The aroma hits as you walk in the door,an enticing blend of herbs and spices you don't typically experience in Northeast Ohio eateries Continental Cuisine blends Greek and Italian: kabobs and pasta, shawarma and pizza, baklava and tiramisu.
Well, the sauerkraut balls must be a nod to Akron.
Mediterranean food isn't exactly exotic anymore, but it is a nice change of pace from fast food burgers, subs and so on. Continental Cuisine offers a mix of Mediterranean and more-conventional American fare, offering appetizers such as baba ghanouj, those sauerkraut balls, and Buffalo wings, among others, starting at $3.99, or $2.99 for soup of the day.
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Entrees range from $10.99 for lasagna and other pasta dishes and $13.99 for kabobs to $24.99 for a 10-oz. filet mignon. Sandwiches range from $4.99 for a Mediterranean wrap to $6.49 for a roast beef wrap or Continental chicken wrap. There's also an extensive selection of specialty and gourmet pizzas ($15.99 for a large – pretty competitive with local pizza places) and your basic Italian-style pizza, starting at $7.99 for a small (10-inch) cheese pizza.
On a recent visit I chose the Greek gyro ($5.99), which blends lamb and beef, lettuce (hold the tomato), onions and cucumber sauce. I also ordered a side io Mediterranean rice ($2.50) and a small Fatoush salad ($3.99).
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I took it to go for lunch, which seems popular with local offices nearby. There is plenty of dining room seating if you'd rather not have the office smell like lunch for the rest of the day.
The gyro tasted like the classic gyro of many a late-night campus adventure long, long ago. Some places use ranch dressing or other sauces, but I thought the cucumber dressing added a light touch without overwhelming the lamb and beef. I could have used a little more onion and a little less lettuce. All in all, a pretty good gyro.
The rice had a subtle seasoning (Coriander? Cumin? Definitely not a strong curry) that hinted of the old spice routes of the Mediterranean and Asia, and bits of corn, peas and carrots. For people from around the Mediterranean Sea, which serves as a confluence of Europe, Asia and Africa, this must be what qualifies as comfort food.
The Fatoush was a salad of lettuce, parsley, radishes (they tasted pickled or marinated in vinegar), mint, cucumber (also pickled), topped with baked pita chips and with a side of the Continental house dressing (olive oil, lemon and garlic). Not radically exotic, but a nice change of pace.
There was more than enough food for one (maybe the rice was overkill?), so I split the lunch with Mrs. Bites Nearby and still felt quite full afterward.
The unassuming carry-out area has displays for the usual chilled soft drinks and a few surprises, plus beers and wines from around the world (beer from Lebanon, wine from Israel), pita chips and the usual Frito-Lay products, plus spices and herbs and other interesting food products you don't find in a typical American food store.
Continental Cuisine offers dine-in, carry-out, delivery ($10 minimum order, $2 delivery charge – have you seen the price of gas lately?) and catering.
Continental Cuisine, 55 Ghent Rd., 330-864-1777. Hours 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.