Salted Dough

Even though we're on self-quarantine and many restaurants were either closed entirely or open for limited carry-out/delivery, it was time to get back to tackling the restaurants on my 2020 To Dine Challenge list.

We decided that Salted Dough in Broadview Heights would be one that could travel well and that the dine-in atmosphere wouldn't be one we'd regret not experiencing in-person.

The BURRATA ($13) with caramelized butternut squash, lime pickle honey, pumpkin seed oil, apple cider gastrique, and pavon vermouth may have been the item I was looking forward to the most when we ordered. It sounded unique, and who doesn't love burrata? For me, the spices and "fall" flavors were too overpowering and battled each other. I really didn't care for it at all, and they also didn't package the toasted bread separately so it was very soggy by the time we got home. This dish was a major miss for us. 

They have HAND ROLLED RICOTTA GNOCCHI and you can select from five sauces. We went for the Bolognese with local cream, pancetta, and nutmeg ($18). I'll say it was certainly a good version and worth getting, but not "knock-your-socks off."

I've heard mixed reviews of their pizza, but for us, it was the best thing we got from there. We ordered the SPANISH with Spanish chorizo, pimento goat cheese, fresh rosemary, roasted garlic, fire roasted red peppers, smoked mozzarella, and red sauce. The dough was thin but had a nice chew and crispy edge to it, and the flavors of this toppings combination just popped.

All pizza crust is finished with pecorino Romano, roasted garlic oil, and pink Himalayan sea salt. You can choose from three sizes. They have specialty pizzas or you can build-your-own.

It's in a large complex so there's plenty of free parking. In addition to options on the regular menu that would be kid-friendly, they also have a Kids Menu. They have an extensive wine list, 75 local craft beers, and cocktails. Plus 20 flavors of gelato and tiramisu! Outdoor dining is available.

Overall, I wasn't wild about the experience, but it was solid. If I was in the area, I'd likely still choose a couple of other spots before dining here again.

Salted Dough
9174 Broadview Road
Broadview Heights, OH 44147
(440) 587-1098

Cantine Bar + Bottle Shop

A friend suggested Cantine in Broadview Heights for happy hour last week. I hadn't been, didn't look it up in advance, and boy was I surprised at what we found once I was there.

I think I was under the impression that it was a Mexican restaurant, but this elevated New American tapas spot offers a great selection of small plates and floor-to-ceiling wine and craft beer sales.

 It has an impressive amount of bottle sale options, which you can take home or enjoy there for a small corkage fee. They have an extensive bar inside and a handful of low and high tables indoors, in addition to patio seating out front.

It was a perfect evening to sit outside, so we settled in with some glasses of wine and ordered a few small things to share. Starting with the Arancini di Riso ($8) with bread crumb crusted risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella di bufala campana, with tomato sauce and shaved parmigiana reggiano.

We also shared the Baked Brie ($12) with Puff pastry, fresh fruit, brandy glaze and raincoast crisps.

I then ordered the Chorizo Tacos ($10) with with cilantro lime sour cream, corn salsa, and a cheddar jack blend cheese.

The baked brie was our favorite, the arancini was good as well, and the tacos had a nice, subtle heat to the chorizo. There was just a bit too much shredded cheese on the tacos, and I wish that I had known they were served on corn tortillas. For me, that's an important piece of information that should be included on the menu.

Service was attentive, it's seat yourself, and they offer some good specials and happy hour deals. Plenty of parking since it's in a strip. A nice find in that neck of the woods, and I'll go back!

Cantine Bar + Bottle Shop
1100 W Royalton Road
Broadview Heights, OH 44147
(440) 877-9399

D'Agnese's Italian

Mr. H and I found ourselves in Brecksville this week for an unexpected evening errand (ongoing saga with my engagement ring/wedding band, but by the way...we love our new jeweler Bookman & Son), so we decided to grab a bite to eat in the area. We had dinner at D'Agnese's Italian for a family private party a few years back and once with Mr. H's grandma. I remember enjoying our meals both visits, but we hadn't been in since.

Located in Broadview Heights on W. Royalton Road, it's on the end of a strip of businesses and could easily be missed from its exterior. However, inside it is classic fine dining Italian with a warm and cozy atmosphere.

We chose to sit at the bar, and several items on the menu were sounding really appealing right away. A good sign. 

Unfortunately, we were both disappointed in the flavor (or lack thereof) in our meal that night. I started with a Caesar Salad ($5 half), and I did enjoy the house made croutons, oven dried tomatoes and shaved prosciutto crisps, but the dressing wasn't what I wanted. It really leaned more towards an oil-based Italian dressing.

Mr. H ordered an entree that I had my eye on as well, the Pan Seared Scallops ($23) over risotto. The scallops were cooked just fine, but overall the dish had absolutely no flavor. It was so bland that he added some salt just to give it something.

I was slightly happier with my Shrimp Carbonara ($21) with shrimp, prosciutto di parma and onions in a Romano cheese cream sauce and served over linguini.

It too, was blander than I would have liked, so some salt went a long way. But the pasta was cooked perfectly, and the shrimp were huge.

I know it's a popular place and people speak highly of it, but for the price-point I certainly expected that the food would have more flavor. Overall, it was just bland and not memorable. We also didn't get great service at the bar, and it left me with the impression that I didn't need to go back.

D'Agnese's
1100 W. Royalton Road
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147

440-237-7378

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