Academy Tavern - Larchmere

Unpretentious and Old School, we went there on a Thursday night when there just happens to be live jazz! The Academy Burger was delicious, and rumor has it this place hasn't changed in ages.

 

Our waitress had a hairstyle that I've never seen in person before - only in 1960s movies. The overall aura of the place is ancient and dive-y... they have after-dinner drinks like Brandy Alexanders and beers served in frosty mugs.

I really enjoyed my food but let me warn you: if you come here seeking gourmet, you've missed the point.

Mama Santa's - Little Italy

People in Cleveland think that the Little Italy area is lovely and romantic, but having lived there for three years, I think it's kind of overpriced and bigoted. There's definitely a dark side to Little Italy, including but not limited to a racist mob and some super gentrification going on.

Most of the restaurants in Little Italy are overpriced and vermin-infested. One of the cheaper places to get something to eat is Mama Santa's; and it's where we got pizza from while we were in college.

I went with my friend to Mama Santa's for a walk down memory lane, and both of us being visibly queer, we were treated with some condescension (weird looks, snippy remarks) from the waitress. The food was the same ordinary food we enjoyed during college; nothing special.

Note well that they don't serve pineapple on pizzas here... the waitress made it clear to us that we'd need to go up to Hippie Coventry to get something so outlandish as that.

Melt Bar and Grilled - Lakewood

The original location of Melt is on Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, and it got so popular that they built one on the East side as well.

Let me warn you: it's always busy. Go here for innovation and creativity, not gourmet-ness. The decor is interesting, and I love their menu/branding art. This restaurant is recieving national attention and while most people are just ga-ga over it, there are some who walk in with great expectations and leave without them having been met.

Anyways, my friend and I got our sandwich to go, took it to the park and split it. It was plenty of food for both of us. The Monte Cristo is DELICIOUS! The fries are just OK. You can check out the full menu here.

Phnom Penh - Cambodian / Khmer Food in Ohio City

 

This first picture here is of the Na Ting, which is an appetizer you have to get. My friend and I split it and it was absolutely delicious. You get little squares of fried, crisped rice and this savory soup mixture to go on top. 

The menu is a small novel, so there's an awful lot of choices in what to get.  The flavors in the dishes were very complex, each of them like a unique symphony of tastes all going together!

The iced coffee was also very strong and very good. I would definitely go back!

Note well: They don't accept credit cards (Although I hear a rumor that they secretly do; the minimum is $15 so be sure to bring enough cash!) 

They are located right next to the West Side Market so you can just park in the market parking lot, go out to eat, and then shop at the market afterwards!

La Fiesta Restaurant

According to a bunch of other reviews, this is a love-it-or-hate-it sort of place, although I'm not really sure why. The food seemed quite on-par with Mi Pueblo's and my enchiladas were tasty. There was plenty of food for me to take home, too.

I thought the decor and the bathrooms were just awesome. Excellent ambiance.

The waitress, Josephin, was adorable and super-helpful and attentive.

Constantino's Market Downtown

 

It's easy to believe there's no grocery stores in downtown Cleveland if  you don't know what you're looking for, but Constantino's Market is definitely there, at 1278 W 9th St.

On the plus side, they have a lot of local grocery, they're family owned, and the quality of the food is very good. The downside is the price- but what would you expect from a grocery store with no competition? If you want groceries without having to drive out of downtown, you probably have to hit Constantino's.

The popular consensus is that it's good for the prepared foods, but the staples just aren't worth it to buy there.

Ohio City Burrito

My friend and I wandered into Ohio City Burrito yesterday for the first time. The burritos were really good (much better than Chipotle, and it's supportive of a local business too!)... they also had Jarritos pineapple soda, which was really sweet and delicious (although it goes flat rather fast)...

The murals on the wall and the decor on the tables were pretty amazing and the atmosphere was cozy. Definitely a good place up on  West 25... their menu and more are here. I really enjoyed the skull theme too!

Jack's Deli

Looking for good Jewish food in Cleveland? Jack's deli is really great (and it's pretty near my home in South Euclid!). I got their Chicken Schnitzel and it came with a bowl of matzoh ball soup and a dish of kugel. Yum!

They're famous for everything you'd expect... bagels lox and cream cheese, matzo ball soup and corned beef sandwiches. Their full menu is here.

Cafe Sausalito

Cafe Sausalito is located in the Galleria at Erieview, downtown. There aren't an awful lot of restaurants downtown, especially for a mid-priced lunch, so this place gets a lot of businesspeople customers.

 

I got a burger, and it was just OK. Here's a link to their full menu.

I'm not gonna lie, I like their creative windows better than I like their food.

Yours Truly - Chagrin Falls

Yours Truly is a local, family owned chain of restaurants in the Cleveland area that serves American food. The portions are big, the food is cozy, and the fries are round. (A big plate of them covered in bacon, cheese and sour cream is one of the most popular menu items.)

Go here for great burgers, nice atmosphere, and friendly staff. Their menu is here. 

Sweet Melissa's - Rocky River

  Sweet Melissa's in Rocky River has a reputation as a healthy, organic, upscale food place. The decor is full of clean modern lines, the water carafes are laser etched with the restaurant logo, and the cakes are really good.

   I was there with a bachelorette party. Xander is an awesome server- he was friendly, quick and got the orders correct of a whole table full of excited ladies.

   The blueberry margaritas were very good.... and VERY strong. They have LOTS of vegetarian options and even vegan options.   

Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant

The Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant is located right across the street from the China Buffet. It's a little more of a high-end restaurant, with menus that come in the neat little menu folders.

They have a full bar and a menu full of alcoholic and nonalcoholic treat beverages; Pina Coladas and Daiquiris. I got the China Sea ($3.95) and it was so very good! It took me the length of the entire meal to finish it and it was delicious and fruity.

On a recommendation I ordered the General Tao's Chicken; I've heard people say it's the best entree they have.  You get a LOT of food for the price. The veggie subgum is also crunchy and delicious.

Sweet Moses Soda Fountain and Treat Shop

Nestled in between the galleries and boutiques at Gordon Square, Sweet Moses is a new treat bar. On a Saturday night after an opening at Wall Eye Gallery, the place was hopping. There was quite a wait in line and the place was packed with people until they closed.

They recently opened on March 26. Getting ice cream there is quite an experience: it's pricey, but the sundaes are artistic and beautiful. They're even served with a pretzel, and we were given popcorn at our table. And yay, local business!

The minuses, though:
- Took too darn long.
- Too darn expensive.

Here's a link to their menu.

Rain Tree Restaurant, Chagrin Falls

Authentic is the first word that comes to mind when describing Rain Tree. An expensive local gem, the Rain Tree has been in Chagrin Falls for what feels like an eternity; it was a favorite of my late grandmother's. She passed away in 1987.

Entering the restaurant you are first greeted with by the great double doors with their brass handles; it is worth checking out the restaurant for its decor alone. It is beautiful; with English collectible glass and ceramics adorning cabinets inside; oil paintings on the wall; curious lamps and marble tables.

The atmosphere is dark and rich, much like the food. The signature menu item is the Dublin Lawyer, a thick soup of cream and whiskey with large chunks of lobster served over rice pilaf. Also good is the grilled salmon.

In my opinion, this is the most romantic restaurant in Cleveland.

Dim Sum

You're into trying new things, so why not try dim sum? As exotic as it sounds, it's not difficult at all to try. Dim sum is a Chinese style of food made up of little portions of individual dishes. Dim sum has its cultural roots in Cantonese tea-tastings, but has grown into an American-Chinese food phenomenon, with fusion dishes being added to the list alongside more traditional ones.

Dim Sum translates into "Point of the Heart". Over the years it has grown from a little snack to a main meal.

In Cleveland, there are several places to get dim sum that are very good. My favorite right now is the E. 30th St. Cafe; Li Wah and Bo Loong are also popular spots. All of these are located in Asiatown around the intersection of E. 30th St. and Payne Ave.

One of my favorites is the jin deui, fried sesame balls with glutenous rice and a carmely filling of lotus paste.

Sesame Balls (Jin deui)

Stuffed Eggplant Dim Sum

   Of course, Dim Sum isn't just for restaurants: you can try making it at home, too. Here are some cookbooks that will help you out.
















     If you do attempt dim sum at home, make sure you've scheduled a trip to an Asian Market like Park To Shop: it'll require some ingredients not found at normal grocers.

  So give dim sum a try: an exciting new world of dumplings awaits you!

China Buffet, Mayfield Heights

I'm not going to lie, this is my favorite restaurant. The China Buffet in Mayfield Heights has a secret. A delicious secret. Ready? Here it is:

Honey Chicken and Lo- Mein Noodles. The likes of which you will never get anywhere else. Come at peak dinner time so it will be hot and fresh. Then load up a plate, close your eyes, and prepare for heaven.

Plate after plate, until you can eat no more.

Atmospherically, this is the Wal-Mart of restaurants. I would probably feel comfortable coming here in my fuzzy bunny slippers.

Find it at 5866 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, OH 44124-2903
Phone: (440) 684-3020
Hours: 11am-10pm

How to Get to the Balcony at the West Side Market (A Photo Tutorial)

Despite the large numbers of people at the West Side Market, no one really seems to go up to the balcony. On a Saturday you might find one or two random hipsters up there, but on a weekday it's a lonely place. Perhaps it's because the balcony entrance isn't well marked; perhaps it's because people who like fresh food also have a fear of heights.

 

Either way, the balcony is a lovely place to sit and dig into those fresh plums you've just bought. When I had an internship in the flats one summer, I would walk up to the West Side Market for lunch and sit up here with my headphones blasting Broken Social Scene and contemplate the busy people scurrying below.

  So, step one: find "Classic Seafood", right underneath the balcony. Face the balcony. Walk to the left hand corner where the coffee shop and the crepe shop are.

Next step, find this door.  It's between the seafood place and the coffee place. Then turn another left and you'll see this door:

Go in. Go up the stairs. The door to the balcony should be propped open, on your right. Enjoy!

Pacific East, Woodmere

Listen, if you were thinking of going to Sushi Rock, in Beachwood, go here instead. Sushi Rock is overpriced, less authentic and the quality is not that good.

  East of Cleveland you'll find some ritzier suburbs like Shaker Heights, Beachwood and Woodmere. There's a lot of corporate presence here so naturally the ritzier shops pop up there as well. If you're looking for fancy restaurants in Cleveland, consider taking a drive up and down these streets.

Eaton Square is one of these, boasting a Trader Joe's, Anthropologie and a fistful of high-end restaurants. One of these is Pacific East, one of Cleveland's better known sushi spots.

 

The sushi is pricey but authentic and fresh. And less pricey than Sushi Rock.

  Yum!

The Inn on Coventry - Beautiful Brunch

If you're in the Coventry area of Cleveland Heights early in the morning, the place to get breakfast is at the Inn on Coventry. Find it at 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd # 2, Cleveland, OH 44106. Their hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday ; 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

As for parking (and parking for Coventry in general), you can pay out the nose for parking in the garage or on the meters, but your best bet is to park on Edgehill road, a five minute walk away. If you choose the meters, NEVER let them run out of money. Cleveland Heights police run a tight ship. They will grab you within two minutes of your meter running out. Seriously. (p.s: never ever speed in Cleveland Heights. This includes going 27 in a 25.)

This morning we walked over from Madeline's house to grab some brunch at the Inn on Coventry. Their walls were plastered with awards they've won from local newspapers. The food was good and fairly affordable; but the portion sizes were small. After my plate of french toast I was still a bit hungry.

 

It was delicious anyways. Madeline got toast with two eggs; the 'two eggs' looked more like one and a half.

 

The decor is quite cozy. The last time I was here was New Year's Day 2008; it was the perfect atmosphere for... well... let's call it recovery. 

We had a lovely little breakfast, for cheap.