Fat Cats--Tremont, Cleveland (W. 10th St.) [$$]

On this peculiar January day, we nearly got lost trying to find our restaurant this week.  We saw views of Cleveland we didn't know existed!  So many bridges, and parts of bridges, and tons of gravel piles!  After many twists and turns, we found our destination, Fat Cats!  "That cat isn't very fat," said Grace, regarding the sign.  No matter.  We entered the slightly slanted red brick building and were whisked away to the farthest corner to dine.  We browsed the specials menu, the regular menu, and the wine list, and something was ordered off every one!
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Shannon:

Grace and I had been wanting to have lunch in Tremont, so Fat Cat's was where I decided we should go.  The online menu assured me there were several vegetarian options, and a co-worker of mine got me very excited when she proclaimed how much she loved eating there.  I cannot actually remember being in Tremont before, so getting there was largely due to Grace's reading aloud the directions on my phone.  We finally arrived, I parked across the street, and upon entering I saw that a friend of mine works there.  He brought us to our table in a cozy yellow room at the very back of the restaurant.  There was artwork on the wall that you could buy, though they were a bit pricey.  Classic rock oozed from the speaker in the opposite corner.

There was a pasta dish on the specials menu I contemplated, however, the Crispy Tofu sounded so intriguing I decided upon that.  "Crispy tofu atop cumin scented black beans, grilled zucchini, chili sauce, and pickled green tomatoes."  After some deliberation, we decided we would also like to order glasses of wine, so I asked for a Riesling.  Minutes before our food arrived, our waiter brought us each a slice of bread and accompanying oil garnished with olive relish.  Just as we were finishing our food was placed in front of us.  Mine looked like art.  The tofu was perched on top of the piled zucchini and beans, everything was smothered in the sweet and spicy absolutely delectable sauce, and the plate was garnished with two pickled cauliflower.  This was what I first bit into, and those cauliflower had a bite!  I gobbled this all right up, taking large gulps of water when the sauce was a bit spicier than sweet.  The black beans were my favorite component because they absorbed the sauce so spectacularly.  I was quite pleased with my choice.

After devouring my lunch, I focused on my Riesling, which was just the right amount of sweet to offset the food.  We sat and chatted for a while, and our waiter never stopped checking on us.  The staff was exceedingly friendly and helpful, and I hope my friend enjoys working there!  It certainly has a nice view of Cleveland out the side window!  I'd like to go back for dinner, after being told there was a tofu sandwich on the dinner menu.  This was a very neat place everyone should try out!
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Grace:
I always love the Tremont area! It's so quaint and, for lack of a better word, hip. When Shannon told me she had chosen Fat Cats, I immediately checked out the menu while I was at work. I saw some interesting things, but figured I would just have to wait since I saw a review online that said people should check out the specials before anything else. I ordered a Cabernet and I also put that off until I was done with my sandwich. At least Shannon and I got to talk over some wine after our lunch. I didn't want to be in-and-out, but it seemed that it would have been that way when our food came within a few minutes of ordering. I perused the lunch specials, and the normal lunch menu, but my eyes kept going back to the Crab Cake Sandwich on the specials list. I decided on the Crab Cake Sandwich, and when it came just a half a minute after the bread and "olive relish," I frantically placed the rest of my bread in my mouth because I was so delighted by the sight of my sandwich that I became anxious. I noticed that my golden-brown, perforated chips were very much homemade and unique. I've kind of been put off by french fries and potato chips lately, but these babies were AH-MAZE-ING. Some chips were even soggy, while some were crisp so it was a nice balance.

My sandwich was honestly incredible. It consisted of a crab cake with herbs, with a cabbage slaw and a remoulade sauce. Not knowing what this sauce was despite my French minor, Shannon had the decency to look it up for me because I'm too lazy, apparently. The creamy sauce was a mixture of mayo, mustard, horseradish, and is often used to accompany seafood such as crab cakes. There was also this other condiment on the side, but I didn't know if it was to be used on my chips or my sandwich, so I sort of just dipped a few chips in there and it was good. I learned later that this was their house ketchup, but I've never been one to dip my chips in ketchup, so I kind of just let that be.

I absolutely loved Fat Cats! It was delectable. I suggested to meet my other college friend who lives on the east side for lunch at Fat Cats since it's equidistant. I'm so looking forward to coming back! :)
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Bar area

Crab cake sandwich

Bread and oil/olive relish

More tables

Outside Fat Cats

Fat Cats A-Frame sign

Even more tables

Fat cats hanging sign/neon sign

Crispy Tofu

More seating, but with a view of Cleveland that failed to show up.

Wines

Cool swinging doors

Franklin Castle, which we stopped to see on our way home.

Creepy Franklin Castle

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It was nice to take advantage of the warmer weather today by getting out and even seeing a creepy haunt on the way home!  Fat Cats was delightful and half of us already have plans to go back!  Check this out for lunch, or go at night and let us know how Cleveland looks all lit up!