Canton's H2 Huth & Harris a dining gem worth a discovery

H2 Huth & Harris offers a delightful dining experience perfect for unwinding on a Friday or Saturday evening. Having frequented H2 on the Square in Medina, known for its wine, bourbons, and tapas, I was intrigued by its Canton counterpart, boasting both lunch and dinner options.

Reservations were made for three, and I took my dining friends and passionate foodies with me for dinner. With ample parking on the side of the building, we found our way down the stairs and into the cozy but spacious dining area.

Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Brooke, our waitress, who promptly took our drink orders. While Joe opted for a specialty bourbon, Vickie and I decided to split a bottle of wine, finding it more economical. Brooke also highlighted the special chef’s seafood selection featuring salmon and pasta.

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To start, we shared some appetizers – the baked brie with pepper jam and whole grain crackers ($14) and the olive tapenade with crusty bread slices ($11). The brie was particularly impressive, wrapped in a flaky pastry and generously portioned for sharing. Though the tapenade was a bit too salty for our liking, it was still enjoyable.

Other bites on the menu include crab cakes with smoky onion remoulade ($21) or a farmstead charcuterie board, available small ($24) or large ($32).

Perusing the menu online prior to the reservations, I had my mind set on trying the burrata caprese salad with marinated heirloom tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette and fresh basil with wild garlic salt flakes ($11). It was delicious and served with just the right amount of baguette slices for dipping and sopping up any juices remaining in the bowl. Vickie decided to pass, saving room for dessert while Joe ordered the white wine wild mushroom bisque en croute ($10), a large bowlful of velvety soup with mushroom overtones and a croute of puff pastry.

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Small plate menu options for another visit included pan seared diver scallops with Asian noodles and cranberry teriyaki glaze ($38) or grilled quail with spinach and crispy-creamy gnocchi served with a blueberry balsamic reduction ($25).

Joe and I both ordered the shrimp scampi with mushroom and red pepper orzo ($29) from the small plates section of the menu. Vickie ordered a sizeable entrée (taking at least a third of it home) ? rosemary rubbed rack of lamb with mushroom gruyere and leek bread pudding and sautéed garlic greens with a Dijon reduction ($46). She said an entire rack was just too much for any one person, and she would have been satisfied with just a few artfully cut lamb chops off the rack. Her order was cooked perfectly, a medium rare, and we each savored a taste of the seasoned lamb.

If pasta is more to your liking, there’s an entrée feature of fettuccine, roasted mushrooms and shallots with a creamy garlic marsala sauce ($27). An option to add shrimp or chicken to the dish brings the price to ($36). A maple garlic glazed french cut double bone pork chop with sweet potato pave (a twice baked, crispy dish with thinly sliced sweet potatoes soaked in cream and herbs), maple sautéed brussels sprouts and candied black pepper bacon ($34) is also an entrée choice.

Despite being full, there were still desserts to order. We shared tastes of the chocolate torte ($9), more of a flourless chocolate cake that was perfectly baked, served with ice cream and drizzled with fudge sauce; crème brulee; and bread pudding with bourbon sauce. Although I didn’t write down the prices on the last two, they were all in the $9 to $12 price range typically charged by upscale restaurants. The bread pudding was a favorite.

Specialty bottles of wine are available for purchase, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t take a breath and relax to enjoy, at a minimum, one of the bites or small plates from the menu.

The best part about H2 is its versatility. Whether you're in the mood for a casual nibble with drinks or a full-fledged dining experience, there's something for everyone. With its creative and expertly prepared cuisine, H2 Huth & Harris is definitely a dining gem worth discovering in downtown Canton.

Reach Bev at [email protected] or 330-580-8318.

If you go

WHAT – H2 Huth & Harris

WHERE – 427 Tuscarawas St. E, Canton

PHONE – 330-805-3212

HOURS – Open for lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Dinner hours are 5 p.m. until the final reservation on Friday and Saturday.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Downtown Canton's H2 Huth & Harris is a dining gem worth discovering