Let me start off by saying that I’m not that big a fan of Italian food, so you’re probably safer completely ignoring this here review. And now that I’ve gone through the routine of getting any reader to ignore what I have to say so that I can write in peace, here’s my review of Cibo’s:

This place is, from the vantage point of a polish boy like myself, insanely italian all the way through. A window from the outside allows for viewing into the kitchen, but it was all just a cacophony of noodles, basil, garlic and red sauce so I didn’t have much the heart for gazing in, though I understand that sort of thing might be attractive to folk like yourself.

The restaurant occupies an old theater. It gives it an interesting view from the inside that’s completely unexpected from the standard red brick affair presented on the outside (I just ruined the surprise for you). A wide open dining area with tiered levels on the way down to the stage (which I assume is mostly unused) gave the place a unique feel. The decorations were reserved yet presented italian-ness well enough.

The menu was extensive. Plenty of different ways to match the pasta you wanted with the sauce you wanted. Plenty of ways to throw in meatballs and so forth. The unfortunate news for those of us that don’t crave pasta is that there’s little on the menu for us. I started with an appetizers sampler platter and followed it with a baked steak.

The appetizer sampler contained the following (all fried): shrimp, crab cakes, jalapeno poppers, calamari, mozzarela. Everything on the plate rated about average. The calamari was bland and chewy. The poppers tasted like they were pre-packaged food service kind of stuff.

The baked steak was about average as well. I wasn’t anticipating ground beef, but that’s what it was made out of. It had a cheeze and mushroom top that rated at “meh”. The mashed potatoes were pretty damn good though, I have to admit.

The most interesting thing on the menu looked to be the 7 course meal that had essentially everything on the menu. Every pasta, every meat dish, desert. If italian is your thing and you have a big appetite, that was a pretty solid amount of food for the price.

Prices were just under what I expected.

My anti-italian food ratings are as follows:

1 – poor, 2 – fair, 3 – average, 4 – good, 5 – excellent

Food: 2

Decor: 3

Service: 3

Price: 4

Overall: 3

In summary, if italian is your thing, head here and you’ll more than likely enjoy yourself. If italian hits you the wrong way, avoid it.

4262 Portage NW
North Canton, Ohio 44720
Phone: 330-494-9096

Food:3

Decor:3

Service:3

Cost:3

Overall:3

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Jimmy’s is relatively new to the area and I had gone in with my mother for lunch some few weeks ago, and resolved to go back with the review crew. I called ahead and spoke to Jimmy about accommodations because i did have some reservations about seating for our ample bellied selves. He was quick to assure me there would be plenty of room and looked forward to seeing us. When we arrived, we had a series of tables in a row reserved for us and the waitress was on the ball. The place, which as far as eateries in Belden Village go, is small and it was hopping but she kept us happy and put up with us. It wasn’t so loud to be obnoxious, though I have a feeling some of the other patrons around thought -we- might of been! I had the manicotti, which was very very good – the noodles were home made even. My only complaint was that when we were done, I was still a little hungry! Cost wise, it’s very good for what you get. Overall, a good experience and I would be glad to go back. Staff and owner alike are very friendly and eager to sit down with you and chat.

2749 Cleveland Ave Nw, Canton, OH, 44709

(330) 454-1259

Food:3

Decor:3

Service:3

Cost:3

Overall:3

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John’s is a local haunt that’s been around a good long time. They’re known for steaks and seafood and of course, alcohol. I had been there before with family awhile ago so it was nice to go back. The decor of the place is pretty standard – wood and low but ample lighting. The main restaurant is sectioned off from the main bar which helps to cut down on noise. The tables we were seated at were pushed together to make one long table but there seemed to be enough room for our group. The service was good, if I recall and I had a rack of ribs and my god, what a rack it was. I couldn’t finish it, that’s for sure. The over all cost of the meal was expected, a little on the expensive side but it is considered fine dining in the area. I wouldn’t mind trying lunch there some time.

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Scoring:
NYR – Not yet Reviewed
1 – poor, 2 – fair, 3 – average, 4 – good, 5 – excellent

Food:2.5

Decor:3

Service: 2.5

Cost:2.5

Overall: 2.5

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When we first arrived, it was easy to see that the place was busy. They boast having 30 screens to watch various sports events on – so yeah. We expected it to be busy. I was told by the passing waitress that until the game was over, they couldn’t seat such a large group (of 10).

As I was about to call Amy and inform her that there was only 3 minutes on the clock, which means the game had just started – the manager came by and said that it was our lucky night. A group was leaving and they had a table for us. Within 5 more minutes we were seated.  The decor was interesting, sporting the trademark rooster everywhere along with quirky signs that read things like “God must love stupid people, he made so many” and “Help keep our streets clean, wipe your feet before you leave”.  The wood was all nice and polished and the ceilings were vaulted. Nice to look at but very bad for sound. It was loud. We don’t like loud.

The waitress, one of many who served us, asked us to remember an assigned number so that she would remember what check to put our orders on.  I’m sorry but a good waitress can remember what her tables order. You don’t say “hey, you’re number one and you guys are number two, remember that so I get it right”. We also had to ask her for things she forgot a number of times. It took almost 45 minutes for Amy to get her martini.

The food. Being a place that advertises they are “the place for wings”, I was seriously disappointed. The appetizers were very small for the price and the wing selection was limited to nine sauces that all pretty much were the same with varying degrees of hot. I had mac & cheese bites – which cost as much as Dan’s large burger.  I also had the BBQ and Mild wings and a BBQ burger. The mild – was plain. There was little flavor and little spice. The BBQ sauce was, well, generic. The burger was large but just like any burger I can get anywhere in Belden Village.  We sampled most of the wing sauces and the ones that were “hot” were all heat and no flavor. Very sad. $55 for two soft drinks, 35 wings, two very small appetizers and one burger. Meh.

Needless to say we ended up back at the Lizard later for dessert and more wings and drinks. Would I go back? Probably not, nor would I suggest it as a place to go on the spur of the moment. If I were with people who were going, sure, I’ll return but not on my own.

Food:4

Decor:2

Service: 2.5

Cost: 3

Overall: 3.5

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Going in, I expected it to be like all the other places we’ve been. You arrive, are seated by a hostess, look at the menu and order.  It was more like, you go in – the menu is on the wall, you order at the counter, get a numbered ticket and find a place to sit. You get your own drink and plastic utensils. Very much like a fast food place. There’s a roll of paper towels at every table.  I think a lot of people who haven’t been there will have the same surprised “ooooh kay” reaction that I did.

The food however, is not like fast food. Not by a long shot. I ordered a full rack of ribs with a baked potato and green beans. They have five sauces to choose from and I sampled two but didn’t do more than dip a few times. It wasn’t that the sauces were bad, they were very good – it was just that the dry rub on the ribs was that much better. The meat practically melted off the bones.  Just the way BBQ should be. It’s no wonder they won awards at the Ribs Burn-Off this year.

There’s not much to be said about the service because there wasn’t any beyond the preparation of the food and taking our order. I will say it didn’t take more than 15 minutes for our food to be done.

The cost for what we got was good as well. We were full when we left and for our group – that’s saying something! I would certainly go back and recommend this place to others. I’d like to go in for lunch some time as well.

Food: 3

Decor: 4

Service: 2.5

Cost: 3

Overall: 3.5

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Little Chicago was given some rave reviews in the local newspaper, which is why we chose to try it as well. That said, it lived up to most of the Rep’s commentary.

Let’s start with decor. Downtown Canton, which is where this bistro is located, is a dump. City officials and communities are doing their best to restore things but it’s a slow process. There’s just very little appeal to downtown right now. Little Chicago is a little bandaid on a big sore. With it’s pressed tin ceilings and dark wood it’s very comfortable. The various photos of gangsters and 20′s era celebrities adds a little flavor as well. The pub section has a large bar and a good number of big screens that patrons can watch various games on and the dining area is sectioned off by a set of large, thick glass and wood doors. It too has it’s own bar and a much more quiet atmosphere. We arrived at 6:30 (reservations are required, BTW) and it wasn’t too busy. By 8:30 when we left it was getting hard to hear, even in the dining area.

The service? Well, our waitress was doing her best but she had to be reminded a few times of things, and some things (like the iced tea – which I found to be terrible) were asked to be taken back and replaced with something drinkable. I’m sure others will comment more on this later.

The most important part – food. I ordered linguine with clams in a red sauce, sans sliced onions. I should have ordered the steak. Not that my meal wasn’t good – it was very good but Ralph makes the exact same dish, better. We had an antipasto appetizer which was a nice sized tray consisting of cubes of cheese, rounds of fresh mozzarella and cubes of meats, along with olives, peppers and a bed of lettuce garnished with what I think was Italian dressing. Very tasty. Unfortunately, when we left, we were still a little hungry and there were no dessert options on the menu.

The cost of the night came to just over $50, so a little pricey but not as much as some other place’s we’ve gone. The portions could be a little larger but then, we’re a large group of large people. Heh. Would I go back? Yeah maybe. It’s one of those once in awhile places though.

Food: 3

Decor: 4 for the outside

Service: not rated

Cost: 3

Overall: 3.5

I sure do enjoy Adult Night Out! But….I just might have to change my routine a little. I start every Adult Night Out with a martini. As a result, I remember the beginning of the night and the end! What a light weight I am!

Harbor Inn’s bar and grill on the water was fantastic! It was a warm sunny day but there was a great breeze. I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn’t on vacation on the shore! The bartenders were prompt and cheerful. My drink was a little expensive but it was probably the biggest martini that I have ever had!

Next comes the part about our service, the decor of the interior and how much I enjoyed my food. I just have no idea! I am told that my husband and I had Crab and Mushroom Au Gratin. ($7.99) The plate was empty and I had red sauce on my shirt so I imagine that I liked it! I had the Alaskan Snow Crab Legs and they were great! ($23.99) The crab legs were of good quality but they were no different than the ones that I get closer to home.

For me, the time on the lake was worth the whole evening. It is what my husband and I call an “expensive night out”. Our total check was about $125.00.

Decor: 4

Service: 2

Cost: 2

Overall: 3

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The Harbor Inn is located in Akron Ohio, right on the Portage Lakes. The first thing that I noticed was the building itself. Its a very unique shape and there are two levels, the downstairs part is the bar and it runs along a dock where tables and chairs are seat up. Really reminded me of the islands for a moment, being on the water like that. Loved it! The upstairs is the main restaurant and it’s decorated with a maritime theme. Again, very nice. We were seated right on time. The menu isn’t as extensive as I might of liked but hosted a variety of interesting selections. I was limited to the softer side of things, due to the removal of all my wisdom teeth! So I chose a stuffed mushroom appetizer and a lobster alfredo. Ralph had a filet steak. The food was rather pricey for the quantity. We both ordered dessert as well, which we rarely have room for – though I have to say the chocolate bomb I had was really very good. Almost better than my alfredo!

The service left something to be desired. We had to ask for refills numerous times as well as other things we needed. Not sure if it was just our waitress or if they were just that busy. Either way, I was not impressed with the service. The bar was the exception to that – the bartenders seemed to be really on it and I didn’t notice people being without drinks for very long.

Overall, I would go back but only when I had the extra money to spare!

So, I’m a little late. On the plus side, I had an opportunity on my birthday to go back a second time with Mel. The first time around:

The atmosphere is wonderful. The decor is ethnic without being distracting and this includes the music. It’s there to enjoy but not so loud that you can’t hold a conversation. Our waitress, Rosie, was stellar. She was prompt and polite and took our (oft times) rowdy, obnoxious group in stride. It was a great change compared to our first review place. The food – amazing. It had all the top notch selections and then some that the Desert Inn has, at a fraction of the price for most things. Ralph and I shared a Sahara Appetizer Combo – we chose spanitopita (a feta and spinach filled filo dough), cheese pies, stuffed grape leaves (meat and spices). I can’t say I enjoyed the grape leaves but according to Bob, it was very authentic tasting. I had the Tour of the Sahara with Beef (read: high quality filet) Shish Kabobs. It came with a mountain of seasoned rice, potato wedges and a grecian salad. I am not overly fond of salad to begin with but I did try it. I still am not overly fond of salad. Dessert was a REALLY good, REALLY big slice of key lime cheesecake. We were a little concerned at first about the lack of patrons present, but between the food and the service that was chalked up to a fluke. Our waitress also commented that it was an abnormally slow night. The price for things was, in my opinion, very fair for the quantity and quality of food you get. Between Ralph and I we spent less than $50. Would I go back? Well now that’s a silly question.

Round Two.

Mel and I went out here for my birthday and while it wasn’t a full house, it was certainly steady. The music wasn’t obtrusive at all, same as the first time and again, the service was exceptional. Our waiter Daniel kept the drinks full and was really interesting and pleasant to talk to. I’m a nerd – I had the Tour again, same as the last time although this time I had extra rice instead of salad. Dessert was the Chocolate Bomb. For ten minutes while it was devoured, I was in chocolate heaven. Better than birthday cake! I am taking a liking to humus. This place is definitely approaching the top of my list and I will likely return here many times in the future.