L’Albatros Brasserie + Bar

Posted on by clevelandchow

We were really looking forward to having an amazing meal.  After all, it had been a rough night.

It started innocently enough as an impromptu attempt at a romantic evening.  Mikey had to work late on a Friday, so Al got the great idea to take an Uber to meet him after work.  The plan was to rendezvous at the fountain at Tower City, then we would would steal away to a quiet dinner downtown.

But as luck would have it, Mikey got stuck in an elevator in the M. K. Ferguson building, and a security guard escorted Al away from the fountain (“you can’t stay here, ma’am — the mall is closed”).  So instead of enjoying a carefree start to the evening, Al conspicuously circled the Tower City food court in her floor-length gown while Mikey sweat it out waiting for his rescue by the fire department.

Ninety minutes later, we were finally on the road to L’Albatros, a wildly popular upscale restaurant on Cleveland’s east side.

[Incidentally, the French l’albatros translates simply to “the albatross.”  Renowned restaurateur Zack Bruell reportedly chose this name as a homage to his love of golf (an albatross is another name for a double eagle, or three under par), but for us on this particular night, the sea bird’s nod to a burden or a curse seemed fitting.  Ah, the irony.  Read on.]

After we arrived, and our hostess directed us to a separate menu for “aggressively-priced wines” (her words, not ours), we feasted our eyes on the long-awaited prize: the dinner menu.  The menu at L’Albatros, characterized as French contemporary or French fusion, feels a bit confused.  Certainly, a French influence abounds.  Escargots and pates, confit preparations, and (happily!) a classic croque monsieur are enticing and decidedly French options that diners will undoubtedly enjoy.  The confusion comes with the “fusion” portion, which covers more than half of the menu page: an assortment of pizzas, multiple entrees paired with spatzle or sauerkraut, and the award-winning crown jewel of the menu (drum roll please)… a burger?  We were shook.

In an attempt to stay true to our French dining expectations, we finally settled on the charcuterie platter appetizer (pictured), which paired classically-prepared pates and delightfully meaty mousses with pickled vegetables,  herbed croutons, and a smoky whole grain Dijon mustard.  It was a good start.

This was followed by the potage du jour — on this night, a chilled watermelon beet soup topped with crème fraiche and onion chive.  A gorgeous presentation of deep red broth shining from its bowl, the surprisingly delicate soup was incredibly well balanced, with subtle notes of each flavor complimenting the other.  Unfortunately, the cold soup was served in an enormous portion that mismatched its delicacy and long outlived its novelty.

It went downhill from there.  For a main course, Al ordered the ineptly named “Chicken Breast” entrée, which promised roast chicken paired with caramelized fennel, potato mousseline, and goat cheese.  Instead, it could have been named “Goat Cheese and Some Other Stuff You Won’t Taste,” because the entire presentation was drowning in a heavy goat cheese sauce that completely overpowered the dish.  Mikey ordered the duck confit with braised cabbage, substituting crispy breaded cauliflower for the usual sweet potato puree.  As it turned out, the cauliflower was a good choice, because it was the only thing on his plate that was up to par.  The duck was so dry that it rivaled Cousin Catherine’s turkey from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.  On further inspection, the bottom quarter-inch of the meat, hidden amongst the cabbage in a cassoulet dish, was burnt black.  But we were hungry, so we ate.

The experience wasn’t all bad.  We have to acknowledge the fantastic staff at L’Albatros.  The hostess was more than happy to accommodate our repeated changes to the reservation throughout the night, and she greeted us with a cheerful “so happy you made it out of the elevator!” when we finally arrived.  Our waiter was attentive and pleasant, despite the very late hour and our presence in an otherwise vacant dining room.  He recognized the disaster that was the duck confit without our prompt or complaint.  He apologized profusely, and he took it upon himself to refund the entrée without question.

Situated in a quaint, historic carriage house on the campus of Case Western Reserve University, the restaurant itself is a bit of a contradiction.  The exterior suggests welcoming coziness nestled amongst the otherwise imposing stone-faced and stoic buildings of the University Circle neighborhood.  Step inside, and this welcoming façade is juxtaposed with stark white furnishings, minimalist table settings, and ultra-modern décor.

So… overall, it was not the vibe we had expected, and we didn’t get our amazing meal.  We were very disappointed, to say the least.  But based on the popularity of the place, we have to hope that — like us — L’Albatros was simply having a rough night.

The verdict?  Mikey no likey.

#CLEchow rating: 2.50/5.00

L’Albatros Brasserie + Bar / 11401 Bellflower Road / Cleveland, OH 44106 / (216) 791-7880 / albatrosbrasserie.com
Nearby:  Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Cultural Gardens, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, Lakeview Cemetery, Severance Hall, Western Reserve Historical Society

 

Crop Bistro & Bar

Posted on by clevelandchow

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

 

 

Corleone’s Ristorante & Bar

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Food lovers, if you are looking for an amazing Italian meal, look no further than Corleone’s Ristorante and Bar.  The Parma establishment — a shining jewel situated in an otherwise modest shopping plaza — offers a a rare and refreshing fine dining experience in an area dominated by chain restaurants and fast food.   Great for happy hour (calling all employees of Rockside Road!) or for any special occasion, Corleone’s serves up excellent, authentic Italian eats from the antipasto to the dolce.

For antipasti starters, we highly recommend the stuffed peppers, a spicy trio of enormous banana peppers overflowing with savory sausage and topped with fontina and marinara.  Seafood lovers will also enjoy the scallops, perfectly seared and beautifully plated with roasted zucchini and a fresh tomato bruschetta relish.  Diners could easily make their meals from one or two of Corleone’s generous antipasti plates — but why stop there?

Bursting with traditional Italian flavor and paired with rich sauces and bright, house-made marinara, the entrees at Corleone’s are not to be ignored.  In addition to its pasta specialties, Corelone’s features a number of  delicious seafood, veal, chicken, and even vegan options.  The veal Trivisonno (pictured) matches generous cuts of perfectly-tender breaded veal medallions with salty prosciutto and creamy mozzarella.  The dish is topped with portobello mushrooms in a sherry cream sauce.  The chicken Luciano stars lightly-floured and delicately-fried artichokes and costars tomatoes, spinach, and capers in a rich, roasted red pepper sauce.  The vegan portobello steak, drizzled with a traditional balsalmic reduction, features a huge portobello cap atop a generous bed of garlicky tomatoes, spinach, zucchini, and squash.  And for classic Italian fare, no one in the Greater Cleveland area beats Corleone’s eggplant rollatini, a flavorful, endlessly-layered, three-cheese masterpiece of a dish.

Corelone’s main dining room, with cushy booth spaces and small, candlelit tabletops, offers the perfect backdrop for an intimate date night meal.  Larger parties can gather in either the private dining room or in the dine-in bar, a space dominated by gorgeous floor-to-ceiling wine storage and chic chandeliers.  And the patio at Corelone’s — one of the most beautiful in the area — is a lush oasis of countless flowering plants, large-scale artwork, and overhead garden lighting.

The verdict?  Mikey likes it!

#CLEchow rating:  4.25/5.00

Corleone’s Ristorante & Bar / 5669 Broadview Road / Parma, OH 44134 / (216) 741-0220 / corleonescleveland.com
Nearby: The Cassidy Theatre, Club Impulse, Cinemark at Valley View

Red, the Steakhouse – Cleveland

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Red, the Steakhouse has earned rave reviews, so naturally we wanted to investigate the hype for ourselves.  Turns out, the hype is well-deserved.  The perfect backdrop for a special celebration or a night on the town, Red serves up near-perfect cuisine in its modern, bustling urban restaurant.

We say “near-perfect” because our meal got off to a disappointing start with the Maryland lump crab cakes, an appetizer that did not deliver.  Yes, the dish had visual appeal — the cakes were garnished with colorful tomatoes, scallion, pickled red onion, and roasted corn that played in nice contrast to the cast-iron service.  (Aside from the added color, however, there’s absolutely no reason to serve corn kernels with crab cakes.  Enough said.)  Sadly, the garnish added most of the much-needed flavor to the dish, as the tomato aioli had little to offer.  The crab cakes themselves were overpowered with bread filler, and they failed to hold together on the fork.

Thankfully, the rest of the meal rose to the occasion.  The beautiful tomato and mozzarella salad was full of flavor, featuring locally-sourced yellow heirloom tomatoes stacked end-to-end with thick slices of fresh cheese.  The filet mignon was a thick, quality cut that was cooked and seasoned with care.  And the lobster tail — a special on the night of our visit — was 16 ounces of melt-in-your mouth delight.   (Sixteen ounces, people!  It was as big as Mikey’s forearm!)

Food lovers, it’s time to get serious: if you dine at Red, you must order the cauliflower gratin.  Featuring roasted cauliflower baked with prosciutto and cheddar cheese, this family-style signature side dish was the highlight of our meal.  From the perfect al dente crunch of the vegetable to the buttery bread crumb topping, every bite is a burst of pure joy.  Even the wait staff raved that they can’t get enough of the stuff.

Since we were celebrating Mikey’s birthday on the night of our visit, the highly-engaged staff at Red presented us with a plate of their house-made donut holes (despite our protests – we were full!).  The warm, inviting confection was paired with a trio of made-from-scratch sauces: raspberry, chocolate, and salted caramel.  (We made room — they were fantastic.)

The restaurant floor is a wide-open room with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic.  The adjacent bar is a sexy space that buzzes with downtown vibe.  Plan to flaunt your little black dress — but be sure to make your reservation in advance.  And expect to spend some money for this upscale dining experience.

Don’t feel like braving the downtown crowds?  Check out Red’s flagship location in Beachwood, located about 15 miles outside of the city on Cleveland’s east side.

The verdict?  Mikey likes it!

#CLEchow Rating: 4.50/5.00

Red, the Steakhouse / 417 Prospect Avenue / Cleveland, OH 44115 / (216) 664-0941 / www.redthesteakhouse.com
Nearby:  Jack Casino, Progressive Field, Quicken Loans Arena, House of Blues Cleveland, Hilarities 4th Street Theatre