While visiting the West Side Market, my friend suggested going to the Cafe for lunch. I was very much in a salad mood and I was delighted to see some choice salads on the menu, as well as soups. It was rather chilly in Cleveland on the day we went to the Market, vice my first few days, which were insanely hot and humid.
For an appetizer, we shared a bowl of Italian Chicken Noodle soup. I can't quite pinpoint the exact differences because it isn't regular Chicken Noodle (obviously), but it was delectable. My friend had a burger for her main course and I had the Italian Chop salad. As I have a lactose intolerance/allergy, I substituted artichoke hearts for the gorgonzola.
I was completely blown away by this salad. The peppercinis that were in the salad were house-made as were the pickled red onions. The waitress also told us that the red wine vinegarette that is used in the salad is made from the vinegar left from the pickled red onions. The best part of this salad was the Salami crisps. I guess this is a local Cleveland thing to fry up salami or pepperoni, but boy, I had never had salami cooked in this fashion and I couldn't get enough. The sheer size of this salad was unreal as well. They don't scrimp on you and I had plenty for a snack later on in the day.