Aladdin’s Eatery celebrates 30-year anniversary Aladdin’s Eatery is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Owners Fady and Sally Chamoun opened the first Alladin’s in Lakewood on April 15, 1994, and have built the chain into a regional favorite, with more than 30 restaurants in multiple states. Outside of its longevity, Aladdin’s is also important for the role it played in teaching Cleveland about traditional Lebanese and Mediterranean food. READ MORE I ate bugs, and you should too At Clandestina in Ohio City, grasshoppers are fried and tamed with mango-habanero powder and a pinch of Tajin. About the size of a peanut, they’re eaten by the handful or atop guacamole on a corn chip. I tried them. I liked them. READ MORE Fiamma going into former Mabel’s BBQ Mendel Segal, who owns Mendel’s KC BBQ, is opening Fiamma, a kosher Italian restaurant in the former Mabel’s BBQ in Woodmere. Segal and a designer are working on the decor of the place, which he hopes to open around July. His barbecue place opened about a year ago, and he also has a kosher stand at Progressive Field. READ MORE Aurelia becoming Moxie Aurelia in Chagrin Falls is being converted to Moxie. Chef James Balchak will remain with Moxie, which previously enjoyed a long run in Beachwood and will be operated by Brad Friedlander and Michael DuBois. The space is located right on Main Street in the heart of the quaint Chagrin Falls downtown area. READ MORE |
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Meet Josh Duke, part of your ‘Dine Drink CLE’ team at Cleveland.com Over these past few weeks, we’ve introduced you to your “Dine Drink CLE” team here at Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. This week, we turn the spotlight to the co-host of the weekly “Dine Drink CLE” podcast and social media “man on the street” for all things fun and cultural. We’re talking about Josh Duke. READ MORE Philomena Bake Shop moves into former Saucisson space Philomena Bake Shop has officially moved into a new space on Fleet Avenue — the former home of Saucisson in Slavic Village. Philomena is now baking in its kitchen at 5324 Fleet Avenue, which will soon serve as a storefront for the business. Currently, customers can order online for pick up or delivery. READ MORE Ohio Distillery Trail: Western Reserve Distillers commits to all-organic spirits Opened in 2014, Western Reserve Distillers’ Lakewood operationis different from others in Ohio and elsewhere. It uses entirely organic Ohio-grown grains to make vodka, gin, whiskey and bourbon. Rum is made from organic dark molasses from the Louisiana Delta. Agave spirits are made from organic, blue weber agave from Jalisco, Mexico. READ MORE Best Kids Cooking competition coming up Edwins Leadership and Restaurant Institute is holding a cooking competition for kids. The single-elimination tournament is broken into three age groups - 6-9, 10-12 and 13-16 – and includes assorted culinary challenges. It’s scheduled to be held in May at Edwins Too. READ MORE Cocoloco! Chocolate-covered tortilla chips for sale Malley's Chocolates and Barrio have teamed up on CocoLoco, chocolate-covered tortilla chips. The two local companies have collaborated on the salty-sweet product, which is sold in bags. READ MORE Leaf Man Lager is out Fat Head’s Brewery has continued its long-term support of Cleveland Metroparks with the release of Leaf Man Lager. Proceeds from the beer will go to the Cleveland Metroparks Trail Fund. Previously, the brewery made Trail Head Pale Ale, which has raised more than $100,000 for the fund. READ MORE List of top 50 breweries by volume is released Three breweries in Ohio are on the list of top 50 breweries by volume in the United States, including Great Lakes Brewing Co. Bart Watson, chief economist of the Brewers Association, which lobbies on behalf of independent breweries throughout the country, spoke recently about assorted trends within the indsutry. READ MORE Cowboy By Choice brand revived Twinsburg businessman Randy Mintz is bringing back his Cowboy By Choice brand. Mintz, who acquired Bertman Original Ball Park mustard, has a line of products out that includes a line of mustards and a sauce. Mintz, who grew up in Northeast Ohio, created the lifestyle brand in 2005. READ MORE |
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OPENINGS/CLOSINGS The Astro opens in downtown Cleveland The Astro is now open in downtown Cleveland. The restaurant, which has a sci-fi-themed motif, is in the space formerly occupied by the Hard Rock Cafe. Its ownership team also runs the horror-movie-themed The Haunted House Restaurant in Cleveland Heights. READ MORE Julia’s 1902 restaurant opens in Willoughby House After 20 months of historical preservation interior design, Julia’s 1902 opens to the public on Thursday, April 25. The restaurant is the entire first floor of the lovingly restored Willoughby House (Van Gorder Mansion) on the western edge of downtown Willoughby. Ten antique-filled suites fill the second and third floors and the Carriage House are available for overnight stays. READ MORE Two Bucks announces closure of four locations Two Bucks has closed four of its locations in Northeast Ohio, with only two restaurants remaining open. The restaurant chain announced via social media that it closed its locations in Lakewood, Middleburg Heights, North Olmsted and Parma. Those restaurants have been sold to new ownership groups. READ MORE El Carnicero to close restaurant following Cinco de Mayo After 11 years of business, El Carnicero will close for good after one final Cinco de Mayo celebration. Owner/chef Eric Williams shared the news on Facebook. He is closing the restaurant to focus his time on Momocho at 1835 Fulton Road in Cleveland, as well as spending time with family and friends. READ MORE |
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EVENTS/TASTINGS Geauga County Maple Festival Now in its 93rd year, Geauga County’s signature event of the season celebrates the year’s maple production with a parade, amusement rides, live music, carnival food, games and contests. Free admission. All-day ride passes start at $20. Chardon Square, Chardon. Now through April 28. DETAILS RampUp Festival celebrates ephemeral wild leeks Once a spring delight of rural folks and earthy types, ramps are an ephemeral wild leek (Allium tricoccum) that have caught fire with foodies. They grow in the leafy mulch of hardwood forests in the Northeastern United States; for example, the Cuyahoga Valley. Both bulbs and leaves are edible. Peninsula is holding a ramp festival on Saturday, April 27. READ MORE Medina Beer Fest The Medina County Fairgrounds Community Center is a beer enthusiasts’ paradise on Saturday. More than 25 regional breweries will have 70+ craft brews to sample at this 11th annual event. You’ll also find live music, food, raffles and games, too. Tickets $15-$100. 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina. 6:30-10:30 p.m., April 27. DETAILS Related: Medina Beer Fest brings brews to the fairgrounds Related:Medina Beer Festival scheduled; here’s the brewery list, ticket levelsThe Aviator schedules Rodney Strong wines dinner The Aviator Event Center and Pub is holding a dinner featuring Rodney Strong wines of California. The multi-course dinner is Thursday, April 25, at the restaurant, which is adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Rodney Strong is a common name on many restaurant menus, and the dinner is a good way to familiarize yourself with the wines. READ MORE Books & Bites to bring in celebrity chef to Cleveland Books & Bites, a fundraiser for the Cuyahoga County Library Foundation, is coming up Thursday, May 2. Headlining the event this year will be Rocco DiSpirito, who has written more than a dozen books. His most recent book is “Everyday Delicious,” which focuses on 100 no-fuss weekday meals to help you cook like a chef in about 30 minutes. READ MORE |
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PICKS OF THE WEEK Mitchell’s Ice Cream Regardless of the weather outside, we’re fast approaching the summer season in Northeast Ohio, also known as ice cream season. Mitchell’s Ice Cream is a favorite local chain for a reason. All of its flavors are homemade, down to the cookie mix-ins and hot fudge. Seasonal flavors like Mint Cookies & Cream or Lemon White Chocolate Cookie are must-trys before they’re gone. Mitchell’s has 9 ice cream shops, with its flagship at 1867 W. 25th Street in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood. DETAILS Collision Bend Brewing Co. Collision Bend Brewing Co., in the Flats East Bank, has a troika of draws: Great beer, above-average food and some of the best views around. With warm weather getting here one of these days, its a great place to relax, order a flight and munch on a few shareables. Collision Bend is at 1250 Old River Road, Cleveland. READ MORE
Nighttown T’was a delight to sit in one of our favorite watering holes again, enjoying classic Cleveland Heights vibes and sharing a round with our best mates… ditto on enjoying an Old Fashioned spun sour with Di Saronno amaretto nightcap and the iconic Dublin Lawyer, still their lobsteriffic signature dish. (Yes, it still hits). Now, if we could channel those iconic jazz concerts from our memories, we’d be all set. More live music, plznthx! Night Town is at 12383 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights. READ MORE The District The menu at The District will make the most decisive person pause before ordering. The starters are on trend and interesting – burrata, lobster risotto arancini and more. The list of entrees that trigger repeat visits, so you don’t miss a taste. It includes filet mignon and jumbo sea scallops as well as duck confit paprikash with fresh spaetzle and white truffle sacchetti pasta. The location, 1350 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, is perfect before theater. Don’t miss the entrance on East 14th Street. DETAILS |
SPOTLIGHT Who makes the best tacos in Greater Cleveland? Here are the winners A few weeks ago, we asked our readers to help us find the best tacos in Greater Cleveland. You sent us your nominations and then voted your hearts out after we compiled a list of the top spots. Today we have our winners! READ MORE Local sauce, spice and everything nice for cookout-picnic season We’re looking at another handful of local purveyors who are ready to make your cookout and picnic season rock. Our “sauce, spice and everything nice” list shows how to do it right here in The Land. Adding local flair to your summertime sizzle has never been easier. READ MORE |
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