It's hard to open a restaurant, there are lots of little setbacks that can put you behind schedule; delivery of things, stuff being promised to be finished inside that's not finished, getting the liquor license, finding, hiring and training of staff, all kinds of stuff. That being said, I'm starting to think I'll probably never set foot in Melt again as it's just too busy for my taste. I will not wait 2 hours to eat anywhere in Cleveland.

 

I've been there twice and both times I've gotten the food to go.

 

The last time I called to try to get takeout, I was told it would be 1.5 hours.  For takeout.

When I drove by the new CH location last week they were installing huge new plate glass windows (in a snow store), so work is progressing.  You can almost be sure that when performing the buildout of a restaurant there will be construction delays.

It's hard to open a restaurant, there are lots of little setbacks that can put you behind schedule; delivery of things, stuff being promised to be finished inside that's not finished, getting the liquor license, finding, hiring and training of staff, all kinds of stuff.  That being said, I'm starting to think I'll probably never set foot in Melt again as it's just too busy for my taste.  I will not wait 2 hours to eat anywhere in Cleveland.

 

I've been there twice and both times I've gotten the food to go.

 

The last time I called to try to get takeout, I was told it would be 1.5 hours.  For takeout.

 

Oh wow! Both times for us it was 30-40 minutes. By the time we walked to our car and drove from downtown to Melt, it was ready. But and hour and a half for takeout is ridiculous. I'd imagine the east side location is going to be just as busy as well.

I suppose it depends on when you call.  Maybe if I called 1 minute after they opened, for example.  I dunno, I love the concept and have loved all my meals there, but too many sour notes around wait times, either for a table or my meal, keep me away.  I know several others who have quit going there for this reason as well, but as they drop off, new fans emerge so business keeps up.  I would think that eventually, if they don't solve the problem, the customer base will drop off because everyone will be hip to the waiting. 

 

I'm sure the E side location will be bigger and maybe eventually, after the newness dies down, will be able to handle things at a more normal restaurant pace.

One thing I've noticed about this thread: UOer's hate it when a restaurant is busy and open AND when it's slow and closed. 

One thing I've noticed about this thread: UOer's hate it when a restaurant is busy and open AND when it's slow and closed.

 

Either way-- no soup for you!

LOL.  I actually like a busy restaurant, I like the vibe and noise. But there is an expectation of what is a reasonable amount of time to wait for a seat and a meal, and then what's considered by most to be unreasonable.  I'll admit that I don't have the same standard as many Clevelanders on the wait time, considering hoards of folks can be seen waiting 1-2 hours to eat at the O.G. or Cheesecake Factory or Longhorn every weekend.

I hate the noise, excessive, that is....... Bad for the digestion and I see no way how it is supposed to enhance my meal. There is a such thing as subtle background noise, but when it is full on and in your face...one cannot diferentiate  between a night club/bar and a restaurant. Too many restaurants have hopped on this "let's blare the music" agenda under some kind of unproven idea that it will help their business more quickly turnaround. It just makes me turn around.....and never come back.  It is not even tasteful background ambiance...it is loud and in-your-face and obnoxious! No one asks for it and I would bet that I can find many more people who turned around and walked out of a place because it was too noisy...than those who turned around and left because it wasn't noisy enough. Few are exposed anymore to what is a classy, semi quiet and quality dinner anymore...where you can actually engage in conversation with your company without shouting, and the meal speaks for itself and does all the selling needed. A place can be busy, but it doesn't have to sound like an open Italian fish market with people screaming over the noise levels. What is a joke is when thumping music is playing in a place already loud with conversation---and the room's acoustics make it to where the music sounds like nothing but thumping. Who needs that? I find it quite disturbing that so many seem to be addicted to it and know nothing else. God I miss Top O' The Town!

Perhaps we should start a thread about likes and dislikes regarding restaurants in the urban bar section.  Lets keep this one dedicated to news and info.

Hey CD-Cleve and anyone who didnt get to see the MELT episode on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, here is the episode courtesy of Youtube (just posted tonight)!

 

If you join Melt's Facebook page, they will give you updates on these things.....

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TtkfwFders

^ Thank you, willyboy! :)

L'Ablatros is offering wine classes. Five 2-hour sessions for $150.

 

"Series fee is $150 which includes the two hour classes, flights of wine from each region, hors d’oeuvres and study material."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2010/02/lalbatros_in_clevelands_univer.html

Bac in Tremont looks to be open, according to this blog review.

---

 

http://www.organicmechanic.org/2010/02/b%E1%BA%AFc-restaurant-review/

 

Bằc — Restaurant Review

 

This was the open­ing week­end for the epony­mous Bằc, the new Asian food place in Tremont. I’d spent most of the day yes­ter­day tramp­ing around Cleve­land in the snow, so it was a wel­come change of pace to spend some time in a warm room with great atmos­phere and cute wait staff. The change in the space from what used to be La Tor­tilla Feliz is remark­able. Gone is the yellow-orange paint, and the stuc­coed walls are now a sooth­ing green. All of the decor was picked by some­body (I’m assum­ing Bằc him­self) who under­stands that classy looks, com­fort, and util­ity do all go together.

 

When I met Bằc at the Vel­vet Tango Room a few months ago, he said that his goal was to cre­ate a place where you can get an appe­tizer, a drink and a din­ner for around $20. He did a good job. The menu is struc­tured in such a way that you’ve got an array of options that meets this goal, and an equal array for a diner who wants to shell out a bit more. There’s even a cus­tom cock­tail menu (most run around $7), and $2 PBR’s that are $1.50 dur­ing happy hour.

 

I wanted to get every­thing on the menu, but whit­tled it down to the Banh Mi sand­wich ($8) or the pad thai ($11). The Banh Mi sand­wich sounds deli­cious, so I’ll get that next time I go there. I got the pad thai, “family-hot”, and since Bằc’s fam­ily is in the kitchen mak­ing the food, this was hot. Also, since Bằc’s fam­ily is in the kitchen, the hot­ness was such that it enhanced rather than over­pow­ered the fla­vor of the pad thai. The spring roll appe­tizer ($5) was also amaz­ing. Fried just enough, but not greasy, the inter­nal bits were chopped finely enough that you didn’t pull them all out when you took a bite, and the roll had enough ten­sile strength that it didn’t dis­in­te­grate once one end was bit­ten off.

 

Look, I can’t empha­size enough that Bằc’s fam­ily is in the kitchen mak­ing the food. So we’re talk­ing generations-old fam­ily recipes here.

 

Since today is Chi­nese New Year, we were even served com­pli­men­tary coconut jien duy (a sesame seed dumpling) after dinner.

 

Bằc hits all of the restau­rant sweet spots. Go there.

 

^This place sounds very promising.  Any other reviews from UOers would be most appreciated!

I was just in my car and heard a very good story about Cleveland restaurants on an NPR show produced here in LA called Marketplace.  It was on Pasadena pub radio station KPCC.  I'm assuming one of the public radio stations in Cleveland carries the show as well.  I vaguely remember hearing on UO about a similar, perhaps the same, segment a month or two ago.  Perhaps it was a rebroadcast, but it was great to hear while I was stuck in traffic.  Interviews with Bruell and Dante and a few mentions of Symon.

I went to Bẳc last night around 9.  While they are not yet open for lunch, the kitchen will usually remain open until at least midnight every night of week except Sundays (closed all day).

 

It was very impressive, especially for only the fourth day being open. The menu is more extensive than I thought it was going to be based on my conversation with Bẳc himself early last year, and all of the menu items are very reasonably priced.  The decor is very comfortable; upon entering, there is a well-stocked bar with high-tops, and around the corner is the main dining room.  Bẳc's intention was for the bar area to be competitive with other drinking establishments throughout Tremont and Ohio City, and I think he hit that mark.  I could easily see myself there to watch a Cavs game with a Dortmunder in one hand and a spring roll in the other.

 

I had the aforementioned spring rolls, and I can second Organic Mechanic's review.  They were outstanding.  I wish that the nước chấm (fish sauce-based dipping sauce) was spicier, but you can always add more heat. I also had the bánh xèo (Vietnamese crepes with shrimp and pork).  This was also splendid with the right amount of crispiness.  It's listed as an appetizer (for $7, I think), but it could easily stand on its own as an entree, albeit one that you should have with another appetizer.

 

Between the two appetizers (which together made an entire meal) and two Dorts on tap, my pre-tip bill was $21.

 

Go there.  You won't be sorry at all.  I'm planning on being there to watch Cavs games for my beer and banh mi fix.

^Excellent, thank you.  I like your idea of treating it like a Vietnamese sports bar...much better than typical pub grub, IMHO.

new fastfood mexican on CSU Campus.  "Pedro Pedro" on Euclid Ave, in front of Comfort Inn.  Saw it last night.  Anyone have any info?

new fastfood mexican on CSU Campus. "Pedro Pedro" on Euclid Ave, in front of Comfort Inn. Saw it last night. Anyone have any info?

 

Stopped in and got a menu Monday afternoon - $5 burrito specials first few weeks. 

new fastfood mexican on CSU Campus.  "Pedro Pedro" on Euclid Ave, in front of Comfort Inn.  Saw it last night.  Anyone have any info?

 

 

Stopped in and got a menu Monday afternoon - $5 burrito specials first few weeks. 

 

 

Any insight into their hours?

new fastfood mexican on CSU Campus. "Pedro Pedro" on Euclid Ave, in front of Comfort Inn. Saw it last night. Anyone have any info?

 

 

Stopped in and got a menu Monday afternoon - $5 burrito specials first few weeks.

 

 

Any insight into their hours?

 

I do not. I should be walking by there tonight and will post the hours if i do.

Got lunch there today.  It's similar to a Chipolte, but less expensive.  They have a half order with chips, salsa and pop for $5.  It was enough for me.

 

They say they will open at 10:30AM during the week and close at 10:00PM.  They will be open on the weekends, but not sure yet what their hours will be.

 

I'll be back!!!

Got lunch there today. It's similar to a Chipolte, but less expensive. They have a half order with chips, salsa and pop for $5. It was enough for me.

 

They say they will open at 10:30AM during the week and close at 10:00PM. They will be open on the weekends, but not sure yet what their hours will be.

 

I'll be back!!!

 

I'll have to try it!

Continue this thread?  Why not.

 

Four Cleveland chefs are semifinalists for James Beard Foundation awards

By Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer

 

 

Cleveland's growing profile on the nation's culinary scene received a boost Thursday, Feb. 18. Four of the city's chefs are among the semifinalists for honors in the prestigious 2010 James Beard Foundation Chefs and Restaurants Awards.

 

 

Last year, that prize went to "Iron Chef" Michael Symon for his work as chef-owner of Lola Bistro on East Fourth Street downtown.

 

 

The awards will be presented to the winners Monday, May 3, in New York City.

 

MORE AT http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2010/02/four_cleveland_chefs_are_semif.html

Are any other chef's in Ohio up for Beard awards?  Anyone from Columbus or Cincinnati?

From the PD article:

 

"Columbus matched Cleveland for the number of nominees in the Great Lakes category. Chefs Kent Rigsby of Rigsby's Kitchen and Magdiale Wolmark of Dragon Fly Organic Neo-V Cuisine each were named as semifinalists."

 

not sure about Cincy

But didnt Cleveland have 4 nominees?

Wow, from the PD article, I had no idea Andrew Carmellini (NY chef also nominated) was from NEO. I may have to employ telepathy to get him to pull a Dante B. and open a place in his native city.

Wow, from the PD article, I had no idea Andrew Carmellini (NY chef also nominated) was from NEO. I may have to employ telepathy to get him to pull a Dante B. and open a place in his native city.

 

Funny because Carmellini's (Locanda Verde) pastry chef Karen DeMasc, is also from Cleveland. 

 

Also, according to Dante, Carmellini (who Dante has worked with) was scoping out Cleveland for a possible spot when the opportunity to work for Robert Deniro came along. 

But didnt Cleveland have 4 nominees?

 

4 total: 1 Rising Star (Sawyer), 1 Pastry (Barrett), and 2 GL Region (Bruell and Williams)

 

Columbus also had 2 in the GL Region

 

Funny because Carmellini's (Locanda Verde) pastry chef Karen DeMasc, is also from Cleveland.

 

Also, according to Dante, Carmellini (who Dante has worked with) was scoping out Cleveland for a possible spot when the opportunity to work for Robert Deniro came along.

 

Wow, thanks for the info!  Looks like Karen Demasco won her own Beard award in 2005.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/books/index.ssf/2010/02/shaker_native_karen_demasco_fi.html

 

 

After being really excited about Bac, I went last weekend and thought it was okay.

 

The interior is nice in somewhat of a minimalist kind of way, and the space has come a long way from the days of La Tortilla Feliz.  The wait staff was very friendly, but was a bit pushy when my friend and I were finishing eating.  I thought it was nice that one of the family members (maybe the mom?) from the kitchen came around to each table to find out how everything was.

 

As for the food, my friend got a stir fry and thought it was good, but the portion was similar to an appetizer.  I got the pad thai, and it was just sort of alright.  The prices were kind of low- to mid-$$ for an entree and the menu had a fair amount of dishes.  Most of the entrees could be done vegetarian.  (Though if you are vegetarian or vegan, you might want to ask if fish sauce is used because it seemed like it was in my pad thai.)

 

Maybe my expectations were too high so early on or maybe other Asian spots have set the bar too high for me, but I was slightly let down.  I'd give Bac another shot in the future, maybe after all of the kinks have been ironed out. 

Wow, from the PD article, I had no idea Andrew Carmellini (NY chef also nominated) was from NEO. I may have to employ telepathy to get him to pull a Dante B. and open a place in his native city.

 

 

Funny because Carmellini's (Locanda Verde) pastry chef Karen DeMasc, is also from Cleveland.

 

Also, according to Dante, Carmellini (who Dante has worked with) was scoping out Cleveland for a possible spot when the opportunity to work for Robert Deniro came along.

 

 

aaaand...the same robert deniro who has much of his deniro half of the family in cleveland. i know this because his cle nephew once dated my cle cousin for awhile and i'll never forget it because my gawd he looked exactly like his uncle bob!

 

Chef Michael Symon Transforms Cleveland's Restaurant Scene

He's a born-and-raised Clevelander, a Food Network Iron Chef, an author and a recent James Beard award-winner. Simply put, chef and restaurateur Michael Symon changed the food game in Cleveland. "He's opened not only doors, but hallways and bridges," says chef and owner of Fahrenheit restaurant Rocco Whalen.

 

He has also expanded his restaurant empire to the food offerings at Quicken Loans Arena. The stand where patrons can grab a Symon burger and fries always has a long line. "Where else can you in a facility or arena have that kind of burger based on general event fare?" Whalen asks. "It's an opportunity and he's running with it. He's in Spain and running with the bulls."

 

Symon is Cleveland's food darling, and others are taking notice. "I definitely think his national exposure has made people take notice of what we have happening with independent restaurants in the Cleveland market," says Douglas Katz, chef and owner of Fire Food & Drink in Shaker Heights. An added bonus, Katz says, is that Clevelanders are realizing what restaurants have to offer in Cleveland.

 

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2735249/chef_michael_symon_transforms_clevelands.html?cat=22

 

Anyone know if LemonGrass in Cedar/Lee is closed?  I was just at the Colony and it looked pretty close-ish to me, but the Colony bartenders couldn't confirm.

 

The website is presently down too.

A co-worker was at Melt on Saturday and said that "Man vs Food" had just finished taping when he got there.  He said the challenge was that the guy (can't remember his name) had to eat a 3-pound grilled cheese sandwich with 14 different cheeses in a certain amount of time. 

Matt Fish invited those who had gotten the MELT tattoos to be the crowd in the restaurant while they were taping. Our friend had gotten one and was invited to be there at 10 AM on Saturday.  Apparently there are other perks besides 25% off for life...

I finally went to Crepes DeLuxe in the arcade - this is the same fellow that owns city roast coffee and its adjacent crepe place in the WSM. 

 

They had zero customers, and that made me sad.  Like 20 people in line at Charley's "steakery" (which is not only a chain, but AWFUL imo, you always smell terrible after eating there), nobody in line at the crepe place.

 

With my no-dairy restriction, I didn't have a lot of choices, so I got a chicken club baguette, a juice, a cup of their delicious coffee and a banana.  The sandwich ingredients were very tasty - the baguette was a little bit too tough for me but I have a problem with tougher bread, so that could just be me, but it was very good. Mayo/mustard and cornichon pickles on the side (upon request).  It was an enjoyable lunch and to get a sandwich, huge Nantucket Nectar drink, good cup of coffee and a piece of fruit for under $10 is a bargain IMO.  I talked with the guy I assume is the owner (who I'm guessing from his looks is the brother of the WSM guy) and he suggested there was 1 crepe I could try that didn't have dairy, so I'll try back another time and get that (apple/raisin/walnut), or maybe a salad. The soup of the day was tomato bisque, which he said was very good but bisque has cream so I had to forego that.

 

Here's the menu: http://www.crepesdeluxe.com/locations_arcade.php

 

Hopefully some of you can stop by and give them some business if you're downtown and looking for a new place to try.  They have hardly been open, maybe a month or two, and I would hate to see them have to throw in the towel so soon.

I finally went to Crepes DeLuxe in the arcade - this is the same fellow that owns city roast coffee and its adjacent crepe place in the WSM.

 

They had zero customers, and that made me sad. Like 20 people in line at Charley's "steakery" (which is not only a chain, but AWFUL imo, you always smell terrible after eating there), nobody in line at the crepe place.

 

Hopefully some of you can stop by and give them some business if you're downtown and looking for a new place to try. They have hardly been open, maybe a month or two, and I would hate to see them have to throw in the towel so soon.

 

For some reason Charley's always seems to have a line with 8 or more people everytime I'm in the Arcade and it blows my mind. Presto on the Euclid side of the Arcade is 10 times better than Charley's, but that place always seems to be empty as well. I've gotten a crepe from Crepes DeLuxe a few times now and they have always been enjoyable. Next time I go there I'll be sure to try a sandwhich from there. Chili Peppers across from Crepes DeLuxe is always slow as well, and the guy who works there is always reminding me that they have had a slow day or a slow week. Its upsetting that because it is not a Chipotle burrito that people will ignore it all costs and would rather drive from downtown to Steelyard just so they can get a burrito.

I have been meaning to comment on them, but has been slipping my mind.  Never been there for lunch, but occasionally grabbed a crepe for breakfast on the way in.  They were really good.  Never had a crepe before so I personally can't tell if they are good, great, or other worldly fantastic, but I keep going back.

 

RnR, I did have that crepe and it is very good, you should get it.  Also, good to hear that their lunches sound healthy and affordable.  Hard to find that combo DT.

well, bacon and mayo on a chicken sandwich isn't exactly healthy, but it was good! :)

Made it to Bẳc in Tremont tonight - an emphatic thumbs up! I had the aforementioned crepe (on the app menu for $7) which was definitely enough as an entree, since we ordered the dumplings and edamame as well. The crepe ($7) was crispy, flavorful, had just the right hint of coconut milk - loved it, loved it, loved it - would order it again in a heartbeat. My partner ordered the bahn mi and shared a smidge; this was my first banh mi, so I don't know how it compares but I was impressed with the flavor and it's a big portion - plus at $6 during happy hour, one more reason to add it to our rotation.

 

Another nice treat was that while they have Dortmunder on tap, they also had a Morimoto Soba Ale which was pretty good - light but with a nutty aftertaste (soba is made from buckwheat after all) -draft beers are $1 off during happy hour until 6:30pm. I also had a Hitachino Nest Ginger Beer (ABV 6.5) which wasn't on the happy hour pricing but tasty nonetheless. They said they've been doing alright - taking baby steps, so here's hoping they can make a go of it :-)

 

http://www.bactremont.com/

Oh - and I should mention both owner and chef came out to see how everything was - service was great; there when we needed them, but not hovering. :-)

good report, thanks!

One last thing - I was worried when La Tortilla left the space because while their service wasn't the best, they had good food and some fabulous cocktails (blueberry jalapeño mojito for one) which were perfect for their patio during warmer months. Bẳc has some great specialty cocktails that will make up for La Tortilla's absence - notably a Saigon Latte, which is made with Vietnamese-style coffee :-)

There is a new smoothie/raw food/delicacy at the Optimal Wellness Center on Clifton, one block west of W. 117th. I have yet to check it out.

 

There is also a new bar coming to Lakewood called Main Street Cafe, located near Rosewood and Detroit.

 

Roots Cafe also just opened last month on Detroit Ave., 2 storefronts down from Phoenix Coffee. This is the same owners, who have combined Phoenix with a full service cafe.

There is a new smoothie/raw food/delicacy at the Optimal Wellness Center on Clifton, one block west of W. 117th. I have yet to check it out.

 

That's Good 'N Raw, http://www.goodnraw.com/.  Menu and hours are posted there.

 

 

Via Twitter & Facebook:

 

Symon is looking for a location in either Strongsville or Crocker Park to open his next Bspot. Almost 500 comments so far on the FB comment thread: http://www.facebook.com/pages/michael-d-symon/457340385633?v=feed&story_fbid=381561091163&ref=mf

 

Meanwhile, may people are tweeting back and forth touting the strengths of their particular neighborhood for a location. I pick Kamm's Corner, of course.

OMG if he opens one in strongsville I will be SO FAT.

It looks like he's shooting for strongsville.  Sorry R&R or should I say fatty.

 

I seconded Kamms or somewhere closer in at least.