Bac Asian American Bistro & Bar

A few weeks ago my fellow foodie Hannah Williams who joined me for the food crawl, Stef Poduska and I, decided to ty Bac restaurant in Treamont.  Again, we were lucky to have perfect Cleveland weather and sat in their outdoor patio located on the street.  We examined the menu discussing all the choices that sounded appealing and all the different courses we were planning on having.  After debating where to start, we noticed that they offered a family meal option. To order the famliy meal option you needed to have a minimum of three people, which we had, and be interested in one of the 3 or 4 options in each of the 3 courses, which we totally agreed on!

       We started with a shredded pappaya salad with cilantro and peanuts in a garlic sauce

Before our next course included in our family meal we ordered a few extras. There was so much on the menu that looked good it was hard to only choose three things. 

Lemongrass crab cakes with a chili aioli and edamame

The crab cakes were very fishy, they were good but too heavy for my prefence on crab cakes.  The eadamame was of course a perfect side, fresh and light.

As another part of our family meal we each got a spring roll.  The girls were so nice to get meat free options for the bulk of the meal but were able to choose spring rolls with meat for themselfs.  As it turned out though, they enjoyed my meatless ones better.

Next we had a Tom Yum soup, made with lime broth with shrimp and mushrooms.  This soup was pretty great, especially since for a Vegetarian there are not many soups I can eat because so many people use chicken or beef broth.  The lime broth made it fresh and the shrimp and mushrooms are my fav so it just all worked.  The only negative about this dish was how very spicy it was.  Hannah enjoyed it, but I could only eat about half till I was sweating.   

Our main courses were (on the left) cold noodles with sprouts, carrots, peanuts, and topped with the vegi spring rolls, served with this garlic dip, which we had earlier with our pappaya salad.  This garlic sauce, or dressing whatever you want to call it was good on anything.  We also had avacado green cury.  It was spicy but creamy with the fresh avacado.  Both were very tasty!

Lastly, and for me, favorite part, we ended with an amazing selction of desserts that pleased us all.  In the front, I had the curry brownie and ice cream. This was fantastic.  I love desserts that think outside of the box and use ingredients you would not think make sense.  It was cooked perfectly and you could just taste the curry enough to give it a unique bite.  To the right Stef had the fried ice cream which was also perfect.  The hard, hot outter shell and the creamy ice cream inside.  I could live off of fried ice cream.  And then up top, Hannah had the green tea ice cream.  This was a very sweet and fresh take on typical ice cream.  It tasted just like drinking a tall glass of ice cold green tea.

The desserts were all above par, the meal was outstanding and gave us a chance to try all the things on the menu at a great price.  

If you ever considered trying this place grab 3 people and enjoy the family meal option and you will please everyone.  But, don't forget the dessert! 

First Food Crawl

So after all the food talk my friend Hannah Williams and I have all the time, we decided we needed to create an evening dedicated to food.  A night where we did not just eat a 4 course meal at one place but rather stop at several different restaurants and eat a course at each.  This is our Food Crawl!

We choose our first three restaurants to be Luxe, near Battery Park, Bier Market and The Flying Fig, both in Ohio City.  (I say First, because we have already began discussing our next crawl.)

We got an early start, we got to Luxe right around 6pm.  We sat in their outdoor garden area, which has a small bar and a quite fenced in garden like environment. 

Maire Semmens, Hannah Williams and I.  We have all been here several times, so we made this our first stop, prepared to order and be in and out. This is an awesome place.  The food is superior.  I ended up having my birthday party here last year and the staff were outstanding to me and all my guests.  I would refer this place to anyone and return over and over again. 

Maire knew she wanted her potato gnocchi with brasied short ribs, which she has had every time and seems to be her favorite dish.  The gnoochi melted in my mouth, it was the best I have had.

Hannah had the salad on special which had prosciutto, eggs and chives on a bed of greens with a honey mustard vinaigrette.

I had pan fried brussel sprouts with garlic in a soy sauce, so very good!!!

We shared a trio of fries, which consisted of garlic and rosemary pomme frittes, eggplant fries and sweet potato fries, alongside two mayo like dips, which were not a stand out, but the fries were a perfect side dish or app!

I also must point out one of my favorite drinks, the Simplicty which is a basil pinneapple martini made with margarita mix.  It tastes so fresh and pairs well with anything!

When we finished, the weather was still very nice so we decided to make a stop at the Garage Bar for a drink at their outdoor bar before we headed to our next course.  The Garage Bar is in Ohio City, a nice mix of people, a place we have been to before and a perfect place to have a few drinks no matter what the occasion.   

We walked across the street to the Bier Market, where Hannah Williams was craving her sunnyside up pizza.

Sunnyside Pizza, with prosciutto and eggs.

I had the Oliva pizza.  topped with a olive tapenade and cheese.  It was very good.  The pizza I had last time was the arugula pizza with pine nuts, that pizza was fantastic, but I needed to be the one trying something different this evening.  I was happy with my choice none the less. 

If you have never been here, it is a must.  They have about 8-10 pizzas all between like $8-$12.  The crust is thin and crunchy on the ends and everything in the middle no matter what you choose is bound to be an awesome choice.  You can also look forward to the extensive beer list, sure to please everyones taste buds.

We spent most of the dinner rush hours here, relaxing and taking our time.  We had outdoor seating right on the main steet of Ohio City, where we people watched and enjoyed the unbelievable evening weather Cleveland presented to us.

When it was time to leave we walked right around the corner to The Flying Fig.  A place Hannah Williams and I have talked about time and time again and finally made the time to check it out.  This restaurant is directly across from The Great Lakes Brewery for those of you who have been over here.

When we arrived the crowds were dying down.  Patrons were enjoying the end of their meals.  We were also, just not at the same place of course.  We did bring in our to go boxes carrying our yummy pizzas, which we thought could be perceived as disrespectful, but we spent enough money there I think, to feel otherwise.  But, this would be a good topic for another blog.  Is this something you would or would not do?  Do you feel it is ok to bring your to go box into a following restaurant? 

Anyways, we looked over the menu several times, myself, hoping that I would reveal more than the two options on the menu that I could eat. 

These two options were a burrata cheese appetizer and a polenta entree.  Since the polenta appetizer was priced higher than most fish entrees I have ever had, I decided against that right away. 

So I ended up with the burrata cheese appetizer with an olive tapenade, watercress and crostini bread.  It reminded me of a make your self bruschetta like dish.  I must say, I had my doubts but the cheese was creamy and fresh, the olive tapenade was perfect and all components together meshed so well and almost melted in my mouth.  A perfect appetizer at a resonable price.

Hannah found so many things on the menu it made it hard for her to choose just one, so she started with a bacon and egg quiche, which was unlike any quiche I have ever tasted.  She was nice enough to remove a peice of bacon to let me try how amazing this dish was.

Looking at this days later, I realize this picture does nothing for the quality of this meal.  :(

Lastly, Hannah ordered dessert.  I wanted to but the option I had they were out of.  I was not successful at this place, but this rarely happens, so I did not leave dissatisfied.

She ordered the peach cobler special with a pepper biscuit and fresh mint ice cream.

(This was the best dessert I have tasted so far in my food experiences)

In conclusion, the first crawl was a success.  We started with places that we have been before and ended with a newbee.  We ate some stellar food, had some interesting conversations and saw some eyebrow rasing things while people watching on the streets of Ohio City.  I very much anticipate our next crawl.  We have thrown around the idea of hitting up Treamont next time.  Anyone that would love to join, you know how to find me and we would love to have you!!! 

La Kabob - Lebanese Grill

This is a small, local restaurant that has recently opened in Strongsville on Pearl Rd.  It has a smiliar menu to an Aladdins like place, however the one big difference is that Ricky and his staff produce some of the freashest food I have ever tasted in a fast casual atmosphere.  I have eaten here several times and am fond of most of the items on the menu.  I almost always get some grape leaves and a raw juice no matter what, because these are my favs.  You will want to be prepared to wait a few more minutes than you would at a Chipotle or Subway, but you will be satisfied with the wait once you experience the higher quality of taste.  This is a must try for a lunch break or a lazy dinner evening! 

This is the Vegetarian platter, it had baba ganoush, hummas, tabouli, falafel and of course the grape leaves. 

*In case you have never tried any of these things, I understand, I was there at one point, and wanted nothing to do with these things that I could barely prounounce and could not spell, but one day I just took the plunge and tried them all and am glad I did because they are all fantastic.  Baba ganoush - is a spread made from roasted eggplants, tahini and garlic, which goes well with pita chips.  Hummas - is pureed garbanozo beans.  Tabouli - is like a cold salad of tomatoes, onions, garlic, mint, cracked wheat, lemon and other similar ingredients.  Falafel - Fried garbanozo beans.  and Grape leaves - are stuffed with rice, onion, and garlic and other spices.  Enjoy and let me know what you think!

GUACAMOLE

I was sitting on the couch getting ready to go to bed and I was thinking, wow, I could really go for some guacamole.  And, I realized I had nothing in the house to even pretend to make a batch.  This is something that I enjoy to make.  I don't make it as often as I would like because I make it this huge drawn out process out of it.  When I make guacamole for some reason I do it as if Food Network were tapping me.  I chop up each item, and place it in it's own ramikin, they I set it aside and line it all up as if I am explaining to a film crew what I am going to do next.  I'm not sure why I do this, and I only do it when making guacamole.  I have made it several times and everytime it tastes different, and I learn something new about me and the way I want it to taste.  If you have never had quacamole before try it.  Chipotle's guacamole is pretty good and so is Cozumels!  Momocho's on Fulton has a whole section just for the like 7 variations of guacamole they do.  I have been wanting to try this place for so long, so if you have already eaten their please share your thoughts, but I do look forward to trying it soon.

Random Food Thoughts

So first, Thank you to all my new followers.  I am thrilled to see so many people getting excited about food.  In my early stages of this project I am running into a few challenges that I am learning to overcome.  The first is the fact that I can not seem to comment on the comments that have been posted to my current blogs.  So, let me make some shout outs before I get to far.  Tina, of course I would let you know that I started a blog because you were my inspiration, The Wellness War is so informational and interesting and I enjoy seeing what you post everytime.  Check your new FB email and you will see all my thanks!  And super excited about the other comment as well.  We will be going to Bar Cento tomorrow as a matter of fact, should I name drop?? LOL.  Aunt Kathy, thank you for your kind words.  I am excited that I got you wanting more! 


So for my topic this evening.  Sort of low key.  I walked into Giant Eagle this evening and noticed that the Fall beers have arrived.  YAY!!!  That to me, means the start of fall.  Along with of course the release of my Pumpkin Spice Latte, only 10 days left.  So I tried Barktoberfest by Thirsty Dog and must say I am very much enjoying it.

I love Fall.  I love Fall flavors.  I love Fall smells.  I love the look of Fall.  I had a request this afternoon for a pumpkin dish I made last year that won everyone over.  My Pumpkin stir fry, which I will for sure try again this year. 

Not my best picture but here it is, chopped pumpkin, shredded carrots, soy sauce and black sesame seeds.

I would not say this was my favorite Fall dish, because I tried so many last year. I also tried a pumpkin risotto, it did not turn out as great as this did, but I am motivated to try it again this year and master it.

What is your favorite Fall dish? 

Three Birds

I was pshyched to find a place like Three Birds to take one of my friends Melissa Haber to when she was visiting from out of the country.  I did a lot of research and looked into all the places I have been and heard of in the last year or more and choose this.  It happened to be a chilly day in Cleveland, but the perfect weather for their outdoor garden.  Would have to rate this one of the top 10 patios I have been to.  The restaurant was upscale casual.  All the drink names were named after a Bob Marley song, as was the theme of the restaurant.  The menu was diverse but not so many options for a pesciatarian.  I ended up having the special of the day which happened to be Lake Erie Trout, which was fantastic.  While Melissa enjoyed meat options which looked and smelled great.  She seemed to enjoy our meal and the environment, and the price was about what I expected.  About 4 stars price wise.  After our dinner we went down the street to Degans, which is the only Gastropub in Cleveland and I must say I was sad that I was no longer hungry because the menu looked amazing.  Very Vegetarian friendly.  So I have been looking forward to going back to eat for quite sometime.  So I will update on it as soon as I do.

Black bean and sweet potato roll ups

Asparagus and Proscuitto soup

Melissa had the Seared sea scallops with purple potatoes and and arugula prosuitto salad with horseradish cream sauce 

I had the pan seared Lake Erie Walley with potatoe cakes

Melissa Haber and I in the beatiful outdoor garden like patio

Bar Cento/Beir Market

So keeping with my Jonathan Sawyer theme, I thought it was appropriate to talk about my love for Bar Cento also.  I have been here multiple times, for dinner, for drinks, for both, it does not matter it is always a good time.  They have amazing food, a great atmosphere and leaves you so satisfied when you leave.  I have never had a bad experience and will share with you some of the things I have enjoyed their, but plan on returning this weekend and will update after that experience. 

One of my favorite meals from all of the places I have been, wild nettle and sunchoke risotto and roasted parsnips with pine nuts.  YUM!!

Of course their selections of beers are uncomparable to anywhere else

Pumpkin Spice Latte Countdown

The countdown has begun, (well for me at least), for the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks.  I saw something on FB today that said there was a challenge for a certin city to recieve the drink a week earlier.  I sure hope that can be my city, because I am more then ready for the return.  Who is excited about this drink?  Or do you have another drink that you are counting down the days for.  Please share, because very much like food, I love my coffee drinks. 

Green House Tavern

As of now, this is one of my favorite restaurants.  The menu is always changing, there is always something that I have never heard of that I totally want to try, and something that makes me curl my nose and say "What" people eat that.  The restaurant prides itself on having the freshest ingredients coming from their own personal farm.  This is the first and only all Green restaurant in Cleveland.  The first time that I tried this place was for my friends birthday party.  We were able to sit i nthe basement at the bar of the kitchen.  The staff talked to us all evening, explaining what they were preparing, why they did certin things, and just entertaining us all evening as we watched the dinner rush take place.  The staff and I were able to inspire my friends who did not really have a passion for dinning out and now they also look for creative places like Greenhouse to return to.  Places like Applebees just does not satisfy them anymore.  YAY!!  I was super excited about that.  Our favorite thing on the menu that night was the calamari cake.  They did not have it on the menu for my last visit and I was disapointmented, but did enjoy the carrot and pea ravioli that I started with.  I have also heard Great things about the bacon wraped pears.  Also, they just opened a rooftop bar and it is lovely.  It gives you a great get away with a beautiful view of Cleveland.  In short, I love Greenhouse, and Jonathan Sawyer and his staff really know what they are doing!

*David, Me, Dima, Tania and Marlon at our chefs table for Tania's birthday party!

The calamari rice cake that we loved

A meat eaters favorite, the steak with rosemary and garlic pomme frittes

The yummy carrot and pea raviolis I had my second visit.

Great Lakes Brewery

So I have lived in Cleveland almost my whole life, and have had a passion for food for about a year now and finally made it to The Great Lakes Brewery in Ohio City.  I know what your thinking.  Really?  Everyone has been there.  Even those who don't know food.  I understand.  But, I am more interested in the places in Cleveland that offer up more of an exciting menu then a brewery.  However, I will give the atmosphere an A+, having sat in the covered outdoor area, where we set up for a suprise birthday party for my little brother a few weekends ago.  I will give the food more like a B.  It was good, but for a pescatarian not a wide variety of options.  I believe I had black bean tacos.  On the other hand, the meat eaters throughly enjoyed their kelbasy, burgers and pizza.  I will probably return because the staff was friendly and the gift shop was cute, oh and of course the beer was Yummy!!!!  Now my first couple of blogs may have to bring you all up to speed on all the fantastic and not so fantastic places I have been to in the last year or more, but I will be sure to keep up with all the current spots as well, because I am hoping for a restaurant crawl this weekend!!!

My sis-in-law and I at Great Lakes

David, Me and Michael for his birthday

Michaels entree which he very much enjoyed, the periogies were awesome!