Spice Kitchen - Bar
5800 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44102
Spice Kitchen - Bar Menu
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Address :
5800 Detroit Ave
Cleveland, OH, 44102 - Phone (216) 961-9637
- Website https://spicekitchenandbar.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :Closed
- Mon : Closed
Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Wed, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Daryl G.
If it were an option, I would probably give Spice a 3.5. Went here after work for happy hour and sat at the bar. I was unimpressed by the decor, which seems to me a random assortment of trinkets and knick-knacks with no real theme. I was impressed by how large and wide open it feels compared to some other restaurants in the neighborhood. I believe I was ordering my drinks and food from the manager, and he seemed pretty knowledgeable and eager to engage in conversation. I will say that the whole place has a very congenial atmosphere: both the customers and staff were very talkative and friendly. The main problem here is that I was underwhelmed by the food. It is a little pricey at $20-30 plates, which wouldn't normally be a problem if they were worth it. Between myself and my date we had 2 appetizers and 2 entrees. My entree at least was both a very small portion and a little more bland than I would expect from a restaurant named "Spice." I was hungry again about two hours after I left. Certainly not what you want after a $100.00 bill.
(3)Steve S.
My wife and i had a wonderful time! The food was amazing and the menu as fresh as could be! Service was the best we had anywhere very pleasant and the waitress very knowledgeable about the menu. We would good back to here in a heartbeat.
(5)Anna L.
After my initial visits I have been to Spice several times. I simply had to update this... to share that Spice has quickly become one of my favorite Cleveland restaurants! The bartender Magda is wonderful and charming, and knows how to make many an extra special drink. They have a very nice patio space. The service in general is superb. The food is extremely consistent ....and top notch every time. I enjoy trying their specials, and the happy house which runs from 5:30-7 is superb! So glad this place is more then holding their own in the new world of Cleveland food based night life. BIG FAN. A+
(5)Jessie B.
I have been here too many times to count. It is truly one of the best restaurants in Cleveland. Go, you will not be disappointed!
(5)Alicia B.
My husband and I went here on a Saturday for lunch and it was delicious! We had excellent service and great recommendations for food. Both of our dishes were amazing - delicious, flavorful, and generously portioned. The decor was great too- very natural and fresh. I am planning on taking friends here soon and I am excited to share it with them!
(5)John M.
My wife and I shared the following for our 'date night' on March 27, 2012: Cheeseboard Bibb salad Lamb shank w/ greens, mashers, & pickled squash Steelhead flatbread We were pleasantly filled. Steelhead Flatbread was our favorite, followed by the salad which was composed of crisp ultra-fresh greens. Nice tight menu so hard to go wrong. Lots of daily specials focused on seasonal eating. Knowledgeable and attentive wait staff. Highly recommended!
(4)Joe D.
Spice is an excellent establishment, and brings a lot to both our bellies and city. Great food and knowledgeable staff, perhaps the best of each in the western hemisphere (at least west of the Cuyahoga). I'm a big fan of the Steelhead flat bread - delicious cured salmon, local mixed greens and lemon drizzle. The atmosphere is elegant enough to feel like a "special" place, however also casual enough to avoid any sense of pretension. I imagine this balance will prove attractive to a more diverse customer base than more explicitly formal venues like Crop on Lorain. Their emphasis on local and sustainable sources for their ingredients (as well as only serving dishes based in seasonally-growing options) ensures you won't be eating the usual processed foods or anything from too far away (distance-wise). The entrees taste made with love, rather than haste. I highly recommend Spice and expect great things as word of mouth gains momentum! Looking forward to the spring menu!
(5)Denise Y.
Seems like the perfect casual comfortable neighborhood joint on the corner. I'm not from that neighborhood but i'd certainly come out and visit when I can. Relaxed in the sense that drinks are served in mason jars and the decor is farmhouse home-y. I love that the menu is seasonal and tries to rely on locally grown produce as well as produce the owners grow themselves. The food is delicious. We started with the mushroom beignets, which were interesting concept and for me in worked. We had the seared chicken breast (by recommendation) and ribeye. I'm not a big fan of ordering chicken when out--most of the time seems bland. But Spice did it right and it was perfectly rendered and delicious with the side of spaetzle and vegetables. My fiance kept stealing my food. The ribeye was equally good and most importantly cooked right to what we requested. To finish, we had the chai pot du creme with shortbread. Great end to the evening.
(5)Louise E.
Just had a fabulous dinner at Spice Kitchen. For the appetizer, we had freshly picked morel mushrooms (harvested locally, this morning), sublime. The entree was walleye, with white, green and purple asparagus, perfectly cooked, crisp and flavorful. The fish was served on a spiced polenta, with a pesto sauce. Every bite was worth savoring, enough to interrupt the flow of conversation. The dessert, carrot cake, like you've never had carrot cake... a cupcake size, baked with a crunchy crust, served with a delicate cream cheese and lemon sorbet. Truly a memorable meal. Had no idea Cleveland could have such a gem. Spendy, but worth every cent.
(5)John M.
Eh, they are okay. Food is so-so but pricey. Drinks are excellent. We have gone there three times and we are at about 50/50 on our experience - both food and service. For the $$$ - go to Luxe. In fairness though--- every event we have gone to that Spice has catered has been excellent.
(3)Mike R.
Interesting reading the reviews on this place. Most are very complimentary, and a couple are downright scathing. My wife and I came here a few weeks ago on a recommendation of a very good foodie friend of hers who said this was her favorite place. She wasn't wrong. Service was friendly and efficient. Food was outstanding, especially the gnocchi. I am big fans of Parallax and L'Albatross, and I'd come back here again.
(5)Gina R.
Leaving a group of friends and a vendor who was picking up the tab at Market Garden to hit Spice (alone) on your way home isn't the easiest way to check out a new restaurant in town. But I did it. And I am sure glad I did. I figured I'd know at least one person in the place, either at the bar or one of the tables. Nada. I shot a quick glance at all the people sitting at the packed bar. Then I did a quick walk through the newly renovated space, sure I'd find a familiar face at one of the tables. Nope. So, I checked the ladies room to see if they'd fixed the horrible lighting that used to be in there. A quick cursory glance told me they had. Not quite the fix I'd hoped for, but better than what it was. Then a friendly employee asked if I needed help. I hesitated for a second, not sure what to say. Keen to sense my desire to stay even though I didn't know anyone, he says, "Hey, I know the bar looks like it's packed but there's two employees sitting at the end and it's our policy if a patron comes in, we seat them." Awesome. I can't think of a better way to get great service than to displace someone from their bar stool as they're enjoying a beverage. Before I could protest he was seating me where a couple of what would typically be considered as friendly faces, used to be seated. Turns out Rachel, Ben and Gina actually were happy I'd stopped in on my own and were only too eager to offer me their recommendations on what to order. The Malbec was exactly what I was craving after having just had Market Garden's new 'All Fuggled Up'. The Preserved Squash Risotto is cravable. Many eating establishments have graced us with their presence at 5800 Detroit. Given their warm staff, friendly atmosphere and delectable menu, let's hope this one is here to stay. Thanks for welcoming a lone patron and good luck and prosperity to you guys. -Gina
(5)Abbe D.
Went in for an early dinner on a Friday evening and caught the end of Happy Hour which included some of their great starters. My friend & I shared the hot, puffy, crunchy mushroom beignets. Then we each got a cup of the cold beet soup - which is stunningly beautiful as well as delicious. For dinner my friend got the Buckwheat noodles with winter vegetables and raved about the perfect bom choy and ate every drop of the broth. I added chicken to the Preserved Squash Risotto. It was creamy and well balanced, but definitely needed the boost of protein to make it an entree. I'm not sure what "preserved" meant, since there were only a few pieces that were identifiable as butternut squash, but there was no significant flavor component I would say made it stand out. While the brown paper table cover seems homespun at first, once the water and iced tea glasses start to sweat, the paper begins to hold too much water and becomes very unattractive and impractical. The service was attentive and the reason I am not giving 4 stars is the limited menu. I understand concentrating on doing a few things well, but with the a la carte nature of the menu as it stands, it can become very expensive to assemble a full meal. With Salads at $8 and entrees with protein at $22 or more, It's just something to be aware of. There was also no fish offering on a Friday during Lent, just a PEI Mussel dish that seemed to be more of a starter. A lot of folks ordered the Andouille Burger which looked good going by - and might be something I'll try in the future. I would definitely come back - making sure to hit the Happy Hour to get great starter prices and to try their Spring Menu - since they're finishing up the Winter Menu right now.
(3)Michele L.
This place is seriously spectacular! The food, the atmosphere and the staff are all just wonderful! I'll be returning, and hopefully soon!
(5)Tawana H.
So I visited the Spice Kitchen + Bar for the first time Friday July 5 and I love it and highly recommend it......I had the pleasure of meeting Dave H. who makes AWESOME DRINKS....wait did I say AWESOME DRINKS.....I was introduced to a new vodka OYO Stone Fruit.....simply marvelous.....the atmosphere is divine very classy and upscale...my next visit I will try the food......the bar is open until 2 a.m. but they are closed Sunday and Monday....So stop by you will not be disappointed.
(5)MJ S.
The brat burger here was unlike anything I've ever tasted. I can't wait to go back for another one. The service was pretty great, too.
(5)Courtney M.
I was really excited to experience Spice. Atmosphere is amazing. Menu is limited but substantial. I was so sure that dinner would be phenomenal but service was painfully slow and far too descriptive, drinks were okay, and the food was very sub par. I ordered the special, pumpkin ravioli with chestnut cream sauce. For some reason one side of the ravioli was browned which made the pasta awkwardly chewy. The cream sauce was a bit chalky from the chestnuts and they said the pumpkin was seasoned with rosemary which was undetectable. Tasted like a frozen meal that I could have purchased for a quarter of the price. I am so angry that I spent what I did there. Very, very overpriced. No thank you.
(2)Sammy S.
The wife and I went to Spice last night and had a thoroughly enjoyable meal. The decor was very tasteful with nice touches in the details. The art-deco bar was still in place and filled with a lively crowd. We sat in the middle dining room next to a large window that looked out onto Detroit Avenue. Very pleasant. The wife ordered a drink with gin and st. Germain, which was well made. I had a Troeg's Mad Elf on draft. The Mad Elf was a steal at $6 for a pint. We started the meal with squash soup and the mushroom beignets. Both were perfectly prepared and presented. The soup was incredibly rich but was provided a nice balance by the accompanying chili oil. The beignets were by far my favorite. Deep fried, yet light, and filled with a rich mushroom flavor. Absolutely fantastic. The entrees were also great. We got the special cauliflower ravioli in brown butter and the buckwheat noodles with mushrooms. The ravioli were also very rich, but not in a cloying way. The flavor was outstanding. The filling was velvety, and the pasta nicely browned. The noodle entree was also very good. The noodles were properly chewy, and the mushrooms were earthy and fragrant. Nice broth also. Service was very prompt and knowledgeable. All in all, the meal was perfect for a winter night in Cleveland. As I understand, the menu will change from season to season, so I hope I can look forward to enjoying this new addition to my neighborhood year round. (Hopefully the new management plans on retaining the excellent patio)
(5)Jennifer S.
Amazing locally sourced creative cuisine in what has up to now been an unlucky location for restaurants. This chef has broken the curse!! Highlights are the risotto, local cheese plate, chilled beet soup, and amazing tacos. The atmosphere is upscale but relaxed and cozy, with a natural flair. Their special cocktails are worth a look - the last time we were there, I had a strawberry cocktail with cracked black pepper. Yum! They just opened a great patio in the back, and it's lovely for drinks or dinner on a summer evening. Also, bonus points for offering the happy hour menu on the patio! We've had nothing but friendly, efficient service, and creative food here, and we'll be back!
(4)Michael J.
The chickpea fries were an amazing inventive dish and must not be missed when ordering, otherwise the menu wasn't terribly exciting.
(3)TC W.
So had some friends in from NYC and Cuyahoga Falls and we decided to take them to Spice Kitchen. It was a fantastic evening from the wine selection, polenta chick pea fries, mushroom beignets, delicious spicy corn bisque, walleye, to the ribs. We always have a great meal here and the staff is out of this world friendly. This space has held a few different restaurants over the last couple years and we couldn't be happier that Spice landed in our neighborhood. Friend them on facebook as they post specials and we have switched dinner plans to go try them. We weren't disappointed. If you are going to dine in Cleveland, you need to go here.
(5)D A.
Food was very good. I will be back for sure. Only thing wrong the waitress didn't know what was on the cheese plate we ordered, otherwise this would be 5 stars.
(4)Jessica K.
absolutely delicious food that holds its own among the other great restaurants in ohio city/tremont. not to mention delicious old-fashioned cocktails, friendly service, warm decor and mason jars! we ordered the mushroom beignets (piping hot, melt in your mouth), polenta chick pea fries (OMG), squash risotto (love the apple on top) and chicken with spaetzle and each course was better than the last. the place also has a lively bar on friday and saturday nights. i will be back. with bells on.
(5)Cherie B.
Love this restaurant! Always consistent, always relaxing, and always excellent! Recently had the cold beet soup as a starter...the best ever! Had a hard time deciding between the red snapper special or the vege plate, so I asked our server to surprise me and I cleaned my plate clean... I was pleased with the vege plate! The mushroom bread pudding was divine!!
(5)Deb K.
My husband and i went here last friday 2/17 about 6pm and the place was about half full. we did not have reservations but were seated in the bar area. the decor was very on par with other rest in this area. we started out with the trout flatbread that the waitress told us was smoked. the trout was more like lox and not smoked. my husband enjoyed this alone as i would not eat it. as we were waiting for our entree's 2 other couples were seated on each side of us. the chef came out and greated both cuples as friends. while we were still waiting for our entree's, appetizers started pouring out for these 2 couples "the chef wanted you to try these". all the while i am waiting and hungrier by the moment. (this really pissed off my husband and I - maybe the comp meals should be seated in a special place away from paying customers) i asked the waitress if the "chef" was out talking to friends, who was in the kitchen cooking and she responded that there were several chefs back there! after about 30 minutes, we recieved our entrees. for $12.00 I got the risotto which had no meat and was about a 1 cup portion. it came in a small soup bowl and was undercooked not to mention very runny and i did not even get a spoon to eat it with. my husband got the sea bass which was about a 4oz portion atop squash puree for $24.00. it was fishy and dry (overcooked). maybe the chef was busy with preparing his friends meals. when we left, we were still hungry and had spent $54.00 before tip for these 2 "entrees" , 1 appetizer and 2 beers. not to mention the place was emptier than when we came in at 7pm on a friday night. why could we not have been seated in the main dining area? may have been a little warmer too. for these reviews, this place should be packed on a friday at this time just like XYZ and Happy Dog across the street! we live downtown and frequent many rest in gordon park, downtown, ohio city and tremont. this has been the absolute worst meal for the money spent. we will not be back.
(1)Sue M.
Awesome food. It's great to know that they have their own gardens and chickens! None of this frozen, reheat, throw some sauce on it, call it a day restaurant. Everything was awesome!!!! Fresh Food, great presentations
(5)Eleanor C.
Having been here once, I like almost everything about Spice. I am hoping to return and reinforce my positive opinion soon. The chickpea and polenta fries are probably addictive (my friend and I like to pretend to be restrained and, er, "healthy", but within five minutes of finishing our order, we were seriously considering another one, even though we knew we had entrees coming and needed to same room for Sweet Moses), though I wasn't a fan of the dip they came with (no big deal- they really didn't need anything else). I told the bartender I "wanted to try a red wine and learn something about what kind of wine I like" and he was extremely accommodating and poured a delicious, reasonably priced wine, in addition to providing some wine education. My friend had the potato cauliflower ravioli and I tried a bite. It was quite lovely, though in my opinion I had the winning dish (the brined pork loin). It came with a fabulous sauce and more importantly, candied garlic and bacon. The pork was cooked perfectly, and the whole meal just made me happy.
(5)PJ N.
cute restaurant in the old former haunt of snicker 2, la boca, etc. nothing seems to have lasted in this location, let's hope this one is the exception! chickpea polenta fries and mushroom beignets, 2 appetizer selections, are soooo good, i could have eaten them for dinner! i can totally understand why they've gotten klnd of a cult following......loved them! had the walleye entree.....delicious, flaky fish, properly cooked, but the highlight on the plate was the super sweet, fresh corn with scallion oil and seasonal beans. i could have eaten an entire plate of the corn. so delicious, so fresh tasting. you can clearly see that it had been lovingly cut from the cob in house. dining partner had the pulled pork sandwich, which comes with a north caroline mustard style bbq sauce.....very good, very unique. dessert was on special that night; a peach and blackberry cobbler with in house made blueberry ice cream. simply delicious. the crust was SO buttery. i could have eaten the blueberry ice cream, alone, and been content. overall, good place to go....menu is very limited, service is friendly and attentive. drinks are unique and well prepared......i would like to see this restaurant succeed and become a staple on the cleveland restaurant scene.....
(4)L Z.
I've been to Spice a few times since it opened earlier this year and it's been a great experience each time. The food is fresh and flavorful and the service is top notch. It's a bit noisy but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you care about the food you eat and the way it is prepared I highly recommend Spice Kitchen & Bar.
(5)Mike S.
Had heard rave reviews...here is mine: Good: nice space, friendly hostess/bartender. Cocktail with rum, cinnamon, nutmeg was very good. Arugula salad was fresh and had great dressing (although I had asked for it on the side). Strip steak had great flavor. Not so good: steak and other entree (which was just a crepe appetizer) took way too long to come out, especially with only 4 other people in the restaurant). Consequently, both meals were just barely warm. We did not send them back, but, did let the waitress know. She said " I will let the kitchen know". But, it pretty obvious that she just took way too long to pick it up and deliver. May try again, may not.
(3)Charlie H.
The girlfriend and I came here for drinks a few weeks ago. The cocktail menu was interesting to say the least. It was certainly a fun evening. We each had one drink before going to our next stop for dinner. The pricing for the drinks seemed fair. The place has an awesome ambiance. I'm holding onto the fifth star because I didn't try their food, and I don't think I want to. I looked at the menu, and nothing, at all, looked like something I personally would enjoy. I'm sure the food is delicious, but their menu doesn't appeal to me personally. I would totally come back here again. I definitely recommend this place for a few drinks with friends.
(4)Claire G.
I'm a big fan of Spice. They have nailed it in terms of food, atmosphere and service. Their back patio is perfect for the summer months in Cleveland. The fresh specials are always delicious. Tonight we had their rosemary focaccia bread service and mushroom beignets as starters. Both were incredibly good. As our main meals I had their special, which was a flaky white fish served with puttanesca and my boyfriend ordered the burger. Both were very flavorful and prepared perfectly. My favorite dish of the night was their basil cheesecake. It's everything you could want from a dessert; fresh, bright, creamy, really just truly delicious.
(5)Bethany C.
It is a real treat for me to visit a restaurant such as Spice which is so committed to a full expression of the (hackneyed though the term may be) farm-to-table ethos. I loved chatting with my favorite vendors at the North Union Farmer's Market this past Saturday morning knowing that the same fresh, local produce, cheese, and meat my husband and I buy for our home would be served to us that evening when we went to Spice for a celebratory dinner. As we were celebrating a special occasion, we really went all out and, as a result, experienced a sampling of at least one item from each section of the menu. The seasonal items were enjoyed included: - Peach and Bacon Salad with whipped House-made Ricotta - Pan-Friend Mushroom and Pork Dumplings - Wild Mushroom Tart - Spicy Gumbo - Basil Cheesecake with Peach Coulis - The Piece la Resistance: a 42-Day Aged Cumin-Rubbed Skirt Steak Every morsel of each above-listed dish was par excellance! It was truly a meal to be savored and one which we will think back on fondly for some time. We enjoyed wonderful service to accompany the incredible food. The staff kindly accommodated our request to be moved to a less noisy portion of the dining room upon arrival. As an aside, I would dispute the $$ price-range rating of Spice's listing here on Yelp. A meal at Spice is strictly a $$$ affair - and worth every dollar! To keep within the $$ range one could order an entree only - no drinks, appetizers or dessert - but I fail to see the point in that!
(5)Kate B.
Came by myself because I wanted to see the band playing on the patio and Beardyman was at football. Staff gave me some looks that were a bit questioning but I like eating by myself. I've eaten at Spice Box many times and thoroughly enjoyed their Dyngus Day fare. This time eating at the actual Spice restaurant has been extremely pleasing. I ordered the crudite board and a side of fries. All of the veggies were from local farms (they listed which ones for me). They were served with a yummy green aioli and a pesto made from veggie tops and deliciousness. Everything was excellent. The fries came with a jalapeno ketchup. So good. Will be back with Beardyman and we will continue to enjoy Spice's other appearances in the community.
(4)Ashton C.
Really impressed by the space. Great vibe. Very quiet; perfect for a weekday birthday dinner for my mom with the family. Attentive service, our server (Patrick?) was pleasant and funny. He gave us the specials and definitely "read" our table well. Cocktails were great. I had the Peter Rabbit, my mom got Spice's take on a Dark and Stormy. Green curry soup du jour was a slam dunk. My rhubarb salad was over dressed but a great appetizer portion. Very fresh. My mother and I both had the Walleye. Maybe I'm spoiled by Cleveland's rich food scene but I was severely underwhelmed. The cornmeal crust was bland; saving grace was the relish on top. My little brother got the steak. His words? "Skip it". My dad had the seasonal special, a chicken breast atop wild rice. He said it was decent. No "wow" factor. Dessert, however, was phenomenal. We split an ice cream bar and the s'more eclair. The smokiness on that eclair was perfection and it was served in an adorable jar. Points for presentation, Spice. Final result? I'll be back for dessert after dining down the street at Luxe.
(3)Greg M.
Came for Sunday birthday brunch. Started with the Morning Joe. Can't remember what was in it, but it was very tasty. Had 2 appetizers, a chorizo and egg flat bread and a Scottish egg (see pictures). Presentation was crazy good, but the taste of each was just so so. I started to ask myself why they call this place Spice, as both were a bit bland. And then the main courses came out. Yum yum yum yum yum! I had the hangover burger, an andouille patty with a fried egg and apple jelly on the bun. Delicious. Came with seasoned fried potatoes that were good on their own, but when dipped in the side sauce were very good. The boy ordered a steak and blue cheese omelette. We split each and it was very good too. Didn't care for all the greens in it, but the steak was sliced thin and tasty. Also at our table was the popover pancake, chicken and waffle, and the vegetable hash. Not a plate went back to the kitchen with a stitch on it. Service was very good and attentive.
(4)Kimberly K.
Not an extensive menu, but plenty of great choices. It was hard for me to decide what to order. Split Apple Cinnamon Beignets and they were good, nothing super special. The Dixie Benedict was fantastic!!!
(4)Jennifer T.
WOW! THAT was good! Was our impression when we left. We went on a Tuesday about 5. Not busy at that time, but I didn't think it would be on a Tuesday as most sit down restaurants r not. We were acknowledged as soon as we walked in. ALL the staff was top notch. I like that the bar is in the front, and then the dining room is off that and is large which was deceiving from the outside. Love the decor. Now that we've been here, I will keep this place in mind whenever we want to take family/friends out to eat. The most important part-the food. At 1st the menu seemed very limited and even though we are rather well versed in all kinds of dishes that are out there, there were still things on this menu that made you say 'what's that?' Which sometimes can make you not want to try the dishes because, well, it's not the cheapest place, and do you really want to take the gamble on a dish being good. But now that I've had some food here, I feel I can trust the menu and make those leaps into the great unknown and come out happy! Ok, so on we go. For an app we tried the pork filled dumplings. Delicious. That's all I can say. Entrees- I got the hen leg on polenta w/arugula and apple salad. The salad was good. The hen leg was AMAZING! The polenta, eh, but I have never had a polenta I really liked. So maybe that's just me. My hubby and son got the burger. And forgive me, but I'm not exactly sure what was on the burger. But that is beside the point. It doesn't matter WHAT was on it, this burger has gone down in my books as THE best burger around! You might think like me, a burgers a burger. Well, no, it's not. I've seen the light. This was thick and fresh and perfectly grilled with a taste that if I ate the meat alone would be amazing in and of itself! No joke here people, it is that amazing, oh, and the fries are the best that fries can get. And do try their hot sauce! Eat it in the fries! We were stuffed, so no dessert for us. But we look forward to coming back soon!
(5)Susan L.
It's really unfortunate because I had high hopes based on prior reviews, and maybe it was just a sloppy uncharacteristic night. But I won't be going back after such a disappointing night. I ordered the Walleye, and the flavor profile was spot on. The combination of ingredients were well-complementing, it should have been a great dish. But from the instant the plate was presented, it was 'off.' There was a clear lack of attention to detail: the pieces of fish were falling apart and looked like it was sliced (if you could even call that slicing) by a kid with 2 left hands. The plate was covered in sauce everywhere and looked a general mess. One tries to overlook such silliness as presentation if the food is amazing. But I couldn't even eat more than the first 1/3 of my dish -- it was sooo salty! The bf LOVES salty, and even he said it was too salty. I was drinking so much water just to try and eat the dish, the server refilled my water 4 times for me to eat the 1 piece of fish. The bf had steak. The steak was cooked well (he always orders medium, and it was medium). It was seasoned well and served with potatoes, mushrooms, and some green that I can't recall. The dish was covered in a sauce that once again, was way too salty. We managed to pick off all the sides that were covered with the sauce and eat the steak with the veggies that weren't sauced. Maybe they accidentally salted the dish twice. Maybe the person running the pass was doing it for the first time and too overwhelmed to check our dish. Maybe they were understaffed in the kitchen and they found the service to be too much on this quiet weekday evening. Maybe it doesn't matter, and I'll be finding dinner at one of many other excellent restaurants in town. The flavor combination should have been a good one, I like the farm to table fresh food dining idea, and the restaurant looked nice... But wouldn't eat here anymore. ----------------------------------- Explanation of my rating system - 5*: Epitome of something, the best I've had, would LOVE to go back 4*: Great food and happy to go back regularly, but not the best of the category 3*: Food is fine. I may spontaneously decide to go there based on convenience. But no need to go back either. 2*: If you insist, I guess I'll come along. I'll find something to eat. But I wouldn't have picked it. 1*: No plans to come back. I'll try to talk companions out of going.
(2)Patrick L.
Great food and amazing atmosphere! They were understaffed tonight so service was a little slow. They were very apologetic and friendly.
(4)Ben S.
They have Sunday brunch now! From 1030-1500. It's amazing! They started off on the right foot with table side hot tea preparation. It was loose leaf tea. The selection was presented in mason jars, in a basket. You can smell them and see the tea before choosing. The waiter than takes teaspoons of it and spoons it into your glass personal tea pot. The Blueberry white was great! Then for the main course. The burger, called Hangover Cure, is the most creative concoction of ingredients I have had in a long time. And it works so well together. It contains the burger - made of ANDOUILLE, pickled peppers, friend onions, and JAM ($15)! There is a similar burger on the non brunch menu that I can't wait to try out soon.
(5)Nick K.
We went here for Valentines day. The service was very good. Got our reserved table right away, got our drinks right away, and didn't wait too long for the food. I also didn't feel rushed. The interior is cozy and they have a nice looking bar as well. They have some interesting appetizers but the dinner menu was a bit small. We ordered two appetizers, the mushroom fritters and the pork pot stickers. Both were very good. I preferred the pot stickers. For dinner I ordered the lamb shank with polenta. The lamb was braised to perfection. It was tender and juicy and fall off the bone. The polenta was creamy and good. My wife got the noodle bowl which she said was delicious. I'd definitely go back. It would be a convenient place to dine after a movie at the Capitol.
(4)Cara L.
I'll save this update for dranks--because it's worth an update for that very reason. I frequent XYZ Tavern down the street at least once a week. Well, sometimes when I leave XYZ, I'm not ready to go home and an additional cocktail sounds amazing. Enter, Spice. I love that the bar is right up front. I'm typically able to hop on a bar seat quickly and order. All their house cocktails are phenomenal. And when I say "phenomenal," I'm not just some annoying chick claiming everything with that word. Nope. These dranks are effing glorious. And sometimes, I just order a dirty martini, which they also do up like a boss. Next time you're in the area and are looking for a delicious cocktail, head over to Spice. And also, just try to sit at the bar (even with a tummy full of food) and NOT order the mushroom beignets...
(5)Jenna H.
Yum- O! Spice Kitchen has made its way to the top of my list of favorite Cleveland eats. It has a shabby chic and somewhat modern feel which reminded me of a restaurant I would stumble upon in Manhattan. The only complaint I have is that it got SUPER loud in there, I don't know if it is the acoustics of the building, or what... The food was superb. We started with the polenta fries and they were a hit with everyone. The sauce that is served with them is delicious, even though they don't even need it. For my entree, I decided to go with the perch dish and I am SO glad I did. It was such a refreshing and different choice than I am used to. It was cooked and spiced to perfection and the corn complimented it so well. I cannot wait to try different items from their menu as it changes.
(5)Morgan O.
A Saturday night date, we got the lamb burger and the pork chop special. Both plates were so delicious! Juicy, tender, flavorful. The fries were great with the burger, and the mashed potatoes, kale, and smoked Apple butter added great flavors to the pork chop. Service was attentive, atmosphere was intimate. Ps, oatmeal cream pie for dessert...Y-U-M!!!!
(4)Nina G.
1/2 star really. We were really excited to try this place out, given the vegetarian and vegan options. The waitress- No explanation of menu was given. Did not take take the time to review specials for drink and food, until we asked. Took an amazing amount of time to realize the sangria drink was out. She walked by us multiple times without asking for our order. Total of 25 minutes until we had A drink on the table and still missing one. The hostess super apologetic and sincere. Perhaps we will try this place in the future.
(1)Fallon F.
It's hard for my expectations to be exceeded when my expectations had already been so high, but Spice did so with a wonderfully delicious Valentines Day dinner. Everything about our first experience was great, from the friendly staff to the beautiful and relaxed atmosphere to the delicious and well prepared food. This meal was one for the books. We opted for their 4 course tasting menu, one appetizer, two salads, two entrees, and a dessert to share. For our starter, we got the hummus platter, which was delicious. I loved the presentation and that veggies were served alongside the pita. Crushed almonds were also served on the platter, and provided a perfect crunch. That's one thing I noticed about the meal, they put a lot of time and effort into all the elements of every dish. Something as simple as almonds with hummus to provide a little texture shows how much care and thought these chefs have put into every dish. For the salad course I got the kale and apple salad which was dressed with a whole grain mustard dressing- awesome. My date had the fried oyster salad, which he also loved. The main courses, and the true stunners in my opinion were the lamb for me, and the lobster ravioli for him. My lamb was divine- so tender and flavorful and satisfyingly savory. It was accompanied by bitter greens, which provided a needed contrast. My date loved his lobster ravioli, and described it as rich and delicious. We both cleaned our plates. For dessert we chose "dessert sushi" and fun, creative, unexpectedly delicious final course. It was beautifully presented and tasted awesome. I'd also like to mention that I can't have any dairy products and the entire staff was incredibly accommodating to this restriction. Our server was extremely patient and took time to consult with the kitchen about what they could prepare for me. I was able to order from their regular menu with only slight substitutions. I really appreciated the extra step they took for me. One of the best meals I've had so far living in Cleveland. I absolutely loved the seasonal, local approach they take with everything they do. I'm looking forward to coming back every season and experiencing new menus.
(5)Sohini G.
Overall very average. Came for dinner and for the cost wasn't worth it. Dumplings were delicious. Salmon was good. Polenta fries, pork chop and oatmeal cake dessert were all okay. Drinks were also average, pretty unimpressive actually. Ambiance is cute but we were seated very closely to other tables which seemed very unnecessary for how not busy it was. Would come back for happy hour bc it seems like a good deal and the food isn't bad, but wouldn't recommend regular dinner.
(3)Evan F.
Excellent farm-to-table meals, with a garden right in the back parking lot (as wel las the owner's house)! Dishes are inventive and fun, whether they be the appetizer selections or the main dishes. Craft cocktails were also well put together and their Happy Hour menu is quite reasonable with plenty of choices (both meat and meatless options). Experience here (from beginning to end) was good both times we've been. A bit on the pricey side (for what it is), but I think that is probably offset by the quality of the ingredients. well worth a visit.
(4)Vijay D.
This place is pretty good. Had a rustic, romantic, casual feel to the place. With a name like "Spice", you would figure the food have a lot of flavor and use spices that you may not have heard of or considered using. However, it was not the case. The food was straightforward with little spice use, and instead it let the food broadcast its natural flavors and aromas. We started with the polenta chickpea fries....AMAZING!! They were really good...I wish I had the recipe that way I can make them whenever I wanted to. We split the charcoal chicken (they charged some extra money for splitting it for us), which was decent but didn't really wow me :( Overall, the place was decent and good spot for a date. But I did leave thinking I could've saved money and had a better time across the street at Happy Dog.
(3)Molly M.
I love Spice. The service is always wonderful and the menu is fantastic. The use of sustainable products on their menu is a great feature. The outside patio has a wonderful ambience. We have taken our children too and they loved it. A neighborhood gem!
(5)Yuan C.
Great place for happy hour!! My friend and I came here on a weekday afternoon and we were seated at the bar immediately. I ordered the special happy hour cocktail, which was a bourbon cranberry with a hint of honey. For $6, this drink was totally worth it! It had a kick of bourbon at the end of each sip, but the sweetness of the cranberry balanced this kick perfectly. I highly recommend this! We also ordered the mushroom beignets, which are to DIEEEE FOR. There is a crispy outer shell with a soft and creamy center. The dipping sauce was a heavenly mixture of honey and goat cheese. MMmmm! Price is fair and service is wonderful, so I'm definitely coming back again for their amazing happy hour deal!
(4)Sam M.
A near west side eatery with true panache. Good service. Attentive, genuine, and kind. I've really enjoyed my visits here. And, without hesitation would recommend it for date nights, and entertaining guests. It's on the edge of the Detroit Shoreway theater/shopping district across from one of my favorite places for live music The Happy Dog. They've done a great job with the decor, even if on a busy night it might feel a little cramped. The food is based on local fare whenever possible as many are today, but their twist is they aren't afraid to use a little (or a lot) of "SPICE" to creat some deep, rich and for my tastes delicious food. My date and I haven't tried their desert selections (yet) but if they can bring the wow factor as they do with their main selections I'm confident it'll be wonderful as well. The wine list is not amaze-balls, but it does feature a comprehensive selection of old world and new world wines that are sure to please at least the nouveau wine snob. Downside is cost. I put this place on the expensive side, so bring the card. Not great for kids. Get a baby sitter and splurge on the wife or hubby. You probably deserve a night out alone with your significant anyways. Support and eat independent and local.
(5)Jessie Z.
Excellent! Great food. Went here for date night. The two of us had one appitizer and two nightly specials posted on the board, and one entree. It was the perfect size portions for the both of us. No doggie bag here! Rich, flavorful, fresh, but not heavy! We ordered: Polenta frittes (my favorite choice) Squash soup - delicious flavor Pierogis - had a pleasently great combination of beets and onion topping Rabbit ravioli - wild and slightly gamey, but suburb flavor with no heavy thick sauce (Thank God!) O Baby it's Cold Out cocktail we ordered twice because of its tastiness Dirty martini recommendation was on par Rye cocktail (forget the name) was great also! I do have to comment on the service and atmosphere as well. Very attentive, friendly , and quick staff. Bonus, the place is beautiful. Great job, guys and dolls! Can't wait to go back.
(5)Drew P.
Food was excellent but it took over an hour for entrees to arrive. They were super apologetic and bought us dessert which was appreciated. I know us 'Mericans are used to way oversized portions, but Spice's were ridiculously small. I'm fine with smaller portions when it's quality food but come on! We got mushroom beiniets as a app luckily and they were delicious.
(4)Lisa D.
Loved my acorn squash stuffed with mushroom risotto entree. Wonderful mix of flavors and very filling dish. Service was great and ambiance was date worthy. Would definitely come back next trip to Cleveland.
(4)Dave M.
First time here, incredible food! We had the biscuits and gravy, Dixie benedict, duck burger, omelet du jour--all delicious. Plus impeccable service and farm-to-table sustainability. We'll be back often.
(5)Michael S.
I had the burger, it was one of the worst burgers I have ever eaten. Not just the flavors but the bread was burnt. The dessert I had was also meh. I will say that the service was great, I was with a large group and the waitress accommodated us very well, even with our separate checks. For the prices I don't think it was worth it personally.
(3)Ilene T.
Excellent meal capped off our day-trip to Cleveland. Although we loved our little bowl of sweet olives, it seemed that the fried polenta sticks were the snack to order, judging by their presence at almost every other table. The wine-by-the glass selection is good. We each enjoyed a perfectly dressed salad, the one with a 6-minute egg and the one with beets. My husband's duck burger was a good choice, served medium, but my game hen was too salty. Bread is an extra, and we didn't need it. Do not miss dessert! The rosemary smoked cream puffs were perfectly devine. All-in-all, a well-spent two hours.
(4)Amy Y.
Stay away from this place! For our 3 year anniversary, bf and I decided to try this place based on excellent reviews seen on Yelp and heard from some other people. I was also excited to try it as when I called for reservations, I asked to be seated in a place where we could sit perpendicular. Hostess promised that we could sit at a 4-seater, and was really warm and inviting on the phone. So we go there today. Hostess shows us to a small 2-seater table squished between two other diner pairs. Ummmmm... where's the 4-seater that they promised?!? Hostess says all the tables were booked and that information was not written down in their books. So we sit on a wobbly 2-person table for the entire night, while all around us, 4-person tables were completely empty. A group of 3 walked in, and didn't have reservations, and got to sit at another 4-person table. Sure, I understand that if they're really busy, we should sit at the 2-person. But, 1) they promised, and 2) they were NOT BUSY. Server was new. Asked him about the menu. Most of his response was: I have not tasted this. Unacceptable. Food - subpar. Ordered chickpea fries and mushroom beignets. Did not care for the goat cheese. Just average for entrees - nothing special. The kicker is that when we had 2 chickpea fries left, a server comes up to us, and says "Your entrees are done. Do you want me to pack this up for you?" Why the rush??? I have never ever had anyone interrupt me in the middle of appetizers to ask me if I'm done, and if I wanted them boxed. If they had been paying attention, they would have seen that we were still eating, and never once put our forks down for like more than 30 secs. Ordered roasted chicken and open face bbq sandwich. Chicken was very very bland. Came with red sauce and gnocchi. Gnocchi was definitely nowhere near as good as the ones from Chinato's. These were very doughy and tough. Seemed like a mishmash of different flavors, none of which complimented each other. Tasted like something I could make from a can. Open face bbq sandwich - bread was burnt. If this was on Hell's Kitchen, Gordon Ramsey would have slammed his fist down, and had a hissy fit. Way too mustardy and acidic, even for me, and I love mustard and vinegar. The red cabbage on top did help in reducing the acid. Salt and pepper chips were good, but tasted like warm bagged potato chips. Drinks - hard cider was sour. Bf did not like his pale ale. Skipped dessert. Could not handle anymore. Also, before I finished the last 3 chips on the plate, another server starts taking the plates away without even asking. He just comes up and says, "let me take these out of your way." My hand was still on the plate reaching for a chip as he swoops in to grab the plate away. For $67 after tax, I expected a lot better. Will not be coming here again. Poor food. Poor service.
(1)Bob E.
I've been here for Dungus Day, appetizers and couple months ago stopped in for a burger. Burger was the best I've ever had. Ordered med rare and came out perfect. They grind the meat in house! Bun and fries were done right too.
(5)Rachel W.
Visited Saturday night just before 10. Called ahead and the hostess informed us there wouldn't be a wait for 2. Found a spot on the street very close to the restaurant. We were greeted immediately and given our choice of tables. We sat in the bar area. As opposed to other reviewers, I thought it was very warm inside. I was too warm actually, but it seemed to cool off a little later on. Our server was Raquel (if I remember correctly). She was really friendly and on top of everything we needed. We ordered drinks and they came out pretty quickly. The drinks were excellent. We had the chickpea fries and flatbread as a "main" course, and soup and salad to start. My caesar salad was delicious. Very peppery, lots of cheese. The chickpea fries were not my favorite, just because the texture was not my thing. The flatbread was very good. I guess I didn't bring my A game in the appetite department because I had no room for dessert. I will definitely save room next time.
(4)Nabila S.
Horrible! Go here if you want to pay almost $200 for a meal worth "maybe" $40. We got the Valentine's Day special 4 course meal dinner for 2. The waitress clearly explained to us at the beginning that the $65 total price included 4 courses for 2. The entree was smaller than if you got it off the regular menu, the desert was over the top and tiny. Now it gets interesting.. We got our check and it was double of what we were told the special cost, completely senseless. Had to talk to the manager about the poorly communicated prices. All in all - I wouldn't go here again or recommend it to anyone. Try crop kitchen or south side diner instead.
(1)Kenny Y.
This place is amazing! It was a cold, snowy winter day around Thanksgiving and Gordon Square looked completely deserted - seriously - but this place was full of people. The ambiance was hip and upbeat and I really liked the decor around the bar area. We had tried to make reservations earlier but it was all booked, so we had to settle for a table at the bar. But that didn't detract from our experience at all. Anyways, my group of friends and I wanted to order everything on the menu because it all sounded so good. Nothing disappointed - everything we ended up trying was amazing. We tried: - Mushroom beignets: salted and fried perfectly - great finger food. - Flatbread - Oxtail butternut squash gnocchi: I don't think I've ever had gnocchi this good. Dunking the gnocchi into the oxtail broth is key. - Roasted salmon: I really liked the sweetness of the asian pear in this one. - Roasted chicken - Apple cobbler (special): They sold out of this right after we ordered it. It was warm and delicious with just the right amount of sweetness. - Apple upside down cake The only downside to this restaurant is it is a bit pricey. But it's definitely worth every cent.
(5)Stacie M.
This is exactly what I love about Cleveland. A hip spot with fantastic food that won't blow your budget. We came on a Saturday, and this place was packed. Lucky we had a reservation and were seated right away. My husband and I loved it. But I can see bringing my Dad here and his thinking that it's too loud and too dark. (I always wonder when I'm going to get to that age. Shudder at the thought.) Ambiance was great and had good energy. The food was great and service couldn't be beat either. Our only regret was that the bar was packed after dinner so we couldn't stop for one last delightful artisinal cocktail. Oh well. Next time!
(4)Derek C.
This is one of Cleveland's best restaurants but it is a bit of a hidden gem in that it's a bit out of the way and there aren't a lot of parking options around here so it is easy to pass up. The food is always new and excellent. The interior is modern, bright and new. The cocktails are above average for a restaurant although they are not the focus. Do your best to sample at least something from each course. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Diana L.
Everytime I've been, the service is friendly, attentive, and down to earth. The food is always amazing and with happy hour specials, you can taste some of their food at a reasonable price. When I go out to eat with my father, our family orders for him and he eats. When he ate gets, he scarfed it and wanted more. This place is fabulous.
(5)Katie R.
I understand the Saturday night rush, being understaffed in the kitchen but when a bus boy mouths off to a table that has waited 2 hours for our food - that's completely unacceptable. Most restaurants would try to comp out the entire meal after the wait time and the terrible service but no, we still paid for the drinks and appetizer. Thanks, Spice. Not suggesting this to anyone.
(1)Janet W.
Delicious food but kind of pricey.
(4)Nick V.
My favorite place in Cleveland. Dave runs a tight ship and is proud of the food they serve and the staff they employ. The menu has changed with the seasons, but my current favorite is the grilled avocado with couscous.
(5)Eric C.
I went with a wife and a friend last night. It was a decent experience. Service: 5.0 - Our server was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. Everything I expect. Ambiance: 3.0 - It was a little cold. Otherwise, the decor was average and the lights were very dim. There's nothing I did or didn't like. It was just average--it looked like any other modern west-side restaurant. The place is very clean. They have a huge place, but they seem to like seating people in the bar area. I would recommend they try to put more people into the dining area. I felt a little too much like I was at a bar. Menu: 3.5 - The menu is small and focused, which is fine and expected given the focus on seasonal ingredients. But, it could use a few more meat options given the size of the menu. The food all looks good, but there wasn't anything on the menu that blew me away at all. Food: 3 - I started with the garbanzo bean fries. It's felafel in stick form served with a chili mayo they make in-house. The mayo was great and the felafel did and ok job at mimicking a french fry (crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside). I had the pappardelle special, which included house-made pasta, a cream sauce, parmesan, mushrooms, and asparagus. The sauce and the veggies were very good, but nothing to write home about. The pasta had a good texture, and it was the widest pappardelle I've seen (I liked that), but many of my pasta strands were stuck together. While the texture of the pasta felt like fresh made pasta, the flavor just wasn't there. I don't know if the pasta was lost in the sauce or if it needs more eggs or what, but my Italian heart was longing for the missing flavor of the pasta. What really surprised me was the portion size. This was a half-size portion at most other restaurants. I don't expect to get a massive bowl of pasta, but at the same time, I want to get my money's worth. I don't recall the exact price, but $14 comes to mind. I think it was really worth about $9. My friend got the same dish, but he added chicken. They used skin-on airline chicken (de-boned breast but with the leg bone intact). The chicken appeared to be prepped with skill, the skin was perfectly rendered and crispy, and it was well seasoned and moist. Anyone can cook chicken, but the chef showed a bit of skill on this one. It really made me think of how they need more meat on their menu because I bet the chef has the chops for some great meat-based dishes. I have no clue how much he paid for the added chicken, but I know it was too much. The price of the dish should have included the chicken, IMO. My wife had the andouille burger. It was good, but just like the other food, nothing to rave about. Good flavor, good texture, and the side of chips had a hint of chili seasoning. I don't think it was worth $13. We skipped desert since we were full. Overall, we were satisfied, but the price point was just too high for what we got. I get that the freshest ingredients and from-scratch food costs more, but the dishes just didn't rise up the level that would justify the cost. I wasn't upset with my meal or experience at all, I wouldn't tell someone to avoid this place, and I'll be back when the menu changes next. However, I think the food needs a bit more creativity to get out of the 3-star bracket in yelp ratings.
(3)Sylvie B.
100% Dishcrawl Approved! Spice Kitchen and Bar jumped on board the very first Cleveland Dishcrawl and did not disappoint. They provided fish tacos, mushroom beignets and a ridiculously delicious curry soup over jasmine rice in the warm, intimate space. Chef Ben took the time to speak to our group in depth - and even fielded questions. Spice does more than "just" provide seasonal, local, and fresh food in a unique way - it is a friendly place with personality, from Jess who fielded the details of my event, Dave the bartender who calmed my nerves, and to all the waitstaff that scrambled to serve 40+ people in a very short time frame - THANK YOU! I will be back!
(5)Samantha F.
I met my girlfriend here for drinks on a Saturday night. We didn't have reservations but the hostess ushered me directly to a table. I ordered a drink for myself and my friend. Our waitress was nice & didn't bombard us while we chatted. We ordered the cheese plate which was presented beautifully and full of divine local cheeses. I ordered the beet salad which was also very good. My friend ordered the risotto. She said it was perfect! I enjoyed my "meal" here and I hope that Spice manages to stick around longer than the others who have come and gone from this location.
(3)Nina H.
One of the best meals I've had in Cleveland! Sat outside on the patio, it was a nice and quiet atmosphere (which was in contrast with the atmosphere inside, which seemed a bit noisier and very busy). Our waitress was very attentive and walked us through the menu, making appropriate recommendations based on our interests--and we were very pleased with everything she recommended! For starters, we chose an assortment of appetizers so that we could get a good, well-rounded taste of what Spice is about: mushroom beignets, cheese board, pork rinds, and soup of the day (a corn chowder with chili--it was so good!) I've got to say, I was impressed. There aren't that many restaurants in Cleveland that get me excited about food, Spice definitely defied that. I'm excited for their seasonal menus and to see what else they have in store.
(5)l H.
Pricey but it is by far the best dining experience I've ever had. Dave, our waiter knew a lot about the meals and drinks offered here. The food was fabulous! The burger was amazing and the ravioli too! Worth the price!
(5)Seed M.
Great Service. Great food. Great drinks. Can't ask for much more. They even have a stand at the peninsula farmers market with burritos that will literally blow your mind. Worth the trip in any direction. This place makes my spring go BOING! Love the changing menu. I could go on forever. SPRING SEED-
(5)Jessica I.
Went with three other people, and we had a pretty wide variety of dishes. There's a lot to like here, starting with the local, seasonal and small menu. The prices are pretty reasonable and the menu is creative. The mushroom beignets were particularly good, as was the papardelle dish. The vegan entree, labeled "buckwheat noodles" indicated a mushroom broth, but I didn't expect it to be a full-fledged soup. It was nice and substantial, but not exactly what I was hoping for. That was really the only hiccup in our meal. Service was good, and the handful of beer taps were of high quality. I hope this place overcomes the curse of its location.
(4)Amy H.
David, the bar manager, is adorable! It just needs to be said. Not only is he engaging, he really knows his stuff when it comes to making the perfect drink. From kombucha to limoncello and dirty martinis, David's knowledge is impressive! He delivers said information with a smile and undeniable charm. I am also impressed by this and other Cleveland restaurants that serve thoughtful, fresh, local food, and seasonal menus. I hope the trend becomes a lifestyle across America. The presentation, flavor, and experience of this kind of cuisine brings undeniable joy. This was the second stop on our food crawl for a friend's 31st birthday, and it was top notch. The three of us shared plates of beet salad with roasted hazelnuts, seared raviolis on a bed of pureed spinach, and mushroom beignets with honey goat cheese crème fraiche. Charismatic bartender, clever cocktails, quality bites. Undeniably, we didn't want to leave.
(5)Rocky Y.
Take the 3-star rating with a grain of salt and as a reflection of my abbreviated dining experience. Spice Kitchen was the Fine Dining Group's third installment for 2013. I arrived late, missing out on cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Plus we skipped out on dessert (Sweet Moses was calling our names). I made it in time for the mushroom beignets and what must have been a spectacular cheese board. Both were wonderful as was the tomato bisque. I will be going back to try the other items on the menu. The highlight for me was the striped bass which was perfectly seared - crisp on the outside, tender and seasoned on the inside. It was a beautiful piece of fish that was beautifully cooked. The parsnip mash perked up the dish, a gentle reminder that fall was here. Loved everything about this dish! Properly prepared fish is my benchmark for a great restaurant. We passed around a risotto dish. It was tasty but not memorable. My fellow diners and I usually share our dishes but the bass was the overwhelming favorite that evening. Service was efficient, friendly and attentive. Warm ambiance in the main dining hall. We were seated at a large rustic table, reminiscent of vineyards in Tuscany or Napa. Centerpieces were garden flowers and other botanicals along with mason jars of preserved vegetables. I enjoyed my dining experience. Though I do need to revisit Spice Kitchen again to size up the wine selection and courses -- including the profiteroles.
(3)Marilyn A.
Can we say WOW? Ate here last night with my family. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, the service was GREAT, the food was AMAZING, desert was PERFECT. I can go on and on... Everyone in our group loved the food and experience. We loved it so much that we had to thank the chef personally. Only downside is the cost but it is worth every penny. Cheers!
(5)Lauren S.
I've been meaning to come here for some time, but the prices were always off-putting enough to make it too excessive for just the average night. Finally, an occasion came and I brought my parents here. The menu is small, but everything we had was delicious - I had the melon salad, polenta, and my folks had the walleye and the ribeye. Each received rave reviews (especially the walleye - creamed corn concocted by the hands of angels), and the cornmeal pound cake never had a CHANCE against us. Even the coffee is good. I'm prepared to save up money for the next time I can dine here. Also, the atmosphere is SO cool, and the service is superb.
(5)Lisa K.
I went here with family and it was delicious! All of our meals were cooked perfectly. We started off with the polenta fries and mushroom beignets and they were both amazing! We all wanted more. A few of us had the stuffed acorn squash and it was fabulous! The flavors were perfect. My fiance had the rabbit ravioli and he loved his dish. It was seasoned to perfection. The cocktails we ordered were all also very delicious. I love how they have a garden next door with fresh ingredients. We would like to visit this restaurant again for brunch in the near future!
(5)Mary L.
We were recently in communication with Jess in the catering department for our upcoming wedding next fall at a location in which an off-site cater was needed. Though in the end we signed a contract with a venue who had in house catering I was very impressed with Spice of Life Catering. Not only was Jess prompt in her replies; but she helped guide me through the process (which seemed very daunting at the time!) and made me feel very confident that if we went forward with them for catering services that we would be well cared for at our wedding. I couldn't recommend them more highly and should I need a catered event in the future there is no doubt that my first call would be to Jess. Thanks again for everything!
(5)R R.
Delicious! Started with the "baby it's cold outside" to drink and it was very good. For an appetizer, we got the focaccia. It came with an olive tapenade and a chickpea purée. I definitely could have eaten the whole thing by myself. For my entrée, I ordered the tea hill chicken breast. INCREDIBLE. The presentation, the taste, it could not have been better. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Brittany P.
You can see into their kitchen from the street, and it's not sanitary. Last night while I was on my way to Happy Dog I happened to see someone in their kitchen chopping vegetables without gloves. Even worse, the guy was wiping his nose on his hands. I stepped in and complained to the bartender. He reacted as if it would be handled, but a couple hours later on my way home I saw the same gloveless guy wiping his nose on his bare hand again. Disgusting. I always wanted to try this place, but after seeing that I won't even go there for a drink.
(1)Joyce H.
Came here recently on a date with my husband! We enjoyed our time here at Spice and thought everything was pretty solid. Spice has a wonderful vision and mission to use as much local goods as possible. Turns out Ohio is a great place to do this with all our amazing local farms! Our favorite appetizer was a special: fresh halibut chowder with lobster oil. MM. It was good! Please make this a regular menu item! The flavor was really great. 5 for the chowder. We also had a 3 local-mushroom pesto flatbread with goat cheese. The mushrooms were oyster, chantrelle, and one more I can't remember...the mushrooms were fresh and good tasting. 4 for the flatbread. I ordered the Spice Acres Polenta with ratatouille and eggplant puree, which I think was a vegan dish. The polenta was fried rather than creamy, a good complement to the puree and ratatouille. The eggplant had a pretty strong flavor, but it was intriguing enough to keep eating. My husband ordered the special - fresh trout (that day!) with sweet potato puree. This was amazing!!! They gave him the entire fish -- something you don't see very often except in authentic Chinese restaurants (mmm). I loved that they did this because I feel that we were able to enjoy every aspect of the fish, from the regular filet to the cheeks, etc. It was also served like someone had just caught it, fried it up, and served it. So great. Overall, we enjoyed our time. One thing I noted..they don't give complimentary bread, so be sure to order some appetizers if you are coming in hungry. Other than that, be enjoy the local and fresh dishes!
(4)Christine G.
I went here after finding an apartment in Cleveland. The food was really good. We got the cornbread and chickpea fries for apps and they were delicious. The cornbread is served with some sort of rosemary bacon butter which I didn't eat because I'm not a bacon person. The cornbread is enough for 3-4 people (think a 6" circle of it). I got the Bibb salad and the potato stuffed ravioli and spinach puree, both cooked well and in season. A friend of mine and my mom ordered off the restaurant week menu and weren't disappointed. The apple cobbler is amazing and the ice cream with it is home made! Definitely a restaurant to go back to, but it is a little bit pricey end. The service was good and we had everything come out the way we wanted!
(4)Karen W.
After a day of exploring Cleveland, my sweetheart and I popped in for happy hour on the patio a few days ago. I had the stuffed avocado and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, while my sweetheart opted for the carrot cake and Irish coffee. Savory and sweet... we balance each other perfectly. Everything was delicious. The toasted quinoa on the warm stuffed avocado was a revelation! I must have exclaimed, "Quinoa can taste GOOD!" a dozen times. The wine was a perfect complement to the creamy, buttery goodness in front of me. My sweetheart proclaimed the carrot cake to be as good on the sweet spectrum as mine was on the savory. Better, even, as my avocado could have been improved by a lighter touch with the mustard that formed the foundation. The wait staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive without being intrusive or overbearing. We are looking forward to returning for a full meal soon!
(4)Chrissy J.
We went to Spice for dinner and were extremely unhappy. We've been there many times in the past, but this was the first time in a couple months. The menu is broken up in categories as most menus are, and I ordered from the list called "substantials." I got the asparagus risotto - this was a main dinner course on the menu - however the serving size was barely that of an appetizer. When I asked the waiter about it, I was told that they were changing the menu to be more of a tapas menu and you needed to order a variety of items to eat. This menu change isn't shown anywhere on the menu itself, nor did the waitress mention this when we were ordering. When I said I felt like I had barely been fed, she suggested filling out the comment card we would receive with the check. We had an appetizer, 2 drinks and 2 meals for a total of $75. and then still had to go home and eat something else, because we were both very hungry. The food was average, and the portions certainly make it not worth going to. There are far better restaurants in Ohio City, downtown and Tremont, where you won't leave hungry.
(1)Nicole F.
Visited Friday evening with my boyfriend and had a wonderful meal: great food, great service, and great environment. I ordered the mushroom and ricotta ravioli and it was slightly undercooked but still tasted amazing. Our server was very enthusiastic and knowledgable about the menu and the restaurant. She recommended a great wine pairing with my ravioli and I was very pleased overall with the evening.
(4)Roxanne O.
I wouldn't call myself a food snob, but I was a little underwhelmed by Spice Kitchen +Bar. I dropped by with my boyfriend for an early dinner on a Saturday night (after making a reservation - thank goodness!). We started off our meal with the mushroom beignets. I love mushroom everything, but these little puppies were just ok IMHO. For my meal, I got the vegan entree on the menu - a roasted mushroom accompanied by roasted winter vegetables with rice and a parsnip puree. It was a really flavorful dish. But...on the lighter side. Yes, a mushroom can be meaty...but my meal left me wanting something more. I did have a couple excellent drinks. The pressed to impress was appley and delicious. My boyfriend had a drink special made with fresh peach puree and that tasted more like a boozy smoothie, but he liked it. His ribeye was just ok in his opinion. But he can be a steak snob. I hope to go back and try other menu items since Spice uses fresh, local ingredients. I'd especially like to go back in the summer and have grub fresh from their garden!
(3)j m.
Both in food and cocktail the freshness can be tasted. This is one place I would stress to not alter your menu selection, for every plate is executed perfectly. The space is calm and relaxing perfect date night or intimate conversation.
(5)Amy S.
The food is a 3.5 out of 5. The bugs are unnerving. The stuffed avocado is delish. A sirloin should never, ever be $22 especially when it comes with arugula and a pita. No matter how well it's cooked. Our waitress, Nadia seemed either drugged or drunk. She was not attentive at all. Every single person (who worked here) walked by us repeatedly yet never asked how our meal was or if we needed anything. I'd come back for the chickpea fries and avocado but probably not for much else.
(4)Jen M.
I am writing this review only of my initial catering experience provided by Jess in helping me plan food and food presentation for my wedding. Let's call a spade a spade...I can be one tough customer. I expect people to be creative and go beyond what's printed on a menu. I want people to challenge me back. And I certainly want people to follow up in a timely manner. Jess has nailed all three of these areas. What impresses me about Spice in addition to their flavor profiles and creative menu items is their food presentation. Their taste level is awesome, and they know how to artfully present food. It's the best work I've seen in years. Their menu is chock full of locally sourced items and I love this. I didn't want to serve pedestrian food or mediocre-tasting food (so typical of weddings, right?), and Spice fits this bill beautifully. In meetings with other folks I am working with to plan my wedding (floral designer, linens, cake, etc.) all of them know Jess and hold her and her work in high regard. I am so excited for them to deliver one hell of a great food experience at my wedding!
(5)Josh F.
Dear reader, I didn't even know this neighborhood existed. As a dedicated west sider, there's not much I visit between Tremont (my well documented vice of choice) and my neighborhood haunts. Sweet Moses is where this neighborhood ended for me, until I was dragged into Spice by those claiming it to be the next big Cleveland eatery. I'm a serious bonehead, sometimes. Spice Kitchen is magnificent. It's an enormous space, featuring lots of well spaced and private tables in 3 separate eating areas. The bar area is also of good size, and boasts lots of carefully crafted fancy cocktails and craft beer selections. The food here rotates regularly to feature locally sourced produce and offerings, and reflects a remarkably whimsical approach from its chef. They produce food both from the local area (local farmers, WSM) and literally, from the local area. (The neighborhood) The menu is short, but doesn't misfire on any of its offerings. My group tasted the walleye, the ribeye, and the pumpkin risotto-eye. The steak was DECADENT in its red wine reduction, featuring small bits of crispy pork and a richness which paired perfectly with the hash/fennel salad it plated with. The walleye was buttery and flaky, truly standing out in the cauliflower puree and exploding with flavor. The risotto, to all intents and purposes, was perfectly pumpkiny. (Note: I don't typically do squash/pumpkin/etc dishes, so I don't want to pretend to know how it fared to typical dishes of the sort) Service was exceptional and the decor lent itself to more of a quiet and intimate romantic vibe. Date nighters will instantly get their juices flowing. (Which sounds disturbing, come to think of it) It's the kind of spot that lends well to visiting regularly and trying the seasonal offerings as they come.
(5)Erin B.
Came in last Friday dining for the first time. I made reservations, but it wasn't too crowded when we arrived. Sat outside on the patio which is nice, but love the decor of the inside. We had happy hour wine ($5) for a heavy pour with the chicken pesto flatbread and chickpea fries. We shared their feature entree of braised beef with beans and swiss chared. Honestly the food was amazing. Everything was so fresh and delicious. Oh, and we split the Peach & Blackberry Cobbler with vanilla ice cream and it was perfect. Waitress was fun and knowledgeable about everything on the menu. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Krystal E.
Having been to this spot when it was Rose Angel, I like the update to the decor. That being said, we did not have reservations but we were immediately seated at 9:00 on a Saturday night, which was nice. We ordered the Chickpea Fries, which were mediocre. My boyfriend ordered the 'Option 1' special which included Squash Bisque, Beef Brisket and an Espresso Creme Brulee for $33. The soup and dessert were good. Not sure if they have this special on a regular basis, but the amount of food was more than enough. I ordered the Seared Chicken Breast which we both agreed was bland and again, mediocre. I had to scoop a generous amount of the sweet potato mash with each bite for some type of flavor. It wasn't bad, but definitely doesn't compare to Chinato's chicken dish for the same price. All in all, it was a mediocre experience that couldn't justify the bill.
(3)Alicia B.
So good. Stopped in several weeks ago for dinner and drinks and again tonight for just drinks. Everything we've had has been so good. Some of the best cocktails in the city and delicious food! My favorite is the Terragon Wild cocktail! David is a fantastic bartenter/mixologist and everything he makes is delicious! A great addition to the neighborhood.
(5)Sara L.
The gumbo is amazing! Spicy food for sure! Large selection of $3 happy hour drinks. Trendy place. Check it out!
(4)Crystal W.
Wish I would have taken pictures of my food! It was amazing! I had salmon and hub had beef. They were both amazing. The atmosphere is good. The service is thoughtful. Somehow our appetizer order never got placed but we got complimentary dessert! It was so good! We had the chocolate waffle and some chocolate marshmallow thing!? This place is pretty pricey to eat here frequently but it's is so worth the $!
(4)Jesse B.
I find myself waking up in the middle of the night craving the polenta chic pea fries or the mushroom beignets or BOTH at the same time. Soups are constantly rotating and superb. Fresh Fresh Fresh. Oh and the seared chicken breast is like no other chicken on the planet. Think Tea Hill poultry prepared by outstanding culinary pros. The airline cut has a teany weeny bone in it giving the crispy skin and buttery moist white flesh an extra punch of flavor. I miss Spice. Can't wait to return upon my visit to C L E Pros= locally sourced. Spice grows most of their veggies featured on the menu
(5)Nora K.
I just have to give a shout out to the wonderful folks at Spice Kitchen & Bar for the Santa brunch they hosted this past Sunday. It was so wonderful to have a holiday event in a small, relaxed venue, with wonderful food and a very nice, laid-back Santa. There were Bloody Marys for the grown ups and a cookie decorating station for the kids. (And beignets, gingerbread pancakes, southwestern eggs benedict, mushroom hash with shortribs. Sigh.) At a time when everyone is talking about restaurants shunning kids, it was nice to have ours so warmly embraced. No wonder the Bebenroths are on the 5 Most Interesting Chefs list! Best part of our holidays so far. Thank you!!!!
(5)Katy P.
Upon arrival, it smelled like something wonderful was cooking in grandma's kitchen. The decor, at first glance, is shabby-chic. Nice, but after a while is cliche as that trend has been exhausted entirely too much. The hostess was passive, at best, ignoring us completely after I said 'hello' and was then, literally, pushed aside so a couple behind me could be seated first, with no reservation on a Friday night! The couple was nice enough to notice what had happened and requested my dining partner and I be seated first. The hostess regarded us as if we were a major inconvenience for her, seating us in a dark corner by the kitchen. Gee, thanks. For being all about sustainable, organic food I was AMAZED there was NOTHING on this menu for vegans or even strict vegetarians. Being a vegan, I expect this from some places, but did not expect it here. I was extremely disappointed. My dining partner, a definite omnivore, also found nothing he felt like eating. Our server spoke to us as if we were small children, unable to read the menu. For what felt like a decade, she took us through a few dishes; none of which sounded appealing, then WALKED AWAY MID-SENTENCE to service a neighboring table and did not return to the floor for another 15 minutes. When she did return, we ordered a glass of wine and a simple mixed drink. My wine glass came dirty and with a few pieces of cork, not to mention the wine had turned. Rather than pushing on with our meal, we asked for the bill. After a practical interrogation as to why we weren't staying, our server handed over our bill. Upon our leaving, the hostess met my smile with a SCATHING look. No words. We ended up going to Luxe, a wonderful restaurant which we frequent often. It's everything Spice should be, but most regrettably, is not.
(1)Rick A.
Was really excited to try this highly reviewed restaurant. We really admire their commitment to local vendors and non GMO foods. Went for dinner before Fleetwood Mac concert. Service was friendly and prompt, atmosphere was comfortable. Great first impression. Here is what we ordered; Mushroom beignets; light, airy pretty tasty. A touch greasy, but hey, it's fried and I think they do it as well as it can be done. I thought these were good but could have used a little more mushroom filling. My wife got the potato and ramp ravioli. The vegetables on top were perfection. The sauce was great. She felt the filling was a little bland and could have used some more seasoning. I got the NY Strip sandwich. A well seasoned strip cooked to perfection over a perfectly butter toasted piece of thick cut bread. The sauce was awesome. The bleu cheese was pungent. The fries that came with it were very greasy and I did not care for them or finish them. Also had the overpriced Spice Acres salad. Very small, light but flavorful salad with goat cheese. I enjoyed it. They had two specials I wish we had ordered. The English pea risotto and the curried carrot soup both sounded interesting. Overall the food was good. I think Spice Kitchen needs a little more spice and the fried elements are just a little greasy. If I could do 3.5 stars I would. I will try it again and update my review. I really hope to change it to 4 stars because I really want to like this place more. I definitely like what they are trying to do. If you like this place try Blue Door in Akron. Same ideas, just slightly better food IMO.
(3)