Houlihan's makes summer even sweeter
By Cynthia Schuster-Eakin
happenings
Published July 20, 2005

Houlihan's, with its spacious patio, has always been a great west side alfresco dining spot. But now, Houlihan's has found a way to make summer even sweeter.

The restaurant has introduced its new "mini yum" menu, a selection of small desserts priced at $2.49 each, for those who want just a taste of something sweet after enjoying a light, warm weather meal. Choices include chocolate cappuccino cake topped with vanilla ice cream, a Snickers Crunch ice cream dome on an Oreo and peanut crust, strawberry cheesecake and crème brulee. There is even a skinny mini chocolate mousse with just four net carbs. If you are dining with friends and are in the mood for sharing, you can get a selection of three mini dessert for $6.99, or five minis for $11.99. The presentation is impressive. These desserts are not only beautiful, but they are delicious and refreshingly light. Real dessert aficionados can still order a big yum like caramel-topped apple pie with walnut streusel and hot caramel sauce for $4.99. A variety of coffee drinks are available to accompany your dessert.

You can chill at Houlihan's with their daily bar specials. Sample three mini martinis for $6 on Monday, order a big beer at a small beer price on Thursday, or sip a $3.50 Margarita on Saturday.

New summer menu specialties include appetizers like Thai chile wings glazed with sweet soy Serrano chile sauce ($8.29). Crispy fried mushroom caps stuffed with herb and garlic cream cheese and coated with Japanese bread crumbs ($8.49) are always a popular choice.

Houlihan's offers an array of tasty salads. The fire-grilled shrimp or salmon Caesar are excellent choices for patio dining. New to the menu is the seared ahi tuna salad with napa cabbage, cilantro, bananas and cashews tossed in banana-ginger vinaigrette and topped with crisp wontons ($10.99). The Asian chicken chop chop topped with sesame chicken and served with chopsticks ($8.99) is a favorite all year round.

Fish tacos are a house specialty. Two soft flour tortillas are layered with chipotle mayonnaise, breaded tilapia, napa cabbage, pico de gallo and a sweet honey and cumin dressing ($7.99). The grilled Southwest chicken wrap with spiced pecans, red peppers, tomatoes, bacon and jalapeno Jack cheese tossed in garlic ranch dressing is a menu mainstay. Of course, it is hard to beat the half-pound gourmet Houli-burger on a brioche bun with your choice of toppings ($8.29).

New entrees are mustard-crusted Atlantic salmon ($14.99) and pan-seared tilapia served with Northern white beans ($14.99), a perfect dish for seafood dieters. Meat eaters can get a 12-ounce cut of slow-roasted prime rib for $16.99 on Thursday through Sunday. Larger cuts are available on request. Houlihan's jambalaya, a traditional recipe with chicken, Cajun andouille sausage, Gulf shrimp, Creole sauce and rice ($13.99), spices up the menu all year long.

Houlihan's has completely remodeled the outdoor patio and bar for this alfresco dining season. The canvas awning has been replaced by a wooden structure with ceiling fans, to make outdoor dining comfortable on the balmiest of days. The food preparation area has been improved and a large outdoor fireplace has been added. The upper deck has been popular this summer for private parties and reunions, according to Dan Lentes, Houlihan's area director. He noted that the restaurant also has a private, full-service banquet room that can accommodate up to 60 people for wedding showers and rehearsal dinners. "Houlihan's will be at the Westlake location for 10 years this year," Lentes added. "Many restaurants come and go in 10 years."

Houlihan's, 25651 Detroit Road in Westlake, is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily for lunch and dinner. Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are accepted. All major credit cards are honored. Phone 808-9090.

Danny Boy's pizza restaurants, located in Rocky River and in Avon Lake, will gradually make the name-change transition to Perfectly Frank Pizzeria, according to owner Rob Grendow. "Our logo now reads Danny Boy's Perfectly Frank Pizzeria," Grendow noted. "We made the decision to change the name because of the popularity of all of our Sinatra stuff." The restaurants are decorated in Frank Sinatra memorabilia, and customers are invited to participate in Sinatra trivia contests. Grendow said that there has also been some confusion about the Danny Boy's name over the years because of similarly named but completely unrelated bars in the area, and because of the former Danny Boy's farm market. Rob Grendow and wife Rene want to assure customers that, even after the name change is complete sometime this year, the two restaurants will still be under the ownership of the same people, with the same menu of pizzas, pastas, ribs and sandwiches. The original Danny Boy's Perfectly Frank Pizzeria is located at 20251 Lake Road in Rocky River. Phone 333-9595. The Avon Lake restaurant is at 428 Avon-Belden Road. Call 930-8575.