D.C. is a goldmine of opportunity.  There are about 65,000 new jobs here a year, so it is a natural place for people to migrate to after college, as I did when I couldnt find a job in Cleveland.  This is unfortunate since to me D.C. lacks so many of the things that make Cleveland great.  Most people I know here are affiliated with the government or work for national associations of some kind or lobbyists.  I have had some amazing job experiences in D.C., which have even opened doors for some Cleveland lobbying.  Im hoping to move back to Cleveland soon (Urban Planning field).       

 

the federal government and contractors are what keeps DC afloat.  I was understand that DC has about 60k jobs a year, but many are recycled, since something like 85% are contract/temp/seasonal jobs. 

 

But I'm glad you realize that Cleveland is unique.  Thumbs up man!!

^^^The problem is that Jac's is trying to wedge themselves into an area already saturated with higher-end dining spots. Within two blocks you have Blue Point, Johnny's Downtown, XO, Brasa, Mallorca, and Osteria - all have pretty much established themselves as the bastions of the Warehouse District's fine dining offerings. That doesn't even take into account the less pricey/casual spots that are still nice enough for a dinner out (Metropolitan, Chop House, etc.). All have great food and fantastic atmosphere and each has found their niche. Jac's just seems like "hey, we're a nouveau/fusion/French/euro/etc. restaurant with cool decor!". If their chef had a following along the lines of Michael Symon - that might be okay, but that's not the case. No advertising? Why go into business in the first place?

 

Looking at Jac's website - (http://www.jacsonwest6th.com/main.html) they're a few years behind their peers. Ten years ago in Cleveland, it might have been enough to advertise your space (lovely though it is) as "like nothing else in Cleveland", simply because it has exposed brick and state-of-the-art lighting fixtures. But now, exposed brick and funky lighting is a dime a dozen. Plus, thanks to a strong and growing "foodie" scene, new indie restaurants have to take it up a notch. What I really take issue with is the quote on the main page "many commented how they felt they were in Chicago and New York". That comes across as insulting - as though something so fabulous simply couldn't be in/from Cleveland. The crowd that will spend money on places like Jac's is more enlightened than that, and the restaurants that have thrived demonstrate that.

 

It's also rather ironic that your experience was an empty place - just like the images on their site.

^^^The problem is that Jac's is trying to wedge themselves into an area already saturated with higher-end dining spots. Within two blocks you have Blue Point, Johnny's Downtown, XO, Brasa, Mallorca, and Osteria - all have pretty much established themselves as the bastions of the Warehouse District's fine dining offerings. That doesn't even take into account the less pricey/casual spots that are still nice enough for a dinner out (Metropolitan, Chop House, etc.). All have great food and fantastic atmosphere and each has found their niche. Jac's just seems like "hey, we're a nouveau/fusion/French/euro/etc. restaurant with cool decor!". If their chef had a following along the lines of Michael Symon - that might be okay, but that's not the case. No advertising? Why go into business in the first place?

 

Looking at Jac's website - (http://www.jacsonwest6th.com/main.html) they're a few years behind their peers. Ten years ago in Cleveland, it might have been enough to advertise your space (lovely though it is) as "like nothing else in Cleveland", simply because it has exposed brick and state-of-the-art lighting fixtures. But now, exposed brick and funky lighting is a dime a dozen. Plus, thanks to a strong and growing "foodie" scene, new indie restaurants have to take it up a notch. What I really take issue with is the quote on the main page "many commented how they felt they were in Chicago and New York". That comes across as insulting - as though something so fabulous simply couldn't be in/from Cleveland. The crowd that will spend money on places like Jac's is more enlightened than that, and the restaurants that have thrived demonstrate that.

 

It's also rather ironic that your experience was an empty place - just like the images on their site.

 

I agree 100%, the one time I thought I would go, I thought the place was closed permanently, but it doesn't open until 6 (i think).  Maybe a lunch open will help, but if he isn't advertising, marketing or in a partnership....nobody knows you're there!

there's a restaurant called jac's?

Yes Mayday they are simply what all the others in the Warehouse District were being years ago.  Even though the experience wasnt bad, I dont know that Id go back without there being some kind of vibe of other people, since thats what the space needs (unless I cant get a table somewhere else, apparently there is always one there).  I guess it just bothers me, since all of these years in D.C. have I even seen much that compares in any sense of decor, style, individuality, service or food (to most places in Cleve).  There is finally the beginning of a dining scene here, but......    Whenever I bring people to Cleveland, they are amazed by the restaurants etc., and always say "theres nothing like this in D.C."  So whenever somebody opens something there that is nice, it breaks my heart when it doesnt do well, and I always think that people will give up spending money on opening new places.  What about places like Flo or Circo/Zibbabo?  I thought these were beautiful and interesting concepts....  I realize Flo didnt know what it wantede to be, and Circo I guess wasnt new anymore...  Which leads to the question of how much Cleveland can support...?                 

^To the best of my knowledge, Circo was actually doing well but the Mallorca group (who own Mallorca, Sunset Lounge, and Brasa) wanted a space close to their West 9th spot for a Brazilian steakhouse. Thus, Brasa took over the Circo spot.

 

In addition to an identity crisis, Flo's food was mediocre at best, the price points were all over the place, and the service was really spotty. Add to that the strange "theme" they tried to pull off and it's no wonder they didn't last.

 

Sure, there's a limit to what Cleveland can support - and that's all the more reason that new places have to really step it up across the board. Honestly I'm not too worried - I believe the figure is like 90% of all new restaurants fail within the first year. With Stark's project going in just a block away - even if Jac's doesn't last, that space won't stay empty for long.

KJP, to get off topic again.  Cleveland is lacking a robust or even good economy.  The supposed brain drain and bad economy is driving young adults to places like D.C. where (some stats I found, as disgusting as they are) 

 

•  72,000 new jobs added in 2005

•  Led the U.S. in job growth over past 5 years – 274,000 jobs added from 2000 to 2005

•  The D.C. metropolitan area is the number one region for high-tech employment –          surpassing even San Francisco and San Jose.

•  Largest number of Inc. 500 companies for nine consecutive years (50 firms in 2005)

•  Median household income of $72,799, the nation’s wealthiest region

 

The Washington area is expected to achieve a 58 percent increase (inflation adjusted) in its economic activity between 2000 and 2015, with the job base growing 29 percent and the resident population increasing 21 percent.

 

Five of the top ten wealthiest counties in the U.S. are located in Greater Washington.

 

 

 

 

It makes sense that D.C. has a high rate of employment and median income with the amount of hot air that comes out of there, on top of the fact that the government wastes so much of our tax money.  Thanks D.C.

You got that right!

Interesting. I was aware of some of D.C.'s job growth, but not the extent or the economic sectors where the growth was occurring.

 

I guess if you're not in the health care field, the job opportunities would probably be limited here. But I'll wager that the graphic arts, product design and even filmmaking fields will be a source of noticeable growth in Cleveland in the coming years.

 

And, in a futile attempt to keep this thread on subject, that growth will keep the local restaurant scene strong! (How's that for a blatant attempt?!?!)

^I have to say that as a graphic designer and being in the industry for 14 years, I've never (knock on wood) had a problem finding work in Cleveland.

Is it the lack of jobs or the lack of job candidates?? I know that Progressive Insurance has a hard time filling all its open IT jobs.

Getting back to restaurants (not that I mind diversions at all), the PD ran an interesting little bit a few years ago discussing the number and location of high income households (I believe they used $150K per year) in the Clevo metro area and related it to the capacity for fine dining establishments.  There was also a comparison to the situation in Chicago.  Nothing earth-shattering (guess what- Chicago as many more high income households) but I appreciated the fresh pseudo-scientific approach to the restaurant beat and am always interested to read about demographics.

there's a restaurant called jac's?

 

I believe it's the Gameworks restaurant.

I guess it just bothers me, since all of these years in D.C. have I even seen much that compares in any sense of decor, style, individuality, service or food (to most places in Cleve).  There is finally the beginning of a dining scene here, but......    Whenever I bring people to Cleveland, they are amazed by the restaurants etc., and always say "theres nothing like this in D.C." 

 

Unless something's changed dramatically for the worse in the 8 yrs since I lived there, this is hard for me to believe.  My impression of the DC dining scene at the time was that it was pretty large and diverse with many very good restaurants.  Was your comment more around the quality or just something unique about the Cleveland restaurants?

 

WOW.....

^damn; Charlie's Crab was a fam fave... Someone really needs to needle Landry's about this.  If not mistaken, these are the same folks that quickly folded in the Flats before the problems started down there.

I hate to hear Parker's closed in Ohio City.  If I'm not mistaken, it was the region's only Mobil 4-star restaurant -- I think San Souci flittered with it for awhile and, maybe still holds 4-stars, but Parker's was always consistently thought of as Cleveland's best... I sure hope another restaurant goes in that space.  It's a beautiful historic building right in the core of Bridge street's Victorian corridor... I do hope, though, any new owner would open it up a tad w/ some alfresco seating a la Heck's, the next block down, which seems much more open, lively. Parker's tended to have a closed, dungeon-like quality about it.

 

If I'm not mistaken, Dave's supermarket's backside fronts Parker's... Don't know how that could/did affect Parker's biz..

parkers is three star

 

http://mobiltravelguide.howstuffworks.com/cleveland-oh-restaurants-list.htm?minRating=3

Oops, they slipped a tad.  For years they were 4-star... Wonder if that helped nudge the owner into retirement.

I don't think so... from all the reports I've herad/read he just was done with it. 

If I'm not mistaken, Dave's supermarket's backside fronts Parker's...

 

Yup.  And Dave's ugly ass is a serious downer to what would otherwise be a super duper Ohio City intersection.  I always wondered if Parker fought that thing.

^damn; Charlie's Crab was a fam fave... Someone really needs to needle Landry's about this.  If not mistaken, these are the same folks that quickly folded in the Flats before the problems started down there.

 

IIRC, Landry's is a Houston based company.  that has many brands of restaurants.  I  am no sure if they are wholly owned or franchises

I used to work at Landry's down in the Flats.  It was a fairly well run operation, but business was uneven.  This was in '98, I believe.  It was common wisdom at the time that it wasn't a good fit for the neighborhood, as it was too stuffy and not bar oriented enough, although the river deck was awesome in summer.

^Landry's was here during the glory days of the Flats which I sincerely miss... I still say it's our bad for allowing such a great, nat'lly-recognized entertainment district fail...  And now the future, sterile in comparison, is tied up, indefinitely, in court... ho-hum.

From Crain's:

 

Sammy's returns to Severance Hall

By JOHN BOOTH

 

2:49 pm, January 5, 2007

 

Sammy’s, the Cleveland catering business that ran the Keynote Restaurant at Severance Hall in the 1990s, is returning to the venue Jan. 11.

 

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

 

Sammy’s will take the reins of Severance Hall’s restaurant and banquet operations from New York-based Restaurant Associates. It also will oversee the lunch service of the Case Club at Severance Hall.

i wish they would re open the restaurant.

i wish they would re open the restaurant.

 

Agreed, I don't get it.  Sammy's has one of the prime locations in the city overlooking the Cuyahoga river and, despite the 'decline', this part of the Flats East Bank is still vibrant with many high quality residences around it and the very beautiful Settlers Landing park, among other things.  Interior-wise, Sammy's multilevels with exposed brickwork and pipes was among the most innovative and romantic in the city.  It's a treasure that's been allowed to die--albeit, save the few catered banquets that rent out the joint...  If anything, I wish they'd reopen Sammy's and widen the windows to make the view better... But for the life of me, I can't understand why that place has remained shuddered, now for nearly a decade.

^I heard that the owners are going to turn the building into condos and build a few townhomes on the parking lot.

i wish they would re open the restaurant.

 

Agreed, I don't get it.  Sammy's has one of the prime locations in the city overlooking the Cuyahoga river and, despite the 'decline', this part of the Flats East Bank is still vibrant with many high quality residences around it and the very beautiful Settlers Landing park, among other things.  Interior-wise, Sammy's multilevels with exposed brickwork and pipes was among the most innovative and romantic in the city.  It's a treasure that's been allowed to die--albeit, save the few catered banquets that rent out the joint...  If anything, I wish they'd reopen Sammy's and widen the windows to make the view better... But for the life of me, I can't understand why that place has remained shuddered, now for nearly a decade.

 

They chose to close it/downsize and expand the catering/banquet business.  I too wish Top of the Top was reopened.  ahh....memories

^I heard that the owners are going to turn the building into condos and build a few townhomes on the parking lot.

 

who could knock new condos.  Still, I wish Sammy's or some other high-end restaurant occupied that space.  It's among the better locations for a restaurant in the city.  Someone's missing a good bet imho.

^^ Oh, the Top of the Town... Loved it.  Sadly, in most cities not named New York or Chicago, those Top of the _____ (most owned by Stouffer's) died out.  I think it may have had to do w/ the fact that they were all on the tops of office buildings where, if you didn't have personal experience with the place, heard via word of mouth or worked in the building, these places had a tough time attracting passersby because they simply are not visible from the street. Of course, in NYC, we unfortunately know what happened to the great Windows on the World ...

 

... Chicago's version in the top of the John Hancock Building (the Signature Room), unlike its counterparts, sits away from the sterile office center (inside the Loop) but directly in the heart of Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile (and right next to the huge, ritzy Water Tower Place)... The Signature Room, unlike the other Top of the(s)____ is 2 levels and constantly packed.  You can wait 2-3 hours just to have dinner even if you're on the list... Its a shame Cleveland's Top of the Town couldn't survive.  I love the concept; those restaurants always had, quite naturally, the best seats in the house, from a city viewing perspective.

^I heard that the owners are going to turn the building into condos and build a few townhomes on the parking lot.

 

who could knock new condos.  Still, I wish Sammy's or some other high-end restaurant occupied that space.  It's among the better locations for a restaurant in the city.  Someone's missing a good bet imho.

 

I heard from the developer that the Flats East Bank project would likely be incorporating a restaurant on one of the upper floors of the new builidings.  According to this guy, the views would be incredible.

^^ Oh, the Top of the Town... Loved it.  Sadly, in most cities not named New York or Chicago, those Top of the _____ (most owned by Stouffer's) died out.  I think it may have had to do w/ the fact that they were all on the tops of office buildings where, if you didn't have personal experience with the place, heard via word of mouth or worked in the building, these places had a tough time attracting passersby because they simply are not visible from the street. Of course, in NYC, we unfortunately know what happened to the great Windows on the World ...

 

... Chicago's version in the top of the John Hancock Building (the Signature Room), unlike its counterparts, sits away from the sterile office center (inside the Loop) but directly in the heart of Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile (and right next to the huge, ritzy Water Tower Place)... The Signature Room, unlike the other Top of the(s)____ is 2 levels and constantly packed.  You can wait 2-3 hours just to have dinner even if you're on the list... Its a shame Cleveland's Top of the Town couldn't survive.  I love the concept; those restaurants always had, quite naturally, the best seats in the house, from a city viewing perspective.

 

IIRC thought it was the stouffer/nestles issue that closed top of the town, not a patronage or financial issue. but because they wanted out of the lodging / restaurant mgmt. business.

 

The signature room isn't all that.  the food is "so so", and I've never waited the three times i've been.

 

Granted Cleveland's TOT could have gotten a mgmt partner to stay out, but at the same time the galleria was undergoing changes, and the building itself was "shitty" on the inside.  Remember, when the galleria open the cry was you've got the glitzy galleria open and attached to the hideous EVT.  So there is probably more to the closing than what we know.

 

^I heard that the owners are going to turn the building into condos and build a few townhomes on the parking lot.

 

who could knock new condos.  Still, I wish Sammy's or some other high-end restaurant occupied that space.  It's among the better locations for a restaurant in the city.  Someone's missing a good bet imho.

 

I heard from the developer that the Flats East Bank project would likely be incorporating a restaurant on one of the upper floors of the new builidings.  According to this guy, the views would be incredible.

Wimzy...You never cease to amaze me with the amount of underground information you get. 

 

This would be amazing! :clap:  Think we can re open the WaterMark while we're at it?

^I don't disagree about Signature room food, MTS.  But the lively atmosphere -- packed w/ crowds; live jazz, split levels and, of course, the 96th floor Chicago views -- more than compensate.  It's a great way to spend the evening after trolling Chicago on foot (and rail and bus) all day.  I love it there.

Wimwar, does that mean the new condos where Sammy's is located will have a restaurant on top, or did you mean that Wolstein's Flats East Bank will have a restaurant on top of one of its buildings? Thanks.

Sammy's has an event there almost every weekend. Usually wedding receptions.

I've been inside as recently as last spring. It was still very clean inside.

My understanding is the catering/banquet business is doing really well, which prompted them to close the restaurant.  We're starting to plan for my niece's quinceanera and Sammy's is a location we've considered.

Maybe this thread should be renamed to "Cleveland: Restaurant News."

 

I did not want to start a thread just for closings.

 

RESTAURANT ROW

Major's Club Isabella is leaving century-old spot

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Bill Lubinger

Plain Dealer Columnist

 

Cleveland's dining scene will lose another local in stitution after the close of business Saturday - although it could resurface in a new location.

 

Cleveland's latest casualty is Major's Club Isabella, a University Circle dining/jazz-club landmark since the early 1980s.

 

The century-old carriage house was a bottling plant, speakeasy, hippie hangout and probably had nine other lives before former owner Isabella Basile bought the place.

 

More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

 

 

However, on a more positive note:

 

 

Soup's on . . .

 

When Matt Moore looked to open his second Souper Market, he first headed east - the Heights, University Circle. But pricey rents pushed him west, to his own back yard. Moore, who lives in Lakewood and created the Souper Market soup house near the West Side Market in Cleveland almost five years ago, hopes to open location No. 2 later this month. It's the site of a former Indian restaurant at 14809 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood.

More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

 

 

 

 

^Souper Market is pretty much my favorite place in the entire city.  When I'm in town, I make a point in stopping there for a bowl -- usually once a week.  It's consistently the best soup around. 

 

He actually was looking downtown about a year ago or so, but I guess that the rents were too high.  I think the location of his second shop will do quite well.  It's right near the intersection of Detroit and Warren in Lakewood, where there should be plenty of foot traffic.

ooo the lobster bisque is my favorite, i love the Souper Market

I love Isabella's.  Hate the fact that the sterile U. hospital is, once again, going about snuffing out urban housing and entertainment venues.

Isabella Basile is related (I'm not sure in what way, maybe sister?) to late mobster Carmen Basile. Carmen was quite the force in the Cleveland Mafia from the 1950s until his death in the mid-1980s.

I made my first stop in the Souper Market with my S.O. this past weekend - I'm so glad we did. We wanted to grab a light lunch because we had dinner plans later that involved some heavy food, and Souper Market was perfect - tasty filling soups and reasonable prices.

UCI has been actively trying to relocate Club Isabella in the neighborhood, but I think the UH deal may have left them with a bad taste...  It would be fantastic if they could just hop down the street to the old Boarding House space in the Commodore (Ford & Euclid)...more visible and not such a big adjustment.  I don't know how the two spaces compare, though.

UCI has been actively trying to relocate Club Isabella in the neighborhood, but I think the UH deal may have left them with a bad taste...  It would be fantastic if they could just hop down the street to the old Boarding House space in the Commodore (Ford & Euclid)...more visible and not such a big adjustment.  I don't know how the two spaces compare, though.

 

wait, the BoHo closed? I'm really out of touch.

^ Year's ago, dude... the Boarding House was absolutely my fave weekend haunt, but the owners allowed it to become seedy and rundown, and a rougher element began hanging there.  When the space was really clicking about a decade, decade & half ago, there was also a Boarding House deli next door that stayed open till the wee hours... Now, all gone.  I'm all for the Triangle plans developing (esp the condos and the Barnes & Noble), but it's a shame that quality nabe-oriented performance entertainment venues are being snuffed.  Sadly, their replacements are often yuppie-ized and sterile.

What about the Euclid Tavern at E118 and Euclid?  I haven't been there since I was a teenager and the sign, though still bad ass, looks shabby and the place abandoned.

Quick note: the Boarding House deli is still open.  Another quick note: there are rumblings afoot that an old Euclid Tavern owner is either interested in or has already bought the venue.  I think I posted this elsewhere.

 

I share your concern, Clvlndr, about the "yuppification" of this district (I think Peter B. Lewis does as well!).  Unfortunately, parts of it are in such poor shape right now that I'll take the new stuff just to see it popping again.  From what I hear, there used to be quite a bit of college-type retail and nightlife around here, but it was all wiped out post-1960s.  I'm surprised that the clear-cutting went on that long, actually.  There are MANY voices now, and not just from people like us, who are crying out for that authentic stuff that once thrived in the neighborhood.  Unfortunately, it's a helluva lot easier to plug in franchises than it is to spur kitchy, indie shops and venues.  So, the powers that be really screwed up.  We'll just have to count on the resilience of the developers, residents, students, and entrepreneurs to bring some of that energy back!

^ Year's ago, dude... the Boarding House was absolutely my fave weekend haunt, but the owners allowed it to become seedy and rundown, and a rougher element began hanging there.  When the space was really clicking about a decade, decade & half ago, there was also a Boarding House deli next door that stayed open till the wee hours... Now, all gone.  I'm all for the Triangle plans developing (esp the condos and the Barnes & Noble), but it's a shame that quality nabe-oriented performance entertainment venues are being snuffed.  Sadly, their replacements are often yuppie-ized and sterile.

 

i remember the good ol days of knowing the bartender, who would lock the front door at 2am and leave us to our own devices until 6am (when mcdonald's across the street opened)