New restaurant on Main St. opening soon courtesy of Dayton's Thai 9

 

http://www.downtownakron.com/newsitem/cilantro-thai-to-open-at-former-piattos

Cilantro Thai to open at former Piatto's

Dayton man, mother are finalizing restaurant menu for September

By Lisa Abraham

Beacon Journal food writer

Published on Wednesday, Jul 08, 2009

 

With all of the recent restaurant closings, it's nice to be able to report on an opening, even if it is several months away.  The former Piatto restaurant, which has sat vacant on South Main Street in downtown Akron for the past three and a half years, is expected to open in September as Cilantro Thai and Sushi Restaurant.  Building owner Jeff O'Neil said he will be in town this week to sign a lease with Charlie Somtrakool, a Dayton resident who will be relocating to Akron in the next few weeks to open the restaurant.

CHOPPED

 

/\/\ Went by there this past week and they have a sign up in the window.  I wish them the best, that is a big space.

The Dayton location looks good.

http://www.thai9restaurant.com/Main.html

 

I don't drink Natty (unless some flip cup is involved), love a Guiness or a Dortmunder.  Something about there beer just didn't taste right to me.  Like a cheap version of Great Lakes.  IDK, maybe I just didn't give them much of a chance.  On St. Patty's I was drinking Cardinal Ale, but we had another kind and took it back b/c it was undrinkable.

Understand that small batch breweries sometimes have problems keeping consistency.  When I taste a beer thats off I try to understand why that beer is off.  You may be very correct that the beer wasn't right when you tried it.  That is the beauty of trying the beer in a brewery is you can question the brewer in what is going on with the beer.  Maybe the brewer will say they screwed up the beer that time.  Maybe the brewer will say they tried something different or had different yeast or couldn't get the correct hops they wanted at that time of the year.  (We were in a hop shortage then)  Not everyone's taste is the same and they are interested in hearing what other palates are tasting irregardless of whether it is liked or not. 

 

I wouldn't count out a brewery after one time going there and trying just 2 beers especially ones that are not producing at a consistent large volume or a narrow scope.  Ohio Brewing has made at least 15 different types of beers in the past year.  That truly is a craft brewery.  If you try 5-8 beers and you're still not liking anything, then you may have some valid points.

I had their sampler when they first opened, don't recall any standouts, maybe time to try it again.

 

Its kind of amazing how much beer parallels wine now.  They was an article in the ABJ recently how micorbrews are starting to use aluminum cans again b/c they retain the freshness better.

Cilantro has opened downtown where Piatto used to be located.  I walked by the other day and from the window is seemed like another nicely done / trendy restaurant addition to downtown.  Now for the retail and living!  They have sushi and thai food.

 

website is not up yet, but this is the address:

http://www.cilantrothai.com

 

Cilantro Thai to open at former Piatto's

Dayton man, mother are finalizing restaurant menu for September

By Lisa Abraham

Beacon Journal food writer

 

http://www.downtownakron.com/newsitem/cilantro-thai-to-open-at-former-piattos

 

 

Also, Mr. Zub's is open in Highland Square.  It's a sandwich / sub place with a twist.  The sandwiches are named after characters in popular movies.  I had the "Uncle Rico" Roast Beef, tater tots and chive cream cheese on a wheat bagel.  They have about 20+ sandwiches.  Urbanspoon has photos of their menu:

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/16/1481919/restaurant/Cleveland/Mr-Zubs-Deli-at-the-Matinee-Akron

Word is that the former location of The Grotto in the valley will be opening as "Pub Bricco", from the owners of the dowtown Akron and Cleveland locations.  The space had been renovated for an Irish themed pub, but never opened.

 

Edit:

Did a search and found an ad for employement:

Pub Bricco will be opening 11/16 in the Merriman Valley. We will feature gourmet burgers and a full bar in addition to selected Bricco favorites from our successful restaurants in downtown Akron and Cleveland. We are accepting applications for servers, bartenders, cooks, dishwashers and bussers in person. Management possibilities down the road. Only those with a love for the business and a strong work ethic need apply as we only have a few positions available. Apply in person Tuesday thru Friday 11am to 4pm or Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm. 1841 Merriman Road (formerly the Grotto)

Relish diverse choices from authentic Thai to upscale burgers

New eateries expand menu of options

 

Brave crop of restaurateurs bring affordable selections to Akron area

 

By Lisa Abraham

Beacon Journal food writer

 

http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/food/69664917.html

Went to Pub Bricco last night in the Valley. 

Here is the menu and website:

http://www.pubbricco.com/menu

Had a turkey burger w/ sprouts, avacado, feta, roasted red peppers on a wheat bun.  It was very tasty.  The bun was nice too, only complaint is that it could have used more feta.

Also tried the chorizo beer cheese fries.  Nothing overwhelming, but not a bad side to share.

 

 

Also, as was posted here:

http://www.ohioverticals.com/blogs/realestate/2009/11/rumors-bricco-explosion/

 

I was able to confirm that Bricco will be opening a fourth location in the Four Points Sheraton across from Summit Mall.  They are in the process of finalizing contracts.

Not necessarily a restaurant, but...

 

Hot-dog vendor wants later hours on Highland Square menu

By Jim Carney

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/80915062.html

Two local restaurant chains spread wings as one business

Wing Warehouse and Scorchers merge, hope to expand geographically once economy improves

 

By Paula Schleis

Beacon Journal business writer

 

Published on Monday, Jan 25, 2010

 

Darrell Guariniello and Denny Lowe laugh heartily as they remember their first conversation two years ago.

 

Both were owners of locally founded restaurant chains and the very definition of ''competitor.''

 

Lowe and his wife, Brenda, had successfully franchised about a dozen bar and grills under the Scorchers brand they created in 1994, while Guariniello had purchased Wing Warehouse and was flying his flag at six Northeast Ohio locations...

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/82574647.html

The Chowder House is a MUST!

by Tia on February 15, 2010

in Commercial RE

 

The experience was so fun and the food was so good I had to write about it!

http://www.ohioverticals.com/blogs/realestate/2010/02/the-chowder-house-is-a-must/

Ooooh, that does sound like a good time (and I'll be glad I read that blog entry about it, too, since I almost never carry much cash or a blank check on me).  May have to give that one a looking-into in the not-too-distant future.

 

Going back up the thread: I tried Cilantro a couple of months ago now, not long after it opened.  It was decent, but I'm not sure it's going to last long past its honeymoon.  I haven't been back, and I both live and work within walking distance of the place.  Maybe they've done some new things with the space since then, but there were still markings on the walls where the remodeling hadn't completely gotten rid of what had been there before.

 

Also going to be very interested in what might come into the old OBC space.  That is a large space in a great location.

Also going to be very interested in what might come into the old OBC space.  That is a large space in a great location.

Yes, it's really too large for downtown right now, both in sq. ft. and the volume of the space.

I had read that OBC was moving to the building across the street from Cilantro that is currently being renovated.  I have not seen any signs for that, but on one side there are signs that a "Pita Pit" will be opening there.  I have heard good things about that chain.

 

http://www.pitapit.com/

They had (and still have, AFAIK) a Pita Pit on High St. in Columbus across from OSU, and they also have one in Kent by KSU.  For that matter, I think they actually had one at UVA, too.  I guess they like to locate near large universities.  I was there probably around once a month when I was at OSU.  Good stuff indeed.

 

I had heard that OBC was moving into that building across from Cilantro as well to set up a cafe/pub, with the actual brewery being around the corner on Broadway.  That was a while ago now, and I'd have hoped to see some signs.

 

I agree about the volume of the space next to Barley House, since anyone who leases that space is going to be heating and air conditioning an awful lot of empty space.  I would hope that something that size would be viable in downtown Akron, though.  Spaghetti Warehouse is massive and seems to do well, though they have the advantage of a much larger parking lot.  Barley House seems to be hanging in there fairly well, largely by locking up a lot of the UA crowd.

MMM Pita pit... There was one in Athens when I was at OU. Good stuff. Should be popular with the UA crowd as well.

Sounds like competition for Europe Gyro.  Should be interesting..

 

Also, the word on the street is that OBC will reopen in the valley someplace.  No more downtown location..

Pita Pit is a lot better than EuroGyro, if we're think of the same place.

Where exactly is the Pita Pit going it at?  I am confused from the postd above.

It sounds like across Main from Cilantro, but I haven't seen that sign myself.  It would be a logical place for a Pita Pit, though the sandwich competition will definitely get pretty heated there: Subway is opening up just across Exchange from Bricco, which is basically three buildings to the south.  Diamond Deli and Jimmy John's are already there.  And there are still two or three empty spaces in the 22 Exchange building, including the corner space that would be good for a Panera or something in that class.

More options for lunch! I'll take it. Although I will admit that in this weather I have not made it down there in a few months.

Where exactly is the Pita Pit going it at? I am confused from the postd above.

 

325 S. Main St.

See bldg. here:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,8276.0/msg,415093.html

Does anyone know whats going in the old Bennigan's in Chapel Hill?

Does anyone know whats going in the old Bennigan's in Chapel Hill?

 

I was wondering that myself.  They are resurfacing it, but no sign outside.  They have also started some work on the one on the hill in Montrose.

 

After a second look, its going to be a Brickhouse Tavern & Tap.

After a second look, its going to be a Brickhouse Tavern & Tap.

 

Do they have a sign up or you have just heard that?  It's this place, right?  http://brickhousetavernandtap.com

The place that was mentioned on page 1 in Highland Sq. is supposedly back on track and supposed to open in October.  If it's still the same owners and chef, it was supposed to be called 'Canto'

Market Street Cafe closes its doors

 

Owner of Metro Burger to focus on franchise. Grotto, Fedeli shuttered

 

By Lisa Abraham

Beacon Journal food writer

 

Scott Burford has closed his Market Street Cafe in Akron's Wallhaven neighborhood to focus on franchising his Metro Burger restaurant.

 

Also putting up the closed signs are the Olive Tree in downtown Akron, the Grotto on Tallmadge Circle, and Fedeli in downtown Canton.

 

The new Wing Warehouse at Canal Park stadium in downtown Akron also has opened. Wing Warehouse's hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday to Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. The wing chain is replacing Menches Brothers, which left the stadium after nine years.

 

http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/91679624.html

Is there a new starbucks coming to downtown that wont be on UA property? Oh I also heard rumors of a cold stone having talks with some owner of a downtown building.. 

Is there a new starbucks coming to downtown that wont be on UA property? Oh I also heard rumors of a cold stone having talks with some owner of a downtown building..

 

Audidave mentioned that 22 Exchange might be getting one.  I could see a Coldstone there as well, or over in that historic building that is being renovated, where the Pita Pit is going.  I guess Ohio Brewing is not going to be moving in there.

Flavor resurgence

Summer fare, fresh produce greet diners as restaurants finally see business pick up

 

By Lisa Abraham

Beacon Journal food writer

 

The good news for diners is that a host of new menus filled with fresh dishes and summer flavors will be making their debuts as they venture out.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/95329219.html

3 Point owners hope to score big

Big City Chophouse in Akron to have new identity, menu, prices

 

By Lisa Abraham

Beacon Journal food writer

 

Look for new signs soon to be hanging over the Big City Chophouse at 45 E. Market St. in downtown Akron.

 

Owner John Kouvas has sold the location to Chad Leek and Domenic Fragomeni, who expect to change the name to 3 Point as soon as their signs come in.

 

 

 

Food Network in town 

 

Food Network is working on a new show, Food Feuds, about crosstown food rivalries, with Cleveland chef Michael Symon as the host.

 

I hear that Swensons Drive In Restaurants versus Skyway Drive-in and a Barberton chicken battle are being considered for possible food feuds.

 

http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/97456964.html

Taste of Bangkok Opens on East Exchange Street

 

A special welcome to University Park's newest restaurant!  "Taste of Bangkok"  brings an authentic taste of Thailand to the neighborhood.  Stop by for a quick lunch, carryout or hang-out for dinner. The staff is sure to deliver neighborhood style service with food you'll be coming back for.  Open seven days a week at 514 East Exchange Street, Akron, OH 44304.  Call 330.252.2270

 

http://www.upakron.com/up-news

National Hamburger Festival is this weekend

http://www.hamburgerfestival.com/

 

 

Great event, $5 to get in then food and drink tickets, but they will also have music at Lock 3.  Nice way to spend an afternoon or early evening.

 

This is the most vendors I remember them having before.  Two new food trucks will be there Dim and den Sum of Cleveland area and Eric's Mobile Grille who's owner graduated from CIA.

 

Is there a new starbucks coming to downtown that wont be on UA property? Oh I also heard rumors of a cold stone having talks with some owner of a downtown building..

 

 

Audidave mentioned that 22 Exchange might be getting one. I could see a Coldstone there as well, or over in that historic building that is being renovated, where the Pita Pit is going. I guess Ohio Brewing is not going to be moving in there.

 

 

Its actually a Nervous Dog Coffee Bar that is going in there.

The Starbucks is going into the other University owned Exchange street dorms up the street. 

Nice.. It will have a street front then.. I will visit alot!

 

 

Not quite restaurants but food markets.. Excellent list and story of the diversity and strength of the amazing variety of markets in Akron.

Ethnic bounty at Akron shops

Specialty markets sell tastes of other continents, cultures to a more diverse population

 

By Lisa Abraham

Beacon Journal food writer

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/101457319.html

 

You'd be surprised what you can find to eat in Akron if you know where to look. The area has a wealth of ethnic and specialty markets selling ingredients imported from throughout the world — Mexico, India, Korea, Greece, Serbia, Peru. There are virtually no ethnic foods that can't be found in the Akron area, and so no need to shy away from trying authentic recipes.

Exotic spices, tropical fruits, unique cuts of meat are all here, thanks to the area's diverse ethnic population, which has been growing and changing for more than 150 years.

 

When the Beacon Journal last compiled a list of ethnic markets eight years ago, there were no Hispanic or Latin American markets in the city. Shoppers had to resort to small international sections at grocery stores for their finds or head to Cleveland for items like ancho chili peppers or corn husks for tamales.

What a difference eight years have made.

Michael Symon’s ‘Food Feuds’ to weigh in on Akron burgers, Barberton chicken

 

Lisa Abraham

Beacon Journal food writer

 

Swensons or Skyway? Belgrade Gardens or Whitehouse?

 

These food debates, which have been going on in the Akron area for generations, are going national.

 

The Food Network is rolling into town this week to stop at the four iconic eateries as part of the new show Food Feuds, hosted by Cleveland’s Iron Chef Michael Symon. The tentative air date is November.

 

The crew from the show is expected to make its first stop Wednesday morning at Whitehouse Chicken, 180 Wooster Road N., and later in the afternoon will head to Belgrade Gardens, 401 E. State St.

 

http://the330.com/featured/michael-symons-food-feuds-to-weigh-in-on-akron-burgers-barberton-chicken/

Hoppin' Frog Brewery in Akron takes gold at prestigious Great American Beer Festival

 

By Rick Armon

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Wednesday, Sep 22, 2010

 

Fred Karm, Hoppin' Frog brewmaster and winner of a beer festival gold medal for his pumpkin ale, displays some of his beers.

 

Brewer Fred Karm apparently doesn't mess around with those minor silver and bronze medals.

 

For the second time in three years, his Hoppin' Frog Brewery in Akron won a gold medal at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival.

 

http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/103506054.html

 

 

Mug Ale back after 50 years

 

Thirsty Dog retrieves brew made in Akron

 

By Rick Armon

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Published on Wednesday, Sep 22, 2010

 

Thirsty Dog is producing Mug Ale, a local favorite that disappeared after the iconic, family-owned Burkhardt Brewing Co. closed decades ago.

 

http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/103506034.html

Fetch beer at Thirsty Dog

Five different brands of bourbon on menu

 

By Rick Armon

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Published on Friday, Oct 01, 2010

 

The Akron brewery — maker of such beers as Old Leghumper and 12 Dogs of Christmas — has installed a bar and will offer 12 of its beers on draft.

 

The grand opening is from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the brewery, 529 Grant St. Najeway plans to

tap a special cask of conditioned pumpkin porter for the occasion and some food will be available.

 

Regular hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

 

Regular brewery tours are held at 3 p.m. each Saturday, although they also are given upon request.

 

The beer at the tasting room isn't free. Four 3-ounce samples will cost $4. Pints will be $4; or $5 for high-alcohol beers.

 

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/104134729.html

Hudson's to open Copley restaurant

Old Carolina Barbecue to start Baja Pizzafish. New Chipotle in Stark

 

By Lisa Abraham

Beacon Journal food writer

 

Published on Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010

 

Hudson's is going into the former Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, which closed in December 2008.

 

Meanwhile, the owners of Old Carolina Barbecue have been debuting their newest concept, Baja Pizzafish, around town.....Look for the first Akron-Canton area location to open in spring 2011.

 

http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/106592433.html

Dec.1 opening set for Triple Crown

Becker ends his Rockne's franchise, opens with new restaurant concept

 

By Lisa Abraham

Beacon Journal food writer

 

Lots of restaurant news to report this week:

 

• For those of you who have been calling and asking, Deborah Parz says to look for the Triple Crown restaurant in Munroe Falls to reopen around Dec. 1.

 

Parz purchased the restaurant

on South Main Street in September. It had been closed since February 2007.

 

http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/107018033.html

 

Is there a new starbucks coming to downtown that wont be on UA property? Oh I also heard rumors of a cold stone having talks with some owner of a downtown building.. 

 

 

Audidave mentioned that 22 Exchange might be getting one.  I could see a Coldstone there as well, or over in that historic building that is being renovated, where the Pita Pit is going.  I guess Ohio Brewing is not going to be moving in there.

 

Its actually a Nervous Dog Coffee Bar that is going in there.

 

Update on this: One of the people working at the Wallhaven Nervous Dog today told me that they hope to have the Nervous Dog at 22 Exchange open by Christmas.  The construction has progressed to the point where it's visible to a pedestrian walking by, which usually is a signal that construction is getting close to complete (since a great deal of time on any project is spent doing things that aren't visible to a passerby), so they may well be accurate in thinking that.

Nervous Dog did get open in time, just barely.  They opened on the 23rd.

 

1. The Kieser Building's new tenant (this is a fact vs rumor) – A hookah bar.  The current hooka bar down the street is not moving – it is a second bar opening.  I have to admit I am very skeptical.  I didn't know there was enough business to support one Hookah bar vs two…………

 

3. 22 E Exchange Street: Lux is leaving its current location to go across the street.  It makes sense.  Aside from a MUCH smaller heating bill  - it is a better space for a bar/ club.  Second story retail is tough.

 

4. Chipotle coming to campus……apparently Highland Square is a hike!  HA

 

http://www.ohioverticals.com/blogs/realestate/2010/12/rumors-hookah-coffee-and-burritos-oh-my/

I hadn't thought about Lux moving across the street.  Does that mean that Rubber City Grill will be moving across the street as well?

 

It doesn't say where the Chipotle is coming.  Is that coming to 22 Exchange as well?  Chipotle and Panera were two of my leading picks for larger ground-level spaces there.

 

You're right about second story retail being tough.  I'm guessing that that will make life all but impossible for Wing Warehouse up the street, too--which, despite being right next to Barley House, gets only a fraction of the traffic.

 

Also, which building is the Kieser Building?  Is that the Kaiser Building (where Karma Cafe is coming in)?  I wish I knew what that restaurant was going to be; another hookah bar would definitely be a heck of a lot in a very small area, especially given the low population density of downtown after-hours.  Honestly, I don't know how any business with basically no lunch revenue survives in that area--and I say that as someone who lives in downtown Akron.

The Kaiser Bldg. is where the Pita Pit is. 

 

The Diamond Deli is only open for lunch.  It seems like there are some restaurants that can only survive on lunch and some only on dinner.

 

Wing Warehouse should not have moved in there.  It should be a restaurant that is owned and run by the ballpark.  Being 2nd story, probably some people don't know its up there and open all the time.

Diamond Deli is now open until 8!  They extended their hours at the start of the new school year (probably due to the completion of 22 Exchange, which brought a lot more customers into walking range).

 

I agree about Wing Warehouse; I actually know the new owners (they're two younger guys who also live downtown), which makes me feel bad about saying that.  In particular, the fact that they don't own the rights to the somewhat uninviting stairwell (which restricts their ability to spiffy it up a little) seriously handicaps them against Barley House, which is right across the street.

 

In other Akron-Canton restaurant news: I think Fatz, next to Mayflower Manor, has also closed.  It and the nightclub above it (Vertigo) are rumored to be for sale.

That location is graveyard for business.  I hadn't been in there since it was Panini's.  Glad to hear about DD, will have to stop in sometime.

 

Canal Park plans more extreme eats

January 21, 2011 by Akron Beacon Journal Leave a Comment Filed under: Dining, Featured 2 Tagged with

 

Lisa Abraham

Beacon Journal food writer

 

Canal Park chef Jason Kerton on Wednesday debuted a big beefy greeting for Akron Aeros fans.

 

The ”Nice 2 Meat You,” a burger stuffed with two hot dogs, bacon, cheese and onions, weighing in at 2 pounds, will debut at the park on April 7.

 

http://the330.com/dining/canal-park-plans-more-extreme-eats/

Score one for cognitive associations: After reading the headline ("... more extreme eats"), I would have sworn that the byline said "Akron Bacon Journal."  Maybe my subconscious is trying to tell me something ... :-)

 

Also: With respect to Wing Warehouse, their street visibility is definitely higher now that they have the large, light-up signs at street level both on the north- and south-facing walls of Canal Park near the entrance (with a decent amount of white in the image, which by accident or design makes the sign quite visible on that stretch).  Definitely a good investment, since out of sight is out of business in the restaurant world.

Paolo's, new restaurant in the former Whiskey Dick's location. Same building as LUX and Bricco.

 

 

Thie video says it should be open in the next week or so. I think it says "casual fine dining" or something, but I heard it's going to be more like a pizza and wine bar. Doesn't look like they did much to the interior. It is a decent space already, but sometimes people need a fresh look to make them forget what was there before. What was there before was a bar that became notorious for a fight with 3 baseball players, two of the Akron Aeros at the time.

http://ht.ly/42Jr5