Rosso Italia Opens in Beachwood

I was invited to attend a recent media tasting at the brand new Rosso Italia in the former Red the Steakhouse space, adjacent to Blu and also owned by Brad Friedlander.

The restaurant's décor had a complete overhaul and it's much warmer than Red was. I love the attention to detail, custom pieces, and light fixtures.

We cozied up in this corner by the bar for quite a feast!

But, secretly I just wanted to go hang out in the wine cellar. Bring me some baguette, and I think I could just live there!

The family-style meal started with several appetizer items, like the Stuffed Peppers...

...Bone Marrow with Beef Tartar...

...and Calamari. My favorites included the Calamari and Charcuterie board.

Their bread is made in-house, and it arrived with an olive spread, oil and balsamic vinegar, and a whole head of roasted garlic. Roasted garlic cloves spread on good bread is just heavenly! Maybe not ideal on date night, haha.

During the salad course next, my favorite dish of the night arrived. The Radicchio salad with white beans, blue cheese, pine nuts, and an amazing dressing has been on my mind since I had it. It was really unexpected, and not anything I would have chosen to order on a menu on my own. But I must have it again.

The next course was the only real miss for me during the meal. The Gnocchi were a little too dense and forgettable.

And the Orecchiette was dry and lacked real flavor other than the sausage.

But my second favorite dish of the night was also served during the pasta course, the Bolognese with beef and pork ragu over house-made pappardelle. I'd totally order that again!

For the final savory course...the meats. First, came out the LARGEST Chicken Parmesan I've ever seen in my life. As big as my head. I wish this picture did it justice, but the knife in the background is a huge steak knife if that helps give you a sense of size. This dish is not served with a side of pasta, as usual.

Then we also feasted on Rack of Lamb, Strip Steak, and Veal Masala. The steak was probably my favorite, seasoned and seared perfectly. For those that miss Red, the Steakhouse then they'll be pleased to see this on the menu.

As if we weren't full already, dessert arrived. The Tiramisu was my favorite, but the lemon (pictured below) and chocolate desserts were also good.

Overall, the space is warmer and more inviting, and the food was classically done well. Most of it wasn't overly memorable, but that salad and the Bolognese sure were. 

Rosso Italia

3355 Richmond Road
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 831-1004

Disclosure: I was invited to attend a media preview dinner and all food and one drink was provided complimentary. All opinions are 100% my own.

The Best Things I Ate in 2019

I thought it would be fun to do a look back through the year, at my favorite bites and some newly discovered places of 2019. Here we go...

Cheesy Brisket Crunches from Service Bar in Columbus

Shish Tawook with garlic sauce from Joe's Deli

Arancini from Molto Bene Italian Eatery

Scallops St. Jacques from Blu the Restaurant

Our entire meal at Central Provisions in Portland, ME

Grilled Octopus with white bean shishito ragu and breadcrumbs from Sotto in Cincinnati

Spaghetti from Bluebeard in Indianapolis

Spinach and Meatball Dip from Polpetta

Diavolo Pie (Pro Tip: add Hot Honey) from Il Rione

Well, I guess it was a good one then!

How about you...favorite bites or new restaurant you tried this year? 

Blu, the Restaurant Opens in Beachwood

When I heard the news that the historic Moxie steakhouse in Beachwood was closing to renovate and refresh into a new seafood restaurant concept for the same management group, I have to say that the thought of another seafood option in town excited me. We just don't have enough in Northeast Ohio.

Enter Blu, the Restaurant. So when I had the opportunity to sample the new menu with a small group of food writers and social influencers, of course I jumped at the chance. We were treated to four courses, highlighting a little bit of everything.

With a raw bar prominently visible in their dining room, the meal had to kick off with the Seafood Platter for Four ($90) which includes oysters, shrimp cocktail, ceviche, trout pate, Alaskan King Crab and Maine lobster. The octopus ceviche and trout pate were highlights for me!

Then came my favorite dish of the night, the Scallops St. Jacques ($18) with mushrooms, white wine, Gruyere, and breadcrumbs. Seriously, I woke up the next morning still thinking of them and I will be back for more.

But the other dishes in this course did not disappoint either, like the BBQ Octopus ($14) with pickled chili, chive cream and crispy fingerlings.

The last savory course brought us a 20 oz. Bone-in Ribeye ($52) with housemade steak oil (they aren't just seafood!) and the Whole Snapper (Market Price) with rice flour, chili black bean, sofrito, scallions and cilantro.

While both were good, they didn't impress me as much as the side of Spinach & Ricotta "Gnocchi" ($18) with house made ricotta and Parmesan cheese (gf).

The history and people of Moxie are still there, but the space underwent a $500,000 renovation and they shifted gears with the menu's focus. This tasting wet my palate enough that I do want to head back soon to explore the menu more on my own. And order more scallops, duh!

Blu, the Restaurant

3355 Richmond Road
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 831-5599

Disclosure: I was invited with a guest to attend an introductory event with complimentary food and wine. All opinions stated are 100% my own.

Moxie the Restaurant

I was recently invited to a social influencer dinner at Moxie, the Restaurant. It was actually my first time at the famous east side restaurant and sister spot to Red, the Steakhouse. They had planned quite the spread, showcasing a lot of different dishes on their menu.

Everything was served family-style for this event, and we kicked off with Calamari with shishito, fresno, scallion, cilantro, sweet chili aioli, and brulee lemon.

And Charred Shishito Peppers with a ginger lime vinaigrette and parmigiana pink salt.

Next course included a Fattoush salad with romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, onions, radishes, feta, crispy pita, and lemon pepper vinaigrette.

Second course also gave us the Tuna Tartare with chile vinaigrette, wasabi guacamole, and tagorashi scallion wonton.

Now we got into the main course, and sampled the Curry Gulf Shrimp with flash-fried shrimp, forbidden rice, bok choy, and chili curry broth.

The Shaksuka with tomato, fennel, cumin, spinach, chickpea, eggplant, roasted egg, and feta served with naan.

That thick house-made naan was the perfect vehicle for the dish.

The Veal Osso Bucco served with goat cheese polenta, fingerlings, roasted parsnips and carrots, and demi.

And the last savory dish of the night, New Zealand Lamb Rack with whipped sweet potato, red onion, cranberry, pecan, and brussel sprout leaves.

We topped off the meal with some assorted pastries and the Warm Apple Fritter with vanilla ice cream and cinnamon caramel sauce.

Completely stuffed and rolling out of the restaurant, it was a delightful meal that left me desiring to come back. Highlights for me were the Curry Gulf Shrimp, Naan, and (surprisingly, as I'm not a dessert gal)...the Warm Apple Fritter.

Moxie, the Restaurant
3355 Richmond Road
Beachwood, OH 44122
(216) 831-5599

Disclosure: I was invited, with a guest, to a complimentary dinner event. All food and wine was provided in exchange for sharing our experience. All opinions are 100% my own.

City BBQ Grand Opening

It may be a chain restaurant, but its roots are in Ohio, and Northeast Ohio is pretty darn pumped to see City BBQ open its doors in Beachwood today (Grand Opening on 1/26). I was fortunate enough to get a sneak peek during an influencer event, and I'm already a fan!

Good BBQ starts with slow smoking, and City BBQ uses only hickory to create their award-winning meats.

We got to taste a LOT of their menu, but the Ribs were towards the top of my favorites. Good bark, moist, and bit right off the bone.

They offer all kinds of sampler platters so you can pick and choose from different meats.

But the other sections of the menu are not to be missed as well.

Mmm....

The sides were also stars of the show. Favorites for me included the Corn Pudding, Hush Puppies, Baked Beans with Brisket, and Fresh Cut Fries. I could make a meal of the sides alone.

With several sauces to choose from, you can dress your meats as you'd like. I tried the Cheerwine and Brushfire, both delicious.

Look at that gorgeous pink smoke ring on the Brisket! It just melted in your mouth.

No joke, I quickly became a fan after diving in to their food, and we'll be back soon on our own.

They also offer all kinds of catering options too, so consider them for your next meeting or event.

Welcome to Beachwood, City BBQ! They also shared that more Northeast Ohio locations are in the works. They plan to grow from the current 40+ locations to 100 by 2020. They are doing BBQ right, and the masses agree.

City BBQ
24325 Chagrin Blvd.
Beachwood, OH

Disclosure: I was invited with a guest to a media preview and all food was complimentary and I received a swag bag. All opinions stated are 100% my own.

Beachwood's Sanctuary

As you know, I am a fan of Driftwood Restaurant Group's restaurants that are scattered around town. Hodge's, Washington Place Bistro, and Cibreo have always been repeat stops for us. Driftwood Catering did our wedding, and they went above and beyond our expectations. So, when Sanctuary the restaurant + wine bar contacted me to come out to Beachwood to check out the new restaurant, I agreed. I had already missed two opportunities for a visit, and I wasn't going to let this one pass me by.

Located inside of the DoubleTree Beachwood, it offers hotel guests and other diners several options for seating. They have two large dining areas...

...a communal seating area...

...a wine bar, private event spaces, and room service.

I did appreciate the nod to Driftwood with the wall accents.

Mr. H and I ordered the Pork Belly Steamed Buns with pickled pear, arugula, and sriracha aioli ($8). There was definitely a little heat to this aioli, and the pork belly was nice and crispy yet moist. One side of the bun on each seemed to be a little dried out though.

I selected the French Wedge with tomato, hard boiled egg, pickled red onion, bacon, bleu cheese crumbles, and white French dressing ($7). The white French dressing was much better than your typical creamy bleu cheese. I also loved the tangy bite that the pickled red onions gave it.

For our entrees, Mr. H ordered the C.A.B, Filet Mignon with chive pommes puree, baby carrots, and a truffle demi ($32).

I went for the Seared U-10 Scallops with risotto, golden beets, caramelized apples, butternut squash, fried sage, and apple gastrique ($30). The scallops were a touch too salty, but I left wanting to recreate this risotto combination at home.

As if we weren't full enough, our server brought us his favorite dessert, the Bananas Foster Cheesecake.

Creamy and lovely, but not mild enough for this banana-hater to enjoy...

Folks, that was his true reaction, not staged for the camera. I promise. I was laughing so hard. First sniff after 10 years of no banana.

Overall thoughts...I wish that hotels when I traveled offered food like the west side's AMP 150 and Sanctuary Beachwood. I never seem to stumble upon anywhere good. It was a good meal, with some solid classic dishes and a few creative twists. I'll never be able to get over that "hotel" feel that these type of restaurants just can't avoid, but it was more private than AMP 150 inside the restaurant and bar. Service was friendly, casual and attentive. The house-made bread with honey butter and pesto was a highlight too. They'll just keep refilling it, but don't fill up!

Another nice addition to the trend of elevating the quality of hotel food in the Greater Cleveland area. This, I'm on board with.

Sanctuary restaurant + wine bar
DoubleTree by Hilton
3663 Park East Drive
Beachwood, OH 44122
216-910-1296

Disclosure: I was invited to bring a guest and enjoy dinner at the restaurant in exchange for this review and social media posts. All food and drink were complimentary, but the opinions stated are 100% my own. Thank you to Sanctuary for the opportunity to try their food!