I believe the design is pen-like to conform to state liquor laws. Not that it's a good excuse, but I imagine if they could do something different, they would.

 

the basic liquor laws only require a divider, and the city laws require a specific set back (which in this case doesn't happen b/c of the closed street).

 

i didn't mind House Of Blues old style patio - with the black steel poles with a wire strung between - it was much less intrusive, and accomplished the same thing, patio eating and drinking.

 

i think that if they would have made the patios with curved metal and maybe even different varied fence panels (artistic or otherwise), this would have a huge effect.

Couldn't they have done something a little more delicate, like using rope or chain? You could even do something neat with specially designed tarps and fabric. I think Christmas lights would be neat at night. Or you could try and create an ivy effect to section it off. At Flannery's, you could circle the outdoor area with tied Irish flags.

 

:speech:

like Pope said, planters would do wonders

 

yeah, I never thought I would be clamoring for the 5 B's

Couldn't they have done something a little more delicate, like using rope or chain?

In order to have those outdoor spaces, is it possible that the establishments had to purchase the same brand.  Modular pricing in affect here.

 

You could even do something neat with specially designed tarps and fabric. I think Christmas lights would be neat at night. Or you could try and create an ivy effect to section it off. At Flannery's, you could circle the outdoor area with tied Irish flags.

 

:speech:

 

That could get really tacky!  I don't think that would work or be visually appealling.  East 4th isn't going for a trailer park trash look or customer.

TRAILER PARK!? I've never even BEEN to a trailer park!

"East 4th isn't going for a trailer park trash look or customer."

 

So you're saying I'm not in their target demographic? I would have thought so, but I spent my first three years on Earth being raised in a trailer park. :roll:

My dad lived in a trailer for a short time. But, anyway, I'm just saying there other things that could be done to soften the look of the rodeo theme going on. Add some flowers or something.

I agree - since the fence/rails need to be movable, even some plant boxes hooked on to the railings would help.

"East 4th isn't going for a trailer park trash look or customer."

 

So you're saying I'm not in their target demographic? I would have thought so, but I spent my first three years on Earth being raised in a trailer park. :roll:

 

Do you reside in a trailer park now?  Anyway, you probably turned that Trailer Park out - hair clips and all!  :wink:

 

I'm saying they aren't going for "tacky" and "cheesy".  Christmas lights hung out of season is tacky as hell.

 

The lights design that is currently installed has a nostalgic old school feeling and adds some ambiance to the streetscape.  Any additional lights would be overkill.

 

My dad lived in a trailer for a short time. But, anyway, I'm just saying there other things that could be done to soften the look of the rodeo theme going on. Add some flowers or something.

 

Ok kids, I didn't mean to turn this into trailer park confessions.........  :roll:

 

I too think they could have done more.  Some of the railing could have been curved to mimic the street, planters, umbrellas over the tables, foliage, etc.

 

As always, I'm going to suggest that these ideas be communicated to the businesses on East 4 and/or the E4th- Gateway CDC.

http://www.historicgateway.org/ContactUs.html

 

zocalo's signage is up. It is most world class

 

ps, their alley is really cute.

They had a private party last night to open the place up.

Yeah I peered in.  Looked very cool.  I'm excited about that take out window...please stay open late

They're take out menu is reasonably priced, too.  Looks like the take out will be competing with a Chipotle's or Que Tal? level fast food joint, but I think the restaurant itself is supposed to be more upscale.  All I know is cheap Mexican open late right across from my front door=expanding wasteline for X.  I don't know if I should be happy or sad.

pictures please

Ugly, plain, and cheap. The restaurant I worked at had trees for natural shade, so everything was bright and sunny except for where you were sitting, not a dark alley. We also had plants surrounding the patio, with brick posts at the ends of the iron fence. You'd see a lot of birds everywhere. You would also see a lot of joggers and dog walkers; it doesn't look like there's much going on, on that street besides people eating :-/

Ugly, plain, and cheap. The restaurant I worked at had trees for natural shade, so everything was bright and sunny except for where you were sitting, not a dark alley. We also had plants surrounding the patio, with brick posts at the ends of the iron fence. You'd see a lot of birds everywhere. You would also see a lot of joggers and dog walkers; it doesn't look like there's much going on, on that street besides people eating :-/

 

Have you been to East 4th?

 

Was this an urban city restaurant in a tight space like East 4th?    I'm not being an apologist, but (as described) the design & location of the restaurant you worked at might not translate or work on East 4.

 

You can do that better in the warehouse district, Playhouse square district on Superior or St. Clair or Huron.

 

There are many of variables to take into consideration.

It was in a busy neighborhood square. I know the environment is different but they still could have done a much better on E. 4th St. It looks like the outdoor patio at Chipotle, but with tiles on the ground.

Well, you didn't answer the question, so I'm assuming that means you've never been there.

No I haven't. Is it that much different from the pics?

No I haven't. Is it that much different from the pics?

 

Yes and No.  Objects always appear slightly different in pictures than in person.  You can't make a unsubstantiated statement, comparing two locations, without having seen them in person.

why not? C-Dawg does it in every single post of his

liquor license reqs. or otherwise, I'm not digging the fact that 2/3 of the public realm is now turned over to paying customers only.  maybe I'll be happier down on the street, but something about the look of things just turns me off.

 

In America at least, whenever a law gets passed that targets people or businesses who strongly oppose it, there are unintended consequences because said targets try to minimize its impact.

 

In the case of the smoking law, bars are building outdoor patios.  They take up outdoor space because of the liquor laws requiring limited access (not to mention the bar's need to control its property) and the noise in the general area is increased.

 

 

The only thing going on on Michigan Ave. is shopping and people getting starbucks...  Considering what this was 3-4 years ago, I'd say it's a nice START.  E 4th is far from being completed.

The only thing going on on Michigan Ave. is shopping and people getting starbucks...  Considering what this was 3-4 years ago, I'd say it's a nice START.  E 4th is far from being completed.

 

Just curious, what is up next for E 4th?  Do we know? 

Well, La Strada (E. 4th), Theresa's Pizza (next to Jimmy John's), and Bang & Clatter theater (next to May Co. building) are still supposed be going in, although construction progress hasn't really been that notable. 

 

Then, a few months ago, BlackFinn, Hush, and Saigon Vietnamese -- three more restaurants -- were announced.

There has been a fair amount of work done on the Theresa's Pizza spot, even some recently, though it doesn't look like it is getting the full court press yet.  Still, it seems like they can only do more or less one thing at a time, and it takes 6 months to do one thing.  If that's right, then that is quite a que they have going on there.  Hopefully they don't lose prospective businesses in the wait.

Do u have to be a regular poster to get some action?  Could someone please post pictures of the new ZOCALO sign.  Thanks

No, you don't have to be a regular poster - we take requests! ;-)

 

Take out counter on the left; main entrance is through the alley (see second photo):

 

 

Can't go wrong with an alley entrance to a bar.

oh man Papyrus...

 

it looks nice and that entrance is a really cool idea

Thanks Mayday!!! I cant wait to come home to try all the new restaurants.  I don't care what anyone says Cleveland is headed in the right direction.  Keep the restaurants coming

Well I tried the take-out window at Zocalo today; the takeout window is limited to the basics (burritos, enchiladas, etc.). Decent food, portions are about average, it was enough for a bite (enchilada with salsa, chips, rice and beans for $5.99). The entrees listed (dine in only) seem promising.

^how were the crowds on E. 4th

Typically a lunch after a holiday weekend is very slow, but just wondering

Patios were full at both Pickwick, Corner Alley and Zocalo; HOB was decent but not jam-packed. It's 80ish and sunny-ish and plenty of people were out and about.

i was eating today at zocalo.

 

Atmosphere good (nice and busy)

Service: bad

Wait time on food: bad

Food Quality: below average (for the love of god please drain some of the water from the pork in my enchilada, the damn thing was swimming on my plate)

Hopefully it's a case of being a new place and needing to work out the kinks. Hopefully...

Hopefully it's a case of being a new place and needing to work out the kinks. Hopefully...

 

oh, while i wasn't impressed, I'm certainly going to give them a "pass" for being new (new staff, new menus, new cooks, new issues that no one can plan for in the first weeks). I'll try them again when it isn't the full and the lunch rush.

Pardon my saying so, but that facade looks like a cheap movie set!  I hope it's better in real life!  I'm glad they've got those big, slide-open windows, though.  That's a nice touch.

The facade signage is extremely cheaply done.  The movie set restaurants for Spiderman were a tad better.

^ [youtube=425,350]1TcqC24-24g

I was going to say I didn't like the sign too, but SOMEBODY previously said I was *tacky*, so I refrained!

its the Papyrus font used in the blue letters.  its basically the font that comes with every computer that looks "ethnic" and therefore lazily used for South America, Mexico, The Mediterranean, Asia, and Africa themed things...

Who the heck cares?  It's a new business, lets chalk this one up as a victory and not worry about the font they chose.

Who the heck cares?  It's a new business, lets chalk this one up as a victory and not worry about the font they chose.

 

exactly, the first thing anyone is going to notice about zocalo is its wide open appearance (even in the winter time), not the font on their sign.

 

"Oh honey, let's not eat there, it looks like a fourth grader designed their sign"

Welllll, as a designer, I have to agree. If they have great food/service, I could give a rat's @ss about the signage but since it looks like they need a litttttle work... bad signage might be the proverbial straw... ;-)

Welllll, as a designer, I have to agree. If they have great food/service, I could give a rat's @ss about the signage but since it looks like they need a litttttle work... bad signage might be the proverbial straw... ;-)

 

And the flip side..

 

"Honey, lets eat at Zocalo, their food taste like dog shit, but hey, they have GREAT signage!"

Not that I'm familiar with the culinary joys of dog excrement, but I can say that though their food wasn't fantastic, it didn't conjure any connections with doggy poo. :lol: I'd rather they improve the food first; even I can tolerate poor font choices every now and then.

I can't find a web site...is there one? An article on the styles of Mexican food featured made this place sound promising..

They have the URL registered but it looks like the site isn't active yet.

a bit off the topic, but they play that ks####'s Debbie Downer bit that at sidetracks in Chicago.  Maybe it is the booze, but everytime I see it, I nearly fall on the ground laughing.  Kinda kills my game, but a good belly laugh is priceless.