CLEVELAND — Planning a night out on the town? Looking to impress a hot date or cherished loved one? Tired of hitting the same-old restaurants? Beginning today, 3News food expert Doug Trattner will be coming to the rescue as he highlights, each week, a great place to visit. From temples of fine dining to hole-in-the-wall casual joints, these places all have a few things in common: excellent food, good service, and local ownership. So pull up a chair, order a beverage, and stay for the fun.!
Here's where Doug took our Mike Polk Jr. for the first installation.
LOCATION: Cru Uncorked
ADDRESS: 34300 Chagrin Blvd, Moreland Hills
For his first choice, Trattner went straight to the top: Cru Uncorked in Moreland Hills. This sumptuously appointed property would be right at home in Napa Valley, from the tastefully decorated dining rooms to the perfectly manicured grounds and outdoor seating area. The seasonal menu, a marriage of French and New American, is expertly prepared and artfully presented. For wine lovers, there is no better place in town to head thanks to a tremendous cellar stocked with popular classics and rare gems. Better yet, expert sommelier Christopher Oppewall and a well-educated staff are on hand to offer suggestions.
MENU STYLE: French new American cuisine
PRICE RANGE: $$$$ (out of 5 $s)
Trattner suggested they start out with the steak tartare, an exceptional preparation of this timeless classic. For the main course, the kitchen suggested the sea scallop and tortellini entrée featuring seasonal vegetables in a dreamy lobster sauce. Cru has since debuted its new fall menu, so treatments have changed. To drink, Oppewall poured a pair of robust cabernets, one Old World one New World.
By next summer, many of the vegetables and greens will be grown onsite in the restaurant’s own kitchen garden. The garden will be located in the rear of the restaurant, accessible from the ever-expanding patio. Before too long, guests will be able to sit outside with a glass of wine and be surrounded by the fresh produce they'll soon enjoy on the plate.
You can also participate in the numerous wine dinners Cru hosts. The next dinner, scheduled for November 9th, is for Pinot Noir lovers. You can learn more, here.
TOP THREE REASONS TO VISIT: In summary, Cru Uncorked is masterful at creating a fantastic ambiance, recommending the best wines, and serving delicious food.
To learn more about Cru and make a reservation, check out their website.
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Editor's note: The video in the player above is from a previously published, unrelated story.