Category: Ethnic stores/restaurants

Kumo Japanese Seafood Buffet

I enjoy all kinds of food. I know a lot of people look down their nose at buffets (especially after the pandemic), but a buffet is a great way to try things you might not normally order at a restaurant (I think Indian buffets are a great way to dip a toe in – I recommend Himalayan and Indian Flame, btw). I think Kumo is one of the better Chinese/Asian buffets in town, and many people agree with me. I liked Mandarin Seafood Buffet in Twinsburg, but it was a Fiji or Kumo as well for a while and is now Fun Buffet. I would pop in when I wanted something filling and fast. In any event, many people recommend Kumo as being one of the best – with Fiji just across the street. I’ve also been to Fiji, but I just prefer Kumo. It’s got a good vibe and comfy booths/chairs, even if they are getting a little worn. It is also in the strip mall right next to the Parma Snow library branch, so I enjoy eating there before or after a library event.

I was introduced to Kumo years ago before the pandemic by a financial advisor who appreciates good food and would go there for their lunch buffet. Like it or not, buffets are a great value for the money. The lunch buffet at Kumo is $14.99 (from 11 to 3:30) and the dinner buffet is $23.99. There are cheaper prices for seniors (60+) and kids (7-10). And they sometimes run promotional prices for less ($11.99 for lunch and $19.99 most recently if you don’t get hot pot). For that, you get all kinds of chicken, beef, seafood and pork dishes, four or five different soups, a hot pot station, a salad bar as well as 20 sushi rolls and several dessert options such as ice cream, pudding and fruit to enjoy. And they also offer dim sum on the weekends (all day on Sunday, which is $23.99 all day). The buffet is also offered to go at $3.99 a pound for lunch and $4.99 a pound for dinner (seafood and hot pot are extra) with 1, 2 or 3 entrees. And they do a great job replenishing the steam tables.

If you get there shortly before dinner, you are given a choice of lunch or dinner- and all of the dinner entrees are clearly labeled “dinner only” in front of the steam pan if you just want the lunch. I was there recently at 3:15. I decided to just pay for the dinner so I didn’t inadvertantly grab some dinner choices. That’s how I know about the signs. It turns out all of my favorites are served at lunch. The only dinner item I ended up getting were some crab legs that were overcooked/dry as dust. Hard pass next time, and now I know.

When I decided to write about Kumo, I compiled all my photos from over the years (all the way back to 2015, but not all are going to be included here). I noticed a pattern, and I definitely have favorites. The nice thing about a buffet is everyone can enjoy their own favorites and mix and match/pick and choose. All of the food is labelled on the sneeze guards, so there is no guessing.

I always start my visit at the sushi station. You can get a single slice from a roll as well as nigiri and sometimes sashimi. I love sushi, but any roll is a commitment. A sushi roll is usually about $20 now, so a plate of sushi options allows me to ‘break even’ and I haven’t even hit the entrees. There is no commitment here – you just choose what looks good to you. They also have plenty of ginger and wasabi and little containers for soy and other sauces. I also enjoy the peel and eat shrimp. I have been known to get adventurous and try the crawfish or snail – or go for other things like fried appetizers (rangoon, egg rolls, dumplings/gyoza, etc.) during round one. Sometimes I get a soup. It all depends on what I’m in the mood for.

Round two is usually dedicated to the entrees. I really enjoy the ‘seafood and cheese’ as well as the chicken and broccoli or chicken and mushroom – and the mango chicken is tasty. I always get some rice and/or lo mein as well. I just grab a scoop of whatever looks good to me. I am not a huge fan of hot pot, so I don’t get any of that. The hot pot stuff is also clearly labeled and is around the left of the sushi station and towards the rear of the restaurant. If you love hot pot there is also plenty of options.

I usually don’t have much room left for a round three of entrees, so round three for me is usually dessert. The desserts are on the very right against the wall. I obviously enjoy the pudding(s) and the bananas, because I have them on every plate I’ve had. Every. Single. Time. LOL

The buffet has some picky-kid-friendly choices like wings, but I’m there for the seafood and Asian food. It’s literally got something for everyone. So if you are in te mood for a quick meal and lots of choices, be sure to check out Kumo.

Contact info:

Kumo Japanese Seafood Buffet
1975 Snow Road
Parma, OH 44134
(216) 741-3038

Georgian Bakery Tiflis

I’ve been hearing about how good khachapuri is for years. A Georgian bakery opened in the fall of 2025, and I had to check it out. Georgian Bakery Tiflis is located on Pearl Road in Parma Heights. It is small, but there are a few tables to dine in. They have a table with plastic silverware and napkins and bring the food out to you.

I have to say, khachapuri is indeed phenomenal. Probably the most well-known is the Adjaruli Khachapuri, which is shaped like a boat. It’s a wheat flour bread filled with two different Georgian cheeses and some seasonings and topped with a raw egg. Mix the egg into the cheese, rip off bites of bread and dig in. It was a definite highlight for me, and I can’t wait to enjoy it again. I might even order the Adjaruli with Mushrooms.

I also really enjoyed the Pkhlovani Khachapuri (a spinach khachapuri) and my friend’s Khabidzgina Khachapuri (a potato and cheese khachapuri). I am a huge spinach fan, so it was right up my alley. The dough was flaky, and the filling was savory and delicious with cheese, spinach and fresh herbs (parsley, dill and coriander).

Khinkali are soup dumplings on steroids. Note that the beef khinkali do contain 10% pork. The dough wrapping is quite a bit thicker than most dumplings you might get such as soup dumplings or gyoza. The filling is made of the meat mixed with fresh herbs like coriander and parsley. They were quite toothsome and filling.

Very enjoyable meal. Cheesy carb goodness. I will definitely be back (after I finish my leftovers – LOL). I will have to try some of the meat skewers. The staff was extremely welcoming and helpful. It is closed on Mondays, but open Tuesday-Thursday from 10am-8pm and Friday-Sunday from 10am-10pm. Be sure to check out this hidden gem!

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Contact info:

Georgian Bakery Tiflis
6440 Pearl Road
Parma Heights, OH 44130
(440) 638-8485

YYTime

YYTime opened in February 2024. It was a much-awaited addition to AsiaTown. The owner put a lot of work into renovating an old NTB tire shop located catty-corner from Li Wah and Asia Plaza at Payne Avenue and E. 30th. There’s parking in the front and the back as well in the large lot across the street. That lot is packed during dim sum hours on the weekends, but I have never had a problem getting a spot. Turnover is quick.

YYTime features Asian street food favorites and Dagu Rice Noodle soups (the owner owned Dagu and shut it in preparation for opening YYTime). Dagu was located next to Koko Bakery on Payne and was known for its Crossing the Bridge soup (more on that below). We had a nice meal at Dagu in the past, so I was looking forward to YYTime opening. Unfortunately, the first few times I tried to go I was thwarted by getting sick or some other unfortunate event necessitating me from having to bow out. I was thrilled once I finally made it.

The restaurant is quite spacious and can easily accommodate groups. They have three kitchens, so food comes out very quickly. You can either order using the QR code on the table or from one of the friendly servers, who thoroughly answered all of our questions and were very helpful.

Once I was there I was pleased to see the wide range of fresh fruit and milk teas and coffees. The Dalgona Matcha Latte (available hot or cold – I ordered it hot) was an absolute revelation to me. Dalgona is a whipped foam for coffee or tea, using instant coffee or matcha, sugar and boiling water. It is then added to the prepared coffee or tea. When mixed in with some milk, it’s honestly just an incredible and tasty experience. Any of the foam options sound fun – like the Jasmine Green Tea with Matcha Foam.

On my second visit I hosted a meal with my tea group, because I knew they would appreciate the variety of tea options. I thoroughly enjoyed my Cream Brulee Thai Tea Slush with Amber Pearl (above right – with the fun kitty ears lid). There are so many choices you could try a new one every week and spend several years with a new beverage. I also really like that you can vary the level of sweetness. I’ve found 50% sweetness is perfect for me.

One of my vegetarian friends ordered several vegetarian appetizers, and they were really tasty. I always enjoy garlic cucumbers, but the black fungus appetizer was a nice surprise. It has a nice vinegary broth and lots of roasted peanuts. If you like that kind of flavor profile I highly recommend trying it. The cauliflower under the Vegetables section was also a tasty choice – arriving grilled on skewers, but I didn’t get a photo of it. The lotus root was also a unique choice that I enjoyed. It had the same vinegary broth as the black fungus.

As I said above, YYTime is the next iteration of the Dagu Rice Noodle restaurant that used to be located next to Koko Bakery on Payne. Dagu Rice Noodle is a Shanghai-based franchise and was one of only a few here in the U.S. They offered lots of Chinese street food-style options, but the real reason to come here was/is for the array of crossing-the-bridge noodle soups. Served alongside an enormous bowl of soft, tangled noodles and a platter of uncooked add-in spices, herbs, vegetables and protein such as bamboo shoots, tofu, pork or beef slices, crab, quail egg, bok choy, seaweed, ham, corn, fish ball, etc., you can build your soup to your liking.

The soups arrive in large bowls of boiling hot broth in heated earthenware bowls. The broth of each soup is served at a boiling 300 degrees. When I say boiling I mean it. It comes out boiling and bubbling. It is a good idea to add the veggies and meats and then let it sit for a little while to cool down while they cook. Pictured below is the Original Crossing The Bridge Rice Noodle Soup. It comes to the table as a steaming bowl of pork-based broth and is essentially a hot pot for one. One of my friends swears by the tomato-flavored base soup.

I ordered the Rice Noodle Soup with Coconut Red Curry Chicken on my first visit. It was quite tasty and I ended up bringing about half of it home to heat and eat the next day. The rice noodles didn’t quite hold up, so if you plan on bringing leftovers home you might want to pack the rice noodles up separately. I’m a huge fan of the yellow curry profile, but red curry is a close second for me.

The fried dumplings were highly recommended in a reel I saw on social media, and they did not disappoint. The photo on the left is the Pork with Water Chestnut. One of my friends raves about the Vine Pepper Shrimp dumplings (right), and it was as good as she said it was. I don’t know what the crispy golden brown crust is made of, but the dumplings are fried together because you have to break the crust to eat them. The dumplings were really juicy and tasty.

I ordered the Vermicelli Scallops when I was out with my tea group. It is pricy and small, but was a nice splurge and quite tasty. The powdered spice on top is no joke – it can pack a punch of heat.

The meat and vegetables on skewers were also a highlight. I ordered the chicken skewer and loved it. The flavor was really great, and the chicken was still quite juicy. As I said, the cauliflower on skewers is also surprisingly one of my favorites. The char just complements the taste of the cauliflower. The squid skewer (squid shall?) was also quite meaty and substantial. They are served with scissors to aid you in cutting off pieces. My friend dunked them in the soup to warm them up when they got cold.

My friend was not impressed with the fried rice, but she doesn’t like and didn’t add yum yum sauce, which I felt added to it. I tried it and it didn’t wow me, but it also wasn’t a bad choice. I think if you go to YYTime you will probably be better off trying something very unique.

Another friend ordered the Crispy Chicken Cutlet and wasn’t blown away. Then again, I’m fairly sure he didn’t use any of the accompanying sauces. One of my friends ate the tea egg (top of the photo in front of the cucumber slices) that came with his entree and enjoyed it a lot. They said it was “deliciously jammy.” The flavor is a burst of salty soy with a creamy yolk.

I was also not a huge fan of the grilled eggplant. It was just mushy and didn’t really wow me taste-wise (they were pretty bland despite having ordered them with mild spice. But on a positive note, my one friend said the egg rolls were some of the best he’s ever had (and the presentation is really nice).

I am looking forward to going back soon. I need another Dalgona Matcha Latte. Whether I get it hot or cold will remain to be seen. You can’t go wrong with any of their beverages choices. And dumplings and bao as well as the cold appetizers are fantastic. And now that it is soup season, you need to enjoy their rice noodle soups to warm up on a cold winter day. Plus, any place that has large groups of Asian diners is always a good choice (even if he is giving me the side eye for taking a photo of our table). It is open from 11 AM – 9 PM every day but Tuesday.

Contact info:

YYTime
3004 Payne Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 291-7533

Fredibertos

Fredibertos is a family-owned Mexican restaurant located in Slavic Village with 3 franchises in other Ohio cities. A lot of people who appreciate authentic California-style Mexican food from little hole-in-the-wall taquerias rave about it, so I wanted to give it a try. As soon as I saw a TikTok about it I immediately knew where it was. It is just down the street from the Red Chimney at the intersection of Fleet Avenue and Broadway Avenue and used to be a hot dog place. It features a drive-thru and a walk up window with a few outdoor tables. Since it is close to home I will use the drive-thru.

The first time I went I rolled through the drive-thru. It took a little while to get my food, but the food is made to order and super fresh. I ordered a Pollo Asado street taco (served with onions and cilantro), an Arizona burrito and a horchata. The street taco was really flavorful, but I would probably add a dollop of sour cream to it. The Arizona burrito was loaded with steak, pico de gallo, potatoes & cheese. I love a good burrito, and this definitely hit the spot. I would definitely order it again. It was extremely flavorful – espcially when I squeezed the lime slice (served in a bag with two sauces and several lime slices) on it. The horchata was delicious. It had a nice cinnamon flavor and quenched my thirst. I’ve made horchata in the past, so I can appreciate a good horchata.

I’ve heard good things about the breakfast burritos. They are available all day, even though the menus say until 2 PM. I met a friend here to enjoy the last of the good weather at 1 PM on a Wednesday. I ordered the ham, egg and cheese burrito and a watermelon agua fresca (sandria) and was full for the entire day. The burrito was stuffed full of goodness. The watermelon drink was not sweet at all, and I really enjoyed it. Very refreshing. My friend, who was a Spanish interpreter, ordered the Machaca and Eggs, which is on the breakfast menu. His breakfast came with a medium drink, and he ordered the Horchata. Machaca is a shredded beef. The refried beans looked delicious. He enjoyed it a lot – and so did the honeybees. They swarmed him and left me alone.

Prices are very affordable, and the quality of food is well worth the trip. It is open every day from 6 AM to midnight.

Contact info:

Fredibertos
7309 Broadway Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44105

Prosperity Social Club

Prosperity Social Club has been part of my family’s lore since before I was born. I have heard the story about my father being sent to what was then Dempsey’s to buy the G.I.s at the shower house next door a bucket of beer and a pack of smokes. At age 8. And he proudly claims that they gave him a dime and asked for the two cents change back, and he was proud to do it. He probably knew the guys in the photo on the website. He grew up in Tremont and spent a lot of time in Lincoln Park and Merrick House on Starkweather, just a few doors down from Prosperity. It opens at 4 PM during the week, closes at midnight Monday thru Thursday and 1 AM on Friday and Saturday. They also serve brunch on Sundays, so they open at 10:30 AM and close at 10 PM. I haven’t made it there for brunch, but it’s on my list. They have late night specials from 9p to midnight.

Residing in the original 1938 barroom (the aforementioned Dempsey’s Oasis, which was in operation from 1938-2005), Prosperity Social Club is open to the public, being a social club only in a figure of speech, behavior and attitude. The bar room is cozy and eclectic, with its Art Deco influences, dark chestnut walls and vintage beer memorabilia recalling a bygone era. Plus the food is killer. It proudly declares it is “The Clevelandest Bar in Cleveland.” I enjoy sitting in the back room, but lots of people sit at the bar or at tables throughout.

I have been here several times during Lent for the fish fry. The fish and pierogi are top-notch here, so the place is always packed. Reservations are a must. It gets so busy on Fridays during Lent that they have a limited menu, serving nothing but the fish fries and pierogi and a couple other entrees. The kitchen just cranks them out. Apparently they can do the beer battered fish using hearts of palm if you are vegan, but I don’t know if that is possible during Lent. It doesn’t hurt to call to ask. I highly recommend the “Gotta Haddock” Fish Fry, because you get the fried haddock, coleslaw, potato and cheese pierogi, homemade mac n cheese, and a cup of New England clam chowder. The pierogi are pictured above with the brown caramelized onions on top. The “Big Fish” comes with the fish, coleslaw and the mac n cheese. You can always add pierogi for an upcharge. And you’ll want to have the pierogi. They are amazing.

Prosperity is also known for its Eastern European food, such as the aforementioned pierogi, one Hungarian-style stuffed cabbage, one potato pancake and cabbage and noodles with “kielbaski.” If you order the Ethnic Platter you get a little bit of everything. They serve apple-cranberry chutney and sour cream to accompany the potato pancake (and pierogi if you’d like – there are no rules). Everything is filled with flavor, particularly the cabbage and noodles, but my favorites were the stuffed cabbage and the pierogi. That said, it is very heavy and filling and features no veggies. I took half of the dinner home for lunch the next day to eat with a small salad. It heated up nicely and did not disappoint.

They have a great beer and cocktail menu. Unlike during my recent visit to The Friars’ Table (stay tuned), Prosperity serves their Belgian beer in a proper Belgian beer glass! European have specific glasses for their specific beers. Belgian beer glasses are shaped like tulips, and the wide bowl and tapered mouth develop a thick head on the beer that captures each aromatic note. I was very pleased to get a Chimay glass for my Chimay beer.

My friends also really enjoyed their meals – although one friend complained about the lack of chicken in the Chicken Paprikash (see center photo) and was given a small bowl of it in response. My vegetarian friend really enjoyed her Harvest Salad (with tofu – see the photo on the right) and was pleased by how low her bill was. The photo on the left is the Stuffed Cabbage.

One of my friends ordered the housemade potato chips and French onion dip for the table to share, and they were a big hit. If you like crispy chips be sure to try them.

You don’t get much more old-school Cleveland than Prosperity Social Club. If you haven’t been there yet, be sure to check them out.

Contact info:

Prosperity Social Club
1109 Starkweather Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 937-1938

Sand Pebbles in Aurora and Pinecrest

My parents are creatures of habit. Due to my mother’s dietary issues they eat at home a lot and rarely go out to eat. But when they do they are very careful where they go. Their new weekly restaurant outing for the last few years has been Sand Pebbles in Aurora. Sand Pebbles is owned by a very nice Thai brother and sister. For a while the location in Pinecrest just served Thai food, while the location in Aurora also served sushi since that is where the sushi chef worked. Now both locations serve sushi in addition to Thai. The Pinecrest location is in the old Inca Tea spot very close to Graeter’s and the movie theater.

The Aurora restaurant (above) was initially at a smaller location on W. Garfield Road with limited parking, but they have relocated about a mile down the street in the strip mall where Marc’s and Pappou’s is located. It took them several months to get a new liquor license, but now they have a full-service bar. They have also added brunch/lunch hours (11-3), but I can’t report on that. The photos on Yelp look appealing though. We have eaten there as a family several times to celebrate my parents’ birthdays.

The shrimp summer rolls are a great way to start the meal. It is made with iceberg lettuce, boiled shrimp  and carrots wrapped in a thin rice wrapper served with plum or peanut sauce. It is easily shareable with the table. My sister’s family also ordered a California roll to share as well.

The attention to detail for their meals is meticulous. Every dish is served with a beautiful, decorative flower. The first time I ordered a sushi roll I was blown away by the hand-carved lemon. The rolls are rolled tightly, and the fish and other ingredients are very fresh.

My mother usually orders the Vietnamese pork chop. She has gotten it as a salad and with a side of gluten-free fried rice. It is no longer on the menu, but they happily make it for her because they know about her dietary issues (she is dairy and gluten-free). My father loves the crab salad and particularly loves it when it is made with soft-shelled crab. It is usually made with crab meat, spicy mayo, lettuce, cucumber, scallion, sesame seeds, yum yum sauce.

Pearl is very proud of the Kahiki Pineapple (above), which is a tribute to the famous Kahiki Supper Club in Columbus, Ohio. It is $25, but it is a stir fry of tofu, chicken or shrimp, pineapple, egg, garlic, onion, carrot, green pepper, red pepper, curry powder, cashew nut, scallion, and cilantro served in a carved out pineapple. It’s beautiful. And yes, there is a carved out pineapple under there.

I ordered sushi and the coconut soup during the most recent visit. I loved the coconut soup, which is made with chicken and mushroom in coconut milk seasoned with lime juice, scallion, and galanga. The sushi was as good as always, but the soup was the definite highlight.

As long as they keep taking care of my parents so well, my parents will continue to patronize Sand Pebbles. They love it here, and enjoy chatting with all of the employees. Everyone is very friendly and attentive. The owner, Pearl, is the smiling lady in the above photo talking to my father. You should also give them a try. I highly recommend it.

Contact info:

Sand Pebbles
Aurora: 340 Aurora Commons Circle
Aurora, OH 44202
(330) 954-9331

Pinecrest: 100 Park Avenue, Suite 120
Cleveland Ohio 44122
(216) 245-6092

Levant Shawarma

20241115_140925Levant Shawarma, located in the Little Arabia neighborhood of Cleveland, offers a variety of Mediterranean dishes with a focus on shawarma.  It is easy to access, as it is right off I-90 using the W. 117th exit. The storefront is compact, and there is street parking as well as a public parking lot right next door across from the old Variety theater. When you walk in, you are warmly greeted by the staff, and you can easily place your order and choose what toppings you would like to add to your shawarma bowl in a fresh prep area behind a plexiglass guard. The quality of the food is outstanding. It does primarily take-out, but there are a few tables in the back if you want to eat in.

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20241115_140548I was introduced to this place by a friend who organized several of us to meet here for a nice lunch. We have tried several shawarma places in Cleveland, and this one is the best. We all got make your own bowls and split a container of hummus. We all loved it and took home leftovers to eat later. The Build your Own Bowls ($12.99)  are massive and are my personal favorite.

20240530_130438You start by choosing between rice pilaf, jasmine rice or mixed greens, then choose two spreads (traditional or spicy hummus, baba ghanoush, Levant baba or tabbouleh. You then pick your protein (beef, chicken or falafel) and up to 5 toppings (diced tomato, cucumber, chopped onion, pickles, turnip, banana peppers, jalapeno peppers, feta cheese, crispy cheese and crispy chickpeas). The final step is to add a sauce (including toum (a whipped garlic sauce), tahini sauce, Levant’s verde sauce or hot sauce).

20240530_125844I ordered a chicken shawarma bowl with rice pilaf topped with a selection of toppings such as hummus and baba ghanoush, onions, cucumber, “pickles” and pickled turnips and topped with garlic sauce). I loved every bite of it. It was creamy and delicious, and the chicken had a nice char and was toothsome with a nice crispiness to it in spots. I also had a bite of the beef shawarma bowl and was impressed with it as well.

20240530_130441Whatever you choose to order, I highly recommend getting garlic sauce. It’s divine. The garlic sauce is made by whipping eggs, garlic, salt, lemon and vegetable oil together, and is extremely flavorful.

The hummus is creamy and really nice and is served with a lot of pita bread. I can be picky about hummus, because I have a friend who makes the world’s best hummus. This is definitely up there with hers.

20241115_143206The shawarma wraps are quick and easy. The beef or chicken are shaved off the rotating spit into a pita and topped with pickled vegetables and the garlic sauce. You can ask them to hold the pickles, but I really feel they add something to the sandwich so unless you hate pickled vegetables give them a try. The chicken shawarma wrap was a nice choice for a light appetite, but I will definitely stick with the bowls. You can also order the shawarma wrap with fries as a “shawarma meal” in which the sandwich is cut into bite-sized pieces and served with well-seasoned fries, garlic sauce, hot sauce and pickles. It’s definitely esthetically pleasing.

20241115_145206I also ordered the spinach pies, which are 4 for $9.99. I had gotten the order to go, and the 20-minute drive home did not detract from them. They were still warm, even if a little condensation had formed on the container. That said, the dough was still chewy and fluffy, and the spinach filling was flavorful. I would definitely get them again, because I am a huge fan of spinach, and these pies are tasty.

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Contact info:

Levant Shawarma
11804 Lorain Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44111
(216) 331-7223

Corner 11 Bowl & Wrap in Tremont and Poké & Ramen in Strongsville

I am a huge fan of Hawaiian poké. Poké is a great choice for people with gluten intolerances and people who have to watch their sugar and carbohydrate intake. Corner 11 was the first poké place that let customers choose their portion size, type of rice or salad greens, proteins, toppings, and sauces. And Corner 11 has great poké – at both locations. The first location is is located in the Tremont on the corner of 11th St and Kenilworth Ave, hence the name Corner 11. I met a group of friends here for the first time several years ago. The restaurant is very clean, and everyone enjoyed it. It offers poké bowls and “pokérito wraps”with an array of toppings to choose from. You order at the counter, and they will bring it to your table. The staff behind the counter at both locations have been very friendly and hard-working.

 I’ve become a huge fan of Corner 11 Poké & Ramen in Strongsville and have dined here several times. One of my friends noticed it on our way to a tea event, so we decided to dine here. I have also dined here several times on my own. I have always been satisfied. The Strongsville location is a fairly non-descript storefront in a strip mall, but there is plenty of seating.

My friend, who is a vegetarian, particularly enjoyed the tofu wings. The tofu wings were nicely fried and crisp and topped with a nice spicy Thai seasoning and chili sauce. She’s looking forward to organizing a dinner there in the next few weeks for our group. There are quite a few vegetarian choices to choose from, which are indicated with “(V)”.

I ordered the ramen recently, which appears to be the big seller there. It just reminded me that I’m not a huge fan of ramen, but Cleveland Scene Magazine named Corner 11 as one of the “Top 5 Ramens in Cleveland” in 2022. It was a nice bowl of ramen, but give me a bowl of pho and I am much happier. I chose pork for my shoyu ramen and one of the pieces was quite large because I was given the end. The pork was fatty, which I am not a fan of but many people like. If you don’t like fatty pork you can choose chicken or vegetarian ramen instead. The ramen noodles, menma and boiled egg were great.

My go-to there is a medium poké bowl (which comes with 2 proteins – the small features 1 protein, the large has three).  The quality of the fish like salmon and tuna is awesome, and the portion is huge for the money. One of the highlights is the unlimited toppings, allowing for endless customization and ensuring each bowl is perfectly suited to your taste. You can choose between white sushi rice, midnight (“black”) rice or mixed greens, choose raw or cooked proteins like salmon, tuna, spicy tuna, shrimp, chicken, squid or tofu, and then from a wide variety of toppings. The choice of toppings are avocado, carrot, cilantro, corn, cucumber, edamame, jalapeno, sushi ginger, scallion, kimchi, lime wedge, mango, pickled mustard greens, pineapple, seaweed salad, spicy seaweed salad, tomato, masago, and roasted black & white sesame. Certain items have an upcharge if you ask for more. I always load mine with lots of toppings and top it with Yum Yum and teriyaki sauces. The sauces are all gluten-free and include Thai spicy, tom yum, spicy mayo, sweet shoyu (V), yum yum, and teriyaki (V).

Even the beverages are special. In addition to various American and Japanese sodas, you can order a variety of juices, smoothies, milk and fruit teas as well as Thai iced coffee and tea. You can get most drinks with or without boba (tapioca balls). I enjoyed the fruit tea with passion fruit and strawberry puree (although $7 is pretty pricy for something I can easily make myself at home) and especially the Thai Iced Tea with milk. And the mango sticky rice is not to be missed! I have gotten it to go for a treat later in the day and always enjoyed it.

Contact info:

Corner 11 Bowl & Wrap
2391 W 11th Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 713-1757

Corner 11 Poké & Ramen
17100 Royalton Road, Unit 9B
Strongsville, OH 44136
(216) 713-1757

The Village Butcher in Mayfield Village

The Village Butcher opened in 2022 and is part of the Quagliata empire. The tucked-away butcher shop is located in a strip mall next to Heinen’s on SOM Center Road near the intersection with Wilson-Mills Road. It is a destination for shoppers in search of imported pantry items, deli meats and cheeses, high-quality steaks and chops, and built-to-order sandwiches. The butcher shop serves as a production site for the restaurants that the Quagliata family owns. They use all Ohio-raised meats like chicken, pork, and beef. The products are all high-quality, and you pay for that quality. Those of us who appreciate that don’t mind paying a little extra. We are happy to support family-run farms and businesses.

As you walk in the first thing you see are giant slabs of beef slowly dry aging in a separate room, followed by a large red steel meat scale and a huge counter filled with gorgeous-looking slabs of meat. There is also a small refrigerated counter filled with premade items such as various salads and potato salad, meatloaf and Italian specialties such as lasagna or eggplant parmesan. There is also a modest modern kitchen in the back somewhat out of view where the staff makes the delicious built-to-order sandwiches.

The first sandwich I enjoyed was a fish sandwich they advertised for Lent. It looked delectable, and since the butcher shop had been on my radar for a little while I headed straight there to enjoy it. It was one of the best fish sandwiches I have ever enjoyed – 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. I can’t wait until Lent so I can enjoy it again.

I bought a slab of lasagna and one of the bacon-wrapped meatloaves that same day to heat and eat later. Both were absolutely delicious. I ate the lasagna over two days, adding a little pasta sauce to moisten it. I also bought another individual-sized meatloaf on my most recent visit as well as some frozen cheesy potatoes. Both paired nicely together for a nice stick-to-your-rubs, meat-and-potatoes meal.

Most recently I tried the special sandwich of the day, a peach and prosciutto sandwich. When I asked how it was one of the employees replied that she liked it and didn’t even like peaches. It features a peach chutney on a sub bun with layers of prosciutto, arugula and slices of cheddar. It was quite tasty – and I do like peaches. I would have never thought to pair peaches with prosciutto, but it works. If you like a salty prosciutto this is one to try next peach season.

I have heard good things about their burgers and the Barbecue Short Rib sandwich. They take Ohio-raised short ribs and sous vide them with rosemary, thyme, salt, garlic and pepper, then cut chilled pieces and fry them a little so they are a little crispy but still soft and juicy on the inside. The meat is then topped with cheddar cheese, some house made sweet and smoky barbecue sauce, black garlic aioli and pickles and onions. It’s on my list for next time.

Since it’s a Quagliata business you can stock up on huge cans of tomatoes, frozen homemade Italian pasta, boxed or bagged Italian pasta, and frozen quarts of Italian Sunday sauce and vodka sauce and other soups and finds. The selection is well curated.

Contact info:

The Village Butcher
818 SOM Center Road
Mayfield, OH 44143
(440) 565-7330

Himalayan Restaurant

Have you ever had Himalayan food? It is very similar to Indian food. Himalayan food is influenced by Nepali, Bhutanese, Tibetan and Indian food and showcases foods from the “highest point on Earth.” It ranges from soothing to spicy, from vegetarian curries to meaty momos, and much more. The menu here is as lengthy as one would find in a conventional Indian restaurant, which is to say that it’s pretty overwhelming. But I love being adventurous, so I stuck with Nepali and chose the food that was unfamiliar to me.

Himalayan is located on Lorain Road in the former Cuisine Du Cambodge building. There is a small, but nice dining room and you can order from the menu as well as enjoy a range of dishes on the buffet. There is a small kitchen, so if you order off the menu you might have a small wait.

The lunch buffet is set up in the front area to your right as you come in the front door. The buffet runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is $12 per person. It usually features two meat or chicken dishes, two vegetarian dishes plus rice, veggie chow mein, pakora, soup, salad, fruit and dessert. It is primarily Indian dishes that most people are familiar with. The food was tasty with a hint of spicy. We all enjoyed the variety from the buffet. I particularly loved the tikka masala.

I also ordered momos for the table, because I had never tried them. They are like a pierogi or thicker soup dumpling on steroids. Momos, often called Tibetan dumplings, are perhaps the most familiar Nepalese food. These housemade dumplings fill the flour-based dough wrapper with finely chopped meat and/or vegetables and steamed. Though goat, lamb, beef, chicken, and yak are still the most widely found fillings, vegetarian momos have also flourished in recent times. The wrappers are thin, soft and delicate, and the filling is juicy and brightly flavored with heaps of garlic and ginger. They are served with a spicy tomato-based chutney on the side. I haven’t seen yak on the menu at Himalayan Restaurant here in Cleveland, but there is plenty of goat, lamb and the like. I chose the chicken momos and was not disappointed. Jhol momo are served floating in the sauce. If you like spice you might want to try the Chili momo.

The chai here is probably one of the best I’ve had in Cleveland. It was not too watery and had a nice spice profile. Himalayan chai combines milk, black tea, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves that are simmered together for a hot and spicy chai tea. It was so good that I ordered a second one!

The menu ranges from tandoori (grilled) dishes to curries, kormas, tikka masalas and vindaloos to rice dishes like biryani and basmati-based dishes. There are a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrees to choose from. If you are feeling adventurous order one of the choices off the Nepali section. The Himalayan platter serves 2 and features seekh kabob, tandoori chicken, sekuwa (grilled and skewered meat) and shrimp, so it is a good choice to try several things at once.

Contact info:

Himalayan Restaurant
13124 Lorain Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44111
(216) 716-4500