"(Clutch my pearls & Gasp)  How dare you."

 

Easily. Have you ever heard the phrase "Happy wife, happy life."? The lady wants Italian, she gets Italian - otherwise the guy wants something, but he won't get "something" - capiche? So try to break out of your Shady Square/Table 45 hoity-toity bubble once in a while ;-)

 

Anyhoo, stopped by El Jalapeño on West 117th (just south of Clifton) - it's not "purist" Mexican (for those who scoff at Nuevo Acapulco, etc.), but I'd put it among the better Mexican restaurants in Cleveland. I had the molé poblano and it was fantastic; the guac wasn't as good as my recipe but it was perfectly fine. The server was very accommodating when I said "por favor, necesito practicar mi español?" :-)

"(Clutch my pearls & Gasp)  How dare you."

 

Easily. Have you ever heard the phrase "Happy wife, happy life."? The lady wants Italian, she gets Italian - otherwise the guy wants something, but he won't get "something" - capiche? So try to break out of your Shady Square/Table 45 hoity-toity bubble once in a while ;-)

 

Anyhoo, stopped by El Jalapeño on West 117th (just south of Clifton) - it's not "purist" Mexican (for those who scoff at Nuevo Acapulco, etc.), but I'd put it among the better Mexican restaurants in Cleveland. I had the molé poblano and it was fantastic; the guac wasn't as good as my recipe but it was perfectly fine. The server was very accommodating when I said "por favor, necesito practicar mi español?" :-)

 

Shady Square?!

 

Oh honey, you're simple...you're shallow...and a common whore!  That's why I love ya.

 

Of couse I've heard the "happy wife, happy life" quote.  I have parents!  Sheesh. 

 

So instead of actually going to dinner in Little Italy, we were going to go today, we realized that Feast is going on and are just going to wander around and enjoy it.  After all she really just wanted cannoli.  So I think sometime in the near future we need to make it out to some of the places that were recommended.

 

BTW I have never been to the Feast so I'm really not sure what to expect. 

If you go on a Friday night, expect quite a crowd (actually almost too much of a crowd, I'm one of the people who has fun at the Feast, but likes Little Italy 100 times more when the Feast ISN'T going on).

You can also check out some of the establishments while you are there.  There are the old time traditional Italian places and the new "modern" versions. 

Michael Angelo’s, is tucked away down Murray Hill and has a wine bar if you just want to check it out.  Its very charming! 

If you go on a Friday night, expect quite a crowd (actually almost too much of a crowd, I'm one of the people who has fun at the Feast, but likes Little Italy 100 times more when the Feast ISN'T going on).

 

We are expecting the crowd, I recall driving around it to get to covnetry once.  And I do want to come back once the Feast is over so that we can kinda do our own thing.

 

But I do really enjoy a good Party :)

Anybody ever been to Via Van Aken?  Any good?

Anybody ever been to Via Van Aken? Any good?

 

Fine.... I'll do my own review then.  We went on Saturday night.  It is in that shopping plaza on the northwest corner of the Van Aken/Chagrin/Warrensville/Northfield intersection.  Right about where the Record Exchange used to be.

 

Nice atmosphere.  Small but comfortable.  Casual dress, but you would not feel out of place dressed up.  The type of place that gives you oils and herbs instead of butter with your bread.  The wife has a shellfish meal and scarfed it down.  My sister had the pizza and said it was great.  I went with a maple glazed atlantic salmon which had a real sweet taste to it.

 

Good place.  Very affordable.  Nice option for a date night.  Here is their website - http://www.viavanaken.com/

 

BTW, we went to see GLTC put on The Mystery of Edwin Drood at the Hanna after eating.  Very good performance by the cast even if it really was not my type of show.... too much singing and too heavy accents made it somewhat hard to follow.  Also, if you are familiar with the background, the plot is unclear.  Seems like more of a show for literary experts and Dickens fans.  The girls loved it.  It will be playing at the Hanna all month I believe.  We had first row balcony seats for $25 a piece.

 

Mmmmm... oil and herbs. You sold me on it.

Nice little piece from Channel 3:

 

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=123109&catid=3

 

Cleveland: Local chefs getting national press

    Michael O'Mara    Updated: 10/9/2009 5:41:22 AM  Posted: 10/8/2009 11:32:46 PM

Read Comments (5)Recommend (1)Print Article Email Article Larger Smaller 

 

CLEVELAND -- From the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune to Esquire Magazine, Cleveland-area chefs are getting high praise and attention.

 

 

Many food critics believe that when Tremont's own Michael Symon became an international celebrity as the "Iron Chef," his fame helped pump up the food scene for all of Cleveland.

 

Many talented local chefs decided to move home and open their own restaurants. Today, from Tremont to East 4th Street and across town to Shaker Square and Little Italy, there are major pockets of culinary excellence all across the city.

 

 

Did anyone see the single prop plane circling downtown this morning with a banner on the back advertising Chocolate Covered Bacon at Malleys?

Did anyone see the single prop plane circling downtown this morning with a banner on the back advertising Chocolate Covered Bacon at Malleys?

ummmmmmmmmm

^^ You know you're asking for trouble from EC with that... don't you?

 

:wave:  Hi EC

^^ You know you're asking for trouble from EC with that... don't you?

 

:wave: Hi EC

 

Why's that?  It's not healthy one bit, but worth a try.

I'm just joking around... i couldn't resist...

Congrats to Zack Bruell and L'Albatros for being named one of Esquire's Best New Restaurants of 2009:

 

FULL ARTICLE: http://www.esquire.com/features/food-drink/best-new-restaurants-2009/

are there any places that use organic/gluten free ingredients?

We went to the Chocolate Bar a couple weeks ago, and I must say, I was not impressed so much with the food.  My wife enjoyed her martini, but I thought the food was lacking.  I know it's not directly on 4th, but in the neighborhood. 

I have not tried their food, but their desserts and martinis are pretty good.

 

I have also seen a lot of complaints about the service, but the last time we were there the service was excellent.

I have also heard that their food is not that great, but the martinis are really good.  Sounds like an after dinner place more so.

I have not tried their food, but their desserts and martinis are pretty good.

 

I have also seen a lot of complaints about the service, but the last time we were there the service was excellent.

 

Yeah, the service was quite strange.  Granted, it is not a fancy restaurant by any means, but it is within a so called "trendy area".  Our server could not have been much older than 20, and he literally told us it was his first day.  I don't know if it was his first time waiting tables or not, but I would not be suprised if it wasn't.  This came in response to me asking him what he reccommends. 

I heard the food at chocolate bar was mediocre at best as well, and haven't bothered to check it out for that reason.

I heard the food at chocolate bar was mediocre at best as well, and haven't bothered to check it out for that reason.

 

You don't go to the Chocolate Bar for food.  I have never eaten the food there and it never crossed my mind to try the food.  It's a dessert and drinks type place that happens to have food (and I'm not really sure why they even bother with food).

I heard the food at chocolate bar was mediocre at best as well, and haven't bothered to check it out for that reason.

 

You don't go to the Chocolate Bar for food. I have never eaten the food there and it never crossed my mind to try the food. It's a dessert and drinks type place that happens to have food (and I'm not really sure why they even bother with food).

 

Well, it's kind of like the Cheesecake Factory.  It was established as a desert and fancy drink place years ago, and established it's menu as an American Consumer pleaser.  Nothing really special, but at least decent, and good portions.  If you are going to serve food, you better make an honest try at it, or you are going to leave a bad image in peoples mind.  I mean, why would I go back to this place.  Mediocre service, and terrifble food.  When you walk into a restaurant that has granite counter tops throughout, and nice decor, dimly lit,  you at least expect decent food if they have a menu to choose from.  My wife ordered the macorni and cheese.  I am not kidding, it really did look like it came out of the box.  Seriously, it looked like the same exact stuff we give our kids with parmesean sprinkled on top.

It is funny because I actually liked the food more then the dessert at the Chocolate Bar. The spinach and artichoke dip is really good and so is their white chocolate pasta (it's just a hint of chocolate). I agree on the Martinis as well. I have been there a few times now and I think the service is usually average - not great but not horrible either.

 

So far the worst food on that street for me has been Zocalo - maybe it was just a bad day for them.

You don't go to the Chocolate Bar for food. I have never eaten the food there and it never crossed my mind to try the food. It's a dessert and drinks type place that happens to have food (and I'm not really sure why they even bother with food).

 

Really? Then I guess they shouldn't be open for lunch in downtown Cleveland, as that's what people expect at lunchtime.  Not to many people going out for martinis and dessert at lunchtime downtown and skipping food, I'd wager. (though perhaps it would make for a happier afternoon).  Seriously, if the place is only supposed to be a bar/happy hour/evening type place, they shouldn't be open at lunchtime and have a food menu.

You don't go to the Chocolate Bar for food. I have never eaten the food there and it never crossed my mind to try the food. It's a dessert and drinks type place that happens to have food (and I'm not really sure why they even bother with food).

 

Really? Then I guess they shouldn't be open for lunch in downtown Cleveland, as that's what people expect at lunchtime. Not to many people going out for martinis and dessert at lunchtime downtown and skipping food, I'd wager. (though perhaps it would make for a happier afternoon). Seriously, if the place is only supposed to be a bar/happy hour/evening type place, they shouldn't be open at lunchtime and have a food menu.

 

It's specialty is desserts and drinks.  I'm not sure why they serve food, but they must find that the McDonald's eating public is willing to pay them money for (what I've heard is) mediocre at best food, then so be it.  But I don't go there for that reason, and I think of it as what it was originally named after, a bar that serves drinks and desserts (notice it's not called The Chocolate Bar and Restaurant or The Chocolate Bar and Grille).

Their website says "Great food. Martinis. Dessert."  All get equal billing.  Just sayin'.

Their website says "Great food. Martinis. Dessert."  All get equal billing.  Just sayin'.

 

OK, well I recommend going there just for Martinis and dessert.

On a related note, I don't understand why you would open a restaurant downtown and either a) put very little effort into producing good food or b) refuse to serve lunch at all (the new Metro).  A lot of dinner business can be drawn by those who have lunch there, or have a co-worker who has enjoyed a lunch at a place and recommends it to friends for dinner.  Aren't you kind of shooting yourself in the foot to either have a bad lunch or no lunch and then expect to have a thriving business in the evening?  I guess in the case of chocolate bar, they aren't looking to impress anyone with their food, but if you're going to have a full menu, put a little effort into it, and into training the servers if you want to survive. And I have heard several people in disbelief that after the big renovation that Metro has done, that they have decided not to open back up for lunches when a LOT of people used to go there for lunch in their old Metropolitan days.  I just don't understand this. 

I hear you RnR.  Really, if you go to a restarant, have a good drink, terrible food, with medicre service, the poor service and food will overshadow the drink.  Food and service is always the draw to a bar/restaurant.  Alcohol is always the restaurants perk for profit. 

 

As far as not being open for lunch, some peoples overhead is so great, that they can not afford to just serve food in open hours as they very so much have to be serving marked up alcohol products.  It's the truth.  Turning the lights on and staffing a kitchen loses some restaurants so much money when they are not serving alot of drinks.  Kind of like not opening on Sunday's as it is not typically a drinking day.  Looking at the Metro, and the kind of establishment it is, I can not imagine they make any money off food, and simply bank on serving alot of alcohol at night. 

Well, I have to say that I recently visited the Chocolate Bar and the food and drinks were great.  Service was good as well.  Me and the Mrs. will definitely be going there again... she LOVED the chocolate peanut butter martini with the chocolate straw (yummy!).

^good to hear a positive report, OMLL.  Maybe they're getting their stuff together now that they've been open awhile.

Well, I have to say that I recently visited the Chocolate Bar and the food and drinks were great.  Service was good as well.  Me and the Mrs. will definitely be going there again... she LOVED the chocolate peanut butter martini with the chocolate straw (yummy!).

 

Sometimes people catch a restaurant on an off day. I have had better or less than better experiences at a same restaurant.... Could be the help that day...Maybe someone new and such may have created a domino effect

it is bordering on idiotic that Metro can not put together lunch service. the location and patio are prime.  Despite the chainious vibe of the former metropolitan, I have to say I had some nice oysters and martinis there. It is really sad they are not reconsidering doing some lunch there. Not that I ever have time to take a proper lunch but for the people that do....

Rumor has it that Reddstone is coming under new management.

 

Hopefully food and service will improve...I really have wanted to like this place since it is in walking distance, but it consistently lets me down.

 

No new management, some additional investors bought in. I think Josh does a great job with food & drinks there. Sometimes it takes awhile to get your food or drinks, but the patio has been packed since the warm weather. Great crowd, very diverse & friendly, great vibe there.

 

Agree, we were there Friday night, and the patio was busy.  Ate at the bar and the place was entertaining with a band setting up and everything.  i love that patio, ohh and the food is pretty good too.

re:Reddstone

 

Maybe we've just been unlucky multiple times.

 

Like the time when the frier ventilation broke and and our entire upstairs party had to leave and have our coats drycleaned because they smelled like chicken wings.

 

Or the time they accidentally ran $8980 on our credit card for a $89.80 tab

 

Or the time the waitress told me " we don't carry olives" when I ordered a martini and recommended I just order beer instead

 

As for the food ......it's OK most of the time ...but just OK

 

And yeah, the patio is nice......but I liked it a hell of a lot better when it was the *old* Snickers (ie the Circa 1994 Snickers)

 

 

Reddstone is a great place - in my experience the food and service has always been good.  And you can't beat $.15 wing night!   

re:Reddstone

 

Maybe we've just been unlucky multiple times.

 

Like the time when the frier ventilation broke and and our entire upstairs party had to leave and have our coats drycleaned because they smelled like chicken wings.

 

Or the time they accidentally ran $8980 on our credit card for a $89.80 tab

 

Or the time the waitress told me " we don't carry olives" when I ordered a martini and recommended I just order beer instead

 

As for the food ......it's OK most of the time ...but just OK

 

And yeah, the patio is nice......but I liked it a hell of a lot better when it was the *old* Snickers (ie the Circa 1994 Snickers)

 

 

 

I think you are unlucky, unfortunately.  Also, I never want to go to Redd Stone with you, or when you are there, I think you have some bad juju for that place. 

Clifton is "boulevardy".  Other boulevards are East Blvd., West Blvd., MLK, Jr. Blvd (used to be Liberty Blvd.), and Lake Shore Blvd.  There are probably a few others I am missing.  Chagrin Blvd. does not run through Cleveland, it turns to Kinsman Rd. at the Shaker Heights/Cleveland border.

 

And to bring this back on topic...

 

Has anyone had better luck than I at Stone Mad?  The patio is cool, and the bocce in the back, but I have been really, really disappointed in the food the couple times that I have eaten there.

 

Has anyone had better luck than I at Stone Mad? The patio is cool, and the bocce in the back, but I have been really, really disappointed in the food the couple times that I have eaten there.

 

Haven't been there in a few months (around Avatar release night), but for the food has been pretty good.  I do wish they had a different potato option compared to the pseudo-hashbrowns that I really dislike, but otherwise have liked the food.

 

stone mad has a beautiful space-even the restrooms are works of art (cheers to Irish Pete..or is it American Pete?)  I enjoy the drinks and service has always been top notch...but food is just average-decent. At happy hour you can't be too disappointed if you grab that chopped salad and burger.