Americano - Bratenahl, OH (Cleveland)
I do apologize ahead of time. Americano is one of those places I would highly recommend trying. Unfortunately, they are now closed so you will not have the opportunity to experience the yumminess that I am writing about. Instead I'll have to do my best to truly embody how deliciously awesome this meal was, because it is officially the best short rib I have ever had.
Americano was a fabulous European-American restaurant located on the ground floor of the Bratenahl condos, which is a gated condo community about 5-10 minutes east of Downtown Cleveland. To get to the restaurant I had to tell the guard at the gate that I was there for dinner and he directed me where to park. I'm certain the views of Lake Erie from some of those condos are spectacular.
Unfortunately Americano had to close its doors down with a final dinner service in late September. It seems like the restaurant owners were just not able to reach an agreement with the condo board to renew their lease. From what I've read it sounds like the owners are on the look out for their next adventure.
I knew I had to be picky about what I ordered because this would be the one and only time I would be able to dine here before they closed down. I settled on the IPA braised short rib served with a mushroom and spinach risotto. I was in short rib heaven. It was the most tender short rib I had ever had. It had a great depth of flavor that I would have never considered since it was braised in an IPA. I've made short ribs braised in a stout beer, but never with an IPA. I am going to have try to make it myself, although I'm sure it will not come close to what I had during my visit. The risotto was also perfectly al dente and the au jus from the beef was just divine. I ate and savored every single bite until there was nothing left on my plate.
As I looked around the room I could definitely see that there were familiar faces between the staff and the dinner guests. You didn't have to live in the condos to eat there, but it was definitely a hidden gem. I am so glad I had the opportunity to try the food. I will definitely be following the co-owners, Cole Davis and Vytauras Sasnauskas, around Cleveland and will have to try whatever their next adventure will be. And that is what I would highly recommend you do as well.
