The Observation Deck

Lakewood's latest culinary addition is now officially open. Venetzia, on Detroit in the old Chatroom location (Westlake and Detroit I think) opened yesterday, 10/12. Looks like those who like to travel to River to dine at Stino have a new option closer to home. While this isn't a review, I did have lunch there. In addition to some of the standard pasta dishes on the dinner menu, also some inventive offerings, bruschettas, Osso Bucco and some very fine pizza. Looks like some really nice desserts (man do I love cream puffs). As I was leaving, they were just putting a batch of Italian Wedding cookies in the oven. Stop in and say hello. Check out the menu. Order a pizza to go.

Note to Steve Davis: No whole wheat crust available>

Jeff

what types of pizzas did they have? The usual suspects, or something a bit more creative?

Something a bit more creative (if you desire). Had roasted eggplant with goat cheese, tomato sauce, cheese. Good soup.

Jeff

Does anyone know if they have a website or what their hours might be?

Saw this in the Free Times today:



Moha Orchid was born in Morocco, studied English literature in France and became a chef in America. Working alongside celebrated restaurateur Danny Meyer and chef Ali Barker at Union Square Café in New York set in motion a culinary career that has propelled Orchid to North Carolina, Puerto Rico and back to New York, where he ran his own place for five years. A chance visit to Cleveland a couple years back made a Midwesterner out of him, and he soon opened his own place in the Galleria called Soup & Stew. He closed that business in December. "I don't belong in a fast-food environment," he told me. His new restaurant, which opened last week, is called Venezia (16300 Detroit Ave., 216.226.0006). "It is a cozy, simple Italian eatery with a slight Moroccan flair," he explains. The 45-seat corner bistro features wrought-iron decorations, banquettes built by Orchid himself and $300 dining room chairs picked up at an auction for a sawbuck per. The menu includes an appetizer of gnocchi with swiss chard, hand-tossed pizzas, pastas such as house-made tagliatelle with wild boar, as well as some meat and fish entrées. "I came to this country with $20 in my pocket," Orchid says. "Talk about the American dream."

All

I spoke with Moha today, and he said he would be more than happy to sign on and discuss the restaurant.

Stay tuned.


Jim