Cleveland Foodie

restaurant news / updated

Michelle V — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:56:00 +0000

Here’s a rundown of various restaurant events and food-related items that have been sent my way:

– Fire / Daily complimentary valet service now available. In addition, the spring dinner menu begins April 28. Also on the 28th, Fire will be serving house made hors d’oeuvres and cocktails featuring house made syrups at the bar from 4:30 p.m. -6:30 p.m. daily.

– Umami Asian Kitchen / Now open for lunch.

– Sarava / Summer hours resume Sunday April 19th (open every Sunday 5-9 p.m.). From Sunday April 19th through Sunday May 3rd, stop in for free dessert with a $20 purchase. Also, RIO rewards members get $10 off their check over $25 this month. If you aren’t a member, you can join on their site and earn points from both Sarava and Sergio’s.

– Cuffs Chagrin Falls / Wine tasting, April 16, $25 pp. Brian Lynch of Wilson and Daniels (burgandy portfolio)

– Lucky’s Cafe / Saturday dinner on April 18 featuring a four-course menu of Italian classics, like gnocci, risotto, pappardelle and eggplant parmesan. $35 pp with a portion benefiting the Red Cross.

– Happy hour @ L’Albatros. Mon – Sat , 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., enjoy $5 appetizers and $7 drinks (small plates like fried cauliflower, pome frittes, goat cheese tart, burger, mussels). I continue to be impressed by this restaurant and am really looking forward to the opening of their patio, one of the best in town.

– Ty Fun / 20% off your bill on Mondays

– Wine classes @ Blue Canyon. Beginning April 16 and lasting weekly until May 7, learn more about wine and sample some good food in a series of wine education classes. Each class offers 5 – 6 varieties plus food pairings. Cost is $30 per class or $99 for all four. Space is limited to 30 per class.

– A Cookie & a Cupcake is working on adding a patio that will be ready as soon as the weather cooperates.

– Grovewood Tavern celebrates 10 years of business with 10 entrees priced $19.99.

– Momocho / Spring menu changes should be in effect by end of April. Grilled corn on the cob will return plus the addition of soft shell crabs, plancha style (cooked on a griddle with a weighted press) and new taquitos. And of course, Momocho will have specials for Cinco de Mayo starting at 3 p.m.

– Openings / Jekyll’s (former Blake’s) in Chagrin Falls in now open. And the one I personally can’t wait for, The Greenhouse Tavern finally opens this Tuesday! Also, a very big congratulations to the team at GHT for becoming Ohio’s first certified green restaurant – that’s huge!

Finally, I went to the store today to pick up a few things for my Easter dinner contribution (cauliflower risotto with brie and almonds). While in line, I picked up a copy of Bon Appetit since I let my subscription lapse. Tucked between the pages of tempting recipes that I will someday attempt, is a coast-to-coast guide on the recipes and restaurants that make the U.S. the best place to eat in the world, titled The United Plates of America. Representing Ohio, is the walleye with herb dumpling at Lola and blueberry ale from Rocky River Brewing Company. More national ink for Cleveland – congratulations!

cleveland rocks and so does its food (tell me why and win $50 to crop)

Michelle V — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:31:00 +0000

Since landing in Cleveland in 2005, chef Steve Schimoler has made quite the impression. After his term ended at Nestle in Solon, he could have packed up his knives and headed anywhere given his impressive background and talent. But no, he decided to stay in Cleveland and open Crop Bistro in the summer of 2007. And that would have been enough for most – but not this chef. He fell in love with our city and wanted to make a bigger impact. He went onto launch Local Crop, an online farmer’s market that connects Northeast Ohio farmers with local chefs, and most recently, Cleveland Food Rocks, a collaborative effort among local chefs to put our wonderful independent restaurants in the spotlight as the Rock Hall induction ceremony finally comes home.

Beginning March 28 through April 4 – Rock Hall induction week – 16 restaurants will feature a special food or drink item centered around the Rock ‘n’ Roll theme and will have live music one night during the week.

Just like the Renegade Lunch, this is another idea I just love — our local chefs working together to promote our city and each other. Chef Schimoler’s objective for this concept was to champion the dining scene to the estimated 40,000 visitors that are expected to take over Cleveland that week and boost business at local, independent restaurants.

According to Elaine Cicora, Crops’s chief storyteller, Steve came up with the idea a year ago. As a drummer and a chef, he is very tuned into the synergy of food and music, and immediately saw this as a natural way to leverage the excitement of the inductions into a showcase for the city’s great dining scene. In addition, he also was committed to developing the project as a truly collaborative, grass-roots endeavor and wanted to encourage the community to come together to spotlight our wonderful city — not merely as a money-making opportunity, but as a real celebration of Cleveland’s great clubs and restaurants.

The Music

The project’s grassroots focus is also seen in some of the music that restaurants are featuring : Sergio’s Sarava, for instance, will be featuring a samba trio made up of the restaurant’s bus boys; Metropolitan Cafe is featuring acoustic jazz provided by their multi-talented servers; and of course, Cream of the Crop (Steve’s band) will be playing at Crop on April 3 featuring Crop staffers and former staffers.

This is really a big deal for our city. The inductions are finally back and it’s great to see so many businesses, organizations and the community in general working together and joining in the excitement.

In addition to Crop, participating restaurants include: Bar Cento, Bistro on Lincoln Park, Brother’s Lounge, Fahrenheit, Grotto, Grovewood Tavern, Gusto, Johnny’s, Lago, Luxe, Metropolitan Cafe, Michaelangelo’s, Prosperity Social Club, Sarava and Wonder Bar.

Here’s just a sampling of what you’ll find:

–Luxe / B.B. King’s Cajun mac ‘n’ cheese

–Metropolitan / Strawberry Fields Forever (spicy shrimp tossed in greens with strawberry shallot vinaigrette)

–Michaelangelo’s / Black Sabbath’s sweet leaf mint martini + Sinatra cover band

–Fahrenheit / April 1, 4-course tasting menu, only $32 + Material Girl martini

For a complete list of live music and special food and drink creations, click here. By the way, be sure to head to the Rock Hall on April 4 – admission is FREE all day.

Win $50 to Crop

So what’s better than all the new treats hitting diners’ plates next week? Eating for free. Playing off the popularity of the six-word phenomenon, sometimes referred to as American haiku, you can win a $50 gift certificate to Crop Bistro. Here’s how:

Legend has it Hemingway was once asked if he could write a story in six-words. His reply, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” He was said to have called it his best work. In 2006, Smith Magazine partnered with Twitter for a six-word challenge (another brilliant idea). Soon, there will be a foodie six-word book from Smith Mag (more on that later).

Playing off this idea, tell me why Cleveland Rocks in exactly six words and the gift card could be yours. Share your words in the comment section and be sure to include your e-mail so I can notify the winner. Deadline is Friday, April 27, at 9 a.m. Good luck.

For inspiration, watch this video. Even if you’re not going to participate, still watch – it’s that good. And be sure to head out during Rock Hall week to help our chefs show off our city.

patio weather is here (plus other updates)

Michelle V — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:50:00 +0000

Tis the season to head back outside to eat, and restaurant owners are wasting no time in getting their patios in tip-top shape. Here are a few of the ones that I’ve heard are already open. I’m sure there are others, so please share.

Momocho. This place boasts a very cute and intimate patio. It’s well covered with lots of greenery and small lights. We had a lot of great evenings on this patio last summer and looking forward to more this year. Also, be sure to check out Momocho for Cinco de Mayo. Can you think of a better place to be?
Light Bistro. This place is expanding both up and out. Their newbie patio just opened this week, for both lunch and dinner. And apparently the owners didn’t feel the need to stop there and moved the renovations upstairs with the addition of a second floor dining room. This space will be used for both everyday dining, as well as private parties, including showers and rehearsal dinners. And to top it all off, the chef has added to the happy hour menu. Look for a selection of food items for $5 each (like the pork belly sandwich), beer and wine specials and even bottles of vino for just $10! Happy hour is available Monday – Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Grovewood Tavern. The patio just opened last night – the earliest ever for the owners. And on April 21, Grovewood will play host to Mario Rizzotti, a previous Iron Chef judge, for a balsamic and olive oil tasting dinner.

Of course my favorite patio in town is at Baricelli. I’m actually not sure if it’s open yet, but this is a great place to sit, even if it’s just for some good cheese and wine. Ironically, Baricelli will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo tasting dinner for $35 per person. The prix fixe, 3-course dinner will feature their take on Mexican classics, with your choice of three starters, entrees and desserts, plus margaritas and sangria, and single-barrel tequilas. While this sounds interesting, I still think Momocho is the place to be for an authentic celebration.

january wine dinners

Michelle V — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:11:00 +0000

Baricelli Inn

Louis Jadot 2005 burgundy tasting presented by Marc Dupin of Maison Louis Jadot, features the spectacular 2005 vintageof Jadot burgundies in five courses.
7 p.m., January 29. $95 per person. 216 791 6500

Grovewood Tavern

Fourth annual “Big, Fat Cab” wine dinner. Rare opportunity to try some of the best Californian cabs specially paired with a menu from Chef Brandon Kercher (formerly at Leopard in Aurora). Rich Van Natter of Vintage Wine Distributor will be on hand to talk about the wine and the grape. All wines will be available at state minimum with case discounts available.
Paso Creek Cabernet (Paso Robles) ‘05 (dark garnet with cherry hues, black cherry aroma, Dutch chocolate, currant and hints of toasted sweet oak). Paired with saga blue cheese & walnut soufflé with crostini.
Estancia Meritage (Paso Robles) ‘04 (predominately Cabernet blend with black cherry, licorice, rosemary and sage). Paired with caramelized onion soup with Gruyère.
Franciscan Magnificat (Napa) ‘04; paired with exotic mushroom risotto with truffle oil in crisp Asiago basket.
Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet (Sonoma) ‘03 (dark ruby with a purple to red edge with bright aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, black tea, allspice and ginger). Paired with mustard and sourdough-crusted rack of lamb with baby French peas.
Simi Reserve Cabernet (Alexander Valley) ‘03 (dense ruby/purple color followed by cocoa, bitter chocolate, black currants and spice); paired with braised short rib with celery root, portobello and toasted pecans, and roasted-shallot mashed potatoes.
Grgich Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa) ‘03; paired with strip steak with sweet corn flan topped with shiitake mushroom sauce and fresh asparagus.
6:30 p.m. on January 14. Cost is $95 per person. 216 531 4900