Inside: West End Bistro

Metromix restaurant reviews

We take the guesswork out of food

Tucked into a charming Chagrin Falls carriage house is the latest creation from Gamekeepers Hospitality, West End Bistro. The restaurant replaces the short-lived Village Exchange, turning the former salad and sandwich shop into a casual bistro with a fresh menu accentuating inventive appetizers and small entrées.  

Food: West End’s menu is divided into two sections, “Starters and Sharing” and “Small Plates.” The Starters and Sharing section is comprised of soups, salads and tapas-style appetizers, with prices ranging from $6 to $15. On our visit, we decided to share a bowl of the bistro’s French onion soup and a plate of Hanky Pankys. The soup came served in the customary crock, covered in a gracious layer of gruyere and provolone cheeses. On a cool autumn day, it seemed like an appropriate choice, and didn’t disappoint. The soup was good, with thick onion slices in rich beef broth, and on par with most other French onion soups. The Hanky Pankys though were memorably delicious. The plate of four sliced pieces of baguettes covered in a chevre, herbed cheese and chorizo blend topped with a fig preserve were devoured quickly. 

The Small Plate portion is a bid more compact than the starter section, with a handful of carefully-crafted entrées priced between $10 and $18. After debating between a couple items, we finally settled on sharing the panko-crusted wild Pacific salmon and the creamy polenta with mushroom ragu. Both dishes were exceptionally tasty. The salmon arrived perfectly prepared medium rare, served with fingerling potatoes and a creamy horseradish and mustard rub. Even better though was the polenta and mushroom ragu, which featured a mix of roasted peppers, mushrooms, fennel and onions, all slightly caramelized. The polenta too was delicious, rich and creamy, allowing the ragu to standout. While each of the small plates on its own is enough for a light dinner, when paired with a starter, it was the perfect amount for a full meal.

The lunch menu features many of the same dishes as the dinner menu, but also includes a soup/salad/sandwich trio.

Drinks: West End boasts small wine and beer lists, with about a dozen different wines by the glass and about half the number in beers by the bottle, all priced reasonably. There are also three house martinis and white or red house sangria, which can be ordered by the glass or pitcher. 

Décor: The quant carriage house is tastefully decorated in sleek, modern colors with rustic accents. The main dining room is located on the second floor, in a loft space with high ceilings and only 10 tables. Light and airy, the dining room is small, but not cramped, with repurposed wood hanging over the windows, contrasting with the light, sliver chairs and eggplant wall color. The downstairs has room for four at the bar, and pair of small tables, where you can watch the chefs prepare the food in the open kitchen. There is also a sizeable patio that is open seasonally. 

Service: Service was friendly, but at times a bit slow. Two servers were working the entire dining room, and while the food was prompt and warm, and our two courses were well timed, it took some time to request glasses of water mid-meal, and to pay our bill. Part of that can be attributed to the servers having to run up and down a flight of stairs, but the restaurant may benefit from one more front of house staff member.

Insider tip: Parking in Chagrin Falls can be a little tricky, especially on weekends with all the neighboring restaurants and Chagrin Valley Little Theater sharing parking. A valet is available, and there are metered street spots, so be patient if you can’t find a spot immediately. Also, the main dining room is not handicap accessible, and if someone in your party has trouble with stairs, you may want to call ahead and request a downstairs table. 

Bottom line: West End Bistro is a charming little restaurant on an already popular culinary corner in downtown Chagrin Falls. Whether for lunch or dinner, West End boasts a creative menu of delicious starters and small plates. 

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