First, we at Cleveland Chow would like to acknowledge that it’s been a hot minute since we’ve blogged. For that, we apologize. But after taking a break for the holidays, we are excited to dive back in to the Cleveland food scene in 2018.
And we are absolutely loving Luxe.
We’ve promised a review of Luxe for some time now, and since then we’ve taken in all that this treasure of a restaurant has to offer (three times, to be exact!). We simply can’t stay away from this place. The Mediterranean-Italian bistro, situated in the heart of the Gordon Square Arts district, offers outstanding food paired with a welcoming, enthusiastic, and down-to-earth vibe. Luxe is popular with Clevelanders for a reason: it is something special.
What makes it so special? My goodness, the food. Luxe offers a wide variety of options for all tastes and desires, including traditional, seafood, and vegan cuisines. For an appetizer, we highly recommend the roasted cauliflower gratin; its perfectly al dente cauliflower florets baked in a garlic- and bacon-infused parmesean cheese sauce are certain to light up your taste buds. Recurring menu favorites like the ricotta gnocci — which features melt-in-your-mouth beef short ribs atop delicate, handmade gnocci in a creamy and well-balanced gorgonzola and mushroom sauce — will keep food lovers coming back for more. The smoked gouda mac and cheese, topped with buttermilk-fried boneless chicken, is comfort food at its finest. And if you’re craving a burger, the bison is sure to please; served on a warm brioche bun and topped with cappicola, smoked cheddar, garlic aioli, and a fried egg, this burger is nothing short of perfection.
But the biggest draw for food lovers is the rotating, seasonal menu. Every visit brought us new options from Luxe’s hand-chalked “specials” board, including a beautiful bone-in pork chop with apple chutney and roasted peaches (pictured) and a generous portion of perfectly-cooked scallops over creamy corn polenta. Even my dad — a staunch meat and potatoes man — was right at home with a seasonal special: an enormous ribeye steak with apple slaw, served over smashed garlic potatoes and roasted carrots.
For Luxe, quality food and outstanding service are clearly the focus. The friendly and enthusiastic staffers outright hustle for their patrons — from the hostess to the table bussers and everyone in between, the team has only their diners’ best experience in mind. Food lovers will also enjoy the eclectic, casual, and unpretentious sensibility that Luxe has to offer. From its mismatched, flea market flatware and vintage sevice items to the building’s original tin ceilings and bank-vault-made-wine-storage, Luxe proudly displays its shabby chic spirit of recycle-reuse-repurpose. What’s not to love?
Dinner with the ‘rents, date night, or a larger party? Luxe fits the bill. Primarly a walk-in restaurant, Luxe only accepts reservations for parties of six or more, so expect a reasonable wait for a table on a busy weekend night. But no worries — they’ll call you when your table is ready. In the meantime, take full advantage of the neighborhood and explore the unique boutiques and shops along Detroit, or test your skills at Superelectric Pinball Parlor up the block while you wait.
The verdict? Mikey likes it!
#CLEchow rating: 4.75/5.00
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