Anatolia Cafe

We have been dining at Anatolia Café almost since they first opened in Cedar Center. As we drove to a repeat restaurant last week (Brennan’s Fish House in Grand River) we both had a “V-8” moment. “We should have gone to Anatolia!” Jump ahead one week and that is exactly what we did.

The old Anatolia was nice, but the owner decided on a Cleveland Heights location when Cedar Center closed. He bought a rundown corner and reinvigorated the aged storefront into a beautiful open and totally inviting space. The even better part is that nothing changed in the quality of the food.

As with so many “old favorite” restaurants, we go in with a pre-defined idea on what we will order. Michele loves their red lentil soup and Jeff enjoys the Sigara Borek (pastry rolled with a feta and parsley interior). For dinner, Michele usually has the Chicken Kebab, tender chunks of chicken that have been nicely spiced and served over a bed of rice. Jeff “loves” the Iskender. Thin slices of seasoned lamb and beef served over grilled croutons and tomato sauce. Fresh yogurt is on the side. Jeff likes the Turkish white wine as a complement to the food, Michele enjoys the Turkish tea. For dessert, we always share Kadayif, shredded wheat and nuts soaked in honey and covered with ground pistachio nuts. There are other VERY good desserts here, but we have this because we have never seen this on another menu.

So what is Turkish food? Don’t tell anyone, but it is kind of like Greek food with touched of Lebanese thrown in for good measure. The food is wonderfully fragrant and appealing and Anatolia prepares it very well. If you’re interested in an adventurous treat, try this restaurant. You won’t be sorry.

List Status: Existing

http://www.anatoliacafe.com/ 2270 Lee Road Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 216-321-4400

Pranzo!

In a summer filled with beautiful weekends, this was no different. The sun was bright, the skies were pure blue and the temperatures were warm. A bit less humidity and this could have been one of the yearly allotted “perfect” Cleveland days. We took the opportunity to visit the Willoughby Arts Festival. Like so many other weekends this summer, we walked around the festival, talking with artists and reviewing their creations.

After a few hours in the sun, we needed some air conditioning and food. As we’ve passed through downtown Willoughby over the last few months, we’ve noted the new, sleek storefront that has emerged amongst a sea of restaurants and bars in this cozy little quadrant of historic buildings. We made a mental note to try this place and now the opportunity arose.

The menu is straightforward. There are a collection of salads, pizzas, pastas and meat dishes. Many sounded good. We decided upon the Chicken Parmesan (Michele) and the Veal Limon (Jeff.) Each entrée was preceded by a house salad. The house Italian dressing was very, very tasty. This was a nice mix of various greens that we both agreed was among the best complementary salads we’ve enjoyed recently. The flatbread accompaniment was warm, fresh and very tasty. The chicken was pounded flat, breaded and then baked with a nice, slightly sweet sauce. A side of penne was included. The lemony butter sauce was very appealing and was completely mopped up by the end of the meal, but the veal could have used a few more “pounds.” We would have had a dessert, but the waiter forgot to offer. Instead we stopped by the Baby Cakes sidewalk booth and took home a few cupcakes.

We like this place enough to consider a return, when we’re in the neighborhood. We could not find a website, despite the address on their business car that links to an insurance blog, but assume there is a slightly different evening menu. There was also no wine available either, but we do not know if this was the result of substantially more afternoon traffic, or the lack of a liquor license. The wait staff was a bit overwhelmed, so we didn’t get a chance to ask. When we try again, perhaps it will be a bit more staid. Hopefully, the food will be as good.

4066 Eire Street Willoughby, OH 44094 440-946-7827

Wine Bar Rocky River

The weekend was wonderful. Low humidity and fabulous sun urged us to drive to Westlake to witness the St John’s, Westshore Arts Festival. After a leisurely walk, admiring the artwork, we needed some replenishment. Jeff had been advised that the Wine Bar in Rocky River was a place to visit. Hidden away, just off Detroit Avenue, the Wine Bar is indeed a place to seek out.

We weren’t that hungry, so we simply had a sandwich and a drink. Jeff enjoyed a delightful white Bordeaux and Michele her requisite Diet Pepsi. Michele ordered the Cajun Crunchy Shrimp sliders. Jeff had the Crabmeat Salad Croissant. Both of us ordered the “wino” fries and both of these sandwiches were fabulous. We agreed to return when we could try more of the menu’s offerings. If you’re considering this place, please go and let us know if it is indeed as good as the two sandwiches indicate.

http://www.winebarrr.com/ 1313 Linda Street Rocky River, OH 44114 440-799-4300

Slyman’s

Jeff was on vacation and Michele is not a fan of deli food, so Jeff took the opportunity to enjoy a guilty pleasure. The argument about the “best” corned beef sandwich in Cleveland has been going on since time immemorial. Jeff has tried the version at Danny’s. He’s tried Jack’s. He was practically raised on Corky & Lenny’s (Cedar Center, please!) With all of that history and all of that cholesterol, the corned beef sandwich to which he continually returns is Slyman’s.

The sandwich is piled high (yes, it is excessive, but you don’t eat here every day!) The slice itself is thin. The meat is lean. Each bite is soft, tender and flavorful. Jeff prefers his corned beef “naked” no mustard, horseradish, etc. If the meat cannot stand on its own, then nothing can help the sandwich. Without question, this is the finest corned beef sandwich in Cleveland.

Yes, there are other things on the menu. The potato salad is unearthly creamy, but a bit bland. Michele (when dragged by Jeff) enjoys the turkey sandwich, but if you are going to stand in line for a take-out, or arrive early/late for a seat, you are coming for the corned beef and it is worth any amount of time or delay. They are that good. If you have not lived in Cleveland for fifty years and have not tried innumerable versions, take our word, Slyman’s is the best. Period. End of sentence. Done.

http://www.slymans.com/ 3106 St. Clair Avenue Cleveland, OH 44114 216-621-3760

Li Wah

Based on an ad in the Scene Magazine, we headed downtown on July 4^th to the Waterstreet Grille. They offered what sounded like a great deal. Unfortunately, they forgot to include in the ad the fact that the restaurant was shut for a private party and it would not be open for the very hours the special was advertised. Quick, switch to plan “B.”

Heck’s was closed. Switch to plan “C.”

Deep down inside, we expected Li Wah, in the Asian Plaza to be open. They seem to always have liberal hours and luckily, the food is pretty good. Like so may other Chinese restaurants, over a number of years, we have developed pre-recorded orders. Michele has tea and Jeff has a Tsingtao beer. At Li Wah, we always split two dishes. Jeff thinks this is the best Singapore Mai Fun served outside of China. Michele loves the Shrimp and Broccoli with Walnuts in Creamy Sauce. The curry flavored vermicelli contrasts nicely with the candied shrimp. Together, this is a good duo.

Over the years, some of the polish has fallen from this particular apple. The restaurant could use a good cleaning and an overhaul. There has been a bit of a slip in the food quality as well. While we still enjoy the food, we’re hoping they realize how close they are to the abyss and make some much-needed improvements.

List Status: Tentative

http://www.liwahrestaurant.com/ 2999 Payne Avenue Cleveland, OH 44114 216-589-9552

Bar Cento

Michele was to attend a business dinner downtown at Blue Point (lucky lady!) and Jeff agreed to drop her off and pick her up. Knowing she was about to enjoy a great meal, Jeff desperately tried to figure out how to spend his time. Food was of course the answer!

Both of us have visited Bar Cento in the past. Under the ownership of Jonathan Sawyer, Jeff always enjoyed the eclectic menu and the unusual beer choices available. Michele could only find limited things to eat, usually centering on the roasted chicken. She always felt it was good, but was displeased to find only one desirable item on the menu. For that reason, we did not visit often.

With Michele away, Jeff felt this was the perfect time to see what has happened to the place (and more importantly, the food) since ownership has been switched. He is pleased to report that the food is still good, but a bit of the oblique creativity and polish that was evident when Chef Sawyer was on hand may be lost. Regardless, this is a fine place to catch a meal and a drink.

The beer special of the day was Belgium Blanc de Chambray. There is something elegant and wholly flavorful about Belgium beer. The taste is unlike beer from anywhere else. On a warm Monday evening, the definitive sparkle was welcome. A small salad arrived before the main course, rich with Parmesan cheese and greens. The wild mushroom and duck confit pappardelle had only one flaw. The wide pappardelle noodles were a bit TOO al dente. A few more seconds in the boil, they would have been perfect; a few additional stirs and they would have avoided sticking together. Regardless, the duck, arugula and wild mushrooms were bathed in a buttery rich sauce that made each spin of the pasta a heavenly mouthful of flavor. Jeff did something uncharacteristic once the last of the food was gone; he sopped up the remaining liquid with the crusty bread. The plate went back to the kitchen, almost ready for the next patron. It was that good. Michele usually pushes a shared treat toward chocolate, but without her influence, Jeff ordered dessert with two things he really enjoys, lemons and bread pudding (lemon bread pudding) to finish the evening. Made from flavorful fresh slices of crusty bread that has been cubed, soaked and baked, the edges were crunchy, the center soft, tart and the whole lighter than most bread puddings.

Despite Michele missing from across the table, Jeff really enjoyed the evening. When he picked-up Michele at the end of her meeting, she reported a wonderful evening of crab cakes, calamari, lobster mashed potatoes and perfectly prepared grouper. Blue Point has always prepared a fine dinner, but not fully reviewed here because this was a catered menu. Jeff believes the highlight of the evening was a return to a restaurant that he would not otherwise suggest. Perhaps more of these singular outings are in order…but not too many. We still love to eat together at great Cleveland restaurants.

List Status: Existing

http://barcento.com/ 1948 W25th Street Cleveland, OH 44113 216-274-1010

Parallax

As indicated in our comments on Fire, Parallax is our favorite restaurant in Cleveland. On every visit, we are treated with remarkable food, a classy urbane environment and professional staff. The level of quality afforded the customer is what all good restaurants want to be “when they grow up.” Our latest visit was no exception. As always, we walked away happy and satiated.

Both of us “swear” the waiter said, “Cauliflower and Leek” soup, so were quite surprised when the soup of the day arrive and it was green. Puzzled, we both dug in to the delightfully sharp tang of chilled “Cucumber and Leek” soup with a shrimp and cilantro garnish. We almost never order the same thing, (how can we possibly taste multiple foods if we did?) but the description was too intriguing and we were vacillating over the menu’s collection of interesting appetizers and salads. When we both tried to lay claim to the soup, Michele stated, “We’ll both have the soup!” We’re both happy we did.

For the main course, Jeff did what he seldom does, he ordered fish. The tuna was seared on the ends and sliced and served alongside a light mix of greens, peas, olives and feta. Michele had the Black Cod served with bok choy and a tangy glaze that worked well with the black sesame peppered fish. Together we shared the dessert special, chocolate mousse cake with fresh red raspberries and blackberries. This may have been the quintessential summer meal of light preparation that allowed the lovely fresh flavors to emerge. Fabulous.

Time and again, the local (and national) spotlight continues to fall on Michael Symon and Lola. We have nothing but admiration for him and his place and have enjoyed many meals there, but we have said it before and will continue to believe that the real genius and dean of Cleveland cooking is Zach Bruell. If you have not been to Parallax or one of his other places, we urge you to remedy that error and sample the best of Cleveland’s food.

http://parallaxtremont.com/ 2179 W 11^th Street Cleveland, OH 44113 216-583-9999

Sutters

MANY years ago, Sutters was located on E 140th Street in a typical neighborhood tavern-sized building. If you wanted food, without waiting, you got there early. The owners then inexplicably built a HUGE new place down the street, very near the I-90 freeway. The food was still great and they did manage to entice patrons despite the continued deterioration of the neighborhood. Inevitably, people stopped risking the trip and the restaurant closed. Sometime after, they moved to Route 87 in Newbury, bringing with them recipes for the some of the best veal in town. Now unfortunately, if we want Weiner schnitzel, it is an hour trip instead of a 15 minute ride. Every few years we fill the tank and take a journey to the relative eastern end of the planet (or at least Cleveland.)

There is really only one reason to drive an hour. It is for the veal. If you don’t like flattened, breaded extremely tender and luscious veal or sautéed slivers of scaloppini perfectly prepared, don’t go. About 85% of the menu items are variations on veal. Each entrée comes with a salad. Choose between Italian or ranch dressing and bide your time waiting for the meal.

Over the years, Jeff has found two favorites, Weiner schnitzel ala mode and Veal Marsala. Michele rotates, this time ordering the Veal Swiss. Ala mode is topped with mushrooms (still prepared better than almost anywhere) and a sherry-cream sauce. Swiss is topped with ham, mushrooms and Swiss cheese. The side dish today was herb-garlic sautéed potatoes. Uneventful, but again, you’re here for the veal. Always keep that in mind. Almost twenty-five years after our first visit, it remains the draw and the preparation remains very close to the first time we visited. We’ll leave it up to you to decide if the drive is worth it, but we’ll be back in a few years and we’re reasonably certain that Sutters will still be serving up some of the best veal this side of Pennsylvania.

List Status: Existing

10665 Kinsman Road Newbury, OH 440-564-9656

Menu 6

We guess it’s true. You don’t really miss someone until they’re gone. It has been multiple years since the closure of Cena Copa in Cleveland Heights. It has also been a few years since the food was “good” at Viva, downtown (now closed.) Chef Michael Herschman has long been one of Cleveland’s most exciting chefs and anytime he cooks, if you like food, you should follow. This weekend, we followed and we’re glad we did. Like in the past, the menu was exciting; the space was exhilarating and the experience rewarding.

The menu is divided into six (menu 6?) sections, “raw” for a collection of raw bar offerings, “hot cold small” for an assortment of appetizers, “green” for a collection of inventive salads, “water & feather”  “land” and “etc” featuring a number of sides. A few specials were also available, including the fresh fish offering of the day. For starters, Michele had the special soup, a side-by-side of two different, but complementary mixes. On the left was a lively gazpacho and in the same bowl to the right was a romaine-heart cold soup. The red and green presented well and the tastes were complementary. Jeff started with the menu’s crispy shrimp, just as advertised; this was VERY crispy shrimp on the outside and succulent inside. Sitting on a pool of spicy coconut milk and peanut it was a great match-up, especially with the small side of radish and celery (?) for a mouth-cooling adjustment. Perfect, we were off to a wonderful start.

We both opted for the specials, so will need to address the menu in the future. Michele tried the tempura coated soft shell crab and Jeff tried the prosciutto-wrapped filet, served over a bed of risotto with grilled asparagus. Both were outstanding, first to look at, with the crab, puffy and delicate over a rich broth base and the red filet sitting in the middle of the beautiful green rice, the spears of asparagus heads popping out the front. Secondly and most important, the preparation was perfect. Jeff thought the filet might have been over his desired medium-rare, but once cutting in, it was exactly as requested. Like it should, the crunchy exterior of the crab holds the ultra-soft and juicy crabmeat inside. If we went back tomorrow, we’d probably order the same again, but with a menu of options, we’re more likely to try something completely different. When you trust a chef, if they say left, you’re going left. Dessert was a nice chocolate pots-du-crème with some honey madeleines, ( a touch dry) gelato and truffles. A perfect end to a perfect reintroduction to one of Cleveland’s best cooks.

Before we finished the meal, we started talking about the next visit. We always know when that occurs; we are in the midst of a great meal at a great restaurant. Try this place. We think you’ll agree with both statements.

http://menu6.org/ 12718 Larchmere Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44120 216-791-6649

Table 45

Pulling into the Porte cochere of the Intercontinental Hotel, waiting for the valet to come to the car, Michele stated that dining at Table 45 made her feel, “rich.” This is an immediately engaging, stylishly trendy and surprisingly warm and comfortable room. The design of the space and the lighting are perfect complements to the creative foods that come from the kitchen. A mix of Asian, Mediterranean, Indian and middle-eastern cooking, the menu is exciting to read and even better to eat. Sitting in this fabulous space being served wonderful food, should make everyone feel “rich.”

Michele started with the Rustic Gazpacho soup. Different from the typical “red” version, this warm brown mix of vegetable was refreshing and summery, despite the bleak weather outside. Rather than an entrée, she followed that with Caesar salad. Sadly, no anchovies were available, but regardless, their Bangkok-style is very good indeed.

Jeff immediately honed in on the Cumin Braised lamb. Served with lightly minted couscous, the incredibly tender meat was packed with flavor and when mopped up with the tiny beads, the combination was wonderful. A side of coriander chutney and a cauliflower-pea curry mix made this one of the best meals he’s had in this restaurant filled with great food. To begin, the server suggested the ceviche, thin sliced scallops that were elegantly spread along a plate with papaya, lime juice and jalapeño. Our server was right, it was a nice balance for the lamb he was about to enjoy and a perfect combo for the evening.

For desert we shared the chocolate ravioli served with cherry gelato and cherry whipped cream. Warm chocolate oozed from the chocolate pockets and mixed among the cherry gelato for a dish that warranted continuous scrapes and finger dipping. Not what you’d likely do in a restaurant that makes you feel rich, but surely one that cooks such amazing food.

List Status: Existing

http://www.tbl45.com/ 9801 Carnegie Avenue Cleveland, OH 44106 216-707-4045