Old Carolina.... Local chain. Have been 4-5x to new Mayfield Rd location. Mixed bag... One meal, it will be juicy, flavorful brisket, piping hot and crispy, out of this world hush puppies and memorably good baked beans and next meal, tepid, dry pulled pork with cold sides. Sometimes this happens on same plate. Inexcusable. Order at counter and they bring food.... Place is slightly off/odd feel and operation.

I have eaten there once and it was decent, but any time you have high schoolers cooking the meals and serving on their summer breaks, dont expect too much.  My cousin works there during the summer.

I have also heard that Fat Casual is very good.  A coworker who swears there's almost no good BBQ up North loves it.

 

One of my favorite food blogs approves of it as well: http://exploringfoodmyway.blogspot.com/2011/05/smoke-em-if-you-got-em.html

^ what an inviting review - off the menu freakin fried smoked chicken? that sounds awesome!

Random late-night searching... and ran across this - Texas de Brazil - the tasty Brazilian Steakhouse, opening in 2013 in CLE... but not downtown, like their recent Detroit opening, or east side - as one might have naturally guessed, (I had assumed they were looking at former McCormick & Schmick's in Beachwood or even part of Border's spot at La Place - Cedar Rd doesn't have a steakhouse..), but at Crocker Park...  Very interesting...

 

Based on the (likely) $45ish a person meat/salad/food buffet - before adding on a drink or dessert = not an everyday kind of place. Probably good it's on the other side of town from me! Maybe the even better Fogo de Chao might be looking east...

 

http://www.texasdebrazil.com/cleveland-opening-2013

 

I went to J.B. Mack for the first time today for lunch. Just got the original macaroni and cheese bread bowl, or whatever they call it. I have to say, it was really good. Im not much of a macaroni and cheese person, but I was definitely impressed. I will definitely return.

 

Has anybody else tried it out yet?

Random late-night searching... and ran across this - Texas de Brazil - the tasty Brazilian Steakhouse, opening in 2013 in CLE... but not downtown, like their recent Detroit opening, or east side - as one might have naturally guessed, (I had assumed they were looking at former McCormick & Schmick's in Beachwood or even part of Border's spot at La Place - Cedar Rd doesn't have a steakhouse..), but at Crocker Park...  Very interesting...

 

Based on the (likely) $45ish a person meat/salad/food buffet - before adding on a drink or dessert = not an everyday kind of place. Probably good it's on the other side of town from me! Maybe the even better Fogo de Chao might be looking east...

 

http://www.texasdebrazil.com/cleveland-opening-2013

 

 

No thanks. I'll stay downtown and go to Brasa. It's even $5 cheaper at $40 per person.

The Black Dog, back of the first floor of the City Club Building, 850 Euclid, is holding its soft opening Saturday Sept. 1. Their hard opening will follow several days later, but no date yet. They are using food grown by local farmers and produced by local businesses in the kitchen and bar. Food is a strange mix, from typical bar food (mussels, wings, burgers) to salads, lentils, lobster, hot sausage, ahi tuna, orange ginger shrimp, frites fried in duck fat, and flank steak.

 

They will be open at least Monday-Saturday (the hours appear on the alley door). I don't remember if they will have any Sunday hours.

 

They have a room for private parties with a huge curving bar and the rest of the restaurant is a comfortable, modern decor. Its front entrance is through the lobby of the City Club Building, and also has a side entrance off the alley between Euclid and Prospect avenues. My office intern and I were going to cut through the back of the City Club Building to get to the alley to have lunch somewhere on Prospect, then we stumbled on all the people working on fixing up The Black Dog. So they gave us a quick tour.

 

So now we've got the Cleveland Pickle out front, which does a great business during lunch hours as do most places on Euclid. And now we'll have The Black Dog.

I finally just figured out why I am so confused. The new Black DOG in downtown, but the new Black PIG in O.C. Seriously.

Haha...I tried to go there on their original opening date this month so I can't wait until they open!! Great menu AND right across the street from me...yes please!!

I have heard generally good things about Old Carolina though havent' been myself. I've heard very good things about Fat Casual in Macedonia.

 

My neighbors (more or less) and I've heard great things about them....

I finally just figured out why I am so confused. The new Black DOG in downtown, but the new Black PIG in O.C. Seriously.

 

Your not alone.  My sister and I were discussing the Black Pig opening and I reverted to the Black Dog a few times during the conversation.  The second time I did it I had to let her know what the Black Dog was.

 

The Black Dog is not in a very good location.

^ its in the former macchu picchu site yes?

 

It is...and why is it not in a good location? The Cleveland today is different from the Cleveland a few years ago when MP was trying to make a go of it. Black Dog is no more out of the way or poorly located than Hodge's.

It is...and why is it not in a good location? The Cleveland today is different from the Cleveland a few years ago when MP was trying to make a go of it. Black Dog is no more out of the way or poorly located than Hodge's.

 

Right. And have you been to Hodge's recently? I think they are hurting.

Black Dog has made themselves far more visible than MP, with the huge black dog, and words, painted on their "Storefront"

 

Also surprisingly enough, I always seem to see good food traffic down East 8th street, which I find kind of odd.

^ its in the former macchu picchu site yes?

 

 

Nah. That's in Peru. ;)

It is...and why is it not in a good location? The Cleveland today is different from the Cleveland a few years ago when MP was trying to make a go of it. Black Dog is no more out of the way or poorly located than Hodge's.

 

Right. And have you been to Hodge's recently? I think they are hurting.

 

Not sure about that, their patio is pretty full for most lunch's.  Obviously doesn't mean that they are doing exceptional by any means.  I may be going over there before going to tailgate, so I'll ask if I go.

If patio was pretty full at Hodge's AND the inside was pretty full - I'd say that would be good. But there a few weeks ago on a weeknight, on a beautiful night, and patio was 2/3 occupied and inside almost empty, as was outside bar. And food was super...  Unfortunately, any way you slice it, the 75 foot setback from sidewalk/half block down from E 4th location makes this spot anything unconventional for a restaurant and anything but a slam dunk, even for Hodgson/Kuhn.  Euclid may be a busier street, overall, but during dinner hours, fewer people are going to walk by - and even with menu out near street - you can't see the restaurant, can't see the crowd, can't get a feel for the place. On the flip side, places on E 4th are visible (the glowing bar at Lola, the open windows/doors at Zocalo, etc... - and that draws diners looking for a place to eat...

New PNC and 668 dont do much for the street at streetlevel. 668 had great potential but they leased it out to an office who just has a fake hallway in the window.

New PNC and 668 dont do much for the street at streetlevel. 668 had great potential but they leased it out to an office who just has a fake hallway in the window.

 

K&D - for whatever reason - they just can't figure out how to correctly address space at ground level.

We finally made it to Hodges for the first time last week, and it was d@mn good.  I have never had fully cooked salmon with a crispy outside basically melt in my mouth.  But yeah, it was a beautiful mid-70s weeknight, and even the patio was half empty.

Just saw on Symon's FB that local restaurateur Sergio Abramof has died. No other details. That is very, very sad.

Just saw on Symon's FB that local restaurateur Sergio Abramof has died. No other details. That is very, very sad.

 

Oh no!!!  Wow I was at Sarava on Tuesday.  So sad.

Just saw on Symon's FB that local restaurateur Sergio Abramof has died. No other details. That is very, very sad.

 

Oh no!!!  Wow I was at Sarava on Tuesday.  So sad.

 

And I went to Sergio's for the first time Wednesday! How sad

 

Very saddening news.

Sergio's namesake restaurant in UC tonight

 

Just got back from the new Black Pig in Ohio City. Great space. Lively crowd. Terrific service. Most importantly - super "tell your friends about it" food (as my wife put it...). Could not have enjoyed it more. Have not had a first-time experience at any new restaurant in memory that was this good, all-around.

 

Among other tasty things, including a flavorful, silky, chilled corn soup and a kale Caesar salad (with shrimp toast croutons), I had a delicious, huge portion of pork schnitzel(!) that took me back to Munich... Wow! Topped it off with a creamy lemon and cherry tart. Sandwiches in the $10-$12ish range - and mains in the $18-$22ish range. Very good! (Next time, we'll try the elevated patio (an hour wait) - with great views of the skyline...

 

Peeked in Nano Brew next door - packed! SOHO was doing a nice business, too - as was ABC.. This end of the street is now a food/drink destination. Nice to see.

RIP Sergio...

 

Glad you had a good experience at Balck Pig DWirth...  I went opening weekend and it was just ok, but it was opening weekend. 

 

It is a nice space, but I also liked it before.  It just seems like many place and menus are blending together with the "reclaimed woods" and similar menus...  Too bad Dragonfly (something actually different) had to close. 

 

Also, I was dissapointed in things like after having touches like homemade ketchup at Bar Cento, Chef and owner Nowak has reverted to regular hienz at Black Pig.  We checked out the raised patio, a bit awkward but cool at the same time.  Nice views.

willyboy - I know its sometime luck-of-the-draw at opening.  Our one and only meal at the Nowak-helmed Market Garden Brewery, right after opening, was so mediocre (as was the opening menu) - that we never have gone back.  Plus, Nowak pretty much took over Bar Cento from Sawyer while keeping many of the same key dishes - roasted chix, sunnyside,and the super pommes frites w/dipping sauces (that neither Sawyer or Nowak have gotten close to matching in their subsequent restaurants). With the Sawyer staples in place, I don't know that his own personality came out in Cento cooking. Either way, our Black Pig meal just hit all the right notes for us last evening... We'll see if the consistency continues, next visit.

My wife and I ate at Black Dog (not Black Pig) today for lunch.  I was suprised at how large the restaurant space actually was.  It really extends deep into the City Club building, and they did a good job with the interior work.  I got the Shoreway, which was a Lake Erie walleye sandwich.  It was possibly the best fish sandwich I've ever had, and well worth it at 10 bucks.  My wife got the Hangover (burger with fried egg, hasbrowns and bacon) and she enjoyed it.  I thought duck-fat-fried french fries were great, but she didn't like the flavor. It was evident that it was our waitress' first waitressing job, so I'll give her a free pass.  Overall it was a good experience and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good meal at a good price in the gateway area.

Sizzlin', glad to hear the good review. And glad to hear they have Sunday hours. I will check them out VERY soon!

I wish Black Dog well.  I know it's going to take me a long time to dissociate that name from east coast preppy beach tee-shirts (I'm sure some of you know what I mean), but seems like downtown can use more neighborhood spots like this.  Hopefully local residents take to it.

My partner and I will be :)

 

Sizzlin', glad to hear the good review. And glad to hear they have Sunday hours. I will check them out VERY soon!

 

I forgot to mention that the waitress said they would hopefully be doing brunch on Sundays going forward.

Another vacant space on Euclid being filled.  Is this where people speculated a Chipotle would go?

 

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/new-cajun-restaurant-called-j-gumbos-to-open-this-fall-on-euclid-avenue-in-downtown-cleveland

I forgot to mention that the waitress said they would hopefully be doing brunch on Sundays going forward.

Thanks, but I hate when people say "going forward"! As opposed to what? 

 

That ranks right up there with "be that as it may" or "in so far as." Sorry, you discovered one of my pet peeves -- excessive verbosity!

Be that as it may, in so far as your future online internet forum posts are concerned, you should be more wordy and verbose going forward.

 

Be that as it may, in so far as your future online internet forum posts are concerned, you should be more wordy and verbose going forward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks all for the Black Dog updates, great to hear.

 

Per a sign on the door today: they will be closed tomorrow, but their first full opening day is Wed the 5th. And their official "grand opening" is Fri the 7th.

 

Ha!, Strap. I had many Martha's VY Black Dog t-shirts and sweatshirts as a teen and college kid (theirs is a black Lab).  Not downtown's new restaurant/bar...who doesnt love a big black fluffy Newfoundland??

Another vacant space on Euclid being filled.  Is this where people speculated a Chipotle would go?

 

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/new-cajun-restaurant-called-j-gumbos-to-open-this-fall-on-euclid-avenue-in-downtown-cleveland

 

Pretty sure that Chipotle is expected to go next door to this space, in the old Bang and Clatter theater.  As a note, the downtown yoga which had been using this space had signs that they would be in HOB.  So that may mean that there is actual work going on in this space now.  At least that is my hope, I really want that Chipotle DT

Correct. The gumbo place is going into the front with the plywood up and Chipotle is rumoured for the Bang and Clatter space. Since according to some in the forum it is a done deal, I would say that E4 yoga's moving is a good sign.  I cannot believe Chipotle has not gone into downtown yet. With over 100,000 downtown workers...then throwing in residents and tourists and a college crowd within a mile,  it seems like a no brainer.

I forgot to mention that the waitress said they would hopefully be doing brunch on Sundays going forward.

Thanks, but I hate when people say "going forward"! As opposed to what? 

 

That ranks right up there with "be that as it may" or "in so far as." Sorry, you discovered one of my pet peeves -- excessive verbosity!

 

*Chuckles* Yep, and that's why I'm the telecom repair tech and you're the journalist.  Also, they had a nice selection of local draft beers and I saw one of the Indigo Imp beers listed in the bottles section.  It was too early to get started though.

*Chuckles* Yep, and that's why I'm the telecom repair tech and you're the journalist.  Also, they had a nice selection of local draft beers and I saw one of the Indigo Imp beers listed in the bottles section.  It was too early to get started though.

 

Except journalists are some of the worst offenders!

 

My visit to Black Dog will have until Wednesday anyway, since I am working from home today (and spending way too much time on UO!) so it's OK with me that the restaurant won't be open today. I can wait a day....

 

Hard to believe Sammy's is opening in PHS with an opening date of October 1 (only 3-4 weeks away) as reported by Scene Magazine

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/bites/Content?category=1520384

 

It was only in the overnight hours of last thursday that the moving vehicles were taking away the interior furnishings of Star.

One would think that there must not be much of a change coming to the overall layout

Sizzlin', glad to hear the good review. And glad to hear they have Sunday hours. I will check them out VERY soon!

 

I forgot to mention that the waitress said they would hopefully be doing brunch on Sundays going forward.

I stopped in today to get a carry out menu and brunch is listed...so excited to have brunch in this part of downtown...Sorry Touch...I will be stopping in a lot less now...:)

 

Thanks all for the Black Dog updates, great to hear.

 

Per a sign on the door today: they will be closed tomorrow, but their first full opening day is Wed the 5th. And their official "grand opening" is Fri the 7th.

 

Ha!, Strap. I had many Martha's VY Black Dog t-shirts and sweatshirts as a teen and college kid (theirs is a black Lab).  Not downtown's new restaurant/bar...who doesnt love a big black fluffy Newfoundland??

 

do you happen to know, if not the one on martha's, is it related to any other black dog restaurants and taverns in other cities? i thought it might be a mini-chain or something? if no, i guess its just a very common name.

Ironic timing: The Cleveland Pickle is closed for the next week as the Black Dog opens in the same building.

 

No, this Clevleand Black Dog has nothing to do with the place(s) in Vineyard Haven.

It's a Cleveland independent, w/ the Newfoundland logo. Hope it does well. Great mural...more of those are always welcome downtown  :wink:

Not a full review, but I was at the Black Dog last weekend with friends for some drinks.  I was hungry, so I also ordered the small portion of mac and cheese.  The drinks were great, but the mac was hands down the most disgusting thing that has ever been served to me at a restaurant.  It tasted burnt (not that I had more than a few bites,) and there was a centimeter-deep pool of oil that had separated from the rest and had pooled at the bottom.  I know they're new, but I'm sorry to say it'll be a while before I order food there again, if ever.

Went to Black Dog for lunch today. I'm not too sure yet... Was really hoping this would work but in the current state I don't have high hopes. The space is enormous and they were very understaffed. The staff we did encounter seemed very inexperienced and distant. The woman that seemed to be in charge did not appear to be very helpful. Our waitress was nice but obviously inexperienced and extremely stressed. There seemed to be problems all over between mixups, slow service, unhappy customers, etc. They were already out of fries and our waitress didn't seem to know anything about the menu. Now; all of this being said, today is their grand opening so some of this is understandable. I just hope they can get it together really soon because I just don't see this being able to keep up with all the competition nearby. I will go back again, maybe in a few months and I wish them well. I hope others experiences are better!