Lola is a good business lunch spot, the lunch prices are pretty reasonable. Saigon is also good.

I'm hearing good things about Urban Farmer at the Westin - just a few blocks north on East 6th.

More info about "Adega," the planned restaurant in the Geis Cleveland Trust tower hotel/apartment conversion: http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2014/06/27/adega-the-high-profile-restaurant-at-the-9-has-announced-its-executive-chef

A friend of mine will be driving back from DC, stopping in Cleveland on the 4th of July, and staying over night Downtown. He's tried to make  reservations at most of the restaurants in Downtown, Tremont & Ohio City. Everything is booked. I thought people BBQ'd on the 4th in their back yard...or is this a normal Friday night in the restaurant scene these days in CLE?

 

if he or her really wants to go somewhere just walk in. there will be no-shows and a solo diner will usually have good luck anyway because there is always an odd seat available. that said, best to have backup choices lol. but seriously, i have always had good luck as a solo diner on any occasion everywhere ive been. worth a try at least.

More info about "Adega," the planned restaurant in the Geis Cleveland Trust tower hotel/apartment conversion: http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2014/06/27/adega-the-high-profile-restaurant-at-the-9-has-announced-its-executive-chef

 

This is great news, the chef comes with a great bio. Probably another gem in the Cleveland culinary scene.

So the old Blake Supper Club in the Superior Building is now a Vietnamese restaurant. Will have to try...

I heard from someone today that Slyman's is opening another location, in Independence. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

Going in at the former suds n' sliders in the shopping plaza on the northwest side of it, at 21/brecksville rd.  and rockside.

Joe Crea's initial review of Trentina based on the friends and family preview in Cleveland.com: http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2014/06/preview_dinners_at_jonathon_sa.html#incart_river_default

 

Based on his other reviews, Crea doesn't seem very hard to impress, but he really seems to think Trentina is a whole new level of high quality for Cleveland.  I admit I'm a little surprised by the format he describes, which sounds more adventurous- almost molecular gastronomy- than the tight and focused, but more traditional regional menu I expected.  Selfishly, it's not my favorite format, but will still be fun to try at some point. Though not so fun for the wallet:

 

When it opens on Tuesday, July 8, the 32-seat Trentina will focus on Sawyer's "Menu Bianco," a daily procession of tasting courses served in small courses, priced at $100 per guest exclusive of beverages, gratuity and tax. (When the patio opens a short time later, the outdoor menu will offer a selection of pizzas and other dishes, Sawyer explains. Eventually, a la carte service may be added.)

Sounds great but don't recall the "$100 per guest" minimum (tasting menu only) coming up when Sawyer was persuading folks to crowd-fund this place. goes against the everyman spirit of the Kickstarter.... That might have changed some donations.

 

Also, tasting menus are tricky for those of us (or spouses)  who have (literal) deadly food allergies ... Dont want to be a difficult diner but if we don't ask them to alter certain tasting mdnu dishes,  we've got a dead wife on our hands... And I feel bad being that guy. On a regular menu we can order around the shellfish....

 

Joe Crea's initial review of Trentina based on the friends and family preview in Cleveland.com: http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2014/06/preview_dinners_at_jonathon_sa.html#incart_river_default

 

Based on his other reviews, Crea doesn't seem very hard to impress, but he really seems to think Trentina is a whole new level of high quality for Cleveland.  I admit I'm a little surprised by the format he describes, which sounds more adventurous- almost molecular gastronomy- than the tight and focused, but more traditional regional menu I expected.  Selfishly, it's not my favorite format, but will still be fun to try at some point. Though not so fun for the wallet:

 

When it opens on Tuesday, July 8, the 32-seat Trentina will focus on Sawyer's "Menu Bianco," a daily procession of tasting courses served in small courses, priced at $100 per guest exclusive of beverages, gratuity and tax. (When the patio opens a short time later, the outdoor menu will offer a selection of pizzas and other dishes, Sawyer explains. Eventually, a la carte service may be added.)

 

Ugh, I had to comment on that article.  The typos and grammatical mistakes on Cleveland.com articles are getting out of control.  There are two in that article alone!

Great find Mr. Clifton. I'm going to check it out for lunch tomorrow!

I heard from someone today that Slyman's is opening another location, in Independence. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

Going in at the former suds n' sliders in the shopping plaza on the northwest side of it, at 21/brecksville rd.  and rockside.

 

Nice.  I still prefer Corky and Lenny's but I'll be having to pick up a couple pounds (in more ways than one) from time to time.

Seen in Independence:

 

 

 

 

Maybe this will actually work here. Nothing ever lasts in this space.

FYI with Trentina, Sawyer has specifically said they will accommodate very carefully any allergies, dietary restrictions or even preferences. I'm not a big fan of the molecular gastronomy type thing he has going on, so I probably won't be rushing to go there, but know that they will accommodate allergies/preferences.

 

I do think this can move us to the next level on the culinary scene. A restaurant like this would definitely be a destination for epicures; they would come to cleveland specifically to do an evening here. This can directly and positively impact tourism and I completely support it, even if I won't exactly be a regular.

I'm a big Sawyer fan, don't get me wrong, but does he have the name recognition for that? A legitimate question, I honestly don't know.

Yes, he does. He is very well known and respected nationally. He is a James Beard nominee, more than once I believe.

I had raised concerns about how Trentina handles food allergies for tasting menu... (emergency rooms can ruin a good meal...) ...  In looking a Trentina website, I was surprised by several things... #1 each guest must register in advance and list allergies or aversions. Meal will be tailored to diner. #2 all diners must buy $100 ticket in advance to get a reservation.... No cancellations.... (they note it is like tickets to concerts or sports) ticket may be transferred to others via email until 24 hours before reservation.  This is the new trend to reduce cancellations, etc.... Pioneered by Next and Alinea in Chicago.

 

I look forward to dining at Trentina soon... I still wonder, however.  the more I read, if the hefty price tag and tasting menu  concept goes against the everyman principles of its Kickstarter birth...

Do the early backers get a deep discount or fee tickets? I'm intrigued by the ticket system, although I'm a little nervous about the food? I'm a fan if big flavors and these sorts of places are more subtle/nuanced than my caveman palate generally appreciates.

Seen in Independence:

 

 

wait, dont tell me slymans is moving there?? it just a new one right??

Jax, if I recall Kickstarter donors to Trentina could get everything from a mention on Twitter, to an invite to preview dinner, to their names on a table, to a party for 20, etc... In fairness, this Kickstsrter was more about marketing and less about funding a large part of the place. Trentina raised $39K from 200 donors. I read about a Pittsburgh restaurant that recently raised $300K. That amount seems almost criminal to accept from donors.

 

Seen in Independence:

 

 

wait, dont tell me slymans is moving there?? it just a new one right??

 

Almost certainly.  Corky and Lenny's has been doing spinoff locations for awhile.

 

I'm just hoping Slyman's will sell by the pound as well there.  I wasn't much of a sit down dinner person even before Miss Hyper came around.

Do the early backers get a deep discount or fee tickets? I'm intrigued by the ticket system, although I'm a little nervous about the food? I'm a fan if big flavors and these sorts of places are more subtle/nuanced than my caveman palate generally appreciates.

 

I don't think I would describe anything I've eaten in a Sawyer restaurant as subtle. People don't pay a lot of money for food like this because it's bland or doesn't have flavor. That being said, the flavors, combinations and presentation are all new for a Cleveland diner, and the portions are smaller in a multi-course meal, which is also not traditional Cleveland. I imagine he will have more fans from out of state for this restaurant than people in Cleveland who love it, once it is established. But I think it's designed to be that type of place, not some rustic cleveland type place, of which we have plenty.

I imagine he will have more fans from out of state for this restaurant than people in Cleveland who love it, once it is established. But I think it's designed to be that type of place, not some rustic cleveland type place, of which we have plenty.

 

I disagree.  I think he will have many dedicated fans here precisely for the reason that it's something you can't find at any other restaurant around Cleveland.

 

Recess in Indianapolis is kind of the same situation (unusual for the market), and it's very popular there.

however it's popular, I just hope that it is :)

Do the early backers get a deep discount or fee tickets? I'm intrigued by the ticket system, although I'm a little nervous about the food? I'm a fan if big flavors and these sorts of places are more subtle/nuanced than my caveman palate generally appreciates.

 

I don't think I would describe anything I've eaten in a Sawyer restaurant as subtle. People don't pay a lot of money for food like this because it's bland or doesn't have flavor. That being said, the flavors, combinations and presentation are all new for a Cleveland diner, and the portions are smaller in a multi-course meal, which is also not traditional Cleveland. I imagine he will have more fans from out of state for this restaurant than people in Cleveland who love it, once it is established. But I think it's designed to be that type of place, not some rustic cleveland type place, of which we have plenty.

Just to be clear, I wasn't referring to his other restaurants (I said in a previous post I'm a big fan of his). Nor did I use the word "bland". There are people with more sensitive palates than me. It doesn't mean it's bland food, I just don't appreciate it to the same level and that's perfectly fine.

 

I get you. Honestly, neither do I. When the descriptions started coming in of his first few dishes, I was pretty sure I'm not going to eat there for a long time :)

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2014/07/18/light-bistro-in-ohio-city-has-closed-owners-to-focus-on-hudson-based-peachtree

 

This hurts.  I loved the place and location.  I hope someone gets in there quick to be a presence on that corner.  With a coffee shop going in right across the street, this part of the neighborhood was growing.

This place was one block the wrong way... off the W 25th strip...  As for their comments about how well their Hudson restaurant is doing...based on my own past viewing of available reservation times on OpenTable (almost always fully available... even with smallish location0.. - and diners' so-so reviews - I would have though it was their Hudson restaurant that would be closing...  Hmmm...

Hmm, I wonder if this is evidence Ohio City is dying?  (haha, just kidding, but intended to highlight the absurdity of a similar post re-East Side/University Circle when Accent and Beer Cellars closed in UC/Uptown).  Lovely building, great neighborhood, nice desert and jazz, at one time.  Somebody else will reopen here; too hot a spot....

Btw the Pho Thang Cafe downtown is delicious!  Have been twice this week.  Staff is very pleasant and service is generally quick. That space is huge but today they were fairly full and short staffed... Not so pleasant for the staff but a good sign for business. All the reviews i have seen have been very positive. I hope they do well!

 

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2014/07/18/new-vietnamese-eatery-brings-pho-to-restaurant-hungry-section-of-downtown

 

Mr. Clifton, I second the motion on Pho Thang. I've had lunch there twice and both were very positive experiences. I'll also make a point of having dinner there as well. To me, this is a huge plus if they can secure a foothold. Next, we need a good Thai place downtown.

We do have a restaurant review thread, but I'll third Pho Thang. Maybe we could do a forum meetup lunch there?

I would love to do a forum lunch at Pho Thang. Just say when.

I had the Taro Bubble Tea at Pho Thang and it was very good! The staff is very friendly and accomodating and the space is attractive. This is a great addition to downtown.

I've posted in the Cleveland forum meet thread, feel free to respond there if you're interested: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=29053.msg717414#new

Have you all seen that Slyman's is licensing an expansion to Independence?

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140720/MULTI/307209987/1341/newsletter22

 

No way it can have the character of the St. Clair Avenue location near downtown. But hey, it's business.

Have you all seen that Slyman's is licensing an expansion to Independence?

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140720/MULTI/307209987/1341/newsletter22

 

No way it can have the character of the St. Clair Avenue location near downtown. But hey, it's business.

 

Corky and Lenny's had a satellite in the Pearlbrook shopping center.  I'm not sure it's there anymore.  The quality was up there for sure.

Have you all seen that Slyman's is licensing an expansion to Independence?

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140720/MULTI/307209987/1341/newsletter22

 

No way it can have the character of the St. Clair Avenue location near downtown. But hey, it's business.

 

If you look a few posts up, Musky took a photo of the new location... and it pretty much confirms you're prediction.

 

Seen in Independence:

 

 

 

The sign says it's "moving"? But the Crain's video says its licensing a new location which tells me it's a franchise. Or are they actually relocating??

The sign says it's "moving"? But the Crain's video says its licensing a new location which tells me it's a franchise. Or are they actually relocating??

 

Moving IN

^^Yeah, "moving" is poor word choice.  Should say "opening soon."  Pretty sure this is just a new branch.

Symon posts that on Friday the project going into former La Strada on E. 4th will be announced.

I've seen a lot of mention about "why so many restaurants" and worries about our ability to sustain and staff them. All good points. Here's an article related to that.

 

Restaurants Really Can Determine the Fate of Cities and Neighborhoods

A new survey shows how much food influences the vibrance of urban centers.

 

ANTHONY FLINT

 

The way to an urbanite’s heart is through his stomach, apparently.

 

A new study released today by planning and design firm Sasaki Associates found that food is a major driver of the American urban experience: Eighty-two percent of urbanites appreciate their city’s culinary offerings, and a new restaurant is the top reason nearly half of those surveyed would venture out to explore different parts of their city. The majority of city residents also consider food and restaurants to be the most outstanding aspect of cities they love to visit...

 

read more: http://www.citylab.com/politics/2014/07/how-food-drives-cities-resurgences/374806/

Michael Symon to open new barbecue restaurant, Mabel's BBQ, in East Fourth Street La Strada spot

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There'll be a barbecue joint coming to downtown Cleveland. And it will have Michael Symon's name on it. Mabel's BBQ will open late this fall on East Fourth Street. It will occupy the former home of La Strada, 2050 East Fourth St., which the Michael Symon Restaurant Group acquired in mid-June.

 

Original plans were for a casual food plan concept or possibly an urban location for the B Spot burgers concept. In the end, Symon says we went with a longtime passion.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2014/07/smoke_in_the_air_michael_symon.html#incart_2box

Hopefully this will be as successful as Franklin BBQ and they sell meat by the pound!

 

They better have some damn good briskett!

This goes back to the "S&P Smokehouse" concept that Symon said he was working on a couple of years ago - and would open.. He's going to... Nice.

WOOOOOO!

Symon says, get your munch on!

Has the Cadillac Ranch reopened as the Bank?  Does anyone walk past this area because apparently there is an opening ceremony after party there for the Gay Games.

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1472214346365925/?ref=3&ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular