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| - We went for lunch here last weekend. This is a modern-american restaurant that takes on the theme of "food as art". This is reflective of the fact that it sits at the heart of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The newly-renovated Museum itself is a gorgeous space (more on that in a separate review coming up). The modern art theme continues into the bar and the small restaurant that happens to be owned by Douglas Katz, the same chef of "fire food and drink" fame. There are floor to ceiling windows that give a great view of the outside landscape.
This is not to be confused with Provenance Cafe -- which is next door and it is a food court which I have not tried, yet.
The Van Gogh exhibit was up that week, and special menu was Van Gogh-inspired. It would have been comical had they put pig ears on the menu, but I digress...
Here's what we ordered: thai calamari for starters, mac and cheese for the kid, pan roasted ohio trout for entree, and "draadjesvlees" (beef stew) entree from the dutch-themed specials.
The calamari. This is an example of calamari done right: soft, crunchy, non-greasy and not over-battered. The thai-chili sauce on the side had smoky-sweet flavor that seemed like an asian take on barbecue sauce. Cilantro was mixed in with the calamari.
I'm a big fan of trout. I love trout with the skin on. They did just that. The skin was seared -- even better. I love trout because, among most fish, it can easily take on a smoky flavor. It was served hot. The lentils on the side provided a great balance.
The draadjesvlees was beef stew, braised right. Slow-cooked, maybe with a hint of red wine as far as I could tell -- just a guess, but the result was juicy and tender comfort food perfect for that winter afternoon!
I am coming back. Coming back to this lovely museum and to this great restaurant. These are Cleveland treasures.
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