| rev:text
| - While I am an avid browser of Yelp, I have never been spurred to write any reviews until today's visit to Noodlecat. Recapping my first time to Noodlecat:
1) Noodlecat received a lot of hype from colleagues before it opened, being one of Cleveland's first noodle joints. However, my intrigue in this restaurant died a bit after reading Yelp reviews and hearing that after said colleague went to this place, was sorely disappointed.
2) Despite this, I was still willing to give it a try, and finally found some time to go today, after waiting many many months. Parking was fine at 2pm... found close parking across the street: win!
3) Got to the restaurant, hostess seemed kind of cold, and intially was not willing to let us sit in the 6-people table (which I guess is not unreasonable as there was only 2 of us)... but the restaurant was completely empty. At most other places I have been to, if the restaurant is empty, seating is open to whever we want to sit. Fortunately, she changed her mind shortly after, and we got the table closest to the window, and had better lighting than the 4-people table right next to it (where she originally wanted to place us). I would have been fine with that table, since the tables are very roomy and comfortable, but the lighting in the restaurant is way way way too dim. For a noodle joint especially, I would prefer and expect lighter, brighter. Would have sat outside, but was afraid it might get too hot after eating hot noodles. And then the music was obnoxious angry rock, really did not contribute to a noodle joint vibe (I don't care if it's supposed to be new age fusion, whatever. The dim lighting and loud angry rock music already made the restaurant lose some appeal).
4) Menu seemed simple. I ordered the Takahachi Ramen, and BF ordered the Pork Miso Ramen. Plus here is that the manager allowed us to order the lunch special, even though at that time, it was already 2:15-ish. I got a Super Salad with my noodle dish. BF added an egg to his.. asked the waitress if the egg would be partly cooked and partly running; she quickly responded yes, as if she wasn't even listening, and bolted away.
5) Now onto the food...
The salad was actually pretty good; this would be my favorite part of the meal. It was light and refreshing, and I really enjoyed the avocado that they added.
My bowl of Takahachi Ramen... it was good initially; was pleasantly surprised by the kelp that was in it - although a little salty. I also actually enjoyed the wheat noodles, although BF did not like this at all. What I did not enjoy... broth was not flavored, but was also pretty oily. Also, the whole dish was lukewarm. Ramen should be HOT not lukewarm. Scallions were large and raw, and would have benefited from being cooked a bit - which I think they would have been adequately cooked if the soup had been hot enough. The pork that was included in the soup... was perhaps only a small spoon worth of pork, and in a chunk in the noodle. I ate this in a mouthful, and was hit by an unpleasant alcoholy taste? Usually I finish all of my food despite being stuffed, but once I reached slightly fullness, I just had to stop.
BF's Pork Miso Ramen... what he had to say was "midway, I wanted to puke." I tried his soup... it tasted like the instant miso soup packets you can buy at the Asian store for like.. $4 for a pack of 12. The egg that he ordered with his noodle, was completely raw; you could see the white of the egg surrounding the yolk, and was not cooked at all. He had been so excited by the egg too, but looked scared as he put the egg into his spoon, closed his eyes and gulped it down. Disgusting. It was definitely not cooked. Perhaps it was meant to cook in the soup, had the soup been hot like it should have been.
We ate... and then bolted as soon as we paid the check. The most embarrassing part is that this was BF's birthday today, and I am embarrassed to have taken him to this joint for his special day.
Edit: Forgot to mention that the pricing was horrendous. $27 after tip. We could have eaten 2 delicious large bowls of pho and yummy bubble tea at Superior Pho.
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