As a profession, academia is quite social. Sitting alone in your office will not get you promoted. No—you have to show that you know people and that they like your work. If they really like you, they’ll invite you for a visit. And, with a visit comes a meal or two.
Figure 2. Dr. Chris Bauer of Geisinger Health System, working up an appetite during his guest lecture in EPBI 501 (2017).
Figure 1. Table 45, how elegant!
As an organizer of many academic events from seminars to guest lectures in class to symposia, I know a thing or two about inviting colleagues to Cleveland for a visit. As a result, I have gotten to know the restaurants within striking distance of CWRU. I have already mentioned a new favorite, Trentina. Also high on the list is the InterContinental’s Table 45 (Figure 1) across the street from the Cleveland Clinic.
I had only been to Table 45 Restaurant and Bar once before this recent academic visit by Geisinger’s Dr. Chris Bauer. My first visit was with my Mom during a Cleveland Independents Cleveland Restaurant Week where participating restaurants were offering prix fixe menus for a steal. I had read on-line that Table 45 was a bit pricey on regular nights and that Cleveland Restaurant Week would be a great chance to try expensive restaurants like this without breaking the bank. From what I remember (this was probably back in 2014), Mom and I each had good meals, and Mom’s was dairy-free. Kudos to you, Table 45!
On this latest visit, I hosted a group of CWRU colleagues and our EPBI 501 guest speaker Chris (Figure 2). I didn’t know Chris’s food preferences at the time, but I did know that I had also invited a mostly vegan and a probable vegetarian. Not to worry—Table 45 had plenty to offer everyone, ranging from shishito peppers (Figure 3) to tofu (Figure 4) to fresh, yummy naan (Figure 5). They even had plates for the traditional meat-eater (Figure 6) and classic desserts (Figure 7).
Figure 4. Tofu fries with buffalo sauce sans the buffalo.
Figure 3. The shishito peppers aim to please everyone at the table.
Figure 5. Trying to keep it civil as we fight over the naan at Table 45.
Figure 7. Cream, I mean crème brûlée. Yes, Farren Briggs, that’s my shadow in the picture.
Figure 6. Table 45’s grilled beef tenderloin. Nom!
Overall, we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals, and I would consider hosting another CWRU guest at Table 45. As for personal dining, I have to admit Table 45 is not high on my list. The atmosphere is somewhat sterile, most likely a consequence of its hotel and Cleveland Clinic associations. For cozy, romantic, or even hip scenes, it would be best to look elsewhere…..that is until Cleveland Restaurant Week rolls around again.
