If you are looking for an awe-inspiring dining experience, Crop Bistro & Bar is the place to be in Cleveland. Located in Ohio City’s historic United Bank Building, the restaurant floor at Crop boasts grand marble columns, soaring decorated ceilings, and unbelievable mural artistry — all beautifully restored from the building’s Jazz Age origins. The place itself is a feast for hungry eyes.
The breathtaking grandeur of this backdrop is tough to beat, but happily Crop’s menu options are just as impressive. Hearty, earthy dishes are served with enough tradition to match the setting — and with more than enough flair to woo today’s food lovers.
The menu at Crop changes frequently to match local and regional food sources, so diners can expect to choose from only the freshest seasonal pairings for seafood, steaks, lamb, and chicken entrees. At our most recent visit we went the meat-and-potatoes route, and the traditional dishes were prepared in a way that we can only describe as ultimate 1950s housewife love. The fork-tender prime short ribs, paired with wild mushroom demi glace and whipped garlic potatoes, were a melt-in-your-mouth delight. And the ribeye steak — so enormous that it eclipsed the edges of the plate — was chargrilled perfection paired with duck-fat-fried potatoes and a side of creamed spinach that we wanted to swim in, it was so good. Needless to say, we were more happy and satisfied than Ward Cleaver coming home to a meal that June had lovingly prepared for the table.
We will say that the entrees are the absolute stars of Crop’s menu. We expected a bit more from the appetizers — for instance, the strong, competing flavors of chorizo and black bean featured in the cherry bomb appetizer (pictured) completely overpowered the dish’s namesake: a delicate, wonton-wrapped cherry tomato. While the dish was gorgeous in its presentation, the tomato could have been absent and we would not have noticed. And after sampling both the pistachio cheesecake and the featured chocolate Crop Cake, we felt the desserts were little more than freezer-box ordinary. Our advice: enjoy an appetizer or two, but skip dessert and indulge in the main courses.
If you and your party are giant food nerds (we are!), then you must request to be seated at the Chef’s Table. Patrons perched at the marble counter will enjoy watching the controlled chaos of the kitchen as plate after delectable plate makes its way to the pass. And for a special food lovers’ experience, weeknight patrons can opt for a 4-, 6-, or 11-course food tasting experience with optional wine pairing.
Finally, brunch… my goodness, Crop brunch. The weekend morning buffet serves up towers of fresh fruit, impressive platters of crab legs and other seafood options, a meat carving station, and vegetarian dishes in addition to traditional breakfast fare (hello, made-to-order omelets). While it may feel a bit pricey if you’re not a drinker — the all-you-can-eat ticket includes a choice of one mimosa or Bloody Mary per adult — just make sure you arrive hungry. The dazzling presentation and broad selection of high-quality, tasty eats will not disappoint.
The verdict? Mikey likes it!
#CLEchow rating: 4.75/5.00
Crop Bistro & Bar / 2537 Lorain Avenue / Cleveland, OH 44113 / (216) 696-2767 / cropbistro.com
Nearby: West Side Market, West 25th Street, The Flats, Quicken Loans Arena, Progressive Field
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