Catawba, Part 1

My wife and I packed small overnight bags this past weekend. She hopped in the driver seat, and we rode along the south side of Lake Erie until we got to Catawba Island where some friends of ours run a bed and breakfast--the Sunnyside Tower. 

Pete and Julie were standing outside, waving us in, offering big hugs and kisses. Julie had baked fresh oatmeal cookies. She handed them out and started pouring glasses of sun brewed tea and cold soda. 

We met some friends at the Tower--seven couples in all. Each of us explored our rooms, ate the cookies, and unloaded our things. We were all excited about spending time together and, of course, eating good food. 

 

Friday night, we went to an Italian place a few minutes away, in Port Clinton. It was sitting on a dock, surrounded by water, centered amid rows of shuttered businesses. The sign hung over the water, facing the main road: Ciao Bella. Though the outside didn't look promising, the interior offered the low light, exotic wood, and white linen we've come to expect at high-end restaurants. 

We had the private room in the back which seated all fourteen of us comfortably. Water was placed on the table in cold, glass bottles. Plates of herbs were interspersed, waiting for olive oil. The bread arrived in baskets--fresh-baked focaccia seasoned, with a sprinkling of fennel. 

I ordered the linguini and clams, a classic dish. The plating was gorgeous; a generous portion of pasta encircled by clams, seated on the edge of the plate. The pasta was perfect, al dente, garnished with parsley. The clams tasted fresh, seasoned lightly, and sautéed with asparagus. It was a hearty dish, brimming with garlic and wine flavor that satisfied my need for a mouthful of pasta and good seafood. 

Others ordered the salmon al ferri, which they couldn't stop bragging about. It was grilled salmon, brushed with butter and herbs, served with risotto and spinach. If the salmon tasted as good as it looked, it was surely worth the rave reviews. 

And some ordered the chicken piccata--chicken breast sautéed in lemon, capers, and butter, served with a pesto capellini. Again, the crowd was well-pleased. 

But the real star for me was the lobster al forno: chunks of lobster, mushrooms, and penne tossed with cream and baked with mozzarella. It was buttery-rich and divinely decadent; the gooey goodness of mac and cheese taken to another level with ample bites of Main lobster. I couldn't get enough, despite having gobbled down most of the linguini and clams. 

Other things I liked were that the menu wasn't too pricey. That excellent lobster dish was $16. There was a nice wine list. There was also a unique coconut dessert;  a take on the classic Girl Scout cookie, the "Samoa." It was excellent too.