I forgot to mention I went to Fatheads last weekend with my Mom when we were out running errands.  I couldn't see any touches of the old Danny Boy's.  The space is very big and rather sparsely designed IMO but not offensive, just kind of plain and uninteresting, with big, big booths.

 

The menu was big but not as gigantic as I anticipated.  We opted not to get the big fathead sandwiches which are supposed to be as big as your head and ordered regular sandwiches, which were also huge.  Note: Sandwiches come with fresh-cut (and overly salted and mostly overcooked IMO) chips ONLY, no substitutions.  If you want fries, you have to order a basket.  Mom ordered a basket as she wanted to try them, and asked for no salt.  They wouldn't even leave the chips off her plate.  I think the chips at Moosehead are much better.  The sandwiches came out without the fries because they messed up and salted them by mistake - the ones that finally came to the table had almost no taste, like oil that's "too clean" if you know what I mean, and we left nearly the whole basket sit untouched.

 

I got a philly cheesesteak as I thought it would be authentic since they are from PA originally.  it did not have the "cheez whiz" sauce which I believe is the authentic part, and also had mayo, lettuce and tomato which I don't think are authentic.  It was pretty good tasting nonetheless though the meat was a little overcooked and thus tough in places.  Mom got a turkey/bacon/swiss melt on rye, it was very greasy and the turkey didn't taste great to me, almost like turkey "roll" though I don't think it was.

 

Mom sampled a house-made beer that she liked (but didn't want to splurge on a whole beer), I obviously didn't partake.

RockandRoller what was the name of the Turkish place in Columbus?

 

Believe it or not it's called Anatolia Cafe, just like the one we have here.  They are not affiliated in any way and though some of the items on the menu are (understandably) similar, it's definitely a different place.  It was DELISH.

I was just at the columbus one and enjoyed it, but thought it was slightly less tasty than the CLE location. It is more bare bones too, no liquor lic and none of the staff spoke any english when I was there, so my minor requests to leave certain things off were not filled. The location is awful which could be its downfall. it is in a strip mall in a far suburban area that looks pretty depressed SES. for most of the dinner we were the only customers. As a side note, I am slightly disappointed in the Cle location. they are no longer making their own yogurt. Disappointing, as that was the best thing there. I sent the manager an email, and he wrote back saying the volume was too high to make it homemade.  :roll:

I just got back from the Cleveland Anatolia (our first visit there since the move) and it was VERY disappointing.  Not only have they quit making their own yogurt, they no longer make their own pita bread.  It's heated up but is not the light, puffy, fresh bread they used to have.  And we found several of their dips lacking on the veg sampler - the grape leaves were horrible, the baba was really bad compared to how it used to be.  The kabob sampler platter left a lot to be desired and we ended up taking a lot home because we just weren't stuffing it down in its deliciousness like we used to.  It is SUCH a freaking chore to get there; the 5pm Friday traffic going through university circle and cleveland heights is like playing frogger with your car, we will probably not be back for awhile.

Anyone have any reviews of Luxe in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood?  I'm thinking about taking my sister there for her birthday tonight.  I've been in the neighborhood and the view from the street is pretty cool - just wondering whether the food is good, what to get/not get, etc.

 

PS - I used the search function but didn't come up with much on Luxe.

It was justed awareded best new restaurant by Cleveland magazine.  Had my first trip on Saturday with a group of friends.  I give it an A+.  Great service, great food, different menu.  A lot of smaller stuff, and then the specials contained the more traditional entrees.  Most surprised by how increadibly reasonably priced it is.  Atmosphere is phenomenal.  I already can't wait to go back.

I loved the variety and choices on the menu and it was very "foodie" friendly as well as good for non-foodie people - everything from terrines to pizza.  I found the execution to be "good" but not as blow your sox off great as I thought it would be.  Went with another couple and we all sampled each other's dishes and I just wasn't blown away by any of them.  Will definitely give it another try because I love the space and the menu is great, we may have just ordered the wrong things.

I had the parmasean encrusted veal chop on a bed of angel hair.  loved it.  The pizza takes up a good bit of the menu, I had a couple bites... I think you'd be better off heading over to redd stone if you want that type of pizza.

^ The food at Luxe is good and a trendy twist on relatively casual foods like pizza/sandwich/pasta. I've been there a few times and tried different things. The pizza is the best, so I recommend sticking with that. The prices aren't bad full price, but happy hour offers half price pizzas and thats a great deal.

 

On the topic of Bar Symon in Avon Lake, I am very familiar with the city and location. I personally object to the restaurant here on principle and no doubt the news surprised me. However, I think he can pull off this concept successfully considering a number of things.

 

1. First and foremost, this conecpt has a lower price point and will be more casual than Lola's or Swingoes. I've never seen a formal restaurant do well in Avon Lake. [The only thing close to formal dining is Fratello's which has been around for a while and has a loyal following from within and outside the community.]

 

2. Most Avon Lake residents prefer chains and are skeptical of independants, but with Symon's name recognition they should respond well. Its like they need validation that a well known name provides in order to try new things. Though "Swingoes" has been around a long time, it didn't really provide the punch.

 

3. The location is somewhat smart. I expect they will attract both a crowd from eastern Lorain County that Lola's would not draw, and a crowd from western Cuyahoga County already familiar with Lola's and wanting something by Symon but new/different.

 

4. The space is practically move-in ready for Symon, which is probably one of the reasons he choose Avon Lake over anywhere else even though it is in a strip mall. It is pretty swanky There isn't really anything like this space in the western suburbs other than Pier W or Three Birds.

 

People in Avon Lake like my parents and their friends are really excited about it. There is a buzz and people are talking about it. It will be interesting to see what happens. I am really curious to know how it will affect the strip mall. The strip mall has struggled ever since Tops closed. That space along with others have been vaccant for some time.

 

I've been to LUXE quite a few times, and have generally liked everything except for a duck sandwich I got when I had the flu, it may have been the flu that caused that though.  The one thing that is awesome is you can ask for the chef to make you a meal.  It's totally random, you have to order it for at least two people, and it comes with a salad or app., main course, and a desert.  If you're willing to take a risk it's worth it, or at least it was this time.  They got some sort of beef flank steak on top of these amazing potatoes and some other mixed vegetables.  It was a little pricier but for what they got it was the best deal on the table.  Their salad that they got was also phenomenal. 

I wish Bar Symon luck, but that location just sucks, even for Avon Lake.  There is no signage on either 83 or Walker, and the strip mall is buried behind so many outlots that it is invisible from the road.  So if you thread your way between Wendy's, Walgreen's, Donato's, BW3, a tire center, and a couple of banks, you get to a mostly empty shopping center with no neighboring tenants, and an old folk's home behind it.  Swingo's was too trendy and expensive, and the times I went there, I wasn't all that impressed.  The food was OK, bar was fabulous but always empty, and only a few diners were scattered around the tables.  I think they way overspent on the decor and made it very avant-garde, which would have worked in Ohio City, downtown, or even in Crocker Park, but not in a strip mall in Avon Lake.

 

Restaurants across 83 in The Landings have the same piss-poor visibility, but at least there is signage on both main drags.

 

In other Avon Lake restaurant news, the Savannah from Westlake took over Herb's on Lake and it's now Savannah on the Lake.  Haven't been there yet, but the Westlake location is always jamming in the evening due to the music lineup.  Bring on the deep fried pickles...

Herb's on the Lake was a cool little burger joint/deli, and I liked Savannah's alot for a strip mall bar/club.  I may actually have to go back out to Avon Lake to check this out.

 

Vulpster, I thought Swingo's had quite the buzz too when it came in.  I guess we'll see what happens, but I'm not as optimistic as you are.

Ive been to Luxe a few times, and while I really like the place the service and Marlin, I was never blown away by the food, in fact some of the things I got, I thought seemed a bit bland, but because I did like everything else about it I will continue to go and "try" different things there.  I definitely think if you  havent been you should check it out. 

x, herb's was the one that burned to the ground and was rebuilt, right?

 

FYI: Little Italy just opened a new restaurant "Etna" in the previous Valerio's location.  (In between E.119 and E. 120, along Mayfield Rd.)  Meanwhile, Valerio's moved up the street to I believe the old Battuto location.  (that's what I hear though..someone please confirm)

 

Both owners are from Sicily, with the one who runs Etna only a few years removed.  So, I would expect a decent amount of more southern Italian cooking.

 

I'm out of the state right now, so if anyone wants to try it out, please let me/us know!!

Very exciting.

FYI: Little Italy just opened a new restaurant "Etna" in the previous Valerio's location. (In between E.119 and E. 120, along Mayfield Rd.) Meanwhile, Valerio's moved up the street to I believe the old Battuto location. (that's what I hear though..someone please confirm)

 

Both owners are from Sicily, with the one who runs Etna only a few years removed. So, I would expect a decent amount of more southern Italian cooking.

 

I'm out of the state right now, so if anyone wants to try it out, please let me/us know!!

 

You are correct about the new Valerio's location... and I noticed a couple nights ago that it is already open.  Great news on the new restaurant.

Yes, I notcied this on Saturday night as well.  The new Valerio's location looks much more modern than the old space.  I don't know if I like that, since I have the memory of getting engaged next to the fireplace in the cozy old Valerio's. :)

On the topic of Melt in Cleveland Heights: I was just driving by Cedar Fairmount and there was a double store front next to the Starbucks that just started renovation. I parked and took a look at the permit and it just mentions the construction company and that it is 'preparing for a future tenant' no mention of who. It looks like they are gutting the place. It seems to be about the right size, but there i dont think there is room for a patio in the back. My girlfriend lives right by there so hopefully i can track the progress to see if it might be it.

Thanks for the info.  I have noticed that as well.  Do you know what used to be in that space?

I think it used to be a store for picture frames?  The old sign is still on the door (I think).

x, herb's was the one that burned to the ground and was rebuilt, right?

 

 

Not that I know of.  Was that recent?  Herb's is in a converted house on the south side of Lake Rd. between Jaycox and Rt. 83.

Thanks for the info. I have noticed that as well. Do you know what used to be in that space?

 

I just walked by it.  It used to be an art gallery.

^Thanks for the report- I hope to check it out Friday night.

 

Chef Michael Symon plans two new restaurants dishing up simpler fare and beer

Posted by cball April 21, 2009 20:34PM

Food Network / Associated Press Michael Symon, shown here in the kitchen on the set of "Iron Chef," has plans to open two new restaurants in the Cleveland area.

Starship Symon is about to land two new restaurants in Northeast Ohio.

 

My excitement level dropped from about 8 to 0 as I went from the headline to reading about the locations.  Oh well.  I guess tacky exurbanites deserve better food too, even if it's in this inspired location:  http://maps.google.com/maps?q=32858+Walker+Road+Avon+Lake&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=us&ei=xjvvSYjuAcTgtgf6nbDADw&ll=41.493182,-82.021544&spn=0.002728,0.004828&t=h&z=18

 

 

I agree.  Not so thrilled with the locations.

First news out of the new barley house, I hope it is a one time thing

 

CLEVELAND — A fight in a downtown bar early Thursday morning ended in tragedy when a 22-year-old Mentor man died at MetroHealth Medical Center. Hospital officials said Michael Corrado was pronounced dead at 9:30 p.m.

 

The fight broke out about 2 a.m. at the Barley House bar West 6th Street. The bar's security team broke up the fight and ordered all the people outside, where several of them started to argue again.

 

A 27-year-old Cleveland woman who had been in the bar feared the fighting would start again outside and got between two groups of men, according to the police report. The woman and several witnesses said Corrado hit her and that her brother came to her defense, according to the report.

 

More at

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/05/michael_corrado_of_mentor_dies.html

Im holding my judgement here until the full story comes out, but either way it is a tragedy. This obviously doesnt look to be gang related in any way, but a bar fight that could happen anywhere. Too many people get all macho tough guy when they drink though.....drink your alcohol, have a good time, stay out of fights. 

Looks like i was completely off on where melts new location is. This is from the Big Cheese Club members email i got this morning:

 

THE RUMORS ARE TRUE

 

Melt Bar and Grilled is opening a second location in the beautiful city of Cleveland Heights.  We have secured a great old building at the corner of Cedar and South Taylor.

 

The new location will offer the same award winning food, beer and atmosphere that has made us a favorite on the westside.

 

We are extremely happy to be joining such a great community of like minded people, restaurants, shops, boutiques and clubs.

 

The new eastside location should be open by mid - late fall 2009.

 

There will be plenty of job opportunities for qualified kitchen and service staff members.

 

More information coming in the months ahead!!

 

http://www.mail-dog.com/page.html?p=0000015Fu8vsGhk0/EUXfsZaTBV8I/1R0=&email=

 

Looks like i was completely off on where melts new location is. This is from the Big Cheese Club members email i got this morning:

 

THE RUMORS ARE TRUE

 

Melt Bar and Grilled is opening a second location in the beautiful city of Cleveland Heights.  We have secured a great old building at the corner of Cedar and South Taylor.

 

The new location will offer the same award winning food, beer and atmosphere that has made us a favorite on the westside.

 

We are extremely happy to be joining such a great community of like minded people, restaurants, shops, boutiques and clubs.

 

The new eastside location should be open by mid - late fall 2009.

 

There will be plenty of job opportunities for qualified kitchen and service staff members.

 

More information coming in the months ahead!!

 

http://www.mail-dog.com/page.html?p=0000015Fu8vsGhk0/EUXfsZaTBV8I/1R0=&email=

 

 

Oh thank goodness.  I can get my el diablo with extra jalepeno's, peppers &  grilled onions without having to cross the river! 

 

YES!!!!

i just did a whois on barsymon.com and the website is active as of april 22. the whois information references a deluxburgers. http://www.deluxburger.com/ this might be a business partner/future menu

Not a discovery, but I am curious if anyone has any insight why no on ever goes to Jac's on W.6th?  I actually think it's a nice bar, very different than the other annoying bars in the WHD. 

 

I was there last night and we were literally the only people in there around 10,00pm.  Every time I'm there, we are the only ones in there. 

I thought Jac's was a restaurant, not just a bar?  I admit I've never been in there.

It's funny that you bring this up because I drove by jac's at about 10 last night and noticed that it was completely dead. Personally I think it's because people (myself included) think of it more as a resturaunt than a bar. When thinking of places to go out for a drink jac's doesn't come to my mind. Maybe if they marketed it more as a lounge/bar, people would go there for drinks.

 

 

 

A neat write up on the fairly new La Stada....and and VERY interesting blip about plans for the old Mayfield theater in Little Italy.  I know Terry would do an amazing job in restoring and keeping a lot of original pieces, but I don't know if I want to see this property turned into another restaurant...however the description seems like a good compromise with the live music.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Cleveland restaurateur Terry Tarantino has a Felliniesque touch: Tastemakers

by John Petkovic/Plain Dealer Reporter

Sunday May 03, 2009, 12:01 AM

 

John Petkovic/The Plain Dealer

La Strada owner Terry Tarantino has learned that the road less traveled is always more interesting. And if it gets surreal at times, well, then, as Fellini might say, even better.

 

 

He was moved by the street, a quaint walkway tailor-made for a night on the town.

 

He was inspired by the Federico Fellini film "La Strada," Italian for "the road."

 

But the name of Terry Tarantino's newest eatery also reflects his own path -- one full of hustle and bustle, with some Felliniesque twists and turns to make it interesting, if not surreal.

 

More at

http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2009/05/cleveland_restaurateur_terry_t_2.html

Melt Bar and Grilled is opening a second location in the beautiful city of Cleveland Heights. We have secured a great old building at the corner of Cedar and South Taylor.

 

Would this be the building on the northwest corner that housed Platinum Dreams?

Melt Bar and Grilled is opening a second location in the beautiful city of Cleveland Heights. We have secured a great old building at the corner of Cedar and South Taylor.

 

Would this be the building on the northwest corner that housed Platinum Dreams?

 

That is correct.  I believe CH wants to improve that district as it is a gateway to CH.  With the recent addition of Pizza BOGO and storefront renovations of Empty Glass and the Seafood Place, this will definitely be a welcome addition.

Went to Greenhouse Tavern over the weekend.  I like it a lot.  The service was clearly still in training ("Specials?  Let me ask, I'll be right back.").  I didn't get to see a full menu and the happy hour menu was a little sparse.  But the food and atmosphere were great all around.

Went to Greenhouse Tavern over the weekend. I like it a lot. The service was clearly still in training ("Specials? Let me ask, I'll be right back."). I didn't get to see a full menu and the happy hour menu was a little sparse. But the food and atmosphere were great all around.

 

My experience was similar.  The service was slow and people seemed a little disorganized...however, the food made up for it.  I also liked the atmosphere.  I hope the menu is expanded in the near future.

^I'm sure the menu will be expanded... la strada started out the same way with just a handful of items.

Jac's doesn't know what it wants to be. Last year, we decided to take my wife's parents there for dinner and at 8:30 they set up and started blasting a band. She(my wife) was so p*ssed off we have not been back since, even though we live right around the block. If we had known they were having a band that night, we would have gone somewhere else. I don't know how they're still in business. I walk by there almost every day and there is never anyone in there.

Happy Dog on Detroit in the West 50s is a pretty amazing, CHEAP, Muni Stadium era Cleveland bar!

 

They have Unibroue beers for $4 and their menu is awesome (as far as bar food is concerned).  I've been in Cleveland for two years and just recently made it to that bar and look forward to watching some of the playoffs there!

Jac's doesn't know what it wants to be. Last year, we decided to take my wife's parents there for dinner and at 8:30 they set up and started blasting a band. She(my wife) was so p*ssed off we have not been back since, even though we live right around the block. If we had known they were having a band that night, we would have gone somewhere else. I don't know how they're still in business. I walk by there almost every day and there is never anyone in there.

 

Yeah, I agree, they have an identity crisis.  They had live music at 10,00pm on a Saturday night and it was a guy doing a rendition of Buffalo Springfield/Country Joe McDonald.  Not that I have a problem with this, but it was just out of place for the bar. 

I went there for dinner a couple years ago; only people in the place, good food, but they were playing Linkin Park and Nickelback while I'm paying $32 for an entree. 

I'm not down with that.

Will not go back and not sure how it is still open.

I went there for dinner a couple years ago; only people in the place, good food, but they were playing Linkin Park and Nickelback while I'm paying $32 for an entree.

I'm not down with that.

 

Ha!

FYI, empty space in Cedar-Fairmount that was incorrectly rumored to be new home of Melt used to house Vixseboxse Art Gallery.  See entry in Encyclopedia of Cleveland History here --> http://ech.cwru.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=VG  They've closed down the gallery and have become private dealers.

 

Also, the owner of Valerio's (Valerio Iorio) is from southern Italy (although not Sicily), but attended culinary school in Florence in central/northern Italy.  With a name like Etna for the new restaurant, you'd expect it to be Sicilian since that's the name of a volcano on Sicily.  As for the food, the owner of Il Bacio at the corner of Edgehill & Murray Hill is from Sicily, but makes a very good seafood risotto which is more of a northern dish, so it can be hard to judge what kind of food they'll serve just by where the owner's from.

From cleveland.com

 

The Suite life

The Warehouse District has undergone quite a makeover, thanks to recently opened spots Sin, Barley House and Suite Sixx. The latter has injected a new verve to the area -- and not just because of the colorful hot-rod-like graffiti on its walls.

 

More at http://www.cleveland.com/goingout/index.ssf/2009/05/even_while_the_cavs_are_away_w.html

Where and what exactly is "Sin"?  I cannot find out anything about it online.

Where and what exactly is "Sin"?  I cannot find out anything about it online.

Everywhere, you heathen!!!

I think Sin used to be Traffic.

This review cracks me up.  The whole point of Terry's new theme is the Turkish sunset lighting and feel to the place.  Didn't the reviewer realize this??  Maybe lighting placement could be better if there are some darker tables than others. 

 

The Tiramisu was probably from Corbo's (that's were most of the neightborhood restaruants get their desserts...and bread from Prestis')...still homemade buddy.  It's generally served pretty cold...I guess it was slightly too cold!

 

La Strada, a bright spot on Cleveland dining scene, should turn up the lights

by David Farkas/Special to The Plain Dealer

Friday May 08, 2009, 2:12 PM

 

Lamb kebabs at La Strada restaurant. Thomas Ondrey/The Plain Dealer

 

La Strada, which opened in the fall, boasts one of the city's most unusual dining rooms. Wooden tabletops, stucco walls and ornate chandeliers combine with wrought iron, stained glass and quasi-religious icons to lend the space a Christianity-meets-Islam vibe.

 

To boot, a kitchen, with a wood-fired grill, is visible from the balcony than runs along one side of the restaurant; so is the Federico Fellini film "La Strada," which flickers silently above the heads of diners below.

 

More at

http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2009/05/post_17.html

 

Went to Greenhouse Tavern over the weekend.  I like it a lot.  The service was clearly still in training ("Specials?  Let me ask, I'll be right back.").  I didn't get to see a full menu and the happy hour menu was a little sparse.  But the food and atmosphere were great all around.

 

My experience was similar.  The service was slow and people seemed a little disorganized...however, the food made up for it.  I also liked the atmosphere.  I hope the menu is expanded in the near future.

 

I gotta give 2 thumbs up. our service was good, the taretare, wings, oysters, olives excellent. We sat at the bar, which always has better service in my book-unless the place a is swampted.

 

The house wines, Meh. All the other competetors: the fig, lolita, bar cento, et al, nail it nearly all the time. Both the red and white...not so nice. lets hope this is straitened out.

What was wrong with the wines?  Would be interesting to compare, seeing as how Bar Cento was Sawyer's place before focusing on GHT.  I haven't been yet myself, I don't think we're going to get there before the baby comes, was just curious.