Wonton Gourmet in AsiaTown

I don't have a lot of experience in Cleveland's AsiaTown. Actually, looking at this helpful guide, my experience is even more limited than I thought. A go-to lunch spot for Foodbank employees was #1 Pho, and I am a fan of Li Wah for Chinese. But, until recently, that was my short list of visited restaurants in the neighborhood. And Tastebuds, but does that really count?

Lucky for me, a friend took "R" and I to Wonton Gourmet & BBQ. First, I love that all of the menu items are pictured on the wall. It's a little overwhelming for a first-time diner, but helpful! We decided that the best route to go was to share several items.

Turnip Cakes and Chive Potstickers started us out.

"R" and I both love a good steamed dumpling, and these were some of the better ones that I've had locally. I don't like the completely meat-packed versions as much, so this was perfect for me.

Wonton Soup was next, which was plenty to share for three people.

We decided on two main dishes, the Mixed Seafood and Chinese Vegetables in XO Sauce and "R" ordered a Short Rib dish that I didn't catch the name of.

As you can see, the seafood dish was packed with different types of seafood. The only one I didn't care for was the white fish. It was a little chewy. But the flavors of the sauce were enjoyable, and the vegetables still had a nice firmness to them and weren't overdone.

"R" was really the only one eating the short rib dish. Notice the bones still connected to the meat? They had cut the meat into small pieces, but left the bone down the center. The meat was fatty and difficult to chew, so removing it from the bone proved challenging at times. I actually spit out my one bite, which is not something that I normally do. The texture of the meat just wasn't pleasing, for me personally. Too bad, because the sauce was tasty.

Overall, I really liked everything that we ordered. I think that I still prefer Li Wah, but I'd go back for more. Also, it's worth noting that the bill was incredibly cheap for three diners and the amount of dishes that we tried. Really, I should just try a new place and attempt to tackle more on the list.

What's your favorite spot in AsiaTown?

Wonton Gourmet
3211 Payne Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
216-875-7000

Thai Gourmet

First things first...Thank you to all who entered my IX Center Beer Fest giveaway. I used random.org to select a winner, and it chose...#45- Julie at @Tribechic! Congratulations. Please email me to claim your prize.

My posts will be few and far between these next couple of weeks. By day, I work for a non-profit and a big part of my job is event planning. Well, I am simultaneously working on five major events right now (three taking place in the next four weeks). The largest is next Sunday, so as you can imagine I am running around finishing up the logistical details and pushing my team captains to continue to raise funds for the organization. Lots to do!

I had a work event last night that ran until 8PM, so that left "R" and I scrambling for dinner afterwards (because he's the best and "volunteers" at a lot of my functions since I have no staff). We were in Independence, so I knew exactly where I wanted to go. One of my favorite Thai joints in tucked away in the shopping plaza off of Rockside Road- Thai Gourmet.

Aren't the best "ethnic" restaurants typically some shotty-looking strip mall spot? Love it!

But they have one of my favorite Thai dishes in our area. I love peanut curry, also often called massaman curry (but not here).

Many Thai restaurants locally serve the peanut curry with just sweet potatoes, onions, and carrots. As you can see, Thai Gourmet packs their dish with all kinds of great vegetables. You can select your protein, and I went with shrimp.

It's been a while since we've been in, like probably pre-surgery (the first one, a year and half ago). I love spice and heat, and typically order my Thai dishes as "Thai hot" when dining out. Clearly, my memory had escaped me that Thai Gourmet is not shy with the chili peppers. I think that I may have burned off some of my taste buds. Is it wrong that I was still loving it? I know that's not for everyone, including "R".

For the price, it includes your choice of white or brown rice, and there was plenty for me to take home. Our meal ended with this...

Does that first one even make sense to you?

What's your favorite type of "ethnic" food? I love Thai and Indian, but am always willing to try anything. Where's your favorite strip mall restaurant? They are always so unassuming from the exterior, but you can find some great gems hidden inside.

Thai Gourmet
6901 Rockside Road
Independence, OH 44131

Win tickets to the 2012 International Beer Fest

In honor of the multiple Shandy beverages that I consumed last night, I have a beer lovers giveaway today.

The IX Center is hosting the 2012 International Beer Fest on May 11th and 12th. This craft beer event is one to look forward to, featuring over 200 breweries offering more than 800 different beers to sample. They have added a couple of new highlights this year, including Ohio's largest Silent Disco (headphones and your own dance party), enhanced Real Ale Bar, Mixology Lounge, and a Cider & Meads tasting pavilion.

I personally love large beer tasting events like the IX Beer Fest, because it pushes me to taste beers that I wouldn't normally order on my own. I've discovered some new brews the last couple of years, and stouts even wormed their way into my heart.

The list of vendors is impressive. Just a few that "R" and I are looking forward to sampling include: Bell's, Ommegang, Dogfish Head, Founder's, and Hoppin' Frog. Of course, I always love to see the great representation from Ohio breweries as well!

A Single-Session General Admission ticket is $45, and includes 36 tasting pours, commemorative tasting cup, access to all demos and appearances, and a one-year subscription to Draft Magazine. You can also purchase an All Session General Admission pass for all three sessions for $120, or a VIP All Session pass for $200. I appreciate that they also offer a Designated Driver ticket for just $10. Be safe, people!

One lucky Bite Buff reader can walk away with two one-session general admission tickets, just for commenting on this post. Tell me what your favorite beer is, or which Beer Fest brewery you want to try most. Leave a comment on this post for one entry, and you can gain a second entry in the giveaway by tweeting "I want to win IX Beer Fest tickets from @BiteBuff at http://tinyurl.com/7chmcam ." Make sure that you leave a second comment to let me know that you tweeted. I will select the winner using random.org on Wednesday.

Cheers!

Disclosure: IX Beer Fest provided me with two general admission passes for one reader, and two media passes to attend the event myself. My opinions are 100% my own.

Do You "Pin"?

Pinterest has taken the world by storm, and people (mostly women) flock to it for home decorating ideas, clothing and accessories, DIY and crafts, interesting products, and more.

I started using Pinterest slowly. Not really "getting it", and completely overwhelmed by the millions of images and links. I built boards for Clothing, Home Decor, Event Ideas (for the planner in me), Organization (for a new business venture), and Random. I like to see what my friends are pinning, and dig around for interesting things that I may not have found on my own.

I saw lots of people create a board for recipes. Now, we all know that I am not the cook in this household. I had no use for recipes, and filled my Food & Wine board with fun wine glasses, jello shots in fresh fruit, funny mustache mugs, and other playful or useful kitchen gadgets. Then I started Weight Watchers. Now my Food & Wine board is filled with recipes, and we've actually made several. Here are just a couple that we've prepared and enjoyed:

Turkey Stuffed Zucchini (5 PP)

Pork and Green Chili Casserole (7 PP)

Spinach Lasagna Rolls (4 PP)

Pinterest has opened up a whole other world for me when it comes to sticking to the WW plan. I've found fun new blogs and recipe sites, and can make dinner interesting when dieting.

It may not seem like we have been dining out less and cooking at home more, but we have. This means more trips to the West Side Market, menu planning each week, and time spent together in the kitchen. I can chop like no one's business. Just don't ask me to be in charge. Or touch raw meat. But that's a story for another day.

What do you "Pin"?

Jammy Buggars

Jammy Buggars quietly crept onto the dining scene in Lakewood, and offers a neighborhood bar atmosphere with upscale pub food, moderate prices, and a lengthy beer list (other drinks available). We stopped in a couple of weeks ago for the first time, and left impressed. The decor and set-up was not the dive bar that I was expecting, and overall we enjoyed the food and experienced great service. It fondly reminded me of the things we love about Deagan's.

Thanks to a friend, I already knew what I wanted- the New England Lobster and Shrimp Roll with fresh Maine lobster, sweet baby shrimp, a touch of lemon mayo and chives ($11).

I loved this sandwich, and would order it again in a heartbeat. I also liked that it came with two smaller buns, and I happily took one home with me for lunch the next day. All sandwiches come with house-cut fries, but you can substitute sweet potato waffle fries, a mug of soup, or a small house salad for $1.50. The portion size for $11 was plentiful, and everything was very fresh. A splash of lemon juice kicked this sandwich up a notch. They also offer six different dipping sauces for their fries, which I love. I'm a dipper!

"R" went with the Hawaiian Pulled Pork sandwich with Kona coffee BBQ, pineapple jam, pickled pepper, and macadamia nuts on a pretzel roll. He also opted to swap out his fries for the waffle sweet potato fries.

For just $9.50, this sandwich was HUGE. The BBQ sauce was a little too sweet for my personal taste, but from the bite that I swiped- it was a good sandwich. "R" liked the additional crunch that the macadamia nuts added.

Jammy Buggars also offers Happy Hour specials from 4-6PM every Monday-Thursday, Little Buggar Night on Mondays where two kids under 12 eat free from the kid's menu with the purchase of one adult meal, Tuesdays offer 15% of your check donated to the charity of the week, Wednesday is Trivia Night, and Thursday is 25 cent wing night.

Lots going on at this new eatery in Lakewood. Pop in, you'll enjoy it.

Jammy Buggars
15625 Detroit Avenue
Lakwood, OH 44107
216-767-5922