Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Flying Cranes Cafe + Catering

Chocolate cake to die for....

Pretty much everything in this eatery gets the two thumbs up including the service and hospitality.

Just one of the dozens and dozens of restaurants, boutiques, antique shops, and art galleries giving the Larchmere/Shaker Square neighborhood it's unique, distinguishing charm!

I initially went into Flying Cranes in search of a chocolate cupcake. Mom, who is not even a chocolate fan, was craving a chocolate cupcake. I ventured inside and have been a regular customer ever since.

A quaint cafe where you can either take out or sit there and eat on site. Their menu expanse for such a small renovated storefront ranges from rice and noodle dishes to soups, sandwiches, salads, croissants, quiches, homemade desserts & pastries and then a whole bevy of beverages including a wide range of delicious teas (mango!), cappuccino, latte, espresso and coffee...they have delicious and affordable Sunday brunch items as well. But I've just touched the surface...

Their homemade fare, mostly based on Japanese and American dishes, keeps customers coming back for more. Kayoko Irie-Frye opened Flying Cranes back in the end of 2007 with her husband Bill Frye.

They cater just about any function you desire. They service special party needs. They take reservations for 'High Tea.'

And to top it off, they have the most beautiful flower garden cafe that opens this time of year thru mid-fall.

Their attention to detail amazes me. The first time I ordered take-out dessert (the chocolate cake, lemon square and key lime square), I was fascinated at how each dessert had been placed at the beginning of the day on delicate, ornate glassware in the refrigerated display counter. No paper plates, no pastry piled on top of one another. But, more impressive was how the owner slipped on her rubber gloves to cleanly transfer the pastry from the glass plate to my take-out box. Something I will always remember.

If you find yourself anywhere near the historical Larchmere Boulevard, maybe on a Saturday morning for their tremendous farmer's market, please make a point to stop into Flying Cranes which is located at 13006 Larchmere. They are open Tuesday thru Sunday, hours vary. Their phone number is 216.795.1033.

Just one sampling of their taunting fare will convince you why Flying Cranes is this week's Hidden Gem!! Bon Appetite!