Cleveland: Restaurant News & Info

[MyTwoSense]

Theresa's Pizza on Euclid Ave had a "Closed for remodeling" sign in the window yesterday. Any idea what is going on here? I cant see them having to do that much remodeling since they just opened a year or so ago.

It could be something structural not cosmetic.

[w28th]

Also, there are Amish laborers working in the Vivo space and white cloth is covering the windows.  Looks like something's moving in there too.
If that burrito place is open late night on W25th they's make a killing from all the bar patrons and night owls.

[X]

The work at the ex Vivo space is for a "chocolate bar", which was mentioned earlier somewhere on the forum.

[peabody99]

(I love spicy/hot foods.  I like a good kick in the mouth!  [Don't even think about going there!] )

MTS, if you love spicy food, then this is the place for you. I did ask if they would very the heat factor on request and they said yes they would.

(I am sure it is not really spicy. nothing is around here unless you doctor it up yourself.)

I beg to differ Peabody. Go to an authentic Indian restaurant or Phenom Penh and ask for hot/spicy. You will want to scrape your tongue on the carpet after eating it. I made that mistake once.

I DO get the hot and spicy at PP and I can handle it. I would not call it bland but any stretch of the imagination, but it is hardly overwhelming. The only place in Cleveland that brought me to my knees  was Saffron patch. I asked for spicy and they asked "American Spicy or Indian spicy"? I said "Indian". they gave me Indian medium and wow! Phenom Phen tasted liked like cream of wheat in comparison.

Speaking of OC, did anyone go to the preview party of the Sushi place the Garage is opening? It is not near opening, but they had a party in the raw space. I did not make it but am curious what it looked like. I am glad to hear OC has some great options on the way.

[oat3333]

The burrito place on W 25th Street will be called, "Ohio City Burrito."  They are planning to open on the 1st of September.  I've talked to the owner, and this is a new business start up for himself & his sister.  They are still debating what their hours will be, but many people have told them, including myself, to stay open late (especially on Friday & Saturday nights). This place has no affiliation with Orale, and it will not be run by Orale.  In fact, Orale Mexican Cuisine has leased it's own place one storefront north (where "Dish" use to be).  They actually have been their for awhile now, it's their kitchen for catering & stocking their stand at The West Side Market.  Because of recent events, they are now considering opening this space back up as a small restaurant & take out operation.  In other Ohio City news, "DragonFly" (the old "City Buddha" space next to The Garage) is planning to open in October.  The space is coming along nicely and will feature lots of woodwork - it definitely will have a martini vibe & funky music.  The Bier Market has opened their downstairs lounge, called "SpeakEasy."  It is only open now on Friday & Saturday nights, and it looks great (a great hideaway space with a 1920's vibe).  The ABC Tavern has been sold & should transfer title any day now.  The new owners (established local restaurant owners) plan to keep the kitchen open late night (expect much better food - similar vibe).  One last thing, I should have news to report shortly about The Jay Hotel

[X]

Thanks for the update, and welcome to UrbanOhio.  I for one am anxious to hear about The Jay Hotel.  I know I was excited to see that project when it was first announced.

[mrnyc]

Had dinner at La Boca, the new Argentinian restaurant on 58th and Detroit tonight. The food was fantastic. Not a single entree over twenty dollars and we got a pitcher of Sangria that was the size of a beer pitcher. Definitely worth a look.

do they have a website with menu yet? edit-found it
http://labocabarrio.com/

oh this is awesome news. wow.

i had ruled out henry's at the barn, but i still was trying to decide on bar symon vs greenwood tavern for this weekend. now i dk, i dk...! 

[rockandroller]

I'd go with GreenHOUSE tavern, I hear the lines at Bar Symon start before it opens and immediately shoot to an hour wait.

[Htsguy]

^Do you mean lola's.  Bar Symon is in Avon.

[rockandroller]

And Henry's at the Barn is in Avon.  So?

[mrnyc]

and i was going to say greenpoint tavern...! 

greenhouse is definately still on the table, esp since it opens for lunch too and i see they have lambrusco for wine by the glass...a telltale great sign in my book!

wow, i figured crowds with symon's new place, but i see the bar opens at 4pm, an hour earlier than the food is served, so i was hoping that would be a secret weapon to get in. would you happen to know if i can reserve ahead there? maybe i better call and resrve at any of these places when i get there?

[willyboy]

If going to the Greenhouse, try to NOT get a table in the back mezzanine unless it is a table overlooking the restaurant. 

Other wise it was ok......  Hamburger and steak certainly nothing special (except Ohio grown).  Lunch would be a better bet.   

[MyTwoSense]

I'd go with GreenHOUSE tavern, I hear the lines at Bar Symon start before it opens and immediately shoot to an hour wait.

 
use www.opentable.com   avoid lines.

[mrnyc]

none of those restaurants are on that site. too new i suppose.

[rockandroller]

and i was going to say greenpoint tavern...! 

greenhouse is definately still on the table, esp since it opens for lunch too and i see they have lambrusco for wine by the glass...a telltale great sign in my book!

wow, i figured crowds with symon's new place, but i see the bar opens at 4pm, an hour earlier than the food is served, so i was hoping that would be a secret weapon to get in. would you happen to know if i can reserve ahead there? maybe i better call and resrve at any of these places when i get there?

I don't know for sure but I don't think Bar Symon is doing call ahead.  Ask luckygirl (from our various food boards), I think she's been there.  We are waiting til the lines die down to go.

[willyboy]

and i was going to say greenpoint tavern...! 

greenhouse is definately still on the table, esp since it opens for lunch too and i see they have lambrusco for wine by the glass...a telltale great sign in my book!

wow, i figured crowds with symon's new place, but i see the bar opens at 4pm, an hour earlier than the food is served, so i was hoping that would be a secret weapon to get in. would you happen to know if i can reserve ahead there? maybe i better call and resrve at any of these places when i get there?

I don't know for sure but I don't think Bar Symon is doing call ahead.  Ask luckygirl (from our various food boards), I think she's been there.  We are waiting til the lines die down to go.

I heard something like 6 or more they accept, but I guess you can always call ahead to see if they are doing call aheads.

[mrnyc]

thx everyone. i'll call ahead tomorrow and see.

if no i am thinking we'll just show up at the bar right at 4pm, put our name in and wait. if its too bad of a crowd thats cool and no big deal we'll just go elsewhere. at least i'll get to see the place and the big beer selection i am reading about!

[rockandroller]

I heard it was 6 people or more as well, that rang a bell when willyboy posted it.

[jeremyck01]

When I was in town a few weeks ago, I had some drinks at the Greenhouse Tavern.  Their version of a mint julep and something else.  Two of the best drinks I've ever had; and I drink at many places and a lot!  My liver hates me.

[MyTwoSense]

When I was in town a few weeks ago, I had some drinks at the Greenhouse Tavern.  Their version of a mint julep and something else.  Two of the best drinks I've ever had; and I drink at many places and a lot!  My liver hates me.

You mean it's still working? 

[theguv]

Hamburger and steak certainly nothing special (except Ohio grown). 

how did you order your burger (temp/doneness)?

[willyboy]

Hamburger and steak certainly nothing special (except Ohio grown). 

how did you order your burger (temp/doneness)?

Medium.  Same with friends steak.  They just lacked flavor and kindof tough.  The vegetarian option was very good though.  There arent many options...

[StrapHanger]

^That's too bad about the burger and steak.  I quite liked the one dinner I had at Greenhouse- they oysters I had were surprisingly good- both the oysters themselves and the light accompaniment.  I would definitely recommend the place, especially to folks to are up for more than meat/potatoes.  I just checked the menu again and see that it barely resembles the one I saw in April; so yes the menu is short, but it does seem to change a lot which is cool. 

All in all, my biggest disappointment with the place was the space- never thought I'd say this, but it was a little too casual/loft for me.

Someone once mentioned how great it would be if Symon or someone else opened a lab restaurant to try out more out-there dishes.  I thought that was an awesome idea, especially if it were small.  I really wish there were some more intimate dining options downtown.

[willyboy]

Yes the oysters are supposed to be great as are the wings, but Im not a big shell fish person, and we stuck to vegetarian appetizers since we had one with us. 

Although I like and appreciate his concept and what he is trying to do there, I was just a little underwhelmed. 

I agree on the space.   

[mrnyc]

we went to bar symon thursday night and it was pretty awesome. we were there right at the opening bell 4pm. beer lovers rejoice its a big and nicely varied draft selction and they have even more in bottles too. so we sat at the bar until the restaurant was ready to go and everybody experimented with draft beers they had never had before. we tasted a few things and i had a couple michigan based drafts that were very good, no doubt scored as 'roast' rerstaurant opened in detroit. they gave us some housemade potato chips and a dip with them, tasty stuff. fyi there is a happy hour on a couple select drafts and glasses of wine every day. also, you can eat at the bar if you want, but we moved to a table.

when it was time to eat just for fun i ordered spanish morcilla blood sausage and bone marrow for appetizers. i figured mom had never had bone marrow before, but oh no it turns out my grandmother was a big bone marrow fan so they had it at home a lot, go figure, so i learned a little something there about my family which was nice. i had the daily special roast pork and root vegetables. fatty and soo good, i ate every bite. the daily specials are really interesting and there is lots to sample around the regular menu. her husband and my bro both had barberton style fried chicken & there was so much they had to take some home. my mom went to town on frites and a big bowl of steamed mussels.

we were there when the recent big storm blew over so that added some interesting drama, it really looked bad outside for a bit, luckily it passed over. the place was fully packed by the time we left. despite the funny suburban strip mall location bar symon it looks cool outisde and is a really nice open space inside. the service was totally pro (lola has historically had some issues and foodie people get in huff about that kind of stuff). so there it is -- all in all i definately recommend anyone should give bar symon a try.

[rockandroller]

thanks for checking it out and reporting, mrnyc.  Did anyone actually get burgers, which is what I thought the theme of the place was?  Barberton style chicken, ooooh (for those who don't know, that means fried in lard).  I have never been a fan of the marrow, have tried it a couple of times and it's just like eating bacon grease to me.

How long did you have to wait for a table after arriving at 4?

[MorningTheft]

^The burger themed Symon restaurant is going to open in Eton on the east side.

[theguv]

^ ¿is Eton in UrbanOhio?

[Etheostoma Caeruleum]

    If there is one thing lacking here, it is burgers.

[mrnyc]

thanks for checking it out and reporting, mrnyc.  Did anyone actually get burgers, which is what I thought the theme of the place was?  Barberton style chicken, ooooh (for those who don't know, that means fried in lard).  I have never been a fan of the marrow, have tried it a couple of times and it's just like eating bacon grease to me.

How long did you have to wait for a table after arriving at 4?

we were among the first in the building when they opened at 4pm and put our name in right away so no wait. we got seated right after 5pm when they start serving food. i saw they had a few reservations in the book already (i imagine the group of 6 reservations mentioned above, but i didnt ask). definately plan to go early and do something like this for awhile because it sure filled up pretty fast, even with the bad stormy weather.

we had been cooking out so we didnt get burgers, but i see on the menu they have them. i think the duck confit sliders are just as popular, i read that in the scene review and saw people eating them -- they looked good. also, i'm pretty sure the barberton style fried chicken was a kind of a revolving item on the menu so they might not always have it -- so if you want to try it...git some! ha.

http://www.barsymon.com/

ps -- while visiting the nabe we also stopped in grovewood tavern briefly. we had some skewers, but nothing else. it was fine too. thats all i did eating out, mostly we cooked out at home.