Fun Playing With Pho

We are blessed in Cleveland to have a diverse Asiatown. Our Asiatown is so named because it includes a large number of restaurants representing many variations on Asian cuisine. We also have some excellent Asian restaurants on the East and West Sides of Cleveland. But New Year's Eve day brought us to Asiatown, with its free parking and awesome Pho options, for a pre-Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lunch.

I'd been to Superior Pho back when it was Pho Hoa (and the owner subsequently received a "cease and desist" letter from a national Pho chain with the same name and no outlets in Ohio, prompting the name change to channel its street address) and the chairs were metal folding chairs. Had a fabulous lunch - but I just hadn't gotten back. The only Pho experience Bob had in Asiatown was the cross-intersection rival Number 1 Pho. We'd had a nice lunch, but not an "omigosh we need to get back here" great lunch.

I'd won 2 tickets to the Rock Hall at the Rock N Roll BBQ Throwdown July 26. They expired 12/31/09, and that's when we intended to use them! But first - sustenance! We got that - and much more, at the fabulous Superior Pho, 3030 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, 216-781-7462 (no website). The chairs have been replaced with more sturdy, comfortable models!

We began with beverages. Bob ordered the Vietnamese Coffee, I ordered tea.

Coffee Brewed Tabletop

 

Bob, who was caffiene-deprived by the time I took these photos, really liked the strong, freshly brewed coffee. I took no photos of the tea - it looked like, well, tea. The menu described it as Jasmine tea. But it wasn't. It was rich and creamy, with hints of vanilla and coconut flavors. I asked our server, who at first insisted it was Jasmine, then said something about Lotus. He seemed afraid that if he said anything other than Jasmine, that I wouldn't like it (I assume there was a rational basis for that fear, like non-Asian customers sending it back). All I know is that it was mighty, mighty fine tea, and accompanied the food perfectly on a cold day. And I told him so.

Cleveland's own Iron Chef, Michael Symon, has sung the praises of Superior Pho's Bahn Mi, or Vietnamese Sandwich, so Bob and I knew we'd be sharing one.  I asked him to hold the cucumber, and with a surprised look, the server said "ok." I guess they don't get a lot of requests for that.

Banh Mi Thit (Vietnamese Sandwich on crispy French bread with homemade pate, roasted pork, no cucumber, fresh herbs, and mayonnaise sauce)

 

 

As in most things culinary, the Iron Chef was spot on - creamy pate, housemade meat, zingy sauce and crispy bread - a little bit of heaven on a bun. And a bargain at $3.95.

 

 Bo Bia (Rice paper rolls with Lap Cheong (Chinese Dried Sausage), Fried Egg, herbs, lettuce, rice noodles) 

 

 

Note the sear on the Lap Cheong, which helped to bring out the flavors.

Forget the Pho - I could have eaten a bowl of this peanut-sesame-soy infused dipping sauce!

Well, don't forget the Pho - we ordered the "small" bowls ($6.75 each) and found the portions more than ample. But more than that - the textures and flavors were simply perfect.

Pho Accompaniments - Bean Sprouts, Vietnamese Mint, Jalepeno Peppers, Lime

 

Pho Chin nam gau (noodle soup with eye round steak, fat brisket and flank) 

 

Bob's selection was wonderful - tender meats, perfectly seasoned beef broth, and rice noodles.

Pho Bo Vien (Noodle soup and meat balls)

The meat balls were a total contrast to the braised meats in Bob's dish - more toothy in texture, and less pronounced in flavor. But a gentle swipe of Hoisin Sauce and Sriracha paste from the table gave the meatballs the flavor balance they needed. I loved the beefy broth and crisp greens, and of course, the rice noodles.

We both loved playing with the Vietnamese delicacies served up at Superior Pho. I can't wait to go back. (Well, what do you know - a business meeting is scheduled there this week!)

Superior Pho remains a simple, family owned and run place at the back of the Golden Plaza. But the food, perfect for this snowy and cold time of year, is served with heart and soul along with the hoisin and Sriracha on the tables. We had fun playing with everything we tasted, and can't wait to sample more!

More Fun Playing With Food From Appetite Deli and Bakery

I have an unfortunate tendency to take Appetite Deli & Bakery for granted. Located just a short walk or drive from the office, it is often our "go to" - such that I seldom grab my camera. And when I looked, and realized how long it has been since I wrote about them - well, shame on me! Because Appetite is a true gem of a breakfast and lunch joint.

As noted on their website, "Bennett & William Davis, both alums of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, launched Appetite on October 23, 2006." Since then, Bennett has been providing savory breads and amazing sweets, and William has shined as the Deli Lama - coming up with daily sandwich creations and soups that show off his love of playing with food.

I've got a collection of photos going back many months - so without a lot of explanation - here's some of the food we've played with at Appetite!


Caprese Grill on Bennett's Sourdough

Fresh mozzarella, spinach, tomatoes, pesto, grilled. This is one of my "go-tos" in summer, when the tomatoes are grand.


Turkey BLT on Bennett's Baguette


Egg Salad & Cheese on Bennett's Rye



I love the egg salad - first, because there is no celery in it, and second, because there is red onion!


Cobb Salad

Mixed greens, tomato, avacado, bacon, Blue cheese, turkey - yum!


The Brieze

Well - not exactly - instead of smoked ham, I had turkey. Brie, apple slices, mayonnaise, mustard, spinach and onions completed this sandwich, which looks to be on Bennett's rye.




Cobb Salad - with house made roast beef this time


Vegetable Soup w/Posole

This was an inspired creation!



Roast Beast

House made roast beef, cheddar, onions, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and horseradish on Bennett's whole wheat bread - yum!






Lenten Friday Fish Lunch

During the Lenten season, Will does a fish sandwich on Friday - I was very impressed with this (and I really didn't expect to be impressed, because these kinds of fish dishes usually don't do much for me).

Will made this the Daily Sandwich Special. Every day, Will offers a great lunch special: full sized sandwich, deli side (or chips or cup of soup) and dessert (though I usually get a fresh brewed ice tea instead) for $6.50. That is a lunch value that can't be beat!

My deli side here was the broccoli salad, which is one of my favorites.



Instead of the ubiquitous fry, Will cooked the fish to order in a saute pan, with seasonings instead of breading. A lovely house-made relish was under the fish, and tomato and cheese on top. I enjoyed mine on Bennett's fabulous baguette.


Another soup - probably split pea.


Another Will-creation

House made corned beef, turkey, tomato, cheese, and a custom dressing all grilled down on rye. MMMmmm.


House Made Macaroni Salad


Cupcakes!


Chicken Salad with Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato on Wheat

An inspired improvement on the BLT.



During Passover, I enjoyed this lovely salad, topped with tuna and chicken salad, and accompanied by Will's Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette.



Anna had no bread restrictions, and enjoyed this sandwich special with ham, turkey cheese, apple, and a side of broccoli salad.


Macaroons

Bennett made the most fabulous Macaroons this year! They can now be found in the pastry case most of the time.



I didn't take the camera again until June 15!


Corned Beef & Turkey on Bennett's Croissant

They let Bernie do his own variation on the Daily Sandwich Special (he mostly left things off). I, of course, had to try it the way the Chef intended it:


Daily Special

Corned Beef, Turkey, Tomato, Red Onion, Havarti Cheese, Thousand Island Dressing grilled on Bennett's rye. Yummers! Even though I would normally never consider eating cheese with corned beef - I gotta say that this combination really won me over.


Pasta Pesto Side Salad

House made, of course. And most delicious.





Thank goodness I hadn't looked down at the pastry case before ordering lunch (and taking Iced Tea instead of a sweet). But Bernie insisted I taste his - we both agree - Bennett makes the best darn cupcakes, period. And he samples them wherever he goes, and this is his opinion.



Finally, to wrap this post up, lunch from Thursday June 18. I was craving pizza, but sort of in a hurry, and I wanted something I could get quickly and eat at my desk. As I started my car, it hit me - Bennett's foccacia bread! I hadn't had that in months - and it would slake the pizza need.


Cheese and Caramelized Tomato Foccacia Bread

William cut my loaf in quarters and warmed it in the oven for me. Together with freshly brewed Tazo ice tea, this made a perfect on-the-run lunch!



I marveled at the incredible texture and mouthfeel of the tomatoes - lets face it, really good tomatoes are still some weeks away. But these had gotten wonderfully chewy and sweet. And the crust was delightful - crisp on the bottom, but fluffy and toothy in the middle.



We are truly lucky to have some wonderful lunch places in and near Lyndhurst - but my go to remains Appetite, where much is made from scratch (no - not everything - but if that matters to you and you ask - Will and Bennett will steer you in the right direction), and all is made with care. Now, if I could just remember to bring my camera, and keep track of how often I've written about them!