Hello! Thank you for visiting my blog. I’m Joni, a self professed foodie adventurer. I regularly travel for my day job around the country. I love trying anything new as well as finding the “best I’ve ever had”. I hope to inspire you to try new things as I take you along my Good Nom Adventures.

Hodge's - Cleveland, OH

Unable to get into Michael Symon’s place Lola (you need reservations and I will remember for next time), my dinner group ended up at Hodges. The decor reminded me very much of Texas - even though I was miles away - with its rustic chic elegance from the wood panels on the wall to the bright red retro chairs that filled the dining room. We were lucky enough to sit indoors because there was a massive thunderstorm that drenched the patio area in a matter of minutes.

The menu was filled with interesting items such as the hanky panky — which I should have ordered simply for its name. I ended up with the sweet corn bisque and braised beef. The bisque was not as thick as I anticipated, but it had a good flavor overall with the sweet corn playing off the creme fraiche mixed in.

The absolute star of my meal was the braised beef. It was served atop mashed potatoes and perfectly crisp tender green beans with an amazingly delicious red wine demi glaze and bacon beans. Yes, bacon beans. The beef was fork tender and well seasoned. The demi glaze was an excellent compliment to the beef and “pommes purée” as it was called. I wanted to keep eating because it was so tasty. I definitely recommend the braised beef and think you will be quite pleased when you’re done.

As for Lola, we shall have that dance another night.

Brio - Lyndhurst, OH

Columbia Restaurant – Ybor City