Erie Local Spotlight 2021: Bar Ronin

Every once in a while, something truly special/unique/cool/exciting comes along. For Erie, this is the new restaurant Bar Ronin. Last night, I had the absolute pleasure of dining at Ronin with some friends, and I am still thinking about the incredible dishes that we devoured. 

Before we get into the amazing food, let's talk atmosphere. The main word that comes to mind is cool. This place is frickin' cool! When looking around, it is evident that a lot of thought went into every detail. From the modern and sleek tables, chairs, and lighting to the open concept. What I first noticed is how roomy the space felt. The tables were all filled and there was a buzz of excitement in the room, but I never felt crowded like I do at some places. I could not stop looking around and taking in the decor. Every time my eyes did a lap around the room, I discovered another detail to admire. I loved the very unexpected graffiti walls. It was loud and colorful and added a sharp edginess that livened up the space. 

When I say we ordered a lot of food, I mean it! The menu really leans into plates that can be shared and that is exactly what we did. We each ordered a few things that caught our eye and shared it all. Here is a breakdown of everything we ordered. 

Snacks

Thick Cut Pepperoni & Chorizo Fried Buns. These were very tasty! An Asian-fusion version on Erie's famous Pepperoni Balls.

Spicy Onion Dip. A very refreshing snack. Served with diced-up veggies and homemade chips. The dip was so smooth and creamy. 

Shrimp + Scallop Gyoza. We all agreed this was our favorite snack. The flavors were insane! The seafood was so fresh and delicate, and the chili crunch sprinkled on top added the perfect kick.

Sashimi + Raw Bar

Wild Salmon Tataki. I like sushi, but I am not very adventurous with sashimi. With that said, this was the best raw fish I have ever had. The salmon was thinly sliced in a shallow dish of ponzu sauce. It was light and perfectly salty.

Meats + Seafood

Cripsy Shortrib. This was the main dish I ordered and wow! The shortrib melted in your mouth. It was so delicious! The snow peas were sliced very thin and cooked just enough that they still had some crunch, which was a great contrast to the soft, buttery shortrib.

Noodle + Rice + Vegetables

Roasted White Japanese Sweet Potato. You must order these. The potatoes were pillowy soft and bathed in a buttery cream sauce that was addicting.

Kombu + Carmalized XO Noodles. Another crowd Favorite! These ramen noodles were coated in a buttery, peppery xo sauce that was oh so good! 

Chicken Salt Pomme Frites. French fries! Perfectly seasoned and so crispy. This dish came with 3 sauces that were all quite tasty.

Prawn Bucatini. This was comparable to a spicy seafood pasta dish. The noodles were thick and al dente. The shrimp was so fresh and were a bit spicy from the butter, garlic, and chili. Too spicy for some of us, but I loved it.

I was not kidding when I said we ordered a lot. By the end of the meal, we were stuffed but could not stop eating! It was an incredible experience and an unforgettable meal. The service was also so wonderful. Our server was so helpful as we peppered her with questions and asked for her suggestions all along the way.  I am so thrilled to have Bar Ronin in Erie, and I am so looking forward to the next time I visit. If you have not been yet, do yourself a big favor and make a reservation soon. You will not regret it.