Cleveland Foodie

touch supper club

Michelle V — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:31:00 +0000

There is a restaurant in Chicago called The Bongo Room. Probably eight or so years ago my friend took us there for breakfast; I’ve been hooked ever since. Whenever we are in the city, we don’t leave until we’ve stopped in for breakfast or lunch. The atmosphere and delicious/creative menu lure us in each time.

We like to go out for breakfast and try to at least once a month. Often we look for places that are similar to our Chicago faithful. One of our favorites is Lucky’s Cafe. It doesn’t necessarily remind us of The Bongo Room, but it’s delicious and comforting nonetheless.

A few weeks ago, we checked out the brunch at Touch Supper Club for Metromix. This was my first time there to eat (previously I’ve just been there for the music and dancing, but even that was several years ago). Since chef Jeff Fisher joined, it’s been on my list. After sitting there for awhile, we both commented that Touch reminded us of The Bongo Room. The decor is completely different, but they both somehow felt the same and the menu items were similar. I can’t put my finger on what it was exactly that reminded us of our Chicago favorite, but whatever it was, we were happy to be there.

This was also Natalie’s first restaurant! She was the perfect diner – slept the entire time.

Here is my full review for Metromix. In short, wow. I can’t believe we haven’t been there sooner for Sunday brunch and I now can’t wait to go back and see what they do for dinner. We loved everything we sampled, from the mimosas (try the pear nectar) to the super thick, super deluxe French toast.

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Here’s more on the food:
Once known solely for its music and dancing, Touch is now earning a reputation for what’s happening in the kitchen, not just the basement, thanks in large part to chef Jeff Fisher.

The chef has assembled a tempting and creative selection of Sunday options, from egg concoctions (all served with tator tots and fresh fruit), to sandwiches, like the spamwich and fried bologna, to a variety of carbohydrates including chicken and waffles and chorizo and cornbread.

On a recent Sunday outing, we opted for the breakfast burrito with cheese, scrambled eggs, thick pieces of chicken and potato wrapped in a crunchy tortilla; stuffed French toast with berries foster and cream cheese and the potato pancakes. For sides, we sampled the hash browns and maple bacon sausage.

The thick French toast was the hands-down favorite. This French baguette not only made the dish more enjoyable, but was visually appealing as well. The oversized burrito, one of the most requested items, was equally as good, although we would have preferred more cheese and even perhaps some guacamole.

It’s worth noting that the portions at Touch are quite generous. We left with half the burrito and potato pancakes. Further, the prices are some of the lowest for brunch in the city. Our total bill (including three main dishes, two sides and three mimosas) was less than $35.

q & a with heather haviland

Michelle V — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:15:00 +0000

Next to the Bongo Room in Chicago and the Kula Lodge in Maui at the bottom of the Haleakala Mountain (okay, that one tops the list), Lucky’s Cafe in Tremont is my favorite spot for breakfast. Chef Heather Haviland, who also owns Sweet Mosaic, has created more than a great neighborhood coffee shop that happens to have the tastiest brunch menu in town, but rather a haven that celebrates both community and local farmers.

1. What are the top 5 spices every home chef should have? Essential elements of flavor for every kitchen include kosher salt, pepper, something from the onion world, say onion-garlic-shallot or leek, cayenne, and nutmeg or mace. If I could have two more, I would include bay leaves and basil.

2. What is your favorite and least favorite thing to make? I still get a bit nervous when I need to prepare a piece of meat. A perfectly done steak takes good technique.

3. What is your favorite thing about Cleveland and what drives you nuts? How long do I have? There are so many things I love about Cleveland, but what made me come back to the area was the people. Clevelanders are such loyal creatures. During the 10 years I was gone traveling around the country, I experienced so many different cities and its people, but no other place can measure up to our people. The thing that drives me nuts is that with that “loyalty” comes the other side of the coin, which is a reluctance to change and try new things. To really save our city, I think we have to get pretty bold and change how we approach growth and put a lot more energy into our downtown.

4. If you could cook for one person, real or dead, who would it be? My great grandfather because he loved his garden and loved to eat. Also my grandfather, because he could now see that cooking can be a career. He never really experienced what I do in the kitchen and he really loved to eat.

5. You’re having a dinner party, top 5 songs on your play list? Depending on the guest list and the menu, these albums are good start to finish:

Van Morrison – Astral Weeks
Nina Simone – The Very Best
S. Rachmaninov – Vespers, performed by The USSR Ministry of Culture chamber choir
Madeleine Peyroux
White Zombies – Super Sexy Swinging Sounds

6. Favorite restaurant in Cleveland? I have just spent 20 minutes sitting here thinking of which is my favorite and it is giving me a headache. I am very proud to be a part of the Cleveland culinary community and I have too many to choose a favorite. My most memorable meal I ate in Cleveland that was not prepared by my sweetie who is a chef [Chef Andrew Strizak of the old Parker’s Bistro and now Lolita], was at Battuto in Little Italy.

7. What restaurant do you miss? Parker’s Bistro in Ohio City and Battuto

8. What hidden gem / café have Clevelanders yet to discover? Villa Y Zapata on Madison. The one on W 25th, their new one, needs a little work.

9. What’s your last meal on Earth? Cheesy polenta with braised beef and red wine braising sauce made by my sweetie, or any meal he would make in late August because it would involve my favorite foods of the Ohio harvest: corn, zucchini, tomatoes, peaches, concords… don’t get me started, there are still seven months to go! For dessert, I would have my mom’s chocolate fudge sauerkraut cake.

10. Most unusual food you have ever tried? Dehydrated pig ear.

11. Most famous person you have baked for? I have been pretty lucky here. Chrissie Hyde of The Pretenders (I just love her), Peter Gabriel (nice guy), Elvis Costello, REM, Quentin Tarantino and Ethan and Uma. I was partners in a restaurant in upstate New York that was next to a recording studio. A lot of the neighborhood was people from the city that had second homes in Woodstock.

12. If you weren’t a chef, what would you be doing? Traditional coal forge blacksmith, mother of five, bridge welder or a solid gold dancer. So many options, so little time. Really, I would be a blacksmith.

13. What is your favorite sweet treat? Dichotomy. It is a popcorn coated with cheddar cheese and caramel made by the popcorn company at the West Side Market

14. What’s the most popular item at Lucky’s? Ginger chewy cookies and Shipwreck, a dish served during brunch. It features sautéed veggies, potatoes, bacon, eggs and cheese served with our house made Italian toast and jam. Our Mac-n-cheese with bacon is making a run for it, too.

15. Where do you grocery shop? It’s a combination of the West Side Market, farmer’s markets and Marc’s.

16. What is the best dessert you have ever had? For my 40th birthday, my sweetie and I went to Hocking Hills and stayed in a cabin in the woods. It could have been the combo of the woods, seclusion, hot tub, fireplace and time to chill and be together, but he made me an apple pie that rocked my world! I am a lucky girl.

Chicago eats

Michelle V — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:21:00 +0000

Just got back from a girls’ weekend in Chicago. A lot of shopping and eating and quality time with my friends. A great way to spend the weekend. I’m pretty lucky, I travel to Chicago a few times a year (mostly for work). It’s one of my favorite cities. It’s a big Cleveland. Friendly people, beautiful architecture, great shopping, fun neighborhoods and amazing food. During this trip, we ate at Sushi Wabi. Small, simple sushi place. We had two appetizers and split 15 rolls, ranging from sashimi to bigger sushi rolls. The menu consisted of typical rolls and ones I haven’t seen before. Everything was fantastic and the best part – you can get the rolls with brown rice! We also had lunch at Bongo Room. This is perhaps my favorite breakfast/lunch spot in the city. Unique omelets and pancakes, like banana chocolate chip or pumpkin, and good sandwiches, like turkey, brie and apple. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to go to Avec - my #1 place to eat in Chicago (great wine list and the best cheese menu and tapas in town – like the chorizo stuffed dates, which we duplicate all the time for parties) and Fronterra Grill/Topolobampo (Rick Bayless’ place). Lucky for me, I have to head back in a few weeks and will be sure to make my annual pilgrimage to Avec and stop in for the guacamole and tortilla soup at Fronterra Grill.