I was on E 4th yesterday afternoon..nice little crowd for a weekday.  I noticed the signage for the street closure on 4th, better than the old sign, but still not (as we say here) world class signage!  Does anyone knnow if there wiull be something better put up on 4th to block off the street than the current signage?  It still looks like road construction signage to me, I was hoping there would be something a little more visually appealing in its place...

lets send our suggestions in.

  I was on E 4th yesterday afternoon..nice little crowd for a weekday.  I noticed the signage for the street closure on 4th, better than the old sign, but still not (as we say here) world class signage!  Does anyone knnow if there wiull be something better put up on 4th to block off the street than the current signage?  It still looks like road construction signage to me, I was hoping there would be something a little more visually appealing in its place...

 

give that the road closing period is ending soon, you probably wont see anything til next year.

I find it ironic that they took down the road construction style road closed gates- presumably because they were ugly- and then put up paintings of road construction style road closed gates.  I wonder why they can't leave them out all together and just go with the bollards with small signs on top.

Well put X.  I found that rather puzzling as well.

They should install a line of removable posts in the roadway to block automobile traffic. It would look a lot nicer. I've seen it done before. And if an event ever calls for automobile traffic down east fourth, they can easily take them out.

There already are removable posts; the signs are in addition to them.

How busy was E.4th/Gateway last night?

Very busy before and fairly busy after.  The excitement of the playoffs is dulled somewhat by the fact that it is a Monday, I think, but still a better turnout than say an average weekend night by my estimate.

While on 4th last night with a friend - someone in our group remarked - 'Wow, I feel like I'm in Europe - it's unbelievable'

 

Good to hear.

Before the game was the busiest I've seen it down here, save St. Paddy's day.  Every inch of space in which one could legally consume alcohol was packed, and the streets were fairly busy as well, though there was room to maneuver.

I walked down E.4th last night just before the game. That is a very cool place. Once it completely fills out and spills onto Euclid/Prospect a bit more, it gain more national notoriety as the place to be when in Cleveland.

I was down there last night before the game as well.  It was the first time I'd been down there in a few months, and it was awesome.  We had a few drinks a Wonder Bar, which I really liked...very small and cozy.  I'll have to try some food next time I'm there. 

 

I was really surprised at how large the space for BlackFinn is.  I thought they were just going to go in the spot on the corner...I didn't realize they knocked down the wall to where the clothing store was as well. 

On a related note, I've heard that Vivo is not doing so hot these days.  Which is too bad, 'cause it's one of my faves.  Could be construction or it could be all the new competition on E. 4th Street.  You'd hope that there'd be enough business for everyone to do well.  But, as the industry goes, some will win and some will lose.  The keys will be packing residents and workers into all those empty spaces down there.  They've got the hotels already. 

I imagine Lola has taken some of their business - there's really not a lot of wiggle room for "special occasion" spots like Vivo and Lola. Lola has the name recognition with Michael Symon, but they're both at a price point where they're beyond "every day" spots.

^Maybe it is time to bring back the V lounge now that E. 4th is doing well

I'd put Lola on a different level than Vivo.  Vivo is a spot I could afford a few times a year.  Lola... maybe once.  Plus, when I leave Vivo, I'm actually full and can still afford to go see a movie!

On a related note, I've heard that Vivo is not doing so hot these days.  Which is too bad, 'cause it's one of my faves.  Could be construction or it could be all the new competition on E. 4th Street.  You'd hope that there'd be enough business for everyone to do well.  But, as the industry goes, some will win and some will lose.  The keys will be packing residents and workers into all those empty spaces down there.  They've got the hotels already. 

 

We'll I've not heard that.  All I've gotten is raves.  I think over the past few weeks. It's been seen as the "go to place" and Clevelanders can't get in.

 

The complaint I keep hearing is people can't get a reservation for the time we want.

 

Edit:  I think once the holiday's hit and we go into the new year, with all restaurants running.  things will even out.  As per the norm, when something "new" opens in an established area, the older businesses in the same category take a dip.  This gives those who couldn't get in before an opportunity to experience the establishment, makes all the establishments in the zone review their market, ads to the appeal of the overall zone and lastly creates competition which in the end is good for the consumer.

good!  I like that news better!

Anymore establishment opening before the new year?

When is that Irish Pub going to open across from Corner Alley, next to House of Blues?

If anything, it would be La Strada...blackfinn is slated for late spring I believe.  I would be surprised in La Strada opened before Feb unfortunitely...

What about Teresa's?  I'm surprised it has taken so long to build that space out.

It's coming along, but slowly.  They are putting in some of the kitchen equipment.  It may be done by the New Year.  I would doubt anything else will be, but that's hardly official.  La Strada, Blackfinn, and Saigon are all under varying degrees of work as well.  But I doubt a 2007 opening for any of them.

quick ques...Timeline for Saigon and La Strada?  I don't want to look through 40 pages! :wink:

La Strada was supposed to open this fall, Saigon sometime early 2008.  I'd guess Saigon may open then, but La Strada will take longer- maybe spring, if work keeps up.

thanks x.

if you haven't walked by Teresa's in a while, there's a ton of visible progress. Also a "now hiring" sign is up.

 

Something else I learned? There's actually another retail space between Teresa's and the WT grant entrance......

Any news on La Strada or the Vietnamese place?

They're both coming along.  La Strada is still a ways off, but I saw what looked like some drywall going up in Saigon last week.

Wonder Bar Sucks

 

I've never been over impressed with the place, but this story ruined it for me:

 

Round 1 of drinks: All good, Stella and a Greyhound Martini (Grey Goose and grapefruit)

 

Round 2 of Drinks: Same order, but the bitch behind the bar (you know the mildly attractive one if I'm 12 beers deep and she weren't wearing a top thats frumpy and only looks good on pregnant people), uses stoli instead of grey goose in the greyhound martini. I have nothing against Stoli, its a fine vodka. But you put Stoli toe-to-toe against Grey Goose, and its going to lose. Its like she was trying to sneak it by me while I wasn't paying attention. I mean the cost difference between Grey Goose and Stoli is minimal right? You just saved your boss (your dad i think), 25 cents by pulling the old "switcheroo"? You just made the same drink 30 minutes ago....

 

Maybe the Free Times was right in calling you guys a bunch of cheap bastards and nickel-and-diming the customers for every little last bit.

 

Up yours Wonder Bar

 

 

 

 

People make mistakes.  I love Wonder Bar.  The people are friendly and the food is good, for a bar.

I've only been to Wonder Bar once, but really liked it. The (very attractive, IMO) female bartender gave me a free Stella when I had to wait 5 minutes for them to switch out the keg. Maybe she realized her mistake and then was just embarrassed about it and tried to sneak it by you. I've done it.

The "cheapness" to which the article refered was in reference to charging for bread.  It was a mistake that the bar has since corrected. 

I really like wonder bar as well.  I think some of the servers there are less than geniuses, she probably just forgot!  I don't think they suck and I certainly wouldn't post such a harsh review just because someone screwed up my drink.  It's not like she tried to poison you.  Jeez.

from my perspective it seemed willful, and she just made the same order not less than 30 minutes previous. It was like she was looking over her shoulder to see if I noticed and I saw it out of the corner of my eye. The place was not busy. (and yes I was tipsy when I posted that)

i undertand where you are coming from, Pope.  As a frequent purveyor of downtown night spots, many bars try and do the "ol' switcheroo" where they substitute quality high end spirits with that of a lesser sort.  Dive Bar does this a lot, as does Paninis.

well its fraud if intentional . I generally hate table service if I am having a cocktail with substance b/c bartenders typically short the servers drinks to make up the liquor cost. It hard to believe it possible, but I actually had a weak martini (what should be strait liquor) at an otherwise great spot in Tremont last weekend-sitting at a table.

Wonder Bar Sucks

 

I've never been over impressed with the place, but this story ruined it for me:

 

Round 1 of drinks: All good, Stella and a Greyhound Martini (Grey Goose and grapefruit)

 

Round 2 of Drinks: Same order, but the bitch behind the bar (you know the mildly attractive one if I'm 12 beers deep and she weren't wearing a top thats frumpy and only looks good on pregnant people), uses stoli instead of grey goose in the greyhound martini. I have nothing against Stoli, its a fine vodka. But you put Stoli toe-to-toe against Grey Goose, and its going to lose. Its like she was trying to sneak it by me while I wasn't paying attention. I mean the cost difference between Grey Goose and Stoli is minimal right? You just saved your boss (your dad i think), 25 cents by pulling the old "switcheroo"? You just made the same drink 30 minutes ago....

 

Maybe the Free Times was right in calling you guys a bunch of cheap bastards and nickel-and-diming the customers for every little last bit.

 

Up yours Wonder Bar

 

 

 

You should have called her out on it and made her make you a new one. She'd be less likely to do the same thing in the future. I get more p!ssed when they make drinks too weak. I purposely go to places I know will make them strong by default (for the same price as the place I go to that makes it weak). The sh!tty place also sells PBR in cans for a buck though. Red Flag.

agreed.  If they screw up the drink and it's not too busy, call them out. 

 

Unless you're at Malloys in Coventry.  Their drinks are disasters and they're reluctant to make new ones.

Unless you're at Malloys in Coventry.  Their drinks are disasters and they're reluctant to make new ones.

 

Don't order a draft beer there either, they have plastic glasses which they attempt to frost.. absolutely horrible.. watery beer = crap.

agreed.

 

Some good food specials though

This is probably a topic for another thread, but Grey Goose is consistently ranked among the bottom for quality and taste in all the rankings I have seen.  If you talk to their competetors it is because GG is made in France and there are not many laws on regarding the production of Vodka, as apposed to Russia or Poland for instance. Just had to throw that out there.

 

ANYWHO, You are 100% justified in being upset.  It takes about 5 seconds to say "I am sorry, I have run out of Grey Goose, is there another vodka you would like, or would you like a different drink"

 

Now, if she was indeed trying to save money because she thought that maybe since you were already had a few (just guessing) that you would not notice, wow did that backfire.  She might have saved (or overcharged) $1, but now you are evengelical about telling people to stay away from that bar.  Was it worth it?  If they are not making enough money on the drinks, raise the prices, period.  A greedy, dishonest bar owner is soon to be a former bar owner.

This is probably a topic for another thread, but Grey Goose is consistently ranked among the bottom for quality and taste in all the rankings I have seen.

 

3 Olives Vodka all the way.

Wonder Bar Sucks

 

I've never been over impressed with the place, but this story ruined it for me:

 

Round 1 of drinks: All good, Stella and a Greyhound Martini (Grey Goose and grapefruit)

 

Round 2 of Drinks: Same order, but the bitch behind the bar (you know the mildly attractive one if I'm 12 beers deep and she weren't wearing a top thats frumpy and only looks good on pregnant people), uses stoli instead of grey goose in the greyhound martini. I have nothing against Stoli, its a fine vodka. But you put Stoli toe-to-toe against Grey Goose, and its going to lose. Its like she was trying to sneak it by me while I wasn't paying attention. I mean the cost difference between Grey Goose and Stoli is minimal right? You just saved your boss (your dad i think), 25 cents by pulling the old "switcheroo"? You just made the same drink 30 minutes ago....

 

Maybe the Free Times was right in calling you guys a bunch of cheap bastards and nickel-and-diming the customers for every little last bit.

 

Up yours Wonder Bar

 

 

 

 

 

One of the first quotes I've seen you have over one line.  Surprising...

I don't think that is his quote.

no his criticism is far, i rarely contribute more than one line.

 

 

The Pope = Succinct sarcasm.

I was at Wonder Bar this weeked and was sorely disappointed. The service was fine, contrary to an earlier post, but the atmosphere was awful. I went expecting an intimate, loungey jazz club. Instead, it was just like every other bar downtown -- packed with drunk meatheads and drably decorated. Any sense of class or intimacy it might have had was ruined by two enormous plasma TV screens behind the bar, which cast a fluorescent glow over the whole interior. Why even bother calling it a jazz club? Hardly anyone was listening to the (very good) pianist and bassist, plugging away diligently in the corner.

 

This is probably sounding overly harsh but I was expecting more. If they want to be like every other bar, fine -- but don't mislead people by advertising yourself as a classy jazz and tapas place. Ugh. This and the rowdy suburbanites smashing an ice sculpture on E. 4th Street as I walked out left a bad taste in my mouth about the redevelopment of this neighborhood. It's becoming just another playground for the bridge-and-tunnel crowd, like the Flats and the Warehouse District before it. I hope this is just an unruly adolescence that it and other downtown neighborhoods must go through before maturing into more livable, adult places.

"It's becoming just another playground for the bridge-and-tunnel crowd"

 

But, if you live east or south of the Innerbelt, or west of the Cuyahoga, then you likely came across a bridge to get there.  :-D

 

/smart@ss