Pelicano's Pizza

Pelicano's Pizza

2218 Wooster Road

Rocky River, Ohio

440.333.0558

Pelicano's Pizza is conveniently located to us, so we order from time to time, and walk down to pick it up. We have only tried their specialty pizzas, and they have kept us coming back. My favorite is the Country Chicken Ranch. The Mr. loves the Buffalo Chicken.

Pelicano's also has calzones, sandwiches, salads, breads, wings and appetizers, and pasta dinners, although I can't speak for them.

Country Chicken Ranch Pizza: Monterey Jack Cheese, Ranch Dressing, Chicken Breast, Smoked Bacon, and Tomato

Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Buffalo Sauce, Chicken Breast, and Monterey Jack Cheese

Vento La Trattoria

Vento La Trattoria

28611 Lake Road

Bay Village, Ohio

440.835.4530

http://www.ventotrattoria.com/

Vento La Trattoria is new to Bay Village, squeezed into a tiny space between Huntington Playhouse and BayArts. We finally got around to trying it out and really enjoyed it. It may be the smallest, quaintest little restaurant I've ever been to. There are about 10 tables, if that, a small bar, dessert case, and, in warmer months, a patio that probably doubles their seating space. Although they don't take reservations, they do offer call-ahead seating to accommodate your needs.

If you're seeing a production at Huntington Playhouse, check out their "Theater Patrons" menu -- a $20 meal consisting of appetizer, entree, and dessert -- that guarantees to seat you, feed you, and have you out the door in time for the show.

Or if you're spending the day exploring the metroparks, keep in mind they are open for lunch!

What we ate:

The LL:

*Baby Spinach - $7

Apples, chevre, pistachios, sweet pancetta vinaigrette

*Shrimp & Bay Scallop Bake - $16

sweet potato gnocchi, creamy oregano sauce, shaved parmesan

The Mr.:

*Caesar Salad - $7

Cherry tomato salad, croutons, shaved parmesan

*Pappardalle Pasta - $12

Tomatoes, olives, capers, shaved parmesan

The LL's mom:

*Baby Spinach - $7

Apples, chevre, pistachios, sweet pancetta vinaigrette

*Halibut - $18

Spiced tomato pesto, roasted pepper polenta, vegetable del giorno

The LL's dad:

*Baby Spinach - $7

Apples, chevre, pistachios, sweet pancetta vinaigrette

*Halibut - $18

Spiced tomato pesto, roasted pepper polenta, vegetable del giorno

Shared Dessert: Pumpkin Cheesecake - $6

Salads were fantastic and we all left pleasantly satisfied with our entrees. And the pumpkin cheesecake? Amazing.

Henry's at the Barn

Henry's at the Barn

36840 Detroit Road

Avon, Ohio

(440) 934-6636

http://www.henrysatthebarn.com/

The Mr. suggested we catch a Crushers' baseball game, and since we rarely head out that direction, we decided to try out a new restaurant beforehand, as well. Going back and forth between Henry's at the Barn and Nemo Grille, we ended up choosing Henry's at the Barn based on the rave reviews of their patio. And with the absolutely gorgeous weather we've had lately, how can anyone turn down a meal outdoors? So, to Henry's we went!

What We Drank:

bottle of Dryer-Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, $25 (from their "20 for $25" wine list)

What We Ate:

The LL:

*Iceberg Wedge, Apple Pepper Smoked Bacon, Pimento Cheese, Corn & Hot Pepper Hushpuppy, Green Goddess Dressing, $6

*Cast Iron Grouper, Fried Smoked Bleu Cheese Grits, Caramelized Onion Jam, $28

The Mr.:

*Lake Erie Fries, Perch, Walleye, Idaho & Sweet Potato, Paul's Cool Tartar sauce, $13

*Grilled 12 oz. New York Strip, Butter Garlic Mushrooms, Smoked Bleu Cheese, Melted Leek, Sweet & Yukon Potato Gratin, $28

Henry's at the Barn has character. Situated in an old 1830's blue barn (it's tucked near the back of Olde Avon Village, so keep that in mind when you're trying to find it), the inside seating offers a warmth of an old ski lodge, and the upscale nature of a fancy establishment. Since we had plans to eat out on the patio, we knew we could get by with slightly more casual attire, but upon returning to check on the inside, I would recommend business casual.

The menu, and restaurant itself, are reminiscient of a Southern restaurant, with plenty of seafood options and comfortable hospitality. The website decribes it as "Carolina Low Country Cuisine." An in-ground fire pit sits in the middle of the patio, which I'm sure would be fun to sit around in cooler autumn evenings.

Onto the food. Warm multi-grain bread arrived first, with three options for dressing it up: pimento cheese, chow chow (a spicy, sweet & sour pepper relish), and honey butter. Of the three, the honey butter was our least favorite.

I got the iceberg wedge. It was fabulous. I would by all means order this again. The pimento cheese was an interesting addition; one that I wasn't particularly wild about, but it was a nice change and complimented the other flavors well. The Green Goddess dressing was fantastic, although it left quite a ferocious taste in my mouth, so pack gum or mints.

The Mr. got the Lake Erie Fries, which I didn't have a ton of because I knew I was going to be eating grouper as my entree. The whole time, I couldn't stop thinking: "I wonder what came first? Burger King Chicken Fries? Or Henry's Lake Erie Fries? They are basically long strips of fish, fried. They had a flavorful breading and a wonderful tartar sauce. The actual potato fries were, in my opinion, average. Not enough crisp and not enough salt.

The Mr.'s entree. He seemed to really enjoy this, especially the load of toppings that came on the steak. I did catch him successfully working around the button mushrooms, but for all you other mushroom-scaredy cats, do not fear, because there were too few mushrooms to really worry about. I always prefer a filet mignon over a strip steak (even if I have to pay for it), but this was a nice option.

The Little Lady's grouper and fried bleu cheese grits. The fish was great -- it tasted blackened, which I wasn't really expecting, but had no complaints. The caramelized onions were a delicious addition. The fried bleu cheese grits were probably what sold me on ordering this as my entree, but I was a little disappointed. It seemed that there was a hunk of bleu cheese in the middle, surrounded by the grits, and then deep fried. While it was still good (how could it not be?), I wish the bleu cheese had been evenly distributed throughout the grits.

The service was what you would expect at a restaurant like this - we were treated well from the moment we walked in to the moment we walked out. The only thing that threw us a little was the fact that we were left to refill our own wine glasses. Not that it bothers me that much, but since that's what you typically expect at a place like this, we gave it some extra time and then opted to just refill the glasses ourselves.

A Note From the LL: We bought a gift certificate off of Restaurant.com beforehand, which is a such a great way to enjoy a nice meal for less. If you're thinking about dining at Henry's at the Barn, you should do the same thing!

The Woods

The Woods

21919 Center Ridge Road

Rocky River, Ohio

440.333.4522

http://www.thewoodsrestaurant.com/

The Mr. has been wanting to check this place out for a while, so we did just that!

What we ate:
The LL: Chicken Florentine, $13.95

The Mr.: Large Make-Your-Own Pizza with grilled chicken and onion, $15

The restaurant originated in 1965, when it opened as Dominic's Pizza by Dominic and Vulia Chillemi. Chad and Trish Chillemi transformed the menu into The Woods in 1983: the pizza remains, but with the addition of several Italian entrees, sandwiches, and burgers. I specifically say "the menu" changed, because the restaurant itself looks as if it's still the original 1965 decor. "Dominic's Pizza" is still displayed throughout, and it just has that pizza parlor feel. The fact that they have church pews as seats is unique, and the food was good, but I think replacing the vinyl tablecloths would be an easy upgrade. I won't be impatient about scheduling a return visit, but I guess when I think about the food, both The Mr. and I really enjoyed what we got. Fattening, though it was, it was that satisfaction only comfort food can offer.

The Little Lady's Chicken Florentine: Crispy pan-friend chicken topped with spinach, bacon, and cheese; a side of fettuccine Alfredo.

The Mr.'s pizza: topped with grilled chicken and onions.

I'm not sure if it was the sauce or what, but this reminded me a little bit of Pizza Hut.

The Pub

The Pub
19304 Detroit Road
Rocky River, Ohio
440.356.6933
http://www.luvthepub.com/pub_rocky_river.html


The Pub is a convenient stroll from where The Mr. and I reside, so we've been there on multiple occasions. We decided to check out their Friday all-you-can-eat perch fry. Got the picture below from Google, as I forgot to take one of the exterior myself.

What we ate:

All-You-Can-Eat Perch Fry, $7.99

The Pub resides in the old Beachcliff Theater and is modeled after a British gastropub. It's a comfortable environment with good prices, decent food, and a wide variety of beers to choose from. Since The Mr. had to work the night shift, we passed on brews, but enjoyed the perch fry out on the patio. By the looks of it, I wasn't sure how impressed I'd be, but it was actually pretty good. For $7.99, it was definitely worth it. The tartar sauce was awesome. Definitely made it for me. Fries were... average. Not salty enough and kinda potato-y, but some people go for that kinda thing.

I like The Pub because it's close to us and I enjoy myself there. It's a nice option for an inexpensive meal and a good beer. Oh, and the servers all wear kilts.

Players on Madison

Players on Madison

14523 Madison Avenue

Lakewood, Ohio

216.226.5200

http://www.playersonmadison.com/

This was my first visit to Players on Madison, and I was accompanied by a few girlfriends as we celebrated the upcoming nuptials of one of them! After checking out the website, I found that Players on Madison is in the same family of restaurants as Cafe Sausalito, STAR at Playhouse Square, Stages at the Cleveland Playhouse, and Sweetwater Landing at the Rocky River Metroparks Emerald Necklace Marina.

What I drank:

Norton Sauvignon Blanc, $25 bottle split with friends

What I ate:

Small Make-Your-Own Pizza with arrabiata sauce, roasted shallots, and smoked bacon, $11.30

Players has an amazing back patio; one I'd put up in the ranks of Moosehead Saloon: small, quaint, and private. You would never guess you're on the corner of Madison and Belle! Luckily, even when the colder temperatures move in, the inside of Players offers great dining as well. Looks like a perfect date spot, which is convenient considering I wasn't with The Mr. on this first visit. :)

Since Players is celebrating their 25th anniversary, they are featuring a list of 18 bottles of wine for only $25. We jumped on this opportunity and ordered the Norton Sauvignon Blanc.

Maybe the service is great all around, or maybe we were just lucky to score an amazing server, but we were pampered by some of the best service I've had at a restaurant. She left us alone to enjoy a fun, leisurely night out, yet was attentive enough to make sure we had full glasses, etc. She offered to take a group picture for us, had good recommendations and menu knowledge, and brought out a celebratory ice cream sundae in honor of the bachelorette!

I ordered a small make-your-own pizza with arrabiata sauce, roasted shallots, and smoked bacon.

The pizza itself didn't leave a strong lasting impression on me, but I think that's moreso because I was enjoying the atmosphere and company so much. I know that I enjoyed it, and I'm confident enough to say that I would order it again, so it was definitely good, but I think my rave about the restaurant currently lies more in the atmosphere. But, like I think I've mentioned before, I'm an atmosphere kind of girl.

If you haven't been to Players on Madison, I strongly suggest you check it out. It'd be a great place to enjoy happy hour drinks and appetizers out on the patio (Sunday-Thursday 5pm-7pm), to celebrate a birthday, or simply reconnect with your main squeeze. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

A Note From The Little Lady: Players also offers carry-out (mention the website's "Carry Out Discount" for 15% off) and a home delivery service through http://www.delivermefood.com/

Arrabiata's

Arrabiata's

600 Dover Center Road

Bay Village, Ohio

(440) 835-9100

http://www.arrabiatas.com/

The Mr. and I had been to Arrabiata's twice for dinner before making this lunch outing. The first time we were impressed, but the second time left us a little disappointed. I'm not sure if we were swayed by the environment - visit #1 was a beautiful fall evening, and we sat out on the patio and fell in love with their homemade Ranch dressing. Visit #2 was a frigid winter night, we sat in direct aim of the gusts of cold air that came through the main entrance, and we ordered Caesar salads, thinking it was THAT dressing that we loved. So upon our return, I wasn't sure what we'd feel when we left. Granted, lunch is always a different motive. Get in, get out, spend minimally, and leave satisfied.

What I ate:

Insalata Italian, $9

What The Mr. ate:

Side salad, with Ranch of course, $2.5

Veal Cacciatore, $8.50

We both drank water.

While we browsed the menu, we were given some bread and butter. The bread's average - it seems like they try to warm it up in the oven but instead it ends up making the crust too hard and crumbly. The inside, still soft and warm, though, is enjoyable with the homemade flavored butter.

The Insalata Italian (from their summer salads menu) was a big salad topped with grilled chicken, tomato, onion, mozzarella cheese, and an olive oil and garlic dressing. Served alongside was garlic butter ciabatta bread (yum). Because, as I mentioned earlier, we love their Ranch, I asked for both dressings on the side. I ended up going back and forth between each one, which says a lot for the olive oil and garlic! Warning: This salad is terrific, but be prepared to battle the stench it leaves in your mouth. Between the garlic bread, garlic dressing, and onions, it's a powerful salad.

The Mr. said he really enjoyed his veal, which came with a side of spaghetti marinara. We've decided their marinara sauce isn't very good, which is a sad thing to say considering it's an Italian restaurant... There's just not much to it.

I wouldn't rave about the food, but the atmosphere is cozy, the service has always been good, and prices are fairly inexpensive. And if the weather's nice, the patio's decent as well. I would be lured to return for their happy hour, which boasts $5 bar foods and $5 martinis. Oh, and happy hour is also effective during all Indians and Cavs games. Sorry, Browns, no special treatment for you.

Moosehead Saloon

Moosehead Saloon

694 Dover Center Road

Westlake, Ohio

440.871.7743

http://www.mooseheadfood.com/

What I ate:

BLT Salad, $9.49

Moosehead is located on Dover Center Road, just south of the railroad tracks from Bay Village, and next to Ironwood Cafe. It's a great place for lunch, a great place for dinner, and a great place for appetizers and drinks with friends. During the warmer months, the outdoor patio offers a nice place to sit. It's not that big (nor is the restaurant itself), but it's private (tall fences), calming (there's a trickling wall of water), and comfortable (umbrellas to block the sun).

I was meeting a friend for lunch, so during the few minutes I had to kill, I snapped a picture of the menu.

The website has been under construction for a while now, so you won't be finding a clearer version there. As you can see, there are tons of choices -- burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups, entrees, pub food, etc., etc., etc. It's almost overwhelming. BUT, once you've been there a few times, you come to realize that almost every choice is a good choice. I hear all sorts of raves about this little gem of a place.

I fell into routine and got the same thing I typically order... the BLT salad. I was so excited when it arrived that I forgot to snap a picture, but trust me, it's yummy. It's "good" lettuce, topped with just-cooked bacon (no bacon bits here!), blue cheese, tomatoes (both chopped and cherry), and a few halved, then grilled red potatoes. Basically, after you douse it with ranch dressing, it's not so much a salad that one watching their weight would order. But it's definitely a salad that leaves you satisfied. I love those bites of ranch-covered bacon, blue cheese, tomato, and a leaf or two of lettuce.

There's a turkey burger on the menu that calls my name every time I'm there, but I've yet to order it. Something about cream cheese and dried cherries on top. Next time, Little Lady, next time...

If you're looking for a friendly place to grab a good sandwich, head to Moosehead. I think you'll be pleased.

Moosehead Saloon's sister restaurant, Moosehead Hoof and Ladder, is located in Olmsted Falls.

Panini's Bar and Grill

Panini's Bar and Grill

23800 Detroit Road

Westlake, Ohio

440.250.5550

http://www.paninisgrill.com/

What I ate:

Triple Grilled Cheese; Melted American, provolone & mozzarella with tomato & Applewood bacon on grilled "Panini" bread, $4.99

What I drank:
Glass of their house Pinot Grigio, $5

Glass of their house Sauvignon Blanc, $5

...

A girlfriend and I decided to check out Panini's newest location, in Westlake, on the corner of Clague and Detroit Roads. Panini's has been a Cleveland standby since 1986, so most people are familiar with its beer, pizza, and famous "overstuffed sandwiches." I think this was the first time that I had gone there solely for the food. Each and every time in the past had been built around a night out or a Tribe game.

The Westlake location offers your typical bar atmosphere inside - nothing fancy, but a great place to grab dinner and few drinks while catching a sporting event on one of their many TVs. The patio, on the other hand, is enormous, spacious, and offers plenty of seating. I'll just feel bad when Cleveland winter arrives in October and shuts the place down. There's a big bar in the middle of the patio, and a variety of high-top and standard tables dotted throughout.

The food was classic bar and grill. I considered getting an overstuffed sandwich, but they always appear so daunting. And I wasn't really in the mood to a) stuff myself and b) make a huge mess while trying to eat it. Instead, I was drawn toward the Triple Grilled Cheese (sold by the applewood bacon and tomato) and mmm, mmm it was classic comfort. The bread was thick, perfectly toasty, and extra buttery. The three different cheeses worked well together, but it was definitely the bacon and tomato that made the sandwich for me.

The Little Lady's friend got the turkey melt, also jazzed up with some applewood bacon.

The service was what you'd expect at a bar and grill, but our server was attentive, patient when we took forever to even look at the menu, and friendly.

There are plenty of Panini's locations throughout Cleveland, and a few down in Columbus. I'd return to the Westlake location for another meal out on the patio, or during football season, heading inside as an alternative to BW3s.

Tremont Tap House

Tremont TapHouse

2572 Scranton Road

Cleveland, Ohio

216.298.4451

http://www.tremonttaphouse.com/

What we drank:

The Little Lady had...

Duvel Green Belgian Ale, $7.5 ($6 happy hour)

Ommegang Rare Vos Belgium Ale, $5.50

The Mr. had...

Weinstephaner Hefe Weissbier, $5.5 ($4 happy hour)

Bear Republic Racer 5, $5.50

What we ate:
I Love Moule Frittes; PEI Mussels & Fries, Blue Cheese, Bacon, Shallots, Garlic, Vino Blanc, $12

The Little Lady had...
Chicken Foccacia; banana pepper butter, white cheddar, $10

The Mr. had...
Japanese Noodle Salad; chicken, sake vinaigrette, peanut sauce, ginger, $12

For a Friday night dinner date, The Mr. and I headed down to Tremont. Boosting itself as Cleveland's first gastropub, The Tremont TapHouse is modeled after casual London pubs that serve upscale cuisine, while still offering a wide variety of beers and wines. There are over 100 beers to choose from (24 of which are on tap) and the food is described as "creative, yet approachable cuisine." It was a beautiful night, so we were willing to wait a bit for a patio table. Since happy hour prices were available until 7pm, we sat at the bar and enjoyed a beer while we waited. The bartenders were extra friendly and one even took the time to get another bar chair from across the room so that we could both sit. Our table was ready quicker than we thought, and we headed out where each table had an umbrella to block the bright setting sun... especially convenient since I had forgotten my sunglasses!

One of the reasons we went was so that The Mr. could try the beer cheese soup, but upon hearing our server's recommendations (I love when servers have an opinion about the menu!), he asked me if instead of the soup, the two of us should split the mussels! I was shocked! The Mr. does not typically like shellfish. I eat just about anything, and I had never had mussels, so I was up for it too. Bring on the mussels!

I liked it a lot... the bacon and blue cheese... mmm...The Mr. didn't eat quite as many mussels, but I was pleased that he was breaking out of his shell (pun intended).

We ordered a second round of beers, as well as our entree selections.

The LL's Chicken Focaccia:

The Mr.'s Japanese Noodle Salad:

My chicken sandwich was average. It tasted like something I could get anywhere. It was good, but I probably wouldn't recommend unless you're looking for something basic... and messy, because it was. The fries were good, and generously flavored with sea salt. I love salty fries.

The Mr.'s dish was tasty. He let me steal a few bites and it was great! Lots of flavor in a light, but satisfying meal. I loved the roasted peanuts and scallions on top.

I was very impressed with the service. The bartenders were friendly and accommodating and our server was great at making recommendations. It was obvious that he was knowledgable about the food and beverage selections. He was attentive to our needs, and overall, just a nice, fun guy.

I would definitely return to Tremont TapHouse, and next time I would like to order a few things off the small plates section of the menu: possibly Chorizo Tacos, Short Rib Sliders, or Blackened Scallops. I also saw signs advertising Beer Tasting Dinners that they host -- sounds like fun!

Bar Symon

Bar Symon
32858 Walker Road
Avon Lake, Ohio
440.933.5652
http://www.barsymon.com/

What I drank:
1 glass of Pinot Grigio, $6 (forget exact brand, but it's the only pinot grigio by the glass)
1 glass of Riondo Pink Prosecco Raboso, $6

What I ate:
Crispy Fried Organic Chicken; truffle honey and rosemary, $15
Lola Fries with Rosemary

Iron Chef and Clevelander, Michael Symon, has had such success with restaurants Lola and Lolita that I was excited to try out his new, more casual dining spot, Bar Symon. I was floored by how packed the place was on a weeknight at 6pm, and will know to expect a wait on return visits. Or at least wait until the initial rush of patrons dies down (doors opened on June 29).

I probably should've ordered beer (they have 40 on tap), but the bar was packed and I felt like I needed to order fast. I'll be ready with a brew order next time. The Pinot Grigio was standard and tasty, and the Riondo Pink Prosecco was served in a cute mini bottle that you could pour yourself. Confession: I like proseccco, but I think the main reason I ordered it was because I liked the look of the little bottle.

After ordering entrees, we were given what they called "tear and share" bread. Basically, a crusty loaf of italian bread to be "torn" and "shared" amongst the table. The butter slab, topped with salt, that was served with the bread tasted like it had to have been local - so fresh!
I don't think I've ever ordered fried chicken at a restaurant, but the truffle honey and rosemary is what sold me. Not only was it was good, but I was given about a whole chicken! Four huge pieces that would've been a lot for even the biggest appetite. Tasted kinda like a gourmet version of McD's nuggets and honey.

(Thanks for the pictures Heidi!)

With all the entrees, you are given the choice of one side. I picked fries, because, let's be honest, they are typically a good choice. Lola Fries are thin, shoestring-style french fries flavored with rosemary. They are served with "Lola Ketchup," which doesn't really taste like ketchup at all. They should call it "Lola Salsa." I asked for some "regular" ketchup though, and my tummy was pleased. Symon Burger ($9) with Lola Fries:

I was also able to sneak a taste of the Rosemary, Goat Cheese, and Chicken Mac and Cheese ($14). Yum! A rich, creamy white sauce with lots of flavor. Upon return, I'd consider ordering this.

The service was not that great. Servers seemed a little frazzled, there were a few mix-ups (granted, we had a large table), and things moved s l o w l y. I'll chalk it up to up to the fact that the place is still new, and I suppose it is called BAR Symon and then maybe superb service shouldn't really be expected. I'd hope things would run a little smoother next time though.
Bar Symon takes classic favorites that you might not consider ordering at a restaurant and jazzes them up to be Michael Symon worthy. For the cost, I think it's a great option. You're basically getting Max and Erma's prices for Michael Symon's meals. Now, the question is, are you willing to wait a few hours for a table?