August 24, 20159 yr ^ yeah, i guess some people just don't like neapolitan style pizza. probably the same goes for other italian styles like sicilian nonna squares and tomato only pizza and the like. too foreign or unfamiliar or something. reminds me of the time my sis in law from dayton visited and we stopped in for a quick lunch at a neapolitan pizza place (it was keste in the village) and then she made faces and picked the cheese off because she had never seen fresh mozzarella before. anyway, there is a wide world of pizza out there so no big deal.
August 25, 20159 yr 5 types of commuter lunches through the eyes of Heinen's chef (photos, video) By Marc Bona, Northeast Ohio Media Group Email the author | Follow on Twitter on August 25, 2015 at 10:00 AM, updated August 25, 2015 at 10:07 AM CLEVELAND, Ohio – Having parents who worked in Manhattan years ago, I heard stories about my mom using her secretary's allotted lunch break to go to Chock Full o' Nuts, a luncheonette chain in the days before "fast-food" took hold. People would stand in lines behind each diner at every counter seat -- waiting for them to order, waiting for food to be prepared, waiting for diners to finish their meal. Always seemed rather inefficient to me. http://www.cleveland.com/food/index.ssf/2015/08/5_types_of_commuter_lunches_th.html#incart_river
August 26, 20159 yr Over in Uptown, it appears that both Crop and Zach Bruel's Dynomite burgers, have moved into the failed spaces of the glitzy Asian place and the beer seller, respectively, (I forgot their names already), and are making a go of it. Both restaurants appeared busy yesterday eve. Has this generally been the case? I know their predecessors always seemed empty. I was at Crop on Friday night, as I commented in another thread. It has been open now for several months. "Accent" was the name of the restaurant using the space before Crop. I actually liked Accent better, but Crop is good. Unfortunately, I think Accent got in and failed before Uptown really took off. That was the second time I had been to Crop and it was much busier on Friday than the first time I went. We only went for apps, dessert (for my pregnant wife), and drinks (for me), but the burgers which kept passing by our table looked delicious. We got the pork belly, which didn't come close to comparing to Accent's mouth watering pork belly, the calamari, which was good, and my wife enjoyed her beet salad. The Dynomite place seemed to be doing well. Interesting combo of Burgers and Sushi. A new twist on surf 'n turf I suppose.
August 26, 20159 yr How do you know when a Cleveland neighborhood has "made it"? When a suburban business tries to emulate it..... clevelanddotcomVerified account @clevelanddotcom Owner of Wall Street Tavern wants to bring '#OhioCity feel' to #Parma http://s.cleveland.com/yhKmyTV Think he'll pull it off? via @maurazurick http://www.cleveland.com/parma/index.ssf/2015/08/owner_of_wall_street_tavern_wa.html Nothing says "Ohio City!" like karaoke, buckets of Miller High Life and DJ Dave!!!
August 27, 20159 yr What's everyone's opinion on the best new restaurant to open over the past year? Looking for a place to go this weekend that we haven't been to before. Preferably, a place on the east side, downtown, OC, or Tremont.
August 27, 20159 yr I genuinely don't know how old it is (it's new to me), but I think Lucca on the Superior Viaduct is extremely underrated. Really outstanding Italian.
August 27, 20159 yr I genuinely don't know how old it is (it's new to me), but I think Lucca on the Superior Viaduct is extremely underrated. Really outstanding Italian. And really outstanding happy hour ;)
August 27, 20159 yr I genuinely don't know how old it is (it's new to me), but I think Lucca on the Superior Viaduct is extremely underrated. Really outstanding Italian. And really outstanding happy hour ;) Why yes, why yes it is http://media.wix.com/ugd/821764_71b4a5109d414e8cac2ea119b8ef969c.pdf
August 27, 20159 yr I genuinely don't know how old it is (it's new to me), but I think Lucca on the Superior Viaduct is extremely underrated. Really outstanding Italian. And really outstanding happy hour ;) Why yes, why yes it is http://media.wix.com/ugd/821764_71b4a5109d414e8cac2ea119b8ef969c.pdf I just checked their happy hour menu and Yowza! $3 Peroni beers all day! That's a steal. Here in LA a Peroni is at least $6 and $8 if you're at a hotel bar cause it's "imported".
August 28, 20159 yr I've really enjoyed Butcher & Brewer but it is so, so crowded and loud now that I can't in good conscience recommend it unless you go early. It's mobbed every single night. I would say the big standouts to open in the last year are Black Pig in their new location, which is almost a completely different menu from their old location so almost like a new restaurant, and Trentina, which is getting a lot of good press. I also like Graffiti in Gordon Square.
August 28, 20159 yr What's everyone's opinion on the best new restaurant to open over the past year? Looking for a place to go this weekend that we haven't been to before. Preferably, a place on the east side, downtown, OC, or Tremont. Trentina in my opinion is one of the best places in the city. Get the bucatini. I don't think there is a better dish around.
August 28, 20159 yr I genuinely don't know how old it is (it's new to me), but I think Lucca on the Superior Viaduct is extremely underrated. Really outstanding Italian. And really outstanding happy hour ;) Why yes, why yes it is http://media.wix.com/ugd/821764_71b4a5109d414e8cac2ea119b8ef969c.pdf I just checked their happy hour menu and Yowza! $3 Peroni beers all day! That's a steal. Here in LA a Peroni is at least $6 and $8 if you're at a hotel bar cause it's "imported". I'm not falling for "happy hour" ever again! Sure, you save money on each item but for me it just gives me the green light to order more drinks, appetizers and dessert. Usually if my girlfriend and I eat out, the bill ranges from $40 to $50 but whenever we go to a happy hour, the bill manages to somehow be $50-$70!
August 28, 20159 yr I also second Graffiti (though to be fair, I haven't had a chance to try most of the new restaurants). It's run by chefs, so the menu is very food-oriented and changes all the time. Everything I've ever ordered there has been delicious. Good cocktails too, and an awesome patio!
August 28, 20159 yr Thanks for the suggestions. Sorry (but happy at the same time) to say that getting a reservation for a Saturday date night is becoming increasingly difficult. Trentina seemed like a good choice, but no availability. Butcher and the Brewer doesn't take reservations, but offered to put us on the 'call ahead list'. I settled on Urban Farmer. We'll give it a try.
August 28, 20159 yr You can always try calling the day of and see if there are any cancellations. UF is good, but very, very expensive and not local. I love the bar and the special event room. What about District? I've heard good things about that as well. And Crop is now open in Uptown.
August 29, 20159 yr FYI we had no issue getting a table for 8 on the patio at Graffiti last Sat night.
August 29, 20159 yr Graffiti definitely not killing it. I think they r doing OK but they are a suburban fish in a neighborhood with very high quality establishments
September 4, 20159 yr This is exciting in more ways than one. Good for downtown, and a good sign. Full article is behind a paywall. Yours Truly to open downtown restaurant in Halle Building in spring 2016 By STAN BULLARD Yours Truly, the regional chain offering family-friendly dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plans to open a location in downtown Cleveland at the Halle Building, 1228 Euclid Ave. Scheduled to open in spring 2016, the Yours Truly Restaurants chain plans to have 130 seats on the east end of the Euclid Avenue side of the former department store building. Read more: http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150904/NEWS/150909916/yours-truly-to-open-downtown-restaurant-in-halle-building-in-spring?X-IgnoreUserAgent=1
September 4, 20159 yr ^That's such great news. Affordable sit-down dining seems like a great addition to that end of downtown, or any part of downtown, really. And should be a good weekend breakfast/brunch scene for downtown residents.
September 4, 20159 yr Awesome! Love that they are incorporating some Halle's history as well and the patio/mezzanine sound nice as well. Great news
September 8, 20159 yr Nooooooooooooo Players on Madison, popular dining destination in Lakewood, to close Oct. 4 Players on Madison, one of the region's perennially popular dining destinations, will serve its last meals on Sunday, Oct. 4. Mattie Lucarelli, wife and business partner to Players owner Gary Lucarelli, confirmed that the restaurant will cease operation. "The restaurant will cease to exist as Players come October 4th," she said. "Basically, it's time," Mattie Lucarelli continued. [Gary] is going to be 72 next birthday, and little by little the places he's run have closed." Those restaurants have had considerable profile in the Northeast Ohio restaurant scene. In addition to Players, which opened as Players Pizza and Pasta during the late 1970s, Lucarelli has operated Sweetwater at the Galleria in downtown Cleveland; Tutto a Posto on the city's east side; Sweetwater Landing at the Emerald Necklace Marina in Rocky River; Star at Playhouse Square, and Stages at Cleveland Playhouse. http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2015/09/players_on_madison_to_close_oc.html
September 8, 20159 yr That sucks! I always loved Players, but we knew a couple years ago that he wanted out.... That either the restaurant would be sold or it would close before long. So knowing that, it stayed open longer than I expected it to.
September 8, 20159 yr All the years I've lived in Lakewood, I've never been to Players. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 8, 20159 yr All the years I've lived in Lakewood, I've never been to Players. That's what I said to myself. I' So I took the girlfriend there and had a lovely evening on their patio. Great food and service. Hopefully the next place is just as quality.
September 8, 20159 yr Players was older but could roll with the more modern big boys in terms of quality, in my opinion. Michael symons first culinary job if I'm not mistaken was at Players. I had many great meals there
September 8, 20159 yr Players was older but could roll with the more modern big boys in terms of quality, in my opinion. Michael symons first culinary job if I'm not mistaken was at Players. I had many great meals there Correct. I believe even before he went on to Piccolo Mondo. Yes, Players for as long as they were around stayed current and never seemed to lag on service. Always top notch when I had been there.
September 9, 20159 yr Players was older but could roll with the more modern big boys in terms of quality, in my opinion. Michael symons first culinary job if I'm not mistaken was at Players. I had many great meals there I thought he started at a Geppetto's (Warren Village?) or something equally unglamorous. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 16, 20159 yr players was always the best -- its a shame to see such an institution go, but understandable. that was the first place i ever had real italian style pizza. and the only place to get it around cleveland for the longest time. whoever takes over that spot has a lot to live up to if it remains a restaurant.
September 17, 20159 yr Americano will be closing at the end of September. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10153477167670081&id=69627420080&fref=nf&pnref=story
September 17, 20159 yr Americano will be closing at the end of September. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10153477167670081&id=69627420080&fref=nf&pnref=story And replaced by Arancini. http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2015/09/arancini_restaurant_will_repla.html
September 17, 20159 yr Meat the new tenant at 200 Public Square July 18, 2015 UPDATED 18 HOURS AGO A big name is about to fill a big, long-empty space at downtown Cleveland’s 200 Public Square office building. Ruth’s Chris Steak House is bound for the former Frank & Pauly’s space on the Superior Avenue side of the skyscraper’s atrium, Norfolk, Va.-based building owner Harbor Group International announced. Ruth’s Hospitality Group, the publicly traded owner and franchisor of 146 Ruth’s Chris locations, confirmed the plan. ...Although the Winter Park, Fla.-based chain confirmed committing to the space, a spokesman declined to provide details on the opening date and store size. However, a presentation for investors said the company invests at least $3.5 million in each location. The sites generate about $4 million yearly in sales. MORE: http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150718/NEWS/150719822/meat-the-new-tenant-at-200-public-square Construction begins for alfresco dining area at Ruth's Chris Steak House, 200 Public Square, Cleveland. @DowntownCLE "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 6, 20159 yr I'm hearing a strong rumor that Ken Stewart's Eastbank is closing.... That portion Ken's website is no longer working for me...
October 7, 20159 yr http://m.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2015/10/06/ken-stewarts-to-close-in-flats-east-bank-bold-food-and-drink-to-open
October 7, 20159 yr By strong rumor do you mean the Scene story posted 2 hours ago... http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2015/10/06/ken-stewarts-to-close-in-flats-east-bank-bold-food-and-drink-to-open Edit- Damn it...lol
October 7, 20159 yr I'm hearing a strong rumor that Ken Stewart's Eastbank is closing. That's too bad. Ken Stewarts is a quality place. However, the new place seems to stress its affordability as a 'regular' place. That is something that is very needed in the new Flats East Bank---a regular neighborhood kindof place, not just fancy, pricier places.
October 7, 20159 yr This is a good move and I bet the owners got a great deal. I look forward to going to the new place.
October 8, 20159 yr I worked at Ken Stewart's in Akron in the early 2000s when Zach Bruell was the executive chef there. Zach left to open his many successful restaurants and I think Ken got a bit jealous. My contacts who still work at KS told me a couple years ago that Ken called Zach up and asked if he wanted to open a place together and Zach laughed in his face (over the phone, that is;).
October 8, 20159 yr I worked at Ken Stewart's in Akron in the early 2000s when Zach Bruell was the executive chef there. Zach left to open his many successful restaurants and I think Ken got a bit jealous. My contacts who still work at KS told me a couple years ago that Ken called Zach up and asked if he wanted to open a place together and Zach laughed in his face (over the phone, that is;). Zach was successful on his own before he went to Ken Stewart's. I think the time there was just a break for him to keep money coming in as he worked out details on his next concept. Once he opened Parallax, it was off to the races.
October 8, 20159 yr I worked at Ken Stewart's in Akron in the early 2000s when Zach Bruell was the executive chef there. Zach left to open his many successful restaurants and I think Ken got a bit jealous. My contacts who still work at KS told me a couple years ago that Ken called Zach up and asked if he wanted to open a place together and Zach laughed in his face (over the phone, that is;). Zach was successful on his own before he went to Ken Stewart's. I think the time there was just a break for him to keep money coming in as he worked out details on his next concept. Once he opened Parallax, it was off to the races. Zach had a name in Cleveland, but Z's in University Circle closed. He does have some tasty menu's now. Jeremy, did you work at night? I started there in 1997.
October 8, 20159 yr I worked at Ken Stewart's in Akron in the early 2000s when Zach Bruell was the executive chef there. Zach left to open his many successful restaurants and I think Ken got a bit jealous. My contacts who still work at KS told me a couple years ago that Ken called Zach up and asked if he wanted to open a place together and Zach laughed in his face (over the phone, that is;). Zach was successful on his own before he went to Ken Stewart's. I think the time there was just a break for him to keep money coming in as he worked out details on his next concept. Once he opened Parallax, it was off to the races. Zach had a name in Cleveland, but Z's in University Circle closed. He does have some tasty menu's now. Jeremy, did you work at night? I started there in 1997. There were two variants of "Z", neither were in University Circle. The first was on Chagrin in Tower East, the second was larger and was at Eton Collection. Both were very successful--I believe the Eton location eventually closed as the landlord wanted to jack the rent up and Zach decided not to keep it going.
October 9, 20159 yr ^I was going to sAy does anyone remember Tuscany at Eton sq, but oops that was a Quagliata restaurant (i think) Anyway....Mabel's BBQ opening "January 2016, " per FB.
October 11, 20159 yr ^ its great to see symon concocting a cleveland-style regional bbq. his main twist is to use applewood to smoke it, because that is prevelant in the region. anybody ever smoke up home bbq w/applewood? i wonder what the flavor of using that is? otherwise, i just hope he doesnt decide to gunk it up w/1970s kc-style sugary ketchup sauce, because that was the only style around for eons -- seriously doubting that of course lol.
October 11, 20159 yr Notice most of these places are on the near-West Side, especially near the Lakewood-Cleveland line? And they left out Diana's and The Shore. I am a lucky man! :) @Cleveland_Scene: 9 Cleveland Restaurants to Get Breakfast for Dinner http://t.co/rDAABzRUIC http://t.co/utVAoLClvw "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 12, 20159 yr ^ its great to see symon concocting a cleveland-style regional bbq. his main twist is to use applewood to smoke it, because that is prevelant in the region. This place does... http://smoke-bbqgrill.com I've had it once or twice, and I don't remember being wowed.
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