We recently enjoyed a Chinese meal so good, it's driven me back to blogging! In the Cleveland area, get thee to Aristo Bistro in Westlake if you enjoy authentic Chinese food! Their one page web site describes the menu as, "Eurasian American & Authentic Chinese Aristocrat Cuisine." I call it delicious.
Our foursome met for lunch, but we ordered off of both the "regular" and "Chinese" menus. Images of those menus can be seen beginning here.
We wanted to try the Seafood King & Fish Maw Soup, but they were out of fish maw that day. So, we settled for the Seafood King Soup - rich with scallops, calamari and shrimp that actually passed the tripolyphosphate sniff test, a velvety broth accented with corn, and egg drops, with just the right kick of white pepper.
The soup comes in this one large size only, which was more than enough for four people and a bargain at $13.95.
We ordered our meal Chinese style, meaning communal plates to be served as they are finished by the kitchen without regard to course. First up, an exquisite version of Clams with Black Bean Sauce.
Tender, sweet Manila Clams were tossed with onion and hot chilies, then bathed in the most sophisticated black bean sauce I've ever tasted. With nary a bean to be seen, the flavor and umami blast of the fermented pods were infused into a delicate, spicy sauce. This dish cried out for white rice to soak up the gravy, and the cry was answered a few moments after the plate hit the table. It was good to the last drop.
The clams were followed by a half order of sauteed Snow Pea Tips.
One of our party was hankering for curry, so we chose this Curry and added pork (from the choice of multiple meats or veggie options, including duck) from the "World of Noodle/Pasta" portion of the menu. The curry was pungent but not too spicy. The noodles were served on the side.
Finally, a whole, deep fried flounder, with the "Chef's Special Sauce" on the side.
I neglected to photograph the sauce, but it was a fairly thin textured soy-based sauce that softened and soaked into the fried bits very nicely. We devoured this!
We enjoyed a pot of Po Lei tea with our meal. It is a fermented tea, produced in China's Yunnan province. I found it a little funky for my palate, but I'm glad I tried it. Other tea options are Oolong, Chrysanthemum, and Jasmine. They have a lovely bar area and say they are waiting on a liquor permit.
Finally, a photo of the "Chinese" Menu page. It is separate from the "regular" 6 page menu (which also contains a number of "authentic" dishes, including the soup we enjoyed, as well as the "Lunch Specials" page).
Unfortunately, their website offers nothing more than the contact information. There is, however, a Facebook page with photos and a little more content. https://www.facebook.com/aristoyummy/
My only caveat is that they do not always open at the stated opening times. The first time we met our friends there at noon on a Saturday (which should have been the opening time per the Facebook page), it was dark and locked, and we left after about 20 minutes. Reached by phone later that day, they apologized and said they sometimes are delayed in opening by shopping for fresh product. Even the day we dined there, they opened about 45 minutes after the posted starting time of 11am. So, it may be wise to call before you go.
Our lunch composed of dinner foods ran $80 and fed the four of us with some leftovers. A bargain, given the high quality of everything, but especially the fish and seafood.
Aristo Bistro is a true "mom and pop" type operation, in a small, yet elegant and clean space with plenty of parking (though no close Handicapped designated spots). Our group thoroughly enjoyed every dish we sampled and we are eagerly looking forward to more. I'm a sucker for fresh flounder (it was a staple dinner throughout my East Coast childhood). Shirley, our delightful host and server, suggested that next time, we try their special flounder presentation, where the fillets are removed and deep fried separately, then tossed with vegetables and sauce and plated over the fried skeleton. Yes, please!! There is also kebab, and Hong Kong style Black Pepper Sauce, another favorite of mine, on the menu. But if authentic Chinese isn't your thing, there are plenty of the more familiar Americanized Chinese dishes also on the menu, as well as Schnitzel (chicken, veal, or pork), burgers (including a Ramen Burger), and a Lobster Roll. Vegetarians and Vegans are also accommodated.
I can't wait to renew my West Side passport and visit Aristo Bistro to play with more of their Cantonese-Inspired Cuisine!
Aristo Bistro
25124 Center Ridge Road
Westlake, Ohio 44145
(440) 455-9900
Open 7 days; check their Facebook page for hours (and call first if you are going early).
