The Breckenridge Tap House @ Oscar's – An elevated taco experience

Don't you love when you have this gut feeling about a place and it pays off better than you even expected?

Taking a day off after three straight days of amazing Colorado skiing, we decided to lazily meander Breckenridge's busy Main Street. It’s a street packed to the gills with various coffee houses, boutiques, pubs and restaurants. A day can easily slip by in the dizzying array of tantalizing scents, sights and sounds. We were drawn to Oscar’s of Breckenridge – Tacos, Tequila, Whiskey – and their Tap House with its rustic, cool decor, and decided on a quick (if a bit early!) beer. With 34 beers on tap, you're sure to find something interesting to try. We went for local brews, and while enjoying them glanced over the menu and were intrigued. We weren’t hungry, so we continued weaving our way thru the town. All the while we kept thinking about Oscar's menu. We knew they had a great happy hour, so it was inevitable we would go back and conclude our day there. Their menu states “An elevated taco experience…” and is right on. It is amazing to have so much precise flavor complexity in every single taco bite.

We started with the Chips and Guac. So good and fresh. Served with a roasted red pepper sauce on the side. We had several of their creative ala carte taco offerings: Blackened Mahi Mahi, Slow Braised Carnitas, and Chef's Choice Seasonal Sautéed Veg tacos. Every single ingredient had its place and stood out, while being the perfect complement to every other ingredient.

Our server, Ashaley Lynn Reynaga also deserves a huge round of applause for being both knowledgeable of the entire pub/restaurant, and for being so accommodating with our usual barrage of menu, ingredient and restaurant questions. She really made the experience.

Oscar's was that unexpected surprise on our trip – of being drawn somewhere and ending up with a truly memorable experience. We love when that happens. Don’t you?

Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Certified Organic at Frickaccio's

What do diatomaceous earth and fish bladders have in common? You'd have to have attended Monday night's Les Dames d'Escoffier meeting at Frickaccio's in Fairview Park to know!

Photo by Gloria Kemer

Frickaccio's Owner, Dame Terry Frick and Chef Todd Rothman prepared a fantastic evening for lucky Cleveland Dames, full of demonstrations and tips for healthy and delicious vegan cooking, served with vegan wine.

Vegan wine? Isn't all wine vegan? Actually, no it is not. Dame Maggie Harrison educated us on the various methods used to fine (or filter and clarify) wines, which include straining it through dried egg whites or, less commonly, dehydrated fish bladder. Vegan wines use an alternate method. When seeking out vegan or vegetarian wines, one should look for un-fined wines, however, this is not something one can simply find on the label. Maggie noted Barnivore.com as a terrific resource for vegan wine, beer and liquor.

Oh, and if you are looking for gluten-free wines, seek out unoaked varietals. Oak barrel produced wines use wheat paste.

Dinner consisted of an abundant progressive tasting menu, balancing between lighter and heartier dishes, with explanations of flavors, ingredients, and processes along the way. Dames tried various gluten-free and vegan breads and spreads, an organic veggie pizza bagel, Chef Todd's vegan version of a crab cake (made with shredded hearts of palm), portobello bisque, strawberry / hazelnut salad, vegan paprikash, and an almond milk "ice cream" and flourless chocolate cake.

At the conclusion of dinner, Terry demonstrated making fresh almond milk in the Vitamix.

She then took us on a tour of the new facility and kitchen, and introduced us to Helga, her workhorse of a mixer! Frickaccio's does all of its baking on-site and sends product out to its West Side Market store and retailers, including Heinen's, whom she cites as a terrific partner. Frickaccio's offers around 10 varieties of certified-organic pizza dough balls, including gluten-free They are also trying something new with the new location – an eat-in cafe. Chef Todd looks to introduce creative vegan fare to the cafe-style menu.

Thank you, Frickaccio's, for hosting such an interesting, informative, and tasty evening!

Happy Hour at Light Bistro

If you're looking for a really nice happy hour with a chic ambience and great food and drink specials, stop in at Ohio City's Light Bistro. The bar food menu items are $5 during happy hour, and it's not a small list. There is a nice range of choices from a mac and cheese of the day to a specialty burger. We had the very tasty oven-dried tomato pesto flatbread and the fried clams. There are featured wine pours (a red and a white) for $5, outrageously inexpensive beer and many interesting cocktail specials, too. And bonus – it goes past 6pm! Happy Hour is offered Monday – Friday from 2:30 – 7pm. Of course, the dinner menu looked sumptuous too, but we had a date with Ingenuity Fest.

We used to go to Light Bistro all the time for the Vegetarian dinners, but thought they had discontinued them. We were happy to find out they do still run them, they just do not send out emails any more. So we liked them on Facebook to be in the know.

We also learned about their upcoming new restaurant in Hudson, Peachtree Southern Kitchen & Cocktails, which is now on our list to try when it opens this November. We wish them the best on their new endeavor.

Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry.

Vaccaro's Trattoria, Fairlawn

If you have ever driven south down I-77 to Fairlawn, you may have noticed Vaccaro's Trattoria, an Italian restaurant right off of the Ghent Road exit. Many times we have glanced over and thought, "we have to check that place out one of these times"… so we finally did. And trust us, we will be stopping in again and again.

As soon as you get into the menu you realize that there is something special going on here. The details in preparation. Let's start with the complimentary bread and herbed oil. The bread, nutty and chewy pairs perfectly with the special blend of oil, sweet Balsamic, and loads of fragrant herbs. We asked our server Lawrence about it and was delighted that he was not only able to answer our first question, he was able to answer the multitude after that. We tend to ask a lot of questions when we like a place. Lawrence was well-versed in the menu, the preparation and the restaurant in general, and extremely helpful with all of our choices for the evening.

Moving on, we ordered a bottle of Anarkos Vigneto Puglia from Italy. It was nicely priced, and had one of Vaccaro's menu indicators that it was a recommended bottle. In fact, when our server brought it, the bartender enthusiastically commented that it was a great bottle. And indeed, it was deep, lush, velvety, and wonderful.

After reading a little poster about the history, we learned that the city of Akron once issued an official proclamation calling Mr. Vaccaro the Pizza King of Akron. Once again, we asked Lawrence who told us the story. We were hooked and had to try one of their signature pizzas, the Bianca Quattro Formaggio, as an appetizer. This pizza was so authentically homemade, with the biggest, fluffiest, chewy dough and the perfect crunch. Truly a pizza you just don't find on every street corner. Each cheese flavor was pronounced, so you could appreciate each one. Bravo Mr. Vaccaro, the Pizza King of Akron! We decided we would definitely visit the cozy little bar area for a pizza and wine night and try to make our way through all the offerings.

For the entree, I enjoyed building my own pasta, ordering the house-made ricotta cavatelli. I couldn't decide between sauces, so I had half their rich, creamy Alfredo and half their robust marinara. I chose the perfectly cooked and seasoned mushrooms, and was delighted that the zucchini was actually so-tender baby zucchinis. Both vegetables were plentiful, and all of the flavors played perfectly together.

We split a side of Brussels Sprouts Gratin which were tasty, garlicky and covered in Pecorino-Romano. Love those vegetables.

He had the Herbed Organic Chicken Breast, on a bed of creamy farro, with large grilled whole onions, baby carrots, and fried onions on top. This is a boneless preparation with the exception of the little drumstick. Very easy to eat and enjoy. Getting a little bit of everything at once really made the whole dish. Great favor-intense sauce, perfectly moist chicken, and the bottom farro was really a treat. Chewy and awesome. Wish there was more of it.

We do wish we had room for dessert, because the menu was quite tempting, and if the desserts were anywhere close to the entrees and pizza, they must be delicious. Next visit!

We dined on the patio, because it was a gorgeous evening, but the interior is elegant and roomy. There is a cozy bar area that seems perfect for dining alone or just for a pizza. We're so glad we finally made it to Vaccaro's Trattoria.

Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry.

The Barrio - Part 2 - Lakewood

Our latest visit to The Barrio was to their new location in Lakewood. Dare I say, it is even cooler than the Tremont restaurant, or at least larger and much easier to get seated. The decor is very fun with Day of the Dead murals on all walls, a bicycling skeleton suspended above head, festive lights, and a unique chandelier made out of liquor bottles.

The menu is the same with build-your-own custom tacos, which were delicious, although we agreed they were a little spicier than Tremont's version. Then again, one person at our table ordered the Ghost-Pepper sauce, so... caliente doesn't cover it. First he began turning red and sweating, and finally admitted he was on fire.

Read our earlier post from June 1, 2012 for more details, and be sure to check out either Barrio location, with their cool and interesting twist on the taco experience.

Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry.

The Oak Barrel

After reading an article about The Oak Barrel and learning that a previous chef from Deagan's had opened this new restaurant in Valley View, we had to check it out. We had never visited the space, which was previously Hoggy's. As usual, we took a quick look online. The website seemed to be still under construction, but the menu was very promising. We decided to check it out on Taco Tuesday and are really glad we did!

The first thing we noticed was the awesome patio with an open-pit fireplace and oak barrels all around. Very inviting, and I suspect we will find ourselves there often this summer. The interior entrance is expansive and surprising. Straight ahead is a two-level dining room with both intimate tables and long tables suitable for community dining and large parties. We were told the upstairs is mostly for events and large parties as well as overflow for the busy weekends.

We opted for the large bar area because it seemed lively. We immediately noticed the intriguing, rare craft beers set along the bar, and the incredibly extensive craft beer list. We learned that they rotate this list monthly and the beers are all-craft, no-crap. Cheers to that!

The menu has something for everyone, with many local ingredients, and I was thrilled with the multitude of vegetarian options. Since it was Taco Tuesday, we felt compelled to go with that menu. I had the Vegan Unicorn Tacos, made with crispy seitan, a local radish slaw, arugula, and a sweet chili sauce to finish. They were so bright and flavorful – a great blend of sweet with a little kick of spice. The husband had a Spicy Shrimp Taco – perfectly cooked shrimp that popped, with well-balanced flavors and a fresh cilantro finish, and an Asian Chicken Taco which he did not like as much – it may have just been his order, but the orange-soy glaze overpowered everything else. He had also been eyeballing the free-range turkey burger on the menu, and decided to try that as well. It came on a brioche bun and he subbed in some garlicky green beans rather than fries. He said it was really good and he'd get it again.

Our bartender, Caspian, took good care of us, and answered all of our many questions, offering up additional information on nightly specials, music and brunch. The Oak Barrel is a truly welcome addition to the neighborhood. Everything impressed, from the expansive-yet-cozy atmosphere, to the fresh, tasty food and local ingredients, to the adventurous drink list. Check it out!

Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry.

Olesia’s Place

After driving past this new restaurant many times and glancing at its unique structure with curiosity, we finally stopped in, and are so glad we did. Set in a converted spa showroom that might look like a greenhouse from the exterior, Olesia’s Place, located on Royalton Road in North Royalton, provides a comfortable, upscale dining environment and simply delicious American-Ukrainian cuisine. They feature a wide selection of dishes, all made from scratch and prepared according to the traditional recipes of their heritage.

We stopped in just to check out their happy hour, but ended up staying for dinner as well. The Happy Hour is fantastic. Nicely priced apps, specialty drinks, and house wine pours along with domestic and Ukrainian beers. Whether sitting at the bar or in the dining area, you can enjoy the view of multiple fireplaces which provide a cozy atmosphere.

To start, we enjoyed the happy hour red wine pour (very nice) and he had the Chicken Shish Kabob Skewer appetizer, served with house-made sauce, couscous and salad. The portion could have been a light dinner entree, and is actually offered in larger portion on the dinner menu. The chicken was grilled, well seasoned and very good. But the stand out was the amazing couscous. Simple, flavorful, light and fluffy.

For dinner, we started with something we had never tasted before, Borscht. A traditional Ukrainian soup made with beets, root vegetables and finished with sour cream. Not a fan of beets at all, it was a real surprise for me. It was so savory, robust, and complex that we are still talking about it. We definitely will order a full bowl next visit, having just ordered a cup this time. Next up, Mushroom Pierogies, filled with mushrooms, cheese, spices and served with onions and sour cream. Homemade and just delicious. He had the Pan Seared Salmon with sautéed spinach, seasonal vegetable, apricot glaze with an added side that just had to be tasted – Stuffed Cabbage. It came stuffed with beef, rice, onions, spices, and served with tomato or mushroom sauce. He opted for the mushroom sauce, which was an excellent choice.

All in all, Olesia’s Place provides a beautiful, warm, welcoming interior perfect for a cold evening. They have a great happy hour, and a dining menu that deserves full exploration. It also seems to have a nice patio for when the weather gets nice. Enjoy. And check out their website too. Nicely done and shows you just what to expect.

Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry.

‪Jocko's Bar & Grill‬

If you haven't been to Jocko's Bar and Grill lately, you owe it to yourself to go. It is the same great sports bar – big and open with plentiful well-located flat screens, and upbeat friendly service – but there's something new. The CHEF and the MENU!

Jocko's kitchen is now powered by Chef Charles, who comes straight from Fahrenheit in Tremont. This young, talented chef who was mentored by none-other-than Rocco Whalen, has elevated typical bar food to a culinary experience. The food is simply delicious, with complex flavors and a special attention to detail that makes a statement. We went in a few weeks ago and so enjoyed our entrees that we went back and ordered the exact same dishes. (Next time we will be sure to venture further into the menu because there are a wealth of choices!)

I had Four Cheese Blend Tortellini with abundant, sauteed vegetables and basil cream sauce (skipping the shaved pancetta since I'm a vegetarian). Savory and so creamy with large, perfect al dente Tortellini. Along with the bites he kept stealing of my Tortellini (!), he enjoyed an 8oz. Pan Seared Salmon accompanied by edamame mashed potatoes, garlic spinach, and wasabi aioli. Not only was it delicious, healthy and beautifully plated – it is priced so reasonably that you could go there and have it every day for dinner.

With the addition of Chef Charles, Jocko's is bringing some amazing food to Broadview Heights. The owners' vision and his culinary leadership have taken Jocko's from 'bar food' to 'dining' in a sports bar setting where you feel right at home.

Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry.

Rosewood Grill

I have to say that it is fabulous to see a non-chain restaurant in Strongsville that is so packed all the time. Rosewood Grill picked a perfect location to bring its concept.

The interior is spacious, sleek and very open, but the decor makes it warm and intimate. On our visits it's been too chilly for the patio, but I cannot wait to dine there at some point. It is huge and has a great vibe with a cozy firepit.

The menu is seasonally inspired with fresh, creative offerings. I was thrilled to find a cashew-crusted tofu on the menu. It came with a sweet potato hash that is out of this world, and snow peas and chili sauce. All of the flavors worked so well together. He had the cedar-planked salmon with grilled asparagus, and said it was perfectly cooked and delectable. They have a very nice wine list, and glass pours at every price range.

Definitely a welcome addition to this side of town

Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry.

Istanbul Grill in Tremont

We've been meaning to check out Istanbul Grill in Tremont for a long time, and finally, thankfully did! From the tasty authentic Turkish cuisine, to the charming decor and friendly, accommodating service (thanks Andrew and Greta!), this will be a new regular spot for us.

The ambiance is cozy and inviting with lovely Turkish ornamentation throughout. A beautiful brick archway leads you to a raised up dining area, where all the tables feel very private and intimate. The patio out front would be the perfect people-watching place for dessert and a cup of coffee.

We started at the bar with a couple of appetizers and wine during happy hour. We had Hummus (rich and creamy - yum!) and Ezme (a fresh tomato dip) with the most amazing, warm and delicious grilled pita bread. The Sigara Boric were really good – delicately deep fried phyllo rolls with house-made feta cheese inside. We will probably order these on every visit!

For entrees, he had the Chef's Chicken Burger which had great flavor and was served with a yoghurt dill sauce. Next time he would order the burger on the pita bread, because it was so amazing. The deliciously crispy fries tasted like they were battered in a little chick pea flour, giving them extra flavor and crispness.

I had the Kuru Fasulye Pilav (white bean stew with rice), which was mild in flavor but nice, and healthy-tasting (in a good way!) There were tons of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. It will take a while to work my way through it!

Note: If you check it out on the website, don't let that mislead you. It does not do the setting or intimacy justice, and the food imagery on it looks sort of cafeteria-like, when it is actually quite delicious.

The Barrio in Tremont

Upon recommendation of trusted foodie friends, we checked out The Barrio in Tremont. Our friends did not steer us wrong!

The Barrio is located in the old 806 Winebar on Literary Avenue. They redecorated with fun Day of the Dead murals on the walls and a grunge-goth vibe on the menus.

You are provided menus and pencils to check off toppings to build your own tacos, and to choose from starters such as guacamole (4 creative variations), tortilla soup, salad and sides. The ingredients are fresh and eclectic and mix and match makes the taco options seem endless.

They brought us chips and salsa to start. The salsa roja was muy caliente – actually a little too hot for us – so we moved onto guacamole. We ordered the Tuscan guacamole which was finished with a balsamic reduction and pine nuts. It was fresh, generously portioned, and an interesting mix of sweet and spice. I was also tempted to try the mango guacamole, but that will have to wait until next time.

We built our tacos knowing we'd be back to try other varieties, because the options sounded so intriguing (ie: jicama slaw with strawberries, cilantro pesto, chipotle honey…)  Also there were plenty of vegetarian options with tofu and black beans on the protein list. The tacos are actually small, but so is the price of $3. We wished after so carefully choosing the toppings for each taco that there would have been a larger version for a few more dinaro.

They have quite a happy hour – daily from 5-7pm and then reverse happy hour later on – in fact only a few hours in the evening are not "happy"! Tequila and whiskey seem to be the house drinks, but we didn't indulge as we stuck to our usual wine.

Overall, we loved the vibe and concept, and look forward to returning! Oh, and of course they inherited the nice patio from 806 with an open air fireplace for those chilled evenings.

Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry.

Taverne of Richfield

We visited the Taverne of Richfield for dinner on a beautiful Tuesday night, so we took advantage and dined on the patio. Our whole experience from atmosphere to drink to food to service was excellent. This is our second dinner outing at the Taverne of Richfield, and it gets better every visit.

The patio is very large and nicely landscaped and sectioned with stepped up areas, trellises, and a fountain surrounded by foliage. The fountain wasn't running but I imagine it is on more crowded evenings. It seems like this would be a fabulous happy hour or night out on the weekend.

Our evening started off with a glass of Chardonnay with their complimentary warm house-made bread. An amazing blend of crusty on the outside and moist and buttery inside. This was accompanied with with a bright, lemon-basil olive oil dip. We would come back just for the bread and dip alone! Next we had an equally refreshing green apple / cabbage salad with goat cheese – a frequent and welcome ingredient on their menu. He had a generous portioned, pecan-crusted chicken with goat cheese on top.  Served with thinly sliced, crispy fingerling potatoes and baby carrots with a tasty butter-sage sauce. Moist and delicious, with nice presentation. I had gnocchi which was super flavorful and lemony with roasted tomatoes. My only criticism is I wish there were more vegetables in the dish to offset the denseness of the gnocchi. Don't get me wrong – they were very good, but another texture and flavor would have been welcome to lighten it up – especially as the only vegetarian entree.

As always, we asked many questions about the line up of evening entertainment, menu items and happy hour deals to which our server josh, never flinched. He was very knowledgeable and attentive and clued us into all the happenings so that we will surely return to try them out.

For those living in the surrounding areas of Richfield, this is a gem right in your backyard. Embrace it. The restaurant is located at the corner of Rt. 303 and Broadview Road with great parking and old inn vibe. Definitely worth the drive from anywhere. Enjoy.

The D.C. Pasta Company

We recently checked out The D.C. Pasta Company in Strongsville with a group of friends and had a wonderful time. We've been to Dante's other restaurants and were excited to try his Italian concept.

D.C.'s wine list has a great variety and features an extensive selection of "under $25" bottles. We started with the Rubus Zinfandel (lush) on the menu, but our server alerted us to a special bottle of Tempranillo (El Cortijillo) that was out of this world. It has the most amazing cherry finish. D.C. had bought the last 2 cases of this vintage, and after a glass, several of us bought bottles to take home!

The food menu is an adventure, in that there are many ways to mix and match. Pastas come as a $5 taste, $10 appetizer, or $15 main course. There are soups, salads, antipastos, and various meatballs (even ricotta for us vegetarians) to add in. Everyone at our table pretty much started with a Tuscan bean soup, ordered 2 pasta "tastes" with a "meatball", and ended with dessert. This seemed to be a good way to order and was plenty of food with great variety. The pastas were all perfectly al dente and flavorful and the desserts were fabulous. We will definitely return to try more combinations!

The wait staff was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating - especially to the various dietary needs in our group!

Players on Madison - Fall Menu and Wine Tasting

This night was not exactly for the vegetarian, so it was fortunate that Mr. B attended and not me! Here's what he had to say:

What a fantastic opportunity. Players on Madison Avenue in Lakewood had a private fall menu and wine tasting. I was fortunate to attend, for the small price of $10 (which they returned to me in the form of a $10 gift certificate to use on my next visit). Players is one of those restaurants that easily becomes one of your favorites. Easy on-site parking, a great cozy modern atmosphere, and super-attentive staff make the visit worthwhile every time. Oh and then there is the outstanding food! Thanks to Gary Lucarelli and Chef Anthony Romano for a fabulous, tasty evening!

So the event was a walk about and mingle while enjoying what seemed to be an endless variety of fall menu samplings. There were several wine stations showcasing a selection of wines. The atmosphere was fun and we all felt like vultures when the next round of samples came out. In no particular order, these are some of the enjoyed items.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Not just a piece, but a whole scallop perfectly cooked, perched on a corn fritter with a tomato coulis. This was one of my favorites. Just a touch of spice.

Roasted Chicken, Corn and Spinach Spring Rolls
Lightly crusted, loaded with chicken and almost delicate with an amazing heat from the sriracha thai dipping sauce.

Almond Encrusted Brie
Warm and delicious, served with a tasty apple-pear chutney.

A variety of thin crust pizzas circulated. All were fantastic. The classic Margherita, an earthy Roasted Portobello with chevre, and a fall flavor classic, Fried Butternut Squash with apples and sage.

Chicken Francais
Light and lemony with a distinct artichoke flavor.

From the wines, The Franciscan Cabernet was complex and bold, but a bit too dry for my tastes. Conundrum, a surprising white blend from California, was really fresh and crisp and easily my favorite of the evening. A Bourdeaux style red, Revelry “The Reveler” from Columbia Valley, Washington had that bold lush mouth feel that made it a favorite red.

Amp 150

It was our first visit to Amp 150 since the departure of Ellis Cooley and the entry of Jeffrey Jarrett from Palate. We really enjoyed the tasty intricacies and unexpected combinations at Palate, so we had high hopes for our meal!

Right away, the staff was very attentive and accommodating. We had a small issue with our first starter, and it was quickly rectified without us even asking. Sous-Chef Melissa Khoury delivered up a bevy of salads and small plates, each fresh and flavorful with beautiful presentation.

Some of the things we tried over the course of the evening:

Pasta Al Ceppo - Fantastic! Perfectly cooked al dente pasta, with eggplant confit, roasted red peppers, arugula, and pine nuts. The eggplant, chopped so fine and reduced to a thick consistency, had such intense flavor. It clung to every noodle, making every bite equally tasty.

He enjoyed the Seared Scallops which were cooked perfectly.

Broccolini with chili paste and sesame seeds, had just the right amount of heat and sweetness and crunchiness of the broccoli.

Panzanella Salad - Can't beat the fresh tomatoes right now!

Beet Salad - I am not a fan of beets, but was floored when I tasted, and ended up enjoying this salad. The beets were mild in flavor and just worked with the other ingredients, especially the goat cheese fondue.

There were lots of vegetarian options on the menu - I had a hard time picking. I'll have to go back to try the rest!

Vivo Ristorante

We checked out Vivo Ristorante, a semi-new Italian restaurant in Parma this weekend and loved it. It has a cool atmosphere with an open kitchen to watch the action from the large bar. There was a wait but it was worth it! We started at the bar, and decided to stay put even when our table became available, because the bartender Jim took such great care of us! The food was outstanding. We started with Arancini (risotto balls), which were half-priced at happy hour time, and made them an incredible deal. They were delicious, as was the accompanying marinara and pesto drizzle. I had the Gnocchi Rosa (minus the sausage, since I'm vegetarian) and he had the Pistachio Crusted Grouper. Both were very generous portions, cooked perfectly, and very flavorful. By the way, there were plenty of vegetarian options and I'll be back to work my way through them

Bistro 185

Went to Bistro 185 last night for one of their VEGAN nights and my tastebuds were dancing. I wish I could go back and have it all again tonight!

It was a 3 for $30 and included a Grilled Caesar Salad, a Barbecue Tofu over a roasted sweet potato and this amazing grilled corn and edamame succotash, and this sweet little jalapeno cornbread, and then a strawberry shortcake complete with vegan ice cream to finish.

I have been a vegetarian for over 20 years, and have not had a great version of a Caesar until last night - Bistro 185 finally nailed a vegan caesar salad!

It was one of those meals where every other word out of my mouth was OMG. Thank you Bistro 185! Absolutely delicious.