Lurker drawn out here for a few reasons.

 

RE:South Side.  The food sucks, it's way too loud in there.  The patio is ok but thats about it.  High and Dry was fun if you got in for dinner before the bands started.  Yeah, they had alot of trendoid waiters but nothing so serious that you couldnt handle them especially if they knew you were there to spend a few bucks and didnt act a fool.

 

RE: Tremont.  I live by Edgewater and choose to go more to Detroit Shoreway and Ohio City with some Cudell mixed in and a bit of Lakewood and River.  I've tired of the Warehouse and Tremont areas mostly because of the hassles of parking and the boneheads.  I suppose now that they have Euclid fixed I should go spend a little more time on that street by Lolas but it's been such a pita to get down there I haven't been doing it much for months.

 

RE: Forti's.  Has this opened yet?  My buddy said the signs were up.  I'm all ready to go there because I like bourbon and I work near downtown.  Also, I tend to like to go places the have good booze. 

 

 

As Avogadro said - in no way do I begrudge the "tourists"* solely based on their locale. For a brief stint I was one but it was trips to places like Miracles, Hi and Dry, Lola (now Lolita) , etc. that helped me decide to move from Hudson to Tremont when I first moved to Cleveland proper years ago. It's maintained that same great vibe and that's why I chose to live here now. I don't care if they drive in from Toledo, I love it that people from wherever are dropping cash in my 'hood, and that my 'hood has places that make it a destination for that.

 

I just prefer to avoid noisy crowds if I'm trying to unwind on a weekend evening and usually weekend evenings are teeming with the tourist trade. I'm no different from people who live in other "destination" areas - the influx of money and foot traffic is great, but for those of us here day-to-day, we'd rather enjoy our places on "off" days. I love that people are checking out the neighborhood and I love that my usual spots are making bank on weekends - I'd simply prefer to go when things are less noisy/crazy, that's all - and my usual spots appreciate the business on their "off" days.

 

However, as Avogadro said - there *are* some - the "WOOOOOO!!!ers" who truly fit the "tourist" label's most derogatory connotations - I prefer to avoid those types no matter what.

 

*Btw, I think you guys are missing my sense of humor if you're taking that remark too seriously.

 

I totally agree with MayDay.  On days when the weather is nice "visitors" the square hog up seats and stay for ever.  Residents & regulars know go early and get out.  I appreciate the visit and the money, but learn the lay of the land folks.

 

I hate generalizations as much as most people.  I frequent a lot of places in Tremont, apparently as a "tourist," and I do not linger.  Many people like me, my husband and my friends who spent years in the service industry know to "get in and get out."  Generalizing us as clueless because of where we live is not only crappy, it's wrong.

^I don't see anything wrong with people lingering if they're spending money. Pfft, I *wish* people would linger to the point of buying into the neighborhood! :-)

As Avogadro said - in no way do I begrudge the "tourists"* solely based on their locale. For a brief stint I was one but it was trips to places like Miracles, Hi and Dry, Lola (now Lolita) , etc. that helped me decide to move from Hudson to Tremont when I first moved to Cleveland proper years ago. It's maintained that same great vibe and that's why I chose to live here now. I don't care if they drive in from Toledo, I love it that people from wherever are dropping cash in my 'hood, and that my 'hood has places that make it a destination for that.

 

I just prefer to avoid noisy crowds if I'm trying to unwind on a weekend evening and usually weekend evenings are teeming with the tourist trade. I'm no different from people who live in other "destination" areas - the influx of money and foot traffic is great, but for those of us here day-to-day, we'd rather enjoy our places on "off" days. I love that people are checking out the neighborhood and I love that my usual spots are making bank on weekends - I'd simply prefer to go when things are less noisy/crazy, that's all - and my usual spots appreciate the business on their "off" days.

 

However, as Avogadro said - there *are* some - the "WOOOOOO!!!ers" who truly fit the "tourist" label's most derogatory connotations - I prefer to avoid those types no matter what.

 

*Btw, I think you guys are missing my sense of humor if you're taking that remark too seriously.

 

I totally agree with MayDay.  On days when the weather is nice "visitors" the square hog up seats and stay for ever.  Residents & regulars know go early and get out.  I appreciate the visit and the money, but learn the lay of the land folks.

 

I hate generalizations as much as most people.  I frequent a lot of places in Tremont, apparently as a "tourist," and I do not linger.  Many people like me, my husband and my friends who spent years in the service industry know to "get in and get out."  Generalizing us as clueless because of where we live is not only crappy, it's wrong.

 

I'm not generalizing.  In the summer patios &  restaurants on the square a very busy.  YT on a Saturday/Sunday between 10:30AM and 2 PM is a nightmare because of all the bike riding families.

 

So you get people who order and eat then over stay when there is a wait list a mile long.  Those are the folks I'm referring too.  I'm not saying every visitor to the square is like that.  I've heard them say things like it's so nice just to sit on the square and people watch.  It puts the servers/management in a uncomfortable position as they then have to ask people to leave and some get pissy.  Again, it tends to be folks who aren't from the area.

I'm sorry but unless you are going around asking people for their ID, you really don't know WHERE they live.  You ARE generalizing, because you are assuming and you have no proof.  What, people who live in the neighborhood don't like to sit on the patio and people watch because they're somehow "smarter" than that?  Come on!

I'm sorry but unless you are going around asking people for their ID, you really don't know WHERE they live.  You ARE generalizing, because you are assuming and you have no proof.  What, people who live in the neighborhood don't like to sit on the patio and people watch because they're somehow "smarter" than that?  Come on!

 

I've overheard and in general conversation overheard people say where they are from.  That how I determined who is from the immediate area and who isn't.  I should have mentioned that earlier.

Right, all of them, every weekend. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.  People go out on the weekends a lot more, wherever there are restaurants and wherever they live.  We have good friends who live in Tremont and regularly go out with them on the summers during patio weather, there's no way to know which half of our foursome is "tourists" or "locals" just by looking or happening to catch a few words of a few people's random conversations. 

^Take a cab, bus, or train if you're so worried about parking.

Right, all of them, every weekend. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.  People go out on the weekends a lot more, wherever there are restaurants and wherever they live.  We have good friends who live in Tremont and regularly go out with them on the summers during patio weather, there's no way to know which half of our foursome is "tourists" or "locals" just by looking or happening to catch a few words of a few people's random conversations. 

 

Again I didn't say "all".  I guess we're going to have to disagree.  ;)

 

When the person sitting next to me from Lyndhurst says, "I wish we had something like the square by us. We could sit and people watch instead of having to get in the car to drive over here and there.  We could just sit here and eat, do a little shopping, try the farmers market, walk larchmere."

 

The local SS resident knows get up after you eat so all those families waiting can sit.  Also, the majority of people I've witnessed who get offended when management has to ask them to leave are not from the area as they say something like, "I came here from XX place and your asking me to leave.  I'm spending my money here and this is how you treat me.  blah blah blah".    That quadrant of the square is swarming with kids, strollers, wagons and bikes on the weekend because Captian Tony's, FF&D and Yours Truly attract families.

 

I'm not saying I don't appreciate them spending money in or visiting my area, I hope some are converts.  However, I don't think that they understand this is a walking area and there are lots of people who just walk over. 

 

In the summer most of the restaurants have expanded hours because they know folks will walk up.  Sergios and Dewey's add seating because they know folks come out of hibernation the last week of March when the Farmers Market comes back outside.

I understand what you're saying.  I think the key is to recognize that there are two types of "visitors:"  Those who abide by the customs of the area, and those that do not.  I hate those that do not, and I love those who do. 

 

I got the same feeling in Italy.  Most Americans respected the culture/customs and tried to conform.  Yet, there were others who made me absolutely cringe.  Usually these were drunk students studying abroad, but other times it would be the really rich and nauseating type, who acted like they were in a 3rd world country because a place would allow dogs into the stores.  "Can you believe they let animals in that store?!?  What kind of country is this?!?"  And they would say it so freaking loudly I wanted to tell them to shut up.

I understand what you're saying.  I think the key is to recognize that there are two types of "visitors:"  Those who abide by the customs of the area, and those that do not.  I hate those that do not, and I love those who do. 

 

I got the same feeling in Italy.  Most Americans respected the culture/customs and tried to conform.  Yet, there were others who made me absolutely cringe.  Usually these were drunk students studying abroad, but other times it would be the really rich and nauseating type, who acted like they were in a 3rd world country because a place would allow dogs into the stores.  "Can you believe they let animals in that store?!?  What kind of country is this?!?"  And they would say it so freaking loudly I wanted to tell them to shut up.

 

Just go to Beachwood, every other woman has a lap dog with them.

haha; It wasn't lap dogs though.  It would be like Lady & the Tramp just chilling at your table. 

I understand what you're saying. I think the key is to recognize that there are two types of "visitors:" Those who abide by the customs of the area, and those that do not.

 

Which would mean you can't generalize and say all "visitors" are clueless.  I rest my case.

The only person who even remotely suggested that was MTS (and math). I think you're taking this whole discussion waaaay too seriously.

Probably. Sorry, I'll drop it.

Probably. Sorry, I'll drop it.

 

Honey....just blame it on the pregnancy!  ;D  All those hormones & such.

to be sure, I left tremont because the "tourists" took my parking and made it unpleasant to be in my neighborhood on the weekend.  this was six years ago, so we are talking hummers and sports cars parked poorly across two spaces, up on my tree lawn etc.  the idiot valets made it worse, eating up every bit of parking that was left. 

 

I also had repeated run-ins with the yahoos that frequent the less than upscale new bars, like south side and flying monkey butt, and decided perhaps it was best to move out.  so I did.  I am not generalizing, I am specifying. 

^That's not unlike (except on a MUCH MUCH smaller scale) the people who live in Midtown/Times Square in Manhattan who get sick of the crowds and eventually head to a fringe neighborhood on the island. They still have access to those amenities without the hassles of being right on top of them.

so we are talking hummers and sports cars parked poorly across two spaces, up on my tree lawn etc.

 

I'll admit, I'm new to Cleveland and SS, lived here almost a year but I've NEVER seen worse parkers than Cleveland drivers (especially in parking garages but always when it counts and the lot is completely full)...  Columbus has the worst drivers by far, but Cleveland cannot park.

 

but I digress, what happened to the ice cream place on SS!?  We need something like that... it was nice to take a walk in the evening and "accidentally" end up walking in to get some ice cream on the square!

so we are talking hummers and sports cars parked poorly across two spaces, up on my tree lawn etc. 

 

I'll admit, I'm new to Cleveland and SS, lived here almost a year but I've NEVER seen worse parkers than Cleveland drivers (especially in parking garages but always when it counts and the lot is completely full)...  Columbus has the worst drivers by far, but Cleveland cannot park.

 

but I digress, what happened to the ice cream place on SS!?  We need something like that... it was nice to take a walk in the evening and "accidentally" end up walking in to get some ice cream on the square!

 

Are you referring to Shaker Square?  EC closed in September or Early October if my memory serves me correct.

Are you referring to Shaker Square? EC closed in September or Early October if my memory serves me correct.

 

Yeah, I had forgotten the name of it, but I was sad to see it go last fall.  Keep hoping something similar will try to start up there.  I know it's cold in Cleveland but ice cream is good year round!

Are you referring to Shaker Square?  EC closed in September or Early October if my memory serves me correct.

 

Yeah, I had forgotten the name of it, but I was sad to see it go last fall.  Keep hoping something similar will try to start up there.  I know it's cold in Cleveland but ice cream is good year round!

 

Yeah, I wish Pierre's had a brick and mortar store.  We've had 4/5 custard/ice cream shops come and go over the years.  The really only do well in Spring/Summer  since the square is jam packed with people.

Not a restaurant - but a bit of food promotion:

 

The church I am pretty active in has fish fries every friday during Lent.  This friday morning, Channel 5 will announce our church as having the best fish fries in North East Ohio! 

 

St. Procop Catholic Church

3181 W. 41st St.

Cleveland, OH 44109

 

Adult dinners are $12 but you get the most food around - 2 pieces of baked or fried fish, pierogies, grilled onions, cabbage and noodles, french fries, apple sauce, dinner rolls, cake, coffee and punch...you can also opt for a a full peirogi dinner.  Seniors are $10 and I think children are $5 (but that number may not be right). 

Sneak Peek of The Greenhouse Tavern’s Menu

MARCH 7, 2009 – 11:24 AM

 

Although our opening is taking a bit longer than originally expected we will be serving food (on the street) in the month of March.

 

Chef Sawyer is back in the kitchen for a one time event and will be serving some fantastic foods for you on the mean, lean, streets of Cleveland.

 

 

 

Stay tuned.

^ oooh, can we see the menu link?

^They posted that its going to be duck fat frites on St. Patrick's Day.

I just heard on the radio that Paneras is opening up somewhere in Lakewood.

 

I'm kinda torn on this...I like to hit up the local, non-chains and that's why I love it here. But unless I'm mistaken, it would fill a niche that's not currently being served.

^i think that it is going into that building on the southeast corner of detroit and Warren.

I just heard on the radio that Paneras is opening up somewhere in Lakewood.

 

I'm kinda torn on this...I like to hit up the local, non-chains and that's why I love it here. But unless I'm mistaken, it would fill a niche that's not currently being served.

 

Agreed.  I have mixed feelings as well.  Many people like Panera, and it certainly would help to liven things up further in that area, but there are still many independent bakeries and coffee shops that I like to support and I hate to see Panera take away from that. 

 

Yes there was an unconfirmed rumor a while back of the new owners of the building on that corner. 

Lakewood should really be hoping with this and the redevelopment of the party store building into the 5 guys etc.     

I think that's a huge negative blow to the Phoenix coffee shop right there.  Disappointing.

It's already hopping there.  You can't even cross the street sometimes, or drive down it.  I wish Lakewood could put more stuff like this in the eastern part of town.

Phoenix will be fine...thats a whole different crowd. People go there and hang around and play music and its a completely different crowd than Panera.  At least the phoenix in lakewood is more diverse than a Panera.

I'm not sure there's any additional diversity to the Phoenix crowd.  It is certainly a different one than the Panera crowd, but they're no less conformist than anyone else.  I love that Phoenix, by the way.  But I'm thinking right now of the vampire kids from South Park complaining that everyone else looks and talks the same.

It will probably affect the Einstien's that is right next door more than Phoenix. 

And the Souper Market and Dave's Cosmic Subs on the southwest corner.

Has anyone been to any of the Middle Eastern spots along Lorain Avenue between about West 117th and West 130th?  It's a cool little stretch, and the commercial district seems relatively intact.

Those grocery stores there have some interesting items, and they all make a mean falafel.  They're almost full-serve cafeterias.

Souper Market and Daves probably. Einsteins would probably be toast, which isnt good, you dont jsut want to substitute.  Panera is a big draw, and Lakewood is expected to increase its population in the next 5 years and hopefully with that moer businesses can make this place even more walkable.  I woudl really like to see more action down near me at the west end.  There are some bad apartment buildings and parking lots that do not mesh well..i wish there would be soem building going on

Are you seriously talking about Panera?  This place is a dime a dozen and will have little effect on a place like Souper Markt or Dave's in my opinion.

^I tend to agree, I work right next to a Panera and I never go there even though I go out for lunch everyday.  The only issue I could see for Souper Market and Dave's is that I see a lot of Lakewood Hospital employees there for lunch, and now they'll have 1 more place to walk by on the way to SM and Dave's.  I'd imagine Panera's will syphon off some customers.

I see no problem with this at all.  It's a shame that soup and subs are typically lunch food, or SM and Dave's could do solid evening business like the other restaurants in this area.  Chipotle has a full queue till 9pm most nights.  Quiznos just closed, but that was their own fault.  Worst Quiznos ever.  You had to fight them for hot sauce.  Anyway, this stretch of Detroit is a fast food mecca, and the more the merrier in one of those.  More options means more people come there when in need.  Especially late deciders like me.

Another thing with Panera is that people tend to love panera (for some reason)..i dont think its that great...but instead of the ENTIRE city of lakewood going to Rocky River to get panera, they can now stay in lakewood,

I'm not big on Panera either.  The food is all scrawny.  But it's upscale compared to BK/Taco Bell/Subway.

I'm not big on Panera either.  The food is all scrawny.  But it's upscale compared to BK/Taco Bell/Subway.

 

:o

I've eaten at Sahara's.  What I had was pretty good.

Hi, I know I haven't posted in a long time, but I have been lurking.  Since I've been eating out more than usual, I wanted to give some restaurant news and reviews:

 

The Phoenix Coffee in Lakewood is expanding to a location a few doors down, they will have more space and an expanded food menu.  I just talked with a barista there this weekend and he said they just got their building permit and plan to be moved in there in a couple months.

 

In restaurant closings, I noticed the Hylander on Detroit in Lakewood has closed (not that I ever ate there), and Cereal Central, also on Detroit in Lakewood.  I'm not sure if it even ever opened, but it's for sale.

 

I have to give Latitude 41 N in Detroit Shoreway a plug because my BF and I LOVE this place.  We've been there about 4 or 5 times now and keep trying new items each time and everything we've gotten has been excellent.  The breakfast menu is particularly delicious.  And the prices are very reasonable for the quality and portions that you get.  Unfortunately we hardly ever see anyone in there, I've never seen the place close to full, even on a Saturday night or Sunday morning.  I'm just worried they may not make it.  I highly recommend you check it out!

 

We also love Luxe, though we can't afford to go there as often.  The "small plates" are definitely small, so don't get that if you're really hungry, but everything has been delicious and unique.

 

Tiny little Tartine in Rocky River is also very cozy and much more relaxed for a glass of wine than Wine Bar Rocky River, which seems like it's always slammed.

 

I also recommend 56 West in Lakewood.  Great sandwiches, etc.  If you can't get in at Melt (which you usually can't), try this place.

 

 

Has anyone heard any news about Krazy Mac's?  I heard it was coming to Lakewood and I see the old location has closed, but I haven't seen it moving in anywhere.

 

I also see that Lockkeepers is back in Dante's spot, any news about the opening of the Tremont location?

 

Good to hear from you again! :-) I want to say I've heard a possible summer opening for Dante but don't quote me on that.

Was wondering what happened to you Oompa Loompa (sounds like you met someone and have been busy with that) :wink:.  I will be in this weekend and will be checking many places out. 

 

I mentioned in another thread about the new show at Pickwick and was wondering if you were performing in it?

I thought I heard May 1 for Dante in Tremont but can't be sure.

 

Where exactly is this Latitude place?  We like to head down to Lucky's but if it's late we don't bother because the wait is too long, this would be a good backup.

 

We are trying Luxe in a couple of weeks for the first time, looking forward to it.

^Latitude 41N is a few blocks east of Luxe on the north side of Detroit (around w. 57?)