^Well, the complaint that a bud light  is overpriced is a bit misleading.  You can also get a DFH 90 Min IPA or a BR Hop Rod Rye for $5, which is a fair price.  I get the feeling that Symon overpriced bud and bud light to punish people who like bad beer  :-D  And its not false advertising that PBRs are $1.  They cost $1.  You could call it a loss leader, I suppose, but I don't think thats its purpose. 

 

I've been to Bspot once and had a Bspot burger at the Q once.  I thought it was excellent.  The milkshake I had was amazing.  I got a burger that had italian meats, banana peppers and a hot pepper sauce called shasha sauce.  I thought it was really good...loved the sauce.  We also had the chips with parmasan fondue that was very good. 

 

 

One of the things to take into consideration is this is one of the few "safe" sources of ground beef for a burger, so one of the few places I will eat one out.  He has the meat custom grinded for his restaurants.  For this, I'll pay whatever, and gladly, even if it's just a "normal tasting" burger, as I get tired of only making them at home.

^Well, the complaint that a bud light  is overpriced is a bit misleading.  You can also get a DFH 90 Min IPA or a BR Hop Rod Rye for $5, which is a fair price.  I get the feeling that Symon overpriced bud and bud light to punish people who like bad beer  ;D  And its not false advertising that PBRs are $1.  They cost $1.  You could call it a loss leader, I suppose, but I don't think thats its purpose. 

 

I've been to Bspot once and had a Bspot burger at the Q once.  I thought it was excellent.  The milkshake I had was amazing.  I got a burger that had italian meats, banana peppers and a hot pepper sauce called shasha sauce.  I thought it was really good...loved the sauce.  We also had the chips with parmasan fondue that was very good. 

 

 

Sound yummy.  Shasha sauce?  Are you thinking of Sa Cha sauce?

Sriracha is what the OP meant.

Sha Sha is a sauce that Symon uses at his restaurants (and in his cookbook).

oh, thx.

Sha Sha is a sauce that Symon uses at his restaurants (and in his cookbook).

 

I thought it was Sa Cha?  When I was in China, it was used in a lot of sauces with "kick".

Wikipedia says SHACHA:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shacha_sauce

 

Is Symon using some other sauce?

 

Wikipedia says SHACHA:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shacha_sauce

 

Is Symon using some other sauce?

 

 

Maybe were all spelling it wrong.  LOL  But then again, we're relying on wikipedia!  LOL

Finally went to the kabob place in the Colonial arcade.  The person who took my order was very friendly and the food was ready promptly, but that's about all I can say about it that was good. The kabob was burned and the chicken was a scary orangy color, the fattoush was inedible and the fried cauliflower was super salty due to the seasoning salt that is apparently on everything.  It must have MSG; I barely got finished with the meal and already feel sick like I do after ingesting someething with a lot of MSG.  Boo.

Its shasha.  IIRC, in his cookbook he says its a sauce his mother in law made with all the excess hot banana peppers from the garden.

 

In any case, its a hot banana pepper sauce.

Its shasha.  IIRC, in his cookbook he says its a sauce his mother in law made with all the excess hot banana peppers from the garden.

 

In any case, its a hot banana pepper sauce.

 

Now why couldn't he just call it "my babies mommas', momma's hot sauce"?

^because they don't have any kids  :-P

^because they don't have any kids  :P

 

DOH!

 

then call it "my wifes' momma's secret sauce".

My wife went to B-spot a few weeks ago, and said the same...mediocre burger. She didn't care for the fries either, and had the same complaint about it being openly connected to the interior of Eton (in fact, they ended up eating in the Eton space, as the place was pretty crowded). I haven't been there myself, yet, and I'm the house carnivore, so I'll just have to see for myself sometime.

 

I'm a fan of Paladar, both to eat, and as a place to grab a drink. Great environment, and fun to meet some friends there.

 

Paladar is good South American food.  Impressive fish selection IIRC.  But Marbella right down the street (Mallorca's sister restaraunt) is usually the reason I head that way to eat, especially since Charlie's Crab closed down.

 

Hts, my man, you're right about a lot of things, but here you're just plain wrong  :lol:.

 

Joking aside, I've eaten at Marbella (I pronounce it with a hard 'L', since I won't dignify the place with the correct pronunciation) 2x, both at someone else's request. My food was just so bad both times (and I love Spanish style food), the waiters were obnoxious and condescending, and the space is depressing. I have consistently said to people that not only is it the worst restaurant in NE Ohio, it's the worst restaurant in the history of restaurantdom. It's very existence makes me a sadder human being.

My wife went to B-spot a few weeks ago, and said the same...mediocre burger. She didn't care for the fries either, and had the same complaint about it being openly connected to the interior of Eton (in fact, they ended up eating in the Eton space, as the place was pretty crowded). I haven't been there myself, yet, and I'm the house carnivore, so I'll just have to see for myself sometime.

 

I'm a fan of Paladar, both to eat, and as a place to grab a drink. Great environment, and fun to meet some friends there.

 

Paladar is good South American food.  Impressive fish selection IIRC.  But Marbella right down the street (Mallorca's sister restaraunt) is usually the reason I head that way to eat, especially since Charlie's Crab closed down.

 

Hts, my man, you're right about a lot of things, but here you're just plain wrong  :D .

 

Joking aside, I've eaten at Marbella (I pronounce it with a hard 'L', since I won't dignify the place with the correct pronunciation) 2x, both at someone else's request. My food was just so bad both times (and I love Spanish style food), the waiters were obnoxious and condescending, and the space is depressing. I have consistently said to people that not only is it the worst restaurant in NE Ohio, it's the worst restaurant in the history of restaurantdom. It's very existence makes me a sadder human being.

 

The "tude" comes down abit if you speak Spanish!  But like the other state, the food lacks.  The paella is like a brick!  My mother refuses to go there.

I say it was false advertisement..ish because the bartender told me that get a small - and only one -  shipment of PBRs once a week and it runs out very very fast.  One of the draws of going there was the cheap beer, and I don't care for this kind of bait-and-switch tactic. 

Legendz Pizza is open at 6th and Superior. I didnt stop in since I saw it after I already ate Vincenza's, but they had a sign in the window for $1.50 slices.

$1.50!!  I'll take it

My wife went to B-spot a few weeks ago, and said the same...mediocre burger. She didn't care for the fries either, and had the same complaint about it being openly connected to the interior of Eton (in fact, they ended up eating in the Eton space, as the place was pretty crowded). I haven't been there myself, yet, and I'm the house carnivore, so I'll just have to see for myself sometime.

 

I'm a fan of Paladar, both to eat, and as a place to grab a drink. Great environment, and fun to meet some friends there.

 

Paladar is good South American food.  Impressive fish selection IIRC.  But Marbella right down the street (Mallorca's sister restaraunt) is usually the reason I head that way to eat, especially since Charlie's Crab closed down.

 

Hts, my man, you're right about a lot of things, but here you're just plain wrong  :D .

 

Joking aside, I've eaten at Marbella (I pronounce it with a hard 'L', since I won't dignify the place with the correct pronunciation) 2x, both at someone else's request. My food was just so bad both times (and I love Spanish style food), the waiters were obnoxious and condescending, and the space is depressing. I have consistently said to people that not only is it the worst restaurant in NE Ohio, it's the worst restaurant in the history of restaurantdom. It's very existence makes me a sadder human being.

 

The "tude" comes down abit if you speak Spanish!  But like the other state, the food lacks.  The paella is like a brick!  My mother refuses to go there.

 

The paella is the reason I won't ever go back. That, and the borderline rotten lettuce in my salad. Es muy mal.

¡ Muy mal ! :x

^Well, the complaint that a bud light  is overpriced is a bit misleading.  You can also get a DFH 90 Min IPA or a BR Hop Rod Rye for $5, which is a fair price.  I get the feeling that Symon overpriced bud and bud light to punish people who like bad beer  :-D

 

That's funny, because my parents ate at B-Spot, and my Dad (who drinks exclusively crappy beer) was complaining about that.  I had been there once before and noticed that on the menu many of the beers I like were the same price as Bud Light.  I was ecstatic.  When he said that, I flat out told him, "they're trying to tell you not to drink that crap".

 

I really liked B-Spot.  I have been to the restaurant twice for lunch and once at the Q.  The restaurant was better than the Q (and obviously has far more options on the menu).  The burgers are good.  They aren't jaw-droppingly awesome, but they're good.  And considering they're cheaper than a Red Robin burger, I'll gladly lay down $6-$8 for good, trustworthy ground beef.  As far as the fries go, I think it's a "love it" or "hate it" situation.  I love them, but the taste is very unique, so some people are bound to hate it.

 

As far as Paladar goes, I think it's a great place.  I haven't been to Marbella, so I can't compare the two.  I believe Paladar is considerably less expensive, and considerably more lively.

The paella is the reason I won't ever go back. That, and the borderline rotten lettuce in my salad. Es muy mal.

¡ Muy mal ! :x

 

I think we went there from my brothers (or my cousins?) B-Day and my middle nephew and cousins son, two kids who eats every and anything, wouldn't eat the paella.  It was horrible.  My Camarones were "eh", but my dads Chuleta was decent.

I think they charge for ice there - for some reason my drink was a dollar more than what the menu said - but I didn't complain, and I enjoyed the atmosphere a lot.  Cruzan Coconut on the rocks - that is going to be my drink there from now on!

 

Probably if your ordered your drink "on the rocks" they charged you for a "rocks pour".  That means 1.5 oz of liquor, instead of 1 oz for a shot.

^It used to be that you could not do that in Ohio, at least the last time I bartended there in 2002.  Has the law changed?

I don't know, but a lot of places do it.

That's how it is where I work, and we're corporate. I doubt they would intentionally break the law.

Chocolate Bar adds a sweet taste to East Fourth Street

By John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

January 15, 2010, 6:11AM

 

East Fourth has gone from a tiny street to a broad vision. The latest spot to partake in it all just might be the sweetest.

 

The Chocolate Bar (347 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-622-2626) is nirvana to anyone with a sweet tooth. The recently opened bar-restaurant in the old Vivo location boasts a novel concept: chocolate and candy-themed drinks that will leave you buzzing.

 

More at:

http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2010/01/chocolate_bar_adds_a_sweet_tas.html

Although I hope they do well (I miss Vivo), it is not necessarily on my list of must go to places when Im back for a visit. 

This is certainly a nice change of pace though:  "Unlike so many joints, Chocolate Bar doesn't do burgers and rarely shows sports on the tube.........    It also shows "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" on the TVs.

 

 

 

 

 

This might be old news but Cadillac Ranch is no longer serving lunch and is only open on Sundays for special events. I've gone there a few times and each time was a disappointment. However, I really want this place to succeed because it brings some life to Public Square at night

This might be old news but Cadillac Ranch is no longer serving lunch and is only open on Sundays for special events. I've gone there a few times and each time was a disappointment. However, I really want this place to succeed because it brings some life to Public Square at night

 

That's too bad, I thought the lunch there was OK.  I'm surprised they served lunch as long as they did, really, with those union protests out front.  It's hard to have sympathy for people who are getting paid to stand there and shut down other peoples' jobs.

^^ didn't expect that one.

 

I'm guessing once summer hits they'll have no problem staying open for lunch.

Chinato will officially open for business tomorrow, January 20, 2010. Call for reservations. 216-298-9080.

 

Mon - Sat. 11am - 11pm

Online through OpenTable

2079 E. 4th St.

Cleveland OH, 44115

 

http://chinatocleveland.com/

Good for Zack.

 

Musky have you been out of the country for several months.....  You seemed to pop up out of nowhere all of the sudden.

According to a friend's facebook away status from a few days ago,

 

"The Chocolate Bar... it's a new addition to E 4th. You might wanna take a deep breath...

http://originalchocolatebar.com/2009fallmenu.pdf

:) :) :) it was awwwwesome."

 

 

How's that for a review!

Good for Zack.

 

Musky have you been out of the country for several months..... You seemed to pop up out of nowhere all of the sudden.

 

Had to get my life in order. I had a very bad 2008 and beginning of 2009. Reboot almost complete... as soon as I am employed again.

I couldnt help but notice this on the menu:

 

Megatini $69.95

35oz. of your favorite martini (classic add $30.00)

I couldnt help but notice this on the menu:

 

Megatini $69.95

35oz. of your favorite martini (classic add $30.00)

 

I was there a few days after the soft opening (in mid-December) and the waiter was begging us to be the first to buy the Megatini.

I'm not surprised about the cadillac ranch and lunch.  I have a friend who for some reason likes us to always meet there for lunch.  I've eaten there at least a dozen times and have never had a good meal. 

Good for Zack.

 

Musky have you been out of the country for several months.....  You seemed to pop up out of nowhere all of the sudden.

 

Had to get my life in order. I had a very bad 2008 and beginning of 2009. Reboot almost complete... as soon as I am employed again.

 

Well I'm glad you're back!  :wave:

Good for Zack.

 

Musky have you been out of the country for several months.....  You seemed to pop up out of nowhere all of the sudden.

 

Had to get my life in order. I had a very bad 2008 and beginning of 2009. Reboot almost complete... as soon as I am employed again.

 

Well I'm glad you're back!  :wave:

 

Thank you Mister.

Zack Bruell's latest restaurant, Chinato, strives for good Italian food at reasonable prices

By John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

January 20, 2010, 11:30AM

 

 

Zack Bruell likens the opening of a restaurant to being tired of what you have in the refrigerator.

 

Which might come as a surprise from Bruell, who owns three acclaimed restaurants in the area: Parallax, L'Albatros and Table 45.

 

Make that four -- starting Wednesday, Jan. 20, when Bruell opens Chinato on East Fourth Street in downtown Cleveland.

 

 

MORE AT http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2010/01/zach_bruells_latest_restaurant.html

 

I just wanted to say that over the weekend I took some visitors coming for all the free museums on MLK and after going to the Orchestra on Saturday I suggested we try the Chocolate Bar and they absolutely loved it including myself.

 

The food was actually better then I thought and the Pasta with the white chocolate sauce was delicious. The presentation of the food was also great and unexpected and well you could only imagine how the dessert and martinis were.

 

Also on a side note the people that were here were mostly from Cincy / Dayton but there were also a couple from the Solon/Twinsburg area that had not been to downtown in over 5 years and were simply AMAZED at east 4th and Euclid and were planning on coming back down already. It is really sad to see how many people from the area have no idea what is going on 15 minutes past there own home. I do see potential however because the people who do come after not being downtown in years are usually shocked and amazed to see the new things being done and immediately tell their friends and so on and so on.

The "Souper Market" on Carnegie is open as of today.  By checking the website, it says they are looking at Public Square and LIttle Italy...like those ideas.

Noticed the other day that the Metropolitan on West 6th was closed, had paper over the windows, and signs up for new place (Metro?) opening soon. Anyone else have info on this?

^They are redoing the space.  Suppose to have a great new outdoor space.

I do.  They are undergoing a major re-do.  The new restaurant will be called, I believe, Metro bar & grill, and will have a much larger patio with an open/outside bar.  The menu is being overhauled to focus more in lower prices and happy hour/appetizer foods to draw in the after work crowd.  The changes sound really positive.

Same owners? Chef?

Everyone who was able to stay is staying on.  Some folks understandably could not just wait around and not work for several months.  Same owners, yes.

I miss Piccolo Mondo - just saying.

From a friend: "A new Souper Market location opened today! 7501 Carnegie Ave."    :clap: