I went with my S.O. to the Taste of Tremont festival. Tremont is about one mile south of downtown Cleveland - home to almost two dozen churches of every variety (mostly built for the different ethnicities of the workers in the steel mills). About 15 years ago, you wouldn't go through Tremont without packing heat. Since then, it has benefited greatly from gentrification but still maintains some of its charm and affordability. The neighborhood began to improve when artists opened galleries as well as entrepreneurial restauranteurs such as Michael Symon opening dining spots. Tremont is also filled with small workers' cottages as well as new townhomes that sell for well over $500K. Today was a day to see Tremont, old and new. You had the foo-foo dining spots selling appetizers next to the little old Polish ladies selling pierogies. If you ever get the chance to go to this festival - eat light the day before. Enjoy :)

 

We walked up West 14th Street - I adore this view:

 

As we cross the bridge over I-490, I snap pics of the Mittal steel mill:

 

And the landmark onion domes of St. Theodosius (Russian Orthodox) peek from behind the trees:

 

Once we cross I-490 we're "officially" in Tremont:

 

We cut through Lincoln Park, a great little area of greenspace in the neighborhood:

 

Lemko Hall - formerly a social club, now condos:

 

Soon we arrive at the epicenter of the festival - Professor Street and Literary Road (Tremont was home to Cleveland University, thus the collegiate street names):

 

Quite an impressive crowd:

 

St. John Cantius looms in the background (we'll be going inside shortly):

 

Not only was there a beer garden, but they were serving Great Lakes Brewing. Not only were they serving Great Lakes Brewing, they were serving the Commodore Perry Pale Ale - which is my favorite AFTER my cherished Burning River Pale Ale :-)

 

This was definitely a pet-friendly event:

 

And along with the food, artists and galleries offered eye candy:

 

I admired the fact that real estate companies were set up (given the history of Tremont):

 

More crowd shots:

 

The gals from Studio Le Beau on West 11th were out drumming up business (with hula hoops and inline skates!):

 

A divine intervention/interuption - a visit inside the gorgeous St. John Cantius church:

 

 

 

 

 

Mmm... La Tortilla Feliz... (drool):

 

Sokowlowski's appropriately set up catty-corner to St. John Cantius:

 

 

Tremont Scoops was doing a great business - they had ice cream AND chocolate-covered cheesecakes!

 

In need of some cultural redemption, we headed over to Asterisk Gallery:

 

Not something you see every day:

 

I liked the funky light sculptures:

 

Umm, needle-covered panties? OUCH!!!

 

A multiple-person wheelchair wrapped in couchcover plastic. Ohhhkay :)

 

Fahrenheit is one of Tremont's more popular restaurants - and the line in front of their booth is evidence:

 

This great little sculpture garden is tucked behind Atmosphere Gallery:

 

We head back north:

 

 

 

One of several bands playing during the festival:

 

The Treehouse bar - a Tremont landmark. Try the Stoli-Doli at your own risk (a vodka martini garnished with a vodka-soaked pineapple ring):

 

And I leave you with a full tummy and the belltower of St. John Cantius:

 

As with any food-related thread - I have to give my stamp of approval to the Taste of Tremont festival:

- and the Green Curry Chicken and Tofu Pad Thai at Ty Fun

- and the Cavatells from Lago (Italian restaurant soon to open in the former Theory space)

- and the Chocolate-covered frozen cheesecake at Tremont Scoops

- and the Prosciutto wrapped Melon from Lolita

- and the Commodore Perry Pale Ale from Great Lakes Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

great pics and sorry I missed you. I see we nearly crossed paths b/c the  friends I was with are in the Treehouse pic (where the f was I?) on our menu: Shrimp with a Vietmmanese dipping sauce from Fats Cats, Ceviche from la tortilla feliz, Fois Gras w/truffle oil from 806, a cheeseburger from South side, some beers from the polish culture club (like an Elks club), and of course the beer  garden. all fabulous

 

edit: I see my arm

Trendmont.

I was down there about 6 or so.  Everybody was running out of food.  The beer garden only had Molson and Coors left.  I consoled myself with a Molson and some Conch Chowder, then went and got a gyro.  Tasty, but no prosciutto or fois gras for me.

Great photos, MayDay! Tremont is an amazing success story.

I went to "Taste," too, and loved it. The food was great, and there were also a ton of attractive guys running around...

I also noted that a new place called Lago is slated to open in the old Theory space. And Grumpy's said it would be open in its new space on W. 14th next to Lincoln Park Pub by September.

X, sorry to hear you missed out on the food. I guess it's best to get there by 4pm at the latest - it was my first time there so I didn't know what to expect.

 

"The food was great, and there were also a ton of attractive guys running around..."

 

I agree, the food was awesome; the guys... well, since I was there with my S.O., I didn't notice anything  :lol:

Tremont must taste good!

friggin sweet...didn't make it, but now I sorta feel like I did!  thanks MayDay!

didn't make it, but now I sorta feel like I did!  thanks MayDay!

 

ditto!

It was my first time there.  I had a great time.  I think they should close down Professor more often!!

Wonderful pics. And I've never been in St. John Cantius Church. Now I see I must rectify that oversight! Wow, what a beaut!

^I still like St. Pat's better, but I have spent many a midnight mass there, after having a few at the Treehouse

Great thread. My friend, David, lived in Tremont for a while about 15 years ago. I didn't find it all that scary right where he lived, but it was a little sketchy in places, especially at night.

 

Tremont was the setting for parts of The Deer Hunter (1978 - Robert Di Niro, Christopher Walken, ...) They used Lemko Hall and St. Theodosius, along with some steel mill scenes.

Wonderful pics. And I've never been in St. John Cantius Church. Now I see I must rectify that oversight! Wow, what a beaut!

 

How true!!  That church looks absolutely amazing!!!!

ha, i know the guy on the far right in the shades. Haven't seen him in a year, guess i know where he is now....

 

excellent job as always mayday!