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life from the ground up

Real living in a processed world.

Restaurant Review: Le Bistro du Beaujolais

By: Gabecomment

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A recent foray to the West side had us looking for dining options in the area, since we don’t make it out that far very often. Our search led us right into the heart of the French countryside.

Not the actual France, but probably just about the closest thing to it in Cleveland. Owned and operated by Georges and Claudie, a couple of French immigrants, Le Bistro du Beaujolais is a piece of their home country relocated to the Rust Belt, to our enjoyment and good fortune. Located in the heart of Olmsted Falls (adorable town, by the way) in a cute old 1830s home, stepping inside is like walking into a different world.

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Restaurant Review: West End Bistro

By: Gabecomment

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Located in an old house in the middle of downtown Chagrin Falls, West End Bistro is nothing if not quaint. While the constraints of a house make for an interesting layout, with the kitchen and bar downstairs and a smallish dining room on the second floor (there’s also ample seating out on the patio, though it didn’t do us much good in December), it doesn’t detract from the experience.

The menu, perhaps intentionally coordinated to fit the space, is also on the small side, with a few starters, salads, and about a half-dozen options for each of the pizza and entree sections. Small though it may be, the menu isn’t lacking for variety, and most people should be able to find something to suit their tastes from amongst the mostly American-with-a-twist fares.

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The Inn on Coventry

By: Gabecomment

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During a recent day off around the holidays, we took the kids out to breakfast (and once again wondered why we continue to take E anywhere…). Since we expected it to be eventful, we wanted something low-key and simple, which eventually led us to the Inn on Coventry.

The Inn on Coventry has been a neighborhood staple for over 30 years, and specializes in low-key. If you want a no-frills, down-to-earth diner that serves up simple home-style fare, this is your place. Close your eyes, and you can almost imagine yourself back in grandma’s kitchen.

The menu consists mostly of breakfast staples (which is served all day), but also has a selection of non-breakfast items (though why bother with that?).

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Restaurant Review: Crop Kitchen

By: Gabecomment

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Ever since we discovered Crop Bistro last summer, it’s been in our upper echelon of local restaurants. When we found out that the owners were opening a new joint over in University Circle, Crop Kitchen jumped to the top of our must-try list.

Crop Kitchen is located in the same space as the former Accent restaurant (which we never made it to before they closed) – the space is beautiful and open, with tall ceilings, a wall of windows, and an open kitchen (above which large chalkboards are mounted to display the daily specials). Definitely a casual vibe that just screams for a group affair, which is what we had last week: most of my siblings and various significant others (eight in all) got together for dinner before enjoying a concert at Severance Hall.

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Restaurant Review: Cowell and Hubbard

By: Gabecomment

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We’ve been trying to get out to Cowell and Hubbard since it opened a couple years ago (where does the time go?), but have been holding out to pair it with a show at Playhouse Square. Well, that show hasn’t happened since before C was born… four years ago. Until recently, when we finally had a chance to make good on that promise and enjoy an honest-to-goodness date night. That’s right – we were gone for almost six hours, enjoying a dinner at Cowell and Hubbard and following that up with the opening night performance of Newsies (which I highly recommend).

First impression upon walking in – it’s pretty dark (certainly not helped by the fact that the clocks just changed and it was dark [and rainy] outside by 5:30). It’s also pretty cozy – we noted that several of Zach Bruell’s restaurants seem to be a little more tightly packed than others that we’ve been to, and here too, I could have held hands with a number of other diners nearby. Not a big deal, just don’t expect to have any private conversations unless you’re fluent in telepathy. But it is a nice space, with a big open kitchen for your viewing pleasure. The lighting and seating definitely give it a romantic vibe. Not good for pictures though 🙂

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