothing special, but I seemed to have found my mojo, and Chowder House Café was o

ne of the major reasons why I got my groove back.  I have to give credit on this one to Groupon (the link is here), since I had not  heard of CHC when it came up on the Akron/Canton Groupon listing; I liked the menu and figured that I would give it a try since during the summer I get up to Cuyahoga Falls for the Friday Concerts  and the Gorge Park.  I have to say that I found CHC to be exactly the kind of place I am looking for and exactly what this blog is all about.
Located at 2028 Chestnut Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223, just off of State Road (old Route 8), it is easy to miss CHC unless you are looking for it, since the building is not very visible from State Road.  The outside starts to give a hint of the eclectic wonders that await inside. with some funky painting, little twinkle lights and a patio that must be a nice place to hang in the summer.  Once inside you find a couple of small dining areas with the kitchen in the middle.  The Chowder House name may invoke images of New England and you may expect lobster pots, nets and other nautical gear, but CHC has gone a completely different way.  The décor is what I would describe as funky eclectic, with brightly colored and quite complicated murals on the walls, comfy tables and chairs and just a wonderful friendly atmosphere of organized chaos.  To me the place feels like something you would find in New Orleans or the hip part of a big city, not in the middle of suburban sprawl across from a drugstore.
I was seated at a high table next to the window, which of course had a winter wonderland display; my server told me that the decorations change seasonally.   A quick perusal of the menu (which you can see at the CHC website here) reveals the eclectic extends to the food selection as well.  There are influences from different cuisines such as New England (Clam Chowder, Lobster Rolls, etc.), New Orleans (Étouffée, Muffuletta), French (Cassoulet, French Onion Soup) mixed with Fish Tacos, Walleye, and just anything else that the chef finds interesting.  Putting together a menu like this can be fun and exciting, but the test is whether the food actually delivers on the diverse range of flavors.
I made the tough choice and started with a the Lobster Bisque, deciding to save the namesake Chowder on another trip.  I got a nice sized bowl of some of the best bisque I have ever had.  The soup was creamy, without being thick, perfectly balanced with just a touch of sherry for acid and loaded with sweet and tender pieces of lobster.  Sided with a thick slice of bread, that was a bit softer then I would have guessed, this was a perfect start to my meal.
Next up I had the walleye sandwich, with a nice fillet of baked walleye on a nice bun with a herbed mayo.  I think this is the first time that I have had walleye that wasn’t fried.  The fish was moist and expertly cooked, with most of it tasting wonderful.  Unfortunately as I have found with walleye, there is part of the fillet that can be a bit more fishy, in this case it wasn’t bad, just a  bit inconsistent.  The portion is nice and with the big mound of chips and pretty filling meal.

Since I had $30 of Groupon to spend, I ordered a Lobster Roll to take home for the next day.  A generous portion of lobster and shrimp is mixed with some quality mayo and served in the classic split top hot dog bun.   The salad was excellent, with just enough mayo to hold it together without overpowering the subtle flavors of the lobster.  A great taste of New England at a reasonable price which was a perfect lunch the next day.
With a couple of bucks left on the Groupon, I decided to see what was in the desert case and was seduced into a slice of the chocolate cake.  Layers of a moist cake alternated with rich frosting and then topped with delicious chocolate ganache resulted in a great end to one of the better meals I have had in a while. 
My waitress was wonderful, knowledgeable and friendly, but not afraid to check on something when she wasn’t sure (I asked about meat in the Etouffee and sure enough, they do add sausage into their version).  She seemed to be happy to be working at CHC and provided the right level of attention without being overbearing.
Chowder House Café is a real find, I cannot recommend it more highly.  This is clearly a place where the chef has a vision of what he wants and has the skills to execute the food properly.   With a menu as diverse and eclectic as CHC has, it would be easy to have some major miscues, but I did not see any in my visit.  The atmosphere is funky but has an energy and verve that I like, the food was excellent and very well priced for the quality and flavor that you get.  If you are near Cuyahoga Falls or Akron, you should try CHC out, but I would go further and recommend that you consider making a trip to give CHC a try even if you are not nearby.

The Flat Iron Café–Heart of the Flats

Over the years, Cleveland’s flats have gone through a lot of changes: t

he East Side is hot, then empty; the West Side gets the Powerhouse and Shooters; condos are built and filled; heck even the famous Cuyahoga River fire, but through it all the Flat Iron Café just keeps going, dishing out welcoming food and drink in a warm atmosphere.  It had been a while since I had checked the Flat Iron out, so when a Groupon (Groupon Site is here) came up for it, I grabbed it and have been waiting to use it for a while. 
The Flat Iron is located at 1114 Center Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113 right across the street from the Center Street Bridge (the swing bridge) and underneath the Detroit Superior Bridge.  The nicely kept triangle shaped brick building is a perfect reflection of the comfortable Irish tavern inside.  Once inside you find a comfortable bar and restaurant with lots of dark wood, plenty of green highlights and just enough decoration to feel welcomed without being overwhelmed.  As opposed to some of bars around town which feel a need to show how Irish they are, the Flat Iron is comfortable in its own skin.  The bar along one wall provides a nice place to grab a beer and just relax.  The two slightly raised dining areas along the windows are comfortable, with plain wooden chairs and tables.  
Service is friendly and attentive, without being overly familiar.  My waitress was helpful and seemed to know just the right level of attention to give her customers.  The menu quickly arrived (you can see the menu here), and is filled with the items you expect at an Irish Pub, done very well.  With $20 to spend on my Groupon, I figured on getting the Perch Sandwich (especially with my waitress recommending the Perch), a side of the Pierogies, and from the special board a cup of the Seafood Jambalaya. 
If you have been reading C-Town Eats, you might have noticed that I like my soups, they are a chance for a place to really hit you with some nice flavors or a bit of a different twist.  After checking that it didn’t contain any sausage or other meat, I was very happy to order the Seafood Jambalaya which was one of the highpoints of my meal at the Flat Iron. First I have to say that the portion size (I ordered a cup rather then a bowl) was extremely generous; with a nice sized crock stuffed full of a thick and spicy goodness.  The Jambalaya had nice portions of fish and shrimp and an overabundance of bay scallops, all of which were tender and flavorful.  With some nice bits of vegetables for contrast and the perfect level of spiciness, this was a great way to start my lunch. 
Next up was the Fried Perch Sandwich, with a side of pasta salad.  Once again the portion size is very generous, with 5-6 fillets of perch served up a couple of slices of rye bread and a large heaping of pasta salad.  The perch were wonderful, with the mild white fish lightly breaded and perfectly fried, set off with a very nice tarter sauce and a squeeze of lemon, this is one of the better fish sandwiches in town.  The pasta salad is surprisingly good, nothing unique, but the flavors are nicely balanced and there is enough acidity to add a bit of brightness.
Finally we come to the Pierogies, which the menu describes as the best in Cleveland according to AOL Guide in 2004 (which may say something about online guides as much as anything); while the Pierogies are good, they come nowhere near those at Babushka’s Kitchen (http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2009/03/babushkas-kitchen-polish-powerhouse.html) or Sokolowski’s (http://c-towneats.blogspot.com/2008/10/sokolowskis-university-inn-cleveland.html).  What I did get was four nice sized hand made pierogies topped with grilled onions and cheese with sour crème on the side.  The dough for the pierogies, was good and tender with a nice potato and cheese filling that was a flavorful, but a bit dense.  My personal preference would have been to leave the onions in longer strips rather then the fine chop that the Flat Iron used, as they tend to stay a bit moister and add a better texture to the dish.  While I wouldn’t rate these Pierogies as tops in the city, they are certainly better then most and they will fill you up without a doubt.
I left the Flat Iron very satisfied and very well fed; this is a place that is doing standard food, but doing it with care and some obvious culinary skill.  The portions are large and the flavors are bold and well balanced.  The atmosphere is comfortable and friendly, there is not much more you can ask for.  Billed as the oldest Irish Pub in the flats, the Flat Iron should continue to be a long running Cleveland success.  Rather then trying to ride some trend or fad, the Flat Iron provides a perfect example of what an Irish Pub should be.  This is an easy and strong recommendation to give the Flat Iron a try.

El Rio Grande–Mayfield Mexican Cantina

You may have noticed that the large restaurant behind Golden Gat

e Plaza has undergone another transformation, becoming a Mexican restaurant (ironically enough the building originally housed a Mexican restaurant).  I notices a $5 off coupon in Scene magazine, so I figured I would give it a try.  I arrived early on a Friday evening and the place was nearly empty, but had a very festive décor with bright primary colors, hand carved chairs and tables.  With enough people to fill up the large space this could be a fun and happening place.  The décor and menu are similar to that at the local El Rodeo chain, but there is a El Rodeo about 1 mile down Mayfield. 
As usual out came the chips and salsa, the chips were ok, the salsa bright, but a bit too mild.  Easily fixed with some hot sauce, but noting special.
The menu is generally what you would expect from a Mexican restaurant, plenty of choices, but a lot of the same ingredients.  The Seafood section is a bit better then some other places.  I had the Chili Rellenos dinner, which was two cheese stuffed peppers fried and topped with sauce.  The peppers were ok, although the cheese seemed a bit underwhelming, the dish could have used more sauce, but the sour crème drizzle was a nice touch.  The rice and beans that came with were ok, but once again nothing special.  Overall the food was decent, but not anything that I am going to hurry back for, especially if I have to pay full price.
I think El Rio Grande has a chance since the décor is good and the service was fine, but the food is just OK.  There are plenty of other places to go for Mexican food and if you are going to open a new place, especially one this large you need to make sure that the food really is something special. 
Give it a try if you grab one of the coupons, otherwise there is much better ways to spend you dinner dollars.

Kirtland’s Olde Towne–More then meets the eye

After a brisk day of cross-country skiing at Chapin Forest in Kirtland we decided to give the Olde Towne a try since it was the closest place and the people at the ski

center said it was good.   Located at 7592 Euclid Chardon Road, kirtland, OH, about 1 mile West of the intersection of Routes 306 and 6, Olde Towne looks like an old time roadhouse, a bit rundown and dreary.  However once you walk in you get a completely different impression.  The interior is done up in Western Mountain Chic, with large field stones, lots of wood, some antler chandeliers and a roaring fire place.  Its upscale rustic, but comfortable; it just doesn’t quite connect with the outside or the name..
Seated comfortably by the fire with the TV over the mantel tuned to football, we settled in to peruse the menu (which you can see here) which has a nice selection of American classics.  I settled on the fried fish with a side of the jalpeno mac and cheese.  Others at the table, had sandwiches or entrees from various parts of the menu.
The food took a while, even though the place was pretty quiet, but when it came out the food was nicely prepared and well presented, but the flavors were nice without being exceptional.  My fish was nicely prepared and a decent size, but nothing that will stick with me.  The jalapeno mac and cheese had a little bit of a bite, but not enough to really excite me.  I think what was lacking was a certain depth or variety to the flavor profiles; part of this is the menu description which seem to over promise and food that doesn’t quite match the anticipation that is raised.
I have no big quibbles with Olde Towne, but I think it needs to work on finding its niche.  To me the food was ok, but not anything I have a need to come back for.  The value isn’t there as the prices aren’t bad, but there are plenty of places around that I can find much bigger portions for a similar price.   There seems to be a disconnect between different parts of the restaurant, the décor, menu and presentation feel as if they are going for upscale, yet the location, the volleyball courts and the overall food doesn’t quite make it to that level. 
Olde Towne ends up being a thumbs in the middle for me, neither good enough to give a high recommendation, nor bad enough to advise you to avoid.   Of course your experience may differ.

Biagio’s Donuts–Eastlake Goodness

So I was driving down Vine Street in Eastlake recently and I finally realized that Biagio’s Donuts hadn’t closed, they had just moved into a new building at the other end

of the block they were on.  Located at 35523 Vine St., Eastlake, Ohio, Biagio’s has done the seemingly impossible, taking a new building and making it feel like it has been there for quite a while.  You have to look closely to catch the new location, while the original had a front window and sign facing Vine Street, the new building faces sideways to the street and the smaller sign at street level is easy to miss.  But you should try to find it as Biagio’s has some of the best donuts in the area.

The new store looks new on the outside, but once inside it looks like they just picked up the old shop and moved it over.  You will be greeted by a huge assortment of donuts, with a large variety of crème donuts displayed both in the front case and it the larger wall unit.   I highly recommend going for at least one crème, since they are light and fluffy, with a nice sweetness and good flavor.  Among my favorites are the chocolate crème and the the banana crème.  Cremes are available in several different forms, with round donuts, filled sticks and sandwich sticks.

The other donuts are good as well; with choices ranging from a variety of glazed, frosted and various flavored donuts.  Of course there are cinnamon rolls and various other goodies.  It is hard to go wrong here as these are pretty classic donuts and other sweets, but available in many varieties.


Biagio’s also does pizza, both in slices and fresh baked pies; its been a while since I had one, so I’ll skip any review here.  They have also added some soft serve ice cream with the move to the new building. 

If you need some sweets and are over in Lake County, give them a try.

Rav’s Creekside–Twinsburg Hangout

Over the years, I have driven by Rav’s Creekside any number of times, and I always meant to stop and check it out.  Well with a Groupon in hand, I finally managed to see what Rav’s is like and I was pleasantly pleased. 

Located at 9224 Darrow Road, Twinsburg, Rav’s is at the North End of a strip of shops.  The end location gives them the advantage of having a large deck on the side overlooking Tinkers Creek; I imagine this is a nice place to hang out during the summer.

Going in to Rav’s through the double doors you find a largish bar/restaurant without much to distinguish it from many similar locations, other then the large wall of windows leading to the deck.  The décor is ok, but certainly not why people come here.  There is a large elevated bar area, with a dining room area on one side and what looked to be a couple of pool tables on the other side.  There are plenty of beer signs and a few flat screen TVs to round out the atmosphere.

The menu at Rav’s (which you can see here) is a mix of bar food mainstays with some small tweaks.  What I did find was that the food was generally prepared with fresh ingredients and at least some care in the preparation.  Not everything completely hit the mark, but I do appreciate that the attempt was made to elevate the food.  With the Groupon to spend, I got a bowl of the Cream of Mushroom Soup, the Fish and Chips and an order of the Calamari. 

The Mushroom Soup should probably have been described as a a Mushroom Bisque, since it had was a bit thinner then a cream soup and had some onions and celery along with a lot of mushrooms.  With that said the soup was tasty and nicely seasoned.  A good start to the meal. 

Up next was the side salad that came with the dinner. A bit bigger then I expected, with nothing too radical, but there were two kinds of shredded cheese and the house dressing was mild, but flavorful.  All of the ingredients were fresh and flavorful, a good way to get your meal started.

The fish and chips were a real surprise, with two huge fillets of tasty white fish breaded and then nicely fried over a large helping of fresh cut french fries served with a nice tarter sauce.  The fish itself was excellent, tender and moist but fully cooked, the breading was ok, but seemed a bit grainy to me.  The dinner was good and the portion size was very large.  At this point I was ready to call an end to the meal, but the Calamari, which I had ordered as an appetizer then came out. 

The calamari (most of which went home for a later meal) were an interesting dish.  First the squid appeared to be fresh, but had been cut into bigger pieces then you usually see, which resulted in something closer to squid nuggets rather then the rings and tentacles most places have.  The breading (which was different then that used on the fish) was good, if a little heavier then I prefer for Calamari.  The dipping sauce was a different variation on a tarter sauce, with a bit more of an herb taste.   The sprinkling of grated cheese was a nice thought, but got a bit overwhelmed by the larger squid pieces.  I probably would pass on the Calamari at Rav’s next time, but that is more an issue of personal taste rather then an huge criticism of the dish, I just like my Calamari to be a bit lighter and more delicate, this was just a different approach.

Overall, I was impressed by the quality of the food, the large portions and the good service I got at Rav’s.  Probably not one of the places you need to seek out, but if you are in the Twinsburg area and want to fill up on some good food, you might want to give them a try.  Plus if it is summer time the creekside deck could be a cool place to enjoy.

Otani Japanese Restaurant–Just OK

I took my buddy Danny out for a holiday lunch and he wanted to go for Hibachi, so I figured we would check out Otani in Mayfield.  Otani has been in the back of the Golden Gate Plaza (1625 Golden Gate Plaza, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124

) seemingly forever, and unfortunately that is my impression after our visit.  The exterior is nicely decorated to look suitably Japanese, once inside we were quickly greeted and seated at the hibachi table (I know that this style of cooking is actually called tepanyaki, but in keeping with the old style, Otani refers to this as Hibachi).  I have to say that the décor feels really dated and dark.  The basic setup at Otani is fine, but it feels like nothing has changed since the restaurant opened in the 1970s. 
After a quick perusal of the menu (which you can see here), we quickly decided on our meals and ordered, Danny was having the Steak and Chicken lunch, I choose the Shrimp.  We started with the mushroom soup, which was a light broth with some slices of mushroom, nice, but a bit safe, it could have used a bit more complex flavoring.  That was a good indication of what was to follow.
Our chef soon arrived and after a quick flame of the grill for effect settled in to cook our meal.  The performance was a bit understated, with our chef seemingly getting there on the performance side, but not nearly as good or as entertaining as the chef at a nearby table.   The lunch consisted of a large portion of fried rice, sautéed mushrooms and our respective main courses.  The food was nicely cooked, but underseasoned, even the two dipping sauces didn’t add much flavor or zing to the meal.  The portion on the Steak and Chicken lunch was ok for the $10.50 price, but I thought the shrimp portion was a little small for $9.00.  
I have to say that I found Otani to be about what I thought, a restaurant that is firmly rooted in its tradition, unfortunately since the 1970s our tastes and sophistication levels have changed, especially as it relates to Japanese food.  I think Otani needs to update its décor and bring more punch to its food.  As always your mileage may vary.

Flemings Steakhouse–East Side Class

I have to say I was surprised to receive an offer of a $50 gift card from Flemings in the mail.  I am always a little skeptical about these type of offers, but after a careful review this was on the up and up.  It did require going to the Flemings website and registering, but other then making a reservation there were no other strings attached.  Now a high end steakhouse is not my usual hangout, I prefer the more casual and affordable eateries, and since I haven’t eaten meat since 1978, steak is not high on the list; but this was free food and Flemings has plenty of fish and seafood on the menu.

Located at 28869 Chagrin Boulevard, Woodmere, OH 44122 in the Eaton Square shopping center, Flemings is easy to miss as its fairly nondescript building is next door to the flashier Bravo.  Once inside you find a classic atmosphere, the dining room is a large high ceiling room with lots of wood, with most of the accents coming from high end wine bottles arranged around the room.  The tables are set in a simple high end manner.  The overall atmosphere is upscale and timeless.  Pretty much what a high end steakhouse should be. 

Service is also high end, with my server and the rest of the staff, being friendly and knowledgeable, yet extremely professional.  This is what service should  be and makes dinner at Flemings an truly enjoyable experience. 

With $50 to play with and my own dietary restrictions, I decided to go with 3 appetizers and a side.  You can see the menu (without prices) at Flemings Menu.  Prices are not cheap, especially when you consider entrees come ala carte, but the food quality is top notch.  

I started with the Sweet Chile Calamari ($11.50), which was a generous portion of nicely fried squid with a Asian flavored sweet chile sauce.   The squid was perfect with nice chewy pieces of the mild rings and tentacles having a nice tender chewiness and a mild flavor, the sauce was good, but I thought it lacked a bit of a punch, to my taste concentrating the flavor and adding a bit more heat would have taken this up to the level I would have expected from a upper tier restaurant.

Next up were my other two appetizers, the Lobster Tempura and BBQ Shrimp Appetizers.  The Lobster Tempura ($18.95) was a nice portion, with 4 potions of half a lobster tail split out of the shell, but still attached lightly battered and fried along with a variety of tempura vegetables.  While both the lobster and vegetables were very nice, unfortunately the nice thin batter came out overly greasy; I don’t know if the oil wasn’t hot enough of if the tempura wasn’t properly drained, but this was  bit of a disappointment, especially after the nice fry job that had been done on the calamari.

The BBQ Shrimp ($12.95) appetizers was the biggest disappointment of the meal.  Four medium large shrimp were baked in a casserole with a sauce that contained none of the spiciness, sweetness or smoke I would expect from BBQ sauce.  I was a bit taken aback with the portion size, especially compared to the generous portions on the other items I got.  The sauce and preparation did nothing to elevate the shrimp and may have even taken their quality down a little.  This is not only an item I would  not recommend, but unless Flemings makes some major changes, this shouldn’t be on their menu.  I usually say your tastes may vary, but I have a hard time thinking anyone would enjoy this dish, especially at this price.

Finally I ordered the Chipotle Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese Side ($7.95) which was a more then generous bowl of beautifully flavored comfort food goodness.  This was the clear highlight of the meal, and with most of this nestled in my refrigerator for another meal I look forward to eating it again.  The perfectly cooked pasta was smothered with a rich cheddar cheese sauce with a subtle hint of chipotle heat to keep it interesting.  I have a feeling this is more representative of most of the Flemings menu, classic American fare made with high quality ingredients and with a classic flavor profile.  

Flemings impressed me with their ambiance, service and the Mac and Cheese, among the other food, the Calamari and Lobster Tempura were both good, but fell a little short of greatness.  The BBQ Shrimp was a true disappointment.  At the price points Flemings charges, this should not be happening.  Of course, I am not the target audience that Flemings is going for, their overall reputation is that they have some of the better steaks available in the area, so your visit may be quite different.

Chester’s Legacy Tavern – Painesville Tavern

Just like Hannibal from the A-Team, I love it when a plan comes together.  I have been sitting on a Groupon (Groupon Site is here) for Chester’s and with fall having come it was Clambake time.  So I was very pleased when on visiting Chester’s  website  I noticed that they were doing Clambakes on the weekends in October.   Sounded like a good way to spend a Friday night, chowing down on some tasty bivalves. 

Chester’s is easy enough to get to, located at 11 Chester Street, Painesville, Ohio 44077 just a stones throw from the Painesville exit of Route 2, the location is convenient, if nothing else.  The outside is a fairly nondescript building, but there is a decent sized parking lot and a small patio on one side.  Walking in I was quickly greeted and then seated at a high two top next to the windows and right at the transition between the bar area and the dining room.  The decor is clean and comfortable, heavy on wood and earthtones, but looking very well kept and timeless.  This is the kind of place you would think of as nice, but probably wouldn’t be able to remember anything specific.  A long bar with a lowered ceiling presents a comfortable area to grab a drink and settle in.

Chester’s menu (go here to check it out) is a nice selection of American and Tavern classics, with an emphasis on fish and seafood, a good sign for me since that is my wheelhouse. Also included was the specials with several variations on the Clam Bake (Clams, Clams & Chicken & Clams & Steak). I settled on the Clams & Clams which included 2 dozen clams, chowder and sides.  I also ordered the Shrimp Chester appetizer.

First up was a cup of the New England Clam Chowder.  This was a very nice rendition of the classic recipe, thick, but not over loaded with cream, the mild soup was stocked with chunks of potatoes and plenty of tender fresh clams.  Very satisfying and a good way to get my seafood taste buds going.

Next up was the Shrimp Chester ($10), good sized fresh shrimp smothered in a wonderful garlic sauce and cheese and baked to perfection.  Sided with garlic bread, this was a cannot miss treat.  Simply presented, the aroma got me as soon as this was set in front of me.   The shrimp were perfectly cooked, tender and firm and wonderfully complimented by the garlicky cheesy goodness, that managed to get even better as it cooled and set up.  With the bread there to soak up the extra sauce, this was a very well thought out and executed dish.

Next up was the main course and the reason I made the trip East.  The two dozen clams came out in the classic fiber bowl with melted butter and extra clam broth for dipping.  Sides were the ear of corn and I substituted sweet potato fries for the regular sweet potato.  Portions were large, with the clams generally coming in about half dollar sized and steamed in their shells.  The clams were mild and tender, each a mouthful of the goodness of the sea perfectly complimented by the drawn butter.  Out of the 2 dozen clams, I had 3 that didn’t open (and you should always leave these be), but I had more then enough to satisfy my hunger.  The corn was sweet and fresh and the sweet potato waffle fries were crispy on the outside and sweet and delicious on the inside.  At $26 for the Clams and Clams bake, not cheap, but considering the amount of food and the quality, I think they give you what you expect.

Service was good and friendly, although there seemed to be a bit of a lag on the time for food to come out of the kitchen, it might be that I was there early and they hadn’t hit there groove yet, but I would hope they would be more on top of things when most of the tables were empty.

Chester’s is a place worth checking out, especially if you are in the area.  The food is good, well prepared and presented nicely.  There is not a lot of flourish or trendiness here, but that can be a very good thing.  The biggest thing working against Chester’s is location, if they were located a couple miles North in Fairport Harbor or Grand River I think that they would be more well known, but as it is this a great place to get some good solid food.  Chester’s is trying to push their presence with some of the Groupon and radio and TV station offers, so if you look around you might be able to get a deal.  Check them out.

Umami – Chagrin Falls Asian Bistro

I have been looking forward to trying Umami Asian Kitchen in Chagrin Falls for quite a while now; I picked up a Groupon (Groupon Site is here) in March and finally got to use it just before it expired.  Located in a

prime location at 42 North Main Street in Chagrin Falls, Umami has earned a great reputation as a wonderful little Asian Bistro in an area know for its All American feel.  With a small low key storefront, you walk in to find a wonderful little place set up in a narrow building with the kitchen in back and a small narrow dining room which feels both modern and Asian while still being restrained and elegant.  

The menu, especially at lunch is rather limited, but the choices sound wonderful (you can see the menu here at Umami’s website).  My friend and I started with soup, he had the Miso, I tried the Corn and Ginger Soup that was the special.   Both came out in large square bowls, with a generous portion of soup.  The Corn and Ginger was nice with subtle flavors, but I thought the corn kernels, while incredibly sweet, were just a touch undercooked.

Next up were the Spicy Tuna and California Rolls; the Tuna was very good, although not nearly spicy enough for my tastes, the California Roll was a bit overpowered by the real Crab which tended to mute the other flavors.

My friend had the Seared Salmon and I had the Sea Scallops.  The two chunky Scallops were nicely cooked with a crisp sear and soft middles and served over a cucumber salad that nicely complimented them.

My overall impression of Umami is that I was a bit underwhelmed; the decor and the food presentation is lovely, the service was good and friendly, while the food was fresh and nicely prepared with high quality ingredients overall there was a lack of excitement or boldness.  I have a lot of experience with Asian cuisine especially Japanese cuisine and I just found Umami’s food to be a bit flat in the flavor profiles.  With a very limited menu and the prices for the amount of food I expected some fireworks, instead I got a nice, but not sensational lunch.  As always, your experience can vary.

Bowl For Kids Sake – Please Donate

 

Bowl For Kids Sake is a great event supporting a really great cause, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters Association and the wonderful programs they provide.  If you would like to support this one on one mentoring program that helps get kids on the right path and keep them there, please make a donation at this link Bowl for Kids Sake Donation

As a Big for over 10 years I can tell you that this program that I feel very strongly about.  If you enjoy C-Town Eats, please consider making a donation.  Any amount is welcome.

Thank you.

Steve

Daddona's - Big Italian in Westlake

I have been to Daddona's in Solon a couple of times and remember finding it a nice Italian restaurant that served huge portions of good food, so when a Groupon (you of course can try Groupon here) came up for their Westlake location came up I decided to give it a try and am pleased to report that it was a good decision.   The Westlake Daddona's is located in a relatively new strip mall at 29580 Center Ridge Rd Westlake, Oh 44115 (map here). 

Once inside you find a very attractive L shaped dining room done in green and purple with natural wood accents and complimentary art.  The feeling is very modern, but warm and welcoming with a nice upscale look without being formal, a real step up from what I remember of the Solon location.   The tables are set nicely and many of the comfortable seats have a purple cover to compliment the decor. 

I arrived towards the end of a weekday lunch and am quickly seated and review the nice sized menu (see it here).  With $25 of Groupon to play with I ended up with a ton of food and took home a couple of extra meals.  To start you get the basket of fresh baked garlic balls.  Perfect in so many ways these small pieces of dough have a fragrant garlic smell and taste nicely complimented by some olive oil and cheese, I restrain myself from eating all of them as I know that there is still plenty of food coming.

Next up is an order of Calamari and the portion is huge and could be easily shared by a whole table of people.  The squid is nicely fried in a light breading and sided with Marinara sauce.  While a nice dish, I found the squid to be a little under seasoned, I could have really gone for a bit of herb in the breading to boost the flavor profile.  The sauce was nice and mild with chunks of tomato, I thought at first that the flavor was a bit mild, but the flavors built the more of it I ate.

Next up was the side salad that came with the pasta I ordered, of course Daddona's has to make the salad about twice as big as usual and nicely presented the fresh greens with the house Italian.   I took the whole salad home and enjoyed it, nicely balanced and once again the flavor of the dressing seemed to build the more I ate.

Out next was a small Siciliano Pizza topped with Eggplant.  This was another highpoint, with a wonderful medium thick crust that was crisp on the outside and soft and flavorful inside.  Topped with a zippy tomato sauce with the perfect level of spiciness to wake up my taste buds and complimented by the Romano Cheese, this was different than the common overly cheesy pizza we all enjoy.  The eggplant cubes were perfect, with no bitterness, but just enough firmness and no breading.   Most of the pizza went home with me and was almost as good the next day for lunch.

Finally we got to the main course, Linguine with Red Clam Sauce, which was a huge portion of al dente pasta topped with a silky tomato sauce loaded with tender clams.  The dish was nice and tasty, although once again it seemed a bit mild at first but the flavor profile built as I ate more.  The portion size was huge and despite my best effort I had a huge portion to take home for dinner the next day.  

Daddona's serves oversized portions of good to excellent Italian food in a very attractive setting.  It seemed to me that everyone left with with large portions for later.   The sauces are varied, but even those that tend towards a less bold flavor profile have good flavors that reveal themselves gradually.   You won't go wrong here, especially if you are hungry.

Quick Bites - Hiroshi's Pub, Koko Bakery, Nate's Deli, and more

I know the reviews have spaced out a bit, sorry, but it's been hard with Labor Day (a great trip to by Mont-Tremblant, Quebec for the Mosaic Outdoor Clubs International Event), the Jewish Holidays and before that I was nursing a twisted ankle which kept me close to home.  The good news is that I should be picking the pace back up; starting with a review of Daddona's in Westlake and then I have a couple of Groupons I have to get used soon, plus I am always on the lookout for new places to try.  Remember suggestions are very welcome.

I did want to give a couple of quick updates on some previous places I have reviewed that I was back at recently.

Hiroshi's Pub (review here) continues to shine and seems to be establishing itself as a Beachwood favorite.  On a recent visit I got to try a couple more items.  The highlight was the Tuna Avocado bruschetta; a wonderfully balanced spicy tuna tartare topped crisp toast with fresh slices of avocado.  Rich and fatty with a perfect level of heat and a nice texture contrast between the crisp toast, lush avocado and firm tuna made for a triumph that I may have to have on every visit.   I had the Caesar Salad with the smoked Salmon, a very nice representation of this classic, good thick dressing and a generous portion of high quality Salmon; if I were going to nitpick, I would have preferred more smoke flavor in the fish, but that is a personal preference.  We also had a Futomaki, which as you would expect was expertly prepared with fresh ingredients, what was surprising was the large portion.  Another great visit and Hiroshi's has seemed to hit its groove very quickly, a high recommendation to give them a try and let me know what you think.

I have stopped by Nate's Deli (review here) a couple of times over the last few weeks and nothing has changed except the kitchen may have gotten even faster.  The food is still great, classic representations of Greek and Deli classics, the prices are low and the portions are generous.  What did strike me as funny was going through the West Side Market right after the Cleveland Man v. Food episode was shown and seeing waiting in line for the Gyro stand in the market for quite a while as the line was out the back door of the market; those same people could have gone a block down to Nate's, sat down and had a gyro and still have gotten back before they would have gotten through the line.  Plus at Nate's you get the pickled radishes and pepperochinis.  If you are in Ohio City pick up some very good food cheap at Nate's.

Finally I stopped by Koko Bakery (review here) on the way back from downtown for some treats.  The place was jumping and the newest treat they are offering is homemade ice cream.  Made in small batches of Taro Root, Red Bean Paste and Green Tea and costing only $2.50 for 2 scoops I couldn't resist.  They are still working the kinks out, as the Red Bean came out with a consistency closer to marshmallow sauce and the Taro was very hard, but the flavors were right on.  I will warn you that you need to be ready for a different texture experience, as the Red Bean had the genuine grainy bean texture and bean skins, while the Taro the starchy potato texture.  I liked these two together quite a bit as the Red Bean was a bit sweeter and softer which gave a nice contrast to the more subdued Taro which was also much firmer.  Your experience may differ, but if you want to try a much different ice cream in Cleveland I would strongly suggest getting to Koko and giving them a try.  If not, still stop by and get some great baked goods, wonderful drinks or even a nice light meal.

Cibo - Chagrin Falls Pasta

For the most part I have had a lot of success trying restaurants from Groupon (check Groupon out here), Cibo Homemade Pasta certainly ends up on the winner side of the list.  Located at 8564 East Washington Street in Chagrin Falls (the space that used to house Fat Taco) (map is here), at the intersection of Route 306 and Washington Street, Cibo is a friendly little place to get some very good pasta at an affordable price.  Tucked into a corner of the strip mall, it might be easy to miss Cibo, but it is worth finding.  Outside is a couple of tables overlooking a little fountain.  Inside you will find an attractive space that has a feeling of a little trattoria crossed with a fast food place.

Behind a long counter you will see the kitchen and the pasta machine pressing out fresh pasta.  The menu is straight forward and easy to understand, you pick either Cavetelli or whole wheat Rotini and then add sauce and any toppings.  There are also salads and a couple of sandwiches.  When I was there Cibo also had Eggplant Parmigiana, Cheese Lasagne, and some pizza available.  Everything looked very good, fresh made with high quality ingredients.  Since I had a $10 Groupon, I got 2 orders of pasta, one to eat there the other for the next day.

I had the whole wheat rotini with the Alfredo sauce at Cibo.  For $5 you get a very generous serving.  The whole wheat pasta were nice with a little more bite and character then regular pasta.  The Alfredo sauce was nicely balanced between the cheese and cream, with a subtle lighter flavor then many of the heavy Alfredo sauces you encounter; maybe a little bit on the subtle side, but good.

The serving of Cavatelli with the Arrabbita sauce and Romano cheese was one of the better plates of pasta I have had in a while.  The Cavatelli was perfectly cooked, just enough firmness to compliment the sauce and  give a nice chew.  The sauce was excellent, with nice tomato flavor, with spicy heat that balanced well with the grated cheese.  The portion was very good sized but I went through it quickly and would have kept going if there was more.  

Cibo's is a wonderful find, a place that is producing excellent food at affordable prices.  They are using high quality ingredients and obviously take pride in their products.  With a limited menu and the selected specials, they can focus on making the food taste good.  I recomend you head out East and give them a try.