Topic: Akron-Canton: Restaurant News & Info

[yanni_gogolak]

Leo's Reserve Inn closing after 54 years in Hudson, Ohio
Written by  H. Craig Erskine III

Leo's Reserve Inn Restaurant is nestled snugly in the heart of historic Hudson, Ohio, next to the Boy Scout's 1931 log cabin. At 30 West Streetsboro St., Leo's sits at a major northeast Ohio crossroads by Route 91. Purchased by Leo F. Wagner in May 1958, the restaurant is now owned by his widow, Minnie, and is managed by her son, Dennis. But, after nearly 55 years of watching other local eateries come and go, the ownership of Leo's is changing hands. A changing of the guard, as it were. Along with the new owners will come a change in name and some minor interior redecorating such as carpeting replaced with wood flooring and the bar will now boast its offering of draught beer for the first time.

 http://www.akronist.com/Lifestyles/Leo-s-Reserve-Inn-closing-after-54-years-in-Hudson-Ohio.html

[Clueless,Ohio]

^Wow. I've been there back at my Kent State days...a Hudson landmark definitely.

[yanni_gogolak]

Hudson's Historic Reserve Inn to Re-Open as Gastropub
Posted by Douglas Trattner on Wed, Jun 6, 2012 at 2:34 PM


On April 28, the 53-year-old Hudson mainstay Reserve Inn closed its doors. And on Monday, June 11, Lager and Vine Gastropub and Wine Bar (30 W. Streetsboro St., 330-650-1717) will open in its place.

Owner Cliff Cravens, along with his wife Katie, have spent the last month completely gutting and rebuilding the dated restaurant, which had failed to hold its own against newer restaurants in the area. Cravens was most recently the operating partner for Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, while his wife spent more than a decade at the Cleveland Chophouse.

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2012/06/06/hudsons-historic-reserve-inn-to-re-open-as-gastropub#.T9VPwCi7wYg.mailto

[yanni_gogolak]

There is a place called Bangin Burgers that should get under construction soon Downtown. Its address is 323 S. Main St., which would put it next to Pita Pit.

The Mexican restaurant in 22 Exchange submitted for a building permit about a month ago. No word on when construction might begin.

Also, Angel Falls in Highland Sq. should be getting a small kitchen area soon where they can do hot sandwiches.

Hudson's First & Main almost completely full

May 16, 2012
by Laura Freeman | Reporter

The Three Palms, a Neapolitan-style pizzeria will move into the former San Francisco Oven site at 60 Village Way on the corner of Library Street in July, Gettens said.

The restaurant previously had a working name of Lunidi, which is Italian for Monday, the name of the owners, Shawn and Tiffany Monday. They also operate One Red Door and Flipside on Village Way, along with Michael Schwartz.

http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/5189148

[audidave]

dba about to open!!  Akron is definitely hopping with new restaurants!  Pretty exciting although it keeps me from visiting all the amazing Cleveland area restaurants..
 Also, UO exclusive NEWSFLASH! Ohio Brewing's Taproom in Downtown Akron is now open from 4:30-8:30 Wednesday-Friday and will be open from 2-8pm on Saturdays.  Growlers can be filled and purchased..  There should be occasional visits from Cleveland food trucks..  6 beers are on tap currently including the limited Barrel-aged steel valley stout and the hoegarden-esque Buckeye Blonde.

dba — Dante Boccuzzi Akron prepares for July 2 opening

Beacon Journal food writer

Published: June 15, 2012 - 05:15 PM | Updated: June 15, 2012 - 09:50 PM

By Lisa Abraham

When the doors open next month at the restaurant dba — Dante Boccuzzi Akron, one of the first things guests may notice are the bread baskets: They’re long-playing records melted into the shape of bowls.

The 33 rpms-turned-bread-baskets are a standard at Boccuzzi’s restaurants, but for his Akron outpost, not just any albums would do. A close look at the record labels shows that most of them are by the Pretenders. It’s a small tribute to Akron native Chrissie Hynde, lead singer of the group, whose closed restaurant, VegiTerranean, occupied the space that Boccuzzi is converting to dba.

http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/food/dba-dante-boccuzzi-akron-prepares-for-july-2-opening-1.314291

[yanni_gogolak]

Great, I wasn't sure if the tap room was open yet or not. I will definitely stop by if they have food trucks there every once in a while.

Dante Boccuzzi prepares for July opening of new restaurant in former home of Chrissie Hynde's VegiTerranean
Published: Friday, June 15, 2012, 4:14 PM     Updated: Friday, June 15, 2012, 4:30 PM

Akron -- When chef Dante Boccuzzi opens his latest fine-dining restaurant in the Northside Lofts and Townhomes early next month, he'll transport his sophisticated culinary style to sleek new environs.

Dubbed Dante Boccuzzi Akron, the 75-seat restaurant takes over a space long occupied by VegiTerranean, rock star Chrissie Hynde's vegan destination. When the Akron native decided to shut down her animal-free eatery, Boccuzzi saw it as a chance to serve a constituency that often drives 30-plus miles to dine at Dante, his flagship restaurant in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood.

http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2012/06/dante_boccuzzi_prepares_for_ju.html

[yanni_gogolak]

They have put a poster up on the former Two Amigos building in Highland Square for a new place called Highland Tavern. It looks like they are already working inside.

[yanni_gogolak]

Akron-Canton gets early taste of Waterloo, Laker Lager

By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer

The Brick Brewing Co., Ontario, Canada’s first craft brewer, is using the Akron-Canton area as a springboard to launch its beers into the U.S. market.

Local drinkers are getting the first sips of Waterloo Dark, IPA and Amber, and Laker Lager after the brewery teamed up with Esber Beverage Co. in Canton.

http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/akron-canton-gets-early-taste-of-waterloo-laker-lager-1.316574

[yanni_gogolak]

FYI, DBA (Danta Buccozi Akron) is set to open on Monday, July 2.

Sushi on the Roll is growing

By Lisa Abraham
Beacon Journal food writer
Published: June 27, 2012 - 09:05 PM | Updated: June 28, 2012 - 07:50 AM

MEDINA: Sushi on the Roll is on a roll.

Less than five years since two out-of-work mortgage lenders declared their intent to “bring sushi to the masses,” the company is flourishing, adding new customers each week and settling into a new 7,000-square-foot building in Medina.

http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/sushi-on-the-roll-is-growing-1.316920

[yanni_gogolak]

The Office restaurant, which is in North Hill, is opening another location in The Watermark which is the new housing project across from the Sheraton in the Falls.

[yanni_gogolak]

Wally Waffle moving to Highland Square

By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer

Wally Waffle is losing its downtown spot because of Akron Children’s Hospital’s expansion project, but it has found a new home in Highland Square.

The restaurant will be the latest business in a city-owned building that also houses Chipotle and the trendy Next clothing store

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/wally-waffle-moving-to-highland-square-1.320755

[yanni_gogolak]

Winking Lizard plans major expansion

By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer

Those plans include closing the Fairlawn restaurant and moving a few miles west to Montrose to the former Golden Corral Buffet & Grill in Copley Township. The new Winking Lizard will share the building with a Lizardville, a concept that features a small bar, retail beer sales and a large whiskey selection.

The Akron market lacks a significant craft beer store and the Lizard­ville will fill that void, Lane said. Winking Lizard had been looking for a potential Lizardville site in the Akron area for a while, he added.

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/winking-lizard-plans-major-expansion-1.324598

[surfohio]

Winking Lizard plans major expansion

By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer

Those plans include closing the Fairlawn restaurant and moving a few miles west to Montrose to the former Golden Corral Buffet & Grill in Copley Township. The new Winking Lizard will share the building with a Lizardville, a concept that features a small bar, retail beer sales and a large whiskey selection.

The Akron market lacks a significant craft beer store and the Lizard­ville will fill that void, Lane said. Winking Lizard had been looking for a potential Lizardville site in the Akron area for a while, he added.

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/winking-lizard-plans-major-expansion-1.324598

Shooot, I wish they could've re-opened by UA campus to kick off that master plan.

[Gramarye]

Honestly, if it weren't for the Lockview right there at least partially occupying the same niche (craft beer) and Barley House occupying a different part of the Lizard's niche (regular bar food), I'd have thought they'd be a really good fit for the large, empty storefront at the base of the O'Neill Building (where OBC used to be).

[yanni_gogolak]

Olde Harbor Inn closes at Portage Lakes

Beacon Journal staff report

The Olde Harbor Inn, a Portage Lakes mainstay, has closed its doors.

Owner Steve Burroughs posted this notice on the restaurant’s website: “After five years of great food, great entertainment and great dockside dining, we regretfully announce our closing.

http://www.ohio.com/business/olde-harbor-inn-closes-at-portage-lakes-1.334462

[yanni_gogolak]

Akron’s Northside bar to close; new owner moving in

By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published: November 19, 2012 - 11:18 PM

“It’s moving forward,” said Michael Owen, who co-founded Northside in 1995 in downtown Akron as a blues and jazz club. “It’s ready to take its next step with a new operator.”

Jill Bacon Madden, one of the owners of telecommunications company PlusOne Communications, bought the building last month from Owen and his partners.

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/akron-s-northside-bar-to-close-new-owner-moving-in-1.351650

[yanni_gogolak]

Wally Waffle has opened in Highland Square in the former Metro Burger space.
Dunkin Donuts should be open any day in Wallhaven in the strip mall in former cigar shop space. Also in that same building there is now a Europe Gyro in the space that was a shish kebob place and before that Honeybaked Ham.

[w28th]

Wally Waffle has opened in Highland Square in the former Metro Burger space.
Dunkin Donuts should be open any day in Wallhaven in the strip mall in former cigar shop space. Also in that same building there is now a Europe Gyro in the space that was a shish kebob place and before that Honeybaked Ham.

Nice, hope the Europe Gyro is a little nicer on the interior than the Kent location.  Might want to clean that place once every 10 years whether it needs it or not, although who gives a crap when you're 18 beers deep at 2:30 on a wednesday night.  Just skip that 7:45am class on thursday morning again, who cares right Yanni?

[yanni_gogolak]

Wally Waffle has opened in Highland Square in the former Metro Burger space.
Dunkin Donuts should be open any day in Wallhaven in the strip mall in former cigar shop space. Also in that same building there is now a Europe Gyro in the space that was a shish kebob place and before that Honeybaked Ham.

Nice, hope the Europe Gyro is a little nicer on the interior than the Kent location.  Might want to clean that place once every 10 years whether it needs it or not, although who gives a crap when you're 18 beers deep at 2:30 on a wednesday night.  Just skip that 7:45am class on thursday morning again, who cares right Yanni?

"GYRO!"
"16 Pepperoni Pitas please"

[yanni_gogolak]

Panera planned at former Big Boy property in Stow

by Jeremy Nobile | staff writer Published: December 9, 2012 12:00AM

Stow ­-- A Panera Bread is baking in the ashes of a former Bob's Big Boy.

The Stow Planning Commission approved a site plan Dec. 4 for a new 8,800-square-foot building at 1063 Graham Road that would include a new Panera Bread restaurant and a second retail space. No user has been announced for that space yet.

The business will be located just off Route 8 next to the Graham Road Wendy's and across the street from Red Lobster.

http://www.stowsentry.com/news%20local/2012/12/09/panera-planned-at-former-big-boy-property-in-stow

[yanni_gogolak]

Lot's of action with former Big Boy sites:

Restaurateur expands empire on historic Tallmadge Circle

By Katie Byard
Beacon Journal business writer

TALLMADGE: Call area restaurateur Tony Jaber “Circle Man.”

He has bought another property on historic Tallmadge Circle — this time purchasing the vacant Big Boy restaurant.

Jaber last year bought the former Bumpas Emporium, a landmark on the southern tip of the circle, and located one of his Firehouse Grill & Pubs there.

http://www.ohio.com/business/restaurateur-expands-empire-on-historic-tallmadge-circle-1.358555

[yanni_gogolak]

Olde Harbor Inn to reopen as ‘On Tap’

Beacon Journal staff report
Published: January 11, 2013 - 11:05 PM

COVENTRY TWP.: The Olde Harbor Inn of Portage Lakes is expected to reopen this spring as an On Tap Grille & Bar at the Harbor.

Bob Wilson of the Crest Group Ltd., which represents the owners of the Harbor Inn property, announced the new venture Friday.

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/olde-harbor-inn-to-reopen-as-on-tap-1.364294

[yanni_gogolak]

New Panera opening in East Akron

By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published: January 15, 2013 - 08:53 PM

Panera Bread plans to open a new restaurant in East Akron that will be the first of its kind. The restaurant, which will be built on Wedgewood Drive, east of Abington Road, will feature a new design with a drive-through. Many of Panera’s locations don’t have drive-through.

“We are excited,” Kim Phillips, an architect from Warren told Akron City Council’s Planning Committee Monday about the new spot in Akron.

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/new-panera-opening-in-east-akron-1.365305

[NEOBuckeye]

^Sounds like news that will be embraced by the often-overlooked Ellet community, which has surprisingly managed to evade attracting even so much as an Applebees up until now. The headline really should have indicated that the new Panera location would be going into Ellet, which is generally a world unto itself. When I think of East Akron, I tend to think more of the area encompassing the University of Akron, Summa, and Goodyear--what is now considered University Park. I honestly thought and hoped this would be an announcement for a Panera on East Market or East Exchange as part of one of the new developments on either street. Oh well, it could still happen.

[Gramarye]

This is encouraging to me because it's not so close to Downtown that it would necessarily cannibalize sales from a future Downtown location.  A location on East Market or East Exchange could be viable, but I'd really like to see them bring a restaurant to Downtown proper.  That would be reasonably well spaced with this Ellet location and their existing location at Fairlawn Town Center near W. Market & Miller.

[yanni_gogolak]

Hoppin Frog is going to be opening a new tasting room. Not sure when, but they submitted for a plan review.

Also, if you didn't know Ohio Brewing has a "tasting room", in part of their brew operation, 451 S. High St.
http://ohiobrewing.com/taproom

...and Thirsty Dog has a tasting room: http://thirstydog.com/news/retail-sales.php

[yanni_gogolak]

From the Aeros article:

Plusquellic said Babby was also working to “bring a new restaurant” to Canal Park with the closing of the Wing Warehouse Sports Bar & Grill.

http://www.ohio.com/news/aeros-owner-ken-babby-begins-upgrading-canal-park-with-new-1-65-million-video-board-1.367031

[Gramarye]

I'll be very interested to see what comes into that Wing Warehouse space.  It hasn't managed to stay filled consistently: it was Menches Bros. when I moved here in 2009, so Wing Warehouse was in and out fairly quickly.  The owners of Wing Warehouse didn't do it full time, though, so maybe they just needed to move on to other things.  (Even if that's the case, though, I'm disappointed that no one else was able and willing to take it over.)

[yanni_gogolak]

Food notes: The Grille on Waterloo opens at former Ripper Owens location

By Lisa Abraham
Beacon Journal food writer
Published: January 29, 2013 - 11:15 PM

Russ Mazzola has debuted his new concept at 491 E. Waterloo Road, where Ripper Owens Tap House used to be.

The Grille on Waterloo opened Sunday, serving up soups, burgers, sandwiches, wings and plenty of other pub fare, as well as a full bar with 34 draft beers.

Mazzola, of Bath Township, has been in the restaurant business for many years. His family owned several Wally Waffle restaurants, and Mazzola previously owned Parsley Place and Dakota’s Grille.

He has owned the Waterloo building since 1997 and ran a Scorchers franchise there, but had been leasing it since 2002, most recently to Owens. When new lease negotiations with Owens didn’t work out, Mazzola said he felt it was a good time to come back with a restaurant of his own.

“We’re changing it completely. We’re going more restaurant than bar and we’re concentrating on food as our feature item,” he said.

The Grille on Waterloo opens daily at 11 a.m. Closing time is 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/food-notes-the-grille-on-waterloo-opens-at-former-ripper-owens-location-1.369043

[yanni_gogolak]

Food Notes: Beau’s on the River is coming

By Lisa Abraham
Beacon Journal food writer
Published: February 5, 2013 - 06:32 PM

Diners at Piatto Novo at the Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls will soon see a new yet familiar name at the restaurant, and a new menu too.

Piatto Novo will become Beau’s on the River this spring — Beau’s as in Beau’s Grille at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn and as in chef Beau Schmidt.

http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/food-notes-beau-s-on-the-river-is-coming-1.370834

[yanni_gogolak]

Rippers Rock House will open where the Firehouse used to be on Manchester Rd. near Waterloo. Rippers Tap House was previously on Waterloo in what is know called The Grille.

[yanni_gogolak]

New Winking Lizard, Lizardville to open Wednesday

By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published: April 15, 2013 - 10:03 PM

The Winking Lizard Tavern in Fairlawn closed Saturday. But don’t despair, Winking Lizard fans.

It isn’t shut down for good. It’s just relocating down the road.

The Bedford Heights-based chain, known for its extensive craft beer selection and World Tour of Beers promotion, renovated the former Golden Corral restaurant off state Route 18 in Copley Township.

http://www.ohio.com/news/new-winking-lizard-lizardville-to-open-wednesday-1.390000

[yanni_gogolak]

New restaurant slated for Canal Park in 2014

By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports columnist
Published: May 3, 2013 - 11:11 PM

A new all-American bar and grille with patio seating on South Main Street is coming to Canal Park in early 2014, Aeros owner and chief executive officer Ken Babby announced Friday.

The yet-unnamed restaurant will be open year-round, with patio seating also on the ballpark’s right-field concourse.

Babby revealed the plan during a luncheon speech to the Akron Press Club. The speech was staged in the ground-level area where the restaurant will be constructed. It has handicapped accessibility from the street,

http://www.ohio.com/sports/aeros/new-restaurant-slated-for-canal-park-in-2014-1.394789