• Changing RCF's index page, please click on "Forums" to access the forums.

The Restaurant Thread

Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Burntwood recently changed their HH menu. Fewer options and smaller portions. Service there has always been poor so we’ve lost almost all reason to go :chuckle:
That's really disappointing. Guess there's no reason to go anymore. Good tip.

I really liked their tuna nachos, flatbread, and zucchini fries. Get a mediocre $5 cocktail each and get out for around 30 bucks.

Yup. It’s going to be called Goma. From what I gather, it’s going to be Asian fusion, in the vein of Nobu. Definitely should be a great addition to E. 4th. I’ll also be interested to see what happens with the Greenhouse Tavern space.

I'm excited. I was really sad when Zach closed Chinato (one of the best happy hour menus in Cleveland). But, with Dante's background, this new place should be aces. I just hope high-end sushi can draw enough business to succeed in that spot
 
I think you're taking it the wrong way. I like DC Pasta. It's just the one I rank lowest of his restaurants (they're all good, so being ranked the lowest isn't a bad thing!). It's also the one where he's the least involved. I'm not sure that's one-to-one, because he's rarely venturing down to DBA either, but that place churns out higher quality food. If you like DC Pasta, and you haven't tried his places that he puts more time and effort into, oh boy are you in for a treat. That's all I was trying to say.

Fair points. I'll get to Dante one of these days and find out for myself!

The thing is -- the same place can have very different meanings to different people. Somebody can drive by DC Pasta and see an out-of-the-way restaurant in an unremarkable suburban building, in a suite that is (literally) next to the DMV. I see the place where my now-wife had one of our best initial dates, and where we've had many good meals since (a majority of the time just the two of us, but other times with our kids, other family, or friends).
 
Before I get going, I do want to shed a Jonathon Sawyer-shaped tear for the closing of Greenhouse Tavern (and that coming just a year after he closed Trentina, which was one of our absolute favorite restaurants). Really hope he can circle the wagons and get back to opening great places instead of closing them.
 
Before I get going, I do want to shed a Jonathon Sawyer-shaped tear for the closing of Greenhouse Tavern (and that coming just a year after he closed Trentina, which was one of our absolute favorite restaurants). Really hope he can circle the wagons and get back to opening great places instead of closing them.
I get the closing of Trentina (which was my second most disappointing meal ever in Cleveland) and Noodlecat, since neither seemed to be doing a lot of business.

I think the closing of Greenhouse means he's pulling out of Cleveland entirely. That place was always doing really well.

I have absolutely no information to base this opinion off of.

I'm cautiously excited for what goes into the Greenhouse space. Their rooftop is still one of my favorite places in the city that not everyone knows about. On a day where everything is packed to the brim like St. Patrick's Day or the Home Opener, you can just go up there and people watch on East 4th and have a great time.
 
I get the closing of Trentina (which was my second most disappointing meal ever in Cleveland) and Noodlecat, since neither seemed to be doing a lot of business.

Your Trentina experience was quite different from ours -- we loved it. Ate there maybe four or five times and sad to see it go. But I get the business of it -- it's really hard to turn a profit on a restaurant that seats maybe 40 people, especially if you're in a part of town where rents are going up.

Noodlecat ... we liked it when it was downtown ... then he closed it and opened that abomination at Crocker, which was the same in name only. That restaurant deserved to die.
 
From everything I’ve read, Sawyer is a great chef and a horrendous businessman. Sounds like he became an absentee owner, especially at GHT. Had over $500k in unpaid loans accompanied by 7.5% interest. Kitchen at GHT was starting to fall into disrepair (an oven went completely unused because the door was busted and kept opening during service but was ultimately just drilled shut).

Looks like he’s also been removed as executive chef at Sawyer’s (Van Aken) and Seesaw (Columbus), which he doesn’t even own (Forward Hospitality owns and operates those properties). It’s an astounding, and rapid, fall from grace.
 
From everything I’ve read, Sawyer is a great chef and a horrendous businessman. Sounds like he became an absentee owner, especially at GHT. Had over $500k in unpaid loans accompanied by 7.5% interest. Kitchen at GHT was starting to fall into disrepair (an oven went completely unused because the door was busted and kept opening during service but was ultimately just drilled shut).

Looks like he’s also been removed as executive chef at Sawyer’s (Van Aken) and Seesaw (Columbus), which he doesn’t even own (Forward Hospitality owns and operates those properties). It’s an astounding, and rapid, fall from grace.

I had a friend that wanted to open a restaurant and had a chef that apparently made amazing food but I had to talk him out of doing it. The chef had all these red flags that he wouldn't be a good business partner and didn't know how to manage his own money. Some chefs are made to be employees and not owners/business partners.
 
I'm a casual eatery dude. I'm a big fan of Caribe Bake Shop down in Cleveland (41st? I drive by it 2-3 times a week think I'd remember). Ohio City Burrito, I've wanted a franchise for years. Also like Campus Grille in Berea, think it deserves more props, along with Sweet Mango (different cuisine I know).
 
Just wanted to chime in and rave about Shy Cellars as well. Good ol' Strasvegas. Honestly love having that place in like podunk Ohio. Unfortunately, it's caused a few copycats attempts at upscale restaurants to open, gotta love those $13 burgers.
 
Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for the recommendations, everyone!

I haven't lived in Ohio for a few years now, but I may be coming back in the near future to see the family and will eventually be living only a few hours' drive away. Will definitely have to check out some of these places with my wife whenever we make our way back.
 
Any good Korean spots in NE Ohio?
The Korean BBQ place on the second floor of the Asian market is pretty good. That's the only place off the top of my head.

There was a hole in the wall place that had awesome bibimbap and stuff. Kind of place that shut down and re-opened under a new name constantly. Downtown, East 40-50th or so, had a green door.
 
Just wanted to chime in and rave about Shy Cellars as well. Good ol' Strasvegas. Honestly love having that place in like podunk Ohio. Unfortunately, it's caused a few copycats attempts at upscale restaurants to open, gotta love those $13 burgers.

Had dinner there last night, and it was wonderful (as usual). Ricotta-stuffed mushrooms to start, bone broth soup, lamb for the main course, and flourless chocolate cake as the closer. Glad to see somebody else has found their way out to Strasvegas (I will steal your nickname) to enjoy a meal there.
 
My wife and I randomly found Borocco in Lakewood. They offer you a shot of tequila before they seat you. Venezuela, Columbian South American .. Authentic, with live Guitar . Reasonable cost, great vibe..
 

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Video

Episode 3-13: "Backup Bash Brothers"

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Spotify

Episode 3:11: "Clipping Bucks."
Top