July 2, 201212 yr Dont people like Harvest Kitchen in Solon. I thought that was supposed to be good. I completely forgot about that place. I ate there once, and the food is pretty good. Fun atmosphere. Weird location in that it's tucked in this little triangle between Solon, Bainbridge and 91 that I keep forgetting exists.
July 2, 201212 yr Wonder what will land here, such a prime location... For Star at PlayhouseSquare, it will soon be curtains: Restaurant Row Updated: Monday, July 02, 2012, 3:45 PM By Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- PlayhouseSquare will lose a popular dining spot later this month. After the final performance of "Mamma Mia" on Sunday, July 22, the curtain will also fall on Star at PlayhouseSquare. After more than a decade of service, Star will close to make way for a new restaurant concept, but under new management, said co-owner Gary Lucarelli in a written statement. http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2012/07/for_stars_at_playhouse_square.html
July 2, 201212 yr Star had its issues but I have to say I'm sad to see it go. There was something so great about heading to Star after a show with the pianist playing show-tunes; something I feel whatever replaces it will lose.
July 2, 201212 yr Yes I agree that Start seemed to go with the vibe of the Theatre District very well (especially when you consider the piano player). It sounds like Mr. Lucarelli is getting pushed out though, so they must have a better idea for the spot.
July 5, 201212 yr Jonathon Sawyer tweeted that he was looking at new restaurant space and indicated that space had been vacant 17 years... wonder where that coukd be....???
July 5, 201212 yr Jonathon Sawyer tweeted that he was looking at new restaurant space and indicated that space had been vacant 17 years... wonder where that coukd be....??? 2187 Murray Hill? I wish!
July 5, 201212 yr ^ North Collinwood? http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/a-big-turn-on/Content?oid=2984073
July 6, 201212 yr We had been talking about Spice in Detroit Shoreway in the DT thread since they will be going through storefront renovation. Here's a nice writeup on the food which sounds awesome. I have yet to get the opportunity to try "ramps", the foody treat that is only around a couple of weeks. It seems the "sophisticated" :roll: foodies in the DC area have never even heard of them. At Spice Kitchen in Cleveland's Gordon Square, fall in love with flavors -- but on your next visit, be prepared to find something newPublished: Friday, July 06, 2012, 3:23 PM Updated: Friday, July 06, 2012, 3:40 PM Bebenroth pulls from a sustainable mix of custom-planted farm fields, restaurant rooftop container garden, a large plot behind the chef's Broadview Heights home and a multitude of local purveyors. "Don't buy food from strangers" is a Spice world mantra. Bebenroth, and Spice executive chef, Brandon Walukas, embrace the ethos of using what's there when it's there, and then moving on. You can't always get what you want, or at least what you thought you wanted. But if you try giving in to the transitory nature of . . .well, nature and the kitchen craft at Spice, you just might find you'll get something even better. http://www.cleveland.com/top-restaurants/index.ssf/2012/07/at_spice_kitchen_in_clevelands_gordon_square_fall_in_love_with_flavors_--_but_on_your_next_visit_be.html
July 6, 201212 yr Another restaurant company that is said to be looking for space in CLE for 2012 or 2013 opening, based on info I found: https://www.coopershawkwinery.com/ just announced a Columbus location
July 7, 201212 yr ^ North Collinwood? http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/a-big-turn-on/Content?oid=2984073 wow very interesting. alan glazen has about the damn coolest vision i could ever have imagined - a startup 'hood for local chefs to try out their ideas. if he can make it so this would put cle solidly on the foodie map bigtime! not to mention for locals, it would be quite a treat to tool around from one place to another to try out items that might later become mainstays in their more established restaurants. almost like a foodie amusement park attraction. for sure this could work.
July 8, 201212 yr Folks, you don't have to agree with Moderators but blatant disrespect is uncalled for. Got a problem with one of them, send a PM to the Admins. clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
July 10, 201212 yr 7-8 months ago Michael Symon hinted at opening a new restaurant- S&P Smokehouse- in CLE. Tonight he Tweeted about BBQ and I asked for update on S&P and he Tweeted back "gonna happen no worries" so that's good news. Originally sometime in 2012 was noted :but who knows. The new casino garage corner spot would seem a great location.
July 11, 201212 yr Cross posted from the Ohio City thread, some more info about Fabio Salern's new concept that will fill the old Blooms and Alaturka spaces on West 25th: http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2012/07/11/salernos-plans-for-w-25th-grow-thanks-to-recent-purchase Is this the type of place people were expecting?: As for the concept, Salerno describes it as an all-organic, fast-casual eatery — not a regular sit-down establishment. Think healthy, fresh food like rice bowls and veggie burgers.
July 11, 201212 yr Cross posted from the Ohio City thread, some more info about Fabio Salern's new concept that will fill the old Blooms and Alaturka spaces on West 25th: http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2012/07/11/salernos-plans-for-w-25th-grow-thanks-to-recent-purchase Is this the type of place people were expecting?: As for the concept, Salerno describes it as an all-organic, fast-casual eatery — not a regular sit-down establishment. Think healthy, fresh food like rice bowls and veggie burgers. Huh. Whatever happened to the concept that had Sam McNulty worried? Am I mixed up with another project?
July 11, 201212 yr Cross posted from the Ohio City thread, some more info about Fabio Salern's new concept that will fill the old Blooms and Alaturka spaces on West 25th: http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2012/07/11/salernos-plans-for-w-25th-grow-thanks-to-recent-purchase Is this the type of place people were expecting?: As for the concept, Salerno describes it as an all-organic, fast-casual eatery — not a regular sit-down establishment. Think healthy, fresh food like rice bowls and veggie burgers. Huh. Whatever happened to the concept that had Sam McNulty worried? Am I mixed up with another project? i think it changed. Perhaps Salerno took notice to the comments.
July 12, 201212 yr The old Sushi 86 place has a new "coming soon" sign in their window. This time for an Indian place, although the name escapes me now. It was supposed to be redeveloped into a Southern foods style lace, but that obviously never happened. Hopefully this will get done and give us a new spot that isn't just another sandwich place.
July 12, 201212 yr Tried Vero Bistro (opened in June at Cedar/Fairmount) last week based exclusively on Jonathon Sawyer's numerous positive tweets (and apparently a radio shout-out) about how good it was... Pizza - Sawyer said best of its wood fired type in town... For him, maybe... To us, it was fine... just fine... Crust good, toppings/sauce - so, so... - total effect = eh... Of the same type (not both wood-fired- but similar in idea) - Flour is much better... Bar Cento (Sawyer's own creation) is much better. Gelato was passable.. nothing more... Great upstairs loft seating area... reminds me of Europe... But odd, offputting - you-can-walk-into-it kitchen/pizza oven setup... Pleasant server. Limited beverages. No alcohol yet... http://verocleveland.com/
July 13, 201212 yr http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2012/05/11/melt-is-coming-to-mentor I know this shopping center, it's very close to our new plant. Sounds like they will be replacing Jalapeno Loco, or Panera. Some of you would hate it. It's utter suburbia and "ample parking" is an understatement lol
July 13, 201212 yr ^^ It's not far from my old office. Jalapeno Loco is getting the boot, but as I understand it, they're opening (under a different name) somewhere in the same plaza. Edit: ah...I clicked on ClevelandOhio's google maps link after posting. He beat me to it.
July 13, 201212 yr The space they're taking is bigger than anything they'd have found in DT Willoughby. There's a big bar area when you first come in, then an even larger dining area to the left. I'm guessing they won't have as big of an issue with waits at this location (which will be an interesting experiment to see if the long waits at the other two locations are a function of high demand and limited capacity, or as I'm beginning to suspect, more of a planned / store created effect). That, combined with parking as far as the eye can see makes the location pretty desirable for a suburban location.
July 13, 201212 yr The space they're taking is bigger than anything they'd have found in DT Willoughby. There's a big bar area when you first come in, then an even larger dining area to the left. I'm guessing they won't have as big of an issue with waits at this location (which will be an interesting experiment to see if the long waits at the other two locations are a function of high demand and limited capacity, or as I'm beginning to suspect, more of a planned / store created effect). That, combined with parking as far as the eye can see makes the location pretty desirable for a suburban location. All good points. Plus, this is an area with a lot of manufacturing, which means lunchtimes aren't drawn out. Ample and adjacent parking is a plus.
July 13, 201212 yr All good points. Plus, this is an area with a lot of manufacturing, which means lunchtimes aren't drawn out. Ample and adjacent parking is a plus.[/color] Huh? I eat lunch at the Cleveland Heights Melt all the time for lunch and parking (although very tight) never costs me more than a minute or so, which is nothing compared to the time it takes to actually eat at Melt. This is a crappy location and will only cause the brand to lose some of its appeal. I think it's a poor business decision, not to mention all the other (more subjective) reasons I think it sucks.
July 13, 201212 yr All good points. Plus, this is an area with a lot of manufacturing, which means lunchtimes aren't drawn out. Ample and adjacent parking is a plus.[/color] Huh? I eat lunch at the Cleveland Heights Melt all the time for lunch and parking (although very tight) never costs me more than a minute or so, which is nothing compared to the time it takes to actually eat at Melt. This is a crappy location and will only cause the brand to lose some of its appeal. I think it's a poor business decision, not to mention all the other (more subjective) reasons I think it sucks. I agree with Jam40jeff 100%. This is awful. Im glad I went to melt back when it opened in Lakewood before this catastrophe happened, so i could get the real experience. I mean, whos going to be its neighbor? chi-chis? Melt had it right when it was gutting old buildings in urban areas and recreating the space into a funky joint. Fish could have done that in 3 or 4 Cleveland neighborhoods and had equal success. he bailed all of the suburbs out...they would have kept coming into town for a grilled cheese, now they can carry out and go back home.
July 13, 201212 yr I think Independence (though nice enough new strip center) was a big step down from Lakewood/CHeights for Melt (which should have been in Cedar/Lee or Coventry, IMO on east side) - and Mentor an even lower rung choice (spoken by 10 year Mentor area worker/tax payer). The Mentor strip center this is going into is 2nd rate, maybe 3rd... Howe Road is probably next, then Brook Park Rd, maybe Massillon after that...
July 13, 201212 yr My favorite part of the CLEHts Melt is the giant bar...probably seats 40 - which is empty many of the times there, while folks wait an hour for a table... But families with under-21s are unwelcome at the bar. They'll throw you out if you sit there - even though Melt is definitively A) a restaurant first, bar 2nd B) A family draw C) a restaurant that is clearly choosing to not let under-21s sit at the bar, whether at 12 noon (not understood) or 12 midnight (more understood), to either ensure only paying drinkers get those seats, increase the perceived wait - or both - when the state liquor laws quite certainly allow under-21s to sit at bars and eat...
July 13, 201212 yr The funniest part to me is how Matt Fish tries to present himself as Mr. Cleveland, yet still has no Cleveland Melt locations. The more I think about this location, the more I can't believe it. Points East is a dumpy strip plaza (I think dwirthwein had it pegged at 3rd rate). Even in Mentor, there are many places which would seem to have made more sense. The location reminds me of where Bar Symon opened, and we all know how well that fared. I know this place will attract customers, but I think it will cost them more than it gains them. Not only will it surely devalue the brand name by being very "un-Melt-like", it will undoubtedly cannibalize some (or much) of the business from other locations. I see people from Lake County posting all the time that they are going to Melt. Well, now he will be operating double the space and surely won't be doubling his customer base.
July 14, 201212 yr I dont like the location either, and the fact that not one Cleveland location exists. But atleast its in Western Mentor, which serves a way bigger population than in Eastern Mentor. Western Mentor atleast serves the other lakefront suburbs such as Willoughby, Eastlake, Willowick
July 14, 201212 yr What are you guys complaining about? Lots of people work and live in that area, and it's far enough not to canibalize the other locations. This really isn't a big deal.
July 14, 201212 yr All good points. Plus, this is an area with a lot of manufacturing, which means lunchtimes aren't drawn out. Ample and adjacent parking is a plus.[/color] Huh? I eat lunch at the Cleveland Heights Melt all the time for lunch and parking (although very tight) never costs me more than a minute or so, which is nothing compared to the time it takes to actually eat at Melt. This is a crappy location and will only cause the brand to lose some of its appeal. I think it's a poor business decision, not to mention all the other (more subjective) reasons I think it sucks. I agree with Jam40jeff 100%. This is awful. Im glad I went to melt back when it opened in Lakewood before this catastrophe happened, so i could get the real experience. I mean, whos going to be its neighbor? chi-chis? Melt had it right when it was gutting old buildings in urban areas and recreating the space into a funky joint. Fish could have done that in 3 or 4 Cleveland neighborhoods and had equal success. he bailed all of the suburbs out...they would have kept coming into town for a grilled cheese, now they can carry out and go back home. It's amazing what people post without knowing anything about the restaurant industry or how sites are selected. This wasn't a decision that was made lightly or without the proper research, I'm sure. Sure, everyone hates strip malls and the suburbs, and we all wish the locations could be like the one in Lakewood, but Fish is the one in charge, not you, and he's made some pretty good decisions so far. I'm sure if you wanted to you could send him an email to enlighten him about the error of his ways.
July 14, 201212 yr ^well, i have. I know all about the business end. He is going to rake money, im not disputing that...but there isnt a doubt in my mind he could have had the same success in urban areas
July 14, 201212 yr The funniest part to me is how Matt Fish tries to present himself as Mr. Cleveland, yet still has no Cleveland Melt locations. The more I think about this location, the more I can't believe it. Points East is a dumpy strip plaza (I think dwirthwein had it pegged at 3rd rate). Even in Mentor, there are many places which would seem to have made more sense. The location reminds me of where Bar Symon opened, and we all know how well that fared. I know this place will attract customers, but I think it will cost them more than it gains them. Not only will it surely devalue the brand name by being very "un-Melt-like", it will undoubtedly cannibalize some (or much) of the business from other locations. I see people from Lake County posting all the time that they are going to Melt. Well, now he will be operating double the space and surely won't be doubling his customer base. What makes you think the average customer cares that its in a strip mall? It may matter to a small group of people but the average customer wants good service and good food. As long as Melt delivers on that, the public will come. Its not like Mentor is in the sticks and has no successful restaurants. I prefer urban locations but its hardly a requirement when I'm searching out a place to eat. This shopping center is active, has plenty of tenants. In that way, its nothing like where Bar Symon was as that shopping center lacked an anchor tenant. Is Points East pretty? No. But its hardly a bombed out desolate shopping center. As far as hurting his reputation, I don't think anybody feels like Dante's reputation has been sullied since he opened a place in Strongsville. And judging by the crowds at Michael Symon's places, his rep hasn't been hurt either as he's expanded. Same goes for Paul Minnillo who flat out left the city for Moreland Hills and seems to be thriving at Flour. A comparable cult like chain (granted, its now on a national scale) is Chipotle. When Chipotle was first starting out, it too was largely in hipper, urban areas and college neighborhoods. Today, they are nearly on every corner. It doesn't look like their business has declined any since they went more "suburban" and both their older and newer locations are booming. You could say the same for Starbucks' image. I just don't think that thought goes through the minds of most diners.
July 16, 201212 yr A couple points on Melt. First, the location he's choosing is at the intersection of two of the most heavily trafficked roads in Mentor. It has easy access from Rt 2 and Rt 90, and is surrounded by other eating establishments (yes, mostly chains, but welcome to Mentor). As for the quality of the strip center, it's no better or worse than every other strip center in Mentor. There is no 'downtown' area out here that he could put the location. The choice is strip center or standalone building. Again, welcome to Mentor. DT Willoughby is a great location, but it's also pretty full. The only place that I could think of offhand that he could go is the old Gavi's location, which is next to Great Lakes Brewing, behind the main area off of Erie St. It's not as big as the place he has now, and is off a side road, away from the main action. It also isn't as easily accessable as the proposed location is, which while I realize isn't as big a priority for folks on this board, is a huge benefit when you're trying to draw from as broad an area as possible. Jeff may know some people that come from Lake County to CH, but as I've posted before, for every one person that makes that trip, I could show you 10 people that would never make it (and, I might conjecture, wouldn't even know how to get there). He's going to draw from all of Lake County, as well as from Geauga County at this location. Believe it or not, he's going to draw people from Ashtabula county as well, as a lot of people from out east drive in to shop at Great Lakes Mall, and this location is literally a mile down the street from the mall. And last point, and I'll drop this...what exactly is the Melt experience that we're going to lose? The Melt experience where I wait 2 hours for a grilled cheese sandwich? If he can set up this location to actually turn around in a reasonable time, he's going to have a packed house, because, as ERocc pointed out, the location is surrounded by manufacturing companies, and service companies who's employees have a fixed hour for lunch, that would love this place if it can get them in and out in less than an hour.
July 16, 201212 yr ^ in my opinion, the melt experience included dining with people of all different colors, shapes, sizes, cultures. Everyone loves/loved Melt. The first two locations drew from all over the region and it was great integration. Everyone seemed to have a common ground of loving a grilled cheese sandwich. Now, it pretty much symbolizes urban sprawl...it may as well be applebees. Im not disputing it was a good business move. There are plenty of people who will go there. But i know I have moved on and i know many others have as well. The point is he COULD have opened one in Ohio City, Downtown, University Circle, Collinwood, etc. to handle the overflow. Kept the people coming in. Instead he bailed them out and they get to stay home.
July 16, 201212 yr ^I see your point, and my rebuttal is that an Ohio City location would cannibalize more from the inner ring people than it would the potential suburban clientele. I think this is an important point to reiterate...the people that he's going to draw to this new location are people that probably have never been to existing Melt locations, nor would they ever go there. I don't think he's going to lose anything at any of his existing locations, and he gains an entire new market share.
July 16, 201212 yr I'm critical of the Mentor Melt location - but also am of the Independence location... I'm not a suburban/sprawl hater - that's for sure - but dislike it more from a "what do you want your company to be" standpoint... Might make great business sense - but, as noted above, you go from edgy/urban hot spot to just another suburban eatery... With that said - I think B Spot's potential for screwing it up is even worse. Symon has an upscale brand to protect... And though B Spot was always suburban, Eton and Crocker Park are one thing... And Cuyahoga Falls - the next announced full service location - is quite another... (Even my Cuyahoga Falls native wife says, WTF? on that one...) What's next - a Rolling Acres mall location?
July 16, 201212 yr ^^ Urban sprawl? In Mentor? We aren't talking about Bainbridge Twp. here. Much of Mentor was fully developed by 1980 including this shopping center and its surrounding neighborhood. One of the knocks on this shopping center is that its fairly ugly. Thats partly because of age. It was built in the late 70's/early 80s and has the ugly architecture to prove it. As far as locations go, I find it interesting that jam thinks that a Mentor location is somehow going to cannibalize the CH Melt. Yet, jam also advocates putting locations in the city limits of Cleveland. Wouldn't it be much more likely that a UC or Collinwood location would cannibalize the CH location than one way out in Mentor? Mentor isn't exactly next door and that's the point. If the CH Melt can't survive and thrive because of a restaurant in Mentor (over 30 minutes away), then it says to me that CH is either a bad location or Melt isn't as exciting as a concept as first thought. And just to finalize on image, how many people here realize that Luchita's had a location in Mentor for years? And it was in a rather sprawl-like part of the city (unlike Points East) in a shopping center with Heinens and down the road from a Super Kmart. Before the family decided to shut down their "satellite" locations, that location thrived and co-existed with Shaker Square for years. Today, Aladdin's Eatery is located there. Another local chain that started out in urban areas (Lakewood, Cleveland Hts) and has spread out across the burbs while also being in fairly urban business districts around the country. Do you consider Aladdin's the equivalent of Applebee's? I highly doubt it. Its a local company that has a diverse range of locations. There's no reason Melt can't do the same thing and thrive just like Aladdin's has.
July 16, 201212 yr ^I see your point, and my rebuttal is that an Ohio City location would cannibalize more from the inner ring people than it would the potential suburban clientele. I think this is an important point to reiterate...the people that he's going to draw to this new location are people that probably have never been to existing Melt locations, nor would they ever go there. I don't think he's going to lose anything at any of his existing locations, and he gains an entire new market share. This is a good point, and I agree completely. I just am disappointed he didn't find a spot in Downtown Willoughby. I think it could have really helped out the area, and a new sign would have looked awesome in Downtown Willougby.
July 16, 201212 yr ^Yes a Melt in Willoughby (my hometown for all intent and purpose)...specifically in DT Willo... would've been a great fit. Other news...I did not got to the Barroco Madison Ave location for months upon months, instead I stubbornly waited for the W. 6th store to open. Finally this weekend I made it over to Birdtown Barroco. Evidently they were forced to re-design the kitchen downtown after expecting to be open by Feb or March! Staff at the Birdtown location said it'll probably be another month yet before the Warehouse District location opens. Such pleasant people and a hip place. Can't wait...
July 16, 201212 yr The Mentor Melt may as well be in Erie, PA. I've been in Lake County maybe 3 times. You could say the same for a lot of Mentor coming to Cleveland. There's not much competition there and now he can bring in the far east visitors. That being said, I really think he does need a central Cleveland location as well.
July 16, 201212 yr ^Yes a Melt in Willoughby (my hometown for all intent and purpose)...specifically in DT Willo... would've been a great fit. Other news...I did not got to the Barroco Madison Ave location for months upon months, instead I stubbornly waited for the W. 6th store to open. Finally this weekend I made it over to Birdtown Barroco. Evidently they were forced to re-design the kitchen downtown after expecting to be open by Feb or March! Staff at the Birdtown location said it'll probably be another month yet before the Warehouse District location opens. Such pleasant people and a hip place. Can't wait... This is good to hear...I should venture over myself!
July 17, 201212 yr Unfortunately the quote tool never works for me at work, but this comment on the last page... "The old Sushi 86 place has a new "coming soon" sign in their window. This time for an Indian place, although the name escapes me now" Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6769.5010.html#ixzz20sw1U2Le, Where is the old Sushi 86? I tried google but did not find anything.
July 17, 201212 yr ^Yes a Melt in Willoughby (my hometown for all intent and purpose)...specifically in DT Willo... would've been a great fit. Other news...I did not got to the Barroco Madison Ave location for months upon months, instead I stubbornly waited for the W. 6th store to open. Finally this weekend I made it over to Birdtown Barroco. Evidently they were forced to re-design the kitchen downtown after expecting to be open by Feb or March! Staff at the Birdtown location said it'll probably be another month yet before the Warehouse District location opens. Such pleasant people and a hip place. Can't wait... Definitely Barroco has been a treasure for Birdtown. Next time you're in the hood go a block west and hit up Mahall's as well. This is the coolest place in the world, new owners came back from Brooklyn NY to save the place. They've upgraded the menu in a big big way, and the guy from Barroco is sometimes the guest chef. http://mahalls20lanes.com/
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