the reason the wait is so long at melt is that when they expanded the restaurant they couldn't expand the kitchen because if they expanded the kitchen they would have had to put it a larger sprinkler system. the line going from street to that building wouldn't be equipped to handle such a large load, and digging up detroit to run a new line was not in the budget, so they kept the original kitchen. it's not that the sandwiches are complex, it's that they can only make i think 8 at a time.

 

That's fine, but the LAST thing they should have done given that situation was expand the seating! So now you have 3x as many customers, and can still only produce a few sandwiches at a time. Instead of, say, 40 people being hungry and waiting, you now have 100. How is this the smart thing to do? I don't know.

 

i've been there about 40 times (no joke, i've got the 5 gift certs from the big cheese club to prove it) and i can only count maybe a handful of times they have the expanded area open. the majority of the time it is used as a waiting area. i don't think i've ever been there when the patio, original dining room and expanded dining room is open.

I would say over the past year I attempted to go there 4 times, and every time, both the expanded dining area and the original dining area were full to capacity.  As we never wanted to wait 3 hours to eat, we left each time so I can't comment about the patio.  The 2 times I went prior to the 4 times I've tried to go over the past year were for department lunches, and we were sat in the expanded dining area both times.  But that was more than a year ago.

I've just decided to wait until the Cleveland Heights one is open to see about Lakewood. My ex-boyfriend and I would always get our sandwiches to go because the wait was so long. We would call an hour in advance to get a sandwich. It's a bit sad, considering I would love to sit down and enjoy my meal versus taking it home every time. But, maybe once the CH one is open, the wait time for each will be better and allow more people to enjoy their meals? I didn't know that the Lakewood kitchen could only make so many though.  :| Oh well! I guess we'll just have to see what happens come May 21st!

the reason the wait is so long at melt is that when they expanded the restaurant they couldn't expand the kitchen because if they expanded the kitchen they would have had to put it a larger sprinkler system. the line going from street to that building wouldn't be equipped to handle such a large load, and digging up detroit to run a new line was not in the budget, so they kept the original kitchen. it's not that the sandwiches are complex, it's that they can only make i think 8 at a time.

 

I understand that it would have been a lot of money to put a sprinkler system in, but that sounds like the restaurants problem, not the diners.  I guess it sounds like people still pack the place no matter how long it takes, so I can only blame the diners at that point.

Congrats to Jonathon Sawyer on his national accomplishment!

 

Greenhouse Tavern's Jonathon Sawyer wins Food & Wine magazine's prestigious Best New Chef award

By Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer

April 07, 2010, 2:30PM

 

Greenhouse Tavern chef-owner Jonathon Sawyer.

Budding chefs know that Food & Wine magazine's annual Best New Chefs award is a professional star-maker. When Michael Symon earned that honor in 1998, it launched a career that continues to soar.

 

Another Cleveland chef has just stepped into that rare spotlight.

 

Jonathon Sawyer, chef-owner of The Greenhouse Tavern on East Fourth Street in Cleveland has been announced as a member of Food & Wine's class of 2010.

 

MORE AT http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2010/04/greenhouse_taverns_jonathon_sa.html

Does anyone know when Zoup is opening up downtown?

^Wow, that's awesome.  Congrats to chef Sawyer!

Congrats to Jonathan Sawyer on his big award.....

Even though he is not my favorite Cleveland Chef, we are still very fortunate to have him.

 

Greenhouse Tavern's Jonathon Sawyer wins Food & Wine magazine's prestigious Best New Chef award

http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2010/04/greenhouse_taverns_jonathon_sa.html

 

ITA.  I try hard to be crazy about his food but mostly I'm just not, no matter how hard I try. I felt the same way about Bar Cento. However, so many people love his food that I know it's just me, and that we are lucky to have him.

The meals I've had at the Greenhouse Tavern are some of the best I've ever had.  The clams in foie gras broth, the wings that approach the decadence of confit, the lamb steak still redolent of the cud, the sublime earthiness of the radishes with butter.  I think Sawyer gracefully walks the line between simplicity and craft, and his food bears the mark of those keen sensibilities.

I love the GHT  steak tartar and the wings. But the whole I am a suffering arse act staff always seems to put on is sufficient a turn off I have not been in ages. For god sakes you are a *bartender in Cleveland.  Get over yourself.

 

* not that there is anything wrong with being a bartender (done it) or living in Cleve. But you get my point.

I may actually attend.  I've been sitting on this for weeks.

^^ feel free to take pictures!

 

Here is his little blurb from the food and wine website:  http://www.foodandwine.com/bestnewchefs/jonathon-sawyer

Well, after seeing the positive write-up in the Cool Cleveland newsletter this week, a friend and I went to 2 Dads Diner in Lakewood for lunch.  I was really looking forward to it.  Unfortunately, it was a fail on many levels.

 

Chicken gumbo soup - cold. Almost no visible tomatoes, not in a tomato broth, bland.

 

Spaghetti and meatballs - server told us this was OC pasta and I was like oh, great.  That's the only good thing about it.  Two large, cold meatballs. Tomato sauce was very bland, like tomatoes and not much else.

 

Grilled veggie platter (my entree) - mushrooms not properly washed/gritty, veggies were grilled with zero seasoning and served around about a half cup of seriously 100% plain, goopy white rice with no seasoning of any kind, and it was underdone and crunchy.  A small drizzle of overly sweet balsamic somthing on top did not save it.

 

Service - poor.  Too many people when you don't need them, nobody when you do - our server, who was elderly, asked us at least 3 times while we were eating if there was anything else we needed right now. As did 1 of the owners, and another server from another section.  My friend said it wasn't worth telling them to heat up the meatballs on a dish of pasta that was otherwise not worth eating and I said that's how I felt about the soup, too.  Once we were done and wanted our check, we had to wait a long time to get it. 

 

Prices were very low and there were a lot of elderly folks in there; maybe that's their crowd.

 

I did see some sandwiches going out that looked good, and it appeared they had fresh cut fries, but you shouldn't have to only order certain things to have the food be good.  I also observed the the pass had overhead heaters but they were not on, so food is not kept hot while being held; this isn't why our food was cold, as it was served very quickly after being put up, it was just not heated through properly to begin with.  I worry about a place that isn't even keeping the soup of the day hot and is just heating it up cup by cup on order.

 

Too bad, I really wanted to like it.

^Thats too bad.  I've eaten there a couple times and liked it well enough.  Nothing fancy, but i just stuck with standard diner fare and it was good.  I liked that the tartar sauce for my fish sandwich and the dressing on a salad I got were homemade. 

Wee haaa!

 

From Cleveland Foodie: CH Melt due to open on May 21!

 

http://clevelandfoodie.com/2010/04/qa-with-melts-matt-fish.html

 

(this is an interview w/ Matt Fish)

Has anyone been to that new bar on the west bank

of the flats?  I think it's called "carney's" or something like that.

I thought we had a thread just for street vendors but I couldn't find it.

New generation of food carts rolls into Cleveland as city clears path for mobile vendors to operate

 

Have you ever been walking around at lunch time and had a hankering for Himalayan rice and seared tuna? Or maybe a plate of dim sum? Or maybe a simple vegetarian soup? Well, you may be able to sample those varied cuisines and more beginning this summer on the streets of Cleveland.

 

Cleveland City Council passed legislation last month that clears the way for a new generation of curbside food vendors. In a pilot program, the city's economic development and parks and recreation departments are selecting vendors, offering help with meeting city health and safety requirements and even making available small loans to launch the businesses.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20100412/SUB1/100409815

Has anyone been to that new bar on the west bank

of the flats?  I think it's called "carney's" or something like that.

Carneys has been there for years, but recently changed ownership (stayed in Carney family) and was revamped. It is offically the closest tavern to my door step so I went before and after the makeover. The prices are fair-GLBC and Guinness on tap. No food yet. The new owner seems nice.

my bro was texting me last night -- he and his pals went to the spitfire saloon and gave thumbs up to the white castle.

 

zoicks!

There looks like there may be another gem scooped up in the Detroit - Shoreway neighborhood!! :clap:

 

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/bites-randy-kelley-and-linda-syrek-power-food-couple/Content?oid=1893017

There looks like there may be another gem scooped up in the Detroit - Shoreway neighborhood!! :clap:

 

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/bites-randy-kelley-and-linda-syrek-power-food-couple/Content?oid=1893017

 

this is great news. The abc tavern is a little too poser-centric for me (but I get that people like it) and I love the cafe, so I have high hopes. I really love DS. I swear I saw some signs not long ago about a wine bar...does anyone know if anything is in the works?

Question to all: I'm traveling to Cleveland in mid-May on a photograph assignment. On my last trip, I stopped for some local Korean fare and was impressed. This time around, I'd like to sample more of the eccentric, local flavor. Doesn't have to be limited to any genre of food, but my favorites are along the line of healthy and unique sandwiches/melts, burgers (with some damn good sides), and other foods that have a lot of protein. And local beer is a +.

Sounds like Melt, if you're up for the wait.  Lakewood (already established, but long waits are normal) and Cleveland Heights (opening in May, so since it's new, there are likely to be wait times).  I'd also recommend Tremont Tap House and Bier Market/Bar Cento (adjacent).  If you're able to drive around a bit, I'd recommend B-spot, Michael Symon's burger place - there's a B-spot on the E side and a similar menu at his Bar Symon restaurant on the W side in Avon:

 

Melt: www.meltbarandgrilled.com/

TTH: www.tremonttaphouse.com

Bar Cento: www.barcento.com

Bier Market: bier-markt.com

B-spot: www.bspotburgers.com

Bar Symon: www.barsymon.com

Tremont Tap house would also meet your requirements.

 

http://www.tremonttaphouse.com/

 

Short Rib sliders, Egg and Blue burger are all very good.  Very long and excellent beer list.

 

I've heard Melt mentioned many times. I went there once and was greatly impressed, so that is definitely on my return-to list. I've also heard of the Tremont Tap House... but have not been there before. That definitely is up my alley.

Lucky's in Tremont is another great local place for some different and very homemade kind of stuff and great brunch items! (or her other place on Larchmere "A vine and bean").

 

http://www.luckyscafe.com/

Sherman, in your quest of the eccentric local flavor (w/ protein) in Cleveland, with local beer, here's my recs:

 

Beer Engine in Lakewood; 25+ continuously rotating taps + 2 cask beers which include 3-5 selections from Buckeye Brewing just down the road in Cleveland.  Sampling is encouraged.  20 burgers to choose from; each of which can be substituted w/ portobello cap, homemade black bean burger, or grilled free range chicken breast + really good homemade chips!

 

Parkview Nite Club in Detroit Shoreway: 8 taps including 2 rotating selections from Great Lakes.  House smoked salmon and pork brisket.  Well worn interior w/ live blues every Wed nite and most weekends.

 

West Side Market in Ohio City:  an institution.  lots of great tastes to be had; enjoy the stroll and the conversations w/ over 100 vendors.  no beer, yet....

 

Happy Dog in Detroit Shoreway: 24 taps including 3 rotating selections from Great Lakes + many great regional (NY, MI, PA) selections.  old school circular bar with a menu twist - hot dogs/veg dogs/falafel w/ 50 housemade toppings includ. kimchi, creole remoulade, escarole, vodka slaw, etc

 

Nate's in Ohio City; no beers but incredible hummus, fatoush, babaganoush, tabbouleh, shishtawook, etc.  good sized portions & good prices.

 

Dim & den sum: mobile restaurant serving soul food w/ asian flair utilizing mostly local ingredients

 

Sokolowski's in Tremont:  eastern european & polish delicacies; pierogies, bratwurst, kielbasa, fried lake erie perch.  you will not walk out hungry, but you may not walk out....

interesting selection of European beers as well.

 

Rincon Criollo in Detroit Shoreway: no beer, but good puerto rican fare including Jibarito (pork sandwich w/ fried plantains in place of bread, pigeon peas, etc  fyi - most dishes are fried.

 

Superior Pho in Asia Town: Vietnamese specialties including the best pho in town & the only place in Cleveland I've had a Banh mi sandwich

 

Koko Bakery: sweet & savory bakery items to-go.  the ham and soft cooked egg sandwich on sweet bun is highly recommended and it's only $1.50 so hard to go wrong

 

 

 

http://buckeyebeerengine.com [lunch & dinner everyday, sunday brunch]

http://www.parkviewniteclub.com [lunch & dinner everday, sunday brunch]

http://www.westsidemarket.org [open M, W, F, Sa]

http://happydogcleveland.com [dinner everyday; lunch on fridays]

Nate's [lunch M-F]

http://www.dimanddensum.com (FB page has menu details)

http://www.sokolowskis.com [lunch & dinner everyday]

Rincon Criollo [lunch & dinner M-Sa]

http://www.asiatowncleveland.com/dining.asp for Superior Pho & Koko

^Great suggestions.  Here's another local favorite:

 

Slyman's - famous corned beef sandwich - check out the website for pictures

http://www.slymans.com/

reopening tomorrow... this place looks to be pretty legit. I'm excited about the patio, this will be extremely unique to the area.  The closest thing we have to "outdoor bars" are the patios at huron / 9th.... this is a big step above.

 

http://www.metrobarandkitchen.com/

I know someone inside who told me about this renovation months ago and it sounds VERY exciting, glad to see it's finally going to open.

DEFINATELY Slyman's if you are looking for the "local" flavor.  That place has Cleveland written all over it.  Probably not far from where you got the Korean meal.

 

Since you will be up here on a photography assignment, I would venture a guess that you might be paying a visit to University Circle.  If so, slide over to Little Italy and get some goodies from Corbo's Bakery (another great local destination for food) http://cleveland.metromix.com/restaurants/baked_goods/corbos-bakery-little-italy/376399/content

 

Not sure why nobody has not recommended GLBC (right accross from the Westside Market) - http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/ - for a local brewery, but I suppose you can get that stuff down in Cincy.

reopening tomorrow... this place looks to be pretty legit. I'm excited about the patio, this will be extremely unique to the area.  The closest thing we have to "outdoor bars" are the patios at huron / 9th.... this is a big step above.

 

http://www.metrobarandkitchen.com/

 

Too bad it didn't open in time for Joakim Noah to have a restaurant he can go to.

All great suggestions so far ... I would say Koko is a must (Thai Tea Bubble Tea!) ... for eccentric, you can't go wrong with the Asiatown neighborhood :) Koko is a must, Slyman's is a must, either #1 Pho or Superior Pho (two Vietnamese restaurants literally next door to each other that are both going strong) would be great. Garden Cafe next to Koko is another gem that I NEVER hear people talk about ... Taiwanese place next door to Koko Bakery. For lunch, Tastebuds is another one in the neighborhood that I think is unique (gourmet spin on cafeteria food ... great space and inexpensive. People swear by Wonton for the best / most authentic Chinese food in town, but I honestly haven't been overly impressed. Empress Taytu further into the neighborhood has yummy Ethiopian. While you're in the neighborhood, you should definitely also check out one of the Asian markets ... I'd recommend Tink Holl (just south of Payne & 36th). My favorite local beer, Indigo Imp, is brewed in the neighborhood. They sell to the public direct from the brewing space on Friday afternoons last time I check; otherwise, you have to get it from local restaurants/bars (places like Bier Markt). But enough about my beloved Asiatown/St. Clair-Superior ... the website is http://www.asiatowncleveland.com :)

 

I agree on Lucky's ... best brunch EVER. I'm serious ... it's sooooooo goooooood. Just a couple of doors down is Lily's Handmade Chocolate ... expensive but addictively good. In between the West Side Market and Tremont, Sokolowski's is also a local institution. Not amazing food, honestly, but just steeped in character.

 

And I have a special nostalgia for Michael's Diner on Shaker Square, aka Shack on the Track, for late-night eats (although "Dirty" Diana's on W. 117th is also a great 3-in-the-morning joint).

 

 

My favorite local beer, Indigo Imp, is brewed in the neighborhood. They sell to the public direct from the brewing space on Friday afternoons last time I check; otherwise, you have to get it from local restaurants/bars (places like Bier Markt).

 

They sell Indigo Imp 6 packs at Heinens.

Just down and across the street from the Capitol Theatre on W.65th there is a storefront which continues to be under renovation...pretty sure it's called "Toast" and would be the wine bar mentioned in the DS plans. Have no idea about progress though.

 

There looks like there may be another gem scooped up in the Detroit - Shoreway neighborhood!! :clap:

 

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/bites-randy-kelley-and-linda-syrek-power-food-couple/Content?oid=1893017

 

this is great news. The abc tavern is a little too poser-centric for me (but I get that people like it) and I love the cafe, so I have high hopes. I really love DS. I swear I saw some signs not long ago about a wine bar...does anyone know if anything is in the works?

Just down and across the street from the Capitol Theatre on W.65th there is a storefront which continues to be under renovation...pretty sure it's called "Toast" and would be the wine bar mentioned in the DS plans. Have no idea about progress though.

 

A wine bar sounds cool, but when I saw "Taost" I got excited thinking maybe Chicago's Lincoln Park breakfast establishment off Halstead might be expanding to D-S. :)

All great suggestions so far ... I would say Koko is a must (Thai Tea Bubble Tea!) ... for eccentric, you can't go wrong with the Asiatown neighborhood :)

 

Where is Koko located? I love bubble tea and I haven't found a place to get some in such a long time!

Where is Koko located? I love bubble tea and I haven't found a place to get some in such a long time!

 

Both the W. 9th and E. 9th Phoenix Coffee locations serve bubble tea.

as does saigon on e. 4th

My favorite local beer, Indigo Imp, is brewed in the neighborhood. They sell to the public direct from the brewing space on Friday afternoons last time I check; otherwise, you have to get it from local restaurants/bars (places like Bier Markt).

 

They sell Indigo Imp 6 packs at Heinens.

You can buy Indigo Imp at lots of places.

Damn, Melt had a TWO HOUR WAIT yesterday (got there around maybe 7:45).

 

So I called up Tai Fun Bistro and made an immediate reservation.  God is the food amazing there.  They could have refilled my coffee a little faster (I had to ask twice), but I've never had tofu that tastes so much like chicken.  They're doing something right there, that's for sure.

 

Afterward, we finally went to the Chocolate Bar (even though I'm not a desert drinker) and split some kind of chocolaty martini and a creme buele.  The martini was fine but nothing to go crazy over; however, holy crap, I almost had an attack watching the server use the blowtorch on the pudding.  It was beyond delicious.

 

Outstanding food all around:)

All great suggestions so far ... I would say Koko is a must (Thai Tea Bubble Tea!) ... for eccentric, you can't go wrong with the Asiatown neighborhood :)

 

Where is Koko located? I love bubble tea and I haven't found a place to get some in such a long time!

 

There's a lot of bubble tea places to get bubble tea, but I swear by my Koko! Wider flavor assortment and homemade tapioca pearls :) They're located at Payne Ave. and E. 38th ... and definitely worth a visit!

 

At one point, there was also a bubble tea cafe in the same complex as Superior Pho (Superior and E. 32), but alas, bubble tea alone does not a successful business make.

I think you can get bubble tea at #1Pho and also Minh Anh, no?

I'm at Koko bakery at least once a week, usually two- and I can attest to the greatness of their bubble teas!  My favorite is a strawberry and mango combination- it's the BEST!  I usually get a chicken terriyaki rice bowl to go with it.

 

 

All great suggestions so far ... I would say Koko is a must (Thai Tea Bubble Tea!) ... for eccentric, you can't go wrong with the Asiatown neighborhood :)

 

Where is Koko located? I love bubble tea and I haven't found a place to get some in such a long time!

 

There's a lot of bubble tea places to get bubble tea, but I swear by my Koko! Wider flavor assortment and homemade tapioca pearls :) They're located at Payne Ave. and E. 38th ... and definitely worth a visit!

 

At one point, there was also a bubble tea cafe in the same complex as Superior Pho (Superior and E. 32), but alas, bubble tea alone does not a successful business make.

 

I never knew there was one so close! I live right around the corner from there. I'm such a dork! Haha. I am definitely going to check that place out! Thanks for the info :) :) :)

Some rumbling coming from the west bank of the flats (wonder if this is connected to an aquarium by any chance...??)

 

SAVING ROCK BOTTOM . . .

 

 

Rumors are afloat that the popular Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery in Cleveland's Flats is on the brink of closing. Any truth, I asked managing partner Mark Stanton?

 

"Our lease IS coming to a close, but Rock Bottom and the Jacobs Investment Group are working to extend our lease, and negotiations have been hard," Stanton says.

 

Fans aren't giving up without a fight. A grass-roots movement is shaping up with the aim of either saving the Rock or coaxing it into a new location.

 

MORE AT http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2010/04/post_43.html

this terrible. I think this might be due in part to the spouse and I quitting beer. crap! We recently got an email that certain days were closed for lunch. I know this place in sort of chainy but we have liked the food for what it is (bar food) and we always get great service. And the truth is the brewers do a nice job there...although as mentioned I really don't drink beer anymore. Well at least Larry Flint's Hustler Club is about to open . Some things are thriving in Cleveland.  :roll:

^I've always been surprised that this chain has lasted so long.

Vegan Cafe coming to downtown:

 

http://downtowncleveland.org/blog/index.php/2010/04/welcome-flaming-ice-cube-to-cleveland