Hodge's--Downtown Cleveland (Euclid Ave.) [$$$]

Now that we've finally been downtown for lunch, we now know what to expect as far as parking during lunch hours.  We parked in a garage on E. 8th with an extremely complicated pay system, however it was very conveniently located a block east of our destination.  We walked west down Euclid Ave and came upon the unmissable archway leading to the entrance of Hodge's restaurant.  Upon entering the courtyard area, Grace realized she had been at this location before, prior to Hodge's owning the space.  We stood outside in the beautiful sun (and some wind) waiting for a hostess so we could be seated at one of the porch tables.  Conveniently, the hostess saw us from the window and told us as soon as the table she was clearing was cleaned we would be seated.  She led us to a table under a big red umbrella that put us mostly in the shade.  When the wind would occasionally blow we were pretty chilly, but otherwise it was a glorious first-outside lunch experience!  After glancing thoroughly over the menu, our eyes and stomachs were both set on the same thing: the Lunchbox.  So because we had practically the same experience, eating the same items, we will be doing our description section a little differently, as to not be redundant.  We apologize for any confusion with the third person tense we will be employing.

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Us:

The Lunchbox option gave the choice of either a Pork BLT, a chicken Parmesan sandwich, or a whipped brie and apple grilled cheese.  Shannon's choice was obvious, but Grace is a sucker for brie, so there was no dissuading our decision, despite erstwhile trying not to get the same items.  The meal also included a soup, and luckily the options were both vegetarian: a tomato bisque and a potato leek soup.  Shannon, excited that a soup other than tomato was available to her, knew she would be ordering the potato leek.  Grace was also intrigued by the potato leek, having always liked that combination.  The salad included in the Lunchbox was a Market salad, which was comprised of the day's market selection.  Our waiter told us the mouth-watering ingredients of red onion, cucumber and avocado on top of a bed of mixed greens, tossed in a lime mint yogurt dressing.  His presentation sealed the deal, and our Lunchbox orders were on their way.

Considering our thorough read of the menu, Shannon had noticed the $3 appetizer of two deviled eggs with pickled beet and horseradish.  She mentioned this option to Grace, who immediately agreed they should be a part of our lunch experience.  We ordered the appetizer and it arrived minutes later on a wooden tile branded with the letter H.  The eggs were stuck to the tile by small dollops of the yolk mixture, there was bright purple beet on top, garnished with chopped chives.  The chives, however, were not entirely secured, because a handful or so blew away in the wind.  We each picked up a deviled egg, briefly discussed popping it in our mouths or taking small bites, we decided on the latter to savor the flavor.

Between finishing our appetizer and receiving our food, Mark, our waiter, often stopped by to refill our waters from a water bottle he had placed on our iron latticed table once we were seated.  We commented on his intensely ice blue eyes and his fun suspenders.  We discussed in general that all of the restaurant staff members could be either models or a member of a widely publicized band.  Enjoying the large outdoor space he had, Mark often sent his empty tray flying up into the air like a vertical frisbee.  On occasion he did not catch the tray, and blundering around to pick it up, he would glance over at us, and theatrically and bashfully went back to business.

Our food finally arrived and we could not be more enthusiastic to start.  Grace suggested we both start with the soup, which was garnished with crispy onions and leeks.  We both mixed the garnished toppings into the soup and took our first spoonful.  The soup was a thick and creamy potato puree that was heated to perfection.  The heartiness of the potatoes lent itself wonderfully to the cleaner and crispier leek flavor.  The toppings were buttery, slightly salty, and a delight when found in the same spoonful.  Shannon, not needing to eat only one meal component at the same time, moved onto her salad before finishing her soup.  Although, when Grace started her sandwich, she insisted that Shannon join her for the first bite again.  The sandwich contained buttery brie, melted around cinnamon spiced country apples.  We both agreed it tasted like a grilled carnival treat.  The bread was a gourmet sourdough, grilled golden brown and crunchy.  The salad was well mixed so there was dressing on every bite.  The yogurt dressing was creamy and paired nicely with the citric lime flavors and the sumptuous avocados and cucumbers.  Shannon's salad had several slices of avocado, on which she commented, thinking Grace would be excited.  Grace however discovered only a small smidgen of avocado in her salad, unfortunately, considering it is her favorite fruit.  When Grace mentioned this to Shannon, Shannon told Grace to take a slice from her salad, knowing of her undying love and having several more in the mix.

After we finished our meals, Grace suggested we get another order of deviled eggs, to finish off our meal with their amazing flavor.  She also mentioned it would square away our checks evenly.  Mark put in the order and swiftly brought out another H tile of purple topped eggs.  Again, chives evacuated in the wind, but we made due and gobbled them right up.  Mark brought us our check, which came in a bright red envelope reading "The Damage."  This made us chuckle as we both placed our cards on the tray which he took away to split our check.

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Entrance way sign

Entrance

Outdoor seating area

Outdoor bar

Water bottle and our waters

Deviled Egg appetizer

Shannon's Lunchbox

Grace's Lunchbox

The bill

Inside sign

Indoor seating

Balcony seating

Hodge's bar

Far room seating

Corner shelf and stairs

Shelf unit and art piece for Chris Hodgson's food truck, Dim and Den Sum

Neat lighting

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Hodge's was an entirely divine experience that everyone must try.  Both of us are in great anticipation of our next visit to try other menu items.  The staff were all incredibly kind and helpful.  Before we left, we explored the inside of the restaurant, which was also very lovely and eclectic.  If you go, definitely try to get there on a sunny day to enjoy downtown Cleveland!  See you soon, Hodges!