Yup, three years ago today (on a Friday the 13th, no less), I started this blog with no idea of what I was getting myself into.I've met some amazing people that have turned into real-life friends, found out just how strong (and big) our Cleveland blogging community is, attended some fantastic events, sampled products, hosted giveaways, and of course- had some wonderful meals along the way.
With the new blog design, a great Top 10 list to try in 2012 (first one tackled and the post is coming soon), and new features like Taco Tuesday reviews (first post coming next week) and Dining Deals (meals under $10)-- I'm even more excited to head into this year of blogging.
Anything that you want to see more of, less of? Thank you for continuing to follow my journey, and I can safely say that Cleveland is "home" now.
Happy Blogiversary to me! (I'm singing the "Happy Birthday" song in my head)
Pappardelle Alla Bolognese- ragu of beef, veal, pork, and tomatoes.
Gnocchetti Sardi Verdi E Blu- spinach pasta, walnuts, Gorgonzola cream sauce.
Lumache E Polipo- toasted garlic, snails, octopus, parsley, chile flakes, and broccoli.
Agnello- lamb meatball.
Ricotta- ricotta cheese meatball.
I can generalize the dishes, because for the most part we felt the same about all of them. The mushroom appetizer was earthy, and included a couple of different types of mushrooms that were cooked well. It was certainly good, but not overly impressive in flavor or creativity. The meatballs are served individually, and are a decent size for $1.50 each. The meat of the lamb meatball was seasoned well, but the ricotta cheese meatball was cold in the center when it was served. Each meatball was served with a watery and bland red sauce, which became a reoccurring theme that night.
It was a little too greasy for my personal taste (look at how soaked the paper is), and the crust was overcooked and hard to bite through. It was fresh though, that I do know. Dining Deals alert- two slices and an order of breadsticks was only $9.
Even on a Tuesday night at 8PM, the restaurant was almost full and certainly had a lot of energy. The lime green walls, playful art, and decorative accents were whimsical and hip. We decided to start with two "Smaller Plates"- the Chicken & Potato Dumplings and Cheesy Grits.
The three "dumplings" were actually house-made gnocchi, which were light and creamy. The crunch from the tiny toasted "chips" added a nice texture to the dish. Both starters were very good, but I did slightly prefer the grits. As you can see, they included crispy bacon and a drizzle of hot sauce. The flavors and textures worked so well together. But I would order both again.
The scallops were large, and perfectly seared. There was a sweetness to the crust, and they were translucent when I cut into them. The puffed rice was a fun addition to the plate. "R" ordered the Duck, Duck, Duck with wild rice, pistachios, dried cherries, and thyme jus.
The medium-rare meat was tender and juicy. I love the combination of cherries and thyme with the duck.
The cheeses were served with things such as: local honey, candied apricots, dried cherries, pistachios, and fig spread. While I love trying different things with cheeses to see how they play with the flavor of the cheese, these were served directly on the cheese and a lot of the cheese itself was drowned out. I wanted to be able to try them each on their own, but it just wasn't possible.