Author: Mariann

Mia Bella Little Italy

East, Little Italy, University Circle

http://www.mblittleitaly.com/

12200 Mayfield Rd
Cleveland, OH 44106
216.795.2355

Mariann writes:

Mia Bella – Little Italy, located at the corner of Murray Hill Rd. and Mayfield Rd., has much to offer the g-f diner.  In every section of the menu – Soups, Salads, Appetizers, Pizzas, Entrees and Sides there are items to choose.

Our party of 6 had a reservation this past Saturday evening and we were happy that we reserved in advance.  The dining room is small and super busy, but we were impressed that they are sufficiently staffed to make it all happen.  

Reservations are most highly recommended!!

We chose salads to start our meal off.  The selections at our table included Roasted Beet Salad, Caesar Salad, and Albanian Chopped Salad.  All  were freshly prepared with nice crisp vegetables and great dressings.  The entrees chosen by our party included Seafood Risotto (the scampi were huge), Cheese Tortellini (pictured here)
Cheese Ravioli with Artichoke Hearts, and Mushroom Risotto.  

My fellow diners declared each and every dish to be wonderful!

For the g-f diner Mia Bella offers a g-f pasta with most pasta dishes able to be modified to accommodate.  According to the on-line menu there is also the option for g-f pizza although I did not notice this while in the restaurant so will need to go back and do some investigating on that. The Risotto dishes are g-f – the seafood option has a red sauce and the mushroom option has a white sauce.  G-F Entree options include Lamb Chops, Ribeye Steak and Scallops.  To finish the meal my fellow diners chose Espresso’s or digestive liqueurs – me – I chose the Spumoni Gelato!

I’m looking forward to going back to dine at Mia Bella – to try the pizza or one of the pasta dishes and also the calamari appetizer.  

And to have another Spumoni…….

 

 

 

Gigi’s on Fairmount

Cleveland Heights

 

https://www.facebook.com/gigisonfairmount

Intimate bistro serving locally sourced, Italian-inspired American fare with wine & cocktails
3477 Fairmount Blvd
Cleveland Heights, OH
44118

Phone: 216.291.7237

Lunch, Dinner and Brunch menus are available.
Check the facebook page for daily hours.

Mariann writes:

The menu at Gigi’s on Fairmount is styled on Small Plate Appetizers, Salads and Soups, and a variety of Bruschetta.  They also offer 3 entrees at dinner which your server will describe as they change daily.  There are a number of items on the menu that are naturally g-f but the restaurant carries g-f bread (Udi’s) so even the Bruschetta can be accommodated.

On my first visit to Gigi’s our table shared an olive medley and cheese platter that were both substantial and beautifully presented.  We also had salads that were plentiful enough to be entrees.  Of the three entrees offered on the day I dined 2 of the 3 were g-f.  My choices were Seared Scallops on garlic grits and Braised Lamb Shank over mashed potatoes.  Both dishes included a lovely selection of beans and carrots in the plating of the entrees.
The dining experience at Gigi’s was very pleasant.  Our server was gracious, attentive and knowledgeable.  The room is a bit on the dark side but there is candlelight and reflections on all the mirrored walls so the room appears large and welcoming.  The adjacent lounge has a bar and lovely sofa and cluster seating for a group gathering.  On nice weather days the sidewalk patio looks to be quite welcoming.  
While the wine list is limited it includes some very wonderful wines from around the world.  Our party enjoyed a Savignon Blanc from Australia, a Montepulciano from Italy, and a Pinot Noir from Oregon.  Cocktails are also served at Gigi’s.

Progressive Field – CLE Indians Ballpark 2017

Accessed from the MLB.com  Ballpark app

Scroll to Food & Beverage
Choose Special Dietary Needs
options include Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Kosher, Peanut-Free, Food Allergy Information
Choose Gluten Free – here’s the screen shot

NOTE:  previous post listed Section 156 but the correct Section is 153!

Enjoy your game fare and GO TRIBE!!

 

Dining Out G-F in NEO

April, 2017

Jilly’s Music Room   

NEOCN first published the link to Jilly’s Music Room back in Sept. 2014 when Jill contacted us to register as a presenter at our April 2015 Vendor Fair. I’m embarrassed to say that it took me almost two years before I ventured out to JMR to check out the menu and dine on-site.  JMR is 100% gluten-free!

What a wonderful surprise awaited us on a lovely Saturday afternoon!  We started with fried mushrooms and fried artichokes and then……

we followed up with a sampling of sliders,

Grilled brie, applewood smoked bacon, and fig jam.
Fried bologna with yellow mustard and pickle.
Tuna slider with field greens and vinaigrette.
Flank steak, roasted red pepper, cheese, and fig jam.

Ice cold Bard’s beer and this Saturday afternoon was a complete success.

JMR sits in an area of Akron that will be experiencing some real construction headaches in the coming months.  Like many areas of NEO.  Let this not deter you,  please!! —- RATHER —- make it a point to persevere and head there anyway.  You will be treated to amazing delectables and be providing a community service to a local shop that will need guests to make the effort for them.  Businesses struggle under our road construction projects so it is in our interest to go the extra mile or more!   You’ll be glad you made the trek.

astoriacafemarket.com/

In the past month the name of Astoria Market and Cafe came up in at least 3 different conversations.  How could I not be intrigued.  We headed out to Astoria on a Thursday evening after work and before heading back downtown to the theater.  Our arrival coincided with a private event going on at the cafe so we were considering turning around and heading back downtown but happily we continued to our destination.  The market portion includes Mediterranean specialty cheese and meat deli, coolers of beer, wines, and other beverages, freezers of frozen specialties and shelves of interesting dry goods. The cafe portion is spacious and comfortable with a staff that is attentive and welcoming.  It turns out that they have a separate party room so the cafe had lots of room for walk-in guests.  By the time we were served our meals all the tables in the cafe were filled.

The cafe menu is Tapas style but the big plates are generous and filling so there is something for everyone.

We shared a bowl of olives and started our meal with Avgolemono Chicken Soup with Rice – a classic Greek soup of chicken broth, egg yolks and lemon juice.
Following the soup we shared Stuffed Grape Leaves – some of the best I have ever eaten!
I did not choose an entrée this night because I was full from the hearty soup and grape leaves.
But my husband, who does not require a g-f diet, chose an entrée of Ricotta Ravioli and Meatballs.  He declared the dish ‘amazing’.

Dine. Sip. Shop. Chill.  This is the motto of Astoria and they are doing a great job of making it happen.  Check it out.

 

thefairmount.net   

If you’ve been following my posts you know that I go to The Fairmount in Cleveland Hts. a lot!  There are many good reasons for going – the location, the food, the beer (Bard’s), the phenomenal staff!! the great atmosphere, the outdoor patio, the camaraderie and energy!  All I really want to share here, this month, is the picture of my recent burger.  Because this burger was plated with such care it was presented as a piece of art!  And, every dish that is presented at The Fairmount will leave you feeling that your meal was made special for you!