Fun Playing with Jack Flaps

Eric Williams is one of my favorite Cleveland Chef/Restaurateurs. Proprietor of Momocho in Ohio, Eric keeps reinventing himself in different directions, with delicious results, and always Cleveland-centric. After Momocho came The Happy Dog, which went into in a classic bar space on Detroit Avenue in the Gordon Square District before the location was hip (and we join Cleveland in mourning the recent, untimely passing of co-owner Sean Kilbane), then El Carnicero in Lakewood, and plans to revive the historic Euclid Tavern with the Happy Dog brand (which I haven't heard any updates on since Mr. Kilbane's passing). 

The latest Williams venture to take flight is Jack Flaps, a small breakfast-through-the-lunch-hour spot located near the Momocho home base in Ohio City. We visited this morning after a pilgrimage to the West Side Market, and had great fun playing with our food. Jack Flaps is a keeper; I just wish it was open more hours and had dedicated parking. I'd eat breakfast for dinner, if I could eat it here! When we arrived shortly before noon today, the restaurant was mostly full and there was one 4 top ahead of us. We watched that queue wax and wane for over an hour once we were seated; no question that they were slammed today, which is why they get a Fun Playing With Food pass for a couple of small flaws; overall, the meal was excellent. 

Ironically, the Jack Flaps (or flapjacks) weren't the best part of our meal. Not because there was anything wrong with them, but because Eric and his partner Randy Carter really know their way around pork. We'll get to that in a moment. First, the Jack Flaps:

Original Buttermilk Jackflaps

Bob decided to be a purist today. Fluffy pancakes, cinnamon-y butter, maple syrup. The combination was tasty, but the butter and syrup would have melted better if the dishes had been warmer. Small flaw #1, our food was a little cold - not so cold that we had to send it back, but we wished someone had asked, because it really was a little too cold for everything, to well, melt together, and the pork would have sung even higher notes with just a few more degrees of temperature. As noted, though, they were in weed city, so we decided to just enjoy the food as it came (and the butter did eventually melt into the pancakes). 

Cracker-Jack Flaps

These pancakes were served with a Salted Caramel Sauce, and had Corn Nuts cooked into the batter. Cinnamon House Butter and Syrup were along side. Small flaw #2, the "prize" promised by the menu (to complete the "Cracker Jack" experience) never materialized. Again, the out-the-door line at the entrance made it impossible for me to want to question or complain. And I really didn't get that big "salted caramel" hit of flavor I was expecting. But it still tasted delicious, and not too sweet, which would have been an easy line to cross. The cooked corn nuts gave it a uniquely crunchy-chewy texture that did not threaten my dental work, but popped with corny flavor in the wheat-based dough (note that all of the Jack Flaps and Waffles can be made with gluten-free buckwheat batter at the diner's request). As for the pancakes themselves, how many times have you ordered pancakes in a restaurant and been served an obvious commercial mix that fell flat on your palate? That will not be your experience at Jack Flaps, where everything tastes of love and care in the preparation.

Vietnamese-Style Sausage Patties

These little flavor bombs explode in your mouth a bit better with a little dab of the house hot sauce, but even plain, they are fabulously porky and well seasoned. Nary a morsel remained.

Mexican Coke-Braised Slab Bacon

Probably the best bites of the day (and so plentiful that we had two full slices to take home) - this is not your mama's Oscar Meyer! Beautiful pork belly, prepared low and slow, melted in our mouths. A touch of the maple syrup (and even a touch of the hot sauce, not usually something I'd put on bacon) transported us to porky nirvana in one bite. At $3 for four huge slices, this may be the most economical ticket to that nirvana in C-Town.

The staff is still working out some of the "slammed" kinks, so be patient if you go at a busy time, and you will be rewarded. We shared our table (a six top) with three young ladies who enjoyed Jackflaps, as well as a waffle dish (looked like the "Fat Elvis" and looked delicious), the vegan Root Vegetable Hash, and Grits with Cinnamon House Butter. I also spied an amazing tower of French-Toasted goodness (I think it was the PB&J) at the next table that made me want to return ASAP to try it.

We loved our breakfast at Jack Flaps and look forward to returning there for more sweet and savory fun playing with breakfast in Ohio City. 

Fun Showing Off Cleveland Food - Luxe (and Momocho)

Last weekend, we entertained our Chicago friend, food writer Cynthia Clampitt, on her first ever trip to Cleveland. This also gave us an opportunity to return to a couple of local favorites that we've missed, and to sample Chef Brian Okin's fare at Gordon Square's Luxe Kitchen & Lounge. 

We began Saturday evening, at Ohio City's Momocho,1835 Fulton Road (216.694.2122). Cynthia's research project involved corn (as will her next book), so we took her to the most corn-centric restaurant we could identify. Alas, I have no photos to share, due to the dark and red-lit room, but I assure you that Chef-Owner Eric Williams (who was off on family duty that night) and his amazing staff are whipping up Nuevo Latino food that is worth a drive from almost anyplace; Cynthia pronounced it her new favorite restaurant (and given that she has about 1,200 to choose from in her hometown, that's pretty high praise).

We began with a trio of the made-to-order guacamoles (which the house kindly comped, after our 9:30pm reservation had slipped into the next hour before we were seated). The table favorite was the honey crisp apple, mango, thai basi, chile serrano, followed closely by the garlic confit, bleu cheese, chile verde version and the mix-in featuring pickled corn, crab, chile, chipotle. Cynthia and I both enjoyed the beer braised short rib tamales, and Bob chose the Waygu Beef Albondigas (meatballs). We also shared a side order of light and tender smoked gouda tamale dumplings. Though we were too sated to even look at the dessert menu, our server treated us to a small ramekin of Momocho's signature dessert, Capirotada: gingersnap, jalapeno bread pudding with burnt sugar and whipped crema. This sweet-spicy-warming-soothing treat is highly recommended. We returned home wondering how we'd ever be hungry for brunch the next morning.

Sunday morning brought us to Luxe, 6605 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland (216-920-0600). We had been wanting to get there since Brian Okin (co-founder of Dinner in the Dark, and former Chef at Verve and Fountain restaurants) took over the kitchen. I had actually given Cynthia about a half dozen options (we're not big Sunday Brunch eaters) and she chose Brian's menu. As luck would again have it, family duties called  Brian away, and we were left in the hands of Brian's able staff. Luxe is the third Cleveland restaurant I know of that lives in a converted bank space (after Dante in Tremont and Crop in Ohio City) and it also contains an interesting assortment of recycled/repurposed/classic decor.

Our repast began with a basket of freshly baked muffins and butter:

Between this basket and our salad plates, we had the opportunity to taste several different muffin flavors, including blueberry, cranberry, cherry, and my favorite, pumpkin. 

The beet salad at the top of the menu intrigued us, so we decided to order one to share. After Cynthia asked if it would be of sufficient size for us to put in the middle and have at (which the server answered in the affirmative), three plates identical to the one above appeared. This Baby Beet Salad included small rounds of pickled radish that I (who normally finds radish too bitter) really enjoyed, arugula, a generous slice of avocado,  and a topping of crunchy nuts and cheese.

Scramble with chorizo, hot peppers, manchego, tomato-cilantro salsa.

We all swooned over our taste of Bob's plate; fresh chorizo (sourced from the West Side Market, we were told) will do that.

Eggs Benny: English Muffin, Smoked Salmon, Poached Eggs, Hollandaise

Knowing that our dinner plans included Lolita and lots of pork, I decided to go to the marine side with brunch. The salmon was assertive without being fishy (in a belly lox kind of way), and the Hollandaise accompanied it well (a more mild salmon might have drowned in the richness). We all loved the fried potatoes that came on each plate, and were surprised to learn that no animal fats were involved in their preparation; they were that tasty. 

With price points between $6 and $16 for entrees (most in the $9-12 range), Luxe offers tasty fun for everyone on Sunday morning. Now all we need to do is drag ourselves back westward to sample Brian's dinner menu! 

Fun Celebrating 5 Tasty Years with Food Trucks and Momocho!

This was the scene last evening in the parking lot of Ohio City's Momocho. Chef-Owner Eric Williams decided to celebrate his restaurant's five-year anniversary by giving his staff the night off, and throwing a big, old fashioned, play-with-your-food party in his restaurant parking lot with these behemoth guest chefs. The restaurant and patio were open, and staff from Chef Eric's other restaurant, The Happy Dog, tended bar, dispensing cold Tecate beer, zippy Margaritas, and wine, at celebratory prices.

Chef-Owner Rocco Whelan (Fahrenheit) Surveys the Scene From His Food Truck

Reading Facebook posts about the event earlier today inspired me to corral my husband and just go after I got home from work! And we were both glad that we did. The scene buzzed with positive energy, with total strangers enjoying one another's company as they played with their food.

Since we've both enjoyed Dim and Den Sum before, and I've sampled some of Umami Moto's food, we decided to start with the two trucks neither of us had yet tried. First up - Rocco Whelan's Fahrenheit - the name of both his brick-and-mortar Tremont restaurant and his food truck.


Fahrenheit's Menu


Leoncini Country Ham Fontina Sandwich and Pear Arugula Salad



I'm not always a big fan of ham - but this sandwich rocked! The gooey fontina cheese played nicely off of the salty ham, which had just the right amount of chew and a beautiful porkiness. With the buttery toast around the fillings, the sandwich melted in the mouth. The salad provided both crunch and astringency; a perfect counterpoint to the sandwich (and who doesn't love the combination of pear and fontina cheese?).


Crispy Potato Wedges Basil Parm EVOO

We loved this offering also - creamy, with a little bit of crispy texture, big potato flavor and just enough sharpness from the Basil.


Fruit Satay - Truffle Honey, Cashews, Captain Crunch

This inspired bit of fun playing with food combined warm fruit with both sweet and savory flavors, and a variety of textures. Yum.


Jibaro Menu

We shared a burrito.




Tangy Carrot Pickle and Jalapeno Slices


Caribbean Burrito - Barbacoa Braised Pork, Jibaro Yellow Rice, Jerk Spice, Kale, Black Beans, Mango Salsa

This burrito = simply delicious. It hit all of the right notes - savory, spicy without being too hot, intensely flavorful, cooling sweetness from the mango, and textural contrasts - heck, it even had green leafy vegetables in it that tasted good! This was our first taste of Jibaro, but it will not be our last.


Umami Moto Menu (or what was left of it by the time I photographed it)

The item at the bottom that is blocked is "Vietnamese Meatballs." Speaking of which:





We really enjoyed these flavorful, meaty bites together with the dipping sauce, which as advertised offered a tantalizing combination of sweet and hot.


Fish Taco - Marinated Tilapia, Romaine Lettuce, Cilantro, Mint, Red Onion, Cucumber and Lime Aioli on Handmade Corn Tortilla

I would normally not buy tilapia in a street food setting (I'm not a huge tilapia fan in any setting), but as you saw above, the choices were limited. As Bob had never tried Umami Moto's food, I really wanted us to get two dishes, but we felt that the Pad Thai would have been too much food. I loved everything about this taco (especially the handmade corn tortilla and the Lime Aioli), except for the fish, which tasted like, well, frozen tilapia to me. Ironically, Dim and Den Sum ran out of food moments after Bob placed his order there, so we probably could and should have tried the Umami Moto Pad Thai instead, but that is sometimes how the tomato bounces. (The Pad Thai looked and smelled delicious as two of our impromptu table-mates enjoyed some; our loss).

Speaking of Dim and Den Sum:



Bob tried to get a Beef Sandwich and a Veggie Taco, but moments after he ordered - the white board was wiped mostly clean (BLT sandwiches were the only savory left) and his money was returned to him. Missed it by that much.

He was offered the following consolation prize:


Chocolate Cupcake with Minty Frosting

We tend to fill up on savories and not have room for dessert - but as it all worked out, this last sweet, chocolaty, creamy bite ended our meal perfectly.

Cleveland has spent a lot of time and effort fussing over food trucks lately; it was wonderful for Eric Williams to open up his place and his parking lot to showcase four of Cleveland's best. The perfect weather and expertly mixed margaritas added to the fun, and the food was almost all sold out by 8pm. But more than food and fun, we enjoyed a fabulous sense of community tonight in Momocho's parking lot - and that made the evening all the more tasty.

Speaking of tasty - be sure to get your tickets for a very special Dinner in the Dark to be held at AMP 150 on Monday, May 23, 2011 at 6:30 PM. This event is a benefit for the Matthew Finkel Scholarship Fund, and will offer food from fifteen of Cleveland's premier chefs and beverages from premier micro-breweries as well as wine. The benefit will also offer some amazing prizes for raffle, including the opporutinity to join the audience for filming of Iron Chef America this summer! Please visit DITD's Eventbrite page for all of the details, and to purchase your tickets.

Fun Playing Slowly With Cinqo de Mayo Food (early) and Momocho!

What a glorious time we had last Monday at one of our favorite Cleveland restaurants, Momocho! And our great time benefited a wonderful cause - Slow Food Northern Ohio. Chef Eric Williams and his crew opened the restaurant on their day off for this delightful, family friendly evening, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Slow Food. And though I don't have children (I find the husband quite sufficient) - evenings like this almost make me wish I had one - from the youngest in the house (1 week old Isabel W.) to the almost-two-year-old Pchak twins, to some slightly in-between and even older youngsters. Every one of them was wonderfully behaved.

As an extra bonus - by going relatively early during Daylight Savings Time, and being seated by a window - I actually had good light to photograph (Momocho is one of those places that has dim light and lots of reds at night, which makes photography with my limited skills and camera difficult.)

I started with a Pomegranate Margarita, but then switched to what is now my new all time favorite at Momocho - the Pineapple Margarita with Chile-Lime salt. We had three friends at our table, and an extended table of friends right next to us, and the aforementioned W. family behind us!



While enjoying our cocktails, we ordered up a 3-guacamole sampler. No one makes guacamole like Momocho - simply fresh and fabulous!


Freshly Fried Chips


Guacamole!


Goat Cheese, Tomato, Poblano




Jicama, Pineapple, Habanero, Mint

This was the table favorite.


Garlic Confit, Bleu Cheese, Chile Verde



Starting on the left and going clockwise - goat cheese, pineapple and bleu cheese.


Goat Cheese


Pineapple


Bleu Cheese

The guacamole was a more than ample appetizer for us, so we moved on to the mains!


Pepita & Pecan Crusted Trout w/Jalapeño Mustard Crema & Sofrito Green Beans

My taste was yummy!


Adobo Lamb Chops w/Jalapeño Mustard Crema & Goat Cheese Avocado & Spinach

Since two of my dining companions ordered this dish, I got two different angles on it:



It was wonderful.


Kobe Beef Abondigas, Charred Tomato & Chile Guajillo, Hominy, Truffle Oil, Cotija

This photo does not do justice to this tasty dish - an amazing textural and flavor combo!


Pork Chop el Carbon w/ Oaxacan Mole, Smoked Gouda Tamale Dumplings

My dish - and if I do say so - the winner and most amazing!







Tender, succulent pork and complex mole married with caramelized peppers and those amazing corn dumplings.


Grilled Corn on the Cob w/Chipotle Lime Butter, Cojita & Crema, Pico De Gallo

I first tasted an incarnation of this dish last spring at the Taking it to the Streets for Annie benefit. Chef Eric has refined and improved it - and where oh where does he get corn this good at this time of year?

I am so delighted to show you some of Momocho's food - we love them so much, but don't get there often enough - and when we do, the light often defeats my efforts to capture the food - thanks to Cinqo de Mayo, though, I was able to play with my food with abandon at Momocho last Monday!

Fun Playing with Lola's Food with a Professional Photographer

Last Friday, I finally caught up with my friend Chris, who is a professional photographer, Slow Food member, and fellow food lover. She had worked painstakingly over many months to restore and improve all of my negatives, taken with a Kodak 126 Instamatic Camera in the 1970s-80s, of my dear late friend Harry Chapin. We met Friday afternoon so that I could pick up my package of disks and prints, and so that she could experience Lola for the first time. And, as a bonus, she taught me how to use a few features on my camera.




We began by making some adjustments to the white balance on the camera. I took this photo, not only to ensure that the adjustments were right - but to prove to my sister Chaya, that I am indeed following her Ayurvedic suggestion to regularly consume warm lemon water, to aid digestion and flush toxins. It is actually very palatable!

Anyway - we moved on to share an appetizer (and both took some photos of it - can you tell which one the professional took??)


Cured Tuna with Saffron Aoli, Olives, Fennel & Mint





This was fantastic - though Chris and I agreed that the olives overwhelmed the delicate tuna a little. So our solution - separate the olives from the tuna slices, enjoy the tuna with the aoli, then enjoy the lovely olive mash. I could eat this by the plateful.


Bread Service

Hard as it was to choose - we each elected a "Half & Half." This was Chris's:


Chick Pea Salad


Grilled Veggie Flatbread 1/2 Sandwich

Chris loved this - Eggplant, Zucchini, Roasted Pepper and Goat Cheese.

I went for a combo I had tasted before, but not like this:


Mixed Greens w/Apple, Bleu Cheese, Vinaigrette, Candied Pecans

I had enjoyed this salad at the Cleveland.com Food & Wine Forum Lunch in January - but I hadn't asked for the Bleu Cheese on the side, so it overwhelmed the salad for my palate. This time, I asked for the cheese on the side - and put just a bit of it on the apple shreds, which was a perfect combination for me as I do not care for Bleu Cheese in large quantity.


Spicy Tomato Bisque w/Bleu Cheese

I had passed on ordering this option in January, because I was afraid of the Bleu Cheese - then I tasted Bob's and realized I had made a mistake to pass this up. I wasn't about to make that mistake again! This soup is a Michael Symon signature dish for good reason. And, you can see a couple of large chunks of the cheese in the soup bowl. I left them for last, then spread them on some of the buttered bread - which diluted the bleu-iness enough for me to really enjoy and appreciate it.

I don't normally eat dessert, especially at lunch, but Chris adores sweets (and how could I not encourage her to try one of Cory Barrett's creations!). We each ordered one:


Chocolate Pot du Creme




Peanut Butter-Chocolate Mousse Topped With Caramel, Peanuts & Salt





Chris enjoyed her taste of this delicacy so much that she ordered one of these, also!!

It was a delightful lunch. But did I learn anything about photography? That remains to be seen. That very evening, we dined at Momocho, a favorite place. We were long overdue in getting there - and my pictures were so bad, I'm not even going to post them. Oh well.

Ok - I'll post one, just because I loved this dish so much, and it is rarely seen in Cleveland:


Momocho Dinner Special - Sauteed Halibut Cheeks, Corn Pudding, Snake Beans

Sometimes, it can be frustrating to play with your food, especially in dim, red lighting conditions. But, I carry on - because life is too short to not play with your food!