I vaguely remember reading a review in The Plain Dealer about how dimly lit the restaurant was- and they were spot on! "R" even commented that they must save a lot of money on their electric bill (what a jokester he is). Once we got over the lighting situation, I started to take in the place. The seating arrangement is a little odd, with the focus being on the classic black and white movies playing through a projector onto the main wall of the restaurant. Is anyone really watching while they eat? It boasts that it is a "Mediterranean bistro", but I really think that it was an excuse to decorate by slapping up random wall decor (ex. tribal mask next to our table) and lots of candles. I certainly did not feel "transported to the streets of Rome, Barcelona, and Athens" as their website claims. Trust me, I've been there.
I ordered the Fettuccine Fellini with gorgonzola in a tomato cream sauce ($18). When the dish arrived, I was severely disappointed in the presentation. The noodles were drenched in a pale pink sauce close to the shade of the pasta, and the dish was seriously lacking some garnish. The whole plate just looked bland. The sauce wasn't bad after I made sure that each bite had a substantial amount on it, and the noodles were clearly home-made. A vegetable or something else to add a little color to the plate would have gone a long way in my eyes. Overall, it was just ok. "R" tried the Vagabondo pizza with spinach, tomato, red pepper, red onion, kalamata olive, french feta, and mozzarella ($11). The crust was so thin that it cracked and crumbled as you bit into it, and the pizza was lacking any sauce or a desired amount of cheese. He was pretty disappointed in his selection.
While I am glad that we finally tried La Strada, I can't see us going back with so many wonderful options popping up on East 4th.
La Strada
2050 East 4th Street
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 861-3663
7 comments:
oh that's sad! i always have such good meals everytime i go there.
Well maybe we just need to meet up for happy hour there sometime and I'll try it again! :) I was so disappointed. I was really looking forward to trying it.
just discovered your blog, it's great! bummer about La Strada...and just fyi, you can now make resservations for The Greenhouse Tavern on Opentable :)
Thanks Nicole! I'm glad that you like it. Good to know about GHT. I've only been once and looking forward to going back. I love Opentable!
AMEN.
Best,
Beau Cadiyo
La Strada recently revamped their kitchen and menu - much better than before, and it seems to fit the theme a little better. Give it another shot!
It has since closed.
Post a Comment