Bites Nearby: Saucy Bistro

Upon arrival at , I was surprised by the size of the restaurant, with a full bar area and four separate dining areas. The basement, appropriately named The Cellar, is home to another bar and features live music every Friday.

The atmosphere is warm and inviting – white table cloths don’t have mean stuffy – or expensive, according to Owner and Chef Matt Barnes.

“We intentionally did the menu that way,” Barnes told us about the menu which is organized and priced by category. “When people think of white table cloths, they think it has to be expensive, but only four things on the menu are over $21.”

The servers were attentive while giving my friend and I plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely meal.

We began with calamari, a dish that has been on the menu from the beginning. Barnes proudly told us he doesn’t serve it with marinara. “That’s too expected,” he said.

The parmesan-crusted rings were served with sundried tomatoes and basil. The cheese was noticeable, but not over powering the succulent, melt-in-your-mouth meat, which certainly didn’t need marinara.

Salads were next. I was excited to find a Caprese salad on the menu – one of my favorites. Bright, firm and juicy tomatoes were perfectly complimented by the creamy mozzarella cheese, pine nuts, basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette.

My friend enjoyed a spinach salad topped with feta cheese, roasted red peppers, finely-chopped olives, and tangy herb Dijon vinaigrette.

For our main course, we ordered dishes Barnes recommended. I enjoyed the short ribs, best described as upscale comfort food. The beef didn’t require a knife and was perfectly paired with whipped skin-on red potatoes and a side of baked cauliflower sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

My friend ordered the snapper, which failed to dazzle her. The fish wasn’t as flaky as she liked. I also found it unremarkable. The bed of mashed celery root, however, was an unexpected touch. Similar to mashed potatoes, the celery flavor made them light and fresh.

We ended our meal with dessert. The server was kind enough to give my friend a bowl of berries to accommodate her taste for fresh fruit, while I enjoyed the vanilla crème brulee. The custard was creamy and firm, and the light crust sugar put crispy and the creamy in perfect balance.

In the end, I found Saucy Bistro a great spot to enjoy a glass of wine with a friend. The extensive wine list is ideal for a relaxing meal. They offer a three ounce pour for those who want to sample the selection.

Various specials are available during the week. A full list of specials and upcoming events is available on their website. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 440-835-3559 or by visiting OpenTable.com.