May 8, 20169 yr oh yeah, the first rascal flatts. in the flats. ha. yeah i forgot about that, that counts, although its likely many degrees tamer than the fun and rowdy dance on the bar coyote ugly chain offering. so they had the country bases covered regardless. two of them would have been too many.
May 8, 20169 yr There's also the new country place on Huron. Country is popular enough around here that RTA's station muzak is often set to WGAR. It wasn't long ago that downtown featured two mechanical bulls.
May 9, 20169 yr ^ now that makes better sense, especially given jimmy buffet's mysterious, never ending popularity in ne ohio and his ability to pack them in at blossom when ever he wants. they do need a country-themed place though, so i am holding out hopeful for a more rowdy, hip and fun joint like coyote ugly. CU was hip ten to fifteen years ago.
May 9, 20169 yr ^ now that makes better sense, especially given jimmy buffet's mysterious, never ending popularity in ne ohio and his ability to pack them in at blossom when ever he wants. they do need a country-themed place though, so i am holding out hopeful for a more rowdy, hip and fun joint like coyote ugly. CU was hip ten to fifteen years ago. what did you purposefully forget margaritaville? and more importantly do you got any better ideas -- instead of just against? i was also thinking one of those austin bbq joints that have chained out would fit in like county line, hill country or chuys (i know chuys is now in sw ohio). i like the idea of texas bbq and music down there.
May 9, 20169 yr I see that BJ's brewhouse is moving more north in northeast Ohio building by Great Lakes Mall in Mentor
May 10, 20169 yr I thought their food was pretty good, but their beer list reminds me of "Generic Microbrew, Circa 1999". I also thought each of their beers were the blandest possible beer you could make and still call them by their style names.
May 10, 20169 yr Masthead Brewing Co. sets fall opening in downtown Cleveland http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/05/masthead_brewing_co_sets_fall.html Speaking of breweries... I think this was mentioned on UO a short time ago but here is the official article. I think this looks great! A good step in helping that feeling that downtown drops off after East 12th.
May 10, 20169 yr Masthead Brewing Co. sets fall opening in downtown Cleveland http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/05/masthead_brewing_co_sets_fall.html Speaking of breweries... I think this was mentioned on UO a short time ago but here is the official article. I think this looks great! A good step in helping that feeling that downtown drops off after East 12th. I can't figure out if the choice of location is preposterous, or ingenious.
May 10, 20169 yr ^^ My thoughts exactly re the location. Might be genius or a bust! That said, I'm glad things are creeping east and slightly north, broadening the footprint. Hopefully things like this and the Leader building project will start to awaken Superior, which is a big broad, albeit somewhat dead ribbon through downtown. My hovercraft is full of eels
May 10, 20169 yr Superior from 9th to 12th is a pedestrian dead zone, which doesn't help. Back to back parking decks with no storefronts should never have been allowed there. Unfortunately this bar will need to generate its own foot traffic or become popular with students in a hurry.
May 10, 20169 yr First look inside the new Plum Cafe (at least first I've seen). Looks sharp. I love the concept. Hopefully the execution is solid. Now Open: The Plum Cafe in Ohio City http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2016/04/19/now-open-the-plum-cafe-in-ohio-city Went there yesterday. Highly recommend. Sandwiches and drinks. Outstanding decor. They r still ramping up, but I love the concept Good things happening along Lorain, for sure. My wife and I were in Cleveland last week for a few days and stopped by the Plum Cafe on Lorain. We were very disappointed with our experience. First, I will say that the space is incredibly beautiful. And they're working on the garden in the back which will also be beautiful. That being said, the customer service and the food were total disappointment. We were the only table sitting down and our food sat in the expediter's window after it was prepared for seven minutes. I kept looking at the guy behind the line and he kept looking at me and then looking for someone to drop off the food but nobody was to be found. There was one server working the floor and the counter, there were several very hipster looking guys walking around, who I took to be the owners. With all of those people nobody could be bothered to actually run the food that was prepared. I finally got up and went to the window and said to the the guy "is anyone going to run this?" and he finally went and got one of the hipster looking guys to run the food. Then, once we are eating the food, the disappointment continued. I got the jackfruit vegan sandwich and a green bean with crispy quinoa, both of which completely lacked any flavor and after having sat there for a while the sandwich was soggy. My wife had the salami sandwich which was so salty she could only eat half. By the time anyone checkd back on us I was already done with my sandwich and my wife was debating whether not to finish hers. So as I got up to leave and pay the check I mentioned to the girl who was providing this terrible service that my wife's sandwich was not able to be eaten because it was so salty. So instead of offering something else or maybe asking if there something else she could do she just said "oh sorry" and still charged us the completely full price for it rather than offering a solution to the problem. Again this is a beautiful space but the food is mediocre and the service was atrocious. There are too many other good places in Cleveland to bother going back.
May 10, 20169 yr I appreciate you sharing but hate this to turn into a Yelp style review board. that being said, these experiences are good to know about. However, my first question to someone who posts something like this (elsewhere) is: did you ask for or subsequently contact a manager? I understand not wanting to make a stink while you were there, but I urge people to tell a manager about something like this before going online to bash a place, because you have no idea what could have been going on. Maybe there were two more people supposed to be working and one of them had a family emergency and the other was sick. Not making excuses, but with a brand new place there are often kinks being worked out and the manager(s)s and owner(s) really do want to know about these things so they have a chance to make them right. The bad word of mouth that can be spread by online reviews like this can be really damaging. My general opinion is contact a manager or owner and give them a chance to know about it and make it right. If a subsequent visit is also disappointing, then yeah, let people know about it. Just my 2 cents.
May 10, 20169 yr I appreciate you sharing but hate this to turn into a Yelp style review board. that being said, these experiences are good to know about. However, my first question to someone who posts something like this (elsewhere) is: did you ask for or subsequently contact a manager? I understand not wanting to make a stink while you were there, but I urge people to tell a manager about something like this before going online to bash a place, because you have no idea what could have been going on. Maybe there were two more people supposed to be working and one of them had a family emergency and the other was sick. Not making excuses, but with a brand new place there are often kinks being worked out and the manager(s)s and owner(s) really do want to know about these things so they have a chance to make them right. The bad word of mouth that can be spread by online reviews like this can be really damaging. My general opinion is contact a manager or owner and give them a chance to know about it and make it right. If a subsequent visit is also disappointing, then yeah, let people know about it. Just my 2 cents. I work for Michael Voltaggio at ink. restaurant in LA, and I deal with this issue as well. People should speak to a manager if they want to communicate their dissatisfaction. Because of where I work and the places I've worked before ink., I have very high service standards and expectations. That being said, we were in a hurry and we were already so annoyed at the situation that we just wanted to leave because we had limited time in town and didn't want to waste it on a bad experience. Also, I take issue with your assertion that I'm "bashing" a place. I am relating my experience, which was not good. That's hardly bashing. Maybe you missed the part where I said there were a few owner looking types just standing around talking, one of whom eventually ran the food. There were no excuses for our bad service.
May 10, 20169 yr Wow, I didn't know that was where you worked, my total bad. And sorry if I offended with "bashing." That's what my peeps in the restaurant call basically every yelp review, ever. If you were to google "restaurant bashing" it's a common term. It sounds like a bad situation, I agree. Maybe this is the first restaurant these people have owned and they need someone to tell them how to get a clue? I just have a vested interest in local, independent places being given an opportunity to continue to do business if they've invested in the community with a restaurant. If you contacted them and they were like screw you, we think we're doing great and everyone else is happy (or my favorite phrase, "Nobody else has complained," as if that somehow means your complaint isn't valid), then yeah I can see going online and having negative things to say about them. I, like you, come in with higher standards for food and service. But, knowing that, I try to be aware of that and think ok, maybe these people need some help understanding what's wrong here, rather than just writing them off after one bad visit. One of the owners, for example, responded to a negative yelp complaint and made a change based on customer feedback. Knowing I have higher standards, I try harder to allow for that and say ok, maybe these people need to hear from me first, before going online about it. I appreciate you sharing. I will keep your experience in mind whenever I get there. I refer a LOT of local people to restaurants in town so I like to keep abreast of things like this, both positive and negative.
May 10, 20169 yr Superior from 9th to 12th is a pedestrian dead zone, which doesn't help. Back to back parking decks with no storefronts should never have been allowed there. Unfortunately this bar will need to generate its own foot traffic or become popular with students in a hurry. This is why we must extend retail storefronts along Superior east of E.13th.
May 11, 20169 yr Is the center median, with its planters, being extended any time soon? They look great by the library and Federal Reserve Bank and help narrow the street and provide a pedestrian refuge.
May 11, 20169 yr jeremyck01[/member] We have a review thread, please post there. Thanks. clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
May 11, 20169 yr ^I think Cleveland restaurant review thread was erased in the last server crash. Might be a useful prompt for mods to re-create it and move this exchange there.
May 11, 20169 yr ^No. It's still here, just under the larger Ohio umbrella. http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,27741.0.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
May 11, 20169 yr Trios Bar in Lakewood has closed. Undergoing its transformation into a bbq and microbrew centric spot. http://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index.ssf/2015/06/lakewood_investor_plans_to_ope.html
May 11, 20169 yr jeremyck01[/member] We have a review thread, please post there. Thanks. Thank you. Feel free to move it. I also couldn't find the review thread, so posted here as someone had commented on Plum Cafe earlier.
May 16, 20169 yr Ate at Citizen Pie in Waterloo on Saturday. Wont review it fully but it was really delicious. The owner told me that they will be opening a second location in Ohio City. No lease signed yet but it will happen
May 19, 20169 yr Can't wait to check this place out!! First look: East End restaurant brings new life to historic Flats (photos) "East End Restaurant and Bar is located at the other end of Old River Road amid a row of buildings that date back to another time – way, way, way before the Flats was a party zone. "Look at these bricks and this wood, just look at this building," says executive chef Ben Dorsha, as he surveys the bar and dining area of East End. "What would you call this... like 'old school'?" Ancient school might be more accurate. East End, you see, is located in the historically-significant Frank Morrison & Son building, 1330 Old River Road." http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/05/first_look_east_end_restaurant.html#incart_river_home
May 19, 20169 yr ^ Maybe I'm just in a pessimistic mood but this owner also owns Odeon and that bush league music venue across the street.
May 19, 20169 yr The Rowley Inn is for sale - http://looplink.hannacre.com/xNet/Looplink/Profile/Profile.aspx?stid=hannacre&LID=19775269&LL=true&PinProfile=true&UOMListing&UOMMoneyCurrency&RentPer=PY&SRID=7406557479
May 20, 20169 yr ^ Maybe I'm just in a pessimistic mood but this owner also owns Odeon and that bush league music venue across the street. From what it seems like, they own the whole block.
May 20, 20169 yr ^ Maybe I'm just in a pessimistic mood but this owner also owns Odeon and that bush league music venue across the street. From what it seems like, they own the whole block. Great! /s Saw some good reviews posted in response to the negative one. But the good reviews are all from people who just registered yesterday, soooo, take that for what it's worth.
May 20, 20169 yr ^ Maybe I'm just in a pessimistic mood but this owner also owns Odeon and that bush league music venue across the street. From what it seems like, they own the whole block. Great! /s Saw some good reviews posted in response to the negative one. But the good reviews are all from people who just registered yesterday, soooo, take that for what it's worth. LOL! If anything, at least they care enough to defend their business.
May 20, 20169 yr ^ Maybe I'm just in a pessimistic mood but this owner also owns Odeon and that bush league music venue across the street. From what it seems like, they own the whole block. Great! /s Saw some good reviews posted in response to the negative one. But the good reviews are all from people who just registered yesterday, soooo, take that for what it's worth. The inside of that place looks very badly decorated. Like 80's bad.
May 21, 20169 yr Saw some good reviews posted in response to the negative one. But the good reviews are all from people who just registered yesterday, soooo, take that for what it's worth. LOL! If anything, at least they care enough to defend their business. Ha! Well there's a positive angle at least! "Love it!" -famous_food_critic "Delicious!!!" -216_4ever "A real gem" -not_the_owner_69
May 25, 20169 yr Hard Rock Cafe in Cleveland to close in July CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Hard Rock Cafe plans to close its Cleveland location in July after the Republican National Convention, the company announced Tuesday. The closing is part of an effort to focus marketing efforts on the Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Rocksino at Northfield Park in Northfield, a news release said. "The closing marks a strategic decision on behalf of the brand," the release said. More below: http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/05/hard_rock_cafe_in_cleveland_to.html#incart_most-commented_business "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
May 27, 20169 yr Another one bites the dust. This has been a bad year for old luncheonettes downtown. First we lost PJ's, then Huron Square Deli. And now Sammy's Today is last call at Sammy's Grille after 48-1/2 years of feeding downtown Cleveland By Janet H. Cho, The Plain Dealer on May 27, 2016 at 6:00 AM, updated May 27, 2016 at 6:06 AM CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After 48-1/2 years of feeding downtown Cleveland, Sammy Abounader will fire up the grills for the last time today at Sammy's Grille, tucked away in the lobby of the former National City Bank building at 629 Euclid Ave. "After 48 years, it's time. I'm overdue," he said, looking apologetic as his customers clucked their disapproval. "I'm not a spring chicken anymore. I'm 72 years old." Business has been good, he says, enabling him to support his wife and 10 children and put nine of them through college. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2016/05/today_is_last_call_at_sammys_g.html
May 27, 20169 yr Sad to report to that Grind Burger in Highland Heights has closed. I had anticipated this, as there were never many people dining there. Too bad. I loved eating at that place. It was one of my vices I had to act once a month or so. I think it would have done better in a different, more heavily trafficked location. You can't put a place like that right next to a gym and tanning salon and expect much success, I suppose.
May 27, 20169 yr Sad to report to that Grind Burger in Highland Heights has closed. I had anticipated this, as there were never many people dining there. Too bad. I loved eating at that place. It was one of my vices I had to act once a month or so. I think it would have done better in a different, more heavily trafficked location. You can't put a place like that right next to a gym and tanning salon and expect much success, I suppose. Really? I tried it twice and couldn't get into it. Too many other better places. I did like their decor and the bar that opened out to the patio. It's a pretty large space, wonder what they will replace it with.
May 27, 20169 yr Sad to report to that Grind Burger in Highland Heights has closed. I had anticipated this, as there were never many people dining there. Too bad. I loved eating at that place. It was one of my vices I had to act once a month or so. I think it would have done better in a different, more heavily trafficked location. You can't put a place like that right next to a gym and tanning salon and expect much success, I suppose. I actually just noticed this place for the first time last weekend. Looked at the menu now, Yum! Sad I didn't get to try them. We could use them near Shaker.....
May 27, 20169 yr Another one bites the dust. This has been a bad year for old luncheonettes downtown. First we lost PJ's, then Huron Square Deli. And now Sammy's Today is last call at Sammy's Grille after 48-1/2 years of feeding downtown Cleveland By Janet H. Cho, The Plain Dealer on May 27, 2016 at 6:00 AM, updated May 27, 2016 at 6:06 AM CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After 48-1/2 years of feeding downtown Cleveland, Sammy Abounader will fire up the grills for the last time today at Sammy's Grille, tucked away in the lobby of the former National City Bank building at 629 Euclid Ave. "After 48 years, it's time. I'm overdue," he said, looking apologetic as his customers clucked their disapproval. "I'm not a spring chicken anymore. I'm 72 years old." Business has been good, he says, enabling him to support his wife and 10 children and put nine of them through college. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2016/05/today_is_last_call_at_sammys_g.html I lived right around the corner from there for almost 10 years and had no idea it was in there.
June 4, 20169 yr I lived right around the corner from there for almost 10 years and had no idea it was in there. I just learned about it a couple years ago. I'm getting tired of losing these old-school diner/deli joints. First PJ's Luncheonette, then Huron Square Deli and now Sammy's. That leaves only one downtown, right? Addy's -- unless you count PJ's revived as Jack Flaps. I have yet to step foot into Jack Flaps. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 4, 20169 yr I lived right around the corner from there for almost 10 years and had no idea it was in there. I just learned about it a couple years ago. I'm getting tired of losing these old-school diner/deli joints. First PJ's Luncheonette, then Huron Square Deli and now Sammy's. That leaves only one downtown, right? Addy's -- unless you count PJ's revived as Jack Flaps. I have yet to step foot into Jack Flaps. It's quite good! They're all retiring though, right? It's not that business is bad.
June 4, 20169 yr I lived right around the corner from there for almost 10 years and had no idea it was in there. I just learned about it a couple years ago. I'm getting tired of losing these old-school diner/deli joints. First PJ's Luncheonette, then Huron Square Deli and now Sammy's. That leaves only one downtown, right? Addy's -- unless you count PJ's revived as Jack Flaps. I have yet to step foot into Jack Flaps. It's quite good! They're all retiring though, right? It's not that business is bad. Flap Jacks is really good. Two retirements (PJ's & Sammy's) and one passing (Huron Square)
June 7, 20169 yr This is the weirdest thing but yet... I think it will be amazingly successful haha! We are getting a "Taco Bell Cantina" in the old Cadillac Ranch space (I think? Or at least part of it. 150 Euclid) I didn't know they had these. Its on the Landmarks Agenda
June 7, 20169 yr Mediocre fast food in this space is sort of my personal worst-case-scenario, but I'll keep an open mind. Given the potential for high margin outdoor seating there, I'm honestly surprised a sit-down concept didn't grab this space.
June 7, 20169 yr Nice. These new Taco Bells are very nice - I stumbled upon a test venue that served alcohol, had amazing reclaimed wood interiors, moveable seats, high-tops and an improved menu board and kitchen. It's not what you think of Taco Bell from the 1990's.
June 7, 20169 yr Sad to report to that Grind Burger in Highland Heights has closed. I had anticipated this, as there were never many people dining there. Too bad. I loved eating at that place. It was one of my vices I had to act once a month or so. I think it would have done better in a different, more heavily trafficked location. You can't put a place like that right next to a gym and tanning salon and expect much success, I suppose. Really? I tried it twice and couldn't get into it. Too many other better places. I did like their decor and the bar that opened out to the patio. It's a pretty large space, wonder what they will replace it with. Where do you recommend in the area (i.e. Hillcrest) for a great burger? IMO, Pete's, a little whole in the wall bar on Mayfield, has a good one, but I honestly couldn't think of any other place that stacks up.
June 7, 20169 yr If the Mill Taverne on Wilson Mills is still around, you can get a good burger there. I remember Scalper's serving a pretty good burger too.
June 7, 20169 yr I'm looking for something that's would be comparable to Grind Burger. No disrespect to Scalpers, where I spent quite a few nights in my youth, but its food is nowhere near on par
June 7, 20169 yr Grind Burger was very good, especially if you splurged on the Wagyu beef, and it was always pretty busy when I was there. The service was pretty bad, though. And it's hard to charge $15 for a burger (don't get me wrong, they were worth it) in a strip plaza in Highland Heights. By the way, willyboy, the owners actually live in Shaker Heights, I believe. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
June 9, 20169 yr Nice. These new Taco Bells are very nice - I stumbled upon a test venue that served alcohol, had amazing reclaimed wood interiors, moveable seats, high-tops and an improved menu board and kitchen. It's not what you think of Taco Bell from the 1990's. Check out the pictures. It appears that's what this will be. http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/06/fancy_taco_bell_planned_for_ma.html
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