June 19, 201113 yr Couple openings in the Kamms plaza: Pizza BOGO is replacing Georgios. I've never been to the CH one...any good? Peace, Love and Little Donuts is going to be going into the new storefront by Sherwin Williams. Appears to be a Pittsburg local chain and the closest thing to Voodoo donuts we'll have in CLE. Also heard a rumor that A Cookie and A Cupcake are opening a location on prospect? twitter rumor, but someone said they saw a sign in a storefront. anyone else see this?
June 19, 201113 yr A non-foodie friend went to Pura Vida for lunch and said it was very good! She tends to only eat things like salad so I'm reserving judgment til I can go, but with Brandt at the helm, it's bound to be good.
June 19, 201113 yr anyone try Pura Vida? had lunch there last week. thought the atmosphere was good and the menu good as well. the couple of dishes we tried were excellant, and i'm looking forward to going back. it was also good to see an outdoor patio on the square full at lunch. we need 5 more places like this around public square. i really wish the starbucks in key tower would face public square and mall a, at the south east corner of the building with some patio seating.
June 19, 201113 yr We avoided all the crazy Father's Day brunch crowds today and tried out Istanbul Grille in Tremont instead. Just diagonally across the street, huge crowds spilled onto the street at Lucky's waiting hours for a table, and we walked right in, sat down, and were soon eating some very delicious Turkish food. Ever since (IMO) Anatolia started to go downhill, I thought we'd never have really good Turkish again but this place is fantastic. Everything was outstanding and we left stuffed and happy. Big thumbs up and now they're on my takeout radar as well.
June 20, 201113 yr Couple openings in the Kamms plaza: Pizza BOGO is replacing Georgios. I've never been to the CH one...any good? Pizza BOGO is decent..... Better than any other chain, IMO. And they're especially good if you want to feed a lot of people since you get the buy one get two free thing with pickup.
June 20, 201113 yr Yeah, decent is a good way to describe Pizza BOGO, especially if you're of the opinion that I am that all the other chains (Domino's, Pizza Hut, Pizza Pan, Papa John's, Georgio's, Marco's) are just awful. However, I'll still take my Valentino's, Tasty Pizza, or Marotta's over Pizza BOGO. Still, it's a big upgrade over Georgio's.
June 21, 201113 yr Couple of Asiatown dining updates: - Pho 99 (Vietnamese) is now open in Asian Town Center (38th and Superior). Cute little place, rather limited menu and not a whole lot of visibility, so I worry a little about their longevity, but it may not be a big deal, as Asian Town Center begins to fill up with tenants. - On that note, buildout is taking place for a Korean barbecue joint, Miga, on the second floor of Asian Town Center. Looks like it's going to have really nice finishes. If you haven't checked out Asian Town Center, you definitely should ... It's HUGE and has a pretty stunning vibe, given that this was a family-driven rehab and expansion project of an existing 1922 building. - Saigon Grille (Vietnamese/Thai, Superior between 31st and 32nd) is slated to have their grand opening today. Another restaurant that took their time to put in relatively nice finishes. They've also created a small brick wall in front where they'll potentially be doing sidewalk seating. After these three open, that brings the total number of restaurants in this 10-block x 2-block neighborhood to 24. Add in 6 full-service markets (Asia Food Company, Dave's, Good Harvest, Kim's Oriental Foods, Park2Shop and Tink Holl) and 4 bodega-type convenience stores, and you can start to make the case that Asiatown is the best food-served neighborhood in the city :)
June 22, 201113 yr The restaurant at Whiskey Island was crazy fun yesterday. Good beer prices, great crowd, pretty greasy but delicious food this was the sunset that is now run by the guys who own crop restaurant, yes? any big changes or particular good stuff on the menu? also, would you have a link for it? i need to check the hours -- thx
June 22, 201113 yr Everything seems the same, including prices, from when it was sunset last year. Glad to see the same laid back atmosphere is there, with girls in bikinis and guys shirtless inside restaurant, plus people walking in and out the restaurant to the bar with alcohol, etc. The only place around here that I can think of that let's adults act like adults without bullsht rules. Always a good crowd, loud but friendly, families and young adults, lack of troublemakers
June 22, 201113 yr http://www.cleveland.com/top-restaurants/index.ssf/2011/06/cropicana_at_clevelands_wendy_park_serves_fairly_standard_food_for_the_public_good.html A recent PD article that has all the info on Cropicana at Whiskey Island
June 22, 201113 yr Couple of Asiatown dining updates: - Pho 99 (Vietnamese) is now open in Asian Town Center (38th and Superior). Cute little place, rather limited menu and not a whole lot of visibility, so I worry a little about their longevity, but it may not be a big deal, as Asian Town Center begins to fill up with tenants. - On that note, buildout is taking place for a Korean barbecue joint, Miga, on the second floor of Asian Town Center. Looks like it's going to have really nice finishes. If you haven't checked out Asian Town Center, you definitely should ... It's HUGE and has a pretty stunning vibe, given that this was a family-driven rehab and expansion project of an existing 1922 building. - Saigon Grille (Vietnamese/Thai, Superior between 31st and 32nd) is slated to have their grand opening today. Another restaurant that took their time to put in relatively nice finishes. They've also created a small brick wall in front where they'll potentially be doing sidewalk seating. After these three open, that brings the total number of restaurants in this 10-block x 2-block neighborhood to 24. Add in 6 full-service markets (Asia Food Company, Dave's, Good Harvest, Kim's Oriental Foods, Park2Shop and Tink Holl) and 4 bodega-type convenience stores, and you can start to make the case that Asiatown is the best food-served neighborhood in the city :) Have you eaten at Saigon Grille?
June 22, 201113 yr The only place around here that I can think of that let's adults act like adults without bullsht rules. Always a good crowd, loud but friendly, families and young adults, lack of troublemakers Good point, glad to see there hasn't been any kind nazi-style crackdown. However, I think with increased access in the future, the "bullsht rules" may be a necessity....so enjoy the place now!
June 22, 201113 yr Couple of Asiatown dining updates: - Pho 99 (Vietnamese) is now open in Asian Town Center (38th and Superior). Cute little place, rather limited menu and not a whole lot of visibility, so I worry a little about their longevity, but it may not be a big deal, as Asian Town Center begins to fill up with tenants. - On that note, buildout is taking place for a Korean barbecue joint, Miga, on the second floor of Asian Town Center. Looks like it's going to have really nice finishes. If you haven't checked out Asian Town Center, you definitely should ... It's HUGE and has a pretty stunning vibe, given that this was a family-driven rehab and expansion project of an existing 1922 building. - Saigon Grille (Vietnamese/Thai, Superior between 31st and 32nd) is slated to have their grand opening today. Another restaurant that took their time to put in relatively nice finishes. They've also created a small brick wall in front where they'll potentially be doing sidewalk seating. After these three open, that brings the total number of restaurants in this 10-block x 2-block neighborhood to 24. Add in 6 full-service markets (Asia Food Company, Dave's, Good Harvest, Kim's Oriental Foods, Park2Shop and Tink Holl) and 4 bodega-type convenience stores, and you can start to make the case that Asiatown is the best food-served neighborhood in the city :) Have you eaten at Saigon Grille? No, it just opened yesterday evening, and I was busy checking out Pura Vida. Backlog of restaurants. Haha. Pura Vida was good. My barbecue duck confit was a little dry, but still very good. Macaroni and cheese was excellent, as were the sushi snow cones (seriously, seriously good). Really liked the whole "urban picnic" theme they're running with, the build-out looks great and the view is pretty nice too.
June 22, 201113 yr Couple of Asiatown dining updates: - Pho 99 (Vietnamese) is now open in Asian Town Center (38th and Superior). Cute little place, rather limited menu and not a whole lot of visibility, so I worry a little about their longevity, but it may not be a big deal, as Asian Town Center begins to fill up with tenants. - On that note, buildout is taking place for a Korean barbecue joint, Miga, on the second floor of Asian Town Center. Looks like it's going to have really nice finishes. If you haven't checked out Asian Town Center, you definitely should ... It's HUGE and has a pretty stunning vibe, given that this was a family-driven rehab and expansion project of an existing 1922 building. - Saigon Grille (Vietnamese/Thai, Superior between 31st and 32nd) is slated to have their grand opening today. Another restaurant that took their time to put in relatively nice finishes. They've also created a small brick wall in front where they'll potentially be doing sidewalk seating. After these three open, that brings the total number of restaurants in this 10-block x 2-block neighborhood to 24. Add in 6 full-service markets (Asia Food Company, Dave's, Good Harvest, Kim's Oriental Foods, Park2Shop and Tink Holl) and 4 bodega-type convenience stores, and you can start to make the case that Asiatown is the best food-served neighborhood in the city :) Have you eaten at Saigon Grille? No, it just opened yesterday evening, and I was busy checking out Pura Vida. Backlog of restaurants. Haha. Pura Vida was good. My barbecue duck confit was a little dry, but still very good. Macaroni and cheese was excellent, as were the sushi snow cones (seriously, seriously good). Really liked the whole "urban picnic" theme they're running with, the build-out looks great and the view is pretty nice too. thanks. My cousin and I will have to check it out, as we're always looking for Asian restaurants that know how to deliver the heat! ;)
June 22, 201113 yr We had dinner at Jammy Buggar's, which took over the Niko's/Route 6 space in Lakewood. Really liked it. Nice menu with lots of things that looked good and fairly priced. Good draft list. Good service. I think/hope this one might actually stick! http://jammybuggars.com/
June 22, 201113 yr ^I have also heard very good things so far, though a little grumbling about some prices.
June 22, 201113 yr miga is a confusing name for a korean bbq joint because at a glance instead of korean it sounds like it would be a tex/mex breakfast diner (serving my favorite breakfast dish 'migas'). otoh ya gotta love that lost in translation thing. mmm, some korean bbq sounds good right about now!
June 23, 201113 yr We had dinner at Jammy Buggar's, which took over the Niko's/Route 6 space in Lakewood. Really liked it. Nice menu with lots of things that looked good and fairly priced. Good draft list. Good service. I think/hope this one might actually stick! http://jammybuggars.com/ I think I will go there just because of the place's name! :-D "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 23, 201113 yr Northeast Ohio: A Dining Destination Northeast Ohio, with its Iron Chef and its eclectic culinary scene, has gained a reputation as a dining destination. On the next Sound of Ideas, we'll talk with Iron Chef Michael Symon and other master chefs about how local restaurateurs continue to innovate and why many folks see food as a way of improving the region's fortunes. We'll also look at the growth of niche breweries in Northeast Ohio. There's a place at the table for you, Wednesday at 9 on 90.3. http://www.ideastream.org/soi/entry/40892 Very nice article! :clap:
June 24, 201113 yr The Waterstreet Grill in the Warehouse District has been sold. I was told a comparable restaurant is going in its place. I will post more when I get the information. Also, the new Hibachi restaurant is really coming along.
June 28, 201113 yr Looks like Taza, the eatery at Eton in Woodmere, will be opening up a 2nd location - in the old Crop space on W. 6th - at least based on the liquor license by that name for that space that popped up last week...
June 28, 201113 yr Nate's on 25th (totally authentic) , and now Taza (for late hours and booze) on 6th. Can't forget Zdara on 9th. The more Middle Eastern downtown, the better. ****EDIT: I've been told to quell the enthusiasm. Supposedly there is a place called "Tazo" Martini Lounge going in somewhere around E. 6th and Rockwell. Oh well
June 28, 201113 yr ohh, I saw the sign for that. It's opposite the strip mall where subway and tomaydo tomahdo is. That little corner space where nobody can ever get anything going.
June 28, 201113 yr It's the curse of the Tap House (once rated the filthiest restaurant in Cleveland). And people can't get anything going there because it's a b!tch to get a liquor license, due to its proximity to the church.
June 28, 201113 yr It's also not very inviting to look down the street and see armed guards hanging around. Not a place I'd want to open a watering hole. I mean, it would have to be FANTASTIC inside to combat the problems with where it's located. Closed bank office, subway strip mall, crappy hampton inn, church, armed guards, dirty parking lot, major construction work, all right there. The owners must be real optimists.
June 28, 201113 yr I think the only reason the Tap House survived is because it was the preferred watering hole of the underlings at 5/3 when we had our offices in that building. (the management followed the president either to Tavern on the mall, or sergios). That place looked like every other old time place in Cleveland, with what I called the "King's Taverne" motif.
June 29, 201113 yr So is Tazo going on E. 6th or E. 9th? and is Taza going in on W. 6th? I am seeing conflicting reports here.
June 29, 201113 yr Liquor license info... Again, may have nothing to do with Taza Eton, but "Taza II" and the old Crop address (a restaurant, not bar) at least would lead one to believe, maybe so..: TAZA II LLC 1400 W 6TH ST CLEVELAND OH 44113
June 29, 201113 yr I went to Propserity Social Club in Tremont for the first time last night. (I know, I don't get out much) I love that they had an old fashioned bowling machine! My party was on the patio or I would have been at the machine for a long time. Also a pool table, very unassuming. An acoustic band was playing later in the evening, pretty good. The service was a bit slow but it was $5 cheeseburger night, with fresh cut fries, you can't beat that. To be at a place for almost 3 hours and leave with a $16 bill is fantastic. Will return. Nice atmosphere.
June 29, 201113 yr Liquor license info... Again, may have nothing to do with Taza Eton, but "Taza II" and the old Crop address (a restaurant, not bar) at least would lead one to believe, maybe so..: TAZA II LLC 1400 W 6TH ST CLEVELAND OH 44113 My enthusiasm is back up! Sounds like a second location of the Eton Taza. I certainly hope. So we will have a "Tazo" and a "Taza"? I looked yesterday evening and the Tazo location is on Rockwell Ave., kinda between E. 6th and E. 9th (closer to E. 9th actually) as RR pointed out.
June 30, 201113 yr Okay, looks like the place will be opening soon: http://www.cedarfairmount.org/?p=323 Signs outside of Myxx now indicate a July opening! :)
June 30, 201113 yr Went to Market Garden for dinner last night. Very thoughtful food to go along with some outstanding beers. We sampled most of the beers and they were all expertly made. They all tended to be low-alcohol "session" beers, which I thought was a nice change of pace from what is normally produced these days. Not that I don't appreciate the big IPAs that now seem to be de rigueur. But I think this place is a little bit ahead of the curve when it comes to putting out beers that are well-balanced, understated, and sophisticated. We also had, I believe it was called, the Brewmaster's Board..or platter or something. It included a selection of cheeses, cured meats, and house made pickles that were perfectly complemented by the crisp and refreshing beers. Also got the Currywurst, which I couldn't possibly do justice through explanation. Suffice to say it is simultaneously disgusting and one of the best drunk foods ever created. Great atmosphere in the beer garden next to the market stalls, we'll definitely be back many many times.
July 1, 201113 yr Zack Bruell to open restaurant in Cowell & Hubbard building near PlayhouseSquare By Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer Thursday, June 30, 2011, 8:00 PM A former gem on downtown Cleveland's retail landscape is about to gain new luster. This fall, the longtime flagship location of Cowell & Hubbard Co. jewelers will become home to Zack Bruell's fifth restaurant in the city. With its 18-foot ceilings and expansive windows, the space at 1305 Euclid Ave. will be converted into a modern French-themed dining room. http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2011/06/zack_bruell_to_open_restaurant.html
July 1, 201113 yr Wow! That's fantastic for downtown and PHS. Very impressive secret-keeping to any UOers who knew about this!
July 1, 201113 yr ^ its good to see that PHS admits that there was a dearth of dining options in the area and that they are working to fix it. I think between C&H and Bricco there is about enough quality dining. Maybe one more quality place that is a bit smaller too, 140 seats is a pretty good sized restaurant. Now if we could just get some apartments/hotels to fill up the block between 12th and 9th that would completely link PS with CSU. Now that is something. Ohh, btw I think Susy's Soup which moved to the old Panara spot in TC opened a second spot in the basement of the Halle Building. Which adds another decent lunch option that is not a Subway.
July 6, 201113 yr Lelolai is now in the Arcade... NEW HOME FOR LELOLAI . . . Fans of the popular Caribbean cafe and bakery thought the quiet closing of Lelolai meant an ethnic treasure was gone from the local culinary scene. Happy to report that Lelolai has re-emerged -- and on Cleveland's historic Old Arcade, just off Public Square. According to the store's Mauricio Bega, "We are actually using the same menu as the other store -- still Caribbean, still the Cuban sandwiches and the sweets." Lelolai: 401 Euclid Ave. (the Arcade), Cleveland; 216-771-9956. http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2011/07/our_lady_of_the_waysides_grape.html
July 6, 201113 yr ^Sounds like a good addition. From that same column, looks like Roseangel is being re-branded/re-imagined once again. Perhaps the lowest common denominator flavor profiles UOers complained about up-thread weren''t a winning formula...
July 6, 201113 yr Lelolai is now in the Arcade... NEW HOME FOR LELOLAI . . . Fans of the popular Caribbean cafe and bakery thought the quiet closing of Lelolai meant an ethnic treasure was gone from the local culinary scene. Happy to report that Lelolai has re-emerged -- and on Cleveland's historic Old Arcade, just off Public Square. According to the store's Mauricio Bega, "We are actually using the same menu as the other store -- still Caribbean, still the Cuban sandwiches and the sweets." Lelolai: 401 Euclid Ave. (the Arcade), Cleveland; 216-771-9956. http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2011/07/our_lady_of_the_waysides_grape.html That's great to hear. I was really disappointed when they closed
July 6, 201113 yr http://www.coolcleveland.com/blog/2011/07/sweet-spot-opens-in-lakewood-serving-gelato/ Another frozen dessert place on the west side, by my count this is at least the fifth in the past year in the area. The article says first gelateria, but Rosso in Rocky River, another gelateria on the same road, opened last fall. The two are maybe 3/4 mile apart. I wish them luck, but I can't help but feel the dessert market is getting oversaturated quickly.
July 7, 201113 yr Link to some nice photos of Pura Vida. http://www.bialosky.com/projects/pura_vida.php
July 7, 201113 yr ^ when I see pics like that, it's easy to believe that Public Square and Euclid Ave can and will return to an era of prominence.
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