ClevelandNights.com Critic Posts

LaBella Cupcakes unique fundraising idea

Message by cnc on 3/9/2010 7:27:00 PM EST

This is a great idea from a local entrepreneur who runs an online cupcake business and wants to turn it into a full time physical shop in Cleveland. LaBella Cupcakes is essentially fundraising for their new store by promising cupcakes to those who pledge money to their endeavor. Gotta love the entrepreneurial spirit here!

Check out their efforts on the LaBella Cupcakes website: http://www.labellacupcakes.com/item_46/To-Sponsor-Me-and-Help-us-Open-Our-New-Store-Click-Here.htm

Good luck, we can always use more locally owned food purveyors in Greater Cleveland!

Screw Forbes Magazine and their worthless rankings

Message by cnc on 2/25/2010 7:31:00 AM EST

Kudos to our friends at Positively Cleveland and their quick response to the buffoonery that Forbes Magazine recently compiled. This very reputable magazine decided to put together a "misery index" and ranked Cleveland #1. If you live in Northeast Ohio (Cleveland+ to those in the know), you know that we have our share of problems, but that we are one of the best regions in the country to live in (cost of living, park systems, highly ranked colleges, mulitple professional sports teams, short commutes, Lake Erie!, museums, hall of fames & of course our recognized world class restaurant scene!).

So, if you're "Happy in Cleveland+" jump in and profess your love for our region! Visit Positively Cleveland's www.WhatTheForbes.com campaign, watch some videos and see the great prize packages available.

If you're on Twitter, join in the #HappyinCle+ hash tag campaign and announce why you love Cleveland. Screw Forbes Magazine and their rankings - we love this town!

SPACES Outdoor Exhibit in MidTown Cleveland

Message by cnc on 1/25/2010 12:53:00 PM EST

SPACELab presents Corrie Slawson, a long-time Clevelander who, in her work and daily life, explores often-overlooked locales and the cast-off litter and remnants that grow and accumulate within these areas.

For her SPACELab project, Slawson will mix work and play with a collaborative clean-up and public art installation to revitalize three plots in MidTown Cleveland. Using elements from her own collection of materials and found objects from the site, the artist and her neighborhood team will work together to build colorful public art installations on two of the three spots provided by MidTown Cleveland, Inc. Slawson’s project Work Party 118 is an investigation of abandonment, industrialization and urban sprawl, as well as an attempt to ask city dwellers to take a closer look at available space in the city and to see it in a positive light. Through the exploration of form, line, color, waste, and land use, Slawson intends to show a rebirth of beauty and activity in a neighborhood she loves and wants to share.

Neighborhood residents and gallery visitors will be invited to sign up and receive Work Party instructions at the opening reception at SPACES on January 29, 2010 (between 6-9 p.m.). In the gallery, Slawson will present an accompanying exhibition that utilizes materials found in MidTown along with information about the site-specific projects.

For more information visit: www.SPACESGallery.org

ClevelandNights.com has gone social!

Message by cnc on 1/18/2010 7:49:00 AM EST

ClevelandNights.com has gone social! Follow us for all the latest updates on the Cleveland restaurant and bar scene, for updates on entertainment options and ideas on what to do in Cleveland.

ClevelandNights.com is on Facebook & Twitter

Cleveland Rowing Boathouse Fundraising Campaign

Message by cnc on 1/14/2010 1:09:00 PM EST

The following is an excerpt from the Cleveland Rowing Foundation about their fundraising efforts on the Cuyahoga River to build a new boathouse. While this doesn't have a direct connection to the Cleveland Food Scene, we did feel it was pertinent to recreation and entertainment in Cleveland. ClevelandNights.com is not endorsing this group or effort, but does believe in more public attention around it.

CRF Rivergate Update January 6, 2010

Happy New Year everyone!

We are starting 2010 with over $235,696 in pledges and donations to the CRF Boathouse fund. Our matching grant doubles this amount to $471,393. This could not have been achieved without your generous support. THANK YOU!!

This brings us closer to our goal of $3.6 million to purchase and renovate the property. The funding and the participation from our members will help us gain needed funding from area Foundations and Corporations.

Our anonymous donor has extended the challenge grant to the end of January! You can pledge your support to the boathouse campaign and pay by March 31, visit the CRF website for more information: http://clevelandrows.org/donate_now.php

Rowing Party January 29:
Our annual Bow Ball benefit will be held on Friday January 29 at Trinity Cathedral. This is your chance to have cocktails in the cathedral. The Bow Ball is a fun party with food, drink (2 hours open-bar) and music. We have a great list of silent auction items including Film Festival Tickets, Opera Tickets, a weekend stay at a Chicago Condo, Sailing outing, dinner for 4 at Fahrenheit ($300 value!), and much more?spread the word!

The proceeds of the Bow Ball will benefit the CRF Boathouse Campaign and operating expenses. A portion of your ticket is tax-deductible. For more information or to purchase tickets visit the CRF website: www.clevelandrows.com/bowball.php

If you have questions or have ideas/connections for silent auction items contact Anna at crfbowball@yahoo.com.

CRF Rowers night at the Happy Dog:
We are planning the January Rower's night at the Happy Dog in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood. Once the details are finalized we will send out the details via e-mail and Facebook.

Cleveland Rowing Foundation
1948 Carter Road
Cleveland, OH, US
44113

Click here for an artist's rendering of the new Cleveland Rowing Boathouse

Ohio City French Creperia Expands - Le Petit Triangle Cafe

Message by cnc on 11/30/2009 6:11:00 PM EST

Le Petit Triangle Cafe, the delicious French creperia nestled in a small corner spot in Ohio City, is expanding. An employee at Le Petit told me recently that they are renovating the old Kimo's Sushi Shop. I assume that they'll be combined which will allow for much more seating.

Their patio has been hopping over this past summer and the expansion should fuel new business with less waiting. No word on any other changes based on their expansion.

Great Cleveland Beers for Fall and Winter

Message by cnc on 11/3/2009 3:48:00 PM EST

This is a great resource article from Cleveland.com about the variety of seasonal Fall and Winter beers that are being brewed in Northeast Ohio. Each brewery has links to it too.

http://bit.ly/143LbI

The Greater Cleveland region has a wealth of solid breweries, so go out and support your local brewer - have a beer!

Cleveland Beer Week Schedule

Message by cnc on 10/15/2009 6:29:00 PM EST

Wooohoo! Cleveland Beer Week is finally here! I've been hearing about this event filled week for months now and can't wait to partake in the reported 400+ events (probably won't make all of them...).

Cleveland Beer Week runs from October 16th to the 24th. ClevelandNights.com is a proud supporter of the event. Check out the ClevelandNights.com Cleveland Beer Week page for a schedule of events listed by day.

Get out and support Cleveland's great local beer scene. Cheers!

Cleveland Pizza Week on Cleveland Nights

Message by cnc on 2/23/2009 11:39:00 AM EST
Thank you to our latest sponsor Cleveland Pizza Week. We are partnering with them so please check out: www.ClevelandPizzaWeek.com for more information!

Dewey's Pizza- Awesome Customer Service!!

Message by cnc on 10/22/2008 5:16:00 PM EST
I have been to Dewey's Pizza twice now since its opening in August, and both times have been awesome. The pizzas are very unique and you can split them any way you want (even two different sauces). I also tried their seasonal salad, the Harvest salad, and hope that it becomes a regular on the menu. While the food was good, the knowledge and customer service of all staff members (hosts, servers and bartenders) is what will keep me coming back. I would definitely check this place out if you're in the Lakewood area.

Fat Heads Brewing North Olmsted

Message by cnc on 10/21/2008 9:52:00 AM EST

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports that the celebrated Matt Cole, the head brewer at Rocky River Brewing Company is leaving to be part of the new, to be opened, Fat Heads in North Olmsted where the old Danny Boys used to be.

I had to go to go out of state to read this news, but nonetheless: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08234/905817-389.stm

Stay tuned as brewing in Greater Cleveland (Cleveland+) continues to get more interesting.

Cleveland Local Food Options

Message by cnc on 8/22/2008 9:58:00 AM EST

Cleveland Nights is all about our local restaurant, dining and entertainment options. We write, review and post all types of restaurants from some national chains to regional and local chains to the locally owned mom & pop restaurant. Of course, the local food scene in Cleveland is HOT right now with a ton of renowned chefs running their own venues.

We're going to be posting more about this topic and welcome your feedback on the local food movement in Greater Cleveland. Here's a link that we stumbled across that may be of interest to some of you: http://www.localfoodcleveland.org/. Keep up the good work Clevelanders, we're starting to reinforce that this community has great tastes when it comes to our dining options!

Stone Mad Irish Pub is finally open in Detroit Shoreway Cleveland

Message by cnc on 4/22/2008 6:05:00 PM EST

The wait is finally over to see what's inside of Stone Mad in the Detroit Shoreway Neighborhood of Cleveland's West Side near Battery Park housing development. We stopped in a couple of days after they opened last week and got the scoop from Jimmy and Ricky who were working that evening and also helped the owner build the pub.

No details were spared on the project, from the wood to the old school door hinges and even the bathroom wash basins. They told us that during their soft launch Stone Mad will be serving lunch and then getting dinner rolled out next week it sounded like. Check out the patio and if you're fortunate enough to find an empty seat near the fire, take it. We did and it was great sitting around the fire on their stone patio furniture just taking in the whole scene.

Jimmy and Ricky got us even more excited when they told us about the expansion plans. This undertaking and the reportedly multiple millions they spent wasn't just for this pub. It seems that there eventually will be a compound of entertainment options. A wine bar, cigar bar, coffee shop and separate fine dining venues were all brought up. In any case, Stone Mad is great addition to the growing Detroit Shoreway mix of restaurants. I'm already looking forward to our next visit!

Latitude 41 North

Message by cnc on 4/8/2008 9:41:00 AM EST
I went to Latitude 41 North for a friend's birthday this weekend and was quite impressed with both the atmosphere and the food. Never having been there before, I was quite surprised that you ordered at the counter and it was BYOB. The service was great and the chocolate cake was awesome! I would definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the area or are just looking for a new place to try.

Mac and cheese week in Cleveland

Message by cnc on 3/15/2008 9:22:00 PM EST

For those of you who follow this blog at Cleveland Nights, you know that I've mentioned the themed weeks a couple of times. This past week was "macaroni and cheese week". A group of about 15 friends decided that since macaroni and cheese is now the new hip dish and that so many restaurants have it, we had to make a whole week of it.... Wow, it was a heavy week. Allow me to run through each night.

Reddstone Bar in Detroit Shoreway Cleveland

Message by cnc on 2/23/2008 12:25:00 PM EST
I have been wanting to visit Reddstone Bar in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood of Cleveland for awhile and finally had a chance to this past Thursday night. Redstone is set back on West 76th north of Detroit Avenue. It pretty much is at the end of the street that deadends into the Battery Park neighborhood that is up against the bluffs that overlook Edgewater Park.

The place had a great funky neighborhood feel to it that you should expect to see more of in the up and coming neighborhood. They really overloaded on the red lighting, but I guess that might be their trademark look with their name. The drink selection seemed fine and I had a Brooklyn IPA so at least they seem to understand putting a couple of good microbrews on tap.

They had a DJ setting up that evening and once he started, he essentially blasted us out of the place. I'll come back, I just hope for such a small venue that they can keep the ambiance equal with the auditory experience.

Lucky's Cafe Coffee Shop in Tremont Cleveland

Message by cnc on 2/2/2008 6:07:00 PM EST

Visited Lucky's Cafe in Tremont this morning for coffee. I hadn't been there in about 2 years and was pleasantly surprised. The place was jammed packed and full of energy on a late Saturday morning. They have a breakfast and weekend brunch menu that looked delicious. Most of it looked reasonably priced, but I did spy a $9 breakfast burritto... I hope that it is huge!

I recommend popping in for at least a coffee and if you try their breakfast out, let me know how it is.

West Park Station Review

Message by cnc on 1/20/2008 12:53:00 PM EST

I finally visited West Park Station in Kamm's Corners in Cleveland Saturday. It was mid afternoon so the place was quiet, and unfortunately the service, slow. We sat at the bar and ordered a mid afternoon snack of chili with the works and their guiness cheese soup. The food was very good and the chili lived up to the good recommendations I had received. The cheese soup was delicious!

West Park Station looked very nice on the interior as if it might have received a heavy make over in the last few years. They have a large patio in the back with a nice looking bar and fireplace and there's room in the front for a patio too. This is obviously a police and firefighter's bar and it had some paraphenalia to prove it.

If you haven't been to Kamm's Corners in awhile, check it out. There's a lot of good little bars and restaurants in the area breathing life back into that great section of Cleveland.

Stampers in Fairview Park brings the entertainment

Message by cnc on 1/13/2008 11:18:00 AM EST

I visted Stamper's Bar and Grill in Fairview Park last night looking for some live music. I believe that they always have it on the weekend, so we found what we were looking for. Stampers is nice because it's in an older neighborhood, but the establishment has kept up with the times and that's why it's a packed restaurant everytime I've gone in there. Also, I've never paid a cover with their live music, so that's a nice feature too.

Last night Charlie in the Box was playing there and was fun to watch. They should have just stuck to the instruments which were well handled (especially their drummer), but need to rethink their vocal abilities. Even with that being said, it was a good time and Stamper's had a great mix of young and old, well dressed and casual there to enjoy the music with.

Bubba's BBQ in Avon Ohio

Message by cnc on 1/7/2008 9:11:00 PM EST

I visited Bubba Q's Bar-B-Q in Avon over the weekend after an event at the Avon Lake highschool. I've read a lot about Al "Bubba" Baker's BBQ restaurant, so I was eager to try it. They offer what our waitress referred to as a patent pending de-boned baby back rib. Patent pending? Wow, this place must take their BBQ pretty darn seriously...

Our party had a variety of dishes from pulled pork to ribs to sandwiches and beef brisket. All of them were good and the sauce was tasty. I have to say though, that I'm always leery of BBQ places that talk about "award winning" and "world's best "and all of that type of talk. This place was no different. Bubba's was a very solid restaurant that I'll return to, but it's not one that I'll refer to as "world famous".

If you find yourself in Avon, Ohio hankering for some BBQ, give it a shot.