The Black Pig

As you all know, I'm always on the hunt for my next fun dining experience at a new-to-me place. But, sometimes, you just need a reminder of why an original favorite remains a go-to spot. Mr. H and I had just that experience last weekend.

When The Black Pig moved from its West 25th location in Ohio City to the new(er) location on West 28th Street/Bridge Avenue, they did a Kickstarter campaign. We supported, and the level we selected included a Chef's Dinner with beverage pairings for two. I'm embarrassed to say that it took this long for us to cash it in.

We've been in quite frequently (in our world) since they relocated, but we just never pulled the trigger on scheduling the tasting. Lucky for us, we finally did, because it was a fantastic time.

They really have one of the better craft cocktail lists going on at a restaurant. Ever-changing, and always tasty. The one that started us off had clarified milk in it! A very cool process that was explained to us, and then I promptly forgot. I blame the wine pairings that followed. Paired with a pork rind and what I imagine was a house made hot sauce, it was a great start to the meal.

They make their pastas in-house.

You can do a pasta tasting, if you're interested in trying more than one. I've never had one that I didn't like.

We had a great piece of trout.

An ash-crusted ribeye.

And dessert that was plated just beautifully.

This is only about half of what we were served. We just rolled out of there.

It was a big smack in the face of why we grew to love this place over the years, and a welcomed not-so-gentle reminder that we need to make it in more often.

The Black Pig
2801 Bridge Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113

Chow Chow Kitchen

Chow Chow Kitchen was on my 2016 To Dine Challenge list, and as you know, I never made it there last year. So, when I decided to pull over any un-visited restaurants from the past onto the 2017 To Dine Challenge list, they made this year's list as well. Then, I heard that they were closing their doors at the end of March and moving on to take over the kitchen at Parkview Nite Club. So, I knew that I had to get my butt in there ASAP if I was going to fulfill the list this year.

I hate to kick them while they're down, but Mr. H and I had a pretty terrible meal there the other day.

They have become known for their Fried Chicken ($7.50 with a side), but they have offered a few other dinners, po'boys, soups, and classic Southern side dishes. The restaurant has four tables for dine-in, but it is mostly a takeout joint.

Of course, we had to go right for the fried chicken if that's the signature dish.

Honestly, it was the oddest textured chicken I've ever had. The battered skin was crispy and not overly greasy, but the chicken itself was so moist that it actually became squishy and sponge-like. Not pleasurable at all, and I barely touched it after three bites. It was probably the worst fried chicken I've had.

The dinner came with one side dish, and I chose the mac n' cheese. It was fine, and I'll leave it at that. We also shared a coleslaw, which was not creamy enough to really any good. I like coleslaw to either be creamy, or vinegar-based. This was just raw cabbage barely dressed and bland.

They are officially closing their Lakewood doors at the end of this month, and taking over the kitchen at Parkview on April 27th. Can't say that I'd ever try that fried chicken again based on this experience. What do you think, have you had it and enjoyed it? Was it just "off" because they are closing down?

Chow Chow Kitchen
14201 Madison Avenue
Lakewood, OH

Taste of Jamaica

I had a mid-day doctor's appointment on the east side last week, and it was just around the corner from a 2017 To Dine Challenge restaurant that I needed to try...Taste of Jamaica.

This casual restaurant gives you a hint of Jamaica in the food, decor, and music. There are plenty of tables, and a couple of booths, but they appear to do a lot of takeout. All of the food is ordered and picked up at the counter and served in to-go containers. There was a lot of foot traffic in and out as we ate lunch.

Mr. H and I grabbed a booth after both ordering the Wednesday special of Jerk Fried Chicken with two sides (after they were out of the Jerk Shrimp I tried to order). I had the rice and beans and fried plantains.

It was a hefty plate of food, and I took half of it home for leftovers. The rice and beans had a great curry flavor to them, and had soaked up some of the sauce from the chicken. The plantains were fantastic, and they would be a must-order for me. I liked the chicken's sauce a lot, but it didn't taste as similar to the jerk seasoning I've had before. As "fried" chicken, it didn't stay crispy at all in that sauce, but it was still quite enjoyable.

I'd say this one was a "win" on the To Dine list!

Taste of Jamaica
5104 Mayfield Road
Lyndhurst, OH 44124

Pearl Road Tavern

Mr. H and I have still been supporting the Old Brooklyn Restaurant Month being hosted by the Old Brooklyn Families Group in March. The second week highlighted restaurants and bars from Pearl Road.

We popped into the Hopp Inn first, for a cold beer and a plate of pierogi. The dive bar has its charm, and the homemade pierogi were actually quite good. They are owned by the same folks behind the Polish Diner in Parma.

Sadly, our second stop wasn't as successful. We popped into the Pearl Road Tavern (a little less dive-y) down the street, for another beer (more extensive list and craft beers here) and some food. We shared the fried shrimp platter with pierogi, and they just didn't even come close to what we'd just had. These claimed to be "housemade" but they tasted as though they came from a box.

We also split a Buffalo Chicken Wrap with steak fries, and it was honestly the worst buffalo wrap I've ever had. It had barely any chicken, very little sauce, the wrap was an odd texture, and only lettuce was included. The wrap was packed with it. I didn't even finish my half, once the chicken was gone. I also love a good steak fry, but these were not it. They were so under cooked that several of them were inedible. What a letdown.

Also, do they have a lot of fights there? From the nature of signs posted around the place, I'm inclined to think so. The status of the women's bathroom was enough to turn me off from this spot as well. That's certainly one place that I don't feel the need to visit again.

Pearl Road Tavern
4370 Pearl Road
Cleveland, OH 44109

Natural Wines at Bruell Restaurants

Zack Bruell Restaurant Group is introducing a new line of highly acclaimed natural wines at two of his restaurants: L’Albatros in University Circle and Parallax in Tremont. Mr. H and I had the pleasure of attending the media preview last week, to sip and sample an assortment of these wines, and to snack on some expertly paired Parallax bites. Like their famous sushi...

...smoked salmon tartar...

...and tempura vegetables, among others.

Bruell's simplistic approach to food pairs well with natural wines, because they are distinguished by a biodynamic or organic growing process, coupled with minimal technological intervention during winemaking and cellaring. No yeasts, sugars or bacteria are added in the process. Fermentation is spontaneous from natural yeasts and bacteria present on the grape skins during harvest. The only additive can be a small amount of Sulphur for bottling stability. Often, the wines are unfiltered.

Tasting the wines on their own, then with food, and after they had sat for a while changed every sip's experience. These wines are always evolving. Their highly active characteristics make them an ideal pairing with contemporary foods that feature intensive flavors. One thing that I learned was that I've probably had a natural wine before, and just didn't know it.

The only one that I didn't care for was a Chardonnay that we sampled, but here is my favorite white and favorite red from the evening:

• 2013 Dry Tokaji, Oremas, “Mandelas,” Hungary- crisp, gooseberry, caramelized pineapple upside-down cake $44 (left)

• 2015 Mouvedre, Dirty & Rowdy, “Familiar Vineyard,” California-fresh strawberries, strudel, limestone $55 (right)

I'll be tracking these down.

Right now, diners can find 14 natural wines at L'Albatros and Parallax on a special wine listing, but they will eventually be integrated into the regular wine list and denoted as a natural wine. All fall at a very approachable price point.

The introduction of these wines onto their menus is part of an emerging movement that has upended an influential group of winemakers, Michelin-starred restaurants and sommeliers throughout the world. The trend has only really taken off in New York City, Chicago, and Portland in the United States. Julian Bruell, Director of Service, wants their restaurant group to be on the forefront of bringing this movement to Cleveland.

Disclosure: I was invited, with a guest, to a complimentary media preview and tasting. All opinions are 100% my own.