Amp 150

We first visited this restaurant in the fall, when five finalists from last season of Hell’s Kitchen each cooked a course at the grand opening. The Hell’s Kitchen event was fun and we immediately wanted to return to see what the regular place is like. That occurred last weekend on our way home from the airport.

This is a creative menu with very fair prices in an attractive setting, just off the main lobby of the W150th Street Marriott. Fighting the odds of hotel food and the Westside location, the place quickly filled-up as the evening aged. Clearly, people have heard about the place.

Jeff enjoyed the cream infused, Mushroom soup that was whipped into froth. Save the aggressive cracked peppercorn seasoning, this was a nice variation on a familiar theme. Michele started with a Caesar Salad and was pleased to find anchovies were included, a sadly missing ingredient at some restaurants. Dinner for Michele was a nicely prepared Cod that disappeared almost as quickly as it was served. Jeff devoured the Braised Rabbit (it is so nice to see rabbit on a menu!) Cavatelli. The milkshake panna cotta desert ended a nice evening.

Prior to ordering, we had both laid out at least two future visits worth of meals. After finishing this one, we promised to make good on the plans.

List Status: Added

http://amp150.com/ 4277 West 150^th Street Cleveland, OH 216-706-8787

B Spot

We tried three times to get into this crowded and popular new restaurant. Each time, an overflow of humans suggested we “try again.” Finally, on trip number four, we were quickly seated, menus were presented and a meal was eminent.

The room is comfortable and fun. A wall of empty beer cans (much like the early 70’s basement of Jeff’s buddy) is arranged so the gang of red aluminum forms a “B” in a sea of white/lighter color containers. Low tables, stool-high tables and an indoor patio of seats stretching into the walkway of Eaton Collection Mall make this more a reception hall than a restaurant. The timbre of the place almost insures an enjoyable time. With such a fun place, it is easy to miss that the “emperor has no pants.”

The assorted Michael Symon restaurants are wonderful places for delightful food. Some believe, the best this city has to offer. Unfortunately, we do not believe this is one of them. The burgers were good, but there are scores of places across America that make killer burgers. The salads were good, but again, more the result of carefully chosen raw ingredients. The great beer selection is in various price ranges from all over America and Europe. Again, this is the byproduct of an educated palette and only the skill of a well drawn draft.

A popular place that makes people happy and adds smiles to faces isn’t all bad. Just don’t expect to go there for the greatest food in Cuyahoga County. For that, check our list and some of the other blog entries.

List Status: Not Added

http://www.bspotburgers.com/ 28699 Chagrin Boulevard Woodmere, OH 44122 216-292-5567