Week Four- Marta's

Brendan had the honor of picking this week's mystery ethnic dinner.  Sadly, Joe was out of town at a wedding but we had the pleasure of having Chris and Irene share in the mysterious fun.  I drove with Brendan sitting shotgun, navigating me down MLK, hopping on to 90 East and exiting on to East 222^nd Street in Euclid.  We turned into a dark driveway into the back of Marta’s, a restaurant which resembled a two story family home. 

Czech was the cuisine and I was excited for a meal of comforting meat and starch on that cold, rainy evening.  Eastern European comfort food has been a common theme in our dinners.  I have no complaints as I could happily sustain on a diet of pork, potatoes, cheese and sour cream.   

We walked into the restaurant and I first noticed the wood paneled walls and then a small table with two middle aged men eating from a gallon sized can of pickles.  There was a bar along the right side of the room and the walls were decorated with photographs of Prague.  I instantly regretted never travelling there last year while living in London. 

The waitress handed us the large white laminated menus and asked for our drink orders.  After quick deliberation we each ordered the Czech pilsner.  The beer was light and crisp, which is what you would expect of a pilsner.  We ordered pierogies to start as we examined the menu. 

I had a hard time choosing from the stuffed wienerschnitzel and the chicken paprikash.  I ended up choosing the paprikash, which had the description: “real chicken breast, skinless, boneless, served with Czech dumplings or spaetzels.”   It sold me at “real.”  Next, I had the dilemma between spaetzels and Czech dumplings.  I originally wanted spaetzels.  However, the woman at a nearby table not so subtly and not so quietly whispered “Czech dumplings, Czech dumplings, Czech dumpings” as I ordered.   I found my decision made for me. 

Irene excitedly ordered the half duck.  Unfortunate for her, the waitress came back from the kitchen and exclaimed that they needed 24 hours notice before making the duck.  She then settled on the ham and cheese stuffed wienerschnitzel, which came highly and vocally recommended by the other restaurant patrons.  Brendan ordered the unstuffed wienerschnitzel and Chris also ordered the chicken paprikash. 

The perogies came out covered with sautéed onions and sour cream on the side.  In 2011, I have eaten my fair share of perogies/doons and I think Marta’s were the best.  They were overstuffed, bursting with potato-y cheesy goodness.  The exterior was pan fried, crispy and slightly caramelized.  Chris and Brendan nearly spoiled their dinners by eating two of these little nuggets of heaven.  Next, I had a hearty cup of tomato and rice soup while the others ate salads. 

Our mains came out shortly after.  Like all the other meals the portions were huge.  My plate was piled with Czech dumplings, chicken and gravy.  After tasting the dumplings, I became an instant fan.  They are like soft, doughy, warm slices of bread.  The dumplings succeeded in soaking up the light red creamy, tomato gravy which drowned the tender chicken.  Brendan enjoyed his Schnitzel dish: crispy, deep fried, pounded pork served with tiny skinned and roasted potatoes.  Everyone left the table happy and full, another successful mystery meal.   

I am now ravenous for next week’s dining adventure!