Bites: Bon Bon Baking

And more local food news

by Douglas Trattner

 

A new bake shop to open at W.65th & Detroit behind Gypsy Coffee.

Sounds small but anything new over there is significant.

 

more at: http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/bites-bon-bon-baking/Content?oid=1716891

 

How GAY!  I love it! 

"Though Bonbon will maintain no regular business hours..."  Also, in comments from the owner, "Retail hours for walk-in customers will not be available till 2010..."

 

I take it she is opening with some ready-made clients?  Otherwise this could be a recipe for disaster, pardon the pun.  To open but not be open to the public, I'm not sure how this will work?

Because I think the business is primarily commercial.  It will just have a small retail presence... which I think is something all food based businesses should do.

There will be a private party opening at RJ Boland's tomorrow night, and I believe they intend to open to the public within a week.  Place was bustling with activity when I walked by today, looked like lots of training.  Place looks pretty decent inside too...

 

 

 

I walked by today.  It looks to be much more upscale than I had anticipated.  I was expecting another Winking Lizard/BW3, but this looks somewhat nicer.

Like I said I think this place is going to be really successful.  These guys really have their sh*t together.  They will also be opening a lounge type bar on the second floor... can't remember the name.  Also, they have worked out an agreement with the radisson and will be the official restaurant and lounge/bar of the hotel.  They have reopened some old connections between the two buildings.  That right there will generate instant business, and I would imagine give the radisson a competetive edge.

Like I said I think this place is going to be really successful.  These guys really have their sh*t together.  They will also be opening a lounge type bar on the second floor... can't remember the name.  Also, they have worked out an agreement with the radisson and will be the official restaurant and lounge/bar of the hotel.  They have reopened some old connections between the two buildings.  That right there will generate instant business, and I would imagine give the radisson a competetive edge.

 

Check their facebook page and website.  www.rjbolands.com

 

 

I walked by that party tonight.  Lots of white collars and crowded.  Melting ice sculpture of the "RJ" logo in the front window was a nice touch.  Looks very upscale.

The menu actually doesn't look as upscale as the decor from the street made me think it would be.  If the decor surprised me, the menu was what I was initially expecting.

Check their facebook page and website. www.rjbolands.com

 

Looks like Applebee's with more money put into the look of the menu than the items and preparations on it.  I would think it would compete with Cadillac Ranch.

The head chef was the executive chef at hyde park... i think it's a tad bit better than applebees.  Actually I know it is, i sampled food last night.  Just because the menu is "american fare", doesn't mean it isn't good.

I don't know how exclusive the event was because a bunch of my friends went there and were not on a guest list of any sort.

Also, they have worked out an agreement with the radisson and will be the official restaurant and lounge/bar of the hotel.  They have reopened some old connections between the two buildings.  That right there will generate instant business, and I would imagine give the radisson a competetive edge.

 

 

I hope this prompts Radisson to repair their facade lights which have been out of order for a long long time. When the facade was warmly lit, it created a whole different welcoming classy atmosphere there.

 

 

^  :? In what way does the Radisson fixing their lights have anything to do with the openings, closings & relocations of cleveland restaurants thread?

I don't know how exclusive the event was because a bunch of my friends went there and were not on a guest list of any sort.

 

It was on facebook, how "exclusive" could it be?  LOL

 

^  :? In what way does the Radisson fixing their lights have anything to do with the openings, closings & relocations of cleveland restaurants thread?

AMEN!

We tried La Boca last night.  I wasn't very impressed, it was just "ok."  The dining room had a nice atmosphere but our server was very mumbly and quiet.  We forgot to ask about the Restaurant Week prix fixe special and he didn't mention it spontaneously, even though we said we had never been there before.  We didn't remember until we heard another table asking about it as we were eating our entrees.

 

Started out with 2 glasses of red sangria, which was tasty but a very skimpy glass, especially since it was packed full of ice; I would say we got about 2-3 ounces of sangria.  We split the duck empanada as an app.  It came with 3 empanadas; they have 4 different varieties - seems it would be great to be able to try one of each in a 3 or 4 plate instead of being served 3 of the same, but that's just my idea.  The empanada was bland and the dough around it very thick and not flavorful. The cherry sauce served with it was very thin and did nothing to improve the empanada.  For entrees, I got flank steak which I know is a relatively tough cut of meat, but man, I spent most of my dinner chewing and chewing and chewing and chewing to try to break it down. This is a meat that is better served in strips and with other things to chew on as in fajitas or something than sliced and served as a "steak" preparation IMO.  It was flavorful though the sauce that came on it was thin and sparse - a lime/cilantro/garlic vinaigrette type sauce.  It came with manchego smashed potatoes and grilled carrots, both sides were good if a little on the small side, serving-wise, considering the price we paid for the entree (around $20).  mr. rockandroller got the lamb shank which was very gamey.  I like lamb if it's very mild but this wasn't so we did very little sharing.  It was served on a bed of lentils with figs and again, was really basic/plain tasting, as if there were no seasoning in the lentils or anything.  He left most of the lentils and figs.  We didn't bother with dessert.

 

Someone had been smoking in the women's bathroom, seemingly immediately prior to me going in, and it was a little, one-holer so with the door shut the smell was awful; no ventilation at all so it was not pleasant.

 

No managers seemed to be around, nobody came by to ask how we enjoyed everything or to make us feel welcome, which to me should be standard in a relatively new restaurant.  And I don't know what was with the server, he was so quiet and unenthusiastic it was like he was dead. We were very excited when we arrived as we love trying new places and he just dulled our enthusiasm with a quiet thud.  By the time we left we were subdued and tired.

 

I won't be rushing back.

I had a similar experience at La Boca.  It seemed surprisingly unsupervised for a brand-new restaurant.  We sat on the patio (obviously a few weeks ago) and there were dirty dishes stacked on the outside bar, tables that sat dirty for long stretches, and a general unprepared feeling that permeated the whole restaurant.  I thought the food was a little better than 'rockandroller' described it, but still pretty average and there seemed to be a lot of wasted potential on  a great spot and inventive concept.

^where is la boca?

It's on Detroit at W 58th (gordon square district).

^  :? In what way does the Radisson fixing their lights have anything to do with the openings, closings & relocations of cleveland restaurants thread?

 

 

In what way do baiting comments have anything to do with openings and closings either? Or, do we need to start a separate thread for even the slightest associated comments?

 

Actually, if one thinks deeper than the coffee cup...it can have a lot to do with it. When one place opens up and infuses new spark on the block and is a respectable place, sometimes it may influence/inspire others to get their act together. The fact that you pose such a question only reaffirms my evaluation that much of downtown falls short in grasping basic storefront pride/maintenance philosophies.

 

If you don't like the comment, simply move on.

Okay everyone...let's back it off a bit, be civil and make sure our posts relate to the thread...or at least more fully explain why.

Just noticed the name of the next new place going into the arcade foodcourt.  "Crepe's Deluxe".

 

shu know... crepes. shey are like a very shin poncake.  :)

Magnifique!

Zat is, ow do you say, zee same place as in l'ouest-side market

'Hell's Kitchen' chefs to cook at Cleveland's AMP 150 for grand opening: Restaurant Row

By Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer

 

If you're already planning your Thanksgiving weekend itinerary, Michael Symon will sign copies of his book "Live to Cook" starting at noon Saturday, Nov. 28, at the new Strongsville Costco store, 16690 Royalton Road. Also, Symon's latest restaurant, The B Spot, is slated to open Monday, Nov. 23, at Eton Chagrin Boulevard in Woodmere.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2009/11/hells_kitchen_chefs_to_cook_at.html

 

I emailed Dante B. 10 days ago for the latest info on is restaurant plans.  Response was:

 

The DANTE restaurant will open around December 1, hopefully sooner.

Ginko should open this spring.  It is located in the basement of Dante with a separate entrance.

 

 

So, sounds like Dante will be up and running soon and, fingers crossed, Ginko is only a few months away too.  I am really intrigued by Ginko.

I emailed Dante B. 10 days ago for the latest info on is restaurant plans.  Response was:

 

The DANTE restaurant will open around December 1, hopefully sooner.

Ginko should open this spring.  It is located in the basement of Dante with a separate entrance.

 

 

So, sounds like Dante will be up and running soon and, fingers crossed, Ginko is only a few months away too.  I am really intrigued by Ginko.

 

Ginko, sounds like a bodily function.  MayDay, make sure to ginko before leaving the house!

^...or it's a well known tree of Asian origin now commonly found throughout the US...

^...or it's a well known tree of Asian origin now commonly found throughout the US...

 

I know, i'm just being a smartypants!

^Is Ginko going to be a bar of sorts?

^Per www.danteboccuzzi.com, it will be "modern Japanese cuisine."  Which is A-OK with me.  Next up is some Indian food on the near west side.

 

Unrelated note, but has anyone tried Crostatas, the verro-Neapolitan pizza place in Highland Heights written up in Scene recently?

 

^Yes, I've been there a couple times...near some of my family members' digs.

This may not be easy for west siders to get to, but for those of you in Cleve Hts or Shaker or other east side communities...it's within reasonable distance. It's so good, I'd drive cross-town anyway.

GREAT pizza, authentic italian pizza.

Owned by the Quagliatas.

 

http://www.crostatas.com/

 

 

 

^Sweet, thanks!  I just checked out the menu.  Something depressing about a restaurateur having to translate "gelato".  I hope that's not indicative of the sophistication of the customer base.

Not a place for pepperoni pizza lovers.....  In fact they don't make pizza's with pepperoni since apparently it is not italian...  You can get sausage. 

 

For those who can appreciate real Italian pizza.

^Sweet, thanks!  I just checked out the menu.  Something depressing about a restaurateur having to translate "gelato".  I hope that's not indicative of the sophistication of the customer base.

 

Why is it depressing?  All of their menu items have English descriptions below them.

^You're right, but they don't explain what "pizze" and "rissotto" are in English (they just use the words or describe the dishes).  I had thought "gelato" was in that category now too.  And explaining that "gelato" is "Italian ice cream" is about has helpful as telling me that the soup du jour is the soup of the day.  At least tell me it's a rotating selection of flavors or something; or if it isn't (shame on them), tell me what they are.  Petty of me?  You betcha!  But man their pizza looks awesome and fills a big gap in the local Italian scene.  Tons of other good stuff on the menu too- burrata?  Awesome.

 

I also had lunch at L'Albatros that weekend (first visit) and loved it.  My dish wasn't A+, but was very good, and the atmosphere and design were great. What an awesome addition to the UC dining scene.  Can't wait to be back in season for the terrace.

Petty of me? You betcha!

 

Fair enough.  As long as we agree.

^Completely.  And I didn't even moan about their hideously cheesy building or sprawly location.

 

Has anyone tried the pizza at the gelato place on Cedar Hill?  I had their gelato for the first time and was impressed.  I watched the guys there cook a pizza in their oven and it looked pretty good.  But beers at Night Town awaited.  Forgot how great that place is.

I try very hard to love Nightown although I usually find it hit-or-miss in terms of both food and service.  However, I still find myself going back because of the great music.  I will say that when Nighttown is on it is exceptional and is very hard to beat.

 

As for the gelato place on the top of Cedar Hill, I can't help but stop in for their grapefruit gelato whenever I go past.  It is also the same as the gelato place at Legacy...

^I don't think I've eaten at Nightown for a long time, and don't remember being impressed that last time, so I believe you.  But as a place to kill an hour with a couple pints?  I couldn't have been happier than I was in their front bar.  By the time I left at 7:15pm or so, the whole restaurant was packed.  Based on some other observations too, the Cleveland Heights dining scene seems to be holding up very well.

^...or it's a well known tree of Asian origin now commonly found throughout the US...

 

I know, i'm just being a smartypants!

 

oh no not ginko. sound like a great idea and i'm sure it will be quality with dante behind it but unfortunately there is a downside to using that moniker for restaurant ---> if you've ever walked by a row of ginko trees, they stink to high heaven. true!

Little Polish Diner offers taste of the old country in Parma

By Bob Sandrick, Parma Sun Post

November 15, 2009, 9:38AM

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/parmasunpost/2009/11/little_polish_diner_offers_tas.html

 

Summary: This is a nice story from the Parma Sun Post about the Little Polish Diner on Ridge and Snow Roads in Parma.  It's a great little place, and the owner lives in Old Brooklyn!

I heard about this place a few months back and was very excited.  We've tried it 4 times now and most of the food is unfortunately pretty mediocre.  The cabbage and noodles is the best dish they make and it's only available on fridays.  The mashed potatoes are extremely bland, their smoked sausage/kielbasa is too strongly "smoked" flavored, the pork chops are very bland and I thought the chicken paprikash was really bad.  The piergogies were decent, but way too doughy.  It's really disappointing as I love supporting little hole in the wall spots but we've tried so many things there now and had too many "misses."  If that's "just like Mom used to make," I'm glad I was lucky enough to have a Mom who was a better than average cook.

^ I had pierogies once or twice and thought they were good, but not as good as Sokolowski's.  I would go back and try other non-meat things on the menu.

^ I had pierogies once or twice and thought they were good, but not as good as Sokolowski's.  I would go back and try other non-meat things on the menu.

 

Well R&R doesnt like Sokolowski's either. :-D

true dat.  Although their pierogies would be good if they weren't swimming in cheap "fake" butter. :)

mmm, crepes.

 

"At his poplar West Side Market stand, Bob Holcepl sells made-to-order crepes that are served "street-style," folded into cone-shape wedges for eating on the go. Holcepl, who also owns City Roast and Civilization, is preparing to open his second Crepes De Luxe later this year. Nombre deux will be located in the food court of the Old Arcade. Like the original, it will serve both sweet and savory crepes for breakfast, lunch or snacks. Unlike the original, this location will also serve coffee, croissants, salads and baguette sandwiches."

 

Excerpted from this week's Scene dining page:

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/bites-turners-mill/Content?oid=1746674

 

The Old Arcade is putting together an interesting lineup of better-than-fastfood stalls.  I can't wait to see it when they are all open.

I asked the lady doing some prep work at Chili Peppers on Tuesdaywhen they were going to open and she said next week.  So hopefully we'll be able to get our downtown burrito/Chipotle substitute when Monday comes around.

The Old Arcade is putting together an interesting lineup of better-than-fastfood stalls. I can't wait to see it when they are all open.

 

I'm glad they're doing something to differentiate themselves from any ol' mall foodcourt. An exception space deserves exceptional tenants.

I try very hard to love Nightown although I usually find it hit-or-miss in terms of both food and service. However, I still find myself going back because of the great music. I will say that when Nighttown is on it is exceptional and is very hard to beat.

 

As for the gelato place on the top of Cedar Hill, I can't help but stop in for their grapefruit gelato whenever I go past. It is also the same as the gelato place at Legacy...

 

I'm with you. I love the atmosphere there, and the music. I have a friend who is a die hard Nighttown fan, so I end up going there whenever we get together. But I've eaten dinner there twice, and both times I was paid a visit by 'la cucaracha'. I'm going to pass on the dining going forward.