– 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!

Michaelangelo’s
My favorite Little Italy restaurant is throwing a recession shindig on Monday, January 26. For $20 per person, enjoy gourmet peasant food, wine and old school drinks. What a fabulous idea and great deal!

Crop Bistro
Crop is extending Valentine’s Day to three evenings, beginning Thursday, February 12. Regardless of when you choose to dine, each meal will begin with a glass of sparkly and a tongue-teasing amuse bouche, then moves on to a appetizer, salad course, entrée and dessert, plus a surprise or two along the way. The cost is $75 per person. Be sure to ask for it by name when making reservations, at 216-696-2767. (A vegetarian version can be arranged with prior notice. The regular a la carte dinner menu will also be available.)

Sarava
Celebrate the inauguration of President Obama (yay!)on January 20 beginning at 5 p.m. A projection TV in the bar will show all the national activities while you enjoy some of Obama’s favorite foods. In addition, Sergio’s SARAVA is participating in the Food For Change drive, in honor of National Day of Service on Martin Luther King Day. Bring a canned food donation, or a check made out to the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland.

Dante / Lockkeepers
As most know by now, the original Lockkeepers took over Dante earlier this year. Right now, it is still being operated under the Dante name with the menu featuring part Dante items and part original Lockkeepers favorites. Look for the total overhaul to happen by early February, complete with lower prices.

As for Dante Boccuzzi we won’t have to wait much longer to check out his new venue in Tremont, expected to open around April / May. Hopefully Dante will offer his fabulous sushi at the new place. Either way, I’m willing to bet it will be a wonderful offering and atmosphere that I can’t wait to checkout.

Shinano
Finally, Shinano Sushi Bar is open in Solon, right next to Miles Farmer’s Market. We’re planning to go this week for dinner, but everything that I’ve heard thus far has been positive. 440.498.1614

Market Avenue Wine Bar
On Tuesday, January 20 starting at 7 p.m., head to Market Ave for a five-course vegetarian wine dinner prepared by Dish Global Catering. Cost is $60 per person.

1. What are the top 5 spices every home chef should have? Black pepper, basil, bay leaves, rosemary and ginger.

2. What is your favorite and least favorite thing to make? I love cooking scallops, and for that mater, any seafood. I’m not into baking; requires more discipline than I have.

3. What is your favorite thing about Cleveland and what drives you nuts? My favorite thing about Cleveland is Clevelanders. They are genuinely nice people. The lack of economic and political clarity, leadership and courage that keeps this city from reaching its potential drives me nuts.

4. If you could cook for one person, real or dead, who would it be? Carlos Santana would be fun to cook for. I know my improvisational cooking techniques would inspire some great riffs on his guitar. It would be a great food and music jam session.

5. Favorite restaurant in Cleveland? Nate’s Deli.

6. What restaurant do you miss? Au Provence on Lee Road was one of the best restaurants in the country!

7. What hidden gem(s) have Clevelanders yet to discover? It’s amazing to me how many people have never been to University Circle with all the world class “gems” right there. Our restaurant is one of them.

8. What’s your last meal on Earth? My grandmother, Theresa, was the best cook I knew. I would want her chicken soup, homemade yogurt with fresh bread, roasted chicken with glazed carrots and handmade crunchy apple strudel.

9. Most unusual food you have every tried? Chocolate covered insects

10. Most famous person you have ever cooked for? The ultimate foodie, Julia Child.

11. If you weren’t a chef, what would you be doing? Traveling and eating. Or eating and traveling.

12. What do you want people to know about Sergio’s and Sarava? First, that what makes both these restaurants great is the staff. We have the nicest and most talented people in the city working together. They are passionate – not just about food, but making people happy when they enter our doors.

Our University Circle restaurant is intimate and fun. Ryan, our manager and Chef, gives you a true taste of the Mediterranean with great tapas, seafood, pastas and one of the cities best cheese and wine offerings.

Sarava is big, bold and has the passion and energy of Brazil, my homeland. A big bar, caipirinhas, raw bar, and street plates – lots of intimate corners, lounges, a fireplace and a bustling patio with live music. It’s a way to take a vacation to Rio without leaving town.

14. How do you feel about the current state of Shaker Square? With the new Japanese restaurant open [Sasa Matsu], an Italian one on the way, Luchita’s, Balaton, Fire, Yours Truly, The Diner, plus all the great shops and restaurants around the corner on Larchmere, Shaker Square is poised to become one of Cleveland’s best dining destinations – and they are all unique, family-owned independent restaurants.

We look forward to seeing everyone at our restaurants. If anyone has any comments, we always love constructive criticism. Or, if you want to contact me for any reason, all info is the site.

Momocho

• Chef Eric added a special tequila dinner (5 courses paired with tequila) at 7:30 p.m. for $40 per person. I went to the last one and enjoyed every bite. It’s a great deal and makes for a fun evening. Also, look for Momocho to be featured in the March issue of Bon Appetit.

Sarava on Shaker Square

• Dinner will be served from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.; salsa and Brazilian dance rhythms, dance floor and live percussion from 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Midnight drawing for a trip for two to Rio.

Lola

• Two dinner seatings, 6:30/7 p.m. and 9:30/10 p.m., for a 7 course Iron Chef-themed dinner. Click here for the menu. The cost is $125 per person.

Touch Supper Club

• Two seatings, $55 per person for 5 courses prepared by new Chef Jeff Fisher. Fisher has previously worked as executive chef for Sushi Rock, Johnny’s, Snickers and Martini’s. In addition to Touch, he is also working with the Chef’s Garden & Culinary Vegetable Institute in Huron to assist with menu planning and private dinners. You can also find him in Chicago later this month as a guest chef to Charlie Trotter.
• To celebrate the new chef, Touch is featuring two special dinners: A beer dinner featuring 5 courses on 12/15 for $40 per person; and a Christmas Story Dinner complete with Peking Duck on 12/22 for $30 per person.

Light Bistro

• Two seatings, $100 per person for 6 courses (most courses will offer a selection to choose from); champagne toast.

Bar Cento

• Two seatings – 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., 4 courses prepared by Chef Jonathon Sawyer, $88

Bier Market

• Food buffet from 9 p.m. – 10 p.m. and all you can drink cocktails/beer/wine from 9 p.m. – midnight, $60

Crop Bistro

• Two seatings – 6/6:30 p.m. and 9/9:30 p.m., 6 courses, $80 per person. Items include oysters and eggs, swordfish pot roast, grilled stuffed lobster and pan roasted venison loin or truffled mushroom tarte tatin plus dessert.