Dinner at 2182

Just got back from dinner with two girlfriends at 2182 Bistro & Wine Bar in Brecksville (http://www.2182bistroandwinebar.com/)

Our reservation was for 7, and I was the last to arrive. The entrance is unassuming, but once you're in it feels very intimate. There seemed to be only about 10-15 tables, with a small bar and a communal bar/chef's table in the middle. Cozy, but not crowded. There were only a few diners at 7, but the place really picked up around 8, and just about every seat was filled by the time we left at about 9.

Our server was very attentive, and I appreciated the short menu. It really is difficult to select something and trust it will be good if a menu is 10 pages long. Although the menu is short, the items on it are far from simple. Not able to drink wine, I asked for an alternative. They do carry a few Izze sodas, and the pomegranate one accompanied my meal well. One of my friends ordered a glass of cabernet (don't remember which one, but it was one of two house cabs available, and she seemed pleased).

The Appetizer selections were heavy on the shellfish, and I was sad to not be able to try the oysters (3 months to go!). However, we did decide to share an order of escargot with shallots, bacon, mushrooms and red wine, and served over a roasted head of garlic. The flavors were strong, almost overpowering the escargot, but it was cooked perfectly and could convert anyone who is a bit sqeamish about eating snails into a fan of escargot.

A lovely baguette was served in a paper bag for our enjoyment, with a metal ramekin of softened butter. Very good bread! Luckily, we're a sharing bunch, as the baguette in a bag would have been a challenge to those who prefer that others not touch their food.

Of the Petits Plats (small plates), we shared the Mushroom leek and goat cheese tartlet with a brandy cream sauce. This was very rich and absolutely fantastic. I could have been quite satisfied with that and a salad for lunch or dinner. However, it tasted as if the calorie count was astronomical, but my 1/3 portion left me craving more.

Luckily, my dinner entree provided sufficient distraction. I had the fish of the day - a seared halibut over asparagus and tomato rissotto. Having recently been somewhat disappointed in another restaurant's rissotto, I was hesitant, but ultimately decided that any restaurant that dealt with foie gras and pork belly confit could probably produce a pretty good rissotto -- I was right. The sear on the halibut was perfectly browned and crispy. There was a rich, fruity sauce on the bottom of the plate, which I should have asked about. It was tasty, but not really necessary with the other flavors, as the seasoning of both the halibut and rissotto was very well done.

One of my friends had the Brandy-flamed Scampi and Mussels and the other had the Hanger Steak. Both pretty much cleaned their plates and said very nice things about their meals.

Afterwards, I had a cup of decaf (very tasty decaf, I must say) and a slice of lemon cheesecake that was served with a fruit syrup/sauce and some fresh blueberries. The cheesecake was tasty, but perhaps not light enough for my taste -- I tend to like a more airy cheesecake, than the heavier New York style.

In all, the prices were very reasonable for the quality of food, and I am eager to take Brian there to try the Seared Slider (have to find out for ourselves if the combination of foie gras and truffles is too much, or just truly decadent), the Maple Leaf Farms duck breast (does it compare to the one we had at John Palmer's Bistro 44?), the Charcuterie board (Brian's idea of heaven) and Artisan cheese board (my idea of heaven), and round out the meal with a Cassoulet with white beans, duck confit, pork belly confit, truffles and foie gras. This one has to wait until after Savannah is born, as it is a meal that requires a really good red wine to quaff with it.

In all, a lovely night out and a great time to catch up with the gals. I highly recommend this place if you're looking for a very tasty meal in a romantic atmosphere, good service and want to keep the price for 2 under $100. Sorry there are no pics, but I'm just not comfortable doing that. You'll have to either go there yourself or check out their Web site. Cheers!