You're talking about "old man bars".  There are a few of those, but I would say that most places I've been in Lakewood are catering to a younger crowd than that.  But they are still neighborhood joints, for the most part.

You're talking about "old man bars".  There are a few of those, but I would say that most places I've been in Lakewood are catering to a younger crowd than that.  But they are still neighborhood joints, for the most part.

 

By absolutely no means are the two mutually exclusive.  Lakewood's become somewhat of a destination for the west side suburban twentysomethings who used to go to the Flats since the latter fizzled out.  But those destination bars are "old man" bars during the bulk of the week.

Twentysomethings can't possibly have a recollection of the flats as it was deserted over 10 years ago.

Twentysomethings can't possibly have a recollection of the flats as it was deserted over 10 years ago.

 

Well when it happened the west siders started going to Lakewood, and this carried on, the twenty-five year olds brought the twenty-two year olds and so on and so forth....

I saw the suburban trend happening since 9/11 through the 2008 Financial crisis.  People want to stay closer to home during times of strife.  This coincides with the rise of places like Downtown Willoughby and Lakewood as entertainment destinations.

 

 

^don't forget the crack down on DUIs

^don't forget the crack down on DUIs

 

Yeah....which makes it strange for people to want to go to Lakewood.

^don't forget the crack down on DUIs

 

Yeah....which makes it strange for people to want to go to Lakewood.

 

Both points very true.  I do think the Lakewood cops deter some of the things that killed the Flats, and that's part of it.

Hm, I missed this a few months ago, but sounds like Eater, the prominent restaurant news blog, is planning to launch a Cleveland-specific branch: http://eater.com/archives/2013/05/22/eater-charlotte-cleveland-san-antonio.php

 

This would be very nifty.

Yes, I'm an Eater reader and have emailed them several times about starting a Cleveland page, so I'm excited!

Yes, I'm an Eater reader and have emailed them several times about starting a Cleveland page, so I'm excited!

 

same here.  great, concise, informative site that has overlooked cleveland for years.

about time! a localized eater will be good to have. they'll need local help for coverage, so there might be an opportunity for someone to contact them?

 

the eater blog organization also puts out the curbed blog for real estate, which i think a localized version for cle would also be very fascinating, and racked blog, for retail news. both curbed and racked are good too.

 

Momocho's Eric Williams Announces Ohio City Breakfast Joint

 

Eric Williams, along with his partner Randy Carter, will open Jack Flaps, a 40-seat "urban breakfast shop" in Ohio City. Set in the former home of Palookaville Chili (3900 Lorain Ave.), the breakfast and lunch cafe will serve a short stack of creative waffles, pancakes and French toast dishes.

 

 

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2013/11/06/momochos-eric-williams-announces-ohio-city-breakfast-joint

Very disappointed to hear Palookaville has closed.  I loved all of their chilis.

about time! a localized eater will be good to have. they'll need local help for coverage, so there might be an opportunity for someone to contact them?

 

the eater blog organization also puts out the curbed blog for real estate, which i think a localized version for cle would also be very fascinating, and racked blog, for retail news. both curbed and racked are good too.

 

I've hoped for a while that they will create a curbed blog from Cleveland.  Even though this site would probably be a competitor of theirs.

Very disappointed to hear Palookaville has closed.  I loved all of their chilis.

 

Agree they were quality. I'm not exactly sold on that location.

And, here's an interesting piece about the "saturation" issue we've discussed:

 

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/destination-saturation-a-look-at-the-state-of-the-cleveland-dining-scene/Content?oid=3696963

Agree they were quality. I'm not exactly sold on that location.

 

I liked them, too, though it was a bit off the beaten path.  Hopefully more people will start to buy into revitalizing Lorain Avenue... there's some great commercial stock there (and I personally prefer it to Detroit.)  Maybe this new breakfast place will be enough of a "destination" that it can anchor a mini-resurgence there.

Palookaville closing sounds like it had little to do with saturation or bad location according to a blurb from the owner in Scene recently. Sounds like he didn't want to be there.

 

"It was doing okay, but it was too much work for me," he says. "It gets to be a bit of a drag having to be there every day. I prefer the creative side of things."

Red the Steakhouse

Big YEAH!  Opens Wednesday.

 

Can't wait to check out RED!!

Around late Sept/early Oct, Gimme Java moved into the old Kokopelli’s coffee shop spot, at Lee & Van Aken in Shaker, that had been vacant for years.  Besides the nice coffee blends,  it’s got a nice light breakfast-y and luncheon menu… The place is much classier than Kokopelli’s, which became a hangout for teens leading to its demise.  Gimme Java echoes Dewey’s in Shaker Square, though not quite as large… Gimme Java has hardwood floors with nice Oriental area rugs, a working fireplace with surrounded by comfy couches.  There are a number of window high tables to check out the busy action in downtown Shaker Heights.  And of course, there’s free WiFi… I only dropped in once a few weeks ago on a rainy weekday afternoon, and it largely full with a range of ages, races and ethnic groups… The help was VERY friendly and chatty; happy to see everyone…

 

CONVENIENT: West Siders, Shaker Squarians (MTS) and Downtown-ites (and even University Circle/Little Italy-ites – I simply couldn’t bear to say Little Italians!) may want to hop the Blue Line Rapid to Gimme Java – the Lee Road station is right across the street from the restaurant.  It’s about a 20 min ride from Tower City… Also, parking is pretty crappy, it’s a very busy corner: there are metered spaces although, apparently, there are a few free short-term spots reserved for commuter/customers who want to grab-their java ‘n-go.  Otherwise, if you must bring your Tin Lizzie, free public parking is over a block away – at the Shaker Public Library, across wide Lee Road and down about a block… There is also parking at the Heinen’s which is 2 blocks away on the other side of the historic, small Shaker Cemetery (just don’t bother on shopping Saturdays or evening rush hour (plus, I think the cops and Heinen’s monitor non-customer parkers who may risk The Hook – Trust me: just take the Rapid and avoid the hassle….

 

This is a nice place and certainly an upgrade for this spot in the beautiful old Kingsbury Building… definitely worth the trip (and no, I don’t work for GJ or know the owners at all)…

 

website: http://www.gimmejavacoffee.com/

 

Great early Yelp reviews, too… http://www.yelp.com/biz/gimme-java-coffee-shaker-heights

 

 

Yes Clvlndr, its great to have them in the neighborhood.  I went opening day and several times since.  Nice spot and great to see on that corner.  People from the neighborhood opened it, and have now gotten their groove, so hope it is a success. 

 

Also, if checking it out, don't forget to also check out Simply Delicious Pies 2 doors down, Just past "Multitudes International" hair place (yes its really called that) 

^Yes, willyboy, it's great that local people are running Gimme Java (and I’m sorry for my biases, I just think Shaker people are naturally friendlier than most).  Beats a Starbucks-type chain any day... You're right, Simply Delicious opened last year, also started by a couple locals -- 2 Shaker sisters.  This is good news for this little corner, which had been largely vacant until a year or so ago.  I remember Nichols, the sporting goods place years ago -- I got my 1st baseball mitt there (and my dad put it under the front couch leg to break it in for Little League – I think a lot of dads did stuff like that).  Also, turns out I was wrong, somewhat: there is a little parking lot on the Van Aken side of the building, but it may be reserved for building residents.  With Gimme Java and Simply Delicious (along with the beauty shop and the long-time cleaners on the Van Aken side), this area has been coming back to life… It’s also next to the Avalon Station condos which opened in the mid-2000s.  While this area won’t be a Coventry anytime soon, the quality eateries certainly help.

Stopped in Red, the Steakhouse tonight to make reservations for Friday... and, of course, to check the place out.  Very impressive and crowded.  Make sure you bring a stocked-up pocketbook, cause, well, the appetizers costs what entree's cost in most sit down, downtown restaurants...and some of those entree's were north of $50... you get the idea.  The steaks, though, looked up to the billing…. Lunch is coming in December; the rooftop seating, in the Spring.

Stopped in Red, the Steakhouse tonight to make reservations for Friday... and, of course, to check the place out.  Very impressive and crowded.  Make sure you bring a stocked-up pocketbook, cause, well, the appetizers costs what entree's cost in most sit down, downtown restaurants...and some of those entree's were north of $50... you get the idea.  The steaks, though, looked up to the billing…. Lunch is coming in December; the rooftop seating, in the Spring.

It's fine dining, not Applebee's.

 

Here is a photo slideshow:

 

red, the steakhouse: a start-to-finish slideshow

 

http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/features/redsteakhouseslider111413.aspx

It's fine dining, not Applebee's.

 

It's a newer, somewhat fancier version of Ruth Chris'.

Cleveland Beer Cellars had a soft opening a few weeks ago at Uptown (in the northern end of the south/east pavilion on Euclid opposite Accent’s space).  Their formal opening is next month … It’s a large, attractive space with large windows overlooking Euclid, an upstairs stage – yes, they feature live bands – and a large outdoor seating area on Euclid.  Lots of beers on taps plus bottled beer seemingly from everywhere.  CBC has the potential to pump even more life into the highly successful Uptown project.

 

Here's their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CBCUptown

I saw on Twitter that RED is thinking about taking the Accent space. I personally think that would be a mistake, but if they do it I hope it works out.

 

I saw on Twitter that RED is thinking about taking the Accent space. I personally think that would be a mistake, but if they do it I hope it works out.

 

There's an article on cle.com ... It won't be a RED. it would be called Roja and be a Latin concept. Personally sounds cool!

Cleveland may see more Red, if steakhouse operators take over former Accent space in University Circle: Restaurant Row

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Could Brad Friedlander, and Cleveland, be seeing more red on the horizon?

 

The principal partner in Red the Steakhouse -- which just opened a fourth location and its second Cleveland area spot, on Wednesday -- confirmed that Red Restaurant Group is considering a spot for a new concept in University Circle.

 

Instead, the University Circle spot could likely become an upscale Latin-themed eatery. The name Roja -- Spanish for "Red" -- is under consideration.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2013/11/cleveland_may_see_more_red_if.html#incart_flyout_entertainment

ohhhhhhhhh! Awesome!

Sweet!...

I guess it was abruptly announced yesterday that all of the Cleveland area locations of Champps are closing effective tomorrow.  Anyone know the story behind this move?

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/11/champps_closing_three_greater.html

^looks like its a national trend

I guess it was abruptly announced yesterday that all of the Cleveland area locations of Champps are closing effective tomorrow.  Anyone know the story behind this move?

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/11/champps_closing_three_greater.html

 

That's too bad. They had good burgers. But their service was slow and their restaurants (Westlake and Valley View) usually seemed to be more empty than not.

The Lyndhurst location was always pretty busy.

I have only been to the Lyndhurst and Valley View locations.  I agree that the Valley View location was dead every time I have been there, but the Lyndhurst location was usually quite busy.

 

IMO, the food was average at best.

what did i tell ya? now hiring for eater cleveland:

 

http://m.eater.com/archives/2013/05/22/eater-charlotte-cleveland-san-antonio.php

 

Just came across a story on Luca---on the Superior Viaduct.  Does anyone know, is it at the former location of the former Ponte Vecchio? That was a great restaurant.

 

Unlike the previous iterations in that location the food was quite good when I was there a couple months ago.

^great, thanks---that's good to hear. I loved the view/location, so I'm glad a new place is there that is recommended.

what did i tell ya? now hiring for eater cleveland:

 

http://m.eater.com/archives/2013/05/22/eater-charlotte-cleveland-san-antonio.php

 

 

I emailed them a couple of weeks to see if they were hiring for it yet but got no answer. More formally applied today. Fingers crossed.

Water and Grain to replace old City Grill in Gordon-Square:

 

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2013/11/19/see-architects-rendering-of-new-gordon-square-restaurant

what did i tell ya? now hiring for eater cleveland:

 

http://m.eater.com/archives/2013/05/22/eater-charlotte-cleveland-san-antonio.php

 

 

That's the same link I posted here two weeks ago. Which Eater originally posted 7 months ago. They sure are moving at a glacial pace.  Which for R&R's sake I hope means they still haven't hired.

:) Thanks.

Orale Mexican Kitchen opens its expanded bar, restaurant in Ohio City

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- An expansion that nearly doubled its space still means a crowd at Orale Contemporary Mexican Kitchen in Ohio City. Since its quiet soft opening last week, fans have been crowding in.

 

Orale will be even busier in the week ahead. Chef-owner Roberto Rodriguez will celebrate Orale's debut with an official grand opening event from 8 to 11 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26. The party will include free samples of dishes from the chef's new bar menu as well as a cash bar.

 

That new bar menu focuses on portions of snacks like spicy queso fundito dip, fried tamales, wings, steamed mussels and a couple of pizzas. Prices range from $6 to $10.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2013/11/orale_mexican_kitchen_opens_it.html#incart_river_default

what did i tell ya? now hiring for eater cleveland:

 

http://m.eater.com/archives/2013/05/22/eater-charlotte-cleveland-san-antonio.php

 

 

 

I emailed them a couple of weeks to see if they were hiring for it yet but got no answer. More formally applied today. Fingers crossed.

 

 

i was certainly hoping you would go for it - awesome!

Maybe this belongs in restaurant reviews? ;)

 

"@jimmyfallon: Sokolowski's University Inn - D E L I C I O U S! #Cleveland http://t.co/5qWuW1xqDf