Tales from Social Distancing...

As we enter Week 11, it still seems a little surreal that it's been that long. I drove a car this weekend for the first time since March 16. Weird to think about. 

But we're hanging in there in at home. Now enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of full-blown Spring.

There are still a handful of chilly and damp days, so one of those evenings we ordered in Gnocchi al Burro from Trattoria Roman Garden in Little Italy. I can't speak to the rest of the menu, but that gnocchi makes an appearance once a year for us!

Do you remember when I recently visited Tapatia's Taqueria? Well we discovered their sister restaurant Hacienda Tapatia, and it was just as good. I still prefer the Chile Poblano from Cozumel, but their version of Chile Rellenos slid into the #3 spot for me (close behind Luchita's).

We're still supporting The Black Pig once a week, and we recently enjoyed their Pasta Night for 2. Their house made pastas have always been excellent, so it was great to experience them again.

I have always loved getting lost in a good book and used to devour 5-7 books a week when I was a kid on summer break, but as an adult I don't read much fiction anymore because I have a hard time putting a book down once I'm reading. It often leads to staying up into the wee hours of the morning until I finish, and then I pay the price for days. With self-quarantine, I decided it was a perfect time to distract my mind and dive into a couple of books. My new gorgeous bookmark from Oceanne makes it feel extra special. Any recommendations?

One of the things I'm enjoying about takeout these days is focusing on foods that we (by "we" we all know I mean Mr. H) don't make at home. Indian falls into that category, and we enjoyed Chicken Tikka Masala from Tandul in Tremont. They have the best Garlic Cheese Naan that I've had locally.

I'm really missing "my people" during this. So Mr. H and I decided to take a random day off of work, whip up some Ramp & Spinach Pesto (thanks for the recipe, Meghan!), and deliver jars with a note to a few of our favorite neighbors. It felt great to take that time to step away from the stress of work to do something nice for people we care about and miss.

The last takeout experience that I want to share with you is the Walnut Shrimp from Li Wah in AsiaTown. It's always been my favorite dish there if I'm not doing dim sum, and after eating it again, it inspired us to try and make a version at home this week. Fingers crossed!

Stay tuned later this week, because I've been slowly starting to tackle takeout from 2020 To Dine Challenge restaurants to still try and complete the list this year. Only 5 more to go!

Li Wah
2999 Payne Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114

Tandul
2505 Professor Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113

The Black Pig

2801 Bridge Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113

Trattoria Roman Garden

12207 Mayfield Road
Cleveland, OH 44106

Hacienda Tapatia
1572 W. 117
Lakewood, OH 44107

Sunday Funday- Dim Sum

Have you ever done dim sum at Li Wah? The restaurant is located in Asia Plaza on the corner of East 30th and Payne. They do dim sum every day from 10AM - 3PM, but not like they do it on Sunday.

Sunday, the restaurant is packed and employees push around cart after cart of interesting Chinese treats. The dim sum dishes come in four sizes: Small ($2.25), Medium ($2.75), Large ($3.95), and Special ($6.95). Almost everything on the carts is in the small or medium category, so you can order and order and still walk away with a reasonable bill.

Last weekend, it was my first time experiencing their dim sum. It was overwhelming at first, but we got in a groove. Sometimes, you aren't quite sure what is being offered to you. Most of the time, the server could roughly tell us what it was (only once did we have complete miscommunication). Or, you can choose to be bold, and just not ask and let your eyes do the ordering.

Between three of us, we ended up sampling 13 dim sum dishes off the carts.

We enjoyed Steamed Pork Buns (middle), Sesame Balls (left), Sticky Rice with Lotus Leaves (top left), Fried Taro Dumplings (right), Egg Custard Tarts, Baked BBQ Puffs, Taro Cakes, Vegetable Dumplings, Shrimp Dumplings, and Beef Balls. A couple of them we got a second order of, and almost all of them I would order again. Our total...$46.60. So cheap for feeling so stuffed!

So, if you're in the mood for some Chinese this Sunday--head to Li Wah and they will add a "Funday" to your Sunday.

Li Wah
2999 Payne Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
216-696-6556

Li Wah

One of my favorite lunch spots relatively close to work is the Chinese restaurant Li Wah, located in the Asian Plaza on 30th and Payne in downtown Cleveland. Serving authentic Chinese cuisine, with other Asian-inspired hints (such as Pad Thai), and their famous Dim Sum. I have yet to try their Dim Sum- but I will!

Dim sum is the Cantonese term for a type of Chinese dish that involves small individual portions of food, usually served in a small steamer basket or on a small plate (Wikipedia). Which in Li Wah's case translates to a roaming cart steaming with tasty treats. A staff member pushes the cart slowly through the spacious restaurant, and diners can choose from hot buns, dumplings, turnip cakes, rolls and much more.

With plenty of seating, speedy and pleasant service, and reasonable prices- it is a popular restaurant for many. The lunch special that includes a small bowl of your choice of soup and white rice with your entree (with the option to make it a combo platter with fried rice and an egg roll for only $1.50 more), has made Li Wah a great stop for us to grab a quick, cheap, filling meal during the workday.

One of my favorite entrees is the Orange Beef (pictured above), but if you are in the mood for a unique dish then try their Walnut Chicken or Walnut Shrimp. Served in a creamy white sauce, it is slightly sweet and quite different than any other standard Chinese dishes that I have tried in the past.

Two of us popped in there yesterday for lunch, and I am suddenly really looking forward to the leftovers that I have waiting for me in the refrigerator. Lunch time!

Li Wah
2999 Payne Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216)696-6556