Hudson's Lager and Vine

Another foodie friend invited me out to her hometown of Hudson to check out the newly opened Lager & Vine Gastropub & Wine Bar. Of course, I took her up on the offer immediately--always willing to travel for good food.

They take reservations by phone, so we made one for 6PM and were seated immediately in a comfy booth towards the front of the restaurant. The restaurant is broken up into a couple of rooms, so the conversation level remains minimal and it was very pleasant to be able to catch up properly.

Our server was young, but as sweet as can be, and very professional and knowledgeable about the menu. They clearly have trained their staff well since opening. She was attentive, but let us take our time ordering. There were a lot of items that sounded great on the menu, so we had some difficulty choosing.

We decided to share the Garlic Roasted Crostini with fresh baked thin cut sour dough chips with wine infused cheese spreads ($9). The spreads will apparently change every season.

Currently, they were offering a goat cheese infused with white wine (Pinot? my memory escapes me) and a Cabernet-infused creamy cheddar. Both cheese spreads were very enjoyable. The goat cheese was smooth and light in flavor, and the cheddar had quite a bite to it. They balanced each other well. The real issue with this dish? The sour dough chips. They were cut thicker than I think is appropriate for a dish like this, and they were toasted beyond life. It was incredibly hard to bite through, and very rough on the mouth. With a thinner cut chip, or just lightly toasted bread-- this "tidbit to share" would be a winner.

We each wanted a salad, so we went with the Classic Chopped Wedge with crumbled bleu, beefsteak tomato, and onion ($6).

As you can see, there was nothing special about this wedge salad. It was fresh and fine, but not memorable.

Lastly, we split one of their flatbreads-- the L&V Blanco with garlic basil white sauce, prosciutto, basil, green olives, mozzarella, Parmesan, and deep fried crispy capers drizzled with herb oil ($12).

The toppings and overall flavor were outstanding. The flatbread itself, however, did not hold up well and was very flimsy from the beginning. It needed to be crispier, and this forced us to use our forks. I really wanted it to be better, because the combination of those toppings was spot on. It had such potential.

Potential. That's how I left Lager and Vine. Thinking that there is real potential there, but they just don't quite have it yet from what we experienced. Some real "bread" issues in the kitchen. It was just little things about the dishes that could have been helped, so hopefully they will adapt over time.

They have a great bar area, and boast that they only have craft beers on tap. They even have wine on tap, and many options by the bottle of both. On their dinner menu, suggested pairings are printed right with the dishes. They are really trying to capture the feel of a great wine bar and a trendy gastropub. I think the prices are reasonable, service outstanding, and menu tempting. They just aren't quite there yet.

Have you been?

Lager & Vine
30 Streetsboro Street
Hudson, OH 44236
330-650-1717

Phil the Fire and a Luau Winner

Thank you to everyone that entered the Shoes and Clothes for Kids ticket giveaway to their annual Luau on the Lake this weekend. I used random.org, and it selected lucky #19...Michelle from All Lacquered Up. For sharing her favorite summer drink, white sangria, Michelle has won two VIP tickets to the event. It's not too late to purchase them online for just $40 before July 11th. They will go up to $50 after that, and are will also be available at the door. If you do purchase them online, make sure that you add "Bite Buff" to the Special Notes section of checkout to be entered into an exclusive social media raffle at the event. You could win a basket full of fun prizes. I hope to see you there!

Last weekend, "R" and I found ourselves over on the east side doing some errands (which included a stop at Jeni's in Chagrin Falls for my favorite seasonal flavor- Brambleberry Crisp). So we decided to catch an early dinner at the newish Phil the Fire in Beachwood. The chef/owner has a long history in Cleveland, but has been off the culinary map locally for a while. Fans were excited to see him pop up again, and that he was continuing to offer his famous chicken and waffles.

This "Comfort Food for the Soul" restaurant offers diners traditional Southern fare. After our trip to New Orleans in March, I was even more excited to try out this restaurant. Overall, it was the closest that we've come to having good Southern food here in Cleveland.

We shared the Fried Green Tomatoes with greens and fried corn served with aioli ($7.95).

They were served burn-your-mouth hot, but once they cooled down a bit we were able to dig in. The breading dominated the flavor of the tomatoes, so a lighter breading would have elevated this dish a bit, but they were fried nicely and were still enjoyable. The greens were almost as good as the ones we had in NOLA, but the real star of this dish was the fried corn. As you can see, it is more like a creamed corn. But the flavors really popped, and I would order this as a side dish with any meal.

"R" went with the famous Chicken and Waffles with a Quarter Chicken, including a breast and wing for $15.95. He also decided to go with a sweet potato waffle for an additional fee.

It was served with house syrup, butter, and hot sauce. The chicken was lightly breaded, not greasy, and still moist throughout. (Ugh, I hate the word moist). The sweet potato waffle was tasty, but the center got very soggy very quickly. He also loved the addition of hot sauce to the plate.

I absolutely love traditional Southern side dishes. I had already decided to make a meal of just side dishes before I saw that they offer that as an option on their menu- genius. For $14.95, you can enjoy three side dishes as your entree.

I went with the Three Cheese Mac and Cheese, Candied Yams, and Fresh Collard Greens. All were prepared just as I expected, and I left satisfied with the experience. Only real misstep was a bone in the greens. Not a pleasant experience to find in your mouth.

Nothing blew me away, except for the Fried Corn, but overall we did enjoy the meal and it brought us back to NOLA for a minute. To be fair, after eating down there, nothing up here could truly compare to the amazing fried chicken and other traditional fare that we dined on. Service was attentive and our meal was served quickly. It is a family-friendly spot, with plenty of free parking since it is attached to a hotel. This restaurant probably won't make the cut again when we are dining out on the east side, but if you enjoy Southern cuisine then I do suggest checking it out.

Phil the Fire
3750 Orange Place
Beachwood, OH 44122
216-831-3473

Lunch Box Deli

I like sharing undiscovered gems with you best. The big-name, flashy restaurant-of-the-moment is always fun to go check out, but I truly enjoy finding small places that I've never heard of before.

For those working in the area, Lunch Box Deli in Brooklyn Heights is well-known. Soups, salads, wraps, and sandwiches are made fresh daily.

Located on Schaaf Road, next to South Hills Hardware, this cash-only lunch spot is tucked away in what looks just like any other residential house on the street. Once inside, you're greeted with a smile and lots of choices for lunchtime fare. The bread is always fresh, each sandwich is made to order, and service is so quick that you can be back to work in no time.

A Turkey, Ham, and Swiss sandwich will run you $6.10, or a Chicken Salad Sandwich (too much mayo for my taste) for just $4.70. Sides like potato salad, macaroni salad, pasta salad, or cole slaw are also available for 95 cents. They always have a soup of the day, and other specials running. Dining Deals Alert!

You may not find yourself in this area often, but if you do...stop on in for a quick bite at a reasonable price.

Lunch Box Deli
223 W. Schaaf Road
Cleveland, OH 44109
216-749-4835

Happy 4th! It's Giveaway Time.

Happy 4th of July, people! I hope that you spend the day relaxing with good eats, some adult beverages, fireworks, and just enjoying a random summer day off with friends and family. I, myself, am headed to a pool party/backyard BBQ shortly. The rain better hold off today.

In honor of the holiday, I have a fun giveaway for you today.

Shoes and Clothes for Kids is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a unique service for income-eligible families in the Greater Cleveland area. They fulfill their mission by distributing new shoes, clothing, and items to infants and youth in need. 2012 marks the organization's forty-third year of service to families, and the organization will distribute new clothing and Payless gift cards with a retail value of $2,300,000 this year. They rely heavily on support from donors and volunteers in the community to help execute their mission.

Here is how you can help. Shoes and Clothes for Kids is hosting their seventh annual fundraiser on July 14th, Luau on the Lake, at Wendy Park in Whiskey Island. Guests enjoy great food, beer, wine, soft drinks, sand volleyball, music, and a fabulous day on Lake Erie. The event begins at 4:00PM, and General Admission tickets are just $40. They also have a VIP package that includes early entry at 3:30PM, three specialty cocktails, a Hawaiian lei, tote, and souvenir cup for $50. When purchasing your ticket online, enter my blog name "Bite Buff" in the Special Notes section at checkout, and you'll be entered to win a special social media prize basket at the event!

But, it is your lucky day. By leaving a comment on this post telling me what your favorite summer beverage is, you can be entered to win two Big Kahuna VIP tickets to the event. You can also gain a second entry in the giveaway by tweeting "I want to attend the @SC4K event thanks to @BiteBuff at http://tinyurl.com/75369n9 . #SC4KLuau12" Make sure that you leave a second comment on this post to let me know that you tweeted. You can tweet once a day until the winner is drawn. I will select a winner using random.org on July 9th. Ticket sales end on July 11th for this event.

Good luck!

Disclosure: Shoes and Clothes for Kids is providing me with four VIP tickets to the event, two to give away to one lucky reader and two for a guest and I to enjoy the event. My opinions are 100% my own.

Renovated Reddstone

It's no secret that Reddstone in the Gordon Square Arts District has one of our favorite patios. The character of the brick and stone work, shaded area surrounded by trees and a high fence, and relaxed vibe have drawn us in many times. When I heard that they were renovating their space, including the patio, and menu-- my initial thought was "Noooooo...."

Well, we found ourselves there recently, and I have to say that I was wrong. We did not make it inside. I heard that the changes in there were good as well, but as for the patio-- it looks great! They leveled the bricks, without taking away from the overall look and feel that we loved. Also, can anyone else confirm that they removed a tree in the middle? I swear that it felt more open and sunny this time.

Happy to see that our beloved patio had not changed too much, we were excited to check out the new menu as well. It was nice to see that they still offer flatbreads, burgers, and sandwiches...but it was the Small Plates section that really stood out. Some creative combinations, and a wide variety made it hard to choose.

We went with an order of the Stuffed Mushrooms with goat cheese and chorizo. For $9, the portion wasn't quite big enough, and we really wished that you could taste more of the chorizo. I wouldn't have known that it was in there if we hadn't read it on the menu.

We also shared the Hong Kong Noodles with five spice beef medallions, veggies, fried egg, and shogun ($12).

Again, I think the price point was a little high for the portion size. But the Asian-inspired ingredients were flavorful and well-balanced. I had imagined that the dish would be served chilled, but it arrived hot. I did enjoy it, but I still think that it would be better chilled. The beef medallions were also hard to manage with chopsticks. I would have appreciated smaller pieces that didn't need to be cut.

So, it's safe to say that we were happy with the changes overall. I was pleasantly surprised, and we'll be back. Has anyone ever been to their Sunday Brunch?

Reddstone
1261 West 76th Street
Cleveland, OH 44102
216-651-6969