Light Bistro

2801 Bridge Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 771-7130
www.lightbistro.com

by Bite Buff



I think that it is probably a sin to say this on a blog dedicated to the love of sandwiches…but, I hate deli meat. I’ve often caught myself saying “I don’t like sandwiches” because I truly detest deli meat. It’s slimy, cold, and it just doesn’t do it for me no matter how hard I try to “dress it up.”

When I was approached to do a guest post on The Sandwich Board I saw it as a personal challenge. Mission: Find a sandwich that I want to try (and hopefully end up loving) to review for this blog. I spent weeks thinking about the perfect sandwich to try, and I finally found what I was looking for.

Frank and I attended a fundraiser last month at the Sight Center. It was a grazing event offering samples from 19 of our fabulous local chefs. Chef Matthew Mathlage from Light Bistro was serving a version of his Pork Belly Finger Sandwiches, and Frank and I both instantly fell in love with them. It was served on soft, fresh seven-grain bread, and the spicy aioli gave it just a little kick. I think we may have each been back twice after our original sample! We knew that we wanted more, and were thrilled to find out that the sandwiches were served on Light’s Happy Hour bar menu. Plans to dine there quickly formed. I had found “my” sandwich.

I have been to Light Bistro before, but never for Happy Hour. They have quite good deals going on!

Monday - Friday
4:30 – 7:00pm
All Bar Menu food items for $5.00 each.
5 domestic beers for $5.00
5 specialty beers for $7.50
Single specialty beers for $2.00
Glass of wine for $5.00
Bottle of wine for $10.00
Specialty cocktails for $3.00

Note the $10 bottles of wine. They typically have 3-4 options of both white and red wine, and after trying three different bottles on separate occasions I can vouch that their quality is usually superb.

You’ll be happy to hear that the Pork Belly Finger Sandwiches were just as good as we remembered. The meat is tender and juicy, and the subtle heat of the aioli plays on your tongue. The other dishes that we tried were very good as well, including the Lamb Burger, Honey Ham and Cheddar Croquettes, Charred Pesto Flatbread, and Summer Gazpacho.

Light Bistro is a great neighborhood bistro, with a cozy and comfortable atmosphere, that consistently delivers excellent food. They are in the process of expanding their dining area and installing a patio. Tucked away on a corner of Bridge Avenue in a residential area, I think that people forget that this gem is hidden off of the more popular West 25th Street in Ohio City. I am here to say that Light Bistro is not to be forgotten!

They have turned this “sandwich hater” into a believer.