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| - Solon, Ohio. The epicenter of chain restaurants no more. On a solo mission out to prove that good food CAN be had near a cul-de-sac, Harvest Kitchen & Lounge makes a strong case.
On the corner of SOM Center and Bainbridge Road, the meal I had at Harvest was unlike most suburban meals I've come to know. Warm, inviting, inspiring, unique, risky, seasonal, local and expertly prepared. If Harvest was in downtown or Tremont, foodies would be bombarding this place with their discriminating appetites on a nightly basis. Bloggers would've been waxing poetic of their every bite and food photographs would've long ago dominated a Google image search of Harvest. Yet, besides a handful of local Yelpers, word has yet to get out to the masses that Harvest-- way out in Solon-- is not only worth the drive, but certainly able to stand up to the big boys in the city.
In trying to come up with a comparison, Harvest is everything the old Crop Bistro on West 6th used to be. A warm space with an intimate dining room boasting farm-to-table dishes. Can's of pickled veg and fruit are used as accents and reminders that the menu is inspired by seasonally fresh ingredients when possible.
We came in January when practically nothing is in season and we found a whole lot to like. Roasted marrow bones were had as an appetizer. Meat butter and crusty bread. You certainly won't find this at the nearby Applefleas or Max and Erma's. For main course, I had the house special of the night, a plate of pork multiple ways: belly, shoulder, and bacon accommodating the seasonally fresh Brussels sprouts. Expertly seasoned and flawless in taste. I knew instantly this place was special. Other meals consumed at the table included a Polenta Cake with wild mushrooms, spicy escarole and Mackenzie Creamery truffled goat cheese. Also had was a slow cooked shortrib entree with a fingerling potato cipollini onion hash, roasted butternut squash with a balsamic roasted garlic jus. Satisfaction was the unmistakable description on each of our faces following the meal.
Whether or not Harvest survives in an area dominated by boring sameness is to be determined. But a place like this should no longer be a secret. Travel if you must, wherever in NE Ohio you reside. There's something special going on in the kitchen of Harvest. And it needs your support to survive.
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