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| - Gorgeous decor -- but uninspired food calls Fire's purported identity into question.
I'll say up front, I look forward to giving Fire another -- and the third -- chance to properly cook my meat order. I have always seen (and written favorably on) the good and the unique flare of our city's wonderful independents. For now, however, I regretfully write this review based on my latest dining experience.
Indeed, the decor is chic, if not Village-esque. (I couldn't help but feel a connection to Mario Batali's Babbo in the Village, but oh, what a strikingly unfair subconscious expectation that set up....) The service was also fine, though our waiter had no understanding of which alcohol brands were available for order. The menu *looked* right -- the choices were finely crafted and the food descriptions inspired thoughts of delicious, creative cuisine.
However. Yet again, the meat at Fire was improperly cooked. All of it. My pork chop was dry. (Surprisingly, my poor side dishes -- the cheddar grits and the greens -- we're also cooked to the point of inedible filmy/flakiness.) My one friend's hamburger was red, despite a medium-well request. My second friend? The toughest walleye you've never had, and hopefully never will have.
Grade: C-. Overall, for the price, the chic, upscale, hip identity Fire purports, and for the dishes that Fire attempts to deliver, I could never ever recommend this over the well-executed creations of Symon, Bruell, Sawyer, Crop, and so many other Cleveland A-Listers.
...Yet every restaurant deserves a third chance.
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