Last evening Joe and I decided to take in a movie and since the local Apollo theater is not yet open, we headed north to Amherst where we could see "The Avengers", (partly filmed right here in Cleveland, Oh!) We wanted to have dinner somewhere before the movie and I remembered reading about a new restaurant that just opened in Amherst last Sept. So off we went to find Cork's Wine Bar and Bistro. The location is great and easy to find and sits right next to it's sister restaurant Stubby's Pub and Grub. We will be visiting Stubby's at a later date! Stay tuned!

Cork's outdoor patio is right in front and looked really inviting but it was getting a little chilly so we opted to eat inside. Walked into Cork's and did a "WOW!" If you like wine and inventive food, then this is the place for you! We were stunned by the wine collection behind the bar, and impressed by the wall colors that really enhanced the exposed brick on the walls and the overhead beams. Lighting is perfect for an evening mood.

Our perky but professional server greeted us and took our wine order. Because we were not familiar with the Barbarillo wine that we ordered, our server sent the owner over and he uncorked the bottle and told us all about our choice. He spent some time with us, telling us about the wines, the restaurant, and the events that the restaurant handles. He informed us that there is a banquet room on the second floor that will accommodate over 100 guests and they do host a lot of weddings! Now we are looking forward to partnering with the restaurant and welcoming his 'wedding guests!'

As we had skipped lunch, we opted for an appetizer of Jambalaya balls made of andouille, rice, cheese, Creole veggies, then breaded, fried and served with a marinara sauce. Fabulous and different! (Almost like the Italian rice balls I make that my kids really like!) The crusty bread was served with a basil butter and was eaten in a flash! I had the grilled salmon over red skin potatoes with lemon thyme butter and corn relish. Excellent! Joe had the bison meat loaf over a pile of mashed potatoes and bacon. Another Excellent!

I am adding this restaurant to our Wine and Dine link on our home page. So when you come to Oberlin and don't mind driving just 6 miles north, you will find a really suburb wine and bistro bar! Bonn Aperitif!

A Special Restaurant for a Special Occasion!

Sometimes a special occasion requires a special dinner and that's what Joe and I needed to celebrate our 41st wedding anniversary. Just this past month we have had several guests report to us that they enjoyed a very special meal at one of the area's best known restaurants. We had been to this restaurant many, many years ago so we decided it was time to make a return visit.

The restaurant of which I speak is Chez Francois located at 555 Main Street in Vermilion, Ohio. The indoor restaurant is very formal and does have a dress code that requires business type attire and jackets and ties for the men. No flip flops here! But because the evening was warm and the sky beautiful, we opted to sit outside where the dining experience is casual but sophisticated and I felt comfortable in my white shorts! We had a corner table over looking the canal opposite some beautiful homes and many, many boat docks. It actually felt a little like sitting on a dock at Key West! Even though we were outside casual, we were treated as if we were inside formal. The wine list was so extensive that it was in book form with many pages listing and describing wines from all regions of the world. The ingredients are locally grown, extremely fresh, and provided by various vendors.

Our meal consisted of our wine selection, an appetizer, salad, soda bread, Joe had Filet de Boeuf Wellington à la Périgourdine while I dined on Suprême de Volaille aux Noisettes et aux Crustacés. Both selections were absolutely delicious! We mentioned when we arrived that it was our anniversary so we were surprised with a luscious dessert that we both shared.

Throughout the year, Chez Francois presents many specialty dinners such as The Australian Wine Dinner, the Gourmet Clam Bake, Piedmont & Truffles Wine Dinner, the Spanish Wine Dinner, the Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Dinner, A Truffle Dinner, and a New Year's Eve Party. For complete information on the restaurant and all of their specials visit their website and subscribe to the Chez Newsletter. Their hours are:

Tuesday, Wed., and Thurs. 5:00-9:00 p.m.

Friday, Sat., and Sunday - 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.

They are closed on Mondays

Their phone number is 440.967.0630.

And once again we show you that many fine things can be found in Northeast Ohio. Come and explore. Come and dine. Come and stay! You know you want to!

The "Unicorn" in Grafton

Oberlin is energised this weekend! There are voice auditions, string auditions, and recitals taking place causing long waits at all of the restaurants in town. So Joe and I decided to venture east to a little town in Lorain County called Grafton, home to the Irish restaurant called "The Unicorn."

And it is truly Irish! We sat in the Pub area instead of the more formal restaurant section where we were immediately greeted by our server. We sipped on our Killian Red beers while we enjoyed a cup of New England Clam Chowder. Having skipped lunch we were in need of some quick nourishment! The chowder was divine, the beer cold and wet, and the bread warm and heavenly!

The wait for our entrees was very short and after the first bite I knew that I had made the right decision! My special consisted of a small Fillet Mignon served alongside Salmon Bearnaise on a bed of rice pilaf. Both were cooked perfectly and they absolutely melted in my mouth! Delicious! Joe enjoyed the Friday fish fry special with a baked potato and cole slaw and I had to share some steak with him! We were both more than satisfied with the atmosphere, the service, and the taste and presentation of the food! Excellent!

So when you come to visit Oberlin, if you want to experience a true Irish Pub/Restaurant in the heart of Lorain County, go no further than "The Unicorn," only a short 15 minute drive from the B & B. And as I write this, I realized that I failed to pick up a menu for our collection so I guess I will have to go back for a return visit! Yeah!