While the economic recession is slowly beginning to rebound, times are still undeniabley tough as Clevelanders continue to struggle to make ends meet. Tough times, however, do not necessarily mean you still can't enjoy an upscale dining experience. If you are willing to take a half hour trek just south of Cleveland to Bath, Ohio, you'll find an adorable and affordable restaurant with delicious food complimented with upscale entrees that you would expect from a meal in the heart of downtown or a swanky Tremont eatery. Located on Cleveland-Massillon Road just south of the Wheatley Road exit off 77, the Bistro at Hammonds Corners is a wonderfully intimiate Italian restaurant that offers not only an array of perfectly prepared meals but also a full bar with an extensive wine list in addition to an outdoor patio featuring live jazz performances.

When you first walk into the Bistro, you are welcomed with a very friendly atmposphere accented by warm colors, a contemporary interior design and an array of wine bottles lining the walls. The wine list has a number of different styles and brands suitable for any budget, with bottles ranging from $23 to $205. In the dim but not dark setting, you can assuredly feel comfortable enjoying your glass of wine in the very casual and come-as-you-are type environment.

After being presented with a warm loaf of freshly baked Italian bread accompanied by spiced olive oil for dipping, I was presented with two delectible appetizers: a caprici salad ($7) and seared scallops ($10).

The deliciously light salad included artichokes, fresh mozarella, olives, and fresh basil served over top an heirloom tomato with a lite lemon vinaigrette which was simply magnificent. On the other side of the spectrum were the full-flavor scallops, seared to perfection and served with roasted red peppers and prosciutto in a sambuca cream sauce and parmesean crustini on the side. The two appetizers played very well off of each other and displayed the versatility of the Bistro chefs. Both dishes were simply terrific.

For the entree, I was served salmon panzanella ($17) and also sampled the sauteed shrimp ($17) with linguine. While I've experienced some great salmon dishes from several Cleveland-area restaurants, the salmon panzanella entree was truly the best salmon I've ever tried -- and that's no stretch. Served atop a cold tomato, red onion and fennel salad complemented by fresh basil, fresh mozarella and a balsamic vinaigrette, the fish was flaky, juicy, perfectly seasoned, and had a crispy exterior that only a cook's torch can provide. The whole dish was absoutely great and the portion size left me incredibly full. The sauteed shrimp was also quite wonderful. This simple dish is served with spinach and roma tomatoes in addition to the shrimp served atop a bed of linguine tossed in a light white wine sauce with a hint of roasted garlic.

If somehow none of these dishes catch your intrigue, the Bistro offers a great variety of dishes not only limited to seafood but include pastas, veal and chicken and chef specials. For those such as myself with certain dietary requirements, whole wheat pasta is available for an additional $1.50 as well as gluten-free for an extra $2.00.

After my meal, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to talk for a moment with head chef and co-proprietor Joe Gallagher, a Cleveland native and Parma resident. "The Bistro has been open for about two and a half years now, but I've been cooking for about fifteen years in the Cleveland area", says Gallagher who has also prepared meals at D'Agnese's in Broadview Heights and the Tomato Grille in Hudson. "I love it here, though, because we like to give people the chance to be comfortable. Just lay back and enjoy themselves. We've got a great seasonal menu [which has included monkfish, tilefish and lobster] plus we've got some really great live music".

Indeed, in addition to great food, the Bistro has outdoor jazz nights which feature different acts throughout the summer into the fall (call for details). Whether you are planning a birthday, anniversary, or simply grabbing a drink with friends, the Bistro can accomodate any event. I, for one, will most definitely be back sooner rather than later.

The Bistro at Hammonds Corners is located at 1925 N. Cleve-Mass Rd, Bath, Ohio 44120. For more information, you may visit their website at http://www.bistroathammonds.com or call them directly at 330-666-8150.

Hours: Monday through Thursday 11:00 am to 9:30 pm, Friday 11:00 am to 10:30 pm, Saturday 4:00 pm to 10:30 pm, closed Sunday. Early bird Monday through Thursday 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Happy hour runs Monday through Thursday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the bar and patio.

Price range: $$
Reservations Recommended