Ever wanted to try galley boy tartare?
If so, it’s your lucky month.
Upscale, Swensons-inspired dishes are being served through June at Cordelia in Cleveland as part of its co-founder and Akron-born chef Vinnie Cimino’s collaboration with the legendary Akron burger joint.
“They really enjoy it,” Cimino said. “They love the fun nods to Swensons, especially when it comes to the little things like the California flavors in the drink and the oysters. It’s been really awesome.”
What does Cordelia’s Swensons-inspired menu taste like?
Customers can purchase a Swensons-inspired cocktail named California crush, which consists of grape soda, Verners ginger ale, Don Q Rum and lemon juice for $16.
The drink was delicious and tasted identical to the California drink at Swensons, according to photojournalist Lisa Scalfaro.
She also tasted the eatery’s pimento cheezers, the which consists of cheese wrapped inside a potato Darphin exterior, and Pernod buttermilk sauce for dipping. The menu item is a play on Swensons’ potato teasers and costs $16.
Most would not associate oysters with Swensons, but Cordelia is connecting the burger joint with the popular shellfish by adding California granita and lemon zest. Two oysters cost $8.
Probably the most unique dish of the collaboration is the galley boy tartare, which is $19. It has sweet olive mayo, Swensons’ signature barbecue sauce, romesco (a tomato-based Spanish sauce) and crispy fried cheese crisps.
The tartare also comes with small, pillowy buns so that diners may build their perfect bite. Despite its otherworldly appearance, I had many bites and enjoyed them all.
“I just thought about it a little bit differently,” Cimino said. “We essentially make a raw Galley Boy, as weird as that sounds, but it’s delicious.”
On Cordelia’s dessert menu is another California crush, but this one has a base of rich cream cheese ice cream topped with refreshing layers of Meyer lemon curd and grape slush dotted with black pepper meringue. The dish costs $12.
Who is chef Vinnie Cimino?
Most recently, Cimino was a 2024 James Beard semifinalist for his work at Cordelia. He was semifinalist the year before as well.
The 42-year-old now lives in Highland Square, but grew up in Akron’s Ellet neighborhood. Growing up, he learned the ropes of the restaurant business at his paternal grandparents’ restaurant, the former Bellie’s Deli in Kent.
Cimino said staying grounded, humble and appreciative of those around him has been critical to his career. The chef connects success in the restaurant scene to wrestling, a sport he participated in for 16 years.
“When you’re on the mat, you’re by yourself, but to win a match, you have to win as a team,” he said. “Cooking is kind of the same way. When you’re on a station you’re there by yourself, but you’re putting food up together as a team.”
What is the collaboration menu at Swensons?
To kick off the month-long collaboration, Cimino, along with some of his Cordelia team, became curb-servers for a few hours at the Swensons West Akron location at 40 S. Hawkins Ave. on June 1.
For the remainder of the month, Swensons will be offering the Chef Vinnie curated Pimento Burger with his signature Pimento Cheese and green Kool-Aid Pickles for $7.99.
Customers can also order the chef’s pimento cheese served with saltines for $5.99 at all of Swensons’ family-owned carhop restaurants.
And to mark the end of the collaboration, the Swensons food truck will be parked outside of Cordelia on East Fourth in Cleveland on June 30 serving up the local chain’s signature Galley Boys.
Got a story recommendation? Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@gannett.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans. And follow her adventures on TikTok @akronbeaconjournal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron-born chef Vinnie Cimino serves Swensons-inspired dishes at Cordelia for collab
Reporting by Tawney Beans, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
