I'm Over at Clue Into Cleveland Today

So, I've been on a bit of a break. I've been in event planning mode, and things get a little crazy around my big fundraisers. But, the first big one is over and June is the light at the end of the tunnel. I'll be back with more dining adventures very shortly.

In the meantime, today I'm guest posting over on Amanda's blog- Clue Into Cleveland. Go check out my guest post about some of my favorite ice cream shops to visit during the warmer months in Cleveland!

What spots did I miss? Who has your favorite ice cream?

Drink. Bar and Grill in Old Brooklyn

It's Friday! Which means that it's time to select a winner of the $100 Provenance gift certificate. Thank you to everyone that entered. Random.org picked comment #21- Ryan "Even though it's not exactly an art or history museum, I have to go with A Christmas Story house!" Email me by Monday to claim your prize, and enjoy checking out Provenance and the Art Museum!

Now, on to the post for the day...

Drink. Bar and Grill opened in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood quietly several months ago, but then had a grand opening in late March. We read about it in Scene's review, and were instantly intrigued to check it out. After all, that's my 'hood and the bar/restaurant options are limited. Sure, there are plenty of hole-in-the-wall joints, and you can get some cheap beers and average bar food close to home. But, for the higher end bars and upscale pub food, we have to head to at least Tremont or Ohio City.

Well, Drink is trying to fill that void. Will they succeed? I hope so, but only time will tell. It isn't looking good so far.

Inside, they are going for a "dark and swanky" lounge feel. With a dimly lit bar, lots of candles, and plush private seating areas--- it's quite different than anything else around here.

But, we've been in three times already and it's always dead. We've been in for drinks on a Tuesday, Wednesday, and now a Friday. At most, there has been a dozen or so patrons. During the week, it was more like four.

Is it the location? The atmosphere? The higher priced drinks menu? I just don't know that it's a $9 a cocktail kinda place that this neighborhood wants. But we do, so I hope that it survives.

The food so far has been pretty decent. The onion rings (dare I say, my favorite item so far?) and chicken tenders are hand-breaded in-house, and you can tell. The Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps that we had last Friday night were carefully prepared, and quite tasty.

"R" had the Patti Melt with a 7oz burger with grilled onions and melted provolone with house Russian dressing on toasted rye for $9.50 (which he enjoyed, but the side of fries seemed stale), and I just had to order the Bulgogi Burger ($11) with a 7oz Korean Barbeque Burger and pickled daikon, lettuce, tomato, and hoisin aioli on a toasted sweet bun. Overall, it was a decent burger, but very messy and it was hard to detect the Asian flavors that I was expecting. The rest of the menu is pretty basic with tacos, wings, salads, wraps, and other typical fare.

I do like the atmosphere here, but I did notice that it kind of has a "musty" smell to it. It's a little offensive, particularly when you're eating. The four bartenders that we've had have all been very friendly and chatty. They are clearly trying to get to know the neighborhood, with the hopes of creating regulars. Personally, I like the place and hope that they survive.

Drink. Bar and Grill
4250 Pearl Road
Cleveland, OH
216-661-7543

Monday Giveaway to Provenance

Happy Monday, folks! I don't know about you, but sometimes I need something to look forward to on a Monday. Getting back into the swing of things after a great weekend can be tough. So...I've got a fabulous giveaway for you today. Read on...

I was recently invited to attend a media event for a few local bloggers at the Cleveland Museum of Art to check out their new restaurant--- Provenance.

I was unable to attend because I was out of town for the Kentucky Derby, but they invited me to come in on my own. So I took them up on it last week. I snuck out for relaxing lunch with Michelle, and we picked a great day because the sun was shining and Cleveland was happy.

We had a brief tour of the more casual café, main kitchen, and event spaces. Then we settled into the dining room of Provenance for lunch. The menu isn't large, but several items sounded great and I think that anyone could find something between the salads, small plates, and entrees. Michelle went with the Provenance Cobb with poached chicken, granny smith apple, avocado, walnuts, cooked egg, pickled onion and bleu cheese dressing ($14). It was a beautiful presentation. One of the prettiest salads that I've ever seen.

I ordered the Bang Bang Shrimp Noodle Salad with cucumber, carrots, daikon, cilantro, rice noodles and spicy peanut sauce ($16).

Again, it was a gorgeous dish. I'm glad that the restaurant has embraced their surroundings and taken just as much care for presentation as flavor. Overall, it was light and refreshing but filling. Too many red peppers for my personal taste, but I'd order it again. I saw several other diners with this dish.

We finished up, and then took a stroll through some of the exhibits and grounds. It was a gorgeous day in Cleveland, and I just love looking out over Wade Oval.

The lunch experience was quick, but not rushed. So it was a prefect escape from the craziness of my workday. Parking around the University Circle area isn't a problem, but be prepared to pay. I found a two-hour metered spot in front of the museum, but there are also a couple of different parking garages or lots nearby. Most of the Cleveland Museum of Art is free to view, so you really can have quite a fun lunch excursion. They are open for Brunch and Dinner service as well, but the hours are slightly odd since it is located inside of the museum. Be sure to check out the website before visiting, and you can also make a reservation online.

I'll have to remember to schedule some business lunches over there! What a fun spot, but a little pricey for your average lunch. At least you know that with Chef Doug Katz (fire food and drink) behind the concept, you're bound to have a good meal.

So, one lucky reader will get to go check it out for themselves. They have provided me with one gift certificate valued at $100 to give away! Just leave me a comment below about what your favorite Cleveland museum or landmark is to visit, and you'll be entered to win. You can also gain a second entry by tweeting "I want to check out Provenance, thanks to @BiteBuff's giveaway at www.bitebuff.com." Make sure to leave a second comment on the post to let me know that you tweeted. I'll be selecting a winner on Friday, May 17th using random.org. Good luck!

Provenance
Cleveland Museum of Art
11150 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-421-7350

Disclosure: I was provided with a $25 gift certificate to use towards my visit, and a $100 gift certificate to use as a giveaway. The thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Cork and Cleaver Social Kitchen

I love it when I am so excited about a place that I just can't wait to share it with you. I know that I gave you a little sneak peek of the newly opened Cork & Cleaver Social Kitchen from my post about the CLEDinnerClub event that we attended a couple of weeks ago, but "R" and I made it back in to dine there from the regular menu this week...and it was just as awesome.

Rose, our bubbly and chatty server, helped us navigate the menu and made suggestions based on her personal favorites and popular dishes. She first pointed us towards the Chicken Wings- confit wings with cilantro, scallion, honey, and chilies ($8 for five big wings).

These wings were simply outstanding. "R" deemed them "the best wings he's ever had" and he's had quite a lot of wings. Greenhouse, who? They start with a sugar and salt brine, then confit them before dredging them in a buttermilk batter. The end result is crispy, moist, fall-off-the-bone meat. The sweet honey and kick from the jalapenos just help round out this dish. Go get them, like now!

It was a hard act to follow, but we both really enjoyed our entrees as well. "R" ordered The Omelette with chorizo, goat cheese, guacamole, sweet pepper bruschetta, and crispy potatoes ($14).

I don't usually photograph other people's dishes, but the presentation of this was so pretty that I had to snap a shot before he dug in. I stole two bites of the fluffy omelette, and a bite of the crispy potato pancake. I'm not a breakfast-for-dinner kinda person, but this was delicious and I'd happily eat that for brunch any day. "R" was hooked, and Chef Adam told us that it's his favorite dish on the menu. Why don't more restaurants offer breakfast food options on their dinner menu?

I went for the Gnocchi with braised lamb, a cucumber and radish slaw, and tzatziki ($18).

A bite that combined all of the components had nice balance of flavor and texture, and it certainly reminded me of a gyro. The lamb meat on its own was a little boring, but that sauce really made this dish for me. A little more slaw and a bit more sauce maybe would have made this a little bit better, in my opinion. Overall, I liked it and I would order it again.

As if we weren't full enough, my buddy Chef Adam surprised us with a complimentary dessert. This Root Beer and Malt was a nice sweet treat to the end of the meal.

The malt ice cream was divine, and I loved the chocolate covered crushed pretzels. Rose suggested just smashing the root beer meringue from the center, and that did the trick. It crumbled into the ice cream, and a bite of all three components was very tasty. I'm not even a fan of root beer flavor, and I enjoyed this! It was mild enough to not offend my soda-free palate, but had nice flavor that worked well with everything else on the plate. All of their desserts are playful and interesting.

I couldn't have been happier with the meal, and with two drinks thrown in as well--- the bill only came to $59.

I left thinking "Damn, we are so lucky that Brian Okin and Adam Bostwick teamed up to open Cork & Cleaver." No joke. "R" asked if every Wednesday could be "Cork & Cleaver Day." Now get in there and try it for yourself.

Cork & Cleaver Social Kitchen
8130 Broadview Road
Broadview Heights, OH
440-627-6449