Posts Tagged ‘restaurant review’
If you’re anything like me, you know that some restaurants were just meant to be. Because sometimes, you come across a restaurant that you cannot believe you went so long without. A restaurant with a comfortable, inviting atmosphere, fresh and delicious menu and of course, amazing bread.
One of those restaurants? Mario Fazio’s.
The fact that I have been living within 15 miles of this restaurant for my entire life sickens me. I think about all the fresh-baked garlic bread I’ve been missing and my lip starts to tremble. Then I realize I’d also probably be about 15 pounds overweight. Hmmm, I think it’d still be worth it.
I was first introduced to Mario Fazio’s at the Mister’s cousin’s wedding shower. I was immediately taken its welcoming, fresh atmosphere and as soon as I tasted the food, I knew Mr. Fazio and I were meant to be. Fate brought us together and the buttered garlic bread kept bringing me back (doesn’t it always?).
Marios Fazio’s makes EVERYTHING in their own kitchen and every single dish is homemade.
My favorite part of any meal at Mario Fazio’s is the fresh-from-the-oven garlic bread and Italian SALSA! Chips and dip? NO THANKS! Not when I can enjoy buttery bread with salsa made from fresh tomatoes, onions, olives and other delicious seasonings.
Forgive the poor lighting, I was getting a bit romantic as I sang sweet Italian arias to my bread. Too far? Never.
And if you think the bread looked good, just wait until you see one of my favorite salads in the world.
Mixed greens topped with provolone cheese, walnuts, grapes, strawberries and grilled chicken.
So simple, so refreshing, MINE.
I could eat it every day. And lucky for me, I can!
But alas, I’ll try and keep myself limited to only a few visits every month or so — I’m not sure my hips would welcome the extra jiggle 
Good morning, friends! Happy Tuesday! Jeezy, after last week being so short, I have a feeling this week is going to CRAWWWL.
In any case, these delicious photos may perk you all up!
The following photos were from Friday night’s dinner at Fire in Cleveland’s Shaker Square.
We started with popovers, served with honey butter.
Me. Oh. My. These were incredible. It was basically a small version of torture knowing that each of us only got one. My advice? Play it safe and order at least two orders of these bad boys. Luckily the Mister happily gave me a portion of his knew what was good for him and forked his over to the pregnant lunatic
We also ordered a cheese plate.
As always, I loved paring the cheese with the berry preserves – such a lovely combo! I must remember this next time I’m entertaining (which is far and few between, but now that the Mister and I are moving to a bigger place, I see more hosting in our future )
Up next: the Main Course!
I ordered the seafood vera cruz, which was composed of steamed halibut, mussels, scallops and calamari served on top of seasoned rice. This was fantastic! I must find out the spices and ingredients that made up the sauce in this dish — addicting!
When I wasn’t scarfing down my food, I was admiring Tom’s pork chop – look at that baby!
Jess decided to go with the halibut, served with clam and potato chowder. She was kind enough to let me snag a bite and it was mouthwatering.
The Mister went with the Barramundi, but the picture must have looked so delicious that my camera decided to eat it.
Due to the celebratory nature of the dinner (the Mister’s last b-day hoopla!), we had to go out in style with dessert.
I ordered the popcorn caramel sundae.
No words. The server explained that they make huge tubs of butter popcorn and somehow use the “juices” to infuse this ice cream with buttery popcorn goodness. The ice cream is then topped with caramel, nuts and caramel corn. Salty, buttery, creamy, sugary — what else do you need out of life?
Confession Obvious statement: I love cheese
OK, that’s an understatement. I ADORE cheese. I CRAVE cheese. I DREAM in cheese. You get the point. Me and cheese are pretty tight.
For all you other cheese lovers out there, what if I told you I had a brilliant idea? A restaurant where the focus was: cheese. Gouda, cheddar, provolone, blue, you name it, it’s on the menu! Then what if I told you that the featured dish would be a GRILLED CHEESE sandwich — 20 different ways. Grilled cheese and veggies? DONE! Grilled cheese, onions and pierogies? DUH! Grilled cheese with bacon and fried egg? PLEASE! The list goes on…
You’d probably be pretty stoked, huh?
Too bad someone else already thought of it.
MELT.
Lucky for me a NEW location just opened up in my neighborhood (the original is on the West Side).
Melt in numbers:
5: people in our party (me, the Mister, mom, dad, bro)
90: minutes we were told the wait was
3: times we fed the parking meeter
6: times I nagged my mom to ask how much time was left before we got to sit down
1: times she actually asked
115: minutes we actually waited
3: times the Christmas Story played (the run it on a loop in the TVs)
20: plastic lawn ornaments I counted (before I lost track)
24: Grilled cheese sandwiches to choose from
12: times my stomach growled
3: Sandwiches really I wanted
60: minutes we waited for our sandwiches
3: times I tried to convince my family it’d be worth it
8: iced tea refills
5: happy tummies
Was it worth it? For me, yes. While the wait was really annoying, it gave me time to catch up with my family and spend quality time together with minimal distractions (other than my growling stomach). The food was, as expected, delicious.
I ordered the Grilled Peanut Butter, Banana and Cream Cheese Sandwich.
Dear Melt, next time, don’t skimp on the peanut butter, OK? After waiting for a few hours, I think I deserve more than a tablespoon. Otherwise, delish.
The Mister ordered the West Side Monte Cristo, which included honey ham, smoked turkey, swiss, american, beer battered and mixed berry preserves
He compared it to an orgasm. I had a bite and tend to agree. TMI? It’s OK we’re all friends.
My brother ordered The Big Popper, which had fresh jalapeno peppers, cheddar & herbed cream cheese, beer battered and mixed berry preserves.
I can’t remember what my dad ordered. And I didn’t dare get within his personal space to investigate — I know better than to mess with a hungry man
My mom was a whimp and ordered a salad. Don’t bother, I already made fun of her.
Which sandwich would you have chosen or what would make up your perfect grilled cheese sandwich?