We went to Pier W for our Valentine’s Day dinner on February 13 sans Jonathan. We were very impressed by the food, the service and the setting.
Cal of Dine-O-Mite described the feel of Pier W to us as indistinguishable from a West Coast restaurant. The view out the window, even in winter, is beautiful, a panorama of lake Erie fading off into the distance. Cleveland could use more places like this that take advantage of the coastline.
We started with the grouper tacos, which were stuffed with fresh fish, avocado and cilantro and very neatly plated. They were very yummy.
I ordered absinthe (Lucid, I think–they have quite a selection) to start the meal. It included a sugarcube on a slotted spoon over which one poured hot water. I very much enjoyed it*
For our entrée, we split the surf and turf: filet mignon, lobster tail, spinach, and roasted potatoes. We added a few crab-stuffed shrimp (we were splitting, after all). Like every other aspect of our experience, everything was flawless. The steak was cooked to medium rare, and seasoned just to the point where the salt enhanced the filet’s flavor rather than overpowered it. The lobster tail tasted very fresh, and the shrimp went down very easily.
We really enjoyed our experience at Pier W and look forward to returning.
(Full disclosure: we were initially seated in a closet-like back room. I asked the hostess what was going on, and we were promptly escorted to our reserved table next to a window with flowers I ordered for the occasion. As a bonus, we were given a free champagne “consolation” for the initial seating which we were never charged for).
* Absinthe, as far as I can tell, is traditionally served with ice-cold water. I liked the absinthe so much at Pier W that I bought a bottle, had it with cold water, and hated it for its sharpness and astringency. I’ve sold the remainder of the bottle to a friend (to be delivered tomorrow after band practice), but had a 1/2 oz. yesterday with hot water just to see if it made a difference–it was good. But I guess it’s already sold…
P.S. My band just made a video:
Okay, this is shameless self-promotion, but isn’t that what bands do?
There isn’t a restaurant in Cleveland that can beat their view!
I’ve only been to Pier W once. A bunch of my girlfriends and I hit up their happy hour. We had some fantastic food and drink for quite the bargain!
Great review — thank you for sharing!
For some reason, I always associate Pier W with a place that one’s grandparents go to.
I guess that association is incorrect.
ben — their happy hour is GREAT!
Dave: Sarah had the same impression before someone recommended we go there. It’s definitely not an old people’s place (unless your grandpa likes absinthe). And Kate, I’ll have to check out their happy hour!