Bar Cento: The Beginning of This Story
Posted on 14. Sep, 2009 by Michael Lapidakis in Bars
Before I get started telling you how much I enjoyed my dinner at Bar Cento, I must warn; McNulty’s Bar Cento/Bier Markt is the reason my friends and I began this site. The first time I visited the trendy bar in Ohio City was about a year and a half ago. I remember asking myself, “How is a modern place like this located in Cleveland?” The random curtains on the walls and old books mixed in with the wide variety of wines gave me the distinct feeling of being in a city like New York or Boston. It’s an intimate environment that really makes you feel like your part of something unique, something to call your own.
Enough about the atmosphere though, thats not what keeps me coming back. The beer selection is huge, like over a hundred beers huge, and the wine list is no shorter. When you do go to Bar Cento/Bier Markt, you have to order a unique beer, it’s a staple. Luckily for me, the servers are all very knowledgeable and quick to make suggestions, and being the indecisive person I am, I always let them pick the best beer for my meal.
Another staple is the Pommes Frites; thick cut potato sticks fried in duck fat (yea I know) and served tossed with fresh garlic and rosemary. These aren’t Mickey D’s fries we’re talking about. These are the real deal. Fresh and flavorful, and served with some of the best dips I have ever had. A trio of mayo, all uniquely infused garnish the fresh cuts, and add the cherry to the top of this Sunday. One garlic, one chili, one curry, the past few times we’ve needed a second order to prevent competition amongst us.
Next up, an order of Mussels. These are served Belgium style, in a light butter/beer sauce that sets off the flavor. Perfectly tender, and piled high, this was definitely a pleasant surprise. This was the biggest surprise for me this meal. While planning on ordering them, I never expected such a succulent mussel.
I also ordered one of the Modern Pizzas on the menu. This round I had the Sunnyside Pizza, served with egg, provolone, pancetta and lots of crushed black pepper. I’ve tried almost all the pizzas at Bar Cento/ Bier Markt and this is definitely one of the favorites. Getting a unique pizza in our area is rare, to put it lightly. Bar Cento/Bier Markt serves some of the most unique, yet flavorful pizzas I could have imagined.
In short, if you have never had the Bar Cento/Bier Markt experience, your in for a real treat. Something to make you proud to be a Clevelander, and definitely something to show off to your out of town friends, and let them know that Cleveland also has a up and coming food scene. The prices are on point, with a typical meal ranging from $9-13. As a side note, McNulty (the owner/manager) has recently opened up the basement into a 20’s era cocktail lounge appropriately named The Speakeasy. The bartender, who’s name escapes me, prepares self infused drink concoctions that mix so well with the atmosphere that you may just think Eliot Ness will walk down the stairs at any moment.
McNulty’s Bier Markt & Bar Cento
1948 West 25th Street
Cleveland, Ohio, 44113
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sarah budzowski
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Jeff Grajewski
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Jeff Budzowski
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Rachel
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Mike Lapidakis
