May 24, 201015 yr ... and very graceful and feminine topography... As I think back, I haven't seen this adjective used to describe topography. Should I have? Does this mean it's hilly?
May 24, 201015 yr ^ This is a great place indeed. I was just thinking of outer areas around the city and what comes to mind is not really a secret, but I don't see it mentioned a whole lot....but the drive along Chagrin River Road from approximately Miles Rd. north to approximately I-90. Very scenic, many great parks, side roads, villages, and very graceful and feminine topography. Gorgeous in the Autumn. Hard to believe one would be minutes from the center of the city. I think somewhere around here is also the place of the legend of the Melonheads. There is also a hill on Rt. 87 not far that allows you to see the Key Tower. Lastly, The West Woods Nature Center nearby is a great place for viewing local "backyard Cleveland wildlife" The streams make tantalizing photos on a nice fall or spring day. Chagrin river road was supposed to be a parkway and part of the Emerald Necklace but Hunting Valley refused to authorize Metroparks to connect the North and South Chagrin Reservations. This would have by now resulted in a complete Necklace, encircling the City of Cleveland, its suburbs and one of the best bicycle tours in the nation. It is my hope that the new Metroparks Director will seek this end as I believe the time may be right. There is very little left to connect and there have been some incremental additions to that end.
May 25, 201015 yr ^ Wow...very interesting and it would be nice. This is such a gorgeous area. The topography is perfect for bicycling. Great photo opportunities there too. One thing I want to mention as well. Not to far from here---about 40 minutes outside Public Square to be more detailed---about 12 years back, a hold out population of native Brook Trout was discovered in small tributary near a Geauga Park District park. What is so special about this? Well, for one thing, the species was thought to be extirpated from Ohio (meaning not extinct, but no longer found in Ohio)...2. This is one of the most gorgeous fishes you will ever see in the breeding year..and 3. it is so symbolic of remnants of wilderness Ohio and a clean water indicator species. part of Cleveland's regional unique natural heritage. Luckily, the effort by the park district and others bought this property and spared it from McMansion invasion that would have surely wiped out this treasure to be proud of. This is a protected species and off limits to fishing.
May 25, 201015 yr ... and very graceful and feminine topography... As I think back, I haven't seen this adjective used to describe topography. Should I have? Does this mean it's hilly? Pervert.
May 26, 201015 yr ^ Yes, a sort of way to describe graceful "hilliness" in contrast to stark and bold UP and DOWN. Just a way I heard it put many years ago by a Nature Conservancy worker. I liked it. The slopes/ gentle hills are sexy!
May 26, 201015 yr I don't know if this is a big secret, but I went to the Hessler street fair last week and afterwards hit up Guarino's in Little Italy. There's apparently this huge back patio with really colorful tablecloths on the tables - I had no idea that the restaurant opened up so much in the back, which is funny since Guranio's is kind of a darkish place on the inside.
May 26, 201015 yr Two comments... Hessler street, although known well by students/locals in that area... I am surprised at how many are unaware of this cozy little area. Love that area...and Guarinos... Godfather-ish on the inside... Light and airy on the outside. It is a surprise if one has not walked out back to see.
May 26, 201015 yr It literally is night and day. Great wine, calamari and bruschetta a little over priced
May 26, 201015 yr Love the tiny restroom in Guarinos... Almost designed for midgets! This place is also so very original...Not trying to go out of its way to be something special. The appeal and charm is implied and not forced, if that makes any sense.
May 26, 201015 yr My rehearsal dinner was at Guarino's. It was perfect, especially since it was a beautiful day out and people could relax and socialize on the back patio (we ate inside). And their red sauce is the second best I've had (behind my wife's :) ). I don't compare this to Carrie Cerino's. I think that place is just ugly and tacky. The patio at Guarino's, while colorful, is very cozy and comfortable. The inside is the same way. Tight, dark quarters and old-timey quirkiness, not cheesy kitsch.
May 26, 201015 yr Speaking of tacky....Mama S's reminds me of the typical Italian or other Euro immigrant thing to do between the late 50's and early 70's....remodel the basement with a bar and paneling...add a kitchen and small tables and tray tables (like the kinds we used at Graduation parties) many chairs.... checkered tile floor and maybe some table cloths and tacky lights. Indeed, Mamas is tacky, but the charm lies in that tackiness because to me, it reminds me of a comforting time of the basement remodel job where the food was fantastic! This may ring a bell for some.. I don't expect everyone to see what I see in this kind of tackiness! :-D
May 26, 201015 yr Speaking of tacky....Mama S's reminds me of the typical Italian or other Euro immigrant thing to do between the late 50's and early 70's....remodel the basement with a bar and paneling...add a kitchen and small tables and tray tables (like the kinds we used at Graduation parties) many chairs.... checkered tile floor and maybe some table cloths and tacky lights. Indeed, Mamas is tacky, but the charm lies in that tackiness because to me, it reminds me of a comforting time of the basement remodel job where the food was fantastic! This may ring a bell for some.. I don't expect everyone to see what I see in this kind of tackiness! :-D I agree that Mamma Santa's and Carrie Cerino's are more along the lines of kitschy/tacky which is charming to some. I'm not a big fan, though, although it's better than modern and plain.
May 26, 201015 yr Aww, CC's has a real charm to it. I love the oversized wooden booths in the tap room and the kitschy lights and old style carpet as you come in. I think it encompasses that "parma" type charm someone was talking about. It's like something out of Donnie Brasco.
May 26, 201015 yr Aww, CC's has a real charm to it. I love the oversized wooden booths in the tap room and the kitschy lights and old style carpet as you come in. I think it encompasses that "parma" type charm someone was talking about. It's like something out of Donnie Brasco. This IS "vintage Parma charm!"...Just the kind I was talking about, and for some reason, I am thinking of something else.....the Mary Tyler Moore show comes to mind when the news staff used to go to Steak and Ale for dinner and lunch. That type of interior has the "family restaurant of the 70's charm" I have been talking about. The booths are a good mention. I guess maybe it is an acquired taste. So, this leads to maybe another idea for Best Kept Secrets..and that is, places in and around Cleveland that bare this kind of "beauty" and nostalgia of that era and is still maintained in good condition, or made to look like that. How many can anyone name? Here is a You Tube video commercial set in just such a place.... Notice how everyone actually drank beer out of a glass! Love that.... the mugs and all.....adds some class! To me, there is no better way to enjoy a nice cold beer. Something about the experience it gives the mind. The beer, with a collar about 1/2 inch makes for a nice aroma too.
May 26, 201015 yr Yes, like the steak and ale! I would love to know of other places like this, we love kitsch like this. I would add Luigi's in Akron to the list. EC, you would love this place we found in Scottsdale with a strip club name - the Pink Pony. It is a super old fashioned steakhouse, like you still get the basket of crackers and the relish tray. It's AWESOME. ETA: OMG the pink pony closed! I am so sad!
May 26, 201015 yr I would love to know of other places like this, we love kitsch like this. I would add Luigi's in Akron to the list. Serafini's in Erie, PA. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=serafini%27s&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.444078,114.169922&ie=UTF8&hq=serafini%27s&hnear=&ll=39.571822,-95.712891&spn=0,114.169922&t=h&z=4&layer=c&cbll=42.101925,-80.139911&panoid=UZ07UyjFLi_n5P2J9uuXqA&cbp=12,314.54,,0,-1.28
May 26, 201015 yr Speaking of tacky....Mama S's reminds me of the typical Italian or other Euro immigrant thing to do between the late 50's and early 70's....remodel the basement with a bar and paneling...add a kitchen and small tables and tray tables (like the kinds we used at Graduation parties) many chairs.... checkered tile floor and maybe some table cloths and tacky lights. Indeed, Mamas is tacky, but the charm lies in that tackiness because to me, it reminds me of a comforting time of the basement remodel job where the food was fantastic! This may ring a bell for some.. I don't expect everyone to see what I see in this kind of tackiness! :-D Does for me, pasta with octopus or eels. Can't remember what they called it. It was good though.
May 31, 201015 yr Yes, like the steak and ale! I would love to know of other places like this, we love kitsch like this. I would add Luigi's in Akron to the list. EC, you would love this place we found in Scottsdale with a strip club name - the Pink Pony. It is a super old fashioned steakhouse, like you still get the basket of crackers and the relish tray. It's AWESOME. ETA: OMG the pink pony closed! I am so sad! I think I would love the setting. Although I am vegetarian.... I still love the retro looks of these types of places..the old steak houses and family restaurants. George's Kitchen and Romas has to rank up there too! There is another place that comes to mind speaking of "retro" and this is maybe not a secret by any means, but the way I perceive it may be pointing out something that IS a lost thing, therefore making the place pretty special in terms of retro. This would be the shopping plaza at Kamms... First, it does not have a HUGE ocean of pavement like the sprawl plazas of today and actually is a bit more easy on the urban streetscape.. Additionally, this place actually has some smaller/independent/locally owned type businesses that used to be the norm back in the day before the invasion of the big time clone zone. There is even a small Pet Shop--a rarity anymore. Gene's Place is also unique. The plaza is well maintained and a sort of throwback to when such places were more intimate with the smaller stores. Again, not a big secret...but I wonder if anyone else sees this place in such a light?
June 19, 201014 yr Here's a really good secret: Cleveland's Cultural Gardens. I bet 90 percent a Clevelanders don't know about them... Here my photo thread link: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,23634.0.html
June 24, 201014 yr The Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank - downtown Cleveland. It is free, and the building is breathtakingly beautiful w/ amazing artwork & design features. If you are lucky, the security guard will show where they used to hide the feds w/ the machine guns in the steps. A fascinating glimpse into Cleveland history and a true hidden gem! http://www.clevelandfed.org/For_the_Public/Tours/index.cfm
June 24, 201014 yr The Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank - downtown Cleveland. It is free, and the building is breathtakingly beautiful w/ amazing artwork & design features. If you are lucky, the security guard will show where they used to hide the feds w/ the machine guns in the steps. A fascinating glimpse into Cleveland history and a true hidden gem! http://www.clevelandfed.org/For_the_Public/Tours/index.cfm Great call! I keep walking by that and I never check it out. Maybe now's the time.
June 24, 201014 yr Two comments... Hessler street, although known well by students/locals in that area... I am surprised at how many are unaware of this cozy little area. Love that area...and Guarinos... Godfather-ish on the inside... Light and airy on the outside. It is a surprise if one has not walked out back to see. I agree about Hessler St. I don't agree about Hessler St's leadership. They are a very egotistical and selfish group.
July 10, 201014 yr The Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank - downtown Cleveland. It is free, and the building is breathtakingly beautiful w/ amazing artwork & design features. If you are lucky, the security guard will show where they used to hide the feds w/ the machine guns in the steps. A fascinating glimpse into Cleveland history and a true hidden gem! http://www.clevelandfed.org/For_the_Public/Tours/index.cfm I've never heard of this -- Thanks!!
July 14, 201014 yr This famous African-American poet lives off of Kinsman. If you google him, you'll find that his work is being studied at universities across the country.
August 31, 201014 yr The Dittrick Medical History Museum: http://www.cwru.edu/artsci/dittrick/museum/section1.html
August 31, 201014 yr Another best kept secret: the boardwalk at Lakewood park. You get the most amazing view of downtown. My east sider friends were in pure shock. Another secret: the converted loft condos on 55th that are crazy cheap, quite large and support a growing gay population. Mini lakewood on the rise?
August 31, 201014 yr My dad volunteers there - it really is a secret, even among case kids Neat thing about it is that you can go in there and study if you want to. At least you could when I was a student. No one ever asked me for a membership card or anything like that.
August 31, 201014 yr Another secret: the converted loft condos on 55th that are crazy cheap, quite large and support a growing gay population. Mini lakewood on the rise? Are you talking about Quay 55, or something else?
August 31, 201014 yr I will check on that. I don't know offhand, it was right by the freeway, closer to the I-90 side.
August 31, 201014 yr Medical Museum... Interesting... I will have to check that out. Ok, impromptu...I am making up this request for some best kept secrets...... It can be in or near surrounds of the city... How about some "forgotten" streets in the city that actually still have some fairly nice housing....Maybe a bit different such as those behind East Blvd. Anywhere you would happen to drive by and say... "Hey, this is actually pretty nice" I think a street in Newburgh near Washington Park comes to mind...brick street...rather nice. While speaking of brick....How about any streets besides Murray Hill that are still brick... Any stone homes... How about any photos? Can anyone predict what neighborhood (besides the obvious ones we speak of) just might be a future focus for revitalization. That's the new assignment, kiddies! :-D
August 31, 201014 yr Many side streets on the west side are still brick. The residents wanted to keep them that way. One street (can't remember which one) in Lakewood was repaved with brick but it's a crappy-looking brick cuz it's smooth and looks more like modern bathroom tile. Give me rough, bumpy, old-school, clay-fired brick. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 1, 201014 yr ^ I agree. When brick gets old and busted up, it still actually looks nice. The same cannot be said for asphalt.
September 1, 201014 yr One of my favorite things to do with out-of-towners is kind of a hidden jem.. or it feels like one. I love to take them to the West Side Market on a busy day, then, when the timing is right, grab some food from one of the stands (i usually get a gyro) and then go up onto the observation area. sometimes its packed, but most of the time it feels very hidden. especially when you have to walk by the office door to get there! A truly hidden gem? That would have to be the W 78th street studios. A monsterous building on the near west side that looks like post wwII germany, and its 100% full of artists, recording studios, rachel davis fine art among other great galleries, and some awesome spaces. signage for the building gives little to no clues about what is actually inside and when I show that to people it really seem to enjoy it. Its something very unique to Cleveland.
September 10, 201014 yr Interesting. Hidden indeed. Observation at WSM? Where can I find this one? Something came to mind today....when I was in it for the first time in a while, yesterday....The Huntington Building. Most of us know the splendor of the lobby areas.... BUT, how many people have ventured below the street level to see the labyrinth of hallways all with storefronts? The design is beautiful....there is a history of the building window...and many small stores still in this area. It is like a series of indoor mini underground streets!
September 10, 201014 yr I love the inside of the Huntington Building. Their top floor meeting spaces are also under-appreciated.
September 10, 201014 yr When walking through this place I cannot imagine---and this is just my taste---why anyone (besides being disconnected via auto from their city and those aspects) would want to trade what was this setting for shopping or doing business in a real downtown setting....which offers an experience, in exchange for the big box, clone zone sterile strip mall, etc. scene. Walking under there exuded the feeling of class and was like stepping back in time. I actually felt like I was in this setting in another time....and it was welcoming. Maybe that's just the magic of architecture/art at work. Anyway, I thought to myself... people just don't know what they're missing or what they have given up. Then this leads to the quote.. "We only save what we love and we only love what we know" I will post another best kept secret tomorrow.. This time having to deal with greater Cleveland's natural heritage. Something pretty impressive. Stay tuned!
September 10, 201014 yr Another [relatively] hidden downtown architectural gem is the old Midland Bank lobby in the Midland Building, now called the Van Sweringen Arcade. Easy to find from the Prospect entry. Photo here: http://www.landmarkofficetowers.com/arcade.htm
September 10, 201014 yr I agree that is a hidden gem... however, are you sure it is in the "Midland Building. I know it is in the Landmark complex, but aren't there three buidings in that complex with Midland being the one in the middle and this arcade part of the western-most building?
September 10, 201014 yr That lobby looks nice. I bet it looks even better when you use a modern camera, not the original Polaroid Camera from the '60s.
September 10, 201014 yr oh! I have one! There is a BEAUTIFUL event space sort of behind Hyde Park. It's owned by Sherwin Williams and can be rented out for events. It's called the Van Sweringen arcade. I just discovered it last year. http://www.savvydiner.com/custom/114/
September 10, 201014 yr I agree that is a hidden gem... however, are you sure it is in the "Midland Building. I know it is in the Landmark complex, but aren't there three buidings in that complex with Midland being the one in the middle and this arcade part of the western-most building? I honestly don't remember- it's been a long time since I've dropped in to take a look. I think the Midland building was the only one of the three built for a bank though, so that seems right, but not positive. Here's some info about the buildings, including the hall: http://www.landmarkofficetowers.com/
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