Shared vision . . . Restaurant lovers know that the best dining experiences result from the synergy of wonderful food and a compelling space. No doubt that's why chef-owner Jeff Uniatowski was so intent on creating an artful atmosphere as he put together Mise (10427 Clifton Boulevard, 216-651-6473), his hip West Side restaurant. Uniatowski found the perfect complement to his bold and complex cuisine in the works of oil painter Jim Morana, a native Clevelander whose colorful, sophisticated abstracts resonate with passion. "His works are powerful and daring -- Jim's a really complicated guy -- and they fit in well with what we are all about," Uniatowski says. As a result, the restaurateur now has nine of Morana's pieces hanging on his walls, ranging from the delicate, impressionistic "Thistles" to the monochromatic "Grey" and the boldly colored "Chicago"; all are available for purchase at prices ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. The prolific Morana, 30, is entirely self-taught and started out expressing his artistic tendencies through novels, poetry, and screenplays, not making the jump to full-time painting until last year. His body of work, however, already contains more than 250 pieces. Mise is the only place to view his works, although Morana has scores of other paintings -- including a number of highly provocative portraits that stand in contrast to the tamer compositions on display at the restaurant -- posted on his website (www.jimmorana.com).
Digest this . . . From our e-mail come these two gems: Extraterrestaurant (n.) A food establishment wherein you feel as though you have been abducted and experimented upon. Also see ET-ry . . . Decaflon (n.) The grueling event of getting through a day consuming only things that are good for you.