Sunday, January 30, 2011

Week One- Lithuanian American Club

This Friday was the official start of Mystery Ethnic Dinner.  Brendan had the honor of choosing our restaurant.  The group included Joe, Alexis, Brendan and myself.  As usual I was assigned the position of designated driver (thanks Brendan).

Before we left I asked Brendan for the general direction and distance of the restaurant.  The helpful response I received was, "ahhh around 30 minutes maybe."  We picked up Joe first.  As soon as he entered the car he proclaimed his unease with the mystery element to his meal that night.  During the car ride there was a lot of sighing and huffing coming from back seat, and was Brendan clearly enjoying our agony over the surprise. 

After picking up Alexis on Roanoke Road we followed the GPS, drove down the hill onto Euclid and made some turn.  As soon as we passed St. Clair, Joe perked up and said that he knew exactly where we were going.  Apparently a friend had pointed out the restaurant while driving past it a while back.  Alexis and I asked what the name or kind of food it was, but of course Joe didn't remember.  All he knew was that it was up the road a bit and on the right.  Helpful hint. 

We found ourselves on East 185th Street.  I recognized the neighborhood from going to the 185th Street Festival several summers ago.  The street looked different in the winter without the food stalls, music groups and cheery crowds. We made a right into the lot next to a dimly lit building (similar situation to last week's adventure) and parked.

In the parking lot Brendan announced that the mystery restaurant was the Lithuanian American Club.  My parents had talked of the club before, apparently my grandfather used to go with his good friend Julius who is a member.  My grandfather was serious about food- so I got excited.

The dining room didn't look like a restaurant at all but more like a museum.  It was nearly empty and we questioned to whether or not we seat ourselves or wait for a host/hostess.   The dining room had lots of pictures on the walls and Lithuanian artifacts around the parameter of the room.  The hostess came to seat us and handed us folded up paper menus. Our eyes lit up after seeing that all dishes were $5 that night.

The waitress came out to take our drink orders.  Joe order a Bombay on the rocks (a staple drink for him) and my brother asked for the beer list.  However, their hearts sank minutes later after learning that due to their liqueur laws drinking was only permissible while accompanied by a member of the club.  We were then invited to join at a $35 annual fee and received a membership form.  This was the only low point of the adventure- not bad.

After a quick deliberation everyone ordered Doons and the Lithuanian Reuben.  The Lithuanian Reuben came out first, and I determined that it was the best sandwich innovation ever.  It is a typical Reuben, however, instead of bread it is sandwich between two huge, pan fried and delicious potato pancakes with sour cream served in lieu of thousand island on the side.  I came to the table starving so I demolished a sandwich which could easily feed two people.  The Doons came out just as I hit my food coma.  However, at that point in the meal the Evan Knoblauch mentality kicked in and it was sink or swim.

Doons are similar to perogies, basically dumplings.  I ordered half potato and half mushroom. They were sprinkled with bacon and of course served with a side of sour cream- fabulous.  I think starch encased in starch is my new favorite food.

During the meal the president of the club came out and introduced herself.  She invited us to their weekly $10 Sunday lunch buffet.  I have a feeling that this will occur in my future plans.  We left the club stuffed and with boxes of Lithuanian leftovers which would serve as great late night snacks.

After another successful dinner, I am excited about next week which will be my turn to chose.  I am still mulling over ideas.  The only hints that I can give is that the restaurant will be located in the greater Cleveland area and it will serve a cusine from one of the seven continents... well it probably won't be Antarctic food- so that should narrow it down for you!

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