Lunch on Friday, March 1st was brought to you by The Village Butcher in Mayfield Heights. What a gem it is!! The Village Butcher was conceived by restaurateur Carl Quagliata (he of Giovanni’s, Crostata’s and Smokin Q’s BBQ fame) and Chef Zach Ladner. The butcher shop is a combination of an old school butchery and an Italian import store. They also have an open kitchen where they make a range of delicious sandwiches and their fresh made pastas and sauces that can be purchased retail, the recipes of which have been carefully crafted over the last 46 years at Giovanni’s. The “grocery section” features a variety of Italian meats, cheeses, and dry pastas.
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It’s located just south of the Wilson Mills and SOM Center intersection in a small strip mall next to Heinen’s. Several of my friends have raved about the sandwiches they serve here. I specifically came for the fish sandwich posted on my Facebook food group a few weeks ago. It made my mouth water, so I knew I needed to check it out.
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This was a delicious sandwich – tender and flaky with the most delectable tartar sauce. The cod was beer battered and perfectly deep fried. It was also a huge chunk of fish. The brioche bun kind of fell apart toward the end under the large amount of tartar sauce, but I didn’t mind one bit because it did not detract from and only added to the amazing flavor of the sandwich. The fries were nicely seasoned and also reheated well the next day for lunch. I also got a “cup” of cole slaw that was deliciously creamy and was made with crisp, fresh grated cabbage. As I stood at the counter I kept wanting more and more of the premade offerings. The cucumber tomato salad looked divine as well, but it was just okay. Maybe it will be better after sitting in the fridge overnight.
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I am not Catholic (just like a good fried fish), so I also got some lasagna (huge!) and bacon-wrapped meatloaf and some sides. I had half of the lasagna heated in my microwave last night at 2 a.m. (I was moderating a Zoom class in India until 6 a.m.) and it was fantastic! The meat in the case looked great and the products they stock are well curated (soups and sauces in coolers and lots of quality canned tomatoes and dried pastas). They have been open for two years. I will definitely be back – specifically for the beef braciole I saw in the case after I had already ordered the lasagna and meatloaf!
I attended the Benedictine High School fish fry this week for two reasons: 1) because I needed to stick closer to home tonight because I had to be home and online by 9 p.m. and 2) I wanted to give them another chance after panning them before the pandemic and being called out for it in the comments. Just because they are a bunch of kids doesn’t mean the public should accept a middling experience. Benedictine High School is a private, Roman Catholic, college preparatory high school for boys, located on Martin Luther King Jr Drive near Buckeye Road. I have a friend whose son graduated from Benedictine, so I have a soft spot for them.
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I had two main complaints on the first visit. The first was the lack of signage. I’m sad to report that has not been improved. Other than a small sign at the road there is no indication where to go once you park. In fact, I had to ask the security guard in an SUV in the parking lot where to go. Bigger and more signs would help a lot. Also, now you will know, because I will save you the trouble by describing what to do here. You can quickly enter the cafeteria if you pull into the first driveway and park on the side of the building and walk to the back. There is a roundabout where you can drop off people with mobility issues. The entrance puts you right at the start of the food line. If for some reason the parking spaces are full in the first driveway, there is a huge parking lot if you drive down the second driveway (also labelled “high school/visitor parking”). Head to the big white entrance and walk down several long hallways (don’t let the steps deter you, there is a ramp off to the left you can use). Once you see the doors in the third photo above, you will know you have arrived.
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My biggest critique on my visit before the pandemic was the lack of sanitation – in particular, having the guests stick their hand in a bread bag to get some bread slices. I am pleased to report that they have remedied this by prepackaging several slices of wheat and white bread in ziploc baggies. I was very pleased to see this. However, the fish fry is still sparsely attended – probably just attended by their parents and fellow students. I wanted to love it but it was just okay.
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The fish fry itself is extremely affordable. It was only $13 for two pieces of fish and two sides (choice of pierogi, onion rings, fries, or chowder and choice of cole slaw or apple sauce), a baked good and coffee or tea. I took the meal to go, because I was still full from lunch and ate it the next day heated up in my air fryer. It was okay. The fish was decently fried but nothing special, and the pierogi were Mrs. T’s. The cole slaw was acceptable, but not as good as St. Vladimir’s or Village Butcher’s. The dinner was “mid” as the kids say. Not that there is anything wrong with that if you like that kind of thing.
The baked goods saved the day. I would not be surprised to hear the PTA or some parents made the baked goods. There were quite a few to choose from – from cake slices to chocolate chip cookies to several different types of brownies. The peanut butter and oats brownie I chose (and was recommended by the young man serving them) looked and tasted amazing. I could have purchased more for $1, but one baked good was enough for me and it was included in the price of the dinner. I made sure to buy a can of generic cola though because I was thirsty and needed the caffeine to keep me awake that night. It hit the spot, and I finished it just as I got home (about a 15 minute drive). I kind of wished I had bought several.
The proceeds go to different clubs each week, and this week benefited their Key Club and Band & Drama. The kids made me laugh. When I asked one of the young men which they preferred – cole slaw or applesauce – because I couldn’t decide, he honestly answered “I don’t like either of them,” which made me howl. Thanks for your honesty and the chuckle. I also bought 50/50 Raffle tickets because it’s for a good cause. If you are in the area or want to support the high school clubs be sure to check them out.
Contact info:
The Village Butcher
818 SOM Ctr Road
Mayfield, OH 44143
(440) 565-7330
Benedictine High School
2900 Martin Luther King Jr Drive
Cleveland, OH 44104
(216) 421-2080
Cleveland Rocks, Cleveland Eats 