It seems like whenever we think about eating out on the Near Westside, our thoughts usually turn to Luxe but then we are reminded of Spice and last week we were glad that we paid this place a visit.
A great patio -- after all, there's only 5-6 weeks left in the Cleveland patio season -- featuring pots of aromatic herbs along with large umbrellas to keep back the blazing sun is a good start.
The cocktail menu had several inventive options -- Jeannene had one involving strawberry infused vodka -- but I went with my usual Old-Fashioned though our server reminded me of the option of rye instead of bourbon -- something I enjoy but rarely think about as I've become accustomed to restaurant bars not realizing that's a thing.
The menu isn't that large -- there were 13 appetizers but only 6 entrees -- but everything we chose was excellent. We shared a cheese board and I usually judge that on the accompanying items instead of the actual cheeses since they are almost always the same -- a soft cheese, a bleu cheese and a hard cheese. This one was no different though there was the addition of goat cheese pearls floating in olive oil and peppercorns and the cheeses came with a tangy strawberry dipping sauce, a fresh piece of honeycomb (loved by a bee that had joined our table), dried apricots and plenty of sweetly coated almonds for texture along with the crostinis.
I was disappointed that they were out of the walleye even though we were there at 5:30 on a Saturday but they more than made up for it with a halibut over golden rice that was one of their specials. This might have been one of the most perfectly cooked halibuts I've ever had as the outside was an ideal golden crispiness yet the inside was still very moist. I barely had to use my knife to cut it. The moistness was echoed by the fluffy rice and pieces of mango (I think) that were in it. Along the edge of the plate was just a touch of a creamy white sauce that added to the summery lightness of the dish instead of drowning it.
Meanwhile, Jeannene opted for two appetizers for her main course -- raving for days about how good her roasted corn agnolotti tasted while just being OK with the mushroom beignets.
So this meal will help us to keep Spice in mind the next time we are looking for a place around Gordon Square.