Cantine Bar + Bottle Shop

A friend suggested Cantine in Broadview Heights for happy hour last week. I hadn't been, didn't look it up in advance, and boy was I surprised at what we found once I was there.

I think I was under the impression that it was a Mexican restaurant, but this elevated New American tapas spot offers a great selection of small plates and floor-to-ceiling wine and craft beer sales.

 It has an impressive amount of bottle sale options, which you can take home or enjoy there for a small corkage fee. They have an extensive bar inside and a handful of low and high tables indoors, in addition to patio seating out front.

It was a perfect evening to sit outside, so we settled in with some glasses of wine and ordered a few small things to share. Starting with the Arancini di Riso ($8) with bread crumb crusted risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella di bufala campana, with tomato sauce and shaved parmigiana reggiano.

We also shared the Baked Brie ($12) with Puff pastry, fresh fruit, brandy glaze and raincoast crisps.

I then ordered the Chorizo Tacos ($10) with with cilantro lime sour cream, corn salsa, and a cheddar jack blend cheese.

The baked brie was our favorite, the arancini was good as well, and the tacos had a nice, subtle heat to the chorizo. There was just a bit too much shredded cheese on the tacos, and I wish that I had known they were served on corn tortillas. For me, that's an important piece of information that should be included on the menu.

Service was attentive, it's seat yourself, and they offer some good specials and happy hour deals. Plenty of parking since it's in a strip. A nice find in that neck of the woods, and I'll go back!

Cantine Bar + Bottle Shop
1100 W Royalton Road
Broadview Heights, OH 44147
(440) 877-9399

Metropolitan Coffee

Old Brooklyn's newest coffee shop opened its doors last week, Metropolitan Coffee on Broadview Road.

This business has been a long-time coming, and the neighborhood has already welcomed it with open arms.

The former rundown convenience store has been completely overhauled into a gorgeous and modern coffee shop, with plenty of sunny nooks and crannies to curl up in. Seriously, I think it's gorgeous inside.

On top of a good cup of coffee, pastries, and more food coming soon...they are also selling local artwork, t-shirts, and more.

There is plenty of parking, great seating for meeting up for a cup of coffee or the work-remote folks, and street views to watch the world pass by. They are also currently offering pop up yoga sessions.

Our neighborhood was in desperate need of a coffee shop, and now we have two great options! We're thrilled. They are different enough, and their placement in the neighborhood, that I think the area can support both.

Metropolitan Coffee
4744 Broadview Road
Cleveland, OH 44109
(216) 860-4949

Daybreak

A new diner opened in Old Brooklyn in the former Suzie's Family Restaurant on Memphis, Daybreak. Look, I fully respect that they just opened and they'll need to get their feet wet and take some time to address issues, but they aren't off to a good start based on our experience and what I've read so far on our neighborhood social media groups.

The menu has a nice selection of classic breakfast items, with a handful that appear "elevated" based on the descriptions.

I went with a classic, eggs with sausage gravy over biscuits. Pretty flavorless gravy, and the biscuits are dry and too dense. Mr. H ordered a biscuit as a side, and didn't even eat most of it.

Mr. H went with one of the more "elevated" items, the breakfast tacos. While the salsa appeared to be homemade and had some heat to it, the rest of the tacos were average at best. The description also stated that they are served on corn tortillas, which clearly they are not.

Service was a big issue. They clearly don't have a system down yet for station assignments (four different servers tried to wait on the table next to us), we waited for a very long time before anyone approached our table with menus and to take drink orders, we didn't have silverware when our food arrived, and our bill was incorrect at the end of the meal. Other diners were complaining about service and food around us as we were dining, so it seems to be a common experience right now.

My expectations for a classic diner breakfast are relatively low, and I do acknowledge that they just opened a couple of weeks ago, but this experience did not leave me wanting to rush back for a second try. I will, but in time. I just hope they are receptive to customer feedback, work quickly to establish systems, and improve the food.

We have several great diners in our neighborhood, so there wasn't really a need for another one. I always want new businesses in our neighborhood to do well, so I hope they can make some changes and stand out in the "crowd" here soon.

Daybreak
6212 Memphis Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44109
216-862-1004

Larder: A Curated Delicatessen & Bakery

Larder Delicatessen and Bakery opened its doors in Ohio City's Hingetown neighborhood just weeks ago, and it's already becoming a popular destination for Cleveland foodies.

The from-scratch Eastern European deli relies heavily on techniques like koji culturing, fermentation and foraging, led by Jeremy Umansky.

Its 1800s-era firehouse heritage is honored through the decor and refurbished space.

They are focusing on a rotating menu of sandwiches, boards, soups, sides, and bakery items.

You can also shop for locally sources products...

...that just add to the charm of this place.

I was eyeballing several of the delicious looking sides and bakery items, but we didn't want to fill up too much at lunch. Next time!

Mr. H and both of my parents ordered the Pastrami ($12) sandwich, one with a side of chips and one with a side of fries.

While this sandwich was good, my Daily Special sandwich of Fried Chicken on a Buttermilk Bread with greens and pickled red onions was even better. That bread!

They are open Tuesday - Saturday from 10AM - 7PM, and Sunday from 10AM - 2PM. Already seeing lines out the door and no seating available, you'll want to make sure you're not in a rush if you hit at key dining times. But, it's worth the wait, and this is only just the beginning for them.

Larder Delicatessen and Bakery
1455 W 29th Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 912-8203

Weekend Bites

The early bird catches the...ramps? Mr. H and I got our butts out of bed early on Saturday morning to head to the North Union Farmers Market for the Shaker Square Market to get our hands on some of the delicious wild ramps that hit Ohio this time of year.

I also needed to stock up on the Roasted Garlic Jelly from Crooked Creek Farm that I was turned on to at the annual Garlic Festival two years ago. This stuff goes on anything! Pork chops, burgers, a cheese board, sandwiches...get your hands on some. They are a weekly vendor at the Shaker Square Market.

Then we headed to South Hills Hardware after seeing these big, beautiful ferns on social media. They were the exact size I was looking for to add to our front porch!

My parents were back in town for a visit, and Sunday provided a picture-perfect day for the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. We even got to see the new baby rhino, Lulu!

After making a big batch of ramp pesto to freeze, Mr. H and my mom whipped up a Sunday feast of smoked ribs, cole slaw, and ramp cornbread. Delicious end to the weekend!

Hope you got to enjoy the gorgeous weather this past weekend in Cleveland. We live for these weekends, and the time period of this perfect spring weather is so short in Ohio. I'm soaking it all in!