eyehrtfood

The "Connor Palace" certainly seems unnecessary, but it was "Keith's Palace" when it opened, so the ego game on the marquee is not unprecedented.

I especially thought Choo Lah did a great job by having a photo menu to pass out to each incoming customer - to help ensure they knew what each Indian dish was if their knowledge coming in was more limited - as well as giving out tiny maps showing the two entrance/exits from the parking lot (one of which is on the side street to west of restaurant - which is much easier to get out onto versus going west on Chagrin Blvd, etc...) The owners really put some thought into this during the EXTENDED build out... (I assumed they'd never open... they must have been under construction for 9 months...)

Beachwood Place: Long-time tenant Mann Jewelers is closing at Beachwood Place (closing sale now, ending after 1st of year) and apparently moving to a shopping strip at SOM/Chagrin in or near the plaza with Flour/ML Tavern in it. New True Religion store has recently opened, doubling former store size. Expansion at mall will start in Spring, sized down from 77k square feet to 64k square feet on Richmond side between Saks and Nordstrom) and from 3 restaurants to 2 (Capital Grille and Seasons 52) in front of mall on Cedar.

Choo Lah Indian BBQ opened today in the old Saturn car dealership on Chagrin Blvd, across from the Woodmere Whole Foods. This place is a one-off quick-service Indian restaurant (order and pick up at counter and seat yourself) but is totally chainified (from the menu design to dining room look to the logo T-shirts) from day one... and mean that, actually, in a good way. Very slick,with room-long windows overlooking the Tandoor ovens and prep area. Lots of different seating options (booth, tables, high tops, giant communal table, etc...) Food was great (around $9 each for Tikka Masala, etc...) and place was very full, even at 8 pm. Really enjoyed. Will go back soon. http://choolaah.com/

Tweets report Sushi Rock door sign says closed for renovations... but we know what that usually means...

Short North closed a year or more ago (?) And I noticed how empty it was on Monday (lights on.. no cars),and thought they must have closed at La Place...

Among the mixed use components one might hope for = another traffic -driving destination restaurant like Hodbrauhaus (and of the type already,known to be scoping out other Midwest cities like Indy and Chicago and with an existing presence in similar downtown fringe areas in Syracuse, Buffalo, etc...I'm talking about you, Dinosaur Bar-b-Que..... This historic building would be right up their alley....)

This restaurant/bar focused area would be well complemented by a destination movie theater (comfy seats, food/drink, IMAX and so forth, as another way of getting folks to the FEB for something unique and in those establishments. I recall a cinema was in the original plans.

Kilwin's - nice... Have enjoyed them elsewhere. I could make out the "K" - but nothing else. This better be a huge draw - FEB - because they are putting a giant # of restaurants and bars next to each other - they will need to make this a destination like the old 80s flats in people's minds, in order to fill these spaces with crowds.

Well - the person representing Beach Taco at the meeting appears to be Rick Doody - co-founder of the growing Bravo/Brio chain and owner of the local one-off Cedar Creek Grille.... - so it would be fair to assume his group has a new concept... These previously announced tenants still appear on the leasing map (a few others don't): Flip Side, FWD, CropRocks, CropStix, Beer Market, The Big Bang piano bar and Toby Keith's LTBAG... Also shown on the newest leasing plan (and all new to project, from last I saw): Beach Taco, a Brazilian Steakhouse... an Oyster Bar.. a Pizzeria.... the "Brickman Studio" (anyone know what that is?).. a Deli... and the "Punch Bowl Social" - http://punchbowlsocial.com/ (Locations in Denver, Austin, Portland, Detroit...) there is one additional square red logo (to right of pizzeria and above Beach Taco, in left center of picture/bottom of main building) - that I can't make out... can anyone else? http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2014/11212014/image/fullsize/Beach_Taco_14.jpg

Eton expansion update in this week's Crain's, including confirmation of the long-rumored, relocated, larger Trader Joe's store and the Texas de Brazil restaurant (2016 opening listed on their site). http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20141116/SUB1/311169967&template=mobile#ATHS

Their Hudson store is Heinen's Village Market. Would have figured perhaps "City Market" for this, but possible chain rebranding, as noted. (Now, if they will only go with handled paper bags instead of cheapg plastic...)

Looks like Rocky River will be getting (19800 Detroit) a new concept from the folks at Paladar called Bomba Tacos & Rum. This from seeing a new liquor license this week and finding trademark info http://www.trademarkia.com/bomba-tacos--rum-86381759.html

I never get the "where do the profits go" argument or why it matters... Lots of Cleveland HQd businesses do business all over the country and world (DDR, AG, etc..) - and reap the benefits - just as out of state businesses do business here. It's the way of the world - Whether or not some like that the casino exists at all (gambling!), razed local buildings, or that Rock is HQd in Detroit, it has put tons of people to work and brought tons more of them downtown - plus revitalized a mostly vacant building. I am a full supporter of Gilbert and what he's done for this town.. - though understand why some aren't. That's your choice. And believe (hope) phase 2 will be built. But also think he is doing a great disservice to himself/his business by not head-on addressing the Phase 2 situation and setting a date... Causes too much doubt and dissent...

The menu is hardly 100% authentic German - and has some nods to U.S. tastes - but I'm surprised it's so "German" overall- a lot more than I thought it would be... down to the REALLY German names on many of the dishes... ("Munchner Weisswurste" and so forth - Nice). No "Berlin-ffalo Wings" or that kind of stuff. Good.

I used to fly Southwest nearly weekly... And yet I haven't been on their planes now in years. Grew weary of the hassle and fares weren't that great as noted, plus multiple stops cross country. With that said, I still can't shake flying United, despite the changes. Too many miles, too much status and more flights to/from CLE (95% for business ). Even with a status match on AA or DL, flight options will be more limited. Not sure I want that. Stuck.

MD88: you think Southwest has to make a move at CLE to stay relevant? And what about their future at CAK? Nothing I would love more than them pulling up stakes there. CAK has stolen enough business from CLE the last decade with its discount focus - and time for it to return to the convenient choice for travelers in that area versus being a regional draw. With regards to the capacity increase after the United cuts, United itself seems to be using larger equipment more frequently than before (to ORD). I haven't been on an ERJ 135/145 in months on that route and not hard to avoid flying them at times I want to fly. B737s/A319s/E175s, etc. CLE-ORD now seem more the norm than in recent years.

Apparently Nashville in the running too. I found about a half dozen Aug/Sept articles in various news papers and biz papers (Dispatch, Tennessean, etc...) noting the cities and that British Airways was hoping to fly a 787 on route. Columbus sent a delegation to London to pitch. Where are Ricky and Frank (and the PD story about the route?)

I thought the bullpen area in right field was going to be part of the bar that's on the terrace down the right field line. There was something stated that the multi level bar would have a walk-down to the field level in right field.. so perhaps that's what behind the (apparent) windows now in right field fence.

The casino continues to be the top producing casino in the state. Off expectations? Sure... Tops in revenue, yes.... Again, I say you slap "Caesar's" on the expansion - and that would be a game changer...

Appears the Stark folks just added the below nuCLEus brochure (dated 9/2014) onto their site. It adds some additional details - including the "laneways" concept - into the mix. Interesting.. Find the brochure download on the left side of this page: http://starkenterprises.com/properties/nucleus/ "nuCLEus will introduce laneways to downtown Cleveland, a unique form of urban place making originating in Melbourne, Australia. The laneway at nuCLEus will be a tight intimate space that offers al fresco eateries, one-off shops and cozy little bars, all nestled side-by-side in a unique alley setting with its own individual character and charm."

I'm not trying to start rumors, or suggest AG is not building at Crocker... I just know a long time AG insider who has expressed doubts on the Crocker move for some time. I just asked again "is American Greetings not moving to Crocker Park" and they indicated "there is a lot going on at AG.." and steered me away from certainty this is happening. what we do know is land is being cleared and retail tenants have been announced and seemingly are being built on the land nearest the existing Crocker Main Street.

Word from folks at American Greetings is they are still skeptical as to whether Crocker is happening or not, regardless of very public work towards this building. Seems unlikely it is derailing but odd I keep hearing doubts

Further Pinecrest (Orange Village) update in Chagrin Valley Times today.. the signed or close-to-it retailers/restaurants the developers seem to be hinting at in the story are: "gourmet style grocery store and farmers market" - the "farmers market" of which seems to tip it off as potentially: Fresh Thyme - http://freshthyme.com/ - recently opened in Columbus - and expanding. "a high-profile home goods store" - this would hint at (on top of other clues) - Container Store would be main thought based on past rumors "an outdoor recreation store" (that is noted to have "boating, kayaking and features a rock climbing wall") - REI immediately comes to mind, but they are pictured on the Beachwood Place renderings, so who knows - but almost certain they are coming soon, somewhere.. Field & Stream, the new Dick's concept is possible (no rock climbing it appears) and Cabela's or Bass Pro have both looked in area - but they are huge destination stores and that fact was not telegraphed by the developer in the story, as it likely would be. They'd dwarf the rest of complex. "a 25,000 square foot, nationally based Italian restaurant with bocce courts"... - well, the size is what is suspect here... No Italian restaurant is that big (the hugeBeachwood Maggiano's - including huge banquet area - is 18,000ish square feet) - In doing some searching, I found this - www.pinstripes.com ("Bowling, Bocce, Bistro) - which is Midwest based and going national. Large bowling alley/entertainment complex with Italian food and bocce courts... Hmmmm... Perhaps "bowling" not noted to not tip hand... These mentioned uses are too numerous or vague to define operators yet - "upscale burger joint" and "dine-in movie theater" "European-style hotel" (from owners of 78 European hotels, none in U.S.).

The challenge is that these stores are already in suburban locations - close to customers and with free parking. There are not enough downtown residents to support.. and they need to draw on weekends, too, when office workers are home. I can surely see restaurants of the type noted being targeted by Stark for the Gateway project, just announced, but TC will be a tough sell, I fear.