Situated in the
Van Aken District in Shaker Heights,
Michael's Genuine Food + Drink had been on my list to check out since it opened. The restaurant concept comes from James Beard Award-winning chef/owner Michael Schwartz of Miami.
The dining room is casual, with booths and tables positioned for a view of the wood-fired oven. There's also a good-sized bar, and you can enjoy 1/2 off snacks, cocktails, wine by the glass, and beer during their
Happy Hour on Monday - Friday from 4-6PM.
We popped in for a large lunch, because dinner wasn't going to be until very late that evening. We shared three smaller plates from their snacks and appetizers sections, and split a lunch-portion salad.
That started with an order of
Classic Deviled Eggs ($6).
Can't go wrong there.
We also shared the
Wood Roasted Octopus ($19) with crema, smoked chile, radish, and cilantro. The flavors of this dish were overall very good, but it ended up a real "miss" for us because it was over-roasted and the texture became tough and it tasted too bitter. Also, for the price, the portion was very small. It cut down to four bite-sized pieces.
They offer two sizes for each of their salads, which is a nice option. We shared the smaller portion of the
Butter Lettuce ($8) with orange, hazelnut, avocado, and shallot-hazelnut vinaigrette. It was a simple and refreshing salad that I'd eat again, but I kept thinking that it was missing a little something. I personally would add crumbled goat cheese, and more orange and avocado.
So far, the meal had been pleasant but nothing had "
wowed us" quite yet. Well the best was saved for last. We ended with the
Crispy Pork Belly ($15) with kimchi, crushed peanuts, and cilantro. The portion was pretty generous for an appetizer, the flavors and textures were great, and I'd get this again and again.
There was a whole lot more on the menu that I'd like to try. Including daily oysters and specials. The menu is labeled for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.
Pop in for a meal, then stop in at any of the great shops at the Van Aken District, and top off the experience with ice cream from Mitchell's. I just love dining destinations where you can walk around and make a whole excursion out of it.
3427 Tuttle Road
Shaker Heights, OH 44122
(216) 230-8022
1 comments:
I should probably write up my visit, because I don't see myself going back. Or maybe give it a second visit so it can redeem itself. I loved the deviled eggs too, but got so royally screwed with the raw bar that I have a visceral reaction to the restaurant's name. I paid $26 for one single king crab leg - and not a big one, no, one with just three joints. I could have bought a whole cluster for that price and made it at home with more flavor. The shrimp toast bahn mi was good, and I remember the dippy egg plate being great. Nothing really knocked my socks off enough to rush back.
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