Evan Eats…Columbus

Okay, a quick deviation from my usual. I went on a quick trip to Columbus. I ate brunch at 2 very highly acclaimed local establishments. Skillet in German village is Zagat rated and I love the use of local ingredients ( I guess now it is Zuzik rated…bahaha). The website lists where they get practically everything.  Unfortunately, although I got pictures of the food I didn’t get one of the menu, so I don’t remember all the details or prices. The dishes are slightly different every day. Check out their website Skillet. Rustic. Urban. Food  This omelet had a wonderful roasted chicken as well as cheddar, apples and butternut squash.  Not at all like a normal omelet. Not sure why the idea of chicken with eggs seems weird to me but this was so immensely satisfying that I got over it. Also, you know where the produce, eggs, and meat come from, which is phenomenal. Our server seemed so passionate about the food as well as the ingredients.
  This was the rather high-end sweet and savory French toast. I got the last order, everything is so local and sourced that they don’t have extras.

My strange observation about Skillet and Katalina’s (Sunday’s brunch location) was that both of them were TINY (with seating of 20 and 12 total). Despite this, both were recommended by numerous people. I struggle to think of a Cleveland institution that boasts high praise while having such little seating.

Katalina’s is known for the pancake balls, which you can get with various fillings such as dolce de leche, Nutella or (I had) apple-pumpkin butter. They were delightful and served with super thick, sweet but spiced bacon. I also had blood orange juice, which was much more enjoyable than most things with blood orange, which I often find to be too tangy.  Their menu, and the website are pretty impressive, especially for such a microscopic sized location. Katalina’s

As anyone who knows me can attest, aside from food, my other passion is conservation/zoology (hence working at zoos for 7 years). One of the reasons I go to Columbus is to visit Emily who I worked with back in the day, and she is one of the most awesome people I know.  Playing with the animals she works with at the zoo is always a plus.  Look at those eyes! This is an Amur leopard, one of the rarest cats in the world. There are perhaps less than 100 wild individuals.  Once she started climbing on me it became impossible to get a good picture.
  I’ve seen Trout the African black-footed penguin grow from a fuzzy chick to an adult who, unlike most penguins, really enjoys people. Friendly, still smelly though.
 All the flamingos are named after Arrested Development characters. This one seemed particularly interested in preening my hair. I did get to see a few animals that I worked with, which is nostalgic and fun.

Every time I go to Columbus I make sure to go to Le Chocoholique on High Street.  These Chocolates are so insanely beautiful as well as unique in flavor and just amazing in every way.   I realize 2 dollars or more for a tiny truffle is extravagant but this is a splurge I’m okay with.

  … Check out all the flavors here but I’ll admit they are much more impressive in person. Today’s pieces were: (Back row)

Key Lime Dream: A mini pie crust made of dark chocolate is filled with a sweet and sour white chocolate and Key Lime ganache. I don’t really think of lime and chocolate as a good combination, but I am sometimes wrong. It’s amazing how much flavor can be in one bite.

The Tipsy Apple: Creamy milk chocolate Bar Gin melts in your mouth when the Brothers Drake Apple Pie Mead is bitten into.  Every time I go I ask the employee at the counter which is their favorite. This one is always mentioned.  However, the first time I had it I was not warned that it should be eaten in one bite to make sure the liquid inside doesn’t get everywhere.

Aromatic Yuzu from East Asia paired with sweet and creamy white chocolate ganache. Yuzu is a unique flavor and pairs well with the white chocolate. I know white chocolate isn’t technically chocolate, but in this case, it is smooth and delectable.

(Front row)

Brownie Mountain: Chocolate lovers will revel as sheer milk chocolate walls give way to a molten, gooey brownie batter filling. This one was only okay, it wasn’t bad in any way but was just like a really good meltaway type candy, nothing unique. I should have opted for an herbal or more unusual flavor combination.

Creme Brulee Truffle: Milk chocolate shell surrounds a Madagascar Vanilla bean, ivory chocolate center. Again, good but not outstanding.
 As in that wasn’t enough cocoa, I wanted a hot chocolate, soooo decadent. I don’t know if I will ever say “that was too much chocolate” but I was pretty close on this day, also it was still rather early in the day.  Le Chocoholique also has fancy pastries and distinct dessert cocktails.  I will continue to go and patronize this shop because I like living in a world where beautiful, handcrafted candies exist.

Stopped by Grandpa’s cheese barn on the way home.  Aside from what seems like 300 kinds of cheese to sample (I felt guilty for taking so much free dairy and bought some truffle cheddar). Also, this is something they sell. I haven’t had lucky charms in probably 22 years and found this really entertaining.  #fancyfood

My birthday is coming up so there will mostly be a Cleveland based entry about that meal (or more likely, meals).

Shout-out to my students who read this, especially those who quote it during class or tell me it influences what restaurants they go to. I currently get to talk about food resources in my enivro class (which, as you can imagine, is fun for me…despite my tendency to get off topic).

Have a place that I should try out? Let me know

SASA

Outside of my work hours I have logged over 24 hours grading this week. (as of this writing I only have  a few more labs to grade).  Eating and talking about food is a nice distraction.

I have been meaning to try SASA in Shaker Square for awhile now (actually one of my Bio students works there, but she was not in at the day of my visit, since she was obviously home studying for her final). This Japanese-fusion place has a cool, but expected vibe. I have never been to Japan but based on my experience in American restaurants I’m guessing every single building is decorated in shiny red,  stark black and white, with square tables and plates.  Actually, this place is a rather nice and simple, although I still don’t know if I think the paper geisha umbrellas hanging from the ceiling are cool or slightly tacky.

SASA has a daily happy hour at the bar and all days everywhere on Monday. On this occasion Sam and I got the happy hour small plates, although I can assure I will be going back to try the sushi dishes, which have a special discount on Weds (I pretend that going for specials is cheaper, but in reality I just end up trying more items so it all evens out).  All the offerings on the happy hour menu are 6 dollars, including drinks.  Our waitress was very excited to recommend items and I was excited to try them. Actually after a few minutes I realized she had enthusiastically talked about almost everything. For me, it is a good sign when an employee is so eager to talk about the food, I went with her first recommendations for the most part.

  typical Japanese restaurant decor, but don’t let that trick you into thinking the food is typical.   Pork-belly Kushiyaki. Bacon-y,  fatty, charred, little sweet potato crispies and a delightful sweet glaze.  I liked the glaze so much I did the classy version of licking the plate clean (I scrapped it off the plate with fries).  Pork belly is essentially thick bacon, so obviously this is delicious.
   The happy hour menu.  The waitress did recommend the ribs and I saw another table of patrons with them, they did look very nice.  (I did not take my notebook in to take notes, and now I wish the menu gave some sort of description of the components).   It’s called a clay-pot, a stew that was Asian and hearty but didn’t taste particularly Japanese.  There was some spice that I could not place, which is unusual for me, as I like to pretend I have a superior pallet (it’s only true when it comes to chocolate). I liked it, don’t know if I would order it again, just to try something else.  It was very well seasoned and you could also get it with tofu. I was mildly annoyed that it wasn’t in an actual clay pot.
  Kobe Beef Gyoza.  Well done, perfectly crispy on the outside and nicely seasoned. These were exactly what I expected, so tasty but not innovative.

Also, and item that is very easy to eat with chop-sticks, because that is important.  I forgot to note what the non-happy hour price of the items we are were (most I believe were $ 8 or 9, which in my opinion would be a little much to pay for only 3, but for only six dollars I was okay with it).   I am getting  very near 30 and I have never before had sake. Two semesters of college Japanese taught me a only a few things but I do remember that the drink is pronounced “sock-aye” (not “sock-Ee” like how many people incorrectly refer to it). The dcalled Purple Haze, and served warm with blackberry liqueur. I didn’t hate it. It made my throat tingle, and that combined with the berry flavor did make me think of cough medicine initially, but after a few sips I enjoyed it.  I don’t know if I will go out of my way to drink more sake, but I’m glad I can finally say I had it.
  Last, but certainly not least, SASA fries. Everyone who has been here will speak very highly about the fries. They are fried twice, so very crispy and wonderful. When they came out I liked the presentation, then I realized the “paper” was actually wanton (and yes , I dipped it in the sauce). There was a spicy aoli and a really unique apple barbecue sauce for dipping, both were superb. It’s a pretty big portion but I could have easily eaten the entire thing by myself. The waitress mentioned that the fries have won prizes (how do I get the gig being the judge for such a thing?), and it totally makes sense. These are definitely notable potatoes.   Not sure if these are my absolute favorite fries in Cleveland ( Bar Cento/bier mrkt has the lovely rosemary pomme frites  that get that designation from me) but these are definitely near the top of my list.

 

For a first sampling, I really enjoyed SASA The food was fun, the presentation was appealing, the prices for the happy hour were fantastic,and  the ambiance was nice and cool, if a little expected.  I will go back, and am always happy when I try out new places in my neighborhood that impress me.  Woot East Side!

 

 

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So, not a full review, but Deegan’s in Lakewood changed up their wonderful brisket Mac with Gouda and spinach. This has been on my short list of fav dishes for years now. I was worried when it came out and didn’t look the same, but the taste is the same. So decedent and lovely and the new change to a  squiggly pasta was a great choice. If you are cold and want something comforting, go.  Yes “squiggly pasta” is how I am describing the noodle, and I’m sticking to it.