rev:text
| - What better way to celebrate some good family news than over some great grub and beers?! We settled on one of our favorite laid-back spots... the Willoughby Brewing Co.
"Nestled in the heart of Historic Downtown Willoughby, Ohio lies Willoughby Brewing Co. Established in February of 1998, we are a full-service restaurant, bar and award-winning brewery in a 100-year-old building that was originally a rail-car repair depot for the Cleveland to Ashtabula Interurban Rail Line." (http://www.willoughbybrewing.com/)
At first glance, the restaurant doesn't look too impressive with its vast, flat exterior.
But once you set foot inside you are welcomed with a wave of nostalgia. With it's warm wood finishings, train station decor (complete with a toy train set running around the resturant!), it's the kind of place that immediately welcomes you and makes you feel at home. I want to point out that the 'train station' decor is understated, classy and NOT cheesy but rather pretty authentic feeling.
I love the menu at the Willoughby Brewing Co. It isn't your typical bar fare. Ranging from fresh salads and sandwhiches to pizzas and grilled fish, there is something for everyone.
And for those beer connoisseurs out there, the Willoughby Brewing Co. does not disappoint! Many offerings are brewed on-site and the selection is pretty comprehensive. For those who can't make up their minds, the restaurant offers a sampler, which touts the six beers they have on tap that month.
The Mister and I started out with some of the BEST soft pretzels I've have the privilege to taste -- my recommendation? Order at least TWO of these. The goodness did not go very far!
For dinner, I ordered the Turkey Cranberry Salad, which includes:
Mixed greens
Dried cranberries
Walnuts
GOAT CHEESE
Roasted turkey
Raspberry vinaigrette
I killed it.
The combination of goat cheese, walnuts and cranberries worked really well with the turkey. Love the combination of textures with the soft cheese and added crunch from the walnuts. It was light and refreshing -- just what I wanted.
Overall, a great place to spend an evening with family and friends!
|