The night that we visited the Burntwood Tavern in Cuyahoga Falls we were worried about getting to the restaurant; the sheer amount of rain that was falling made it a challenge to pull in. Rather than get drenched on the short walk from the car to the entrance, the Burntwood Tavern offers valet parking to keep one out of the crazy northeast Ohio climate.
We were sat immediately and had our drink and appetizer order taken quickly. We decided on the calamari ($11), which came to us hot, lightly salted, and in an ample enough amount to whet our appetites. These fried calamari shine due to a lemon bite and a combination of crispness and body to the bite. The Burntwood Tavern includes a sweet pomodoro dripping sauce that adds a little zing with a bit of garlic and herb added to the mix. The calamari are tossed alongside fried bits of cherry peppers, allowing one to grab a calamari/pepper combination that provides some heat. The calamari batter keeps one coming back for more, adding just enough in the way of complexity to the first plate.
For beer fans, the Burntwood Tavern has their own house efforts. The Brendewode Lager has bountiful malt and wheat elements and could easily be paired with any of the beef or chicken offerings. We were most impressed with Burntwood’s Taberna IPA. The balance that is achieved in the Taberna is fantastic, allowing an imbiber the opportunity to experience the bitterness of the hops, the roasted taste of the malt, and have their palettes refreshed with each subsequent sip. Burntwood Tavern’s Happy Hour (3-6PM, 7 days a week) halves the prices of appetizers and flatbreads. $3 bottled beers, $4 house wines, and $5 Burntwood Tavern special drinks are all available.
The Burntwood Burger ($12) was cooked to my specifications and was plentiful enough to stretch out to two servings. Aside from the ample amount of meat, the Burger is completed with the inclusion of a fried egg (which broke perfectly after my first bite), pickles, hash browns, thick, succulent tomatoes and crispy bacon.
The prime rib dinner ($26) is a special that gives one a substantial portion of blistered asparagus, and smashed redskin potatoes. A creamy horseradish adds further depth to the smoky richness of the meat. The prime rib is the focal point of the plate and is smoked on-site. The au jus is able to capture the entirety of flavors – a bit sweet, a good amount of smoke and just a hint of salt at the end. While destined to drench the prime rib, it would be masterfully matched with any of the sides.
Our dinner at the Burntwood Tavern concluded with choices from the restaurant’s desserts menu. At 2.50 each, these desserts are a perfect (and approachable) way to conclude a memorable dinner. Placed into miniature mugs, the choice of desserts changes on a regular basis. We picked out Burntwood’s creme brulee and peach cobbler. The nice shell at the top of the crème brulee hid luscious custard with just enough fruit sprinkled on top. The cobbler includes vanilla ice cream with real peaches and stood a full inch above the mug. Both balanced sweet and savory elements to make for something eminently fulfilling after a night of culinary highs.
The traffic that the Burntwood Tavern receives is substantial and as such, one should seek out a reservation. Saying that, the rapidity in which drinks were served and refilled and plates were serviced make this into a must-visit location in the Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio region. The Burntwood Tavern website has additional information about the entirety of the restaurant’s appetizers, flatbreads, sandwiches, specials, and drink offerings. The restaurant has locations throughout northeast Ohio, including Chagrin Falls, Rocky River, Solon, Brecksville, and Lyndhurst; a Crocker Park location is coming soon.
Burntwood Tavern Cuyahoga Falls / 2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 / ph: (330) 794-7085 / hours: Sunday-Thursday 11AM-10PM, Friday-Sunday 11AM-11PM / https://www.facebook.com/burntwoodtavern / http://www.chefartpour.com/
