Oh HAI there 2012!  Only took me 26 days to get situated with you and get a post up. Ain’t no thang…

So it’s only fitting that my first post of 2012 wrap up my 11 in 2011 Restaurant List, right?

The final tally:

1. Lolita
2. Ponte Vecchio (closed down)
3. Dante
4. Umami Asian Grill
5. Chinato
6. L’Albatros
7. Happy Dog
8. Flying Fig
9. Sokolowski’s University Inn
10. La Cave du Vin
11. Three Birds

I went to 8 out of my 11 restaurants (I could be greedy and say 9 out of 11 since Ponte Vecchio closed, but that would just be cheating.)

Not too shabby for my first attempt at a year long restaurant list.

Now, allow me to tell you about my final stop on the 2011 tour.

It just happened to be THE restaurant I was most anxious to go to. We actually had plans to go in March for my birthday, but then something came up and we had to cancel. 

But alas, thanks to fabulous friends like Michelle and Suzanne (and Katrina in spirit!) – I managed to get my butt to L’Albatros with exactly 1 day left in 2011.

It was cold, wet, and blustery on the day we went, so I very thoroughly enjoyed the warm, soft ambience of the restaurant, AND the fact that we got put in the far back room, right by the fire place.

While Suzanne and Michelle opted for wine – I went the drink route and ordered a signature cocktail:

And I actually can’t tell you what was in it! It was one of their specials so it isn’t on the regular menu!   It was very good – I believe it had St. Germain and some Hendricks Gin – so while my description of it may be lackluster, I promise it was delicious!

If you don’t know about L’Albatros – I’ll let you in on the secret.

They are known for their cheese.

Wonderful, amazing, phenomenal cheese.

Cheese – as in – they have an official expert dedicated to it (cheesmonger? fromager?). A person whose SOLE job is to present and recommend cheese (!!!!!) – I think I chose the wrong profession.

We ended up choosing 14 (yes, 14) cheeses to sample:

- and it was amazing. I already know where I want to go for my birthday dinner this year.

And then, as if I hadn’t had enough cheese already – I went ahead and ordered the Croque Monsieur (a sandwich with french ham, cheese, and bechamel sauce)

I’m smiling just thinking about it.

The whole meal was so amazing, and I’m mad at myself for delaying my trip to L’Albatros for so long.

If you try ONE new restaurant in Cleveland this year – my recommendation to you would be: “It MUST be L’Albatros!”