Cleveland Chow update: sadly, Graffiti closed its doors on Sunday, October 15, 2017, but diners can snag similar fare at the owners’ suburban restaurant, Cork & Cleaver, located in Broadview Heights.
You might know what to expect when you order a Monte Cristo. For most food lovers, the thought of Monte Cristo evokes a classic, fried ham-and-cheese sandwich on French toast. Simple enough, right?
You are woefully wrong.
Graffiti’s Monte Cristo is unlike any you have eaten before. Its beautifully-deconstructed presentation features maple-brined pork tenderloin, cooked medium-rare and paired with an inches-thick slice of melt-in-your-mouth French toast. The dish is brought to life with the delightfully sweet, tart taste of a fresh raspberry mostada topping. This sweetness is balanced with a generous spread of mornay crema — a paradox of weightlessly-light, heavenly cream that reveals its blend of aged cheeses with a lingering finish. Every bite of this surprising twist on the classic dish is absolute perfection.
This surprise factor seems to permeate the entire dining experience at at Graffiti, a casual-elegant restaurant nestled in Cleveland’s Battery Park neighborhood. Graffiti’s menu spins fine-dining flair for just about every “comfort food” that a heart could desire.
The onion ring starter is a generous portion of huge, hand-battered onions, fried to a fluffy crunch and topped with bacon, scallion, and a zesty ranch sauce. The shepherd’s pie (not a pie at all) boasts a generous cut of braised lamb and includes parsnips in its mix of traditional vegetables; savory lamb gravy and colorful carrot sauce finish the dish. The Graffiti burger is a juicy, certified angus beef monster topped with goat cheese (!), fried green tomato (!!), and banana catsup (!!!), a delicious sauce spun from fresh banana peppers.
Food lovers, if you have a sweet tooth, do not pass up Graffiti’s Fat Kid 2.5. This must-eat treat features a log of country-fried, black forest cookie dough (let me say that again: country-fried cookie dough) tucked into a sundae boat with ice cream and caramel. If that isn’t enough to please, unexpected bursts of fruit flavor (there’s a sprinkling of Nerds candy atop the whipped cream!) will be sure to bring a smile to your inner fat kid’s face.
Graffiti’s unassuming restaurant frontage blends seamlessly with nearby residential properties (use your GPS, or you could miss it!), but once inside food lovers are offered a variety of dining experiences. The bar in the historic west-side building pays homage to its old speakeasy days, boasting exposed brick and dark, carved wood. The upstairs dining room can accommodate either intimate, candlelit dinners for two or large parties (reservations recommended). And the pet-friendly patio, lush with trees and vining plants, offers a beautiful view with a backyard party vibe. Wear what makes you comfortable — cat sweatshirt or suit jacket, everyone is welcome here! — but make sure to bring your appetite. You won’t be disappointed.
The verdict: Mikey likes it!
#CLEchow rating: 4.75/5.00
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