dwirthwein

I'd think the only way the amount of meat on a sandwich would be considered a "rip-off" at a restaurant is if the menu states how many ounces will go on a sandwich and then less is intentionally put on the finished product.

I assume the old Century/Bice restaurant spot at at TC is still vacant or???

You know - from peeking down in the basement - I would venture a guess it actually does run under the other space...

I guess I shouldn't assume I knew how much home decor was in there before - but a few weeks ago it was as much as, say, jan-Feb I thought... Lots of knick-knacks, lamps, shower curtains, baby room stuff, cups, dishes, a chest or two, etc...

So they just said on WKYC news that parking is $35 in new casino garage and valet is $70??? Again, they stated (as I'd heard before) that if you are high level casion club member - or if you play long enough - parking is free - but I pity the fool who doesn't make the cut, so to speak. Also noted that the adjacent lots are raising their costs, too.

I saw plenty of home decor (or just as much as months ago) when in there two weeks ago - after someone had said it was all gone.

Matt Fish is just quoted in the PD as saying there would be another "Greater Cleveland-Cuyahoga County" location in the next year - beyond Mentor... The way that's phrased (or at least the way it was quoted) doesn't seem to indicate a downtown location, but who knows. Weren't they looking for a downtown-area corporate kitchen in which to prep, though?

jam40jeff... Though I love what's going on in many urban areas in this town, I do support suburban things more than many on this board - not ashamed to say it... Ultimately, I think I just like seeing the investment, the growth, the activity... It may not be everyone's favorite kind of growth - but the majority of NEOers are still suburbanites... And having a newer Marriott, shopping, restaurants, an Aloft, a $200MM hospital, a well-attended health club... the palace that will be Eaton (even though they should have stayed downtown...)..., have at least made that area vacant for years have a bit of a pulse... and what's next on those many vacant acres? It's not like areas with thriving urban cores - Chicago, Seattle, DC, SFO, etc... don't have thriving suburbs, too... Drive the Tri-State Tollway or I-405 or the Beltway of the 101 - and you'll see Chagrin Highlands many times over... co-existing with downtowns...

Well, if your own insurance billionaire decides to give up on Cleveland, we'll take somebody else's...

You've got to think downtown is next...(melt) Also, they're not divulging the location - but for the Independence one, they foolishly applied for liquor license many months before - and, well, let's just say that was made public pretty quickly...

Yep - I remember the outcry on the residentail street - just glad to see a bit of trendiness come to Chagrin Highlands... a better location. (Now, where's the once-rumored IKEA?)

Top left is Chipotle. Middle/middle looks like Little Caesar's to me - though I hadn't seen an announcement on that. Missing is Piada (www.mypiada.com)

I'd missed this announcement of Aloft at Chagrin Highlands... Will fit in nicely.. Aloft Hotel has finally gotten the green light for their plans to build in Beachwood. The Beachwood Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved preliminary site plans for a new 70,000-square-foot four-story hotel in the Chagrin Highlands http://beachwood.patch.com/articles/aloft-hotel-gets-green-light

The former Melange at La Place in Beachwood is becoming a one-off restaurant from the founder of Bravo/Brio... Chain fan or not - they'll surely know what they're doing... A local restaurant proprietor will add a new "simple, classic American grill" in Beachwood's La Place. The Cedar Creek Grille, owned by Lindey's Restaurant Group, will open by September, owner Rick Doody told the Planning & Zoning Commission at Thursday's meeting. http://beachwood.patch.com/articles/new-restaurant-coming-to-la-place

Here's hoping that the restaurant space noted at the corner of the parking garage ends up being the new Michael Symon-promised "smokehouse" restaurant... Or a downtown Melt... Also, listening to Gilbert now on WTAM podcast and he says the corner of the revamped Q/phase 2 casino could end up looking like Times Square (his words)

At Eton , Fee People opens Friday and Berger & Silver is closing at end of year or so says their )Does that reopen Tiffany discussion for that spot??) Also, am currently in Salt Lake City and their new downtown outdoor,residential and pedestrian dining and shopping "street," City Creek Center, has a retractable roof. If the Warehouse District mixed use ever gets back on drawing board, what a great 4 seasons idea...

The United Airlines "you have to fly us regularly if you want to keep your hub" pressure on us Cleveland is high right now - and the fares are showing it... CLE is #11 on this list. Our NYC fares are easily in that $450-$500 range a month or so out - and I recently check BOS flight 6-8 weeks out and the cheapeast non-stop was $1050 on any airline. I could go right down the road to Akron/Canton and it was $175 nonstop... If I wanted to drive a bit longer to PIT, it was $150. Airlines are crazy... We always felt for CVG due to Delta stronghold - but now we're feeling the $ pain exactly like CVG

A dumpster and workers were outside the former Melange location at La Place in Beachwood today... First activity I've seen since restaurant closed at end of year. The owners who closed it - and who'd let liquor license lapse - originally said they were going to think about a new spot - maybe diner-like. I certainly doubt it - hope it's either another operator - or retail (Hey Tiffany - think about the visibility of this location - perfect size!) - but will hopefully be fun to see... Goes unsaid, if anybody knows anything...

The Key tower is still one of the top 20 tallest buildings in the country. However, we need another building close to it/of competitive height to put it in perspective and give a denser look/feel to dowtown. A 50 story hotel (bottom 10-15 floors) and office (top 35-40 floor) combo on Public Square or mall would sure help...

with regards to WSM - I'm on the other side of fence.. I like the Farmer's Market LA, REading TErminal Mkt, etc.. I'd prefer more spots to actually eat - since there are already of dozens and dozens and dozens of places to buy raw/fresh... I think those places would only add character, for the better. This isn't 1912 anymore... If it means carving out a space and having some restauratns/counters, so be it..

Shame that Noodlecat has to reside in a space with one of those mandatory way-too-big refrigerated cases like every other food vendor at the WSM - rather than being allowed to create its own restaurant space, use it's own sign/logo, etc... That's one WSM issue I've got. Restaurants and other business should be allowed to add their own personality, counters, seating, etc.. that are more conducive to the type of business they do. They don't need huge display cases taking up space, making it hard to see over, order, etc... Reading Terminal Market in Philly gets it right...

Found an article about Charlotte getting Democratic convention this year - and DNC requirement was 15,000 rooms within 30 minutes of convention - and access to another 15,000 rooms. Growing area aside, Charlotte is considerably smaller than NEO... so they either have significantly more rooms per capita or CLE could play creatively and cobble together the # needed, too... (Add in Stark Tuscarawas, etc... - just an hour or so to downtown - and you've probably got another 3,000-5,000 rooms)

Went to Hodge's tonight... In short, no service issues and really, really good food all around - with lots of little twists to the food. Very pleasantly surprised... Can't wait to go back... Meals started with a quick amuse (loaded baked potato tater tots with chive sour cream dipping sauce...) - and the bread service is a nearly sugar cookie-like skillet cornbread... Wow! Ended with a memorably good "Fluffer Nutter" dessert - sort of a stuffed crunchy peanut butter & marshmallow French toast w/banana ice cream. In between were a meatabll appetizer, two uniqely tasty chopped salads (one entree, one side) and a good, if not very inspired, pork chop (which I would not get again...) Eager if not polished server - but surely competent. Several manager stops at table - with genuine, not fake, interaction. Only hitches were 3 - count 'em - 3 items they "86d" during our meal - a beer, an appetizer and a side.. - No fun when they run out of that many things you've ordered/want... Also, on this mostly full Saturday night, my wife and I were seated in what looks like an overflow room towards the Prospect side of restaurant (though it did have glass atrium ceiling that added some atmosphere). Felt a little dead until some more groups filled it. Ended up being OK - but was much more tame than the rest of restaurant - a bit dark - and would always request the main space or balcony overlooking bar when I go again. Note: $7 valet parking inches from their not-as-far-off-Euclid-as-I'd-feared front door... I'll use it next time...

Watch people complain that a citygarden CLE would block the view to the lake...

ClevelandFoodie posted a rumor in last week that FlipSide - the Hudson/Easton/FEB burger place - might be opening in the old Joey's space in Chagrin Falls... Don't know that space is the one (likely is... but there are no fewer than 5 prime spots open in downtown Chagrin all of a sudden) -- but found the incorporation docs online for Chagrin Falls FlipSide LLC - so appears it's happening. Good news for this guy who lives 2 blocks away... http://www2.sos.state.oh.us/pls/bsqry/f?p=100:7:375136667774151::NO:7:P7_CHARTER_NUM:2093600