Blogs

Friendly, familiar, and not too far, Chicago has long been a top dining-destination for Cleveland-area foodies, who have flocked to such bar-raising establishments as Charlie Trotter’s, Trio, and most recently, Alinea, where young uber-chef Grant Achatz has mastered the art of molecular gastronomy.

So when last year’s tale of Achatz’ Stage IV tongue cancer became public, plenty of Cleveland food fans took the news personally. ...

More

With the possible exception of an entrée that stares back, I’ll eat just about anything. Yet with friends and even offspring of the meat-free persuasion, I take no issue with those who voluntarily restrict their diets.

If anything, I feel protective of my vegetarian pals – particularly when we’re dining at a restaurant, where tasty, meat-free options can be rarer than a ten-buck ribeye. ...

More

Whether you drive a Prius or a Hummer, prices have gotten so wicked that would-be restaurant-goers sometimes have to choose between filling their tanks and filling their tummies. While it’s no cure, here’s a little bit of gas relief from Local Heroes (2217 E. 9th Street, 216-566-8100), the good-looking sports bar across from Progressive Field.

Just bring in a gas station receipt to prove your damages, and staffers promise to not only feel your pain but, more importantly, give you a $5 break on any food purchase of $10 or more.

Of course, there are rules: The offer expires on Friday, May 16. Only one $5 discount is allowed per table. And alcohol isn’t included. Still, when even that 20-cent coupon on a gallon of milk looks good, every little bit helps.

Local Heroes is open for lunch and dinner daily. --- Elaine T. Cicora

Read Elaine Cicora's restaurant reviews, food news, and comprehensive dining guide on the restaurant page at clevescene.com.

So you say you’ve put off making reservations at those fancy-pants Mother’s Day brunch spots, and now you’re up a creek? Allow us to toss you a vegetarian-friendly life preserver, in the form of Tommy’s, a Coventry Road landmark since 1972.

What began as a low-key neighborhood soda shop quickly grew into the unofficial HQ for the region’s tie-dyed freaks and hippies, drawing in artists, writers, and students from Case to Kent State and beyond. Odds are, if Mom is a NEO Boomer, she herself harbors a store of fond, if foggy, memories of Tommy’s, and of nights spent assuaging the munchies inside this bastion of counter-cultural cuisine. ...

More

In this weekly feature, C-Notes stretches your dollar at restaurants around the region, because we’re still waiting on that stimulus check. This week …

Saucy Bistro
24481 Detroit Road, Westlake, (440) 835-3559, www.saucybistro.com
For Scene’s full review, click here.

What $13 got us: Lump meat crab cake, with potato salad and roasted red pepper aioli.

What else $13 can get you: A variety of soups, salads and sandwiches (or the Two for Ten), including a tomato bisque ($6), a Bittaker salad with mixed greens and cauliflower, bacon, blue cheese, and signature Bittaker dressing ($5.50 or $8.50) and a peppercorn crusted Ahi tuna wrap with wasabi aioli, mixed greens, ginger, scallions, teriyaki vinaigrette and sweet potato fries ($11.50). Possible entrees include pretzel crusted grouper with butternut squash hash and honey mustard vinaigrette ($11), grilled sirloin with blue cheese au gratin, wild mushroom duxelle, and asparagus ($12), pistachio crusted tilapia with celery root puree, haricot verts and a chive oil ($11), and organic chicken breast with sweet potato gnocchi, spinach, pearl onions and apple cider glaze ($11).

The Verdict: Smart, solid, and, yes, saucy. (Click "more" to read on).

More

If you haven’t had a chance yet to check out the recently opened Brothers Lounge (11609 Detroit Road), Sunday May 18 could be your golden opportunity. That’s when manager Giuseppe O’Connell is throwing a little “get acquainted” wine tasting and open house in Brothers’ gorgeous Wine Bar, complete with jazz and an assortment of light apps. ...

More

It’s no Live Aid, but thanks to the power of modern communication, Clevelanders can be part of Pangea Day from 2 to 6 p.m. this Saturday, May 10, at both Sergio’s Sarava on Shaker Square (13225 Shaker Square, 216-295-1200) and Ohio City’s Talkies (2521 Market Ave., 216-696-FILM).

Symbolically named after Earth’s original supercontinent, the event is a live, 4-hour, worldwide, simultaneous broadcast of two dozen international short films, along with speakers (including Jordan’s Queen Noor) and music from artists ranging from Bob Geldof to Iranian rock sensation Hypernova. Organizers hope the event will reach millions of viewers, with the result of fostering peace and global understanding. ...

More

Michael Symon likes Bill Clinton. Like, likes him likes him.

Even celebrity chefs have their heroes, and for Cleveland’s own Michael Symon (Lola, Lolita), that would be former president Bill Clinton.

“When he speaks to you, it’s like nobody else exists,” an awestruck Symon told C-Notes this week, still high on his Monday night meeting with the former Prez. “It was probably the coolest thing I’ve ever done.”

It all came down as part of a Big Apple charity bash hosted by Symon’s fellow Food Network star, Rachael Ray, to benefit her non-profit children’s organization, Yum-o!. ...

More

Monday marks Cinco de Mayo – the date in 1862 when Mexico struck a decisive blow against an invading French army at the Battle of Puebla – making this the perfect weekend to pop the top on a couple of Coronas and dig into some tuna tacos.

Our pick for Party Central? Lopez Southwestern Food Club (2196 Lee Rd.; 216-932-9000), restaurateur Craig Sumers’ Mexican-accented eatery in Cleveland Heights. ...

More

In this weekly feature, C-Notes stretches your dollar at restaurants around the region, because, as it turns out, most bistros don’t accept Monopoly money. The picky bastards. This week …

Fire Food & Drink
13220 Shaker Square, Cleveland, (216) 921-3473, www.firefoodanddrink.com
For Scene’s full review, click here.

What $13 got us: Braised pork crepes with crème fraiche, Argentinean pepper relish and fried egg, and a cup of Columbian coffee.

What else $13 can get you: A variety of apps, from soups and salads to fruit and yogurt; a variety of sides, including house made breakfast sausage and applewood smoked bacon; most entrees, including a cured salmon plate with Bialy’s bagel, egg salad, shaved onion, and capers ($10); chicken salad with cherries, carrot bread, baby watercress, lemon and olive oil ($12); brioche French toast with roasted apples and Snake Hill Farm maple syrup ($10), house made pancetta, French brie, poached apricots, and baby arugula flatbread ($12); and lemon soufflé pancakes with blueberry compote ($11).

The Verdict: Completely worth crossing a (formerly) Burning River. ...

More

The bar is stocked, the staff is trained, and the permits have all been signed: Luxe Kitchen and Lounge, Marlin Kaplan’s much anticipated Gordon Square restaurant, opens on Thursday.

The vibe is hip, the décor is funky, and prices are moderate – all aimed to attract the neighborhood’s growing number of young professionals. “It’s gonna be awesome,” says the veteran chef-restaurateur, whose other spot is downtown’s One Walnut. “You’re gonna walk in here, and you’re just gonna say, ‘Wow!’” ...

More

One of the high-points of covering last week’s story on Roast, Michael Symon’s Detroit restaurant slated to open in late October, was the chance to chat with the charming Chris Ferchill, VP of development for Cleveland’s Ferchill Group, which owns the historic Westin Book Cadillac Hotel where the restaurant will be located. ...

More

Time was when winemaker’s dinners were a rare treat. Then distributors figured out what a great marketing tool they make. Now you can’t pop the cork on a bottle of Veuve Cliquot without hitting some visiting winemaker in the noggin.

Not that we would ever suggest such a thing. For novice and connoisseur alike, the dinners offer a fine opportunity to sample new wines, learn about food pairings, and develop a broad appreciation of the winemaker’s craft.

An upcoming Kokomo Winery dinner at Boulevard Blue (12718 Larchmere Blvd.), on Monday May 19, sounds worth a taste, thanks to the educational presence of winemaker Eric Miller, a roundup of the winery’s top vintages, and savory dishes from BB chef Matt Mytro. ...

More

Baskin-Robbins was your grandfather’s ice cream shop back when he crapped his pants because he was too young, rather than too old, to know better. Kids would bike to the nearest scoop shop, Ted Williams baseball card stuck in their spokes, for one of B-R’s 31 taste-of-the-era flavors, like bubble gum, sasparilla, bark, and gin n’ tonic.

Alas, the glory days are over for Baskin-Robbins, which now plays third fiddle to Ben & Jerry’s and Haagen-Dazs. But all they want is for you to remember that they still exist. ...

More

View Larger Map

If you’re cheap and fat, Tuesday, April 29th is your Kwanzaa. That’s when Ben & Jerry’s, for reasons having to do with charity that we totally didn’t read, gives away free ice cream cones at participating (the cheapskates) locations nationwide. We’ve provided a map giving directions between the two local participating scoop shops above. Consider it your road to glory. And by glory, we mean man-boobs.

Since we don’t like to travel — wedging ourselves in and out of the Grand Prix gets cumbersome — we’ll probably just hunker down in one location and skirt the one-per-customer rules through the magic of a fake moustache. – Gus Garcia-Roberts