Too noisy in there...  Acoustic sewer.

 

Acoustic Sewer could be a good garage band name.

 

@dwirthwein, I kind of agree with you about coming loaded out of the box, but a lot of times, openings here are so popular that the owners are quickly overwhelmed. It happens in both chains and indies here. It's a good problem to have in a way; like someone upthread said, the surrounding restaurants are getting the overflow and additional exposure. Kind of like how we found Deagan's and as a result have never, ever bothered to wait the 3 hours to eat at Melt again. But OTOH I usually give a restaurant at least 3 weeks to work out the newbie kinks as well as for the crowd to die down. Going when it's super popular and it first opens can be akin to only trying a particular restaurant's food when they are having some kind of holiday prix fixe meal, like a mother's day brunch. You're just not getting the best they have to offer by going then.

Try getting a seat at Deagan's on Taco Tuesday you'll probably end up at MELT (who has a snazzy new sign in LW BTW)....haha.

 

Semi-seriously going back through the comments on the Market Garden it looks like the Pork Tacos are too blame for a lot of the negativity. That what I had and it was blah.

 

There was something else restaurant related that I was going to post but I forgot what it was....Oh well. I'll edit when I remember it.

 

 

MGB: pork tacos were overcooked, dry and needed another few ingredients (slaw maybe, like on a fish taco?) I did give them some plus points for  what appeared to be  homemade tortillas, however.

 

Also found total lack of sides odd.... French fries, French fries  and French fries were the choices i saw.. And they looked,nothing like Cento's insanely good ones.... 

Loads of national spotlights this week:

 

Bar Cento, Melt Bar & Grilled and Greenhouse Tavern getting national attention

 

http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2011/08/bar_cento_melt_bar_grilled_and.html

Here's some more info on the place going in where House of Cues was:

 

Slated to open in early September in the former House of Cues at West Ninth Street and Superior Avenue, Prime Rib Steakhouse will specialize in prime rib carved tableside.

 

Billed as a "destination restaurant," Prime Rib will serve only U.S.D.A. Prime beef, which is roasted and wheeled to the table on custom stainless steel carts. There, it is carved and served with mashed potatoes, gravy, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish sauce, and jus. Meals begin with a "spinning-bowl salad," another tableside flourish that involves, naturally, a spinning bowl and salad.

 

With 200 seats and prices that range from $29 to a hefty $45 (including salad and sides), Prime Rib will be competing with other large-scale destination-type restaurants such as Brasa Grill and Morton's. Diners can look forward to a wholly reworked space, with new booths, banquettes, bar, and bathrooms.

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/high-steaks/Content?oid=2703740

 

Here's some more info on the place going in where House of Cues was:

 

Slated to open in early September in the former House of Cues at West Ninth Street and Superior Avenue, Prime Rib Steakhouse will specialize in prime rib carved tableside.

 

Billed as a "destination restaurant," Prime Rib will serve only U.S.D.A. Prime beef, which is roasted and wheeled to the table on custom stainless steel carts. There, it is carved and served with mashed potatoes, gravy, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish sauce, and jus. Meals begin with a "spinning-bowl salad," another tableside flourish that involves, naturally, a spinning bowl and salad.

 

With 200 seats and prices that range from $29 to a hefty $45 (including salad and sides), Prime Rib will be competing with other large-scale destination-type restaurants such as Brasa Grill and Morton's. Diners can look forward to a wholly reworked space, with new booths, banquettes, bar, and bathrooms.

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/high-steaks/Content?oid=2703740

 

 

I wonder if this is a one off or is this a part of the Chain of "Prime Rib" Restaurants in DC/Baltimore?

I thought there was a place called "Prime Rib" somewhere and wondered the same thing, but from the story it doesn't sound like it (or doesn't mention it anyway)... 

I thought there was a place called "Prime Rib" somewhere and wondered the same thing, but from the story it doesn't sound like it (or doesn't mention it anyway)... 

 

I figured you would know.  I dont like chains so I hope this is an independent.

That would certainly be ideal....  The following indicates that they became a fan of the concept in Europe and wanted to replicate it somewhat in Cleveland... So not likely the chain.

 

According to Axinei, owner Attila Salka, a well-traveled hospitality pro, first became a fan of the English-style concept in Europe. "It is a concept he knows and likes, and didn't see here in Cleveland," she says. "We chose that space because downtown is where everything is happening."

Melt Bar and Grill is opening a location in Independence on October 7th. Wish it could have been downtown instead.

^ I spoke with the owner of Melt (Matt Fish is it?) at Johnny Mangos, he said that they are actively looking to open a space in Cleveland proper, just haven't found the perfect fit yet.

^ this is great news. I hope its downtown or in OC

Good.  Despite the improved design aspects of the CH location, it is still way too crowded for what it can reasonably handle.  Hopefully these new locations alleviates some of that a bit.

Went there today. They were giving people name tags instead using actual names. So people were getting names like "Mario", "Robin Williams", and we were "Luna Lovegood." I saw a "King James" which I didn't understand. Anyways it took over an hour for 2 to get seated around 6. By the time we got seated we heard them telling other couples up to 2 hours. Food took probably an additional 50 minutes. Definitely wouldn't be able to handle that weight on a regular/semi regular basis. More locations could help. Also the restaurants dont seem to have that many tables. I heard they plan on opening one in an east side suburb. Downtown Willoughby would probably the best fit.

That's the deal at the Lakewood location too - basically 3 hours to eat there. 2 hours to wait for a table and 1 hour wait for your food. They said for awhile it was because of the small kitchen, but it doesn't seem to have alleviated the problem at the new location.

I think the wait is definitely less at the Cleveland Heights one...  Its been bearable each time I've been there.  Yeah usually still about 45 minutes though (on a Saturday), but that's good time to try beers at the much bigger bar area.  I cant say that the food comes out any faster though, and had I not been in with a group enjoying beer, I don't know that I would do it)...

 

I wont wait at the Lakewood one since its just more cramped and always takes longer (plus Deagans is right there)   

If anyone is interested in getting info and promo/opening info for the Viaduct Lounge, you can "like" them on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viaduct-Lounge/235069513197946.

That's the deal at the Lakewood location too - basically 3 hours to eat there. 2 hours to wait for a table and 1 hour wait for your food. They said for awhile it was because of the small kitchen, but it doesn't seem to have alleviated the problem at the new location.

 

The best thing I have ever done was go there 3 times before they blew up.  The first two times there was maybe a 30 min wait.  Granted this was at least 3 years ago and I haven't been back.  Hopefully an Independence and DT/OC location will spread everyone out and normalize the times.  But I still have fond memories of walking into that crapmed little place in Lakewood (it was before their "expansion")

I wanted to post and let you guys know that Cleveland just held a very successful, 4-day gathering of very hard core gourmands from various parts of the midwest and elsewhere. "Foodies" as you may know them. The group is part of a worldwide website that is not open to the general public and is chock full of all levels of foodies, from professional food writers and bloggers and chefs to amateurs like me who just really like cooking and eating good food. This gathering is for the midwest members of the site though site members from anywhere can attend - it rotates around various locations like Chicago, Ann Arbor, etc. It hasn't been in Cleveland since 2007, which was a very good gathering, but I think we impressed folks even more this time around and we had quite a few people who hadn't been here before. I had a nice long talk with a couple who were originally from PA but have been living in Oklahoma for some time about various aspects of Cleveland, they were surprised and curious about a lot of facets and I think I talked us up pretty well. The restaurants and shops over the 4 day event definitely scored points with everyone, even the girl who came over from Japan to attend (american with midwest roots, married to a Japanese guy).

 

Events included a progressive dinner Thursday, with Rocco Whalen from Farenheit providing awesome apps and a great, quick pro-Cleveland and pro-Tremont speech to the group (group was around 40 people all weekend), followed by tons of awesome food at Lolita, followed by more food in the private room at Dante, plus a quick Q&A with the chef.  Friday started out with lunch from the Dim and Den Sum food truck, including a tour of the truck and discussion with Chris, the owner, a tour of the new Crop space in Ohio City, a long happy hour at the Velvet Tango Room and dinner in the lower level of the Greenhouse Tavern (I have pix from this if anyone wants to see). I attended dinner Thurs and Fri. Saturday,the group descended upon the west side market and NUFM and picked up ingredients for the afternoon cooking session at the Chubby Chef in Beachwood and group dinner that night of everything everyone had made. Sunday brunch at AMP150 by Chef Jarrett was the last event. Everyone I talked to had wonderful things to say about Cleveland, about the food and about the event and I was glad to be a part of showing off the city, and so proud of our local chefs who treated our group just great.

 

 

That sounds awesome, RnR.  And now I'm hungry.

 

About how many people attended?

It was around 40 people.

 

It wasn't eating for the lighthearted, casual diner to be sure. Both the volume and type of food presented were really pushing it, even for a foodie like me. I only turned down 1 dish over both nights but between the cost, the volume of food and some of the stuff that was a little hard for even me to get down, it was exhausting. Everything was delicious and our chefs did great, but sometimes being a foodie is hard work :)

Everything was delicious and our chefs did great, but sometimes being a foodie is hard work :)

 

Prime candidate for WhiteWhine.com! :)

LOL. I fancy myself a *fairly* adventurous eater compared to most people I dine with, but these people are seriously hard core. I actually came out lucky. If things had trended a lot more towards the fish/seafood side of foodie than the bacon/pork side, I would have eaten a lot less.

... a long happy hour at the Velvet Tango Room and dinner in the lower level of the Greenhouse Tavern (I have pix from this if anyone wants to see). I attended dinner Thurs and Fri. Saturday,the group descended upon the west side market and NUFM ...

 

 

 

I am assuming you mean down where their kitchen is?? How on earth did 40 people fit into that space???  Even if you move all the tables it is def not big enough for 20, let alone 40.

Yes, down where the kitchen is. There were about 8 of us at the "chef's table" (counter running next to the line) and the rest were at very long, rectangular tables, on either side. I think there were 2 big, long tables. It was enough to fit everyone. I would guess there were about 8 people on each side of the table.

Just checked my picture, there were 3 long tables behind us, with people on either side. So the counter/chef's table, and 3 other tables, with more like 4 or 5 on each side. Here's the view from behind me, I sat at the chef's table:

 

Menchie's FroYo coming to Lakewood. I noticed a sign on the storefront next to 5 Guys on Detroit this morning when I was riding my bike to get some coffee.

 

Not exactly related, but the renovations on Rozi's Wine in Lakewood look excellent. They added a sidewalk cafe seating areas in the store front with some sweet garage door style roll up windows for all year use. 

Thats realy great news about Rozi's.  That storefront always bugged me and wasa crying for a storefront renovation!  Although what would the sidewalk seating be for?  Will they be serving wine as well?

 

That stretch has changed so much the past few years (for the better), with more on the way.  Wish I could say the same for farther down Detroit. 

Just checked my picture, there were 3 long tables behind us, with people on either side. So the counter/chef's table, and 3 other tables, with more like 4 or 5 on each side. Here's the view from behind me, I sat at the chef's table:

 

 

Yeah I thnk because they normally have a giant table set up down there it makes the space feel smaller than maybe it is, but that looks like a tight fit.

Several new restaurants coming to the WHD......

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,3323.msg573278.html#msg573278

SoHo has their website up and running.  They will be having a sneak preview at Momocho on 8/22.

 

http://www.sohocleveland.com/index.html

I heard Fat Fish Blue was closing. Has this been posted? If so, please excuse. If not, too bad...the last thing that horrible looking parking garage needs is emptiness at street level...or just emptiness in that general area.

SoHo has their website up and running.  They will be having a sneak preview at Momocho on 8/22.

 

http://www.sohocleveland.com/index.html

 

Oh yeah - and here is my preview of a dessert that SoHo may or may not have on their menu.  These are beignets.

SoHo08102011_189 by KP SMITH, on Flickr

I heard Fat Fish Blue was closing. Has this been posted? If so, please excuse. If not, too bad...the last thing that horrible looking parking garage needs is emptiness at street level...or just emptiness in that general area.

 

Oh man, that would be a bummer.  That space really does make that corner a lot more palatable.  If true, hopefully something else takes it in place in short order.

With the casino opening across the street in the near future there is no doubt in my mind this spot will be filled by Christmas, but hopefully even sooner.

I wanted to post and let you guys know that Cleveland just held a very successful, 4-day gathering of very hard core gourmands from various parts of the midwest and elsewhere. "Foodies" as you may know them. The group is part of a worldwide website that is not open to the general public and is chock full of all levels of foodies, from professional food writers and bloggers and chefs to amateurs like me who just really like cooking and eating good food. This gathering is for the midwest members of the site though site members from anywhere can attend - it rotates around various locations like Chicago, Ann Arbor, etc. It hasn't been in Cleveland since 2007, which was a very good gathering, but I think we impressed folks even more this time around and we had quite a few people who hadn't been here before. I had a nice long talk with a couple who were originally from PA but have been living in Oklahoma for some time about various aspects of Cleveland, they were surprised and curious about a lot of facets and I think I talked us up pretty well. The restaurants and shops over the 4 day event definitely scored points with everyone, even the girl who came over from Japan to attend (american with midwest roots, married to a Japanese guy).

 

Events included a progressive dinner Thursday, with Rocco Whalen from Farenheit providing awesome apps and a great, quick pro-Cleveland and pro-Tremont speech to the group (group was around 40 people all weekend), followed by tons of awesome food at Lolita, followed by more food in the private room at Dante, plus a quick Q&A with the chef.  Friday started out with lunch from the Dim and Den Sum food truck, including a tour of the truck and discussion with Chris, the owner, a tour of the new Crop space in Ohio City, a long happy hour at the Velvet Tango Room and dinner in the lower level of the Greenhouse Tavern (I have pix from this if anyone wants to see). I attended dinner Thurs and Fri. Saturday,the group descended upon the west side market and NUFM and picked up ingredients for the afternoon cooking session at the Chubby Chef in Beachwood and group dinner that night of everything everyone had made. Sunday brunch at AMP150 by Chef Jarrett was the last event. Everyone I talked to had wonderful things to say about Cleveland, about the food and about the event and I was glad to be a part of showing off the city, and so proud of our local chefs who treated our group just great.

 

 

 

 

gayot? :)

 

 

^ eGullet Heartland Gathering (not that I'm a member, just a jealous lurker)

 

See message thread: http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?/topic/139949-report-2011-heartland-gathering-cleveland-oh/

ahh of course thx -- egullet was my next guess! i just lurk there too and dont post anymore.

Indeed it was eG. Great pictures in the thread if you are intersted in food porn :)

It seems from the few times I've stopped in for drinks and the times I've walked past that Bar Louie in the WHD is doing well.  Although I am not a big fan of chains I think it's a welcome addition to the neighborhood because it has name recognition (a good one at that) for out of towners and folks from the 'burbs.  I think the WHD will really benefit from this because I've grown out of a lot of the "popular" bars on West 6th (too clubby/douchey for me) and have found myself in OC and Tremont much more.

I agree T7. I like the vibe in there. I too have outgrown most of the bars in the WHD.  For us early forty somethings who live in the WHD, it's another solid option. 

Hey, even a lot of us late twenty-somethings have outgrown most of the WHD clubs :)

It seems like with Bar Louie and Taza (AKA Aladdin's), we are getting some more regional and national stuff in the WHD. That imo is something that could have a domino effect in attracting other national tenants. If it keeps up, maybe Home Depot will build a new store in that huge parking lot that Stark failed to develop!;d

That would be nice! ...but probably not very likely

does anyone know -- is mgb open earlier than 4pm yet??? thx

SoHo Kitchen and Bar had a preview pop-up at Momocho last night.  Food was fantastic.  Their chicken & waffles and shrimp & grits will both be big sellers.

foodporn! from my hurricane extended home visit:

 

market garden brewery

 

 

 

edgewater hh

 

slymans

 

velvet tango room & lola

 

hansa import haus mustard in tubes & lorain slovak

 

 

 

 

nice little set!Thanks.

Looks like you were at MGB on Sunday near opening time?

thx -- it was last wednesday around opening after work, great stuff i rated them all A or B.

 

overall, i had a nice unexpectedly extended visit home and ate well. i had the charcuterie plate and beef cheek pierogies at lola later that night. i also hit up the salad bar at constantinos before i took some feb crane/construction pics...and the rest was all cookouts!