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Tag: Cleveland Restaurants

  • The Best Things We Ate in Cleveland in 2025 – Cleveland Scene

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    The past 12 months were filled with exciting debuts, heartwarming comebacks and enjoyable excursions around Northeast Ohio. For me, these were the dishes and experiences that made it a great year of dining around Cleveland. 

    Beef Wellington at White Oaks, Westlake

    I corrected a grievous error this past year by visiting White Oaks, a piece of culinary history in old Westlake. Around since 1928, the restaurant pairs a Prohibition-era vibe with Continental fare. After enjoying gin martinis in the wood-paneled lounge, we settled into a table overlooking a wooded ravine. There, we dined unhurriedly on timeless gems like relish trays, cheese fondue and escargot. The star of the kitchen is the beef Wellington, a puff pastry-wrapped tenderloin coated with mushroom duxelles and served on a pool of rich Bordelaise sauce.

    Steak Frites at EDWINS, Cleveland Heights

    When Brandon Chrostowski moved EDWINS from Shaker Square to the Nighttown space in Cleveland Heights, he revived the soul and spirit of the local legend. After enduring a four-year roller-coaster ride, the community welcomed the transformation with open arms. While diners can still savor fine-dining, multi-course tasting menus in the main dining room, you’ll find me in the bar enjoying brasserie-style dishes like frog legs, steak tartare and a matchless steak frites: grilled and sliced strip steak with a mountain of crisp fries and a pool of decadent Bearnaise.

    Mushroom Tartlets at Kiln, Shaker Heights

    Kiln opened its doors in late 2024, but we didn’t really get to know it until earlier this year. Over a few casual but elegant meals, Doug Katz’ latest restaurant began to unfurl like a snow-dappled crocus. The airy popovers with strawberry jam and whipped butter are reason enough to visit, but so too are the mushroom tartlets. Redolent with the aroma of ripe camembert (from local fromager Marchant Manor), the flaky bite-size tarts are further filled with mushrooms, Amish swiss and chives.

    Chicken Thigh Yakitori at Kyuu-juu, Ohio City

    Yakitori is one of those foods that seems utterly foolproof – grilled chicken on a stick! – yet tends to fail in myriad ways. Which might explain why in all my years on the beat, only a handful of local versions have managed to come close to the ideal. At Kyuu-juu, which opened this summer in Ohio City, partners Ryan Endrian and Chef Kwan present a contemporary izakaya built around vegetables, sushi, seafood, chicken, beef, duck and more. Skewers of juicy, tare-glazed chicken thigh are expertly grilled, garnished with scallion, and served with a side of salt and Japanese pepper.

    Smash Burger at Crowley’s Dive Bar (Multiple Locations)

    I’ve eaten more smash burgers over the past five years than I have in my entire life. That’s because more places than ever are serving them. Unfortunately, most of the so-called smash burgers on local menus aren’t the real deal. Crowley’s, which went from one to four shops in less than three years, does them right, basket after basket. Here, the patties are smashed on the griddle until the edges flair out to a crispy lace that extends well past the bun. The twin patties are tucked into a toasted potato roll and topped with cheese, sautéed onions, shredded lettuce and special sauce.

    Shawarma at Levant, Cleveland

    Levant quietly opened its doors in 2024, but it has quickly made a name for itself thanks to Adib Toubya’s wholesome and delicious Middle Eastern fare. Each day, the Syrian-born chef makes two types of shawarma cones from scratch: chicken and beef/lamb. The meat is thinly sliced, seasoned and stacked conically on a vertical spit, where it slowly twirls and cooks. The lightly charred meat is shaved to order and tucked into a large pita with veggies, pickles and sauces. Order your shawarma wrap “Arabic-style” and it arrives in tidy bite-size pieces.

    Cuban Platter at Sazón Latino, Cleveland

    One of the most delicious surprises of the past year is CentroVilla25, a Latin-themed food hall and marketplace in Clark-Fulton. The Mercado Verde within features eight different food kiosks offering Salvadoran, Venezuelan, Puerto Rican, Dominican and Mexican fare – and it’s all amazing. But what brings me back is Sazón Latino, which offers a large selection of ready-to-eat Cuban fare. Platters of savory beef and potato stew are served with black beans and rice, yuca with garlic, and plantains. Tack on a few crispy empanadas as well. 

    The Butcher at Village Butcher, Mayfield

    Chefs Zach Ladner and Carl Quagliata opened this exceptional butcher shop in 2022, but it took me a few years to make a visit. Coolers are packed with a dizzying selection of premium steaks and chops – including house dry-aged cuts – as well as pork, poultry, sausages and burgers. While home cooks gravitate to those products, sandwich lovers line up for hot and cold subs made with a chef’s level of care and attention. The Butcher, their take on an Italian beef, is a delicious beast loaded with tender braised beef, flavorful jus, sharp cheddar and tangy giardiniera.

    The Melt Down at Something Good Social Kitchen, Cleveland

    Ricky Smith, the local personality behind Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere (R.A.K.E.), opened Something Good Social Kitchen this spring on the Playhouse Square Plaza. The quick-serve operation is situated in the kiosk that last housed Dynomite Burgers. The bill of fare is concise, with seasonal salads, all-beef hot dogs and burgers. What Smith calls “burgers” are actually chopped-cheese sandwiches – and they’re mega-delicious. The Melt Down is a blend of ground beef, mushrooms, onions, banana peppers and cheese, which all gets chopped and cooked on the griddle, loaded into a soft potato bun and topped with condiments and sauces. The chef’s kiss: the free meal that gets donated for every meal purchased.

    Burrito Mojado at La Casa de Luchita’s, Cleveland

    I’ll admit that nostalgia is a potent ingredient when it comes to food. Luchita’s, which is now called La Casa de Luchita’s, opened this past summer at Shaker Square, reviving a storied local brand that had been all but erased. The revival of those familiar, comforting Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes is cause for celebration. In addition to staples such as chiles rellenos, tamales, flautas and enchiladas, we welcomed back an old friend: el Burrito Mojado, or Wet Burrito. A tender flour tortilla is stuffed with ground beef and beans and topped with cheese and red or green salsa.

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  • The Cleveland Dining Trends of 2025 That We Love, and Hate – Cleveland Scene

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    Tastes change. Fads come and go, and sometimes come again. Trends take hold nationally and locally, infiltrating just about every way we dine. Amid the ever-evolving culinary landscape, here’s what we’re hankering for more, and less, of as the calendar turns to 2026.

    Sell: Influencer Shoots During Service

    We understand the value and importance of social media. Those digital creators are a vital link between restaurants and potential customers, wielding enormous sway over their followers. No longer a fringe field, the typical collaboration involves contracts, complicated shoots, supplemental lighting and compensation. As such, they should be treated like any marketing campaign, which is to say: done outside standard service hours. Why spoil the experience of paying customers already in the dining room in hopes of attracting hypothetical ones?

    Hold: Conveyor-Belt Sushi

    Northeast Ohio didn’t land its first kaiten-zushi, aka conveyor-belt sushi restaurant, until 2022. Now we have four. I’m not saying that’s too many for the area, but when it comes to burgeoning trends, we often see a rush to market by less-than-competent operators keen to cash in – something we witnessed with barbecue, tacos and other foods. I’m a huge fan of places like Watami and Funshi because they are the antidote extravagant omakases and somber sushi counters. Let’s just proceed with caution. 

    Buy: More International Markets

    We are blessed in Northeast Ohio with international food markets catering to a diverse group of cultures. St. Clair Superior bursts with Asian groceries; Little Arabia is a rich source for Middle Eastern and halal products; Mayfield has become a hotspot for Russian and Eastern European food markets. The west side is home to some of the best Latin markets in the state. Greek, Italian, Indian, African, Mediterranean, Caribbean and more.  Cleveland’s immigrant makeup is more diverse now than ever and that’s represented by our amazing markets. 

    Sell: Covert Gratuity and Service Charges

    Gratuity is a non-negotiable facet of dining. And I understand that service charges are often necessary to offset rising operating costs rather than raise menu prices. The former goes straight to employees while the latter is intended for the business in general. Neither should come as an unwelcome surprise to unsuspecting diners via the post-dinner check. Servers should make diners aware of the restaurant’s policies in case they miss that 8-point type on the back of the menu.

    Hold: Hangry Brands Total World Domination

    It has taken other hospitality groups a decade or more to amass the sort of bar and restaurant portfolio that Jason Beudert’s Hangry Brands has in just a handful of years. Since launching The Yard in Willoughby in 2022, the group has launched Geraci’s Slice Shop and Lionheart Coffee downtown, STEAK in Tremont and Jolene’s Honky Tonk on 4th Street. The group also has acquired legacy spots like Society Lounge, Edison’s Pub and Danny’s on Professor. In the works are Paper Tiger in Tremont and STEAK in Chagrin Falls. Monopolies never fare well for the consumer. 

    Sell: Ohio City Chain Invasion

    If you had mentioned a decade ago the possibility of a massive global chain descending upon W. 25th Street, folks would have assumed that you slammed one too many Christmas Ales. Not long ago, community opposition ended plans to open a McDonald’s restaurant on Lorain. But now, Starbucks is opening a drive-through coffee shop just steps from the West Side Market and Chipotle has opened a location on West 25th Street, tarnishing in one year the independent identity that neighborhood stakeholders have spent decades cultivating. 

    Buy: The Casual but Compelling Neighborhood Bistro

    No segment has been decimated more than the small but mighty neighborhood restaurant. At places like the Black Pig, Lolita, Flying Fig, Spice, Bar Cento and more, a diner could walk in off the street and spend as much or as little as he or she desired. The menu offered a broad range of chef-driven staples and specials that could support multiple visits per week and month. While perhaps not “Instagrammable,” these owner-operated bars, bistros and boites were the lifeblood of neighborhoods.

    Buy: Tavern-Style Pizza 

    When it comes to pizza, Cleveland is doing just fine. We have amazing wood-fired pizza, some very good New York-style pies, and enough Ohio-style pizza to fill a collegiate stadium. What we don’t have is tavern-style pizza. While deep-dish pizza grabs all the attention in Chicago, most locals there go for tavern-style, a niche that originated in that burg’s bars nearly 100 years ago. It is characterized by a thin, cracker-like crust, edge-to-edge cheese and toppings, and a signature square cut, making it ideal for pub sessions. It is the next big thing in pizza – already spreading across the land – so let’s conjure some up right here. 

    Sell: Cavernous Hospitality Concepts

    If there’s one thing we learned from recent developments in the Flats East Bank, it’s that Cleveland has too many oversized entertainment complexes. The simultaneous closures of Margaritaville, Inferno and Rum Runners all have one thing in common: the outsized footprint of the property. In a market such as ours, these types of places tend to start with a bang and end with a whimper.

    Sell: Tech Over Humans

    If you want to bring customers back into restaurants, you have to have people eager to serve them when they arrive. I’ve had recent dine-in experiences that involved so few actual human beings that I might as well have stayed home and ordered delivery. From QR-code menus and tablet ordering to self-service beverage stations and bussing my own damn table, certain establishments have stripped the convivial, social aspect of dining out down to the studs. Am I still obligated to leave a 20-percent tip? 

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  • Will the Michelin Guide Land in Cleveland Someday? – Cleveland Scene

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    (This post is excerpted from Scene Dining Editor Doug Trattner’s weekly CLE Bites newsletter. Want more stories like this directly in your inbox every Saturday morning? Subscribe here.)

    A decade ago, the idea that Michelin Guide inspectors would descend upon Cleveland’s restaurant scene would have been ludicrous. Not because of the quality of our product, but simply because we were well outside the scope of their purview. The famous French tire company had not deigned to cross the pond until 2005, when it published its first American guide that covered the five boroughs of New York City.

    But things have shifted since then, with Michelin rolling out new guides with fresh urgency. Since touching down in the Big Apple, the revered reviewers have advanced to California, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Florida. As you can see, some guides are limited to a specific city, while others ostensibly cover an entire state.

    Expansion has picked up even more lately with the introduction of regional guides, such as the American South Guide and the Northeast Cities Guide, which until now had consisted solely of Chicago, New York City and Washington, D.C. But this year, Philadelphia and Boston were added to the mix.

    So what is fueling all this expansion? Well, money, of course. Over the past decade or so, Michelin has begun “partnering” with regional tourism boards to help offset the expense of bringing inspectors in to undertake the comprehensive review process. These deals, once struck, secure a commitment by Michelin to evaluate the best restaurants in their cities. It does not, however, guarantee that a single star will be granted.

    And we’re talking a lot of money here, folks. In a recent New York Times article, a representative from the Colorado Tourism Office stated that his agency agreed to pay $100,000 a year for three years to bring in inspectors. But those state funds were matched by other payouts ($70,000 to $100,000 each, according to the Times) from civic and private groups from Denver, Boulder, Aspen, Vail and the resort communities of Snowmass and Beaver Creek.

    Cities or regions who decline to “partner” with Michelin will not be included, which is why we used the word “ostensibly” earlier. Although it is a Colorado Guide, many excellent restaurants were immediately ineligible simply because they were located in cities that refused to pony up.

    There is no denying the luster of a Michelin star – or two, or three. They serve as a beacon for travelers, who increasingly plan entire trips around dining. International travelers especially use Michelin stars to guide their journeys. Professionals who have earned stars are forever referred to as “Michelin-starred chefs.” Not only does the recognition bring in hordes of diners, it brings in talent, much the same way a James Beard Award attracts would-be sous chefs.

    When evaluating a meal, the anonymous inspectors evaluate the quality of ingredients; mastery of flavor and cooking techniques; personality of the chef represented in the dining experience; harmony of the flavors; and consistency between visits. The stars, from one to three, famously translate to worth a stopworth a detour, and worth a journey. Stars must be re-earned every year.

    When the first Michelin Guide Colorado was to be published in 2023, Laura Young was eagerly anticipating the results. As founder and editor of New Denizen, an independent website that expertly covers Denver’s frothy food scene, Young digested the news. That first year, only five restaurants in the entire state earned one-star acclaim, three of which are located in Denver. None earned two or three stars.

    In the latest roundup, eight Colorado restaurants earned one-star distinction and one snagged two stars.

    As an insider, Young has opinions.

    “From a local perspective, I don’t think anyone in the industry would say that the list gets it 100-percent right,” she told me via email. “There are some absolutely glaring omissions which makes everyone scratch their heads.”

    Apart from that notable Michelin-starred taco stand in Mexico City, Michelin-starred restaurants tend to adhere to a format. They typically are those temples of gastronomy lorded over by tweezer-obsessed chefs who host multi-course, tasting menu-only meals that fetch hundreds of dollars per person. Those and super-luxe Japanese omakase counters.

    That certainly proved true in Denver, Young noted.

    “They clearly have a preference for a certain type of restaurant – namely expensive tasting menus,” she said.

    Of the seven Michelin-starred restaurants in Denver, all but two are tasting-menu-style restaurants, according to Young.

    So the obvious question is: Will Cleveland ever play host to those famed and feared Michelin inspectors, perhaps as part of a new Midwest Guide or Great Lakes Guide. I reached out to a representative from Destination Cleveland, the organization that likely would be responsible for bringing them to town, for an answer.

    “Cleveland’s culinary scene is a hallmark of our visitor experience,” Emily Lauer, VP of PR for Destination Cleveland responded. “If Michelin continues to broaden the markets they review, we’d be open to learning more, including how recognition like Michelin stars contributes to growth in both tourism and local restaurants’ sales.”

    How would we fare if we did get the Michelin treatment? It’s impossible to say given the subjectivity, secrecy and fluidity of the evaluation process. There doesn’t appear to be a large number of area restaurants that fit neatly into the Michelin mold. And any located outside Cuyahoga County proper – Destination Cleveland’s coverage area – would likely not be up for consideration.

    Of course, there are lesser distinctions such as the Bib Gourmand, which signify a “good value” eatery, and Michelin-recommended restaurants, which fail to achieve either starred or Bib Gourmand status. But any of these achievements are honors that will bring diners through the door.

    “For restaurants that get stars for the first time, it definitely impacts their business in the short term,” adds Young from Denver. “To make it last long term, that’s up to the team to deliver the experience that brings people back or makes them recommend.”

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  • Last Week in Cleveland Food News: Juneberry and Gigi’s Expansions, Cleveland Pizza Week Deals and More – Cleveland Scene

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    Gigi’s on Fairmount is expanding again, this time with The James, a new dessert and bourbon bar that will bring total seating up to 120. Twelve years after opening, demand continues apace and owners Gia and James Patsch are only too happy to accommodate.

    “It will have a Great Gatsby speakeasy feel,” James explains. “A quaint, kind of cozy little place to go for dessert after going downtown for a show.”

    Karen Small likewise was in need of more space in Ohio City as Juneberry packs them in. The solution: Nab the spot next door and open Juneberry To Go, which will be stocked with grab-and-go sandwiches, wine, and more, with additional seating for quick takeout service.

    The same space crunch had been weighing on Ohio City Burrito, whose flagship shop in Ohio City quickly seemed too small after opening 16 years ago. Thankfully, owners Jeff and Michelle Pizzuli have found a new home down the street at the current Family Dollar spot, where the burrito shop will move come next summer.

    And down the block on Lorain, Soho Chicken + Whiskey is settling into its new home, which is a stunner.

    Over in Westlake, Dan Deagan’s new golf sim facility, Pin High, opened its doors just in time for winter golf season.

    And over on the east side, Crowley’s just turned the open sign on at its newest location on the John Carroll campus.

    Speaking of new joints: Here are 21 new restaurants and bars debuting soon around Northeast Ohio.

    Finally, it’s Cleveland Pizza Week. Here are all the deals to catch.

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  • 21 New Cleveland Restaurants and Bars Debuting Soon – Cleveland Scene

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    It might be hard to beat the excitement of the last year around the Cleveland dining scene, but if the nearly two dozen new openings slated for late 2025 and early 2026 are any indication, it’s certainly possible.

    Expansions, transitions, cocktails, burgers, plenty of Asian fare, new ventures from the city’s best chefs, and a bevy of new downtown bars await around the corner.

    Here’s what we’ve been keeping our eyes on.

    Lao Sze Chuan, Strongsville

    Since opening at Pinecrest in 2023, Lao Sze Chuan has continued to attract Asian food fans thanks to its elegant interior, tantalizing Sichuan cuisine, and first-to-market standing in the state. Ohio’s first Lao Sze Chuan soon will be joined by its second when Sheng Long Yu opens another location in Strongsville. The famed Chicago-based eatery will open sometime this winter in the former Red Lobster space at SouthPark Mall.

    Shinto Japanese Steakhouse, Lyndhurst

    Sheng Long Yu did not get where he is today by sitting still. Since opening the original Shinto in Strongsville 20 years ago, he has gone to open more than a dozen other concepts in Northeast Ohio and beyond, including a second Shinto in Westlake. Shinto number three is slated to open this winter at Legacy Village in Lyndhurst. Work currently is in progress in the spacious former home of Granite City near Dick’s Sporting Goods.

    EVOO, The Legacy, Lyndhurst 

    In the coming weeks and months, EVOO and The Legacy will open in the former Bar Louie and California Pizza Kitchen spaces at Legacy Village, respectively. The restaurants will be operated by Brad Friedlander and Michael DuBois, principals in the quickly expanding Cleveland Restaurant Management Group. EVOO is described as a “modern Greek-Mediterranean concept,” while The Legacy is a “love letter to the diners” who have enjoyed Friedlander spots like Café Brio, Moxie, RED, and Cut 151.

    Saffron Patch, Lyndhurst

    Also at Legacy Village, the former Wild Mango space presently is being rebuilt into a splashy new Saffron Patch Indian restaurant. The original opened 35 years ago in Orange Village, before relocating to Shaker Heights. While that location is expected to close prior to the Lyndhurst opening, there will be no changes to a second location in North Olmsted. This new location is billed as an “upscale Indian restaurant experience and vibe that is typical in Los Angeles and New York.”

    Le Burger 4304, Jaja, Ohio City

    Jaja and Pioneer restaurants have been closed since Halloween last year when a car crashed into Intro in Ohio City. JJJ hospitality, the new group in charge of food at Intro, will replace Pioneer – and its live-fire cooking suite – with Le Burger 4304, a gourmet burger, sandwich and salad concept that JJJ hospitality launched last year in Minneapolis. After Le Burger opens later this fall, Jaja will reopen a couple weeks later with an all new menu and chef, Logan Abbe.

    Nightjar, Woodmere Village

    Nightjar, an intimate cocktail and jazz bar, will debut later this year at Eton Chagrin Boulevard in Woodmere. The owners are Sam Friedman, founder of the City Goods project in Hingetown, and Michael Paley, who runs the cocktail bar Cent’ Anni in Little Italy. The pair is aiming for a timeless interior reminiscent of a French Quarter jazz club. Live and vinyl music will be joined by wine, cocktails, snacks, tinned fish platters and dessert. 

    Domo Yakitori and Sushi, Ohio City

    Domo Yakitori and Sushi, which existed at Van Aken District in Shaker for three years, will make its return later this fall in Ohio City. This version is built largely for takeout, but will offer seating for around 20 guests. OwnerCarmen Paponetti prepares made-to-order sushi, yakitori and okonomiyaki, the popular Japanese street food consisting of savory pancakes filled and topped with any number of ingredients.

    Hereafter, Ohio City

    StarChefs “Rising Star Bartender” Gabriela Holzer will open, Hereafter, an intimate cocktail bar and restaurant this winter in Ohio City. Presently lead bartender at Thyme Table in Bay Village, Holzer is building a “minimalist space that removes distracting visual noise and allows our guests to feel calmness, and therefore be more present with the cocktails, food, and company.” In addition to the beverages, Hereafter will offer a full food menu that focuses on small plates.

    Noble Beast Biergarten, Ohio City

    This coming spring, Shaun Yasaki, brewer-owner of Noble Beast Brewing, will unveil a new year-round, indoor-outdoor destination for beer, food and fun in Ohio City. He is merging multiple parcels on Lorain Avenue to fashion a compound that combines an alfresco beer garden, greenhouse, restaurant and cocktail bar. Chef-partner James Redford will offer food inspired by European beer gardens that relies on seasonal local ingredients.

    Crowley’s Dive Bar, University Heights

    Crowley’s Dive Bar, the “unapologetically unglamorous” home to killer smash burgers and more, just opened its newest location on the campus of John Carroll University in University Heights. Since launching two years ago in Eastlake, the owners have expanded to Kirtland and Painesville. The draw is exceptional pub grub, attentive service and an unpretentious vibe that appeals to a wide audience. 

    Masa, Flour, Brecksville

    Valor Acres, the mixed-use living community taking shape in Brecksville, has attracted Dante Boccuzzi and Matt Mytro, both of whom will open new restaurants in the coming months. First to completion will be Masa, a Japanese restaurant by Boccuzzi that will focus on fast-casual sushi rolls and bowls. Soon after, Flour owners Mytro and Paul and Lisa Minnillo will open a new location in which to enjoy the same chef-driven Italian fare that has made it a success in Moreland Hills since 2011.

    Joe’s BBQ, Brimfield

    True barbecue fans know that some of Ohio’s best brisket, ribs, pulled pork and smoked chicken are cooked and sold on a gravel parking lot in rural Brimfield Township. Since 2017, Joe Menendez has more than made do operating from an alfresco smoker and food truck, but he has been plotting to erect a brick-and-mortar establishment on the same site for years. When the structure is completed in the coming months, diners can look forward to a fast-casual setup with indoor and outdoor seating.

    New Cordelia Joint, Ohio City

    Not much still is known about the new project from Cordelia owners Vinnie Cimino and Andrew Watts, which was announced this past summer. Building off the success of “Midwest Nice” hospitality coupled with “Modern Grandma” cuisine, the owners plotted expansion by snagging the former Alea space in the Hingetown area of Ohio City. When it opens later this year, the as-yet-unnamed eatery “will be an extension of who we are as culinary professionals,” says Cimino. 

    Witch Doctor, Old Brooklyn

    The Old Brooklyn neighborhood will be on the receiving end of a new botanically themed cocktail bar called the Witch Doctor, which is expected to open in the coming weeks. “I get a lot of inspiration from herbalism,” explains owner Matt Luebert. He goes on to describe the vibe as “witch doctor in the forest,” with stained glass windows, live plants and a garden growing out back.

    Urban Myer’s Pint House, Downtown

    It’s been a year since Saucy Brew Works CEO Brent Zimmerman announced that the company had purchased Urban Meyer’s Pint House and planned to open a location in downtown Cleveland. That Buckeyes-themed sports bar is taking shape inside the former Winking Lizard space in the Gateway District. The latest estimates peg opening day early next summer.

    Tom’s Watch Bar, Downtown

    Willoughby’s K & D Group is bringing Tom’s Watch Bar, a nationally recognized leader in the sports-bar category, to downtown Cleveland. The bar is taking shape in the Electric Building at 700 Prospect Ave. Founded in 2014, Tom’s Watch Bar is known for airing everything from college football games to prize fights on a massive stadium-style screen alongside hundreds of other panels to create a 360-degree viewing experience.

    Cosm, Downtown

    Cosm, an immersive sports and entertainment venue, will rise as part of Bedrock’s new mixed-use Rock Block development in downtown Cleveland. Our location will join others in in Los Angeles and Dallas, and soon, Atlanta and Detroit. Cosm employs “Shared Reality” technology and wraparound displays to transport guests into real-time sporting events, concerts and other live-action entertainment. The attraction is slated to open in the first half of 2027.

    Mason Social, Mentor 

    Mason Social, another creation from the Cleveland Restaurant Management Group, is taking shape in the former Melt Bar and Grilled location in Mentor. The concept is described by the owners as “sports bar meets honky-tonk.” When it opens in December, the restaurant will offer scratch-made bar food, cocktails served in mason jars, and dozens of TVs for sports viewing.

    Pin High, Bay Village

    Dan Deagan is putting the finishing touches on Pin High, a golf simulator facility in Bay Village, which opens Friday, Nov. 7. The 13,000-square-foot, two-level complex is located in the old Bay Lanes bowling alley just steps from Deagan’s Wolf & Co. In addition to a dozen cutting-edge golf simulators, Pin High will offer top-flight beer, wine and cocktails alongside a “simple but good” menu of snacks.

    Paper Tiger, Tremont

    Hangry Brands continues their rapid growth with the addition of Paper Tiger, a contemporary “American-Chinese” restaurant that will open in the former Crust space in Tremont. Like most of their other concepts, this one will be immersive, experiential and fun. Think Chinese zodiac cocktails, complimentary shrimp chips, glowing red dragons, and a mix of traditional and creative Chinese foods.

    STEAK, Chagrin Falls

    The success of STEAK in Tremont, with its bold décor, playful vibe and all-inclusive price structure, has spurred expansion on the concept. Next up for parent company Hangry Brands is a location in Chagrin Falls, specifically the former Burntwood Tavern on Washington. Following a complete transformation of the building, inside and out, STEAK Chagrin will open sometime in 2026.

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  • Last Week in Cleveland Food News: Mosaic’s Big Debut, Edison’s Sale and More – Cleveland Scene

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    It was a frothy week of dining and bar news around Cleveland, and we start in Tremont.

    • Mosaic Brewing has opened its doors and, judging by the crowds last weekend, the neighborhood is already fully embracing its first true local brewery. GM Bart Gabbard said Mosaic is focused on what they’re making and selling in house, not distribution. To that end, brewer Caleb Brown, who worked with Gabbard at some of the region’s best breweries, is serving up English ales, lagers and pilsners.
    • Dining editor Doug Trattner dug into Kyuu-juu in Ohio City for his most recent review, noting that the obsessively crafted izakaya blends the modern and traditional and maintaining a casual feel despite the high-end ingredients and service.

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    Vince Grzegorek has been with Scene since 2007 and editor-in-chief since 2012. He previously worked at Discount Drug Mart and Texas Roadhouse.

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  • Last Week in Cleveland Food News: Revolving Sushi in Avon, Best New Restaurants and More – Cleveland Scene

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    smash burger and fries

    There’s a ton to catch up on. Let’s get to it. Subscribe to Cleveland Scene newsletters. Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed

    The post Last Week in Cleveland Food News: Revolving Sushi in Avon, Best New Restaurants and More appeared first on Cleveland Scene.

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  • Last Week in Cleveland Food News: Nightjar, 56 Social, Danny’s and More – Cleveland Scene

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    Vince Grzegorek has been with Scene since 2007 and editor-in-chief since 2012. He previously worked at Discount Drug Mart and Texas Roadhouse.

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  • Last Week in Cleveland Food News: Lola’s Bistro Opens Soon in Chagrin Falls, Kyuramen Shines in Strongsville, and More

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    Douglas Trattner

    Lola’s Bistro in Chagrin Falls to open in early September.

    – The transformation of the former Bell & Flower spot into Lola’s Bistro, which opens next week, is nothing short of stunning. Here’s what to expect at the new French restaurant in Chagrin Falls.

    – The Farmer’s Rail team never seems to stop. The latest evidence: its opening of Amelia’s in Cuyahoga Falls.

    – Ben & Jerry’s is now slinging scoops in Playhouse Square.

    – Beet Jar’s new Van Aken outpost is now open.

    – Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill will next year fill the vacant space most recently home to Taco Bell Cantina on Public Square.

    – Mango Mango has closed in Asiatown.

    – Batuqui’s new Larchmere home is now welcoming diners, and more of them.

    – Scene Dining Editor Doug Trattner thoroughly enjoyed his trip to Kyuramen in Strongsville, which takes visitors on a stylish tour through regional ramen varieties.

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  • This Week in Cleveland Food News: A Members-Only Bar, a Lakewood Sweets Expansion and More

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    Douglas Trattner

    The Writer’s Room in Tremont

    – The Writer’s Room, above Cloak & Dagger in Tremont and run by the same team, is thriving as a members-only cocktail bar. Here’s why.
    – Down the street, Crust is calling it a day in Tremont (but not Midtown).
    – And down the street from there, Battr is expanding from the neighborhood to a second location in Lakewood.
    – Brio has declared bankruptcy and with that has come the abrupt closures of many of its locations, including the spot in Legacy Village.
    – Cuisine of India is shuttering after 15 years in business.
    – You should be having a chopped cheese for lunch and you should be getting it from Something Good Social Kitchen in Playhouse Square.
    – Little Cloud Sandwiches has proved to be a lovely addition to the local sammie scene.
    – Get to know Ohio’s viral lesbian cheesemonger.
    – And, finally, make your plans for Cleveland Wing Week, which kicks of Sunday.
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  • This Week in Cleveland Food News: Two Sports Bars Debuting Downtown, Plus Pizza, Pizza, Pizza

    This Week in Cleveland Food News: Two Sports Bars Debuting Downtown, Plus Pizza, Pizza, Pizza

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    Urban Meyer’s Pint House Facebook

    It’s always gameday at Pint House.

    – The old Winking Lizard Spot in the Gateway District has finally been claimed as Urban Meyer’s Pint House, a Columbus-import now owned by Saucy Brew Works, will open in the space.

    – Another sports bar? Another sports bar. Say hello to Tom’s Watch Bar, a national chain with locations in L.A. and Vegas that will open on Prospect.
    – Cleveland Independents celebrates its biannual Restaurant Week with prix fixe menus at dozens of restaurants from Nov. 11 – 22.
    – Coinciding with Restaurant Week will be Cleveland Pizza Week, which brings $9 specials all across town.
    – Speaking of pizza, Good Pizza from YouTube darling and chef Charlie Anderson is taking over the old Citizen Pie spot on East 4th. – Steak in Tremont is over the top, but while it adds modern flair to the steakhouse experience, it also nails the details.
    – Does GLBC slightly change the recipe for Christmas Ale every year as so many suspect?
    – What’s coming around the bend? Here’s a look at 18 new Cleveland-area restaurants opening soon.

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  • This Week in Cleveland Food News: It’s Time for Doug Katz’s New Restaurant

    This Week in Cleveland Food News: It’s Time for Doug Katz’s New Restaurant

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    Photo by Doug Trattner

    Kiln, opening Monday in Shaker

    – Doug Katz’s latest venture debuts at Van Aken on Monday when the doors to Kiln swing open. Read all about the chef’s American take on a classic European bistro and then make your plan to visit.

    – John Haggerty has closed the doors to Green Kitchen in Clark-Fulton, not because it wasn’t a successful business but because finding staffing proved challenging, he says. The good news: Haggerty has more time to spend at Never Say Dive, where he’s also a partner.

    – Juan and Carlos Vergara are at it again, this time with La Lecora on Larchmere next to Barroco, which will be a “pizzabar hideout.”

    – Looking for a good cause, good company and great wine? Wine for Life fits the bill. 

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  • This Week in Cleveland Food News: Flight Social Opens Downtown and More

    This Week in Cleveland Food News: Flight Social Opens Downtown and More

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    Douglas Trattner

    Flight Social

    – Flight Social has taken, well, flight in the old Chocolate Bar space downtown. Read all about the travel and aviation-themed affair below.
    – Another new addition downtown: Gochujang in Playhouse Square, which is serving up Korean street food.

    – Kelvin Cadiz hasn’t missed a beat after moving Callaloo Cafe from Collinwood to Cleveland Heights, as Scene dining editor Doug Trattner details.

    – Sacred Vortex is just days away from opening the door in the old Platform Beer space on Lorain in Ohio City. The kombuchery and teahouse will a wave of third spaces around Cleveland.
    – P.K. Curry House, which has been open for two years in Mayfield Heights, delivers charm and flavor.

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  • Last Week in Cleveland Food News: New Mexican at Shaker Square, Clambakes and More

    Last Week in Cleveland Food News: New Mexican at Shaker Square, Clambakes and More

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    Scene Archives

    Pulpo Beer Co. is done, though the brewpub in Westlake will remain open

    – Reynaldo Galindo, whose mother Maria de la Luz Galindo opened Luchita’s some four decades ago, is partnering with Jorge Sierra and Elisa Maria Galindo on Coyoacán, a new restaurant and microbrewery opening soon on Shaker Square that will bring the flavors of Mexico City to the east side.

    – Pulpo Beer Co. and the Kraken Room are done in Willoughby.

    – Rising Star is moving to a new permanent home in Cleveland Heights and Abundance Culinary has plans for current space in the diner car on Lee.

    – Why does Cleveland love clambakes? We delve in.

    – And speaking of, here are 11 clambakes around town we love.

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  • Last Week in Cleveland Food News: Dazzling Omakase, a New French Restaurant and More

    Last Week in Cleveland Food News: Dazzling Omakase, a New French Restaurant and More

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    Photo by Doug Trattner

    A dish from Issho Ni

    There’s a whole lot to catch up on from the last week so let’s get to it.

    – Chef Johanes Jonathan has been dazzling diners willing to spend a few hours (and $200) at Issho Ni for weekly 12 to 20-course omakase nights. Scene dining editor spent some time with him to learn how he sources his fish and builds his menu in advance of the chef opening Sushi Kuwahata in Ohio City, where he’ll continue and expand his omakase adventures this winter.

    – While your resident dining editor was in Ireland for two weeks, your humble regular-ass editor took a shot at reviewing Oliva, which was a lovely experience.
    – The former Clifton Wine Bar spot has been claimed as La Ville Lumiere, a French-style brasserie from Chef Kevin O’Connell (formerly of the Cleveland Sandwich Company), opened two Fridays ago.
    – Cleveland Beer Week is upon us.
    – Northeast Ohio restaurants are still adapting to a changing dining landscape post-pandemic.
    – You can now get Map Room pizza at the West End Tavern at Lakewood, which has new ownership and a host of other upgrades.
    – All praise to Chef Liu Fang of Abudance Culinary, who landed on Plate Magazine’s list of Chefs to Watch this year.
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  • How Cleveland Dining Habits Have Changed Post-Pandemic

    How Cleveland Dining Habits Have Changed Post-Pandemic

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    Scene Archives

    East 4th will see more change as Jolene opens soon

    If you think that the restaurant industry is on solid ground these days, you’re not paying attention. While each situation is unique, there are headwinds facing independent restaurant owners, forces driving a distressing wave of closures. On the operator side are hardships such as higher food and labor costs and difficulty in hiring and retaining staff. On the consumer side, customers are reining in spending, relying more on delivery than dining out.

    Even the restaurants that appear to be thriving are likely struggling beneath the surface. Take Salt, the award-winning Lakewood restaurant operated by Jill Vedaa and Jessica Parkison. Despite local and national accolades, the once-hot bistro closed in August.

    “This business is changing a lot,” Vedaa says. “The landscape — how people are eating and drinking — has completely changed.”

    Melt Bar and Grilled has been facing many of the same pressures. Aggressive expansion took the homegrown brand from the original shop in Lakewood to 13-plus restaurants and satellite stores. To save the brand, founder Matt Fish announced that he was closing all but the original restaurant in Lakewood, which will undergo improvements to food quality, service and atmosphere.

    “I don’t want to be looked at as a novelty,” Fish says. “I want to bring regulars back and build back the clientele we had when we first opened up.”

    One of the most heartrending bits of news came out of Cleveland Heights, where the owners of Nighttown announced that the restaurant was closing. The historic jazz supper club opened in 1965 and closed in March of 2020. After sitting idle for a couple years, the property was reopened by the Red Restaurant Group. But too much had changed during the interim: the live music scene, the way people dine and drink, the rise of fast-casual eateries and delivery services.

    But On the Bright Side

    For years we’ve been talking about the rise in “experiential entertainment.” Many pleasure-seekers these days are in search of fun, immersive experiences like axe throwing, shuffleboard and duckpin bowling. Within this so-called “eatertainment” trend, there is a new darling emerging: mini-golf.

    In the coming months, Birdietown Mini Golf and Lounge will open in the Birdtown neighborhood of Lakewood. The two-level, 12,000-square-foot venue is taking shape in the Nest complex on Madison. Owner Tim Frazee describes it as a “date-night” destination that mixes a speakeasy-type bar and restaurant with 18 holes of indoor miniature golf.

    Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene.

    Come spring, East Fourth Street will look and sound a wee bit more like Nashville when partners Jason Beudert, Terry Francona and Chelsea Williams swing open the doors to Jolene. Located in the former Greenhouse Tavern space, the honky-tonk spot will offer a fun, vibrant atmosphere with small live music events, guitar shotskis and shareable boot drinks.

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  • This Week in Cleveland Food News: Chopt Salad, Cozumel, Melt and More

    This Week in Cleveland Food News: Chopt Salad, Cozumel, Melt and More

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    – Dining editor Doug Trattner sat down with Matt Fish to discuss the long and winding journey of Melt Bar & Grilled.

    – Chopt Creative Salads will open its first Ohio location early next year at Eton Chagrin Blvd.

    – Masa & Agave, a Mexican-themed bar and restaurant, has opened in the former Urban Farmer space at the Westin Cleveland hotel.

    – Gerad Guhde is reviving his popular Secret Supper Club dinner series, this time at Convivium 33 Gallery.

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    Douglas Trattner

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  • This Week in Cleveland Food News: Paloma at Van Aken District Evolving and More

    This Week in Cleveland Food News: Paloma at Van Aken District Evolving and More

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    Douglas Trattner

    Paloma at Van Aken District to briefly close to usher in some changes.

    – After earning a reputation as a casual but chef-driven taco restaurant, the 2-year-old Paloma at Van Aken District is preparing to make a shift. On September 14th, the restaurant will close its doors for 10 days to usher in changes both to space and menu.

    – Set to open this winter in Playhouse Square, The Friars’ Table will feature “a seasonal menu inspired by monastic cuisine.” It’s a partnership Brandon Chrostowski and Cleveland Capuchin Ministries.

    – “If you’ve been to Chopt in the Northeast, it will be very similar to that,” says Ben Buckley about Greens Salad Co., opening this spring at Intro in Ohio City.

    – ICYMI Kintaro is expanding again, this time taking the spot in Woodmere left vacant in the wake of Corky & Lenny’s closing.

    Lagerland was a celebration of the past, present and future of Cleveland’s Lager history. Breweries presented the full spectrum of Lager beers such as Pilsner, Helles, Marzen, Oktoberfest, Vienna Lager, Maibock and more. Here’s what we saw.

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    Douglas Trattner

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  • This Week in Cleveland Food News: Arthur Treacher’s is Expanding, and More

    This Week in Cleveland Food News: Arthur Treacher’s is Expanding, and More

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    Douglas Trattner

    Arthur Treacher’s in Garfield Heights

    – New owner George Simon says that he has signed a lease on a property in Cleveland Heights and expects to have the third Arthur Treacher’s restaurant open before the end of the year.

    – With Westsiders, partners Constantine Katsaros and Jack Messer created a sort of unicorn establishment, one that is gorgeous, chef-driven and well-run, but also priced for weekly enjoyment.

    – Solstice, which opened last fall in the former Deagan’s Kitchen space in Lakewood, has closed.

    – Did you make it to the “the Smelliest Food Festival in America” last weekend? Here’s what you missed if you didn’t.

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  • Review: Westsiders in Rocky River is a Well-Designed, Chef-Driven Destination Worthy of Return

    Review: Westsiders in Rocky River is a Well-Designed, Chef-Driven Destination Worthy of Return

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    Westsiders in Rocky River

    One of the best compliments a diner can pay a new restaurant, I believe, is that it feels as though it has been here all along. The statement implies that the business is a beloved member of the community and that it will likely stand the test of time, despite being a fresh-faced newcomer. That’s the aura that Westsiders gives off, a restaurant that Rocky River residents appear to have adopted as one of their own in two short months.

    When partners Constantine Katsaros and Jack Messer set out to craft their new venture, they leaned into their years of experience running Landmark Smokehouse and Twist Social Club on the Cleveland-Lakewood border. The owners endeavored to reclaim the middle market, one squeezed between generic fast-casual eateries and spendy shrines to steak and seafood. What they managed to create is a sort of unicorn establishment, one that is gorgeous, chef-driven and well-run, but also priced for weekly enjoyment.

    A great place to start is with a cocktail like the Passion Smoke, one of more than a dozen alluring concoctions priced at $13. The foam-capped purple potion balances an earthy blend of mezcal, pisco and amaro with the tropical kiss of passionfruit. A glass of Sancerre-like Loire Valley sauvignon blanc – served in fine crystal – is $14, while a glass of plummy Willamette Valley pinot noir is priced at $13.

    Westsiders is one of the most attractive casual restaurants to materialize in some time. In place of the ubiquitous industrial chic interior, diners are treated to a cosmopolitan hideaway that belies its shopping plaza locale. Warm wood tables, sumptuous leather-wrapped booths and reclaimed Art Deco-era panels that function as dividers coexist in a color palette of moss and spruce. The setting is so nice in fact that the TVs in the dining room feel incongruous.

    I’m a gardener so I’m up to my neck in cucumbers and tomatoes, but in the hands of executive chef Chris Suntala, those crops taste utterly refreshed. In the “cucumber three ways,” ($10), those veggies arrive with three different preparations, textures and flavors. The only way to improve summer-sweet cherry tomatoes ($12) is to pair them with grilled ripe peaches, nestle them in creamy housemade ricotta, and drizzle the whole lot with chili-spiked honey. That glossy ricotta ($12) is also served with grilled bread as a quick snack.

    If you order only one appetizer, make it the pork belly ($15). While the nicely charred sticky-glazed belly is savory and fork-tender, it’s the polenta fingers that will linger in my mind. Precision-cut into rectilinear slabs, the airy, cheesy polenta is pan-seared to form a golden crust on two sides. Seared tuna too often is overcooked and bland, but the buttery, barely cooked version here ($16) is more like warm crudo, enveloped in a crunchy black pepper crust and seasoned with soy, citrus and sesame.

    Subsribing to the “do less but do it better” mentality, the chef wields an editor’s pen when crafting his laser-focused menu. For mids and mains he offers a few pastas and five entrees, one of which is a burger. That burger ($19) is a joy to eat, gently formed, capped with cheddar and crispy shallots, and cooked to perfection. The only minor flaw were the accompanying pale and salty fries.

    Suntala’s stint at Vic’s in New York instilled in the chef a knack for pastas, which are smartly composed and housemade. There’s a tagliatelle ($22) tossed in a flavorful, warm-spiced Bolognese that goes easy on the meat. A special pasta ($21) featured short, nubby tubes – cooked to a firm al dente – that cradle the butter-enriched white wine sauce. The dish was garnished with blistered cherry tomatoes, torn basil and freshly grated cheese.

    Those in search of a meaty, fall-adjacent dish should order the slow-braised pork collar ($26). Cooked until pot roast-tender, the lush meat is perched atop roasted sweet potatoes, sided by hearty greens, slicked with gravy and garnished with bright pickled onions. Other options include a half chicken served on farro risotto, a grilled and sliced coulotte steak with roasted redskins and salsa verde, and a rainbow trout with cauliflower and apple brown butter.

    Many brand-new restaurants operate on shaky ground – still cycling through staff, feeling out the clientele, tweaking the menu and the dishes that appear on it. Westsiders, in contrast, feels fully formed, giving diners the confidence that if and when they return, they can expect to find the same quality of food, service and atmosphere that inspired them in the first place.

    Westsiders
    19880 Detroit Rd., Rocky River
    440-488-9908
    westsiders.com

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