April 12, 201411 yr ^Yes its too bad because it was very good. We walked up for the Wed night special April 2 and the sign was gone and doors locked. Others outside the door were deflated as well. Glad I was in just a few days earlier but there was no indication fro our server or anyhting. Evidently this winter was brutal on business there (im sure that could be said for other places). There is something new already lined up to take the space. ALso, Walked past the location where the Bac-owned place is supposedly going in Univ Circle. THe permits on the window refer to the name as "Rusty Ninja"
April 16, 201411 yr Michael Symon is on Facebook today, teasing about/showing pics of working on recipes for a "secret" (his words) new Cleveland restaurant - seemingly in Tremont or Ohio City (or maybe downtown) based on hints - serving fried chicken, "Miller style sticky buns" and fermented pickles.... The Miller sticky buns seem to be of great fondness to many.... Fill in the blanks cor those of us without knowledge... With that said, he has also hinted in the past of a patisserie, pizza place, butcher shop nd smokehouse/BBQ joint... And, to date, none of them....
April 16, 201411 yr Miller's Dining room was an old-fashioned "homestyle" restaurant in Lakewood that was in its final throes when I moved here in 91. The guy I was dating was from Lakewood and talked about it in the fond way natives do of other Cleveland institutions like Silver Grill or Higbee's. We went for dinner. It was almost all elderly people and the only thing that was really any good were the sticky buns, which were circulated in a basket by a person who would give you one or two on a little side plate, as soon as they were done. They were in high demand and the person would run out as they circulated the dining room, and then go back and get more. I *think* it closed, and then the building caught fire some time after that and burned down, but it could have just been a single event. I remember virtually nothing about my meal except all the elderly people and the sticky buns.
April 16, 201411 yr Michael Symon is on Facebook today, teasing about/showing pics of working on recipes for a "secret" (his words) new Cleveland restaurant - seemingly in Tremont or Ohio City (or maybe downtown) based on hints - serving fried chicken, "Miller style sticky buns" and fermented pickles.... The Miller sticky buns seem to be of great fondness to many.... Fill in the blanks cor those of us without knowledge... With that said, he has also hinted in the past of a patisserie, pizza place, butcher shop nd smokehouse/BBQ joint... And, to date, none of them.... Sounds like he already has a location. In one post he mentions the space will be ~700sqft in Cleveland proper. Wonder where it could be?
April 16, 201411 yr It's funny (sad?) all the "we have lots of vacant buildings" or "we need a good restaurant" in (fill-in-the-blank)ville "that would be perfect for a B Spot" types of comments that Symon gets on Facebook when posting things like this. I fear people really think it's possible that a Symon restaurant might go to their desolate burg when demographically, it's not gonna happen.
April 16, 201411 yr I don't think DT or OC, he denied some guessers for those locations... I think either flats, Tremont or shoreway
April 16, 201411 yr Miller's Dining room was an old-fashioned "homestyle" restaurant in Lakewood that was in its final throes when I moved here in 91. The guy I was dating was from Lakewood and talked about it in the fond way natives do of other Cleveland institutions like Silver Grill or Higbee's. We went for dinner. It was almost all elderly people and the only thing that was really any good were the sticky buns, which were circulated in a basket by a person who would give you one or two on a little side plate, as soon as they were done. They were in high demand and the person would run out as they circulated the dining room, and then go back and get more. I *think* it closed, and then the building caught fire some time after that and burned down, but it could have just been a single event. I remember virtually nothing about my meal except all the elderly people and the sticky buns. There was also Miller's Country Place out in Avon on the Westlake border on Detroit Road. Currently it's a Winking Lizard but they are supposed to be moving to Rt 83/Detroit Road. We had lots of Sunday family dinners there when I was young, and about all I remember is the sticky buns too… it was definitely an old school roast turkey, roast beef, ham, mashed potatoes kind of place…
April 16, 201411 yr Miller's Dining room was an old-fashioned "homestyle" restaurant in Lakewood that was in its final throes when I moved here in 91. The guy I was dating was from Lakewood and talked about it in the fond way natives do of other Cleveland institutions like Silver Grill or Higbee's. We went for dinner. It was almost all elderly people and the only thing that was really any good were the sticky buns, which were circulated in a basket by a person who would give you one or two on a little side plate, as soon as they were done. They were in high demand and the person would run out as they circulated the dining room, and then go back and get more. I *think* it closed, and then the building caught fire some time after that and burned down, but it could have just been a single event. I remember virtually nothing about my meal except all the elderly people and the sticky buns. There was also Miller's Country Place out in Avon on the Westlake border on Detroit Road. Currently it's a Winking Lizard but they are supposed to be moving to Rt 83/Detroit Road. We had lots of Sunday family dinners there when I was young, and about all I remember is the sticky buns too… it was definitely an old school roast turkey, roast beef, ham, mashed potatoes kind of place… Sounds like the "Throwed Roll" place that used to be in St. Louis before "The Great Flood of '93". All I remember was rolls and fried okra flying all over the dining room. And 700 sq ft is tiny. Is that including kitchen space? Sounds like a takeout joint only.
April 16, 201411 yr Sounds like OC or Tremont since he said "west side, but not really." Hmm, Flats East Bank could fit that description.
April 17, 201411 yr It's funny (sad?) all the "we have lots of vacant buildings" or "we need a good restaurant" in (fill-in-the-blank)ville "that would be perfect for a B Spot" types of comments that Symon gets on Facebook when posting things like this. I fear people really think it's possible that a Symon restaurant might go to their desolate burg when demographically, it's not gonna happen. He did open a B Spot in Strongsville...
April 17, 201411 yr Didn't he buy the tiny 2 story building west of Lolita in Tremont last year? That's probably around 700sf on the first floor...
April 17, 201411 yr ooh, that's right. There was talk of a butcher shop but I wonder if this is what he's doing instead.
April 18, 201411 yr Nothing from him in Gordon Square so far. By the way - anyone heard of a pizza place going in near Stone Mad? Aldo heard of a Gulucci's market kind of place going in on Detroit near Minh Ahn.
April 18, 201411 yr Aldo heard of a Gulucci's market kind of place going in on Detroit near Minh Ahn. The way Detroit Ave seems to be filling up reminds me so much of Short North Columbus, circa 1994. Culinary row.
April 19, 201411 yr Group Talks About Adding Restaurant/Brewery in Lakewood Posted by Jason Beudert on Thu, Apr 17, 2014 at 11:24 PM Rumors have been floating around recently about a small brewery possibly landing in Birdtown neighborhood. Residents go to hear some concrete details about just such a project tonight. This evening, representatives from the city of Lakewood and the Barrio Restaurant Group (Tom Leneghan and Sean Fairborn) laid out some preliminary plans to the Birdtown community for Birdtown Brewery & Pizzeria, a tentatively titled project that's very early in conception and approval stages. The group has the former St. Gregory the Theologian Byzantine Catholic Church (2035 Quail St.,Lakewood) under a letter of intent. 10,000 square feet inside would house a restaurant and a small brewery operation. The brew house would be one of the smallest in the region with only a three and half barrel system. "our plan is to create a neighborhood and boutique-driven brewery that is all about Lakewood pride," says Fairbairn. For now, much is up in the air, but the group is thinking food will be focused on pizza, should the sale and approvals all go through. The next steps for the proposed project include a Lakewood city planning commission meeting set for May followed by another community meeting.
April 20, 201411 yr ^YES! I love this idea. I'm back in the oh-io for a few weeks so I was snooping around yesterday. The architecture of the church is going to make this place very very interesting. There's ample room for outdoor dining. There is, however, not much parking at all; there are restrictions because of Harrison Elementary just across the street. I don't want to see any more houses in my historic neighborhood torn down. But enough with the negative. I'm shocked - in a good way - to hear the support for Bird Town to reclaim a semblance of it's commercial past. Don't ya think the cure for this hood is to renovate and repopulate all of the little storefronts? Just look over at Tremont for how to do it. Bird Town is too small to be Tremont, nor should it be imho...but it certainly can be Tremont-lite.
April 25, 201411 yr Some national love for Cleveland..... WHY YOU NEED TO CARE ABOUT CLEVELAND'S FOOD/DRINK SCENE PUBLISHED ON 4/23/2014 BY ANDY KRYZA Among the uninitiated, conversations about Cleveland can be grim: The city was rocked by recession. Some magazine article said there was a lot of crime. They unfairly inducted Led Zeppelin into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but not Gin Blossoms. It goes on. But, thanks, in part, to a massive revitalization effort and the stalwart, stubbornly prideful folks who call it home, it's also rebounding in an astounding way. Cleveland is now a destination food city... and nobody seems to know. In order to remedy this, Thrillist recently rampaged through the city for 36 gluttonous hours. We walked the streets at all hours, hosted by local luminaries, restaurateurs, goodwill ambassadors, brewers, movers, shakers, and people who just kind of move normally. We hugged strangers. We hit dive bars, markets, community gardens, beer gardens, and a ton of restaurants... some that helped define the city's culinary landscape, and some that are redefining it. Then we slept for a week. This is what we found... and best of all: it's just the tip of the iceberg. READ MORE AT: http://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/best-cleveland-restaurants-greenhouse-tavern-seti-s-polish-boys-and-more?ref=twitter-869 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 25, 201411 yr I CAN'T WAIT for the day that an article about Cleveland doesn't start with that obligatory leading paragraph. One day, hopefully soon, we can talk about Cleveland without starting the article about a story of decline. When Cleveland's success can stand on its own without being juxtaposed with past problems, we can be sure we have arrived.
April 25, 201411 yr Very neat article. I notice the writer lives in Portland, OR. Not sure how many of you know, but I've been living in Portland for the past year for work (and touting Cleveland all along the way of course...). Most Portlanders generally view Cleveland as an interesting city they'd like to or have visited...and often mention the growing national food scene. As much as we detest the obligatory opening intro paragraphs (although this one includes the humorous Gin Blossoms snub sounding like it's an equal problem compared to the others), it does give Cleveland a sort of underrated, chip-on-its-shoulder reputation nationally -- and I mean that in a good way.
April 25, 201411 yr ^Funny you mention that. Although Portlanders seem like be snobs when it comes to food/beer, my friends out there generally like the feel of our neighborhoods (Tremont, OC, Gordon Square). They layout of neighborhoods is much more chill in Portland than in say, Chicago. Alot of residential, with commerical mixed in...like Alberta, etc. They really liked that. Portlanders in general like different and i feel Cleveland is definitely different. Just ask the Portlander who was a Lolita bartender and now is opening spotted owl. Speaking of which, Murray Hill, when are you coming back? Whats a die hard like you doing in another city?
April 25, 201411 yr Alot of residential, with commerical mixed in...like Alberta, etc. Speaking of which, Murray Hill, when are you coming back? Whats a die hard like you doing in another city? Took a promotion, but hopefully within the next 2-3 years. Ironically enough, I almost bought a house in the Alberta Arts District...cool area. That neighborhood and Mississippi Ave remind me most of Cleveland. The city gives new perspectives and fresh ideas to bring home. Happy to see Urban Farmer coming from Portland to Cleveland -- I hope Cleveland enjoys it! I'll keep spreading the Cleveland hype out here about our food scene.
April 26, 201411 yr Here's a shout out to Urban Farmer, Mitchell's Ice Cream, and Camino: http://cleunleashed.com/2014/04/25/10-things-coming-to-downtown-cleveland/
April 27, 201411 yr Third Barrio will open next to Red in the 5th St. Arcades! http://m.clevescene.com/cleveland/blogs/Post?basename=third-barrio-restaurant-to-open-in-clevelands-5th-street-arcades&day=27&id=scene-and-heard&month=04&year=2014
April 27, 201411 yr Third Barrio will open next to Red in the 5th St. Arcades! http://m.clevescene.com/cleveland/blogs/Post?basename=third-barrio-restaurant-to-open-in-clevelands-5th-street-arcades&day=27&id=scene-and-heard&month=04&year=2014 I am so so excited about this!
April 27, 201411 yr This is awesome news! That's a very conspicuous, street-facing storefront, so will be great to see it re-occupied, and with something that already has a regional following and long hours.
April 27, 201411 yr Great news - that's one gap that has *really* been needing filled on Prospect. clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
April 28, 201411 yr Barrio is doing something right that's for sure. Their location in Lakewood is almost always filled - even late on weeknights. Now they're doing the micro brewery/pizza parlor in Birdtown AND another Barrio downtown...wow that's just good news all around.
April 28, 201411 yr Weekend lunch hours to cater to the residents but no weekday lunch hours?!??! I'm clutching my pearls! Downtown has officially arrived!
May 1, 201411 yr All sorts of restaurant news and updates in local media: *The owner of Bac in Tremont released more info about his upcoming University Circle project (in Uptown, it sounds like): sort of an Asian-ish gatro pub: http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2014/05/01/bac-unveils-plans-for-new-university-circle-caf http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2014/05/ninja_city_from_bac_owner_bac.html (kudos to the landlord for pushing for a good concept) *A nice update on 12 eagerly anticipated bar/restuarant openings in Scene, including Spotted Owl (Tremont), Trentina (UC), Butcher and the Brewer (E 4th), Mason's Creamery (OC), Urban Farmer (in new Westin), Jukebox (new bar in Hingetown), Aracadian (gastropub in DS), Hofbräuhaus (PHS), and Hansa brewery/beer garden (OC): http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/future-feasts-clevelands-12-most-anticipated-spring-and-summer-bar-and-restaurant-openings/Content?oid=4303486&storyPage=2 That is a very awesome new crop of bars/restaurants in the city. Also! Not a restaurant, but another craft brewery (this one very small) opening on the near west side, our burgeoning beer district: http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2014/05/01/earlybird-brewing-looking-at-late-summer-opening-in-ohio-city
May 10, 201411 yr Mi Pueblo at 12207 Lorain closed and now has new owners. It is called Mi Casita Restaurant. I've eaten at the new restaurant a few times now and it seems to be basically the same as Mi Pueblo but with a smaller menu. Also, they are not open for breakfast early in the morning any more. The food is good and the prices reasonable. The decor and atmosphere is very plain, though.
May 13, 201411 yr ^Hmmm, i'll have to check it out. Is the adjoining Mercado still open? Maybe the Mi pueblo folks are concentrating on their univ circle place. Last week, they added an outdoor patio by relinquishing a couple of the parking spaces (they couldve taken up more spaces, but ill take it). Great timing for today's near 90 temps
May 13, 201411 yr Looks nice. Love Mi Pueblo's classic, er, different look right in the heart of the U. Circle retail area.
May 13, 201411 yr Mi Pueblo at 12207 Lorain closed and now has new owners. It is called Mi Casita Restaurant. I've eaten at the new restaurant a few times now and it seems to be basically the same as Mi Pueblo but with a smaller menu. Also, they are not open for breakfast early in the morning any more. The food is good and the prices reasonable. The decor and atmosphere is very plain, though. I never knew there was more than one... Thankfully the East Side MP is alive and well and living in University Circle.
May 13, 201411 yr The waitress said there are plans to reopen the adjoining Mercado. The previous owners moved the Mercado to a larger space on Lakewood Heights Blvd. As far as I know, that store is still open. Mi Casita has the same delicious food as before.
May 16, 201411 yr The waitress said there are plans to reopen the adjoining Mercado. The previous owners moved the Mercado to a larger space on Lakewood Heights Blvd. As far as I know, that store is still open. Mi Casita has the same delicious food as before. The Mercado (for the love of God my friends and I can't stop calling it "Meximart") is awesome and here's a pro-tip only for UO.....on weekends they have a taco cart out front. And they are the best tacos around. I hope there aren't too many changes @ Mi Casita. The former Mi Puebla was great, even better than the east side locale.
May 16, 201411 yr Pasta & Pastry already closing. GO upthread about 4 months. I was skeptical about this project, especiually when they said they would be cash only because that is a "trend". Thats the biggest joke I have heard. Its not a trend and never has been. They are being lazy. They didnt do a good job of marketing as well.
May 16, 201411 yr ^They did end up accepting credit cards. Too late. Something like that, that is unusual, is what people remember. Especially in a neighborhood where some people are uncomfortable carrying cash.
May 17, 201411 yr LOL not uncomfortable, inconvenient. I would have gone one time...not had cash...and never again because I never carry cash.
May 17, 201411 yr LOL not uncomfortable, inconvenient. I would have gone one time...not had cash...and never again because I never carry cash. But didn't they have an ATM right there?
Create an account or sign in to comment