West Side Market Hours Get Slight Adjustment Come August

by Vince Grzegorek on July 12, 2020 at 10:09AM

The City of Cleveland on Friday evening announced some slight changes to the West Side Market's operating hours beginning August 3. Because it's the city, it will likely go to great lengths to tell as few people as possible as to maximize confusion and frustration.

Hibachi Japan Steak House to Open in Former Akira Sushi and Hibachi Spot in Solon

by Douglas Trattner on July 8, 2020 at 11:53AM

This hibachi saga begins, curiously enough, with a night on the town starring Baseball Hall of Famer Tom Seaver. In the 1970s, Paul Goetz was a sports agent living and working in New York.

Twin-Concept Eatery Starring Brunch and Vegan Food to Replace Yours Truly at Shaker Square

by Douglas Trattner on July 8, 2020 at 10:33AM

On Monday we reported that Yours Truly had closed its Shaker Square location after nearly 30 years. Today we learned who will be taking that space over.

Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. to Open Retail Shop at Van Aken District Market Hall in Shaker Heights

by Douglas Trattner on July 7, 2020 at 12:09PM

Since before it even opened the doors, Van Aken District has been pitching Michael Januska to join the food-filled Market Hall in Shaker Heights. In that time, his Old Brooklyn Cheese Co., which he launched in 2016, has continued to expand its product line, audience and reach.

Yours Truly Closes Shaker Square Location After 27 Years of Business

by Douglas Trattner on July 6, 2020 at 4:24PM

After 27 years on Shaker Square, Yours Truly Restaurants has decided to close that location effective July 6. The news was announced today via social media.

Should Bars and Restaurants Publicly Announce When Staffers Test Positive for Covid? Many Think It's the Right Thing to Do

by Douglas Trattner on July 6, 2020 at 3:46PM

On June 20, Yours Truly restaurants publicly announced that an employee had tested positive for Covid, adding that the Rockside location where he or she worked was closed effective immediately. Yours Truly joins a growing number of bars and restaurants that are having to suspend operations after a staffer tests positive for the virus.

Zaytoon Lebanese Kitchen to Close After Three Years, New Concept to Follow

by Douglas Trattner on July 6, 2020 at 11:31AM

All restaurants are suffering right now, but those located downtown — and especially ones in Playhouse Square — seem especially hard hit owing to a lack of work and theater traffic. Those challenges proved too much for the Ina family to overcome, explains David Ina, who recently announced that he is closing Zaytoon Lebanese Kitchen after three years.

BottleHouse Brewery to Unveil New Food Concepts from Chef Michael Schoen at Cleveland Heights and Lakewood Locations

by Douglas Trattner on July 2, 2020 at 11:23AM

Chef Michael Schoen has partnered with BottleHouse Brewery to open food concepts at the brewery’s Cleveland Heights (2050 Lee Rd., 216-214-2120) and Lakewood (13368 Madison Ave., 216-926-0025) locations. Each has its own theme and menu, shaped by the needs of the neighborhood, Schoen explains.

Market Garden Brewery Now Serving 'Freekly,' a Special Beer to Celebrate Scene's 50th Anniversary

by Vince Grzegorek on July 2, 2020 at 11:04AM

Scene turned 50 this week, a momentous milestone that we will celebrate with all due festivity in a commemorative issue later this year when things Aren't So Shitty, but that doesn't mean the occasion will pass without something special. In honor of the anniversary and Scene's status as the longest continually operating altweekly in America, Market Garden Brewery made us Freekly, a Hazy Double New England style IPA clocking in at 8% which you can now enjoy at the recently reopened bar and restaurant in Ohio City.

A Reborn Mojo World Eats Dazzles Even In These Strange Times

by Douglas Trattner on July 2, 2020 at 9:15AM

I went 14 weeks without eating a meal inside a restaurant, an unprecedented span of time that has not been repeated in my entire adult life. It most certainly hasn’t happened during my two-decade stint as a food writer.

Forced by the Pandemic to Adapt, Chef's Garden Shifts its Focus from Restaurants to Home Cooks with Direct Shipping and Farm Sales

by Douglas Trattner on July 1, 2020 at 4:11PM

UJerk Caribbean Eatery Opens in Downtown on July 3

by Douglas Trattner on July 1, 2020 at 9:36AM

A little taste of Jamaica will make its way downtown thanks to Jon Manning, who will open UJerk Caribbean Eatery (850 Euclid Ave.) in the former Cleveland Pickle/Hatfield's Goode Grub space in the City Club Building. The fast-casual restaurant will specialize jerk chicken in various forms.

Plum Market Kitchen to Open in Former Constantino’s Space in University Circle

by Douglas Trattner on July 1, 2020 at 9:29AM

Detroit-based Plum Market, a company known for all-natural groceries, apothecary and wellness items, will open a 12,000-square-foot market in University Circle. The former Constantino’s Market (11473 Euclid Ave.) will be redesigned and remodeled to accommodate the new tenant.

Update: Destination Cleveland Extends Deadline for Cleveland Brewery Passport Redemptions and Introduces Digital App

by Jeff Niesel on June 30, 2020 at 3:50PM

Original post 7/1/2019: Last year, Destination Cleveland introduced a Cleveland Brewery Passport Program. Participants could pick up a passport at one of 30 local breweries and then receive stamps from each participating brewery.

Cloak and Dagger, a Neighborhood Cocktail Bar, to Open this Fall in Tremont

by Douglas Trattner on June 30, 2020 at 3:05PM

Next in line for the notorious Tremont property that most recently was home to SalsaRito is Cloak & Dagger (2399 West 11th St.), which owner Casey Hughes describes as a “neighborhood craft cocktail bar.” Hughes and business partner Cory Hajde are shooting for a late-September opening. Despite an admittedly speakeasy-sounding name, Hughes wants to dispel any notions that Cloak & Dagger is going to be a haughty hideaway.

From One-Off to Regional Brand, Original Steaks & Hoagies is Poised to Spread its Philly-Based Love Throughout the Land

by Douglas Trattner on June 26, 2020 at 1:04PM

In March of 2011, I sank my teeth into the best Philly sandwich ever to pass my lips other than those enjoyed in the City of Brotherly Love. That steak sub was made to order by Bill Fromholzer, aka "Billy from Philly," who opened his Twinsburg restaurant Original Steaks & Hoagies just a few months prior.

Punch Bowl Social to Reopen Flats Location on July 13

by Douglas Trattner on June 26, 2020 at 9:45AM

For weeks, the future of Punch Bowl Social (1086 W. 11th St., 216-239-1508) on the East Bank of the Flats has been in limbo as reports surfaced about parent company Cracker Barrel announcing that it was withdrawing financial support from the growing "eatertainment" venture. Those issues, of course, were heaped upon an already uncertain future thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced the Cleveland (and the other 15) stores to close and layoff 100s of employees.

Pinzone's Meats Leaving the West Side Market

by Vince Grzegorek on June 25, 2020 at 7:30AM

Vendor departures were a public symptom of the behind-the-scenes management problems that roiled to a low boil in late 2019 and early 2020 as outcry gained momentum to have the city of Cleveland transfer management of the century-old institution to some other entity. The city responded by doing what it does best —- issuing a lengthy list of unattainable goals and hiring a consultant.

Coming Soon: Home Bistro, Opening This Summer in Little Italy

by Douglas Trattner on June 24, 2020 at 5:33PM

Morenz describes his cooking as New American, with seasonal, ingredient-driven fare with roots in American, Italian and even Dutch cooking. But it was much more than the food that attracted so many diners to Chicago's Home Bistro for so many years, the chef says.

80% of Ohio Restaurants Do Not Anticipate Breaking Even in 2020, According to New Poll

by Maija Zummo on June 24, 2020 at 3:43PM

The Ohio Restaurant Association has been conducting weekly polls to evaluate the health of the state's restaurants and the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Gov. Mike DeWine gave restaurants the go-ahead to open outdoor dining on May 15 and indoor seating on May 21.