It has the makings of a great love story. Crystal chandeliers give off a soft glow while tiny tables let us get cozy over bottles of wine or cocktails. But the menu at Gigi's on Fairmount is so delicious and tempting, it's hard to focus on your date. Diners have fallen for the Cleveland Heights spot not only for the intimate setting but also for its appealing array of small bites, soups, salads, paninis, bruschettas and two rotating entree specials. Start with the All of the Above option ($24) from the small bites section. A massive board of Stone Oven bread, a mix of olives such as nicoise and castelvetrano, artisan cheeses and charcuterie including cappicola, soppressata and house-made chicken liver pate arrives tableside with jam, dried fruits, nuts and lavender honey. It's a decadent feast worth sharing with those you love, but one we could easily inhale ourselves. The same goes for the bruschetta boards ($17 for four). While it may be difficult to settle on a few varieties from the lineup of 15, we're smitten with the prosciutto, fig and mascarpone combo — a decadent marriage of salty and sweet. Others that won our affection include a duck version topped with Brie and a tangy cherry gastrique, one with lamb, feta and a pepper-onion caponata and a comforting butternut squash option with onion jam and Middle Eastern-spiced Greek yogurt. Whether you split these or keep them all to yourself, it's a perfect ending to a charming meal.
When You Go
Gigi's on Fairmount, 3477 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-291-7237
