I do not consider myself an extravagant man.
I payed $115,000 for my house about 6 years ago.
My newest car is a 2004 Hyundai Sonata.
I have a home theater, but it is hand made and the projector is a business project that currently has about 200 hours left on its bulb.
But if there is one high-end luxury I really like to indulge in, it’s restaurants.
I love the experience of fine dining. I love the ambiance. I love the adventure. And of course, I love the food.
All that said, after having the opportunity to explore quite a few “fine” restaurants, I’ve got to say, finding a good one is harder than finding a good whore on Main Street in Akron. It’s harder than finding a drug dealer that’s reliable, reasonable and carries quality stash. It’s harder than finding a politician that actually cares about his country and not his personal vendettas.
I’m hear to tell you it’s just plain hard.
The other activity I really enjoy is movie watching. If I had to compare most fine dining restaurants I’ve been to, to a movie, the movie that comes to mind is Romancing the Stone (1984). It’s a movie that wasn’t bad, but it sticks in my mind as really average. On top of that, it was made in 1984.
That’s how I see most restaurants. They are not bad. But they are incredible in their averageness. And on top of that, THEY WERE MADE IN 1984!
If most movies were exactly like Romancing the Stone, I’ve got to think people would stop going to the movies. But in restaurants, it seems that people apparently want Romancing the Stone over and over and over. Those are the restaurants that seem to stick around and last.
To add a little zest to these experiences, Rocky and I like to guess the dessert menu before it comes out: creme brulee, raspberry cheese cake, and for a special treat… chocolate lava cake. “But be sure to tell your server ahead of time if you want this scrumptious treat… it takes 15 minutes to make. But, oh, is it worth it.”
I feel like every restaurant attains to be:
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
The main menu is just as bad as the dessert menu. Petite Filet Mignon, Main Filet Mignon (why the hell are those TWO items on the menu), Tuscan veal chop, prime rib, seared scallops and for today’s special “chilean sea bass”. These are not features… THEY ARE CUTS OF MEAT!
With all that said, there are great eating adventures to be had. They are much easier to come across in New York and Chicago compared to Cleveland and St. Louis. But I have experienced good food in those smaller metropolitan areas. However, I don’t feel that region should be any excuse for dishing out monotonous food. We live in a global culture. We all have access to the same media, tastes and experiences. There should be more great food experiences in Akron Ohio.
That said, I often find interesting food at mid-level restaurants. It’s these high end restaurants that seem to consistently flop.
The reason for this prelude is that I thought I’d give you my assessment of these restaurants as I come across them. That way I’ll have a little remembrance of them and you… can do with my analysis as you see fit.
Incidentally, my current favorite local restaurant is:
Downtown 140 in Hudson Ohio. It’s set in a cellar. The menu is clever and original. It’s just fun. This is the restaurant that I’m looking to beat right at the moment.
I feel that it is as good as avec in Chicago. Avec is more hip where Downtown 140 is more elegant. But I’m cool with that. Both are tapas-oriented.
I won’t be able to comment on the wine selection because I don’t drink. But that will just let me better focus on the food.
My first review will be last night’s dinner:
I’ll try to write it later today.