The former Machu Picchu space in the City Club building now has signage for the "Trifecta Sports Lounge." I remember hearing that a sports bar was opening in that space a while ago but I thought the plans had fizzled out. I hope it succeeds but it's not the greatest location.

great just what we need another damn sports bar.  :roll:

http://blog.cleveland.com/westsidesunnews/2008/12/cleveland_grill_to_close_doors.html

 

Cleveland Grill to close doors New Year's Eve

Posted by Jarrod Zickefoose December 11, 2008 13:18PM

Categories: Breaking News

 

CLEVELAND -- The venerable Cleveland Grill at 3359 W. 117th St. will close its doors for the last time on New Year's Eve.

 

"We are an institution. We have been here eight years, and it's not working out," chef/owner Dino Tsarnas said.

 

OK I am well aware of the failure rates of restaurants, but I hardly think of the Cleveland Grill as "venerable", or "an institution" after only eight years in business.  The Tick Tock Tavern on Clifton or the Academy Tavern on Larchmere, those are venerable.  Guarino's and Mama Santa's are "institutions" in Little Italy. 

 

MTS might even qualify as venerable, if you ask Andrew or those other young'ns...  :|

http://blog.cleveland.com/westsidesunnews/2008/12/cleveland_grill_to_close_doors.html

 

Cleveland Grill to close doors New Year's Eve

Posted by Jarrod Zickefoose December 11, 2008 13:18PM

Categories: Breaking News

 

CLEVELAND -- The venerable Cleveland Grill at 3359 W. 117th St. will close its doors for the last time on New Year's Eve.

 

"We are an institution. We have been here eight years, and it's not working out," chef/owner Dino Tsarnas said.

 

OK I am well aware of the failure rates of restaurants, but I hardly think of the Cleveland Grill as "venerable", or "an institution" after only eight years in business.  The Tick Tock Tavern on Clifton or the Academy Tavern on Larchmere, those are venerable.  Guarino's and Mama Santa's are "institutions" in Little Italy. 

 

MTS might even qualify as venerable, if you ask Andrew or those other young'ns...  :|

 

Amen!  See kids, that's respect!  Learn it!  8-)

Was there anything in the bank building just before Dante?

OK I am well aware of the failure rates of restaurants, but I hardly think of the Cleveland Grill as "venerable", or "an institution" after only eight years in business. The Tick Tock Tavern on Clifton or the Academy Tavern on Larchmere, those are venerable. Guarino's and Mama Santa's are "institutions" in Little Italy.

 

MTS might even qualify as venerable, if you ask Andrew or those other young'ns... :|

 

You have to meet Zickefoose to understand. As we say in our office, "That's Jared!"

Which restaurant is this?

---

 

CLEVELAND -- A triple two-alarm fire kept Cleveland firefighters busy early Monday morning.

 

Fire crews were called to the scene on West 29th Street in Cleveland for a fire at a restaurant/bar in the Ohio City neighborhood.

 

Damages to the 2-story structure are said to be extensive.

 

No one was hurt.

 

The fire is under investigation.

 

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=103099&catid=3

Maybe Light Bitro, although that is w.28th.

 

Ohio city diner (that little diner off Detroit?)

Ohio City Grill, 1406 W 29th. (next to the Shed)

 

bummer I was afraid of that.  I actually liked the place, In large part b/c it was the closest breakfast to us. The people that run it are nice too

Big Egg restaurant reopens next month

 

Posted by kspector December 18, 2008 12:20PM

 

The Big Egg, a West Side late-night hot spot where thousands of Clevelanders flocked for a big breakfast after the bars closed, is coming back.

 

Known for its egg-shaped menus, 24-hour operation and the puzzling slogan, "Where the Egg is King, and the Queen is, too!" the restaurant closed in 2002 after receiving a series of sanitary violations issued by the

Cleveland Health Department.

 

More at

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/12/big_egg_restaurant_to_reopen_n.html#preview

Awesome. Too bad it's not 24 hours. But the after-hours bar crowd can be rough at times.

One of the more "interesting" dishes on the Big Egg menu was "egghetti", which I think was an omelette stuffed with spaghetti and sauce. Even at 3 am after a bucket of Long Island Iced Tea, that wasn't an appetizing concept.

One of the more "interesting" dishes on the Big Egg menu was "egghetti", which I think was an omelette stuffed with spaghetti and sauce. Even at 3 am after a bucket of Long Island Iced Tea, that wasn't an appetizing concept.

 

I vaguely remember that.  But I thought that was at Dianna's.  Or am I confusing the drunks??

Bummer about the Ohio City Diner.  I hope the building isn't too far gone to repair.  And that everyone was OK!

 

Interested (but not yet excited) about the return of the Big Egg.  I only ever went there one time - New Year's Eve on the cusp of 1996-1997.  I have a feeling the "new" venue won't remind me much of the old.

Not sure if it has been reported yet, but Bar One (superior and 6th in the Leader Building) is apparently now closed for good.

Gee, I wonder where the author got the lead from? ;)

---

 

http://www.cleveland.com/brooklynsun/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1229611051109080.xml&coll=4

 

Mexican fare featured at new restaurant

Thursday, December 18, 2008

By Ken Prendergast [email protected]

Brooklyn Sun Journal

 

CLEVELAND Although Old Brooklyn is known for lots of places serving good diner-type food, a new addition should give area residents a more balanced diet.

 

 

One of the more "interesting" dishes on the Big Egg menu was "egghetti", which I think was an omelette stuffed with spaghetti and sauce. Even at 3 am after a bucket of Long Island Iced Tea, that wasn't an appetizing concept.

 

I vaguely remember that. But I thought that was at Dianna's. Or am I confusing the drunks??

 

Dianna's does have some sort of omelette with marinara sauce, I don't recall if it also had noodles.

One of the more "interesting" dishes on the Big Egg menu was "egghetti", which I think was an omelette stuffed with spaghetti and sauce. Even at 3 am after a bucket of Long Island Iced Tea, that wasn't an appetizing concept.

 

I vaguely remember that.  But I thought that was at Dianna's.  Or am I confusing the drunks??

 

Dianna's does have some sort of omelette with marinara sauce, I don't recall if it also had noodles.

 

OK  thanks.  I knew somebody else had some crazy dish.  As long as i'm not losing it.

Mexico Lindo is owned by Juan Valdez and his wife Madelyne. And, yes, they serve Mexican food.

 

 

But do they serve Columbian coffee?  :-P

Not sure if it has been reported yet, but Bar One (superior and 6th in the Leader Building) is apparently now closed for good.

 

I tried hard to like this place, I went 3 times and was never pleased with food, service or atmosphere.  Still, sorry to see another local closed.

haha, best news ever of the big egg reopening -- wow, that fun tidbit really came out of left field.

 

the place will really feel back when they go to 24hrs.

 

ps i just thought of something. i don't mind it being remodeled and cleaned up as long as they use those cool egg shaped menus.  :laugh:

haha, best news ever of the big egg reopening -- wow, that fun tidbit really came out of left field.

 

the place will really feel back when they go to 24hrs.

 

ps i just thought of something. i don't mind it being remodeled and cleaned up as long as they use those cool egg shaped menus.  :laugh:

 

and the original signage!

haha, best news ever of the big egg reopening -- wow, that fun tidbit really came out of left field.

 

the place will really feel back when they go to 24hrs.

 

ps i just thought of something. i don't mind it being remodeled and cleaned up as long as they use those cool egg shaped menus.  :laugh:

 

and the original signage!

 

Agree that the sign needs to come back, or a big tacky rotating egg sign would do ok also...

 

haha, best news ever of the big egg reopening -- wow, that fun tidbit really came out of left field.

 

the place will really feel back when they go to 24hrs.

 

ps i just thought of something. i don't mind it being remodeled and cleaned up as long as they use those cool egg shaped menus.  :laugh:

 

and the original signage!

 

Agree that the sign needs to come back, or a big tacky rotating egg sign would do ok also...

 

 

A big egg  that rotates like the idea stream letters.  That would be fabulous and just campy enough to make that corner pop.

i wonder where that sign is? i hope they still have it.

 

a spinning egg? ha.

 

i wonder where that sign is? i hope they still have it.

 

a spinning egg? ha.

 

 

or GIANT Egg Beaters.  That would be a kii-kii!

Went to Caddy Ranch on Saturday.  Holy crap was that place big.  When I left (around 12), the line was practically from Tower City to the door, no joke.  There must have been 750-1000 people inside and out, which really livened up Public Square.  I was also amazed how nice some of the bars were inside (though not so much the restaurant part), and the outdoor patio was really nice too.  I

 

I just hope this place was drawing in new people and not just absorbing some of the Warehouse regulars.

Went to Caddy Ranch on Saturday.  Holy crap was that place big.  When I left (around 12), the line was practically from Tower City to the door, no joke.  There must have been 750-1000 people inside and out, which really livened up Public Square.  I was also amazed how nice some of the bars were inside (though not so much the restaurant part), and the outdoor patio was really nice too.  I

 

I just hope this place was drawing in new people and not just absorbing some of the Warehouse regulars.

 

I totally agree.

 

There are a lot of people home for the holidays.  I too think that this is something new to try out.  Not necessarily drawing" from another area but enhancing all of downtown.

 

When any new place opens the "newness" attracts people.  With the amount of young folks in NE Ohio that want hip cool interesting places (in no way am I saying CR is "hip") this is another addition further enhancing all of downtown.

 

When those apartments and condo's on Euclid come online in the next year, Euclid and Prospect, between East Ninth and Tower City will be very popular.  People wlll then be able to continuously walk from Lakeside via West Six & Prospect all the way East Ninth.

It definitely wasnt drawing from Ohio City, I was there Saturday night, and you couldnt move at the bar I was at.

Went to Caddy Ranch on Saturday. Holy crap was that place big. When I left (around 12), the line was practically from Tower City to the door, no joke. There must have been 750-1000 people inside and out, which really livened up Public Square. I was also amazed how nice some of the bars were inside (though not so much the restaurant part), and the outdoor patio was really nice too. I

 

I just hope this place was drawing in new people and not just absorbing some of the Warehouse regulars.

 

Oh, you guys have a Cadillac Ranch too? lol ... I didn't know that ... when did it open?

Went to Caddy Ranch on Saturday.  Holy crap was that place big.  When I left (around 12), the line was practically from Tower City to the door, no joke.  There must have been 750-1000 people inside and out, which really livened up Public Square.  I was also amazed how nice some of the bars were inside (though not so much the restaurant part), and the outdoor patio was really nice too.  I

 

I just hope this place was drawing in new people and not just absorbing some of the Warehouse regulars.

 

Oh, you guys have a Cadillac Ranch too? lol ... I didn't know that ... when did it open?

 

The first week of October '08, IIRC.

Went to Caddy Ranch on Saturday.  Holy crap was that place big.  When I left (around 12), the line was practically from Tower City to the door, no joke.  There must have been 750-1000 people inside and out, which really livened up Public Square.  I was also amazed how nice some of the bars were inside (though not so much the restaurant part), and the outdoor patio was really nice too.  I

 

I just hope this place was drawing in new people and not just absorbing some of the Warehouse regulars.

 

Oh, you guys have a Cadillac Ranch too? lol ... I didn't know that ... when did it open?

 

The first week of October '08, IIRC.

 

Has it been packed?

 

I'm not a big fan of these, but there's no denying the foot traffic they bring in to an area ... here's a shot I got a two chicks riding the bull together ;)

 

 

 

It was ridiculous on Saturday night and I wish I had taken a shot of that line.  The prices there aren't all that bad either - not sure where else you can get a red bull for $2. 

The Cadillac Ranch definitely isn't draining people from the Warehouse District.  Friday and Saturday nights are just as crazy as they always have been, and the people who live in the WHD seem to stick around for night life, or go into the neighborhoods like my girlfriend and I do.  We always try and stay away from W.6th street by going to Ohio City, Tremont, or Gordon Square.

The Cadillac Ranch definitely isn't draining people from the Warehouse District. Friday and Saturday nights are just as crazy as they always have been, and the people who live in the WHD seem to stick around for night life, or go into the neighborhoods like my girlfriend and I do. We always try and stay away from W.6th street by going to Ohio City, Tremont, or Gordon Square.

 

Haha I live in the WHD and do the same thing on weekends, usually going to Tremont or Ohio City.  I stay in my neighborhood more on weeknights...

 

You are right though, the WHD is just as crowded as ever on weekends.

I noticed, and maybe this isn't new, a lot of people walking from the WHD to East 4th Gateway.

 

It seems like people are going between both areas. 

 

I also noticed a lot of people out in Chinatown/Asian Village.  It's like "the secret" is out, about this area.

I noticed the "Asiatown" thing too when I went to the Ante Up Studios Christmas party.  The neighborhood restaurants were all packed on Superior, and it felt very alive.

I wouldn't mind checking out Asiatown this weekend.  Any recommendations

I wouldn't mind checking out Asiatown this weekend.  Any recommendations

bo loong or seoul hot pot since I like super spicy food.

For Chinese and Thai: http://www.pluggedincleveland.com/restaurants/1743+siam+cafe.html

 

For Korean: http://www.pluggedincleveland.com/restaurants/1721+seoul+hot+pot.html

 

And newer, but with good reviews: Wonton Gourmet Noodles & BBQ (3211 Payne Ave., 216.875.7000)

 

As always - call ahead to check their hours.

Siam is always crowded.  It's a good thing, but come one, can I breathe.  They do have this chili curry sauce stir fry crab (or was it lobster  :? ) dish that is sooooo good.

Do we have a restaurant review thread?  I couldn't find one so this seemed like an appropriate place to post this:

 

10 great places to slip into a modern speakeasy

 

Cheers! Raise a glass for the 75th anniversary of Repeal Day, which commemorates Dec. 5, 1933, the day the 18th Amendment was repealed, ending Prohibition. Derek Brown, ambassador to the Museum of the American Cocktail (museumoftheamericancocktail.org), shares his list of great speakeasies with Kelly DiNardo for USA TODAY.

 

PDT

New York City

 

Historically, speakeasies were illegal operations — the owners were avoiding taxes, serving illegal immigrants or pouring cocktails during Prohibition. So mum was the word, and secrecy still prevails at many of today's speakeasies. At PDT in the East Village, patrons enter through a phone booth in an adjoining hot-dog shop. "You have to go through some effort to get in there," Brown says. "Once you do, the cocktails are outstanding. They have cocktails you would find pre-Prohibition, as well as ones they've created themselves." 212-614-0386

 

The Velvet Tango Room

Cleveland

 

"They research their drinks and try and bring you back to another era of cocktails," Brown says. "They even have a glass for almost every drink. It's similar to how there's a Burgundy glass, a Champagne glass and port glass for wine. It's the same thing with cocktails. You can have different glasses to emphasize different cocktails." 216-241-8869; velvettangoroom.com

 

The Swizzle Stick Bar

New Orleans

 

The bar at Café Adelaide "is not a speakeasy in the traditional sense," Brown says. "They do have these terrific, artisanal cocktails." Hard to overlook among the surroundings: a giant block of ice in the middle of the room. "Most bars use regular ice. It's like a chef cooking with Sterno. Bartenders blend and mix by chilling things down with ice. Being able to control that and having the proper ice is very important. Speakeasies tend to pay attention to those details." 504-595-3305; cafeadelaide.com

 

Bourbon & Branch

San Francisco

 

The décor is one factor that really differentiates many of today's speakeasies from other bars. "Historically, they weren't all that beautiful and elegant, but there's an emphasis on that now," Brown says. Besides great cocktails, Bourbon & Branch has "a handsome environment. … It's masculine and elegant." 415-346-1735; bourbonandbranch.com

 

PX

Alexandria, Va.

 

PX has all the trappings of a speakeasy — secretiveness, elegant décor and creative cocktails. "There's no sign, just a blue light indicating when it's open," Brown says. "It has a gorgeous interior. There are chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and vintage shakers around the bar. There's an expectation that gentlemen would wear a jacket. It's not strictly enforced, but you'd feel out of place without it." 703-299-8385; eamonnsdublinchipper.com

 

The Violet Hour

Chicago

 

This speakeasy's name references a quote by the writer Bernard DeVoto, who described that quiet, magical time at dusk as "the violet hour, the hour of hush." It's the perfect time for a cocktail, Brown says, and The Violet Hour aims to be incredibly relaxing. "They have hush tones, a fireplace and great pre-Prohibition cocktails." 773-252-1500; theviolethour.com

 

Apothecary

Philadelphia

 

"This isn't a tiny, discreet bar by any means, but guests are asked to abide by rules," Brown says. Apothecary's rules include, "No shouting, screaming, yelling, howling, hollering, yollering or other loud vocalizations unless necessary to warn the rest of us of some impending calamity." 215-735-7500; apothecarylounge.com

 

The Florida Room

Miami

 

The bar in South Beach's Delano hotel "is more contemporary; it's not referencing pre-Prohibition," Brown says. "Like a lot of today's speakeasies, it's an elegant cocktail lounge. They have a beautiful piano, a Lucite grand piano, food on the bar and then amazing cocktails." 305-672-2000; delano-hotel.com

 

Drink

Boston

 

There's no cocktail list here. Instead, patrons request a flavor and a liquor, and the bartenders whip up something on the spot. "Sometimes, people say the drinks at a speakeasy take too long, that they're too labor-intensive," Brown says. "It's a trade-off. It might take a couple extra minutes, but you don't have to pace up and down the bar. And the drinks are worth it." 617-695-1806; drinkfortpoint.com

 

The Edison

Los Angeles

 

This lounge and cabaret-style bar "isn't exactly a speakeasy," Brown says. "But it has a classic aura and great cocktails. The head bartender, Marcos Tello, is an evangelist for great cocktails." And once a week, the bar hosts Speakeasy Sundays in its Radio Room. Guests enter through a separate entrance, choose drinks from a special cocktail list and tune in to live jazz. 213-613-0000; edisondowntown.com

 

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/10great/2008-12-04-speakeasies_N.htm

""They even have a glass for almost every drink. It's similar to how there's a Burgundy glass, a Champagne glass and port glass for wine. It's the same thing with cocktails. You can have different glasses to emphasize different cocktails."

 

I'm glad to see well-earned press for the Velvet Tango Room, but what is this, 1988? Gee, I think they even have a different glass for different beers! :roll:

I wouldn't mind checking out Asiatown this weekend.  Any recommendations

 

Another rec. for Seoul Hot Pot

Cool, thanks

Tonight I plan on going to Lemon Grass in the Hghts...anyone ever been? The reviews I've read seem to be quite varied and inconsistent.

Tonight I plan on going to Lemon Grass in the Hghts...anyone ever been? The reviews I've read seem to be quite varied and inconsistent.

 

Yes.  Try the ribs.  I don't know if you like spicy but the scallops & shrimp in hot sauce or the  duck & curry are good.  yummy

Tonight I plan on going to Lemon Grass in the Hghts...anyone ever been? The reviews I've read seem to be quite varied and inconsistent.

 

I don't think new year's eve is the best time to visit any restaurant, especially one you haven't been to before, but that's JMO.  Even if the place is not doing a "special" (read: pre-made and reheated) menu, they are going to be jam-packed with people and not at their best in terms of service and presentation as there are so many people to get in and out.

^ Yes I love spicy... thanks for the rec!