Rising Grill
3709 Payne Ave., Cleveland
It was right around the time our server wheeled a cart up to the table that we regretted not inviting more friends to dinner. Our combination platter had enough beef short rib, ribeye, pork and chicken to feed half the dining room. But we persevered, cooking up tasty bits of Korean BBQ on Rising Grill’s trusty new gas-powered grill tables. Hot off the grate, we bundled up the charred, garlicky pieces of meat into cold lettuce wraps, dragged them through sauce, popped them in our mouths, and washed them down with ice-cold OB beer. We never stood a chance, but at least we went out with a smile.
Photo by Doug Trattner Credit: Douglas Trattner
Korean BBQ fans were crushed to learn that Rising Grill (3709 Payne Ave.) in Cleveland’s Asiatown neighborhood had closed. The popular restaurant moved into the former Seoul Hot Pot building in 2018, bringing with it some much needed improvements and consistency.
In addition to staples like mandu, seafood pancakes, bibimbap, kimchi soup with pork, fish roe stew with tofu, and seolleongtang, Rising Grill was beloved for its communal grill tables. Items ranged from marinated boneless chicken breast and the ever-popular bulgogi and kalbi on up to combination platters starring a variety of meats and seafood.
All we know for now is that management is in search of a new location. Attempts to acquire additional information have been unsuccessful.
For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.
