Good Meal Jane Update

I previously shared our experience with the mouth-watering Detroit-style pizza from Good Meal Jane. 

While they no longer have a stand in the building on the corner of West 25th and Detroit, they are still slingin' some pies for pre-order pickup in the parking lot of a convenience store in Old Brooklyn. Because the good news is that they've secured a new brick-and-mortar spot on Memphis Avenue, and plan to open after some renovations. 

They'll be introducing new menu items as well, like the Sheesh Burger. 

Two 5oz smash patties, pickles, Flaming Hot Cheetos brioche bun, nacho cheese, and American cheese.

This may sound like it would be a hot mess, or even unappealing to some, but it.just.works.

I mean, look at the smile on that guy!

Smash burgers and Cheetos are two of my favorite guilty pleasure foods, and I certainly never thought I'd see them together! I'm already anxiously awaiting their opening in my neighborhood. Although this could get dangerous... 

Disclosure: I was provided with the meal complimentary in exchange for my honest review and postings on social media. All opinions stated are 100% my own.

Aqua di Luca Opens in Downtown

This post I'm catching up on from July (whoops), but we headed to the newly opened Aqua di Luca in Downtown Cleveland. Normally, we don't head right in when a new spot opens up. We like to give them time to settle in and fix any opening issues. But this was opened by the folks behind one of our very favorite restaurants in the city, Luca (and Luca West). So we made an exception. 

Plus, we wanted to celebrate a successful first month of my small business! That meant delicious cocktails from their bar. 

Sappy moment...this guy has been so supportive, encouraging, and involved in my starting my dream business. I feel pretty lucky to have him by my side, and there's no one else I'd rather celebrate with!

We started with the Sashimi Grade Tuna ($15) with honeycomb and spicy peppers. It's a simple dish, but one that I think is a not-miss if you're dining there. We were inspired to try making this at home.

We split the Cacio e Pepe ($10), but this dish needs some work before I'd recommend it. There was not enough dressing on the plate, and very little flavor to it. Iceberg lettuce needs assistance. 

Mr. H ordered the Salmone con Ravioli ($45) with Jumbo Lump Bluecrab and Lobster Ravioli. 

I had the Filet Mignon and Lobster Gnocchi ($55).

There were definitely some opening growing pains in food execution and service, but I have no doubt it will settle in to be a staple of Downtown Cleveland dining. The space used to be XO Prime Steaks, but you wouldn't recognize it from all of the gorgeous work they've done inside. Outdoor seating available, and a nice long bar for more casual dining.

I'll give it a little more time, but you bet that we'll be back!

Aqua di Luca
500 W St. Clair Avenue
Cleveland, OH

Keep the Change Kitchen Collective

It's rare that a new-to-us restaurant shoots to the top of our "favorites" list, but it happens. Keep the Change Kitchen Collective, from the masterminds behind Spice Catering Co., Spice Acres, Spice Field Kitchen, and the former Spice Bar + Kitchen did just that.

In fact, we've already ordered multiple times since our first takeout meal from there.

Currently, you place an order on their website for curbside pickup or from one of the third-party delivery platforms they've partnered with (UberEats, GrubHub, DoorDash). You place one order, but have access to more than one culinary concept! 

We placed an order from Leif for Shiitake Storm with Adobo Rubbed Chicken Thigh ($15.50) with grains, marinated greens, roasted mushrooms, chili piperade, herby broccoli, marinated onions, furikake seeds and cider-fennel vinaigrette.

Then from Woo! Noods and Rice we ordered the Shiitake Mapo Tofu Udon ($14.50) with Cleveland tofu, shiitake + button mushrooms, and GGS (garlic/ginger/scallion) over udon noodles.

Lastly, I was intrigued to try the crispy gluten-free chicken tenders from Winner Winner, so we shared the Little Ones ($8.50) with 2 crispy, gluten-free Ohio Amish chicken tenders, choice of 1 mini side + 1 sauce. Because the list of house made sauces is ah-maze-ing!

Don't forget to add on a canned wine for the perfect picnic.

No need to go into detail on the dishes, because they were each fantastic and we've enjoyed everything else we've ordered so far as well. The only thing I didn't care for was the Marinated Cucumber Salad because it didn't have enough vinegar flavor for my taste.

Keep the Change Kitchen Collective
5601 Tillman Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44102
(216) 465-1133

Daily Press

I recently discovered that the owner of Daily Press lives in our neighborhood. We got to sample some of her cold-pressed organic juices at a community clean-up event, and we were hooked.

She previously had a brick-and-mortar juice bar in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood of Cleveland, but made the decision to close the shop and pivot to home delivery during the pandemic. 

Shortly after meeting her and sampling a couple juices, we were ready to place our first delivery order! 

I had been dreaming of the Spicy Apple since I first tried it, and yup...it's still my favorite. 

Here's what we tried:

• Spicy Apple ➤ green apple, extra extra ginger, lemon, cayenne
• Sweet Heat ➤ cucumber, pineapple, cilantro, jalapeno
• Dragon Berry Punch ➤ amla berry, camu camu, dragonfruit, carrot, beet, watermelon, pineapple, green apple, extra ginger, lemon

They run $9 - $10 a bottle, and there's discounted pricing if purchasing a cleanse pack. 

There are many health benefits to raw, organic, cold-pressed juice. And nothing tastes quite like it! Our minds headed in a different direction, and started dreaming of craft cocktails to mix with these. 

Here's a refreshing cocktail Mr. H created that is just perfect for the summer ahead:

• 4 oz. Spicy Apple Daily Press juice
• 2 oz. Mezcal
• 1 oz. Lemon Juice (lime juice would be tasty too!)
• .5 oz. Green Chartreuse
• .25 oz. Agave Syrup
• Place in shaker with ice, shake, and strain over fresh ice.

Head over to her website and check out the full list of products. Place an order, mix up that cocktail, and share if you liked it! 

Home Bistro

Home Bistro opened in August 2020 on Mayfield Road, right in the heart of Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood. They've been making quite a splash, despite us being in the middle of a pandemic. Including recently being named Best New Restaurant of 2020 by Cleveland Magazine readers.

So as my two friends and I got together for our very first patio dining experience since the pandemic began, we were excited to try this new spot out. The owners, Victor Morenz and Emily Gilbert, had a restaurant in Chicago (by the same name) with rave reviews from my friend's family there. I may have been counting down the hours before our visit all week!

Let's just say, it did not disappoint. From the Starters, we shared Beer Battered Asparagus ($12) with IPA beer batter, and salt & vinegar aioli.

And Shishito Peppers ($8) with sea salt and olive oil.

I then got super torn between several of the Mains that all sounded good, so my indecisiveness led me to two additional Starters instead. First, the Grilled Haloumi ($12), which is a Mediterranean cheese with strawberry, pickled green garlic, black pepper, and arbequina olive oil. Isn't that plating stunning?!

And the Artichoke Edam Fritters ($12) with garlic aioli and lemon.

My friends enjoyed the Korean Fried Chicken ($24) with crispy-fried smoked chicken thigh, sweet & savory soy, peanut puree, snap peas, and spring onion kimchi; Caesar Salad ($13); and one of the Mussels specials (Tuesday was Mussels Night with several options for $18). Every single dish was wonderful.

Now, service definitely had minor issues. Food arrived out of order, we were out of water for quite a while, and they seemed stretched thin. But our server and the manager were very sweet and attentive overall. The manager shared with us how difficult it still is to find restaurant workers that will come back to work in the pandemic, and how busy they've been since the Cleveland Magazine coverage and the warmer temperatures. I have no reason to think the service won't improve as things continue to get back to "normal." 

We dined on their patio, but the interior was just adorable too. Parking is a real issue in that neighborhood, but with some patience and lots of circling I did eventually find a street parking spot right outside the restaurant. 

This was one of the best meals I've had out in a long time, and that's not just the pandemic talking! I'm already looking forward to a return visit with Mr. H.

Home Bistro
12022 Mayfield Road
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 795-5582

Conforti

When Conforti opened in January in Tremont, we knew that we'd have to try it because as chef David Kocab has made his way through kitchens like Trentina, The Black Pig, Ushabu, and Bar Oni...we've become big fans. 

Chef/owner Matt Spinner and Kocab are focusing on takeout only, Thursday - Monday. Delivery is available from Uber Eats. 

Immediately their Meatballs started hitting my Instagram feed. They did not disappoint!

But our favorite of the meal (and Kocab's personal favorite combo) was the Tomato Braised Cod with red sauce, capers, olive tapenade and parsley salad and a side of the Grilled Rapini with fried garlic, red chili flake, and lemon.

The Fried Arancini is served with garlicky pesto aioli for dipping.

The Gulf Shrimp are cooked in caper butter served with parsley and grilled lemon.

The menu changes slightly, so you want to keep your eyes peeled. There's more that we plan to try (hello, Personal Pan Lasagna and Gnocchi Alla Romana), but that Cod, the Rapini, and Meatballs will be hard to resist ordering over and over again.

Conforti
2173 Professor Avenue
Cleveland, OH
(216) 334-9746 

Apparently I've Lost My Mind

Maybe it's a sign that I've been blogging too long, but something happened that has never happened to me before. I forgot that I had previously been to a restaurant. 

And it gets worse...

I named that restaurant to my 2021 To Dine Challenge list of 10 restaurants to dine at this year. *face palm*

As Mr. H and I drove to Han Chinese Kabob & Grill to pick up our takeout order, I got a gut feeling and sure enough...before we even pulled in, I knew I had already been there (in 2014, to be exact, if you'd like to read more about that visit).

The good news? Only one of the five items we ordered was something I'd had before (Lamb Kabob).

We had asked our friends (thanks Joe and Laura!) for recommendations, and got several things from their list: Dry Chili Chicken ($14.95), Fried Chinese Potstickers ($5.95), and Wonton with Chili Oil ($5.95). We had wanted to try the Salt and Pepper Prawns they suggested, but the restaurant was out of them that night.

The last dish we tried was the Spicy Duck Dry Pot ($15.95). This dish was a huge bust for us. Every piece of duck had multiple small shards of bone in it that were impossible to eat around. There's no pulling the meat off the bone on your plate, there's too many small pieces to navigate around in your mouth if you're attempting to chew the meat off and remove the bone...am I missing a logical way to eat this??? Help! 

My favorites were the Wonton and the Chicken (although it's very spicy so beware). 

So, it wasn't my first visit there as I had intended when I added it to the Challenge. Does it count? Do I replace it with another restaurant? I'm stuck. New waters here on this old blog, haha.

Han Chinese Kabob and Grill
3710 Payne Ave #110
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 769-8745

Gyro Guys

Surprisingly, there are still a few eateries in our neighborhood that I haven't tried yet, and Gyro Guys was one. Right on Pearl Road and owned by two brothers, I've driven by countless times. Mr. H had been a long time ago, but it was time for a Saturday lunchtime visit after being inspired by our friend and neighborhood Kate Warren (who is running for Cleveland City Council, yo!) when she posted a picture on Instagram of her favorite order.

It was much larger inside than I expected, with plenty of seating for dine-in. You order at the counter (he was so nice and helpful for this newbie!) and get to watch your food be made.

I had to go right for the Original Greek Gyro ($6.95) with layered beef and lamb served on a warm pita with onion, tomato, lettuce (which I omitted), and their homemade tzatziki/cucumber sauce. Kate's pro tip: Add feta cheese!

Their slogan is "It's All About the Sauce!" and honestly, it doesn't do it for us. The thicker, creamy texture I do appreciate. I hate when tzatziki is watery and runs all over. But, theirs doesn't pack the bold flavors of garlic, herbs, and an acid that we really love. We like it pretty extreme, and Mr. H has mastered a recipe at home. 

Otherwise, the meat is flavorful and moist. The pita was lovely, and there was a generous portion of all toppings without being excessive. The only real miss for me were the Fresh Cut Fries ($2.75 for Small), as they were too crispy and seasoned with a very heavy hand. I like 'em salty, but these crossed that line for me. 

While it may not quite have stolen the title of "top gyro" for us (Fergie's will forever be #1), it was a solid gyro that I'll happily order again. But I'd love to try more of their menu. Thanks for the reminder that we needed to check this spot out, Kate!

Gyro Guys
4348 Pearl Road
Cleveland, OH 44109
(216) 739-3033

Martha on the Fly

There's a new breakfast sandwich pop-up on the scene, and you'll want to run (not walk) to get some. Martha on the Fly is inspired by chef and co-owner Ryan Beck's grandmother's cooking. All I can say is that my grandmother did not cook like this! 

You pre-order online (website linked above) for Saturday or Sunday pickup at Good Company. We selected two of the more unique sandwiches from the lineup of 7. First, the Shirley ($14) with house-made beef baloney, caramelized onion, tomato jam, American cheese, egg patty and Martha’s Sunshine Sauce. Also, the Ruth ($14) with fried pork tenderloin, bread and butter pickles, shaved onion, stadium mustard, American cheese, egg patty and Martha’s Sunshine Sauce. 

Pictured here is the Ruth, which ended up being our favorite.

Just look at that gorgeous bun, the crispy pork, schmear of Sunshine Sauce, and BEAUTIFUL and functional packaging. 

We also tossed in an order of Karleen's Cornmeal Fries ($6) with herbs and Sunshine Sauce, and another new-to-us local find of the live fermented hot sauce from Black Cap Hot Sauce.

The thicker shape and soft texture of the fries reminds me of the French Toast Sticks from Burger King (minus the sweetness). And that's said with love, because we don't eat much fast food but those are probably my number two breakfast order behind McDonald's Egg McMuffin when we do have fast food for breakfast. Give them a try.

The pre-sale tends to sell out in advance right now, so jump on it. I know I'm already dreaming of our next sandwiches. 

Martha on the Fly
(844) 4-pie-love

Date Night at Visible Voice Books

We hadn't been to the adorable Visible Voice Books in Tremont prior to the pandemic, but when they started offering a Create-Your-Own-Night package that provided a private 90 minutes of browsing the book store, one large two-topping pizza from Crust (located just below), and a bottle of wine for just $50...we knew it was the perfect pandemic date night that we needed.

We had such a wonderful time in November that we immediately booked a second date for March. They are full about two months out, but have since added a weekend Brunch and Browse option as well with pastries from nearby Leavened, coffee and two mimosas per person, and 100 minutes of the store to yourself for just $40 (for two, $15 each for additional guests). 

In addition to checking out the "local" section of the store, we spent quite a bit of time in the Cooking section. If you've been following along on my Instagram for my adventures in learning how to cook, a lot of the recipes I've been using since December have been from Alison Roman's Nothing Fancy. Highly recommend! 

Then we settled in for our pepperoni, mushroom, and diced garlic pizza. 

Yes, we travel with our own Mike's Hot Honey.

You also have access to ordering anything additional from Crust or Proof BBQ, so we couldn't resist trying the Pork Belly Steamed Buns ($9). 

They needed more pickled items for brightness and crunch, but overall were tasty.

The private bookings have been successful for them, so they are considering keeping them post-pandemic. My vote is YES! This is totally something we'd love to do even in a "normal" world again. But in case we don't have the chance, book your own now before they are gone. 

Visible Voice Books
2258 Professor Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 961-0084

Celebrating Easter in 2021

For those that celebrate, Easter is almost here. With vaccinations becoming more available to adults, it feels like the "end" of the pandemic is near. But, if you're like us, spending this holiday at home and without a large family gathering still seems like the right thing to do. Below is a list of carry-out options. It is meant to be a snapshot of their offerings, and you should check out their websites and social media for menu and ordering details. 

Fat Cats (Tremont): Easter Dinner. Call 216-579-0200 by Friday, April 2nd to place order. Pickup on April 4th 11AM - 3PM. Curbside service and phone payment options available. Easter Plate with 7 items ($15 per person) and Bunny Plate with 5 items ($14 per person) for vegetarians. 

Billy's- A Cappelli Martini Bar (Mentor): Your Easter Curbside. Your choice of meat, choice of strata, with waffles and homefried potatoes. Pick up on Saturday and reheating instructions included. $55 for 4, $95 for 8, and $120 for 10. Call or text 440-585-8815 by Thursday, April 1st to pre-order.  

111 Bistro (Medina): Easter Take Home Box. Heat and Serve, Feeds 4-6 People. 9 Dishes Included. $120. Pick up available Friday or Saturday. Pre-paid orders must be placed by March 24th at 8PM. Call 330-952-1122 to reserve. 

Square Scullery (Akron): Easter Dinner for Four. $100. Pre-order online. Choose between Glazed Ham or Quinoa Cabbage Rolls, and 5 sides included + dessert. Pick up on Saturday, April 3rd between 12-5PM. 

Chimi (Cleveland Heights): Easter Holiday Menu. A la carte. Menu items are intended to be shared between 3-4 people. Pre-order online by March 31st. 

Farmer Jones' Farm at The Chef's Garden (Shipped): Order an Easter at Home Box, offering farm-fresh ingredients and delicious Easter recipes curated from The Culinary Vegetable Institute: Arugula Salad; Honey Glazed Carrots; Roast Baby Potatoes; and Lamb Leg Roast (you can choose to add petite leg roasts to your order from Pure Bred Lamb). $140 for Vegetables Only or $220 with Lamb. Recipes and a pantry list will be sent the week prior to shipment. Serves 4-6; pre-order for delivery during the week of 3/29. Shipping is included.

Sully's Irish Pub (Medina): Easter Carryout Dinner. Pickup Sunday 11AM - 4PM. Cider and Apricot Glazed Ham Meal with six sides. Single $18, Family Style for 4 $65, or Family Style for 10 $150. Online ordering. 

Hungry Bee (Chagrin Falls): Easter Menu a la Carte. Pre-order by March 31st. Selections of Appetizers, Starters (feeds 4), Entrees (feeds 4), Sides (feeds 4), and Brunch items. Saturday pick up from 11AM - 2PM. 

Gourmet Guy (Rocky River): Prepared Easter Dinner. Pre-order online by March 31st. All dishes serve between 2-4 or 6-8 guests. Saturday pick up between noon and 4PM. Choice of Ham or Prime Rib. 

Terrapin Bakery (Tremont): Easter Weekend Preorders. Order online or by calling 216-256-7915 during business hours until 3/28. Take and bake Cinnamon Rolls, Cheddar Bacon Quiche, Layered 6" Carrot Cake, or Dozen Donuts. All Feed 6. Pastry case will be filled with additional treats for walk-ins.

Nomad Culinary (Broadview Heights): Easter Menu of Items that Serve 4. Pre-order by April 1 at 12PM by email at nomadculinary@gmail.com. Pick up on April 4. 

I will continue to add to this list through the comments section, so make sure to check that out too. Feel free to add any that I missed!  

Mason's Creamery Ramen and Shamrock Shakes

Did you know that you can get some of the very best ramen in our city from a very unlikely source? An ice cream shop, to be exact. That's right, for the last couple of years Mason's Creamery in Ohio City converts to a ramen shop during the winter months and you can find versions like Pork Tonkotsu ($13, pictured below), Chicken Shio, Veggie Tonkotsu, and creative specials such as Flamin' Hot Cheetos-crusted Chicken. I usually get two meals out of it. 

But through St. Patrick's Day, you can also scoop (pun intended) up this minty treat...a Shamrock Shake!

It was my first one, and you all can keep your Golden Arches! 

The season is coming to a close soon, so don't wait. Sunny, warmer days are on the horizon, and it will be transformed back to a full ice cream shop. Their online ordering system on the website couldn't be easier to use, and you can pre-order days in advance if you'd like. They do tend to run out of specials or certain items, so I definitely suggest pre-ordering if you want a specific thing. The pick-up window is outdoors and very COVID-safe. 

Mason's Creamery
4401 Bridge Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 762-1095

CLE Biscuit Heads

I think I first saw CLE Biscuit Heads pop up on my friend Meghan's Instagram, and those biscuit sandwiches immediately had me drooling.

With a permanent residency at Six Shooter Coffee on Waterloo Road, you can get your hands on one seven days a week from 7AM - noon. But, they travel around each weekend doing pop-ups in different neighborhoods, so you want to give them a follow on Instagram or visit the website for updates. You have the ability to pre-order on their website, and pickup for pre-orders was between 8-9AM. The pop-up went from 8AM - noon. 

This past Sunday, they partnered with Sixth City Cycles & Plants in Old Brooklyn. I was thrilled to finally have a super convenient location, and we also got to combine the outing with dropping off my bicycle for a tune-up and browsing the extensive indoor plant selection. Is 18 plants too many for one house? Asking for a friend...

The menu can be slightly different at each pop-up, and we both went with The Sammie ($7) with Bacon, Egg, and (choice of) Pimento Cheese version. Dining Deals Alert! 

Just look at that thing.

The biscuit is incredibly buttery and dense, which held up well with keeping everything contained. My complaint with most biscuit sandwiches is that often the biscuit crumbles too easily and eating it can become a disaster quickly. This was not the case here. I also really enjoyed the Pimento Cheese flavor and creamy texture on it.

I think the Old Brooklyn response was a good one, because they did sell out almost an hour in advance. Fingers crossed that means they'll come back soon!

Kate's Good Fish Company

One thing that has always been scarce on the Northeast Ohio food scene are good, casual seafood restaurants that aren't far east or west. Well, for two days last week, Good Company partnered up with Kate's Fish (of the West Side Market) to host a takeout pop-up called Kate's Good Fish Company.

Limited orders of classics like lobster rolls, fried oysters, crab cakes, peel and eat shrimp, chowder, battered fish, and fried clams could be pre-ordered through Good Company's website or by calling. They sold out quickly, like super fast. But we were lucky enough to snag a Saturday order, and enjoyed our takeout at home.

They offered three styles of Lobster Rolls. We prefer a Connecticut version (warm butter), which can be more difficult to find on a menu in Northeast Ohio, so we couldn't miss that.

But, we were intrigued by the "Cleveland-style" dressed in hot sauce hollandaise, so we split that as well.

We also shared the Fried Clams Dinner (roll version also available). All dinners came with fries and corn grits hush puppies, and all orders came with sambal cocktail sauce and lemon caper banana tartar sauce. 

Everything was very good. I did wish both lobster rolls had more sauce on them, as they were a tad dry. I'm guessing that was intentional since it was all takeout and needed to travel well. 

They did confirm that a February pop-up is being planned. So stay tuned to their Instagram account for more information! Let's cross our fingers for a future permanent restaurant too.

"TV Dinners" from Momocho and El Carnicero

Something new is coming soon to your freezer.

Chef Eric Williams of Momocho and El Carnicero and his team have developed six Mod Mex Frozen Dinners that come in microwavable one-serving containers that can also be reused. All six come with sides of cilantro rice and beans, and the packaging includes easy heating instructions. 

We had the opportunity to sample them during the development phase to provide feedback. 

They include a Mexicola Pork Belly Rice Bowl (pictured frozen).

Mexicola Butternut Squash Rice Bowl (pictured frozen).

Chile Poblano Relleno

Pork Carnitas Enchirito Rojo (our personal favorite!).

Machaca Beef Enchirito Rojo

And a Roasted Chicken Enchirito Rojo (not pictured). 

Since we sampled them, a few final tweaks were made and all dishes now come with Black Beans instead. Other changes were made to perfect the cooking and presentation. 

The Cenas Televisiones will be priced at $10 each or 3 for $25. The frozen dinners will be available for pick-up at both restaurants and can be ordered through the regular online portals on their websites and combined with hot food orders (and margaritas to go!). 

This new concept is not only perfect for meals for one, an easy after-work option, or a quick lunch...they will also be an important revenue stream to get these restaurants through the next several months until outdoor dining can open back up in Ohio and vaccinations roll out that lift pandemic restrictions.

We genuinely liked each one, and plan to personally purchase some right away to stock up our freezer with. They are expected to go live with sales sometime this week. Stay tuned to their social media!

Momocho

1835 Fulton Road

Cleveland, OH 44113

(216) 694-2122

El Carnicero

16918 Detroit Avenue

Lakewood, OH 44107

(216) 226-3415

Disclosure: We were provided sample meals during the development stage to provide feedback on. All opinions stated are 100% my own.