Here's a little-known fact about me:
I lived in Cleveland for three years.
In July 2003, I left my New England roots (and steady job) and made the 10-hour drive to Ohio to begin my new life as a graduate student. Prior to that, I had only been to Cleveland one other time -- to search for and sign the lease on my very first apartment.
It was on that first trip to Cleveland that I was introduced to what eventually became one of my favorite restaurants in the city --
Johnny Mango World Cafe & Bar in the
historic neighborhood of Ohio City. Being the kind of person who likes to prepare (you're shocked, right?), I had arranged to meet one of my sorority sisters who just happened to have an apartment to rent. Katie and I discussed the apartment over lunch at Johnny Mango's and my love affair with their food started.
Their Shrimp Fried Rice with Fiery Lime Sauce ($9.95) quickly became a regular order for me. The slight sweetness of the rice, the plumpness of the shrimp (which was always cooked perfectly, never tough or dry), the crisp freshness of the tomatoes and cucumbers, and the tangy heat of the lime sauce -- this dish had it all.
I was
obsessed with this dish, so it didn't surprise me that I started craving it only weeks after moving from Cleveland to New York. Not knowing if I'd ever return to Cleveland, I thought I'd never know the pleasure of eating their fried rice again.
Thankfully, a trip out for my friend Amy's wedding a couple of years later allowed me to reunite with the restaurant and its amazing food. In fact... after driving for
hours, I insisted that Stephen and I go straight to Johnny Mango's, even before checking into our hotel!
And... Oh, God... It tasted so good. Just like I remembered it.
So, you must be wondering how I managed to get the recipe for this Shrimp Fried Rice with Fiery Lime Sauce.
Through the power of Twitter, my friends.
Someone requested restaurant recommendations in Cleveland, and, naturally, I suggested Johnny Mango's. Word got back to the person moderating the restaurant's Twitter account (
@JMangoWorldCafe), and, eventually, we started talking about how much I missed their food. I mentioned that I had emailed the restaurant to request a copy of the recipe but had never received a response. In no time, I had a message in my Inbox with exactly what I was looking for!
I made the Shrimp Fried Rice with Fiery Lime Sauce for dinner earlier this week, with some slight modifications, and, once again, I was reunited with the dish I love so much. Now, whenever I have a craving for it, I can just make it at home!
BONUS.
Better yet, now you can make it at home, too. The restaurant gave me permission to share the recipe with all of you, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
