tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30904341476806788542011-10-17T11:51:22.729-04:00Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.comBlogger1991100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-2939490377704044092011-02-11T14:52:00.003-05:002011-02-11T14:57:32.660-05:00

Recently, a popular local blogger posted a list of 10 things she felt needed to be done before one considers themselves a "true Clevelander." To that list we would add: Eat weekend dim sum in Asiatown. If there is a more enjoyable way to spend a Saturday or Sunday noon than lazily sipping tea and nibbling on Chinese delicacies, we have yet to discover it.February 3 marks the start of the Chinese

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-15488956033645842292011-02-11T14:49:00.002-05:002011-02-11T14:52:15.042-05:00

It took our table of few moments to process the music playing over the restaurant sound system. At once familiar and exotic, the tune toyed with our memory until we finally nailed it: Hotel California by the Eagles. Only this version was instrumental, and the instrument was a Turkish folk guitar.In hindsight, there may be no more appropriate anthem for Istanbul Grill, a new Turkish restaurant

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-56014031593195174602011-02-11T14:45:00.002-05:002011-02-11T14:48:36.763-05:00

There is no question that Battery Park Wine Bar makes a wonderful addition to that up-and-coming corner of town. But whether or not it fits the classic definition of a "wine bar" is largely up for debate. Industrial to the core, scantily decorated, and occasionally boisterous, this is no snug and cozy wine cave to be sure. And don't get us started on the pool table and Journey tunes.But if, as

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-89884314527168944072011-02-11T14:41:00.002-05:002011-02-11T14:44:52.289-05:00

In Richard Read's version of the American dream, Northern Ohio is transformed into Cider Country, a destination-worthy attraction akin to Napa's famed Wine Country, only with apple orchards instead of vineyards. Read has already begun the process by launching Griffon Cider Works, a producer of Ohio hard cider that is quickly gaining traction in the competitive drinks field.As a Brit living in the

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-31787987014926943432011-02-11T14:31:00.003-05:002011-02-11T14:40:14.092-05:00

They say if you don't like the weather in Cleveland, wait a minute, as it will surely change. The same can be said of our city's dynamic restaurant scene, which continues to undergo constant adjustment. So, as we do every year, we offer a gastronomic look back at the newsmakers of the past 12 months. No surprise that 2010 provided plenty of flux to snack on.Big BuzzFor the local restaurant scene

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-65400832376948011352011-02-11T14:26:00.002-05:002011-02-11T14:31:02.645-05:00

If diners were holding out hope that the Burntwood Tavern would help remedy the fine-dining deficiency dogging Chagrin Falls, they likely will be disappointed. If, on the other hand, residents are hungry for yet another cozy neighborhood saloon to toss into the rotation, they can declare themselves winners.When it comes to sheer style, it's tough to top Burntwood. This ruggedly handsome tavern

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-2924529331741518902011-02-11T14:23:00.001-05:002011-02-11T14:26:48.329-05:00

As evidence of barbecue's ballooning popularity, Scott Slagle offers this bit of anecdotal testimony: "Five years ago there were 100,000 contestants taking part in barbecue competitions across the nation," he notes. "Last year that number rose to 400,000."Whether or not those figures are accurate is irrelevant; even the casual observer will notice the steady uptick in barbecue-themed restaurants,

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-13101066089985462011-02-11T14:19:00.002-05:002011-02-11T14:22:53.504-05:00

If there are any lingering doubts about the direction fine dining is heading, Shawn Monday's new venture should finally put them to bed. By making the decision to abandon his post as chef-partner at the small, posh and successful Downtown 140 to launch One Red Door, a more value-driven and as-yet-unseasoned place of his own, Monday is going "all in" with his wager on fine-casual dining. The fact

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-39768570624141617132010-11-23T13:23:00.002-05:002010-11-23T13:25:38.988-05:00

I decided to reduce to animated form a conversation that I seem to have on a daily basis. (All names have been changed to protect the innocent, except mine.

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-20115684489526890442010-11-12T13:56:00.002-05:002010-11-12T14:04:29.952-05:00

If you haven't seen, read or heard about Fresh Water, a new Cleveland e-zine of which I am the editor, I encourage you to follow the below link.About Fresh WaterFresh Water is a weekly e-magazine and website that reports on What’s Next? in and around Cleveland. Each week, we'll offer up a fresh wave of stories covering Northeast Ohio's most creative people, businesses, organizations, and

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-18319510615121611562010-11-12T13:53:00.002-05:002010-11-12T13:56:25.246-05:00

If you want to see what a gastropub is supposed to look, feel and taste like, pencil in a visit to Deagan's Kitchen & Bar. Opened in late September, this fizzy addition to Lakewood should be required eating for any operator bold enough to make the claim that they too are a member of this budding restaurant genre.There is no shortage of Lakewood joints that nail the "pub" aspect, to be sure; it's

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-59897210123193230562010-11-12T13:49:00.002-05:002010-11-12T13:52:27.974-05:00

What's that saying about the solution being right under our noses? That's precisely where Flying Fig chef and owner Karen Small discovered the remedy for a tricky little pickle. For years Small has been scouring the urban landscape for the proper location to open a gourmet retail market. Like the proverbial Goldilocks Principle, each and every one proved to be too big, too small, too expensive,

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-5832937828484717162010-11-12T13:42:00.002-05:002010-11-12T13:47:52.720-05:00

On October 11, chef Brian Okin, formerly of Verve, hosted a culinary experiment at his recently shuttered restaurant called "Dinner in the Dark." He and co-founding chefs Jeff Jarrett (North End, 7542 Darrow Rd., 330.656.1238, northendwinefoodfun.com) and Scene Best New Chef Ellis Cooley (Amp 150, 4277 W. 150th St., 216.706.8787, amp150.com) rounded up a few friends and threw an eight-course

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-11325849773884220462010-11-12T13:40:00.001-05:002010-11-12T13:42:14.753-05:00

There is no denying that since crashing onto the Cleveland food scene, Dim and Den Sum has made quite a splash. Launched last spring by Chris Hodgson and Jeremy Esterly (who is no longer with the company), the gastro-van already has acquired over 5,500 Facebook fans and 2,000 Twitter followers, who track the truck's progress and pounce on its addictive Asian-tinged comfort fare. For months, the

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-5123314576491102472010-09-29T14:04:00.002-04:002010-09-29T14:08:55.557-04:00

When veteran Cleveland restaurateur Hiroshi Tsuji was describing his upcoming project to me, I was sure something got lost in translation. Though he has lived and worked in the Cleveland area for over 40 years, Tsuji still possesses a strong Japanese accent. So when he said something about a pub serving barbecue and sushi, I pictured tiny slabs of rice supporting barbecue eel, smoked salmon, and

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-60797986444621223592010-09-27T15:43:00.001-04:002010-09-27T15:44:47.836-04:00

When Paul Minnillo decided to shutter his Baricelli Inn after 25 years to open Flour (see 8-25 Bites), he cleared the way for a different approach at the historic Little Italy castle. After speaking with Scott Kuhn, the new operator of the inn, it's clear that a departure is precisely what's in store. Slated to open in mid-November, Washington Place Bistro will be a modern American bistro serving

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-30236744047402242162010-09-27T15:40:00.001-04:002010-09-27T15:42:46.043-04:00

One Red Door (49 Village Way, 330.342.3667, onereddoorhudson.com), chef Shawn Monday's new Hudson eatery, quietly opened its doors this past week. Opened in the former Vue space, the restaurant features seasonal chef-driven comfort food in a smart, cosmopolitan setting. The menu is divided into sections titled Bites, Crusts, Shared and Feast, with prices for items ranging from just $3 for

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-62656621403490244502010-09-27T15:37:00.001-04:002010-09-27T15:39:43.492-04:00

Visitors to PlayhouseSquare will soon have a polished new wine bar to add to their pre- and post-theatre routine. Corks PlayhouseSquare, slated to open in early November, is a sister business to Corks Wine Bar in downtown Willoughby, and Market Avenue Wine Bar in Ohio City, all of which are co-owned by Greg Bodnar. Corks will occupy the former Hamilton’s Martini Bar space at 1415 Euclid Avenue,

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-65338545383489970612010-09-27T15:31:00.003-04:002010-09-27T15:37:14.281-04:00

Ruth Reichl, the former New York Times restaurant critic, rocked the dining world when she famously delivered a twin review of Le Cirque, long an untouchable temple of fine dining. Having once visited the restaurant wearing one of her trademark disguises – and receiving a peasant's welcome – Reichl was stunned by how dramatic her experience improved when she was "made" during a subsequent

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-11829606750063415742010-09-27T15:29:00.001-04:002010-09-27T15:31:08.128-04:00

To call Market (1137 Linda St., 440.799.4292, marketbeer.com) a "sports bar" is misleading. Yes, there are TVs, in this case svelte 60-inch LCDs. And sure, there's a bar, a huge granite oval that seats 40. But the attractive space could just as easily house a hip bistro. Much like they did with nearby Wine Bar Rocky River, owners John Owen and Dave Rudiger transformed a plain shell into sweet

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-8963084700507021532010-09-27T15:27:00.001-04:002010-09-27T15:29:17.502-04:00

"We want to be known as a place with great pizza," explains Chris DiLisi. "We don't want to be known as a pizza place."For the past five years, DiLisi worked as chef at the Baricelli Inn, which closed last month after 25 years. When Flour opens later this year, DiLisi will serve as executive chef and partner to his old boss, Paul Minnillo. While pizza – specifically Neapolitan-style pie baked in

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-76323041679194964002010-08-31T10:38:00.002-04:002010-08-31T10:41:46.756-04:00

L’Albatros Scotch & Cigar TastingJoin us on a late summer’s eve Tuesday, September 14 at L’AlbatrosBrasserie as guests bask in the warmth of scotch and cigars.Relax while the white ash lengthens and Sommelier Brandon Chrostowski andcigar aficionado Craig Anthony guide guests through the marriage of scotchand cigars. The evening will also include appetizers, music and desserts.6:15 pmTuesday

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-80054268632349429842010-08-30T12:39:00.001-04:002010-08-30T12:44:04.045-04:00

Long before Eric Williams retooled Happy Dog into an uproarious tubesteak bierstube, savvy operators we're plotting to do the same with tacos. More than one local chef had been tracking available properties in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, eager to stake his or her claim on "the next big thing." The unbridled success of Happy Dog only served to shift those pursuits into overdrive.Credit

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-67262062506047703502010-08-18T11:03:00.004-04:002010-08-18T11:08:18.403-04:00

It's Saturday afternoon and Tom Herbruck is tinkering in his Bainbridge Township garage. Outside, chickens roam about the leafy estate in a loose pack, scratching at bugs, worms and wild clover. Every few minutes, another of Herbruck's children pops into the shed to say "hi," but the man will not be diverted from his tasks. Crouching in front of an ornate copper pot still, he collects the first

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-30563268942559157092010-08-18T10:59:00.004-04:002010-08-18T11:03:08.869-04:00

If we've learned anything about the Chagrin Falls dining scene, it's that fire-themed restaurant names are bad luck. Blazin' Bills, Timberfire, Firefly – all consumed by flames. So, somebody knock on wood that Bret Adams' soon-to-open Burntwood Tavern (504 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls) is free of fiery misfortune. Truth is, it's a tinderbox. After gutting the former Chag-Town down to the

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-4057052284115049722010-08-12T11:25:00.002-04:002010-08-12T11:34:11.593-04:00

Look at the movies coming out of Hollywood lately and you'll detect a common thread. Rather than embrace originality, the big studios are electing to wager their money on the safe bet. A quick glance at the marquee reveals a menu of bland sequels, remakes and adaptations. Moviegoers hungry for arty creations with fresh appeal must instead stomach a diet of dependable, derivative fare.The same

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-47015653087839469482010-08-09T12:34:00.003-04:002010-08-09T12:39:51.061-04:00

In their book entitled 500 Things to Eat Before It's Too Late, award-winning food journalists Jane and Michael Stern set out to catalogue this nation's finest regional cuisine. The fruits of nearly 35 years on the road, the book guides diners to local specialties that are so good, they warrant an out-of-the-way trip. Commanding almost a full page are the fried chicken restaurants of Barberton,

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-12240859887697431232010-08-09T12:26:00.002-04:002010-08-09T12:30:55.436-04:00

Jason Noyes has a long history in fine dining, cooking at such notables as Fahrenheit, Blue Pointe and Salmon Dave's. Recently, the chef opened a little place of his own – but fine dining it is not. Big Daddy's Cheesesteaks (16804 Lorain Ave., 216.251.1000, bigdaddyscheesesteaks.com), located in the Kamm's Corners neighborhood, specializes in big, messy and delicious sandwiches. The Cleveland (

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-49426470424611880112010-08-09T12:22:00.002-04:002010-08-09T12:25:53.151-04:00

It's been a good four years since Matt Fish opened Melt in Lakewood – and I do mean good. In that relatively brief period of time, his modest grilled cheese bar has become nothing short of a national phenomenon, appearing in big-city newspapers, glossy magazines, and on top-rated cable programs. With customers oozing out of his joint like so much melted cheddar, Fish was practically compelled to

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-70051834746424900312010-08-09T12:07:00.002-04:002010-08-09T12:21:44.094-04:00

A celebration of 9 survivors from Cleveland's ever-crowded restaurant scene:Zack BruellCurrent Restaurants: Chinato, L'Albatros, Table 45, ParallaxPrevious Restaurants: Z Contemporary Cuisine (1985)First job in the biz: Dishwasher at University of Colorado cafeteria (20 years old)Shifting trends: The labor market in Cleveland has improved drastically. When I opened Z we had to hire people with

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-60155339109343132532010-08-09T12:05:00.000-04:002010-08-09T12:06:41.764-04:00

For Clevelanders of a certain age, Hiroshi's Pub was one of the most popular watering holes in Cleveland Heights. The Lee Road bar, owned by sushi magnate Hiroshi Tsuji, specialized less in food than it did booze. That is not the case at the new Hiroshi's Pub, which opened last week in Beachwood (3365 Richmond Rd., 216.464.4665, hiroshispub.com). To go along with the large space is a sprawling

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-39146655964210740742010-08-09T11:41:00.002-04:002010-08-09T12:04:49.722-04:00

"This is not going to be a Tri-C restaurant," stresses chef Brandt Evans as he unfurls a set of blueprints for his new downtown eatery. "Diners will not be guinea pigs for culinary students."Brandt has good reason to fear diners will make such assumptions; his latest endeavor will share more than a little wall space with Cuyahoga Community College's new Hospitality Management Center, slated to

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-51676548764462348782010-08-09T11:38:00.002-04:002010-08-09T11:41:24.969-04:00

Mel Rose, the Taverne of Richfield, and the old Coliseum will forever be linked in an ill-fated love triangle that ultimately saw the death – both literally and figuratively – of all three. For nearly 20 years, Rose operated the historic restaurant that feasted on the business spilling out from his high-profile neighbor. After the Cavs split town and the Coliseum crumbled, Rose's beloved Taverne

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-7673588241892783112010-07-12T15:21:00.002-04:002010-07-12T15:26:44.438-04:00

There is no such thing as a cursed location. Rather, there are only unsound business concepts, undercapitalized owners, uncooperative landlords, and the occasional dose of bad luck. But mention the space at 10427 Clifton Boulevard and just try and put the brakes on the voodoo chatter. Granted, that location has seen more than its fair share of tenants (seven in 20 years), legal wrangling (

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-17518751210878103672010-06-28T16:28:00.001-04:002010-06-28T16:30:20.013-04:00

Thanks in no small part to a positive recommendation from his predecessor and mentor, Don Triskett will takeover as executive chef of Downtown 140 (140 N. Main St., 330.656.1294, downtown140.com). Triskett replaces Shawn Monday, who left to open two new restaurants of his own. This is a homecoming of sorts for Triskett, who was Monday's original sous chef when he opened Downtown 140 seven years

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-14989775294931678432010-06-28T16:18:00.002-04:002010-06-28T16:27:36.287-04:00

It was only a matter of time until Cleveland's cocktail scene began to catch up with its food scene. Just as local chefs now routinely rely on fresh ingredients to construct their menus, area bartenders are following suit. Vanishing from bars are the bottles of Rose's concentrated lime juice, replaced by freshly cut citrus, squeezed at the last possible moment. Fading, too, are apathetic bar

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-79143989425761949262010-06-28T16:13:00.001-04:002010-06-28T16:16:07.002-04:00

Apparently, dogs aren't the only beings that chase vehicles. Since news broke that a couple of local chefs were launching a gourmet kitchen on wheels, area foodies have been tracking its progress like hungry hounds in hot pursuit. Now that Dim and Den Sum officially has hit the streets, that hunt can begin in earnest.Judging by all the attention this upstart has garnered, it is patently clear

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-69555644896048166582010-06-28T16:08:00.003-04:002010-06-28T16:12:07.256-04:00

Sitting just inside the front windows of the Chocolate Bar, my wife and I had unobstructed views of E. Fourth Street. From our vantage point on Euclid, we could see scores of diners enjoying alfresco meals outside restaurants like Greenhouse Tavern, Lola, and Chinato – and we so desperately wished to join them. Just minutes before, we had been two of those happy people, celebrating the warm air

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-59043112199889342010-06-14T12:20:00.002-04:002010-06-15T13:29:18.074-04:00

What started last year as a homegrown, grass-roots, come-if-you-feel-like-it foodie fundraiser has quickly blossomed into the can't-miss bash of the year. Staged at the Rock Hall, this year's Chef Jam essentially got promoted from a backyard barbecue to a five-star extravaganza. Like any great performance this one was standing-room-only, having burned through the 1,000 or so tickets nearly a

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-49759343498712279362010-06-09T15:02:00.000-04:002010-06-09T15:03:32.678-04:00

The Flying Fig (2523 Market Ave., 216.241.4243, theflyingfig.com) will soon have a new neighbor: The Market at the Fig. Owner Karen Small says that she had been exploring potential sites for a gourmet retail market when a light went off in her head. "I thought, I have this other room with a separate entrance that gets used maybe once a week," she says, referring to the Fig's private dining room.

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-70930564234422505072010-06-09T15:01:00.001-04:002010-06-09T15:02:34.048-04:00

Chef Demetrios Atheneos is leaving his post at Bodega (1854 Coventry Rd., 216.932.3060, bodegaoncoventry.com) to join the team at the soon-to-open Deagan's Kitchen and Bar (14810 Detroit Ave.). Dan Deagan is presently reworking the old Crazy Rita's space in Lakewood into a warm, upscale pub with exposed brick walls and salvaged barn siding. Chef Atheneos describes the food as "chef-driven pub

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-69350460359903136292010-06-09T14:58:00.001-04:002010-06-09T15:01:10.737-04:00

Michael Symon's star pastry chef Cory Barrett has left Cleveland to accept a job at The Herbfarm, a highly regarded restaurant near Seattle. "I want to say thank you to all of the Cleveland diners," Barrett says. "They have more than impressed me over the years. While I am very excited about the position, it is with hesitation that I am leaving my friends and colleagues here at Lola." Liz

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-3574854633166437102010-06-09T14:57:00.000-04:002010-06-09T14:58:22.635-04:00

This fall would have been four years in business for Henry’s at the Barn, the wonderful Low Country restaurant run by Paul and Tracey Jagielski. But that won't happen as the owners and the restaurant became the latest victim of a brutal dining economy. "It's sad to say we had to close," says Paul. "Fine dining is taking a hit. This recession is worse than people realize." Jagielski says he taking

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-70370647792214156472010-06-09T14:52:00.001-04:002010-06-09T14:56:41.438-04:00

If you don't think that big name chefs influence a restaurant's development, consider the case of menu6. In the early planning stages of his Larchmere Boulevard project, owner Said Ouaddaadaa envisioned opening a hip neighborhood steakhouse. His intention was to plug the chophouse gap that existed between Beachwood and Public Square. But he also wanted a partner in the kitchen with draw – a

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-78255939930059521622010-06-09T14:36:00.002-04:002010-06-09T14:49:48.689-04:00

Cleveland's summers may not be getting any longer, but our restaurant-patio crop continues to grow every single year. Not long ago, a diner could count on two hands the number of eateries boasting alfresco seating. These days, not only are there literally dozens of open-air options, but the quality of those patios keeps getting better and better.Outdoor Bars!L’Albatros inherited one of

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-82645768484056615032010-05-27T14:20:00.000-04:002010-05-27T14:24:41.088-04:00

Last year's Cleveland Food Rocks benefit at Beachland Ballroom was, by all accounts, a rollicking good time. But this year's Chef Jam is on pace to make that shindig look bush league by comparison. To be held Sunday, June 13 at the Rock Hall, this year's soiree can accommodate 1,000 people rain or shine. Yes, tickets have doubled in price ($50), but admission now includes food, beer, wine, music

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-1422068359514785262010-05-27T14:17:00.001-04:002010-05-27T14:20:07.043-04:00

When it débuts next week, Zinc Bistro, Bar and Bakery (668 Euclid Ave., 216.583.9462, zinccleveland.com) will be the most ambitious restaurant to open between Public Square and the Theater District in quite some time. Helmed by chef Tom Quick, who ran the popular Epiq Bistro in Concord, Ohio, for 10 years, Zinc is modeled after the ebullient French bistros found throughout New York City. The

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-51732240249380346992010-05-27T14:13:00.002-04:002010-05-27T14:17:17.876-04:00

Positively Cleveland, the civic organization tasked with promoting our fair city, should be grateful for what chef Ellis Cooley is doing at Amp 150. Our convention and visitors bureau does a fabulous job marketing Cleveland's world-class culinary scene to tourists and journalists by organizing culinary fam tours and posting food-based itineraries on its website. But the truth is, many business

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-84169209901891918682010-05-05T14:25:00.002-04:002010-05-05T14:33:28.944-04:00

Chef Shawn Monday is leaving his post as chef-partner of Hudson's Downtown 140, where he has been for seven years, to open two new eateries on the site of the former Vue restaurant. When they open in mid-summer, One Red Door will feature chef-driven comfort food, and The Flip Side will feature gourmet all-natural burgers with chef-crafted condiments. Both will be priced considerably lower than

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-59948785319729316622010-05-03T11:33:00.002-04:002010-05-03T11:37:10.348-04:00

@tweetaways selected a winner of the Melt Bar & Grilled giveaway out of 55 entries. Congrats to @divotjr! Your invite is on its way. Enjoy your meal at the brand new East Side location of Melt.

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-57804237813697991442010-04-30T10:46:00.001-04:002010-04-30T10:47:50.070-04:00

Sadly, I am not able to attend the soft opening of the new East Side outpost of Melt Bar & Grilled. That's good news for one person and a guest, though, because I'm giving away my invitation! (Thanks, Matt.) The open house is on Wednesday, May 19, between the hours of 6 and 10 p.m. After RSVPing in advance, you can simply show up with this pass and dine for free. Sweet grilled cheese!The shop

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-83356741701777582182010-04-29T14:37:00.002-04:002010-04-29T14:41:29.252-04:00

On pace to open five new eateries in just 18 month's time, Alan Glazen is the most ambitious restaurateur you've never heard of. In contrast to chefs like Bruell and Symon, who slowly and deliberately expand their culinary portfolios, Glazen seems hell bent on opening as many new joints as possible. After unveiling last year Erie Island Coffee on E. Fourth Street, Glazen then provided the

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-39722815890293822902010-04-29T14:35:00.001-04:002010-04-29T14:37:21.697-04:00

The remarkable turnaround at ABC Tavern (1872 W. 25th St., 216.861.3857) is no happy accident. By combining the right space, neighborhood, crew and menu, husband-and-wife team Randy Kelley and Linda Syrek transformed a sleepy saloon into one of this city's liveliest joints. Both vets of the service industry scene, the duo also earns credit for turning around the West Side Market Café (1979 W.

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-217649491048251082010-04-29T14:32:00.001-04:002010-04-29T14:35:07.218-04:00

On Thursday, April 22, the restaurant formerly known as Metropolitan Café reopened to the public as Metro Bar + Kitchen (1352 W. 6th St., 216.241.1300). Following a four-month, $500,000 facelift process, the Warehouse District eatery unveiled a dramatic new look, feel and menu. In explaining the restaurant's fresh concept, Joe Saccone of the Hyde Park Restaurant Group says, "The economy is

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-92040356487989896662010-04-29T14:20:00.003-04:002010-04-29T14:31:53.557-04:00

If it's true that the best chefs are those who move around early in their career then Dante Boccuzzi has a lock on the Golden Toque Award. The Parma native's resume is so padded with prominent posts that one might presume him guilty of embellishment. Of particular note are star-studded stints in London, Milan, Hong Kong, San Francisco and New York.If Boccuzzi were in the resume-editing spirit,

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-48774088383335211982010-04-06T13:51:00.003-04:002010-04-06T14:02:07.452-04:00

As his mentor Michael Symon did in 1998, Jonathon Sawyer of Cleveland's Greenhouse Tavern has been selected as one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs class of 2010. The annual Chef's Issue is the mag's July edition. Congrats to Sawyer and the entire Greenhouse team.Now who's Happy in the CLE?

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-50645084673658795642010-03-29T12:56:00.002-04:002010-03-29T13:04:28.731-04:00

If Cleveland is one of the most miserable cities in America, you'd be hard pressed to know it by dining at Chinato. Here it is a brisk Monday noon in early March – a day, week, and month notorious for dim sales – and the snazzy trattoria is aglow with mirthful souls. Wine glasses tinkle; ebullient chatter bubbles high into the rafters; and well-heeled swells slurp back deliriously good pasta. If

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-53438748009493791442010-03-29T12:53:00.002-04:002010-03-29T12:56:19.613-04:00

Diners will follow their favorite chefs around town like doting pups, regardless in which kitchen they happen to hang their toques. That's good news to guys like Michael Herschman, who seem to put down roots as deep as tumbleweeds. It's no shocker to report that Herschman "gets around" – but wherever he manages to land, you can bank on the fact that his fans will be first in line. That's

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-7042976001935301672010-03-29T12:51:00.000-04:002010-03-29T12:53:09.438-04:00

For nearly a decade, in-the-know Eastsiders scored their spicy jerk chicken, zippy chicken curry, and other West Indian treats at Rachel's Caribbean, a wee storefront on Cedar Road. Unfortunately, those days are done as owner David Sterling recently has pulled the plug. Replacing it will be Sababa, a kosher restaurant.

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-32145338665565313612010-03-23T10:31:00.002-04:002010-03-23T10:39:15.273-04:00

On May 1, chef Ben Bebenroth of Spice of Life Catering will kick off another season of his magnificent Plated Landscapes. This, the fifth year, will feature eight fabulous alfresco events between spring and fall. Adventurous diners will find a more even mix of urban and rural settings, ranging from an Ohio City rooftop to Killbuck Valley Mushroom Farm. Book early and often as these dinners sell

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-62806400885768339102010-03-17T10:29:00.000-04:002010-03-17T10:31:51.268-04:00

The developers of the East College Street Project, a $17 million mixed-use green building opening this spring in the heart of downtown, are looking for chefs/restauranteurs who are interested in operating sustainably minded, organic and/or ethnic eateries that compliment the spirit of this exciting college town. You can read more about the project at www.sustainableca.com and contact Josh Rosen

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-35958534676793037622010-03-10T14:01:00.001-05:002010-03-10T14:04:37.296-05:00

I have been asked to select this year's Cleveland Scene Tasteful Affair Iron Chef contestants. Area chefs still have time to email their 2-minute audition videos to TastefulAffair@clevescene.com. Deadline is March 31! Your email must include: 2-minute clip (maximum time) displaying you in action, Brief Bio (participan...ts must be affiliated with commercial kitchen or caterer, Subject line: 2010

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-11657744571398630962010-03-10T12:35:00.003-05:002010-03-10T12:41:44.601-05:00

There was a forgivable amount of anxiety percolating through Hudson during the build out of Rosewood Grill. Set inside the historic Turner's Mill complex, locals understandably were concerned about modifications being foisted upon one of the town's most beloved fixtures. After all, how do you tastefully marry a 160-year-old grist mill with a brand spanking new 5,000-square-foot addition?All it

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-38755850162388965092010-03-10T12:27:00.004-05:002010-03-10T12:34:29.429-05:00

It would be very easy to discount B Spot, Michael Symon's east-side burger bar, as a gimmicky payday for an overextended celebrity chef. After all, how difficult is it to slap the Symon brand on the broadside of a burger while laughing all the way to the bank? But as even the casual observer of Cleveland's Iron Chef can attest, the man doesn't seem to know the meaning of half-assed.With nothing

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-43282260049584600902010-03-10T12:15:00.004-05:002010-03-10T12:27:06.582-05:00

Jeremy Esterly is so confident that Clevelanders are hungry for something new he's willing to wager his prime post at Fire Food and Drink. Chef de cuisine of that Shaker Square restaurant since 2006, Esterly soon will swap the relatively cushy confines of a commercial kitchen for an aging Chevy step van. Billed as a mobile gourmet food service, Dim and Den Sum is really a food cart on steroids.

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-67908551553027836952010-03-10T12:07:00.002-05:002010-03-10T12:14:36.556-05:00

It would be tough to find bigger hearts than those of Jeff and Tammy Jarrett. In 2008, the couple adopted a visually impaired child from China, joining their three birth children. But the Jarretts didn't stop there. Plans are in the works to bring a blind infant from China, and the couple could use some help with the $25,000 fees. Luckily, Jeff is a chef at the North End Market (7542 Darrow Rd.,

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-73513933260176386612010-02-10T10:29:00.002-05:002010-02-10T10:33:06.679-05:00

Umami Asian Kitchen offers a perfect example of why it isn't always wise to storm the gates of a new restaurant. Few are the joints that get it right from the jump, despite every intention to do just that. Opened in January of 2009, it has taken Umami the better part of a year to really hit its stride. And word, finally, is beginning to spread of its beguiling charm.For all its gentility and

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-9591925391720982832010-02-10T10:26:00.002-05:002010-02-10T10:28:10.783-05:00

The last time we checked in with Bac Nguyen it was late July and he was shooting for an October opening of Bắc Asian American Bistro (2661 W 14th St., 216.938.8960, http://www.bactremont.com/). Well, we know how restaurant build-outs go."I came into this process knowing that it would be an incredible amount of work," says Nguyen, "and I still had no idea what I was in for." Having passed

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-61154880151008800822010-02-10T10:21:00.002-05:002010-02-10T10:26:02.547-05:00

Add Pacific East to the ever-growing palette of Solon sushi shops. Owner Freeman Ngo says that his new outpost (33003 Aurora Rd., 440.498.3223) should open in late February. Along with the original on Coventry and the newer spot at Eton, the latest locale makes three in the Pacific East empire. Despite the seeming glut of sushi bars, Ngo is hardly concerned about the competition. "Even though I

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-31637434723334004432010-02-10T10:09:00.002-05:002010-02-10T10:21:00.597-05:00

Due to the success of recent wine tasting events, Brandon Chrostowski of L’Albatros (11401 Bellflower Rd., 216.791.7880) is kicking off a wine education class. Called Wine 101, the five-class serie de vin will be geared toward enthusiastic beginners. Topics will range from terroir and viticulture to New and Old World wines. Classes run on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning February 16 and

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-6587917461098110692010-02-10T10:00:00.001-05:002010-02-10T10:09:48.444-05:00

Say goodbye, again, to the loveable Town Fryer. The soul food and tunes joint, which found new life at the Agora since moving from the original Superior locale, will shutter for good on Monday, February 15. Rightly famous for its southern-fried chicken, red beans and rice, and deep-fried Twinkies, the business will be missed. Owner Susie Porter says she is closing the restaurant to focus on her

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-54028660689511425072010-01-27T14:39:00.001-05:002010-01-27T14:40:21.450-05:00

It's been over two years since the last tenant moved out of 10427 Clifton Boulevard. The famous (some say infamous) address has been home to Velocity American Bistro, Giovanna's, Mise, Jeso and Wilsher Grille. Fortunately for the neighborhood, the new owner has a track record of success. Jeff Rumplik, one of Cleveland's premier bartenders, hopes to duplicate the good fortunes that he cultivated

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-62543035303918624052010-01-27T14:37:00.000-05:002010-01-27T14:38:58.441-05:00

At Orale!, his West Side Market stand (F-7, 216.781.4190), chef Roberto Rodriguez dispenses tamales, enchiladas, empanadas, and quite possibly the city's finest chips and salsa. Soon, there will be more of Orale! (which means right on!) to love. In about a week, Rodriguez will expand to double his current size when he takes over the adjacent Tom Kearns pork stand. The additional room will allow

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-39440639320436514942010-01-27T14:31:00.002-05:002010-01-27T14:37:20.096-05:00

It didn't take long the other night for me and my wife to fall into a familiar pattern. As I manically flipped the television from station to station, she pleaded with me to settle on a single program. What was unique about the situation was that we weren't planted on the couch at home; we were out to dinner at RJ Boland's. Having a personal TV in every booth might be great for watching the Cavs,

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-90213257406987028632010-01-27T14:27:00.003-05:002010-01-27T14:31:26.523-05:00

Numerologists will have a field day when Menu6 opens early next month in the former home of Boulevard Blue (12718 Larchmere Blvd.). The “food-forward” restaurant will feature a menu boasting six categories, each comprised of six items. That numerical formula will extend to both the dessert menu and wine list.If all this sounds complicated, rest assured that the chef in charge is an old pro at

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-3068722057642078022010-01-27T14:25:00.002-05:002010-01-27T14:27:44.047-05:00

If dining at Dottie’s Diner (and subsequently Chris & Jimmy’s) felt like being shoehorned into the back of a European budget rail car, then visiting Clyde’s Bistro is like taking a ride on the Orient Express. Clyde Mart’s $150,000 makeover of the Lee Road diner cars has served as a customer-wide upgrade from coach to first class.Since opening for business back in 2002, the diner cars have chewed

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-5925858560773835372010-01-06T12:22:00.006-05:002010-01-06T12:29:20.483-05:00

It’s a tad jarring to see a 160-year-old Pennsylvania Dutch barn emblazoned with a racy red neon sign that reads “STRIP,” positioned just south of the traditional hex emblem. Had this structure appeared on a roadside it would be logical to assume that its main attraction was babes rather than beef.The curveballs don’t stop there. To enter the restaurant, diners push through a pair of etched glass

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-10172534704944988522010-01-06T12:20:00.001-05:002010-01-06T12:22:10.185-05:00

When Sam McNulty opens his Ohio City brewpub this spring, he can certainly count on great suds. Thanks in equal parts to luck and timing, McNulty has snagged one of the nation’s premier craft brewers, Andy Tveekrem. For the last five and a half years, Tveekrem has served as brewmaster for Dogfish Head Brewery, home of the award-winning 60 Minute, 90 Minute and 120 Minute IPAs. “It was bromance at

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-5871150082028206392010-01-06T12:17:00.000-05:002010-01-06T12:19:44.339-05:00

"We're not closing, we're relocating," stresses Bruce Ferris, third-generation owner of Ferris Steak House (8700 Detroit Ave., 216.281.1437). At 69 years old, Ferris is easily one of Cleveland’s oldest restaurants, established in 1940 by Bruce’s grandparents, Adele and Ellis Ferris. For decades, the saloon-style eatery dished up quality steaks and chops in a relaxed family atmosphere. But come

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-85689448930940407662009-12-23T16:50:00.003-05:002009-12-23T17:02:08.333-05:00

Often, a view from without can paint a rosier picture than one from within. Judging by the recent flood of praise that Cleveland restaurants garnered in the national press, one can’t help but assume 2009 was a banner year. Esquire magazine’s John Mariani included L’Albatros in his roundup of “20 Best New Restaurants in America.” Greenhouse Tavern earned its way into Bon Appetit’s “Top Ten Best

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-52861033917408434242009-12-02T08:21:00.001-05:002009-12-02T08:23:54.480-05:00

Ponte Vecchio (2100 Superior Viaduct, 216.556.8200, pontevecchioristorante.com) is undergoing its first major overhaul since opening five years ago, says consulting chef Tom Quick. While Quick waits for his snazzy French brasserie Zinc to open downtown, he is helping Ponte Vecchio reposition itself in the marketplace.“It had gotten to the point where the restaurant was selling 30-dollar veal

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-16828276812289712292009-12-02T08:19:00.000-05:002009-12-02T08:21:02.350-05:00

The long-running rivalry between Brennan’s Colony (2299 Lee Rd., 216.371.1010) and The Tavern Company (2260 Lee Rd., 216.321.6001) is a lot like that of the Browns and Steelers: There hasn’t been much of a competition for eons. Though both saloons boast impressive track records in Cleveland Heights, it’s been the Colony that has dominated the pub-style dining scene, earning praise for its

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-48797535298123964262009-11-24T15:44:00.012-05:002009-11-24T19:21:49.353-05:00

Michael Symon may have earned his reputation crafting slash-and-burn grouper and beef-cheek pierogies. But his latest endeavor likely will appeal to his broadest audience yet. Opening earlier this week at Eton Chagrin, B Spot is designed less to impress than it is simply to please. Specializing in gourmet burgers, brats and bologna sandwiches, B Spot is Symon’s most happy-go-lucky restaurant to

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-6413546953623133892009-11-18T10:51:00.003-05:002009-11-18T10:55:58.276-05:00

You couldn’t blame folks for thinking chef Tom Szoradi was a little nuts when he decided to open a restaurant in a former auto parts store on the edge of downtown. Barely squeaking inside Gateway District borders, Juniper Grille was not high on critics’ lists of likely success stories. But succeed it did, lasting seven good years until Szoradi elected this past summer to pull the plug on his

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-62104920389558038672009-11-18T10:44:00.004-05:002009-11-18T10:51:37.796-05:00

“If people walk in expecting to find Inn at Turner's Mill again, they'll be disappointed,” says George Schindler of Hospitality Restaurants. “If people walk in thinking this will be Blue Point, they will be disappointed. Our hope is to create a really rocking neighborhood place that feels like something out of Sonoma Valley that's been here a long time.” The final push is underway to remake the

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-57144713880498223152009-11-16T14:48:00.000-05:002009-11-16T14:51:18.425-05:00

For years, theatergoers had few choices when it came to quality dining in the "footlight" district. Fortunately, the scene has improved in recent years thanks to a handful of new openings. These days, one of the best choices a diner – theatergoer or otherwise – can make is Encore.What the heck is Encore, you ask? As part of a multimillion-dollar makeover of the 205-room Wyndham Playhouse Square,

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-35999163493019374652009-11-04T08:51:00.002-05:002009-11-04T08:55:21.481-05:00

The newest player in the bakery boom is Courtney Bonning, who is in the process of opening Bonbon Bake Shop (6421 Detroit Ave., 216.375.8437, thebonbonbakeshop.com). Located behind Gypsy Beans, in the buzzy Gordon Square Arts District, the small retail bakery will service both walk-in customers and special-order clients. Bonning attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America at Greystone,

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-83746012754324520242009-11-04T08:19:00.004-05:002009-11-04T08:28:13.340-05:00

Kurt Steeber has sold Boulevard Blue (12718 Larchmere Blvd.) to Said Ouaddaadaa. In December of this year Steeber himself purchased the restaurant from original owner Andy Himmel, who operated it for five years. Ouaddaadaa, who also owns Bodega (1854 Coventry Rd., 216.932.3060, bodegaoncoventry.com), intends to briefly close and retool the restaurant before reopening it as a prime steakhouse. “

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-76447558926161080612009-10-28T09:27:00.002-04:002009-10-28T09:30:58.570-04:00

Joe Novak was so impressed by his first visit to the Chocolate Bar, a chocolate-themed nightclub in Buffalo, that he cut short his retirement. The former club owner stopped in for drinks one night on his way through town and became so smitten with the place that he decided to open one of his own in Cleveland.“Here was a club with women on every bar stool instead of guys with backwards-turned ball

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-31090171398760952162009-10-28T09:23:00.002-04:002009-10-28T09:26:39.658-04:00

For years, ABC Tavern (1872 W. 25th St., 216.861.3857) has been the quiet neighbor on an otherwise boisterous block. While nearby hangs like Garage Bar, Bier Markt and Old Angle attracted droves of thirsty revelers, ABC went largely ignored. That low-pro existence may have been fine for wallflowers, but many barflies prefer a bit more energy. Energy is precisely what new management has instilled

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-65392577022567284112009-10-28T09:03:00.002-04:002009-10-28T09:23:39.487-04:00

Naya Bistro (6323 Wilson Mills Rd., 440.446.1234) opened this week in Highland Heights. The well-appointed restaurant has a sleek, polished vibe despite being located in a freshly built strip center. Warm woods and textured walls combine with cozy banquets and striking fixtures for an unexpectedly upscale experience. Run by Elie Chamoun, the man behind several Georgio's Oven Fresh Pizza

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-25797173271725546132009-10-28T09:02:00.001-04:002009-10-29T22:21:49.056-04:00

Cleveland Restaurant Week, an annual promotion organized by Cleveland Independents, has become a two-week-long tradition. Running from Sunday, November 1 through Saturday, November 14, over 50 independent restaurants will be offering special three-course, prix fixe dinners for $30 or less. Many also will be offering special lunch deals. The entire list of participating restaurants can be found

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-66000279294681428912009-10-28T09:00:00.000-04:002009-10-28T09:01:18.798-04:00

The original Phnom Penh location at 13124 Lorain Avenue will close on October 31, according to management. Not to worry: the owners are busy preparing a new location just eight miles down the road in North Olmsted, which should open in January. In the meantime, feel free to visit the popular Ohio City location at 1929 W. 25th St. (216.357.2951).

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-7461033775837028482009-10-21T10:11:00.004-04:002009-10-23T10:21:56.316-04:00

Question: What’s fast, cheap, tasty and relatively healthy? Not much, and that’s a problem for the budget-minded diner who prefers to not subsist on burgers, tacos and deep-fried chicken parts.When it launched its first shop near Lakewood about seven years back, Liquid Planet boasted a unique business model built around the notion that fast food needn’t be junk food. Now with three locations, the

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-27585765804652487212009-10-21T10:06:00.001-04:002009-10-21T10:10:51.541-04:00

At a time when other restaurateurs are opening burger bars and hot dog parlors, at least one entrepreneur is bucking the trend with a high-profile steakhouse. As the man behind Olde Avon Village, Ron Larson has worked hard to preserve some of Avon’s rustic flavor. His unique grouping of shops and restaurants consists of historic buildings that were spared from the wrecking ball. One of them, an

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-21680319603751708672009-10-21T10:04:00.001-04:002009-10-21T10:06:45.183-04:00

Cleveland’s favorite falafel sandwich, long available only in carry-out form at the West Side Market and in Strongsville, can now be enjoyed sitting down. Owner Sam Zayed is putting the finishing touches on Maha’s Café (3323 W. 25th St., 216.741.9810, mahascafe.com), a full-service restaurant located next to Metro Health. The modern 50-seat café features a full menu of Middle Eastern specialties,

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-43210856893316223372009-10-14T11:20:00.002-04:002009-10-14T11:23:33.338-04:00

Best New Restaurant: L'Albatros11401 Bellflower Rd., 216.791.7880, albatrosbrasserie.com“Opening this restaurant was an absolute no-brainer,” chef-owner Zachary Bruell explained just weeks before introducing the Best New Restaurant of 2009. He was referring, of course, to the tactic of bringing updated French bistro fare to the University Circle carriage house that for decades housed That Place

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-23787979511931463612009-10-08T09:59:00.000-04:002009-10-08T10:01:53.065-04:00

You don’t have to know a single thing about Moroccan cuisine to fall for Darna. From the exceedingly comfortable space to the alluring – and delicious – food, the operation seems to be designed around exceeding diners’ expectations.Granted, those expectations are probably nil considering that we Clevelanders have had very limited exposure to Moroccan cooking. Our most recent experience with the

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-78845888930463143042009-10-08T09:57:00.001-04:002009-10-08T09:59:42.386-04:00

Souper Market owner Matthew Moore realized that in order to expand the company something had to change. Since opening his flagship soup shop in Ohio City (2528 Lorain Ave., 216.737.SOUP, thesoupermarket.com) almost seven years ago, business in bisques has been brisk. Moore added a second location in Lakewood (14809 Detroit Ave., 216.712.7292) in 2007 while earning shelf space at area Heinen’s for

Douglas Trattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11698600991840896840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3090434147680678854.post-33286759935879989992009-10-08T09:56:00.000-04:002009-10-08T09:57:01.078-04:00

It’s been 10 months since fire ravaged the 1830s Olmsted Falls farmhouse that is home to Bistro du Beaujolais (8134 Columbia Rd., 440.235.8883). If all goes as planned, the restaurant will reopen on October 20. “We can’t wait,” says owner Georges D' Arras. “We’re ready to get back to work.” D' Arras wants customers to know that gift certificates purchased before the closure will be accepted, even

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