July 15, 201014 yr I can tell you what's really horrifying is the bathrooms at Johnny Mango. It's gone from a quaint, hole in the wall type of place to an absolute dump once you start the walk down towards the bathrooms. The stairs going down are FILTHY and the bathrooms are in very sad, disgusting shape. I realized on my last visit there that this is no longer a place I would take my mother to because if she saw the bathrooms, she would insist on leaving. I agree that the bathrooms are disgusting, but I've been eating there for over 5 years, and they've always been that way. Also, my wife and I recently ate at Fahrenheit, which was very nice and our food was good. However, the bathrooms even at Fahrenheit were pretty disgusting (although not on the level of Johnny Mango's bathrooms). How can such a nice restaurant not have nice bathrooms?
July 15, 201014 yr I've been eating there a lot longer than 5 years, they didn't used to be that way. But yeah, they've gotten increasingly worse. It makes me question eating at a place when their bathrooms are in such incredibly poor condition. I've eaten at a lot of really divey dives but their bathrooms are usually at least basic, but clean.
July 15, 201014 yr I've been eating there a lot longer than 5 years, they didn't used to be that way. But yeah, they've gotten increasingly worse. It makes me question eating at a place when their bathrooms are in such incredibly poor condition. I've eaten at a lot of really divey dives but their bathrooms are usually at least basic, but clean. I thought you meant it was a recent development that the bathrooms were disgusting. I don't like dirty bathrooms anywhere, but for some reason I expected it at Johnny Mango. At Fahrenheit, on the other hand, I definitely expected nice, clean bathrooms.
July 16, 201014 yr Author Flaming Ice Cube is awesome. I got the Tempeh "Chickenless" Salad Sandwich - it tasted surprisingly authentic without trying too hard. A side of black bean salsa. My friends were both happy with the vegan burgers too. Service was a bit slow, but not terrible.
July 16, 201014 yr I had to go get another Pbutter crunch bar today as they are SUPER AWESOME, and ran into my co-worker whom I went with earlier in the week, as she was also making a return visit. She got the soup of the day, which they told her was mushroom but then told her after they gave it to her that it was barley as they were out of mushroom (but it was tasty!) and the pesto burger, which she gave me a couple of bites of, which was also tasty. It did take a long time to get her food again (I decided to wait with her even though i was just going in to get a dessert), long enough that 2 people there had the counter girl go back to check on their orders. BUT, it appeared the credit card reader was working, so that's a step forward, and the tables out front are garnering attention from passers-by, so that's a smart move.
July 16, 201014 yr Wait 'til you try the raspberry crunch bars! Remember on the service too...things are still very early and new people are getting used to the system, plus all the food is freshly prepared so sometimes it might take a little longer. I see things getting better as a lot of odds and ends get ironed out. By the way, and this is a bit off topic, but I was there the other day and grabbed something to go... Glad to see the reductions in plastic/styrofoam...and after eating went to the 200 P.S. Atrium to sit for a while and work on a few items. Almost forgot what a beautiful space that is to relax and hear the water. Good retail/restaurant space. On the comments above about restrooms in places.... I don't know how such a simple value of clean restrooms has been all too often lost, but I always thought that restrooms were sometimes an indicator/reflection of managements efforts to be clean. If the restrooms were crap, the ethic in the food preparation might be similar. Similarly, the value of curb appeal, as the business is not only on the inside, but outside as well. (example: Last time windows or lower facade was cleaned at...say... Corner Alley?...Newer restoration and already scuffed and beginning to look a bit drab and windows filthy) Maybe its time JM's, in particular, hear from more patrons about such issues.
July 20, 201014 yr Just ate at roseangel. Pretty much had the same experience. Margaritas were fantastic; we had the pineapple and jalapeno. The food was entirely too bland and the tacos are a rip-off at $4.25. They could probably get away with serving mediocre food and great drinks if they weren't across the street from the Happy Dog and around the corner from Momocho. I can't think of a good excuse to serve a bland taco. Ate at RoseAngel on Friday. Food was okay but I liked the La Boca menu better. Not much variety on the RoseAngel menu -- "would you like tacos with your tacos?" The service definitely needs improvement -- it seemed there were 4 women in skirts and heels hosting or asking if everything was okay, about 6 bar backs who seemed to never stop standing around and chatting. Only work they seemed to do was refill the ice bin at the bar. Our waitress was clearly overworked -- she had the entire front section herself with little to no assistance from the heels and the barbacks except to ask if everything was okay or if we wanted more iced tea (which when we said "yes" to the more tea -- well, let's just say we are still waiting). On a Friday night they were out of one type of taco and one of the dessert items. We know the place just opened and we really want to support the neighborhood so we will give it another shot but they really need to make some changes - QUICK!
July 20, 201014 yr Really loved Flaming Ice Cube ... Tried it for dinner last Thursday and it was yum. About to reveal that I am a bit of a glutton, but I had the Mixed Berry Smoothie (not a fan ... I don't Vegans have successfully approximated dairy products, and so this was really chalky), the Pesto Burger (awesome!), the Mediterranean Panini (delic!), the Asian Slaw (pretty good) and the Black Bean Salsa (loved it), and then she gave me some peanut butter crunch, and that was pretty yummy, though messy. Food service was relatively quick for the size of my order, and the counter help was sweet and helpful. I think they're starting to get in the swing of it. They're currently open until 6 ... still trying to figure out their permanent evening hours, as sometimes they get slammed for dinner and sometimes no one comes in at all.
July 20, 201014 yr I'm always a bit of a pig when a new place opens because I want to try so many things. Glad you liked it and glad to hear they are working kinks out.
July 20, 201014 yr hey - i have a visitor coming to cle -- can someone tell me did the dogfishhead guy open his oc brewpub yet? thx!
July 20, 201014 yr not even close yet. they don't even have the roof back on yet, so there is a ways to go.
July 20, 201014 yr They're currently open until 6 ... still trying to figure out their permanent evening hours, as sometimes they get slammed for dinner and sometimes no one comes in at all. Welcome to the Downtown restaurant scene. It's a flood or a drought.
July 21, 201014 yr Greenhouse Tavern chef Jonathon Sawyer toys with second Cleveland location Published: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 6:53 PM Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer A sharp-eyed colleague spotted a remark attributed to Amelia Sawyer, a popular blogger (chefswidow.com) and wife of Greenhouse Tavern chef-owner Jonathon Sawyer. On the blog, she claimed that the couple would be opening a second restaurant soon. "We are 90 percent sure that another restie in the CLE (we believe! we believe!) is in our near future. It is a concept that we have had brewing for quite some time . . ." "I'm waiting for just the right deal," Sawyer added, mentioning the potential for a location in Cleveland's Midtown neighborhood. "Wherever it is we are, we'll be in Cleveland. I love being in an urban neighborhood." http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2010/07/greenhouse_tavern_chef_jonatho.html
July 21, 201014 yr Just a quick question here... Did Rock Bottom Brewery close? If so, does anyone know of any plans for that space?
July 21, 201014 yr Really loved Flaming Ice Cube ... Tried it for dinner last Thursday and it was yum. About to reveal that I am a bit of a glutton, but I had the Mixed Berry Smoothie (not a fan ... I don't Vegans have successfully approximated dairy products, and so this was really chalky), the Pesto Burger (awesome!), the Mediterranean Panini (delic!), the Asian Slaw (pretty good) and the Black Bean Salsa (loved it), and then she gave me some peanut butter crunch, and that was pretty yummy, though messy. Food service was relatively quick for the size of my order, and the counter help was sweet and helpful. I think they're starting to get in the swing of it. They're currently open until 6 ... still trying to figure out their permanent evening hours, as sometimes they get slammed for dinner and sometimes no one comes in at all. It depends on who makes the smoothie, how good it turns out. At home, I always make them w/o dairy and they amaze even the most ardent of dairy folk. Additionally, there are a myriad of fantastic rice/oat/soy based deserts Non-GMO/Organic that are out of this world, available at special markets and even some in Giant E. I expect that drink mixing art to get better at FIC, though. Even I tried drinks that were a bit off when made by someone new or not too experienced. Try the freshly juiced juices like orange/carrot and ginger. When made right, it is divine. If they have it...try the Asian wrap with the plum sauce on top. That's a favorite of mine. More on the menu will come. The hours will be until 7 PM for now. Oh, and sorry for the double post.. But my above question about the brewery and anything to replace the space.. Does anyone know? What a huge place to sit as yet another empty Flats establishment.
July 21, 201014 yr Greenhouse Tavern chef Jonathon Sawyer toys with second Cleveland location Published: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 6:53 PM Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer A sharp-eyed colleague spotted a remark attributed to Amelia Sawyer, a popular blogger (chefswidow.com) and wife of Greenhouse Tavern chef-owner Jonathon Sawyer. On the blog, she claimed that the couple would be opening a second restaurant soon. "We are 90 percent sure that another restie in the CLE (we believe! we believe!) is in our near future. It is a concept that we have had brewing for quite some time . . ." "I'm waiting for just the right deal," Sawyer added, mentioning the potential for a location in Cleveland's Midtown neighborhood. "Wherever it is we are, we'll be in Cleveland. I love being in an urban neighborhood." http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2010/07/greenhouse_tavern_chef_jonatho.html I have the perfect spot -- the Powerhouse in the Battery Park development!
July 21, 201014 yr Greenhouse Tavern chef Jonathon Sawyer toys with second Cleveland location Published: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 6:53 PM Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer A sharp-eyed colleague spotted a remark attributed to Amelia Sawyer, a popular blogger (chefswidow.com) and wife of Greenhouse Tavern chef-owner Jonathon Sawyer. On the blog, she claimed that the couple would be opening a second restaurant soon. "We are 90 percent sure that another restie in the CLE (we believe! we believe!) is in our near future. It is a concept that we have had brewing for quite some time . . ." "I'm waiting for just the right deal," Sawyer added, mentioning the potential for a location in Cleveland's Midtown neighborhood. "Wherever it is we are, we'll be in Cleveland. I love being in an urban neighborhood." http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2010/07/greenhouse_tavern_chef_jonatho.html I have the perfect spot -- the Powerhouse in the Battery Park development! I actually don't think that would fit to well. That space isn't truly urban, it is more like a club house for the Battery Park Development. Not saying that it couldn't work there, but I think that along Detroit would be a better fit in that location. Now I do think that a healthy Wrap/Smoothie place would work well in the Powerhouse due to how close it is to Edgewater and the coming reconfiguration of the streetscape.
July 21, 201014 yr More buzz on Cleveland dining: Chow down in Cleveland By Amanda McGuire Rzicznek, Food Columnist Published: July 21, 2010 0 Cleveland may have lost LeBron James but its reputation as a culinary destination is only gaining momentum. Voted as one of "Food and Wine" magazine's 2010 Best New Chefs, Chef Jonathon Swayer's the Greenhouse Tavern, located on East Fourth Street in downtown Cleveland, offers delectable dishes in a certified sustainable setting. From the antique cedar barn wood flooring to the chic light fixtures made from recycled bicycle rims, the "green" atmosphere perfectly accentuates the innovative seasonal and local menu. With intimate seating and art-covered walls that were highlighted on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," Lucky's Café is known for its fresh, seasonal breakfasts, lunches and brunches With intimate seating and art-covered walls that were highlighted on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," Lucky's Café is known for its fresh, seasonal breakfasts, lunches and brunches. If a culinary adventure is on your horizon, check out all that Cleveland has to offer. It's an emerging food lover's Mecca. http://bgnews.com/city/chow-down-in-cleveland/
July 22, 201014 yr Just a quick question here... Did Rock Bottom Brewery close? If so, does anyone know of any plans for that space? yes it did. The story is, Windows on the River is going to expand their catering/private even space.
July 22, 201014 yr As for Rock Bottom closing, I blame a lot of that on location. The west bank is not exactly a destination any more. Thanks... What a great space to not have it regularly open for the public.
July 23, 201014 yr We hear so many wanting this "near river/lake dining or other activity"....and although this is not exactly with a great river view... it closes and we say it is a bad location? If it is so desired to have this type of venue, why is the power house struggling with a nice venue like RB.... Now we have nothing, and say these are bad locations as if we are looking at some perfect spot on the river we'd rather be. If the W. Bank is not a destination anymore...what is? I think the Power House location is nice...the boardwalk behind it...nice potential and when full force was spectacular. I guess what I am saying is that if we are not currently using what little we have left down there, why would adding a lot more suddenly change things? I am all confused on this...bewildered as to why we are not at the very least, making ample use of spaces we already have near the river....Example: Boardwalk/Shooters/Power House. I will note that some of these places are not the best maintained and have had nothing really done to them since the 80's.
July 23, 201014 yr Here is another place I used to stop by now and then that I think has closed: "The Americana Coffee Shop" on E. 65th/Slavic Village. Did this close too? I rode by and it didn't look open...the number is disconnected. Anyone know? That is such a great spot with potential there...But the area has issues, I know.
July 24, 201014 yr I agree. I wish more focus on revitalization would go toward east side gems like this. By the way, I hope this link works, but here is a copy of the Flaming Ice Cube Cleveland menu so far... More and more will be added... Flaming Ice Cube CLEVELAND MENU: http://www.flamingice.com/Menu/MenuClevelandDownload.pdf
July 24, 201014 yr Greenhouse Tavern chef Jonathon Sawyer toys with second Cleveland location Published: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 6:53 PM Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer A sharp-eyed colleague spotted a remark attributed to Amelia Sawyer, a popular blogger (chefswidow.com) and wife of Greenhouse Tavern chef-owner Jonathon Sawyer. On the blog, she claimed that the couple would be opening a second restaurant soon. "We are 90 percent sure that another restie in the CLE (we believe! we believe!) is in our near future. It is a concept that we have had brewing for quite some time . . ." "I'm waiting for just the right deal," Sawyer added, mentioning the potential for a location in Cleveland's Midtown neighborhood. "Wherever it is we are, we'll be in Cleveland. I love being in an urban neighborhood." http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2010/07/greenhouse_tavern_chef_jonatho.html I have the perfect spot -- the Powerhouse in the Battery Park development! I actually don't think that would fit to well. That space isn't truly urban, it is more like a club house for the Battery Park Development. Not saying that it couldn't work there, but I think that along Detroit would be a better fit in that location. Now I do think that a healthy Wrap/Smoothie place would work well in the Powerhouse due to how close it is to Edgewater and the coming reconfiguration of the streetscape. I see your point but the Power House is designed to have a good size indoor seating space and a proposed outdoor deck that would look out toward both the city skyline and the lake so not sure a wrap/smoothie place is the answer either.
July 24, 201014 yr Honestly I am REALLY SICK of wrap/smoothie, wrap/smoothie. If we get one more wrap/smoothie place I'm going to go nuts. How about some ethnic food? Or something different some other way?
July 24, 201014 yr Honestly I am REALLY SICK of wrap/smoothie, wrap/smoothie. If we get one more wrap/smoothie place I'm going to go nuts. How about some ethnic food? Or something different some other way? We need some spicy thai places!
July 24, 201014 yr Funny, I thought the opposite... I think we have plenty of ethic and heavy foods and not enough alternatives. The Cube for example is far more than "wrap smoothie" Their menu is limited for now, but will be expanding. Check out their menu on the main website. Personally, I am sick of Mexican, or the bastardized American versions of it that consist of mainly cheese/beans. Although I would like to see a bit more Mediterranean.
July 24, 201014 yr Honestly I am REALLY SICK of wrap/smoothie, wrap/smoothie. If we get one more wrap/smoothie place I'm going to go nuts. How about some ethnic food? Or something different some other way? agree they operate under the guise that this is healthy food and all it is is empty calories....like we Clevelanders need more highly processed sugar and flour
July 24, 201014 yr ^ Depends on how the stuff is made and with what. Who said wraps had to be made of that stuff? I am sure the healthier choice is hormone laden chicken wings, and fried saturated fat grease. A bit of exercise could help us all.
July 24, 201014 yr Really? i think there are very few ethnic restaurants downtown for a quick lunch. A couple of places in the colonial arcade. I don't even think Teahouse Noodles really qualifies as ethnic. What other places do you mean?
July 24, 201014 yr Really? i think there are very few ethnic restaurants downtown for a quick lunch. A couple of places in the colonial arcade. I don't even think Teahouse Noodles really qualifies as ethnic. What other places do you mean? Oh yeah... you are right, R&R.... I thought you meant overall in Greater Cleveland/N.E. Ohio. How about some good old Hungarian ethic foods because Cleveland had such a big H. population... There is a really good book out since '03 called "Cleveland Food Memories" I would like to take a handful of places from that book and its eras covered and re-introduce them.
July 24, 201014 yr ^Yeah I'm 100% with you, R&R. More ethnic restaurants (Thai, full service Indian, anyway) are near the top of my list of missing downtown options. I'm certainly excited about Flaming Ice Cube too, but EC, given their great veggie options, I'd think you'd be all for more ethnic places. By the way, did the Middle East Restaurant on Prospect close?
July 24, 201014 yr There is a hungarian place downtown in the colonial arcade but I haven't been back because a) their menu is VERY limited and b) they serve frozen french fries, for which I have very low tolerance or respect.
July 25, 201014 yr ^Yeah I'm 100% with you, R&R. More ethnic restaurants (Thai, full service Indian, anyway) are near the top of my list of missing downtown options. I'm certainly excited about Flaming Ice Cube too, but EC, given their great veggie options, I'd think you'd be all for more ethnic places. By the way, did the Middle East Restaurant on Prospect close? I am for that.. I just thought we were talking about the whole Cleveland area. On the frozen stuff.. I love freshly cut potatoes, but I doubt in the Colonial Arcade, with a lunch our limited to a few hours, that they would have much time to prepare them fresh cut.
July 25, 201014 yr that's bull, sorry. My Mom grew up working in a restaurant the size of a CLOSET that was open limited hours. Have you ever seen a fry truck at the fair? The machine to cut potatoes takes up a few inches of wall space and that's it. It does not take space or time to make fresh cut fries, it just takes wanting to do it. http://www.chefdepot.net/frenchfrycutter.htm
July 25, 201014 yr as far as downtown ethnic places I agree it stinks. I sure miss working in Ohio City. There is nothing better working downtown over OC. I really like Aladdin's Bakery on Carnegie (not same people as the the restaurants in the area). The problem is it is a bit off the beaten path for most downtown workers. I go when I happen to be returning to the office from an appointment at lunch time. They have all the Middle Eastern items (Baba, hummus, tabbouleh, feta, yogurt etc) plus a deli with sandwiches and salads made to order, meat and spinach pies and nice veggie dishes. You can even stop on your way into work in the AM since they are open very early. http://www.aladdinbaking.com/
July 26, 201014 yr Really? i think there are very few ethnic restaurants downtown for a quick lunch. A couple of places in the colonial arcade. I don't even think Teahouse Noodles really qualifies as ethnic. What other places do you mean? I agree that there is a dearth of ethnic places and really outside of the Colonial Arcade, Zocalo and Siagon on Fourth there really doesnt seem to be much. Especially of the middle eastern variety. And Tea House does feel like a chain, even if they aren't.
July 26, 201014 yr I admire the teahouse people's efforts and am glad for them that they do a good business, but their food all tastes the same, of that combo of veg they put in everything which includes raw/barely cooked onion. My breath would stink all day after eating there, so I quit going.
July 26, 201014 yr Not sure if they would qualify as a quick lunch but has anyone tried out Zdara yet? They have all the traditional middle eastern foods - but I doubt its anywhere near as good as my grandma's :) http://www.zdara.com/Home.html
July 26, 201014 yr Tried Zdara for lunch with a couple of companions. Though their banner said "now open," there were only 2 other tables of diners the whole time we were there. They were putting up a "grand opening" sign when we left, so perhaps they're only "soft" open right now and we just happened in during that time. It was strange, but overall more positive than negative. The space is gorgeous and weird at the same time. Odd lighting fixtures and decor, but interesting and kind of cool. Nice looking bar, with the ubiquitous and unfortunate TVs. Our server did not impress me as a professional/experienced server. She did not know what a particular dish came with, did not know where to set our appetizer dish down (there was plenty of room, just not smack dab in the middle where she wanted to put it, so we could see she was trying to put it there and had to quickly move everything out of her way. "That's why I hate these tables," she said, "You never know where to put the dish." Um, you could just put it on the edge of the table and let the diners figure out where they want it?) and gave a couple of weird explanations about when the food was coming. "Your entrees will be up in....just about three...minutes." That just struck me as odd. A few minutes, 5 minutes, where did 3 minutes come from? 3 mins is something you make up when the chef is demanding your food. "HOW LONG ON THOSE WELLINGTONS!?" "3 MINUTES, CHEF!" 3 minutes came and went and she came by again in a little and said oh, the chicken pieces in the chicken kabob are just really, really big and thick and are taking a long time to cook. Ok. WEIRD thing to say. And it's not like anyone else was holding anything up, there were only 2 other tables, right? And guess what, the chicken wasn't done all the way through and my companion left the majority of it on her plate. But the rice that came with it was good. The falafel popcorn app is a great idea, but nothing is served to spoon the tahini over the falafel balls, so you had to dip them, which didn't soak up very much as it was very thin. The balls were small and hard, crunchy and a little gravelly and very, very spicy, so much so that we had to ask why they were so hot - cayenne pepper (which the server mispronounced, but that's but a small detail). Too spicy for one of my dining companions to eat. However, the panini sandwich I had was good, as was my other companion's veggie panini. Both were listed as coming with "pomme frites" and they came with curly fries that I swear were right out of Arby's, complete with paprika coating. I kind of doubt those were made from scratch. 3 lunches, 3 iced teas and one app came to almost $50 for lunch for 3 people, which, with tip, is pretty steep for Cleveland lunch, about $18 apiece. I wouldn't rush back as there are too many other choices, but if someone asked me to go there, I wouldn't say no, either. repost
July 26, 201014 yr We need some spicy thai places! Go to Mint Cafe and order your food 7 stars spicy.
July 26, 201014 yr We need some spicy thai places! Go to Mint Cafe and order your food 7 stars spicy. On Coventry? I've had their Panaeng (sp) curry and some "very" spicy dishes. It's ok. didn't make my nose run.
July 26, 201014 yr On Coventry? I've had their Panaeng (sp) curry and some "very" spicy dishes. It's ok. didn't make my nose run. Order your food 7 stars. The menu only lists up to 3, and none of the dishes are more than 2 stars if you order them as is on the menu (by the way, I believe they call 2 stars Very Spicy). I wanted my food spicier and they told me they can go up to 7 if you request it. I took 5 and my nose was running and I could barely finish (and I like spicy food, most people I've eaten there with think 2 stars is too hot). I bet you could handle 5, but I'd be interested to see what you think of 7.
July 26, 201014 yr On Coventry? I've had their Panaeng (sp) curry and some "very" spicy dishes. It's ok. didn't make my nose run. Order your food 7 stars. The menu only lists up to 3, and none of the dishes are more than 2 stars if you order them as is on the menu (by the way, I believe they call 2 stars Very Spicy). I wanted my food spicier and they told me they can go up to 7 if you request it. I took 5 and my nose was running and I could barely finish (and I like spicy food, most people I've eaten there with think 2 stars is too hot). I bet you could handle 5, but I'd be interested to see what you think of 7. REALLY? Good to know! :clap:
Create an account or sign in to comment