Posts Tagged ‘restaurant review’
Remember when the Mister and I kicked off our babymoon with a Northstar Cafe breakfast? No? Well you can re-read it here.
Anyway, we paid another visit to Northstar this past weekend. This time, we decided we’d see what they could do with lunch.
No disappointments here.
Salad contained: mixed greens, dates, goat cheese, roasted chicken, almonds, corn, avocado and tomatoes (reminds me of another salad favorite!). Served with a huge chunk of freshly baked bread that I’m fairly certain Jesus himself might eat every day up in heaven. No butter required — and how often do I say that? Correct answer: never.
The simple fact, really, was that I was too lazy to walk back up to the counter and ask for some. Instead, I scarfed down the bread and then realized that just this once, I didn’t miss the butta. Could it be because I was too busy dipping it in the lemon oil vinaigrette dressing? Or calculating how much I would need to fix myself a bath of it? You betcha.
Good morning!
Happy Tuesday! Are we loving this weather or what?!
This weekend, the Mister and I had tickets to West Side Story (Tony was awful and we left at intermission, but that’s not the point of this post). We took advantage of Bean’s babysitter (thanks, Mama!) and made sure to grab dinner beforehand.
The Mister was in charge of the reservation and he selected SASA, located in Shaker Square.
SASA is Cleveland’s first izakaya. Known in Japan as a restaurant and bar that serves savory tapas style dishes, izakaya is a cross between a sit down dinner and a night at the pub. It’s a warm exchange of friendship, food, and drink.
We started with the DRINK
Hot tea — yea, we’re lame. But this was some of the best hot tea I’ve ever had. Liquid caramel? Yes. Please.
Next up? Avocado Salad. The Mister also ordered potstickers, which he gobbled down before I could snap a photo.
The avocado is hiding in the back mixed with delightful “green goddess dressing.” This salad was so fresh and flavorful – I could have eaten 3 more.
Finally – SUSHI. I kept things simple with a California roll, while the Mister enjoyed spicy tuna and yellowfin + scallion.
You really can tell a huge difference when a sushi restaurant uses fresh ingredients. The Mister and I agreed this was some of the freshest sushi we’ve had in Cleveland. The rice was also cooked to the perfect consistency — perfectly chewy, not gummy or dry!
I would have loved to stayed and ordered more little plates and drinks, but we had a show to catch (turns out we should have stayed!). Next time, we’ll make sure stop in when we have more time — there were so many delicious dishes to choose from.
Have you been to an izakaya?!
Last week I mentioned that I had a special lunch planned for Friday. Boy did I!
The Mister and I made a special date to enjoy what has now become my favorite lunch in Cleveland…
Located in the Historic Warehouse District, the ChopHouse is a comfortable steakhouse complete with handcrafted beer brewed on site, carefully selected wines, small batch bourbons and a fine array of single-malt scotches.
Can you spot the Mister?!
While I didn’t partake in the “hops,” I did enjoy quite a delicious spread.
Each meal at the Chophouse is prefaced with honey glazed cornbread — and really, should you really start dinner/lunch any other way? I think not. I of course took this over-the-top by adding more butter. Good thing I stopped at one piece. Balance, people, balance.
But it was OK because I had this baby on the way.
The Chop Chop Salad — mother of all salads. Contained: crisp greens, grilled chicken, garbanzo beans, roasted pumpkin seeds, gouda, sundried blueberries and avocado.
And this is what makes a long work week bearable – knowing that every now and then I have a lunch date waiting for me — with an amazing salad, of course. And cornbread, lots of cornbread. With an extra side of butter 
What lunch do you enjoy to make it through a tough work week? Do you pack something special? Make a trip to starbucks? Take a fancy lunch with friends? Share!