“On one of those cement-sky February days in Cleveland, we sat near the windows at Astoria Cafe & Market …and saw sunshine land on the table. That bright light came from a series of Mediterranean-inspired foods: lemony hummus with warm, grilled, fresh pita chips; imported salami sliced to a melting thinness with brilliant green baby arugula, and lamb chops sharing a plate with dabs of peso and mascarpone-rich mashed potatoes. Did I mention the lush little rounds of octopus, the best I’ve ever had? Something warm and authentic is going on here.” – Debbi Snook