Mrs. Epicure and I enjoyed a fun, comfortable dinner recently at Latitude 41N, on the border of Ohio City and Detroit Shoreway (corner of Detroit and West 58th). In fact, I am not sure I can think of a more comfortable place to enjoy a meal than at Lat 41.
Maybe it is the tables with roadmaps under heavy layers of varnish that lead to amusing and insightful discussions, or maybe it is the exposed brick walls that warm you up, or perhaps it is the huge windows looking out onto the world passing by, or it could be the cushy lounge/coffee chat area near the kitchen that beckons with its enveloping chairs and couches, or maybe it is the always smiling owner and her helpful, calm staff that makes this place so comforting. But really, I think it is the cheese.
Admittedly, I am biased about cheese. I grew up 10 minutes from Wisconsin and then lived in Wisconsin for 20 years. Beer, brats, and cheese are truly a way of life there, and of this holy trinity of gut-buildingness, cheese is the most versatile and the most comforting.
They get this cheesy concept at Lat 41. Our dinner began with just us and friends M&J. Three of us got pizza and one a pasta alfredo bake. My pizza choice was "My Ex-Girlfriends Favorite Pizza," and while I am not sure who this ex-girlfriend was, I share her taste in loving green peppers, red sauce, plenty of herbs, sausage, red onions and a boatload of mozzarela cheese on my pizza. Lat 41 goes with a thicker crust than I usually like, but something about the chew of their pie dough works for me. I'll always be partial to a crisp crust with a bit of a scorch to it (hence my devotion to Bar Cento pizza), but the folks at West 58th are onto a winner with their pizza pies. Mrs. Epicure and J both enjoyed the Buffalo chicken pizza and M had no complaints about his roasted chicken alfredo pasta bake, another speciality of Latitude's--and another dish where cheese is a star player. Ok, well it is really cream sauce that gets baked, but come on, that is just like cheese, right?
More friends joined on this evening when the proceeds went to benefit the Cystic Fybrosis Foundation, and whether it was pizza or a pasta bake or something else entirely, I saw nothing but happy faces as forks dove through melted loveliness and delivered the comfort of cheese to waiting taste buds.
I've not yet been to Lat 41 for breakfast, but Mrs. Epicure enjoyed a recent morning meal there with friend LN and she tells me that not only was everything excellent, but it was also very reasonably priced and the portions are Cleveland-worthy.
Looking for a new hangout? Go lounge about and have yourself a cheesy-good time and Latitude 41N. I bet you find yourself returning again soon.
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