Speaking of beer...
A group of us recently went to Market Garden Brewery (Ohio City's newest addition to West 25th Street) to check out their food and brews.
I immediately liked the atmosphere, except for the orange bulbs in the chandeliers that hang from the ceiling. That just gave them a "Halloween" glow that caught the eye of several of us. We were seated in the main bar area, so I didn't have a chance to check out the outdoor seating, but I hear that it is very nice and a welcomed addition to the area. I didn't feel like drinking a beer with dinner (a sin at a brewery, I know), so I started with a glass of white wine. MGB offers a few different wine options, and several unique cocktails (more on that later).I decided to get the Classic Wedge salad with iceburg, oven cured tomatoes, bacon, and bleu cheese dressing ($8).
I also ordered the Pretzel, which was soft baked with mustard and garlic cheese spread ($6).
You can't really screw up a soft pretzel, so I enjoyed it thoroughly. The salad itself was a little bland. I know that sounds weird to say about a salad, but the dressing didn't offer the usual punch that a good bleu cheese typically has. It all tasted a little "watery", and while the tomatoes were an interesting addition- they didn't add much to the dish overall.So I was a little underwhelmed by the food, and consensus at the table was the same for the beer. The general reaction from those at the table that were sampling the brews is that they didn't have a whole lot of flavor. Now the Shoreway Cooler on the other hand had everyone happily sipping away. Progress Pilsner with housemade honey gin, lemon juice, lillet blanc, and simple syrup ($8). This cocktail was unique, and really refreshing on a summer evening.
But while the food and beer didn't impress on our first visit, they really have created a nice spot that I feel will just improve over time. The atmosphere and service were great, and the food and brews can be adjusted as they find their footing as a new restaurant. Our server handled our large table very well, keeping all of our orders separate and never being too far away when we needed another Cooler. We'll be back for sure!
Market Garden Brewery
1947 West 25th Street
Cleveland, OH
(216) 621-4000
