Fun Playing With Goodies Bistro-Bakery

It has been a tough twelve months for locally owned eateries on Mayfield Road between South Euclid and Mayfield Heights. We've lost no fewer than four restaurants that I can think of, and though three new ones opened, only two of the three are locally owned and operated (Old Carolina BBQ is a small regional chain, but a chain nonetheless). Those two would be Redhot Cabana to the west (opened February 2013), and Smoked BBQ (in DiCillo's Tavern) to the east. 

Yesterday, a new entry joined their ranks, located at 5416 Mayfield Road, between Richmond and Brainard, in a space previously occupied by our beloved Tastee Bites/La Pita, and the well intentioned Bella Cibo after that. Please welcome Goodies Bistro-Bakery to the neighborhood! Their website isn't quite functional as of this writing, but you will be warmly welcomed if you call them at 440-605-9400.

The modest space, which holds about 15 diners, has gone white-tablecloth, but don't let the ambiance fool you. If my experience was any indication of what's to come, Goodies will provide tasty, mostly made-from-scratch sandwiches and salads for eat-in, delivery and take-out at very wallet friendly price points. 

Though the place is locally owned, the operators today were all staff. They seemed experienced and were most enthusiastic about the food and the service.

The Chef (whose name I forgot to get; apologies!) suggested the house-roasted turkey, and boasted that his panini would be a completely different animal from the usual grilled-to-death lunchmeat sandwich. Taking him up on this, I selected the Turkey & Cheddar Panini, which looked to be a bargain for house-made meat and bread (more on that in a moment) for $4.99.

With "bakery" in the name, one would expect all the bread to be made in house; while that is the plan, the restaurant is presently one oven short of a full deck, and so is making some bread and outsourcing some bread (but you could do worse than Pincus Bakery for rye). Given the choice of house-made baguette or foccacia, I left it to the Chef. 

Turkey Panini on House-made Mini Baguette with Caramelized Onions and House Made Mustard Aioli

Goes to show you how biases work - this sandwich came with a huge pickle, that looked pretty good for a pickle; somehow, despite the real estate it took up on the plate, it didn't make it into my photographs. Hopefully, next time someone who likes pickles will be available for a critique of it. The caramelized onions were an unexpected treat and added great dimension to an already tasty sandwich (really, you can't fault them for the slices of pasty winter tomato). While I generally prefer ketchup and mayo on turkey, the hint of mustard coming through the dressing worked extremely well. The turkey was fresh and moist and a worthy star of the sandwich.

They also talked me into an order of the Fresh Cut Fries, and it was a wise decision at $1.79.

Whereas the dear departed Freddie's up the street could never get any crispiness to their house cut fries, these fries for the most part had both the fresh taste (and lack of chemicals/preservatives) of house made potatoes, and satisfying firmness. Vinegar was available, but I'm a ketchup kinda gal. With a can of pop and tax, my lunch came to about $8 and half came back to the office with me for lunch tomorrow!

Goodies opened yesterday even though a few pieces aren't quite in place yet; that should not deter you from giving them a try if you are in the neighborhood and hungry for some fun playing with lunch. Breakfast and later hours, delivery, and more in-house baked goods will commence shortly, but for now, it's lunch only (eat in or take out). The pastries, which are mostly not yet made in house, looked delicious. The size of the menu is modest, but quality is always more fun than quantity, and if my lunch today is representative of the offerings, you will have fun playing with the food at Goodies. 

Fun Playing with Lunch at Appetite

My business office is located near the intersection of Mayfield and Richmond Roads, in Lyndhurst Ohio. Lyndhurst is a small town sandwiched (you should pardon the expression) between Euclid to the West and Mayfield Heights to the East.

For years, 5143 Mayfield Road, a short walk from the office, held Broadway Bagels. Broadway Bagels, in three or four locations, brought a taste of a New York Bagel Store to the East Side of Cleveland. For whatever reasons, however, the Bagel Stores became run down, and one by one they closed (except for the Solon location, which was sold to several former employees and continues making delightful bagels as "D&R Bagels").

My office-mates and I had stopped patronizing the Mayfield Road bagel store, because, shall we say, it just ran down a little too far for our tastes.

Then, in the fall of 2006, Bennett Davis, acclaimed CIA-trained pastry chef at Moxie, teamed up with his fellow CIA graduate brother William, to open Appetite in this location. They scrubbed the space from top to bottom, and replaced a lot of the overly worn equipment. In this revived space, they operate a delightful bakery and deli (and also do catering on and off site). We are "regulars" there now, but somehow, I always forgot to bring my camera. Until today!


The Order Counter

Orders may be placed, and are paid for, across from this beautiful Garland range. Note the two pots of house-made soup (todays were Clam Chowder and, I think, Beef Barley). One of my pet peeves about getting soup is that it is never held hot enough - but by keeping the pots directly on the flame, William has it always piping hot at service, and it stays that way long enough to be enjoyed at that temperature all the way to the bottom of the bowl.

After ordering, I wandered down to the bakery section.


EPI Bread

This is my favorite of Bennett's breads.


Focaccia Bread

Today was my first taste of this delicacy - and it was wonderfully good!


White, Wheat and Rye Breads


Pastry Galore!


Cookies

On to the other end of the counter - bowls and bowls of made-from-scratch salads!


Front Left - Macaroni-Pesto; Rear Left - Traditional Macaroni Salad, Rear Right - Traditional Potato Salad, Front Right - Potato Salad with Bacon


Front Left - Pasta Salad with Olives and Salumi, Rear Left - Broccoli/Raisin Salad, Rear Right - Fresh Cole Slaw, Front Right - Cous Cous Salad


Front Left - Greek Salad, Rear Left - Pea & Ham Salad, Right Rear - Fresh Fruit Salad

So - what to choose for lunch? All of the lunch salads - tuna, egg, tofu, chicken, etc. are made in-house. The Roast Beef and Corned Beef are also made in house - and William tells me that house-made Turkey is coming soon!

Will calls himself "The Deli Lama" - and the title is most deserved! Every day, Will creates a lunch special - an original sandwich, choice of side, plus a cookie or pastry. All of this for only $6-$7 - such a deal!

Today's special sounded so good, both Anna and I ordered it - BLT (featuring Applewood Smoked Bacon) on Focaccia Bread.


Lunch Special w/Macaroni Pesto Salad and a Pickle Spear


Lunch Special with Cous Cous Salad (hold the pickle)


Mmmmm - Bacon!

Actually, we were both making very happy, satisfied sounds as we ate these sandwiches - I don't usually like my bacon this crisp, but somehow, it all came together perfectly in taste and texture. And the bread - it was simply heavenly - cheesey, olive-oily and tomatoey - all at the same time.

I enjoyed mine with the house-brewed iced tea, which is also most refreshing and delicious. Anna opted for DDP (Diet Doctor Pepper).

Neither of us finished our dessert - Anna wrapped hers up right at the start:


Cheese Danish

I neglected to get a photo of my Cinnamon Bun before cutting it - Anna was regaling me with tales of how fabulous they are. I don't often get excited about desserts. I appreciate them and eat them - but seldom do they "wow" me. Well, I admit - this "wowed" me - not only was it the best Cinnamon Bun I've ever tasted - it was up there with being one of the best pastries I've ever tasted!


Cinnamon Bun, cut in half

It has gotten to the point where we (and some other folks in this neighborhood, I think) have taken Appetite for granted - it is truly a little gem of a deli holding out against the numerous chains that abound nearby, and also competing with a few very good mom-and-pop type places. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and give them a try - you'll have fun with real food made by real people and served with a smile.