Hello Foodie Fans!
Krista has asked us several times to write a guest review, so here we go. As the parents of Krista and Brittney, we share much of the responsibility for their appreciation and love of good food.
For Valentine's Day I decided to take my wife Lisa (along with our friends, da Bearers) to a place we had been to only one time last summer at the suggestion of friends. Diso's Bistro in Lorain is the antithesis of the corporate, glitzy, high-overhead eatery that dominates most people's choices of where to get a really nice dinner these days. In other words, a place where the owner's personality and attention to detail makes your evening special. Even when it is your destination, one can easily drive right by this establishment. It looks like any of the countless number of neighborhood bars you might never notice. That is what makes this place so special. Once inside, tastefully elegant furnishings of dark wood, subdued lighting and candles starkly contrast the perception of what one might expect to find.
We were immediately greeted by the owner Mark and shown to our waiting reserved table. A very pleasant surprise was that Mark remembered my drink preference exactly, even though we had been there only once many months ago. I have an annoyance for bar staff who don't know the difference between a twist and a slice of orange when ordering my favorite VO and 7-up cocktail.
Once drinks were delivered, we decided to order two appetizers to share among the four of us. The ladies split the "Skins", red bliss potatoes with smoked chicken, pancetta, caramelized onions and boursin cheese. We are lovers of boursin and these Skins were incredibly tasty. The fellas split the 'Smoked DucK". Sliced breast of duck was served with pistachio & pear mostarda, grana padano, crostini and a delicious orange/apple cider honey. The wonderful combination of flavors made this a huge hit. Diso's menu is not overly extensive, but included beef, pork, fowl, lamb, fish and seafood choices. Bearer got the "Game Hen", a pan-roasted cornish hen that was partially de-boned served with fingerling potatoes, a bacon/green bean/tomato ragout and caramelized lemon and roasted garlic jus. The herbs gave this a wonderful flavor and it was lacking the greasiness common with game hens.
They offered a special Valentine's Day three course dinner of oysters, scallops and chocolate sake cakes. Lisa wanted just the scallops as her entree and Mark obliged without the slightest hesitation. They arrived caramelized, served on a wild rice blini with black truffle cream corn, topped with Hudson Bay foie gras. I received one taste and upon requesting a second, my lovely bride politely said NO! They were fantastic. Mrs. Bearer and I opted for the Filet Mignon. Diso's has a unique way of offering their filet. It is sold $3.00 per ounce with a 5 ounce minimum. It is hand cut and prepared to order, served with lyonnaise potatoes and grilled asparagus. It is topped with a generous slice of roasted garlic/herb maitre d' butter. I ordered a manly 8 ounce steak prepared Pittsburgh Rare. It was done absolutely to perfection.
Now the best part for you value seekers. The dinner for Lisa and I which included two premium cocktails, the duck appetizer, three huge sea scallops and my half pound filet was $64.00 including tax, without tip. The dinner was as good as any at any price we've ever had. I have paid twice that amount for a dinner of this quality and thought it reasonable. This is why we'll be going back to Diso's and why we encourage you to do the same.
Jeff Faro
Foodie Dad/Guest Reviewer
Diso's Bistro
4286 Oberlin Ave.
Lorain, OH 44089
440-282-1195
