I noticed Sean's Place (previously Metro Joe's) and the ice cream shop next to it in the Edgewater neighborhood on Clifton have both closed.  Hope something goes in there soon.  It seems like it would be a good location, not sure why nothing seems to last there...

From the Gloria Ferris blog (yes, I'm trolling the blogoshere tonight):

 

http://www.gloriaferris.net/2007/07/heres-hoping-third-times-the-charm/

 

Here’s Hoping Third Time’s The Charm

 

I stopped in to see Sherry Perry at The Ugly Broad yesterday, and she gave me a menu for a new restaurant over on Memphis Avenue. She told me that two of her friends had opened the Memphis Eatery in the old Taco Bell at 6212 Memphis Avenue. After Taco Bell moved up the street, a “Dogs & Taters” place went in there, but it didn’t make it. Then “83 Degrees” moved in and although it was different and had a good menu it didn’t make it either. The restaurant business is tough to say the least.

 

But, Michelle and Tina have decided to take the plunge. Both worked for Nick at the “Expressway Diner” so they certainly have some good experience under their belts. And as any good restaurateur will tell you “competition is a good thing in the restaurant business because no one eats at the same place EVERY day!” So here’s hoping that the third time will be the charm for this location and the gals are successful. Patrons will help that happen so here is my take on it.

 

I looked at the menu and saw that it was my kind of place. For breakfast, there is a country section that has Biscuits and Gravy, Eggs Benedict and an “everything omelet” plus a whole lot more, but this is MY blog and I am talking about MY favorites here. On the lunch side, the gals have open faced sandwiches including the usual roast beef and turkey but also meatloaf and sirloin steak. All the sandwiches are served WITH french fries. It isn’t totally a la carte which adds to the price so it is affordable. Nothing is over $7.00 and the average price seems to run between $4 and $5.

 

Sherry tells me that Tina is the chef and Sherry runs the front so it appears they have decided on division of labor which is a good thing. Now, Tim and I need to try it out and see if the food is as good as it looks on paper. Our only argument will be that I won’t want to get there right at 6:30 a.m. when they open. Tim loves 24 hour places and early in the morning venues. Me I am more of a late lunch person. We will work it out though, and try out this new place in the neighborhood.

 

Here are the vitals if you want to try it out too.

 

Memphis Eatery

6212 Memphis Avenue

Telephone 216-398-8890

Hours: 6:30 a..m. to 2:30 p.m.

Has Truffles gone out of business?  When I passed by last night, the place was totally closed up and it wasn't even 9:00 pm yet, they are usually open until at least 10:00 aren't they?  There was a white paper on the door that simply said "Closed". 

Has Truffles gone out of business?  When I passed by last night, the place was totally closed up and it wasn't even 9:00 pm yet, they are usually open until at least 10:00 aren't they?  There was a white paper on the door that simply said "Closed". 

 

Sorry, I was there earlier in the evening and had the munchies BIG TIME!

 

(In reality, I do not know the answer)

Has Truffles gone out of business?  When I passed by last night, the place was totally closed up and it wasn't even 9:00 pm yet, they are usually open until at least 10:00 aren't they?  There was a white paper on the door that simply said "Closed". 

 

They better not be moving to Westgate, too!  :whip:

what is the new name of the restaurant that used to be Le Oui Oui Cafe in Ohio city?  Is there a web site?  Phone number?

 

Thanks!

It is the Triangle Cafe. 

It looks like Jonathan Sawyer won't be opening that gastropub right away...but this sounds good too:

 

Acclaimed local chef Jonathon Sawyer has pushed off plans for his Gastropub for the time being. Instead, he has partnered with Sam McNulty of McNulty's Bier Markt in Bar Cento, a Roman-style Enoteca (wine house), to open in early October next to the Bier Markt in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood. Bar Cento will feature "cento vini" (100 wines) and brick-oven-style modern and traditional pizzas staring at $8. . . .

 

 

Nice, I don't drink, but its a nice Mid price place that adds to the character of the busy hood.

P.J. McIntyres will open soon in the Westpark nabe. This little stretch of Lorain is very pubcrawlable.

bar CENTO ....  an Enoteca (wine bar) featuring "cento vini" (hundred wines)  will specialize in brick-oven traditional and modern style pizzas, Italian cuisine, and a Belgian pub menu to complement the Bier Markt beer portfolio.

 

Chef Jonathan Sawyer, formerly head chef of Michael Symon's Lolita in Tremont, and most recently head chef at Symon's Parea in Manhattan, will be bringing his talents to bar CENTO and the Bier Markt.

 

Look for an official announcement in the press soon........

 

get ready to get your italian wine bar on cleveland!

 

although i dk about that particular site, isnt it close to the market wine bar?

 

 

PD-Restaurant Row 8/15/2007:

 

Acclaimed local chef Jonathon Sawyer has pushed off plans for his Gastropub for the time being. Instead, he has partnered with Sam McNulty of McNulty's Bier Markt in Bar Cento, a Roman-style Enoteca (wine house), to open in early October next to the Bier Markt in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood. Bar Cento will feature "cento vini" (100 wines) and brick-oven-style modern and traditional pizzas staring at $8. . . .

 

From the Bier Markt email dist list:

 

bar CENTO .... an Enoteca (wine bar) featuring "cento vini" (hundred wines) will specialize in brick-oven traditional and modern style pizzas, Italian cuisine, and a Belgian pub menu to complement the Bier Markt beer portfolio.

 

Chef Jonathan Sawyer, formerly head chef of Michael Symon's Lolita in Tremont, and most recently head chef at Symon's Parea in Manhattan, will be bringing his talents to bar CENTO and the Bier Markt.

 

 

"although i dk about that particular site, isnt it close to the market wine bar?"

 

Rumor has it that once the Market Ave. wine bar lease is up, GLBC will be taking over their space.

^yep, i've heard the same thing.

 

As far as GLBC goes, its great to hear that they will be brewing 24hrs a day. They are looking to hire 2nd and 3rd shift workers.

NO TRUFFLES, EITHER: (from clevescene.com)

 

Speaking of landmarks, TRUFFLES PASTRY SHOP, a mainstay in the West Side's historic Edgewater/Clifton neighborhood for almost 25 years, shuttered abruptly on July 31.  Owner DAN SHEPPARD isn't returning e-mails, but we understand conflicts with his landlord and concerns about increasing crime may have led to his decision to close.  With Truffles shuttered, only Sheppard's beloved sidewalk flower garden remains.  "There's nothing left but the sunflowers," said one disappointed visitor.

^^ I'd like to hear more about the crime issues he's talking about....

I know it was loved by many people, and they had a great patio but... sorry, the times I tried their pastries they were often dried out. That and it wasn't well ventilated back in the pre-smoking ban days. 

A new concert club opened off of Public Square, in the old Illuminating Co. building.  It is named "The Underground".  I don't know anything else about it yet.

is that near the old stone church?

Yes - down the alley.

Kind of an upscale hard rock/nu metal/indie thing... at least from I saw on there schedule last week.

It looks nice inside.

Interesting addition to Playhouse Sq....from Scene C-Notes

 

 

 

It will be good to see the house lights back on in the former Gene Hickerson’s restaurant in the Hanna Building this November, when restaurateur David Glenny launches an outpost of his Akron showpiece, Bricco, on Playhouse Square.

 

At 7,500-square-feet, the newly renovated space will include a 200-seat dining room, a spacious bar and lounge area, and what Glenny hopes will be a casually upscale vibe, complete with bright colors and a plenty of energy. Lunch, dinner, and late-night service are in the plans, although the exact hours of operation haven’t yet been cast.

 

Look for Chris McCarthy, who currently shares top-toque duties at the Akron Bricco, to assume the role of executive chef; the part of GM will go to David Kaminski, a long-time cast member of Hospitality Restaurants, owners of Delmonico’s Steakhouse and Blue Point Grille, among other spots.

 

As with the Akron original, the new Playhouse Square Bricco will star a moderately priced menu of “phunky,” loaded pizzas (like the blackened chicken version, decked out in Chihuahua cheese, chipotle-chorizo bean dip, roasted tomatoes, red peppers, scallions, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses and a topping of tortilla strips, $13) and gussied up pastas (like penne with banana peppers, Italian sausage, and sundried toms in pesto cream sauce, $14). You can preview the entire menu here.

 

Just across the street from the theaters, at 1438 Euclid Avenue, the high-visibility space has been home to numerous restaurants and performance companies over its 90-year history, including pro-football Hall of Famer Gene Hickerson’s upscale eatery, which shuttered in 2002, and Boukairs, a 1960s staple for pre- and post-theater grub. Anyone else who still dreams about the Chic of Araby or the Harem Share’m, drop me a line

 

more playhouse square news

 

from coffee to hookahs and back to coffee......  this one looks like it could be solid

 

via brewedfreshdaily.....

 

http://mokocoffee.typepad.com/moko_coffee/2007/08/allow-us-to-int.html

I went to Bar 2 in Lakewood last night for the first time where Niko's used to be. Its a pretty nice addition to the Lakewood bar scene. Me and my friends from out of town had a great time there.

We tried to go to Machu Picchu before the Tribe game Monday and it was dark - no sign or anything (except one touting their happy hour Monday-Thursday).  Hope the place hasn't shut down...

It was open just a few days before that.  Many restaurants aren't open on Mondays, as they tend to be the slowest day for restaurants.

According to their website, Machu Picchu is open for lunch Monday through Friday, and happy hour/dinner Wednesday through Saturday only.  www.machupicchucleveland.com

Hit Zocalo tonight and was a bit disappointed with the steak burrito. Might just need to search the menu more. The place looked fantastic though.

We tried to go to Machu Picchu before the Tribe game Monday and it was dark - no sign or anything (except one touting their happy hour Monday-Thursday).  Hope the place hasn't shut down...

 

I went there with some friends last week for lunch. I have to tell you, I was not impressed. The food was fair and I thought the prices for lunch were high.

 

Chagrin Herald Sun:

 

Good-bye, Hyde Park

Posted by Kim Wendel August 24, 2007 11:09AM

Categories: Breaking News

MORELAND HILLS -- Crews started work at mid-morning today (Aug. 24) to raze the former Hyde Park Chop House at the corner of SOM Center Road and Chagrin Boulevard. Resident/developer Jerry Severin owns the building, along with the adjacent former Ward's Inn and the Western Reserve Wine shop. Severin will also demolish the Ward's Inn and wine shop buildings next month and re-develop the entire corner as Moreland Town Center, a multi-million dollar retail/restaurant center. Severin will bring development plans for Moreland Town Center to the Planning and Zoning Commission at 5 p.m. Monday (Aug. 27).

 

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/chagrinheraldsun/2007/08/goodbye_hyde_park.html

We tried to go to Machu Picchu before the Tribe game Monday and it was dark - no sign or anything (except one touting their happy hour Monday-Thursday).  Hope the place hasn't shut down...

 

I went there with some friends last week for lunch. I have to tell you, I was not impressed. The food was fair and I thought the prices for lunch were high.

 

stick with appetizers. esp the one that is fried potato with meat on the inside. I think we made a thread for the place with detailed menu reviews. I have not been in a looong time. I think it is out of my usual "zone"

I've only eaten there once, but I had the rice with mixed seafood and found it very good for a reasonable price.

That's what I had. It was good, but I think it was overpriced and too much food for lunch. I cleared my plate (like a good Italian boy) and promptly wanted to take a nap.

pd:

 

Electrical fire closes Flat Iron Café in Flats

Flats landmark sustains $75,000 damage

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Leila Atassi

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

The upper floor of the historic Flat Iron Café caught fire Monday afternoon, causing smoke and water damage throughout and closing the bar indefinitely.

 

The Flat Iron, on the east bank of the Flats, first opened as a bar in 1910.

More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

I never knew this used to have four stories - interesting.

 

 

NewsNet 5:

 

Fire Does Extensive Damage To Flats Restaurant

 

POSTED: 7:36 am EDT September 4, 2007

 

[NEWSVINE: Fire Does Extensive Damage To Flats Restaurant] [

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland fire investigators are looking into a blaze at the Flat Iron Cafe.

 

The fire broke out at the Center Street building in the Flats at about 12:30 p.m. Monday and caused extensive damage, NewsChannel5 reported.

 

No one was injured in the fire. It is under investigation.

 

The Flat Iron Cafe was established in 1910, serving the Irish community of Cleveland. The building, which was formally a four-story hotel, had a fire in the late 1800s in which the top two floors were destroyed, leaving the building at its current two levels.

this was terrible news, but I am told they will be on the mend quickly. sounds like the building is a little flamable, but after a 100 years I guess a couple fires is not unheard of.

How has business been lately?  I used to barback there in.....1993? and it was very busy most nights.  Then once the street was reconfigured, it lost a TON of business and was sold to the current owners

it is is stready, but generally not super  busy. It does get a lot people wanting shuttle service to the games (and they eat and drink before hand). If course st pats day has to pay the rent for month...interesting about the street. What was it like before?

Merwin Avenue, the street it is on, use to connect directly to Old River Road. This took you all the way to Fagans (before that part was one way).

^^if you were coming down St. Clair hill and wanted to get across the river via the swing bridge,  you would drive right in front of the place.  I am guessing a lot of Irish westsiders decided they had drove far enough for that leg of the journey when they would see the Flat Iron sign :)

There are photos on WTAM.

Looks like it is mostly water damage.

http://www.wtam.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=122520&article=2595123

i drove by it today, the exterior doesnt look bad and definately not like that building on W25th

I drove south on West 25th last night.  Is the place called "Near West Coffee and Tea" new?  What is it? Have I simply missed it in the past?

been there as long as I've been back in town (2+ years).  I went once and don't plan on going back.  That's all I have to say about it!

Near West Coffee and Tea is owned and operated by the the same folks that own Near West Wood Works  which provides a place for the mentally ill to move back into the mainstream.

http://www.wcpn.org/specials/mentalhealth/features/0429woodworks.html

 

That being said, I would have to agree with MapBoy, their hot brewed beverages are nothing great, BUT they do have wonderfully rich and sweet toddy, which is liquid gold on a day like today.  Also, lots of local art on the walls.

Wow, I just never saw that before!  I had seen the Wood Works though.  Thanks!

Got takeout from Anatolia Cafe the other day... Owner mentioned that they'd be in their new location on Lee road "by the end of the year, probably November," and then added, "never put a date on anything!" (the original signs announcing the move say Sept 2007).  Noticed the other day that the new location now has construction fencing around it (not world class, but it'll have to do...)  Didn't look like any real work had started, but at least it looked like they were getting closer.

Where on Lee are they going?

I always check out Bill Lubinger in my Wednesday PD for goodies like this.  Although, I think they've seriously messed up the title:

 

RESTAURANT ROW

Budapest Blonde owner turns to Blue for new venture on East Fourth

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Bill Lubinger

Plain Dealer Columnist

Ilona Simon is mixing blue with her blond.

 

The owner of Budapest Blonde, a European-style martini and wine bar in Independence, bought the closed Halite restaurant in Ohio City from partners Jack Anfang and Ricardo Sandoval, who also own Fat Cats in Tremont and other popular destinations.

 

She's turning the space into Budapest Blue, an after-work night spot designed in seven shades of blue, with domestic and imported beers, martinis and wine to wash down traditional bar fare.

 

More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

 

Where on Lee are they going?

cedar lee area. across the street from the stone oven.

in the old nearly new shop space?  i noticed that was all torn up yesterday.