The Pancake Breakfast at Kenston High School on Bainbridge Road in Chagrin Falls is hosted by the Bainbridge Civic Club and co-hosted by the Bainbridge Women’s Club during the first three Sundays in March. This year was the 71st Annual Pancake Breakfast. It’s closer to Cleveland than any Geauga county pancake breakfast, and they also serve killer pancakes and real maple syrup (they have a big box in the corner that they used to refill the syrup dispensers). Unlike Geauga county breakfasts, they don’t serve every single weekend. This year the breakfasts were held on March 5, 12 and 19 from 8-1. I love that they serve until 1 PM. That allowed me to slowly wake up and still head over there in plenty of time for pancakes.
I know I joke about the lack of signs sometimes, but I certainly can’t say it about Kenston High’s Pancake Breakfast. There are signs leading you to the breakfast from the I-422 highway exit, down Bainbridge Road and to the entrance of the high school and then all the way to the entrance doors. A++++ for the signage!
Once you enter the gymnasium, there are two tables to the right and left selling raffle tickets and Kenston gear. The table straight ahead is where you pay. They accepted credit cards for the first time this year, but it was quicker and easier to pay in cash. The funds they raise are used to support the Bainbridge Area Food for Friends Food Pantry, provide scholarships, and fund the club’s local community driven, philanthropic endeavors.
$11 for an adult breakfast will get you sausage, coffee, milk, syrup, butter & applesauce, orange juice and unlimited pancakes (plain, blueberry, and buckwheat) and/or French toast. They direct you down the hallway to be seated when a seat becomes available. They definitely keep things moving. Community volunteers seat you, take your order, and bring your freshly prepared, hot food to your table. I was immediately asked for my beverage order (orange juice and coffee), and then I ordered a Combo and sausage with applesauce. The Combo comes with two pancakes (buttermilk and blueberry) and one French toast, but I was given all three pancakes along with a French toast (probably because it was getting close to the end and they had a surplus of buckwheat). The sausage patties were also generous and perfectly cooked. The sausage is an exclusive recipe, ground and made fresh each week by Mazzulo’s Market. Best of all, the meal is served on china plates, with china mugs, and metal silverware!
The tables had little two-sided paddles if you needed more coffee or pancakes. If I needed anything else (like more sugar, more syrup, or my applesauce that wasn’t delivered) I asked someone and was immediately given it. It was a lot of food for $11, and I savored it. It was a special morning sitting in the gym watching the snow fall outside. What more could one want? Generous signage directing me where to go, real plates and silverware, and all I could eat? Add some eggs (protein) and this would be the absolutely perfect pancake breakfast. Once I got back to my car I decided to pop over to my parents’ house to say hi since I was so close. All in all, a great Sunday.
This year’s fish fry season is starting out well – the fish fry at West Park Station in Kamm’s Corner was superb. I ventured out in the slushy, cold and rainy weather and was lucky enough to get a spot right in front. That’s one of the reasons I chose lunch there, but I was still tickled that I didn’t have far to walk from where I parked. They opened at 11 am and had advertised the fish fry starting on Ash Wednesday, but the kitchen had either forgotten or something. I took a seat and ordered a Guinness and a cup of clam chowder from waitress #1. I don’t know what soup I was given, but it sure looked like a gumbo. I sent it back with waitress #2, and the kitchen had to make a pot of clam chowder because of my order. So it took a while, which was fine because I had my Guinness. I ordered the Pike and Pierogi Combo, which was $19.99.
Waitress #2 finally brought out the chowder, which was understandably hot. As I was letting it cool, my Pike and Pierogi Combo came out. Once I got some silverware I tucked into it. This was one of the best fish fries I’ve had. The “pike” (walleye) was dusted with cornmeal and had a hint of lemon on the inside. It was delicious. The pierogi came out deep fried with some cooked onions. I had ordered a side of sour cream for them and would do so again even though I was charged extra for the tiny cup of sour cream. The pierogi were good, although I do prefer them boiled and pan-fried. The french fries were delicious. I don’t know what they did to them but they had a great flavor. Someone brought out three hush puppies at some point as well, which weren’t included in the P&P dinner and are close to $5 to order a la carte. But I’m glad they brought them out because they were tasty (and free). The combo also came with a small cups of applesauce and cole slaw. The tartar sauce also seemed housemade. I would gladly return to enjoy this again. It paired nicely with the Guinness and was extremely tasty.
The chowder was perfect – if a little thin. I’m sure it thickened up over the course of the day on the burner. It was brimming with clams and chunks of potato. I’ve never had the first serving of chowder before. I usually get the end. It was really nice to enjoy a super-fresh chowder.
As far as other non-meat options go, the appetizers included boom boom shrimp and pierogi in addition to the clam chowder (and the regular menu had several non-meat friendly options like chips & dip, pub pretzels, fried mozzarella, spinach-artichoke dip and bruschetta. The fish fry menu also features a walleye dinner with chips and hush puppies, a bourbon glazed salmon dinner with rice pilaf and broccoli that would be a great choice for those watching their weight, a beer-battered haddock dinner with fries and slaw as well as bruschetta pasta, lobster mac n cheese, lobster alfredo, and a haddock sandwich on the regular menu.
Contact info:
West Park Station
17015 Lorain Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44111
(216) 476-2000
Creekside (formerly Eddie’s Creekside) has been serving its guests in Northeast Ohio for over 30 years, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create a modern twist on classic menu favorites. Located in downtown Brecksville, Creekside Restaurant provides an inviting experience, offering casual cuisine nestled in the treetops overlooking picturesque Chippewa Creek. I have been hearing great things about it for years, but my friend’s neighbor ate here with his family during the holidays several years ago and raved about the eclectic menu. The idea of a lasagna omelette had me immediately intrigued.
I decided I wanted to treat myself to a nice breakfast there as soon as possible and met a friend there for the Sunday Breakfast. They only serve this from 8 am to 1 pm on Sundays. We had to wait a bit despite having a reservation, but it wasn’t a long wait and I had a bench to sit on in the hallway. We were seated at a nice booth overlooking the creek. The food was amazing. They had so many things on the menu I wanted to try, so I ordered two and took food home.
For my meal in the restaurant, I ordered the Eggs & French Toast Combo and upgraded it with the Coffee Cake French Toast for an extra $2.00 because I was intrigued. They use coffee cake as the bread and then drizzle it with a cinnamon streusel and vanilla glaze. Wow, the cinnamon streusel was really great. The scrambled eggs were perfectly cooked (I like them firm and not runny), and the bacon was nice and crisp. I treated myself to coffee and orange juice. It was pricey in the end, but it was worth every penny. My friend ordered the Eggs & Pancakes Combo with the Lemon Ricotta Blue Cakes (rear of photo), which features a lemon ricotta batter with blueberries and a lemon glaze. It hit her craving perfectly.
Of course, I had to order the Lasagnomelette (and ordered it to go), but there were several other omelettes that sounded great, like the California Chicken (chicken, avocado, bacon, tomato, and cheddar cheese), the Lorraine (spinach, bacon, and Swiss) or the Caprese (roma tomatoes, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella topped with pesto) omelettes. There is even a Thanksgiving omelette year-round that features turkey, stuffing, onions, and Swiss cheese. The Lasagnomelette features Italian sausage, ground beef, provolone, and ricotta cheese. It was so delicious, with the savory meat combined with the cheesy deliciousness of provolone and ricotta. I can only imagine how amazing the cheese pull would have been hot off the griddle. It was good reheated at home if you can believe it.
The cakes in the bakery case were also tempting, but I was full from breakfast and had a ton of leftovers. My friend ordered a slice of cake for later. I’m not quite sure what kind it was, but it looks like some kind of white cake with buttercream frosting. Definitely looks super moist.
I also wanted to try some food off the regular menu, so I went back for lunch a few months later. It was chilly, but it was still comfortable on the balcony because they had heaters set up. I felt much more comfortable on the balcony by myself at the height of COVID.
I had planned on getting a burger or something – or a couple appetizers – for my lunch, but they had a strip steak with crumbled crab (Steak Oscar) as a special. I am a huge pushover for Steak Oscar, so it was a no-brainer. I ordered a side salad for my choice of side (because asparagus is always served with Steak Oscar) and ordered a cup of lobster bisque as well. The bisque was creamy and delicious with some nice chunks of lobster. The steak was perfectly cooked medium rare. The crab and asparagus were a little overbroiled, but they still tasted good.
There were so many good items on the menu I figured I’d just go back soon, but since it isn’t close to me it is quite a trip. Who knew it would take over a year for me to visit for the third time (which is my rule for reviewing a restaurant on a blog post)?
I went on a Wednesday evening close to the holidays. It was decorated really nice, and there were quite a few small and large parties celebrating. My holiday cosmopolitan was really lovely. The White Cosmo Martini features raspberry vodka, triple sec, fresh squeezed lime juice, and white cranberry juice. I loved it. It was refreshing as well as festive.
I was craving potato skins, and since you don’t see those on restaurant menus very often I knew I had to order them even though it was just me. They were perfect – still quite a bit of soft, fluffy potato insides covered in melted cheese and bacon bits. I ate a couple and ordered a box. And even though I knew I wouldn’t have much room left, the Rustica Pizza sounded so good that I ordered it, knowing I would be bringing most of it home. I am so glad I did, because it is one of the best pizzas I have enjoyed in Cleveland. The dough was fluffy and pillowy just like I like it, the sauce was not too sweet, and the toppings paired well together. The shaved parmesan and fresh tomatoes were my favorite part. I wish it were closer so I could order it all the time.
The potato skins were the perfect breakfast the next morning after a quick 5 minute heat session in the air fryer. The pizza also reheated well, which I was happy about.
Blue Canyon offers a Sunday brunch once a month, usually with some kind of theme. The brunch is phenomenal. You can collect whatever you want from the stations set up in the Lodge room (back of the restaurant) or you can order certain items from the kitchen at no additional charge.
Top left: prime rib carving station, center: salad table, right: various tables with entrees and sides Bottom left: prime rib, center: shrimp cocktail and salads, right: my choices. Photos by me and Beth Gold
As we entered the buffet room, they had a prime rib carving station with horseradish sauce and smoked red onion marmalade, which was what I was really looking forward to. The next station was the shrimp cocktail and “seasonal salads” table. The salads included a Waldorf salad, mixed greens salad and fresh fruit. The rest of the buffet was grouped over several tables throughout the room. Two tables contained the German foods, including pork schnitzel with a lemon caper-butter sauce, roasted chicken with a cider glaze, herb crusted salmon with a Hefeweizen “beer blanc,” sweet and sour red cabbage, pan fried German potatoes with bacon, green onion and mustard vinaigrette, garlic butter spätzle with caramelized onions and mushroom gravy, and soft pretzel nibs with hot beer cheese dip, onions and gruyere.
Top (left to right): pork schnitzel, roast chicken, salmon Bottom: red cabbage, German potatoes, spätle (not pictured: pretzels and beer cheese)
Another station featured the normal buffet choices including Applewood bacon, hashbrowns, and maple sausage links. Two other tables featured assorted breakfast pastries and bite-sized desserts.
The made-to-order items, which were included in the price, included a build-your-own omelet (choices included ham, bacon, sausage, pickled jalapenos, spinach, mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes, white Cheddar or American cheese), Blue Canyon Eggs Benedict with a peppercorn chive hollandaise (my friend asked for the hollandaise on the side), Cheddar Cheese scrambled eggs, pancakes (traditional, blueberry or chocolate), a Bavarian cream waffle with an apple caramel sauce (my personal favorite – it was perfection!), Riesling poached clams with sweet corn, shallots and herbs, avocado toast featurng chopped egg, pickled red onion, sriracha, guacamole, and radish on 9 Grain Bread. and Dortmunder braised chicken & apple bratwurst.
The cost of the brunch is $39.99. They offer a discount if you pay in cash instead of credit card. The brunch price includes coffee, tea, iced tea and Pepsi products. For $15 more you can enjoy unlimited draft beers or mimosas with the purchase of the brunch. A single mimosa was $6 for a small and $10 for a large and a Bloody Mary was $7/10. Various juices, cappuccino, espresso and warm cider are also extra. Since I had to drive, I stuck with juice and coffee. At the end of the meal we were also given a coupon for a treat from a ice cream and novelties truck in the parking lot, but there is no way I could have possibly eaten another bite.
My plates: round one with the prime rib, a little bit of all the German items, a piece of bacon and sausage and some salad and round two with the schnitzel, a bite of salmon, some Waldorf salad, and some desserts. The schnitzel was the only thing on the buffet I didn’t love. I’ve had schnitzel in Austria. Blue Canyon can’t compare. It definitely wasn’t hand-pounded
The next brunch is the Santa Brunch in December. I wish I could have attended the November brunch, which featured British staples such as Yorkshire pudding, Salmon Wellington, and Welsh Rarebit as well as roasted turkey, oysters on the half shell, and a gingerbread waffle. My friends went and loved it.
Sitting atop a bluff that overlooks I-480 and gorgeous views of wooded rolling landscapes of northeast Ohio, Blue Canyon Restaurant offers an unparalleled rustic, cozy atmosphere. The restaurant’s design was inspired by the grand lodges located throughout the National Parks of the United States. It seriously reminds me of El Tovar in the Grand Canyon, but it’s a little brighter.
Surrounded by hand-hewn cedar logs, soaring cathedral ceilings, and multiple fieldstone fireplaces, you can relax and enjoy the views out the large windows or admire the gigantic antler chandelier. The bar is also rustic, combining wood and glass partitions. Opened in 2004 by Chef/Partner Brandt Evans, Blue Canyon has stayed in business for almost 20 years without ever dropping in quality. The open kitchen specializes in creative American dishes, including wild game options.
The menu has been tweaked over the years, but there are several customer favorites that remain constant. The BC Yukon Gold Potato Chips are a great appetizer to share. The crispy chips are dressed with a Wisconsin Buttermilk Blue Cheese, a blue cheese cream and scallions. Seriously good as a bar snack or an appetizer. The Bacon Wrapped Boursin Stuffed Chicken Breast is also an original item. It is currently served with whipped Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and an apple cider glaze.
My favorite dish on the menu is the Pretzel Crusted Trout. I have been enjoying it for almost 20 years. I very rarely deviate, because it’s just so good. You can order a large order (two filets) or a small order (one filet). It is currently served with whipped Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, garlic green beans, and a mustard caper butter. Since I’m not the biggest green bean fan they gladly substituted broccoli for green beans. The mustard caper butter is good I would bathe in it if I could. It is a nice accompaniment to the trout. Paired with a cup of sherry-forward lobster bisque, this was my birthday dinner this year. When given the choice of dessert, I chose the Strawberry Pretzel dessert. The creme brulee and chocolate mousse bomb were also phenomenal.
My birthday dinner (not pictured: a Hurricane)
My friends and family members at the dinner ordered the trout, the salmon, or the pork chops. The Cedar Plank Salmon is also available as a large and small order, which my friend really appreciated. It was also accompanied by whipped mashed potatoes, garlic green beans, and a lemon herb butter sauce, but my friend appreciated that she could substitute a corn side for the mashed potatoes.
The Pork Chop was served with farro risotto, pickled red cabbage, and bacon and pear mustards. My mother is a pork chop fan and enjoyed this dish a lot. They were able to work with her to accommodate her dairy and gluten allergies. She had no problems the next day, which is always appreciated after going out to dinner.
The Dinner Menu is just one of the menus available on the website. They offer a Beverage Menu, a Dessert Menu, a Date Night Menu, a Weekly Family Dining Menu, a monthly Brunch Menu, and currently a Holiday Celebratory Luncheons Menu, a Restaurant Week Menu, and a Thanksgiving Takeout Menu.
Obviously, I enjoyed the Clambake here this year (see here), but I also recently enjoyed their Oktoberfest Brunch in September (to be continued, see next post). Blue Canyon is worth the drive for a special night out with friends or a date night. The bar and dining rooms are cozy, and you just want to sink into the chairs. There are choices for every price point – from a burger to a steak or scallops.
I had the most phenomenal clambake to start off clambake season. My friend Nancy (who lives in Florida now) posted on Sept. 15th that her favorite restaurant, Mish Mosh Eclectic Eatery in Solon, was doing a clambake this year. Mish Mosh is tucked away behind Fisher’s American Tavern at the corner of Brainard Road and Miles Road. I finished a five-day Zoom assignment, so I decided to treat myself to the clambake on the 23rd. A friend had gone on the 15th and enjoyed it. They advertised it as “First come first serve for our patio or call for reservation.” Even though there was a chill in the air (it had dropped to 50 degrees Fahrenheit that day), I was okay sitting on the patio. The restaurant itself was already packed at 5 PM, so they aren’t kidding about reservations. Anyway, I sat by myself on the patio and was waited on by co-owner Jamie. They had a fire pit and heaters going, so I was perfectly comfortable in my capri pants and short sleeve shirt. They offered the clambake every evening Thursday through Saturday through October. The clambake includes a mug of New England clam “Chowda,” 1 dozen butter broth steamed little neck clams, garlic crostinis, butter roasted corn on the cob, house slaw, and pomegranate roasted sweet potatoes. The dinner with the Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken was $38, the Black Angus New York strip steak was $58, a half-rack of dry-rubbed, BBQ baby back ribs was $47, and the lobster weighed between 1 1/4 to 3 lbs and was market price. I decided I was going to go all out and order the lobster. It was market price and not cheap, but I decided to splurge. The lobster they had was a 2 1/2 lb. lobster, so my dinner was $130 plus drinks (perfect Rum Runner) and tip. I enjoyed every single bite. I usually am sad when I run out of lobster, but this was the perfect amount for me. The Chowda was delicious and chock full of clams. The clams were in a nice broth with some vegetables; I liked the broth so much that I tipped the plate to drink some and the server ended up bringing me a shot glass to decant the rest into. The corn was nicely grilled, and I enjoyed the sweet potatoes and house slaw as well. Jamie also accidentally brought me a house salad, but it was nice to get some freshness in. I would definitely do this again when I have the cash to splurge on a meal. I ate peanut butter sandwiches that week to counterbalance the cost.
Mish Mosh’s clambake
Willoughby Elks
I used to attend the Willoughby Elks’ clambake every year since 2014. I wasn’t able to go in 2018 or 2019, and Covid stopped events there in 2020. I have several friends who are members, so I attend the occasional brunch, BBQ, fish fry, and of course the clambakes. They even use my photo for their Event photo every year! This year was the first time in a while they have had dinners. I signed up for the October 1st clambake in mid-September and promptly forgot about it until Facebook reminded me (after a nap) that the event had started an hour ago. I rushed out of the house and made it there just as the last folks in line were being served. I missed nothing. I enjoyed sitting with my friend Kerrie. Her partner Brian was working the tent and organized my meal for me. The clambake includes clams (or mussels) with the choice of 1/2 a chicken or steak along with sweet potato, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and their famous clam chowder! Tickets MUST be purchased in advance & it does sell out, so it’s important to reserve your ticket in September when they post the event. The Chicken Bake is $28, the Steak Bake is $35, and extra clams or mussels are $12. They cook and serve outside (and the smokers congregate there), but there is inside seating and a full bar off the hallway. To explain the photos below: the one on the left is the photo they use for the event photo, the photo in the middle is a photo from their recent luau to show the seating (the bar is through the door in the middle), and the photo on the right is this year’s meal. I had the steak and had an Oktoberfest beer and a Sprite from the bar. I brought home half the steak and most of the sweet potato. The corn was out of this world this year!
Willoughby Elks’ clambake
Winking Lizard
My friend Beth contacted me spur of the moment to see if I would be interested in joining her at the Winking Lizard for their clambake on the 7th. The Winking Lizard locations apparently alternate when they host the clambake, and that weekend was Canton, Macedonia, Mayfield Heights, Mentor, Peninsula and Reynoldsburg. It was available on that Friday after 3 pm through Sunday. She wanted to meet right when it started at 3, and I whined that I wasn’t a senior citizen yet. But I hadn’t eaten that day, so I was definitely getting hungry. I was so glad we did it. We got a great server, and it wasn’t too busy (until we were leaving). The dinner included a cup of New Egland clam chowder, steamed clams, baked or sweet potato, corn on the cob, and garlic cheese bread with our choice of twin lobster tails for $37, a 12 oz. strip steak for $34, a half slab of St. Louis ribs for $30 and half a BBQ chicken for $25. Another option was “Clams & Clams” for $30. A great deal! I ordered a margarita along with the clambake with twin lobster tails. Everything was cooked perfectly. Probably because the kitchen wasn’t slammed. It was wonderful! And we ran into two friends as we were about to leave, so we sat and kept them company. I’d definitely do it again.
Winking Lizard’s clambake
Gunselman’s Tavern
It was the third year in a row for Gunselman’s Tavern. This year was a little different in that they seated people inside and on the patio, and opened the parking lot up for parking. Despite advertising it to my dining out group I ended up going by myself. I brought my Kindle, but was seated at the Community Table, which I have really enjoyed at other restaurants in the past. This Community Table did not disappoint. I was initially seated with a couple from Fairview Park. The wife knew the older sister of my high school boyfriend, so we talked about the few families I knew through him. Then another couple and their friend were seated with us, and it turns out they know my high school best friend’s husband and family from way back (first grade and he’s in his mid-50s now). I am the one who introduced the two, so we had plenty to talk about. Finally, a second couple and their son were sat with us. Turns out the last two groups had paid for tickets and had the credit card statements to prove it, but there was no record of them on Gunselman’s side. I’m sensing a pattern… Anyway, we had such a fun time talking that I blew off my book discussion to stay and talk. The clambake was, as always, delicious. The food prep was in the parking lot along the patio, so it didn’t take up any parking spaces. Same as the last two years, the Gunselman’s clambake includes clam broth, New England clam chowder, a dozen clams, sweet potato and roasted potatoes, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and 1/2 chicken. We were served extra broth and clam chowder (note my two cups stacked in the chowder photo). The chowder was packed with clams and potatoes. I was able to get my own meal from the buffet this year! I once again ordered the Steak Bake, so I got a 12 oz strip steak instead of chicken. When I went through the buffet, I asked for sweet potatoes and not roast potatoes, which helped me not fill up and need a to-go box. I had 2 Great Lake Oktoberfest beers and an iced tea. The beers went down smoothly in that weather.
Gunselman’s Tavern’s clambake (Year 3)
Stancato’s
Stancato’s hosts its clambake every Saturday in October. I met one of my Meetup dining groups here for the clambake on the 22nd. There were 12 of us, and 11 ordered the clambake, making it easier for the wait staff to handle us. I ordered a Limoncello Margherita (ha!) as my cocktail and a ginger ale for when I was thirsty. They brought out a ton of herb ciabatta rolls and a small bowl of marinara for dipping or drizzling. I spooned several spoonfuls of marinara on each half and enjoyed them. They then brought out a cup of New England clam chowder, followed by the linguini in white clam sauce. They brought out small to go cups of parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes for us to add as desired. Delicious! The third course featured a dozen middle neck clams with broth and drawn butter, which were perfectly cooked. The broth was good. I wish we had been given some on the side. The roasted portion of the meal includes a marinated roast chicken, Italian sausage (this time lacking the peppers and onions although you could taste them), parsley red skin potatoes, and buttered corn on the cob. We were given a long list of available desserts, including cannoli, tiramisu, cheesecake, pumpkin cheesecake, several cakes, and ice cream. I chose the pumpkin cheesecake, which was great, and had a bite of the tiramisu, which was extra chocolatey and “espresso-y”. Once again, I ate everything that wouldn’t reheat well (chowder, linguini, clams, and corn) and took the rest and an extra dinner roll (and half my cheesecake) home for dinner the next day. Delicious!
Stancato’s clambake
Salmon Dave’s
We’re not quite done, folks. We have two more clambakes before we get to the end. Halloween weekend I had ordered stone crab claws from Goldbelly for a little crab bake at home, but decided at the last minute to go out on Sunday for the famous Salmon Dave’s clambake. I have been hearing about Salmon Dave’s clambake since I started paying attention to the local clambakes. Salmon Dave’s is known for the quality of its seafood and fish, so I was looking forward to it. And best of all, the clambakes are $10 off on Sundays. I decided to splurge and order a nice chardonnay. The server suggested two that were “buttery” and would go well with the clambake. I told her to bring me the “butteriest” of the two, which was the Chalk Hill. I loved the wine and will be looking for it in stores. I decided to order the “Maine Event” Clambake, which includes fresh bread and honey butter, clam broth, a whole 1 1/4 lb. lobster, 1/2 a baked chicken, 1/2 dozen (six) clams, a half ear of corn on the cob, and roasted red potatoes. It was the first clambake I’ve been to that only serves six clams instead of a dozen. You can order an extra dozen, but I figured I’d have enough food there and there was no option to order six. If I hadn’t been to Mish Mosh, I would have been over the moon with this clambake, but I missed the extra 1 1/2 pounds of lobster meat (grin). Also, the half (!) ear of corn was a little dried out. Luckily it puffed up a bit once I slathered some butter on it. The quality of everything was great. I particularly enjoyed the roasted potatoes. The chicken was a little salty, but I just avoided the skin after that. As always, I ate the stuff that wouldn’t reheat well and brought the chicken and roasted potatoes home for later.
Salmon Dave’s Maine Event
Blue Canyon
The last clambake for the season was at Blue Canyon. I recently rediscovered Blue Canyon when I decided to celebrate my birthday there in August. My parents live close, and I wanted to celebrate with them. Our dinner there was exquisite. I had been to Blue Canyon for the clambake in 2020 and remember it being excellent, so I definitely wanted to end this season on a high note. It certainly lived up to it. I made a reservation for 4 for 6:30 on Thursday, November 3 (the last clambake of the season – they started serving at 4). I arrived there to find a full parking lot. There were a couple spots at the very end near the dumpsters and space in the overflow lot on the hill above the parking lot. I parked in the lot and sat for a while waiting for the reservation time. Two of my friends had canceled, and my friend who was meeting me was running a little late. I walked in at 6:30 along with a group of ladies, who were whisked to their table. I was greeted warmly, explained we would only be two people, and asked to take a seat for a few minutes. They apparently had to clean a couple of tables. I wasn’t in a hurry. I joked about walking from the upper parking lot and remarked that the last time I was there I was using a cane and the hostess exclaimed, “I thought I recognized you!” That is the sign of an excellent hostess, Brandt!
Initial impressions of Blue Canyon’s clambake
I was taken to my table and greeted warmly. I ordered a delicious cocktail called Royal Winter, which was made with Crown Royal, Amaretto, Chambord, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice. I took a photo of the listing so I can try to recreate it at home. It was delicious and very cranberry-forward. Once my friend arrived, she ordered the same cocktail and we ordered our clambakes. I had ordered them with the reservations so they wouldn’t run out, so she didn’t feel badly ordering an extra dozen clams. The basic clambake featured bacon clam chowder, a dozen middle neck clams, a small thimble of broth (easily confused with the melted butter), Yukon Gold Potatoes with sausage, kale and Parmesan in a sage cream sauce (absolutely delicious), and an ear of corn with roasted garlic chive butter, and an apple cider-glazed chicken breast for $39. You could add on several items, crab cake for $10, an 8 oz beef tenderloin for $24, 4 grilled shrimp for $12, and a dozen clams for $12. There were also several desserts. Unfortunately, the crab cake was listed but not available. The server offered me grilled scallops instead, which sounded good. They were perfect, but unfortunately my photo of them was not so I don’t have a photo. The dinner was a winner from start to finish. Let’s talk about the bacon clam chowder. That was without a doubt the best, most flavorful soup I have ever eaten. I wanted to order a bowl to go but forgot by the end of the dinner because everything else was phenomenal as well. The chowder was full of chunks of potato, bacon and clam, and the seasoning was superbly on point. Blue Canyon wins the Best Chowder award. The Yukon potatoes were creamy and delicious. I’m a sucker for sage. The corn was flavorful, nicely cooked, and not dried out despite it being at the end of corn season. The clams were perfect. A little chewy, but definitely well-prepared. I brought the potatoes and chicken breast home with me for lunch tomorrow (today).
Perfect clambake
Best ambiance: Gunselman’s patio/parking lot (runner up: Mish Mosh’s patio) Best bread: Winking Lizard (runner up: Stancato’s) Best chicken: Salmon Dave’s (runner up: Blue Canyon) Best chowder: Blue Canyon (runner up: Gunselman’s) Best clams: Mish Mosh Best potatoes: Blue Canyon (runner up: Salmon Dave’s) Best corn: Willoughby Elks Bet add-on: Mish Mosh’s lobster (runner up: Stancato’s linguini and clams)
Marie’s Restaurant is a Cleveland institution located at the corner of E. 45th and St. Clair Avenue. The restaurant has been in business for four decades and features Eastern European cuisine – specifically “home cooked authentic Eastern European cooking just like mama would make.” It’s known for its Croatian cooking (see: cevapi). Marie’s has great lunch and dinner specials all week. You can order in or take it to go, get a full or half portion, lunch or dinner, the choice is yours. The specials run out, so make sure you order early. Marie’s has a comfortable, no-frills dining room, friendly down-to-earth staff, and delicious home cooking.
The bread is soft and fluffy and comes served with prepackaged butter pats, which were nice and soft. No frozen hard butter that makes you tear the bread. I ate several slices before my soup and salad came out (entrees come with choice of soup or salad, but I ordered the salad on the side). The salad dressing is a delicious vinegar-based European dressing. You can’t go wrong with any of their soups, but you will have to add some salt and pepper. They definitely cater to the elderly patrons who are watching their salt intake. I’ve had the clam chowder, the ham and barley, and the chicken noodle soups. All were really tasty.
The first time I went I ordered a Schnitzel and Spaetzle, because I think that is the best test for a European restaurant. The Schnitzel was definitely homemade and hand-pounded. No uniform frozen schnitzels here. It was crisp and delicious. I ordered some goulash gravy to go over the Spätzle, which was perfect, and the green beans were good too (canned but I like that). The beer went down tooo smoothly.
The second time I went I brought my dining out group. I ordered the Schnitzel Cordon Blue and probably won’t ever order anything else. The schnitzel was thinly pounded and wrapped around a generous portion of ham and cheese. Each bite was delicious. I also ordered the spätzle again – and a side of the fried cabbage, which was absolutely delicious. It’s a special side on Wednesdays.
My fellow diners enjoyed the goulash with spätzle and with noodles as well as a schnitzel with homefries, and one diner ordered the pork chop with spätzle. The goulash is authentically Viennese in that it is just meat and sauce. Everyone loved their entrees and sides of choice. Several exclaimed that they would be coming here again.
We split several apple strudels, which was just like the thin layered pastry I enjoyed in Austria. Strudel is supposed to be made with multiple layers of thin dough – not puff pastry. This strudel was perfect.
I look forward to trying the stuffed cabbage and the cevapi before relying on the cordon blue from now on. Judging from the photos, Marie’s Chicken Paprikash is more Balkan than Hungarian. The sauce is creamier and does not use a lot of paprika like the Hungarian version does. Marie’s also has City Chicken on the menu. You can’t get much more Cleveland than that.
Contact info:
Marie’s Restaurant
4502 St. Clair Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103
(216)361-1816
I maxed out on clambakes in 2022, so 2021 was a little lighter. I only attended three. There were a number of reasons – the first being that my annual translators’ conference occupied the last prime clambake weekend. I was also less than mobile due to my knee problems, and we lost Walter Hyde that month. The joy kind of disappeared.
Stancato’s
I met my friend Dale to enjoy the clambake at Stancato’s on October 2nd to start the season off right. Like Bruno’s, Stancato’s also serves a very Italiano clambake. They bring out round bread rolls with a lovely Tuscan herb blend on top of them along with a small ramekin of marinara for dipping or drizzling. The rolls are delicious, but I prefer butter over marinara on bread. They then bring out a cup of tasty New England clam chowder. Then my favorite part – the linguini in white clam sauce. Delicious! The third course features a dozen middle neck clams with broth and drawn butter. Again, very tasty and tender. The roasted portion of the meal includes a marinated and roasted chicken, sausage and peppers, roasted parsley red skin potatoes, and buttered corn on the cob. I ate everything that wouldn’t reheat well (chowder, linguini, clams, and corn) and took the rest home for lunch the next day. Delicious!
Stancato’s clambake
The Leather Stallion Saloon
I skipped the next weekend to prep for a vendor event I was working at on Saturday. But that next weekend, on the 15th, I enjoyed a clambake at a most unusual venue – at a Leather & Bear Bar that has been serving the Cleveland gay community since 1970. It was one of the tastiest clambakes I’ve ever enjoyed. The Leather Stallion Saloon on St. Clair Avenue has/had a phenomenal chef. The entrance is down the alleyway, and we ate outside on the enclosed patio at the very end of the alley. My friends had preordered the tickets. We enjoyed martinis and cosmos from the patio bar and then feasted on lobster bisque and clam chowder, clams and mussels, and a half chicken or steak. We walked to the cooking area to get each course. There weren’t many people this year, so the chef didn’t care if we came up and had seconds (obviously not on the steak). I was able to enjoy both the chowder and the bisque. I think the bisque was my favorite. It had a nice amount of sherry and corn in it. The chef also brought a big bowl of mussels to the table “just because.” The dinner itself included choice of soup, clams, potato, coleslaw, corn, rolls and butter, and choice of dessert. Of course, we were able to enjoy several desserts. I particularly enjoyed the pumpkin cheesecake, although the carrot cake was also pretty phenomenal. and my bite of one of my friend’s tiramisu was also great.
Leather Stallion clambake
Gunselman’s Tavern
This year I ended up meeting two friends at the clambake at Gunselman’s Tavern. There was unfortunately a glitch with my ticket. I ordered it the day it went live on the website, but something happened and they had no record of me when I showed up. I had to pay for another ticket that day and come back with my credit card statements to get refunded for the first charge. We were seated on the patio and enjoyed the beautiful weather. The food prep was in the parking lot. Same as last year, the Gunselman’s clambake includes clam broth, New England clam chowder, a dozen clams, sweet potato and roasted potatoes, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and 1/2 chicken. I once again ordered the Steak Bake, so I got a 12 oz strip steak instead of chicken. I ordered a Blue Moon this year, which was refreshing. I wasn’t able to walk very well, so luckily one of the younger helpers (maybe 12 years old) was willing to go through the buffet line for me. I tipped him and he was thrilled. Once again it was a fun time.
Contact info:
Stancato’s 7380 State Road Parma, OH 44134 (440) 886-6242
Leather Stallion 2205 St Clair Ave NE Cleveland, OH 44114
I went to write about the clambakes I attended this season and went to compare the dinner I had last night with the one I had there last year. I was surprised to find I hadn’t written about the clambakes for the past two years. I have a write-up for 2019, so let’s start with 2020.
Blue Canyon
Blue Canyon
My first clambake of the season that year was on October 1st at Blue Canyon in Twinsburg. It was $30 a person (now $39). I will be writing about Blue Canyon soon, because I celebrated my birthday there and then enjoyed a delicious Oktoberfest brunch there. Since COVID was rampant in October 2020 they did a great job of distancing us from other diners by seating us in the enclosed terrace. They started us off with bread and their white bean tamponade and a cup of clam chowder with bacon, Sherry, Old Bay and potatoes. The chowder was chock-full of clams, bacon, potatoes and herbs. Very, very tasty. The middle neck clams were perfectly prepared – not a dry one in the bunch. It was served with a small cup of broth and a small cup of melted butter for dipping. The cider-brined roast chicken was served with a miso mustard jus – just amazingly good and I’m not a fan of chicken with clambakes. I could have eaten a second one. The dinners came with a side of creamed corn with harissa and parmesan, roasted fingerling potatoes with Cajun garlic butter, and wild rice pilaf with charred broccoli rabe, cranberry, almond and sage. The creamed corn was the item that convinced me to go. I love creamed corn, and this was the tastiest I’ve ever had. In fact, every single side was outstanding. I chose to upgrade and add a 4-5 oz. lobster tail for $9 (other options were 3 sea scallops or an 8 oz beef tenderloin). We rounded out the meal ordering the creme brulee, which was heavenly. I started out the season right, and I have to say this was one of the best clambakes I have ever enjoyed. Every Thursday and Friday starting at 4 PM from late September to early November (check the site). Reservations recommended.
Blue Canyon clambake
Gunselman’s Tavern
Two days later, I found myself at the clambake at Gunselman’s Tavern. They sell tickets to this clambake through their website and offer three a year. In this time of COVID they set it up in the parking lot. I sat by myself with my Kindle on the patio. I ordered a Stroh’s in honor of my grandfather. He was the first person to give me my first taste of ever – and you can bet it was a Stroh’s. The beer transported me to my childhood. The Gunselman’s clambake includes clam broth, New England clam chowder, a dozen clams, sweet potato, roasted potatoes, coleslaw, corn on the cob and 1/2 chicken. I ordered the Steak Bake, s i got a 12 oz strip steak. Since the food was served buffet style I was unable to order my steak medium rare. It was a little tough, but it was edible. It was definitely a fun time.
Gunselman’s Tavern’s Clambake
Cabin of Willowick
The next weekend I chose to go to the Cabin of Willowick, a casual dining steak and seafood restaurant known for its patio dining. I had heard they had a good clambake. Unfortunately, it was a rainy evening, so patio dining was out. I went early in the evening to avoid the crowds, sat by myself, and brought a book (well, Kindle). It was pretty dark, but I had a side dining room to myself. They started me off with a mug of clam broth (fantastic) and a bowl of New England clam chowder. It was a good clam chowder. I treated myself to a nice Chardonnay. The clams were little neck clams and were very tender. I had one questionably open clam, so I set it aside. No need to get an upset tummy from a clam that may or may not be bad. How open is okay to eat? I upgraded to the lobster tail dinner, which came with haricot vert (French green beans and roasted potatoes. They served a delicious Apple Brown Betty for dessert. The service was a little slow, but I wasn’t in a hurry. I remember waiting a while to be acknowledged by the hostess and then the server. I wasn’t that surprised when they closed soon thereafter. It’s Timber Social Kitchen now. I’ll have to check it out.
Cabin of Willowick clambake
Fisher’s American Tavern
I visited Fisher’s American Tavern at Miles and Brainard in Solon for week number 3. They had been advertising their clambake pretty heavily on All Things Food in Cleveland (a local Facebook food group I help moderate), so I decided to check them out. I had ordered a Lenten fish fry from there earlier (carry out only due to Covid) and enjoyed it a lot. But clams don’t travel well, so they have to be enjoyed on-site. I felt like having a hearty beer, so I ended up ordering a Guinness. It paired well with the clam chowder. The chowder was a decent clam chowder. The clams were middle neck clams and were nice and tender. The clambake came with a little ramekin of broth, a roll, and a baked potato (with sour cream). I ordered the NY strip steak instead of the chicken. The steak was perfectly medium rare, and I enjoyed the meal a lot. Every Friday, and Saturday, from 4 to 8 in October.
Fisher’s American Tavern
The Lobster Pot
Week number four had me eating at the Lobster Pot in Willoughby Hills. The Lobster Pot is known for its made-from-scratch food and fresh seafood. I’ve eaten here several times and enjoyed it every time. I went by myself, and as I was seated on the patio, two of my friends who were seated nearby asked me to join them. They were almost finished with their clambakes, but they sat and kept me company as we enjoyed the lovely weather. The clambake came with a cup of New England clam chowder, a dozen clams, a cup of clam broth, boiled red potatoes, corn on the cob, and cole slaw. This year I chose a pound of crab legs. Last year I ordered the whole lobster. I don’t know which one I prefer more. Starts in September and goes through October.
The Lobster Trap clambake
Bruno’s Ristorante
It was a five-weekend month, so I got to enjoy a fifth weekend of clambakes in 2020. The final clambake was a very unusual one – at Bruno’s Ristorante, which is known for its excellent Italian food. It is a very small place, so reservations are a must – even not during clambake season. Bruno’s Clambake Italiano includes fresh baked Italian bread with butter or oil (for dipping), one dozen middle neck clams in an herb broth (you can see the herbs on the clams), clam chowder, choice of cornish hen ($32), oven roasted 1/2 chicken ($32) or filet of beef (I got the beef for $42), corn on the cob, sweet potato (with brown sugar on the side), homemade white clam pasta, choice of dessert (I ordered tiramisu to go, so no photo) and non-alcoholic beverages. I ate several slices of bread. The clams were tender, and the white clam pasta was out of this world. The filet of beef was very tender and just as I ordered it. I’d definitely go here again. Every Friday and Saturday in October. Dinner service only after 4PM.
Bruno’s Ristorante Clambake Italiano
Contact info:
Blue Canyon 8960 Wilcox Drive Twinsburg, OH 44087 (330) 486-2583
Established in 1977, Grum’s is legendary when it comes to CWRU students and their favorite subs. You can get a foot-long (whole) sandwich for $13, which is enough for two meals. Grum’s is always recommended when folks on food forums ask for good subs. Unlike many sub shops in Cleveland, Grum’s has one location – Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights. I live within walking distance, which makes me the envy of a lot of people. One of my friends drives here twice a year from the west side and enjoys their Grum’s in Lake View Cemetery.
It doesn’t wow me, but they make a good sub and they have their die-hard fans. The bread is fresh, the meats and cheeses are plentiful, and the combination of flavors are well-paired. At the moment they only carry Italian bread. There is a supply problem with wheat. They have a sign on the door. They have chips and soda in vending machines to the right of the ordering counter. They used to serve them from behind the counter. I do not like the addition of the vending machines. It seems cheap and not very customer-friendly to me. I don’t know too many people who are willing to pay for a sub and then willingly plug money in a machine for a bag of chips and then another machine for a can or bottle of soda. But maybe that’s just me.
Grum’s is best known for the Turkey Ridge. It is made with roasted turkey breast, lettuce, tomato, onions, provolone cheese, Grum’s (secret) spices and mayo. It’s definitely a tasty sub. The spices complement the turkey sub, and I like the fact that the lettuce and onion are thinly shredded.
I usually order the Grumsteer, which is made with thinly sliced roast beef, oil, lettuce, tomato, onions, provolone cheese, Grum’s horseradish sauce and Grum’s spices. I really like the roast beef and tangy horseradish sauce. It can be ordered hot or cold, but I prefer it cold, because I felt the consistency and taste of the roast beef changed when it was heated and I was not a fan. As you can see from this side view there is a lot of roast beef in the sub. They also offer something called a Grumsting, which is a roast beef sandwich with barbecue sauce (thinly sliced roast beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeño pepper rings, provolone cheese, BBQ sauce , and Grum’s spices, to be exact). I prefer horseradish with my roast beef, but if you like barbecue sauce you might enjoy the Grumsting. It’s only available as a hot sub.
I tried the signature sub, the Grum, just to report on it. It is a decent Italian-style sub, featuring smoked ham, pepperoni, genoa salami, oil, lettuce, tomato, onion, hot banana pepper rings, provolone cheese, and Grum’s spices. Me being me, I picked out the hot banana pepper rings, but there was enough residual juice left behind to give it a bit of zing. The pepperoni and salami obviously overwhelmed any taste of ham, but it is a good sub if you like Italian cold cuts.
Grum’s tuna fish sub, the Seagrum, is made with Grum’s tuna salad, mayo, lettuce, tomato, and provolone cheese. I am not a fan of crunchy stuff like celery in my sub, so I really enjoyed the softness of the sub bun and the tuna. But if you prefer a sturdier sandwich you might want to order something else. The tuna flavor was not too overwhelming or “tuna-ee”. It wasn’t the best tuna sandwich I’ve had, but it also wasn’t the worst. It was a decent tuna sub.
I was going to order a hot sub, but I wasn’t able to order a half Hamshire in their online ordering system. Maybe another time. I’ve also had their pizza sub, which I enjoyed, but I don’t have a photo of that either. Two things you can order on the online ordering system is a side of potato salad and a half or a whole pickle, so I did. The potato salad was a decent potato salad. It’s not Fragapane’s or my mom’s, but I would order it again. It had a nice mayo base. It could use a little more seasoning than the paprika dashed on top of it. The whole pickle was great. Cut into four spears, it was sturdy and not too floppy and had a good dill flavor.
They also have three salads and a hot dog on their menu. The salads look like they are all iceberg lettuce, but the toppings appear to be plentiful. The salads are also all under $10. I would have really like to order soup, but maybe that is too much. There is chili listed in the ordering system, but several people on Yelp complained that they don’t have it despite it being listed. The online ordering system also allows you to order a soda, but they don’t specify what kinds and I wonder how that works with the vending machine.
The vending machines were there even before the COVID renovations (see the new menu boards in second photo)
Grum’s isn’t my go-to choice for subs, but it certainly has its fans. I prefer a sturdier bread. Maybe I would have become a fan if I was a CWRU student in the 1990s instead of BGSU. Instead, my heart belongs to DiBennedetto’s, which was across the street from my dorm and is unfortunately is no longer in business.
Contact info:
Grum’s Sub Shoppe 1776 Coventry Road Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 (216) 321-4781
Cleveland Rocks, Cleveland Eats 
