Tag Archives: pastas

A Taste of Cuba at The Starliner Diner, Hilliard, Ohio

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I won’t claim to be an expert on Cuban food, but having lived in Tampa for several years, I’ve have had my share of Cuban sandwiches at Hugos and La Terasita’s served with a side of black beans and rice.   So when a friend suggested I try Starliner Diner in Hilliard, Ohio, I was curious to see if they could compare to the authentic dishes I truly missed.

When I arrived at the café on Cemetery Road, I quickly learned (from my friends at Destination Hilliard and the Hilliard Chamber of Commerce) that the restaurant had outgrown its space and had relocated to nearby Main Street in Old Hilliard.

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As soon as I entered the restaurant, I briefly felt as though I was back in Florida with the colorful rooms and mounted fish on the walls.  Transported to the tropics without the beach, I was escorted to the main dining room sitting next to a huge mural of the sun.  The extensive menu was full of amazing Caribbean dishes to include appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pastas, pizzas and supper dishes.

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In addition, I was provided a handwritten page of specials for the day, but I already knew what I would be ordering….the Media Noche (Cuban Sandwich) with the fried plantains.

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When my meal arrived, my mouth was watering from the sweet aroma of the plantains and the delicious smell of ham and Swiss.  My sandwich was perfectly pressed and I was  ready to take my first bite.  Ahhh…I had been waiting for this moment and I was not disappointed.  This Cuban was a perfect blend of marinated pork and ham, Swiss cheese, a hint of mustard and pickles.  It tasted as authentic as if I had just ordered it from a roadside food stall in Cuba.  The plantains were fried to perfection with a mild taste of sweetness and I love the caramelized texture of this delectable side dish.

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The Starliner Diner rates high on my list of restaurants to visit in Hilliard and I wish them nothing but success with its new location.  I am already checking my calendar to make plans to visit for the Chiles Rellenos,

Have you had the opportunity to visit Starliner Diner?  I would love to hear what you like to order if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below, that would be great!  Many thanks for reading my post and I hope you continue to follow my journey as I explore my home state of Ohio and beyond.

Where to Eat:

Starliner Diner
4121 Main Street
Hilliard, Ohio  43026
Telephone:  614 529 1198

Where to Stay:

Hilton Garden Inn Columbus/Dublin
500 Metro Place North
Dublin, OH  43017
Telephone:  614 766 9900

Here are more of my favorite Columbus Classics:

  • Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream:  Known for her unique flavor combinations, Jeni Britton Bauer has made ice cream famous in C-Bus!
  • North Market:  A one-stop shop for universal cuisine, Columbus’ North Market is worth a stop in the Short North District of the city.
  • The Thurman Cafe:  The Thurmanator is the burger of all burgers at this longtime local cafe in German Village.  There may be a wait all burgers are made to order.
  • Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant:  While the sausage at Schmidt’s is the official food of Columbus, it’s the amazing Cream Puffs that have the locals lining up at the door.

What to Read: 

  • Columbus: The Story of a City, by Ed Lentz
  • Columbus, Ohio: A Photographic Portrait, by Randall L Schieber and Robin Smith
  • Ohio in Photographs: A Portrait of the Buckeye State, by Ian Adams
  • Secret Columbus, by Anietra Hamper

Photo Guide for Columbus: 

  • Coffman Park: small ponds, bridges, white barn, pavilion, landscaping, public art
  • Columbus Museum of Art:  the grounds, inside artwork and special exhibits
  • Everal Barn and Homestead:  landscaping, white barn, beautiful lake
  • Frank Fetch Park:  gardens, brick paths, beautiful trees and landscaping
  • Franklin Park Conservatory:  beautiful gardens, artwork, flowers and special exhibits
  • Gantz Park:  barn, beautiful trees,
  • German Village:  brick streets, landscaping, parks, charming architecture, Old World charm, historical buildings
  • Grove City:  brick roads, small town, shopping area
  • Hayden Falls – wooden walking path, waterfall
  • Historical Village of Hilliard:  a small village to include a schoolhouse, train car, chapel, log cabin, covered bridge, gazebo and granary
  • Homestead Park in Hilliard: walking path, covered bridge, barns, trains, tractor, pond and pet park
  • Inniswood Metro Gardens:  gardens, lily pond, herb garden, play area for children, secret garden
  • Ohio State House: rotunda and landscaping (photo permit required)
  • Ohio State University:  campus, landscaping, Mirror Lake, Ohio Stadium (you can pay a small fee to take photos inside)
  • Park of Roses in Clintonville:  various types of rose gardens
  • Riverfront Park:  city view, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
  • Schiller Park:  gardens, walking paths, stone columns, wooden bridge, small lake
  • Scioto Mile:  city views, Scioto River, landscapes, fountains, walking paths
  • Scioto Park in Dublin:  statue of Chief Leatherlips, river views, landscaping, and paths
  • Short North:  restaurants, italian village, shops, city views, murals
  • Topiary Park:  depiction of George Seurat’s 1884 painting, landscape, fountains, small pond, gazebo

Garlicky Goodness at La Pizzeria in Little Italy, Cleveland

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It’s early Saturday evening and I am driving around Little Italy in Cleveland in search of an Italian Restaurant for lunch.  My stomach is growling and mouth watering from the smell of garlic and pizza dough.  I passed by La Pizzeria, just off of the main drag where I found a parking spot down the street.  I followed my nose to a cute little pizza parlor with outdoor seating.  Taking a seat along the cobblestone street, this was the perfect stop for a pizza pie.

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The cook behind the counter was busy making pizzas but took a moment to take my order for a small Aglio e Olio pizza. He mentioned that it would take fifteen to twenty minutes as he was wrapping up twenty-five pizzas for a local graduation party.   Watching him place the pizzas in the warmer and the smell of garlic and butter, I knew it would be worth the wait.

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I ordered a medium 8 cut and took a seat alongside the beautifully bricked roads.  Sitting beneath the Italian flags, I reviewed my photos of the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage.  I had visited both of these locations earlier to take in a couple of exhibits and before I could finish my photo review, my pizza was being delivered to my table.

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Loaded with a variety of white cheeses, butter, garlic and olive oil, this pizza transported me temporarily into culinary heaven.  Sinking my teeth into the first piece of pie, I was so excited with the thickness of the cheese as it pulled away from pizza.   The perfect combination of garlic, olive oil and spices were divinely decadent and I enjoyed every bite.  The thin crust was perfectly cooked, just as the cheese was broiled to perfection.  I was super excited that I would have to box up a few pieces to have over the next couple of days.

I looked over the menu one last time to take notice of the long list of gourmet pizzas that included Gigi’s Veggie and Nico’s Philly.  There are calzones, pastas, salads, wings, freshly baked subs and an appetizer menu that includes the Salerno Family’s Homemade Meatballs.  If the items on the menu are just half as fabulous as the Aglio e Olio pizza, it’s no wonder the call in orders keep coming in nonstop.

I checked in again at the front counter for a box for my pizza and settled up my bill before heading out the door.  I was tempted by the Italian Gelato and dessert pizzas, but I will be just as happy thinking about my spectacular leftovers that I will enjoy over the next couple of days.  I hope I can wait that long…I may need to break into the box before I make it home.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Little Italy in Cleveland?  I would love to hear about the restaurant(s) you visited and what you ordered if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!   Many Thanks and Happy Travels!

Where to Eat:

La Pizzeria
2188 Murray Hill Road
Cleveland, OH  44106
Telephone:  216 229 9050

With so many restaurant choices in the Little Italy district of Cleveland, La Pizzeria is one of my favorites!

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Little Italy, Cleveland, Ohio