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| - Where the hell did this place come from? Seriously, it's like someone just attached a restaurant to the bottom of a really big helicopter and on their way to Cleveland just looked down upon Grafton and said, "OK, this is far enough. Let's drop this sumbitch." Really, it's like an oasis smack dab in the middle of one of the state's most arid, lifeless food deserts (sorry, Grafton, it's true). The Jailhouse Taverne is some kind of mutant extra-chromosome laden love child that resulted from a night of beer-fueled sweaty ugly rubbin between a rockabilly outdoor music venue and a double-wide trailer already pregnant with a top-notch chef and incredibly skilled staff.
The Jailhouse Taverne is something of a mystery wrapped in a riddle cloaked in an enigma. Is it a live music venue? Is it a blue collar watering hole? Is it a casual restaurant serving up fresh-made, well-executed delicious dishes complete with local ingredients? Well, take all of these, toss 'em in one of those Ninja blenders and crank that thing up. After about a minute you'll be able to pour yourself a tall glass of Jailhouse Taverne.
First, just in case you were wondering, the jail theme is because they happen to be located within a stone's throw of the Grafton correctional facility. A two-minute drive, to be more precise. Yeah, talk about your strange neighbors. Second, the live music thing I mentioned above, they're stacked to the nines with outdoor venue space. Out yonder's an elevated, covered stage with a grassy knoll for lounging and listening. There's even a stream that meanders its way through their backyard. I can't speak from personal experience, but I have a feeling that if this place is a rockin' there will be plenty of knockin'.
The building is right on a corner lot, so parking requires a bit of explanation. There's a main lot on the 57 side, but it's pretty small and fills up quickly, especially on weekends. On the 83 side, they're got much moire space with a gravel lot that has a walkway up to the main building. I recommend parking over there since you can walk by the stage and get a look at everything on your way up.
Speaking of the building, I was impressed by how clean and well-maintained everything was. I don't know why, it just hit me is all. It's clear to me that the owners of Jailhouse take immense pride in their establishment. Once inside the good news continues. It's not a large space, so things can get pretty cozy, but I think that's the point. They want their patrons to mingle. A big bar is the centerpiece with the dining room to both sides. A nice mix of low and high top tables, vaulted ceilings with beautiful pine paneling, and plenty of natural light. It just feels warm and inviting.
I think it's safe to say that this is a bar first. As soon as you walk in you can tell that it's designed for drinking. A wall of colorful liquors beckoning thirsty travelers, a draught tower pouring a dozen beers with a nice selection of crafts and a selection of specialty drinks if that's more your thing. I wasn't blown away by their beer selection, but I managed to content myself with some local suds from Medina's Lagerheads Brewery. They've got a bottled beer list with 4-dozen or so selections, too. Not bad.
Another highlight was the service. I can't remember the last time I walked out of a restaurant blown away by the service. Our server, whose name escapes me, was excellent. A younger chap, his brain was buxom with knowledge. He knew the dishes backwards and forwards, came ready with recommendations, and wore a smile throughout. He checked in a bit too often to see how things were going, but he was so damn good I didn't mind.
Now for the show-stopper. The food. I don't know how they managed to nab a kitchen staff as brilliant as the front of the house, but they did. Forget everything else I've gone on about, the menu is the real star. This is not your dad's bar food. Fresh hummus, burrata with roasted squash, ahi tuna poke, at this is just the appetizer menu. Of course they've got wings and burgers and salads so you can get your greens, too. Then there are the entrees - osso bucco stroganoff, homemade meatloaf with wild mushrooms, and high-class chicken and waffles. I told you.
We wanted to try everything, of course, but we had to save something for our return visit. Some of our personal highlights - the seasonal salad with its maple balsamic, roasted butternut squash and pickled carrots so good it almost shouldn't be called a salad. The tavern meatloaf would make mom rethink her own recipe (although the green beans weren't nearly cooked enough for me), and that cheese fondue and soft pretzels all day, please. Finished off with the perfectly executed creme brulee. Yes, creme brulee. It's only downfall, it needed some fresh fruit.
So there you have it, folks. It's true. There is a place this damn good hidden away in the backwoods of rural Ohio just down the street from a jail. I'm telling you, this stuff writes itself.
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