Cook’s Critique: The Strutt

By Flannery Cook
Western Herald

The Strutt is a groovy, laid back coffee shop and bar for college students. From the big family tables and giant easy chairs, this place is ideal for studying or hanging out with your friends.

The massive cup of coffee alone is worth the trip. However, the menu described a dish and  listed certain ingredients, but a slightly different meal arrived.

Flannery Cook

I ordered the Salmon and Asparagus Crepe for $8.95. It should’ve had roasted red peppers, sautéed mushrooms, asparagus, onions, feta cheese and salmon. My bountiful crepe arrived enrobed in creamy gruyere sauce, with slightly woody asparagus pieces and succulent one inch chunks of salmon.

The crepe was rich and filling; but the bottom line is for $9, my entrée was missing four major components with the addition of an unwanted sauce.

My friend ordered a Grilled Brieese Panini. If you love brie cheese this is the sandwich for you. Grilled seven grain bread with baby spinach and tomato, but where was the cheddar promised on the menu? Where was the salsa that is supposed to come with the chips on the side?

My friend found the brie overpowering and slightly bitter. The Strutt staff was very obliging though, and let her exchange it for a different panini, free of charge. She enjoyed the Turkey Strutt, priced at $7.95, much more.

For desert we ordered the Crepe Dolce, which is described as chocolate, raspberries and whipped cream for $4.50. What I got was a warm and tender crepe stuffed with tangy fresh raspberries, only a
drizzle of chocolate syrup, a liberal dusting of powdered sugar, but no whipped cream in sight.

I also ordered the Goat Cheese Salad to go, for $5.95. The salad had crisp lettuce and shallot, tangy lemon-herb vinaigrette, herbed goat cheese and crunchy candied walnuts.

There was plenty of zesty goat cheese, unlike most places that ration out the good stuff. However, the menu said baby spinach and I received romaine and mixed greens instead.

Maybe they were out of a lot of ingredients. Our cashier/server was very kind and professional. Besides a slight discrepancy between menu description and reality we had a great meal for a great price.
If you’re adventurous enough you will enjoy The Strutt, located at 773 W. Michigan Ave.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=5648

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Apr 9 2009. Filed under Weekend Scene. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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