Archive for August, 2008
Getting out of Dodge
We’ll take a departure from the NEO for this post and put a few random travels in the mix. I know up to this point I’ve focused on Ohio City/Tremont, but very soon I’ll be posting about some East Side places as well. For now though, how about Boston and Minneapolis?
Back in April of this year, we were in Newburyport, MA visiting some friends (who also have a little boy, Henry, age 2) and decided that at least one night we wanted to get to downtown Boston for a bite to eat…with the boys. Prior to this, Rich and I had watched an episode of Iron Chef America in which challenging chef Ken Oringer gave Iron Chef Cat Cora a whoopin’ in Kitchen Stadium. He made some lovely looking dishes so we thought it’d be nice to check out one of his Boston establishments. We chose La Verdad right near Fenway Park. Turned out to be a good pick and a perfect night to go. The Red Sox were in town and the area was loaded with people. Made us wish we were going to the game. Nonetheless, we had a great time and it was a great spot to take the kids and get some tasty eats and drinks.
La Verdad
1 Landsdowne St.
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 421-9595
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11a-1a; Friday/Saturday 11a-2a
Prices: Apps and salads, $4.95-12.95; Entrees, $9.50-16.95; Desserts, $4.95-5.95 .
Reservations: Yes, and a must on game days.
Date of visit: April 2008
Called ahead: Yes
High Chairs: Yes
Changing Tables: Not sure
Kids plates: None specific, but Mexican fare makes for great kid eats. Especially quesadillas and guacamole.
Other notes: La Verdad is definitely very good (grilled corn was awesome), and I’m probably biased toward Momocho since I can get to it whenever I want, but if it was up to my vote Momocho would get the #1 in the USA tag. Props to La Verdad though…for now.
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This next place makes the catalog thanks to my cousin Trish. She and her family (hubby and five kids ranging in age from 12 years to 10 months) recently visited the Twin Cities. While in Minneapolis, they had dinner at Harry’s. According to Minneapolis & St Paul Restaurant Critics “Harry’s serves classic American fare with a twist and is ideal for many occasions…family gatherings, happy hour, casual dinner, or a pre-show meal.” Here’s what Trish had to say:
We arrived about 5:30 and were seated right away in a small area all by ourselves. They do have a children’s menu, high chairs, and booster seats, we used them all. Ten minutes after we were seated, the place started to pack um in, but still no one seated by us. Are we that intimidating??? We ordered appetizers right away and the wait was acceptable. While waiting we visited the bathrooms and they were very clean. I don’t recall if there were changing tables, I didn’t need them. It took awhile to order our meal, and then a little too long to receive it. Our crowd was getting restless [These kids are SERIOUS eaters]. Anthony and I split a burger and it was awesome, I guess that’s what they’re known for. Aaron ordered yellow fin tuna and it was over done. Over all we were pleased with the place, we got our drink on, the kids got their eat on and still no one was seated anywhere near us.
Trish didn’t think they were intentionally left to an area of their own, but regardless, they liked having their own spot. Whatever works, right? She said they’d definitely go back if the chance arose even though the service wasn’t as prompt as it could be.
Harry’s
500 Washington Ave. So.
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 344-7000
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11a-10p; Friday/Saturday 11a-11p; Sunday 4p-10p; Happy Hour Sunday-Friday 4p-6p.
Prices: Apps and salads, $5.95-13.95; Burgers and sandwiches $11.95-14.95; Entrees, $13.95-27.95; Desserts $6.95-9.95.
Reservations: Yes. Can be made on their website or by phone.
Date of visit: July 2008
Called ahead: Yes
High Chairs: Yes and booster seats.
Changing Tables: Not sure
Kids plates: Separate menu offered, but not listed on the website.
Other notes: The site notes that 18% gratuity may be added to checks of parties of 8 or more.
Add comment August 26, 2008
Tremont Tap House Revisited
This past Sunday (August 10) we headed to the Tremont Tap House for brunch. I posted the details on TTP earlier, but just wanted to give an update.
High Chairs: Nope. But they do have at least one booster seat. Next time I’ll definitely bring the portable, as we did the first time we dined here. There is plenty of room to use them in the booths. Grady is a bit too curious to not be strapped in!
Changing Tables: Also no. One-seater bathroom with plenty of room to spread out for diaper changes or kid clean-up though.
Other notes: The brunch menu had a nice selection of offerings and the food was very good. I also noticed that they’re advertising some quality happy hour prices: $5 burgers and pizzas specifically. And the happy hour runs on Saturday afternoons from 12p-4p as well (Also M-F 5p-7p I believe). Nice touch for grabbing a cheap weekend lunch with the kids. We noticed that some larger groups were accommodated at high tops (pushed together) in the back and they have a gorgeous patio in case you’d rather be out in the open.
Add comment August 13, 2008
Let’s Grab Some Breakfast
I mentioned brunch in the last post, but here are a places we specifically like for breakfast and have become staples for us on weekends. The earlier you go, the less chance for waiting, but aside from one time we’ve never had much of a problem finding a seat. I’ll list them in order of size from small to…well, bigger.
Lucky’s Cafe
777 Starkweather Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 622-7773
Hours: Breakfast, lunch and brunch daily from morning to night according to the website. Breakfast starts at 9a; Lunch at 11a. Sat./Sun. brunch 9a – 2p.
Prices: Subject to change and they change with the seasonal menu. It’s a bit pricey for breakfast with plates running from $8–10, but I did get egg and bacon on a bagel for around $5. Plenty of pastries and breads for much less as well. We love the spot and the tasty eats so we think it’s worth it!
Reservations: No, but I’d get there early, or late because the place is small and the line gets long.
Date of visit: Multiple, but last one was Saturday, June 28, 2008
Called ahead: No
High Chairs: They had two that I saw. We were without Grady on this particular visit, however there were a couple of families there. Not all the tables are suitable to put a high chair next to them, but there were a number of spots that could work.
Changing Tables: Not sure–have to post back on this.
Kids plates: Sides can be ordered and the kitchen always seems friendly with special requests. Plenty of breads and pastries as well.
Other notes: While many probably couldn’t take their family of 5 there regularly for breakfast, the food and atmosphere is, in my opinion, worth the extra cash. Plus it’s a true gem in the renaissance that is Tremont. And we love to support local so we’ll keep coming back. Oh, and the homemade jam rocks!
West Side Market Cafe
1995 W. 25 St.
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 579-6800
Hours: Monday-Tuesday 7a–4p; Wednesday-Saturday 7a-9p; Sunday 9a-3p.
Prices: Breakfast, $2.50-11; apps and sides, $3-7; soup and salads, $1.75-8.25; sandwiches, burgers and wraps, $5-7.50; entrees, $8.50-11.50.
Reservations: No
Date of visit: Multiple but last was Thursday, July 31, 2008
Called ahead: No
High Chairs: Yes
Changing Tables: No
Kids plates: Kitchen always accommodates things like “one pancake and a sausage link.”
Other notes: Great breakfast food with fresh ingredients. It’s not a huge spot, but we always find room even when it seems pretty busy. Quick service, loud, but pleasant bustling which is always great eye-candy for the kids. And it helps when they decide to let out a little loudness of their own.
Grumpy’s
2621 W. 14th St.
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 241-5025
Hours: Monday 7a-3p; Tuesday-Thursday 7a-9p; Friday 7a-10p; Saturday 8a-10p; Sunday 8a-3p.
Prices: Breakfast, $3-8; starters, $3-8; lunch menu, $5-9; dinner menu, $5-14; brunch menu (Sunday for sure, don’t know about the rest of the week), $5-9.
Reservations: No
Date of visit: Multiple but last was on a Sunday in June.
Called ahead: No
High Chairs: Yes
Changing Tables: No
Kids plates: Another very accommodating kitchen for special requests.
Other notes: Plenty of room for larger groups. Food is great and inventive as far as the types of pancakes, omelets and breakfast plates offered. Grumpy’s really takes it to another level. Something to keep in mind: Parties of 6 or more are subject to a policy of ONE check and added 20% gratuity.
Add comment August 7, 2008
