Update: Matt Harlan’s Chatty’s Pizzeria in Bay Village to Open Tuesday, March 2
Back in December, we shared the news that Matthew Harlan, longtime employee of Michael Symon Restaurants, was opening his own place. Now we know that Chatty’s Pizzeria (28611 Lake Rd., 440-471-4485) in Bay Village will open on Tuesday, March 2. Here’s the original story from December 4. ********************************* Matthew Harlan began working for Michael and Liz…
Update: Steven Mercyhill’s New Single and Music Video Speaks to Our Troubled Times
Update: Years ago, when local singer-songwriter Steven Mercyhill first came up with the title for “Wide-Awake Nightmare,” the third single from his upcoming album Nonfiction, he had no idea how appropriate the song would be. “The original idea came to me when, after going through a particularly rough period in my life,” he says in a…
Here’s the Menu for This Weekend’s Kate’s Good Fish Company Pop-Up
In anticipation of the first of hopefully many pop-ups, Kate’s Good Fish Company has revealed the menu for this weekend’s seafood-themed event, which takes place January 15-17. Here it is, along with the original story from early December. (Order info is at GoodCompanyCle) ******** While his plans for a New England-style seafood shack at the West Side…
Ohio Renters Face Some of the Highest Risk of Eviction in the Nation, Study Says
A recent study conducted by AdvisorSmith (a business insurance site) shows that Ohio is one of the top 10 states in America facing the highest rates of eviction. “In the wake of the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, many households are struggling to make their rent payments. The economic impact has been unevenly distributed…
Beachwood Delivers Program to Offer Free Delivery Within City Borders for Select Restaurants
Last week Cleveland City Council voted to slap a 15-percent commission cap on fees third-party delivery services like DoorDash, GrubHub and UberEats can charge Cleveland restaurants. The City of Beachwood: “Hold my beer.” For a limited time, the city will be footing the entire delivery bill for Beachwood residents who order from a select group…
Carol and John’s Annual Holiday Art Show Combines the Pandemic and Comics to Benefit the Cleveland Food Bank
For its 8th annual holiday art show, Carol and John’s Comic Book Shop in Kamm’s Corners (17462 Lorain Ave.) is leaning into pandemic with local artists combining their favorite comics characters with the world’s ongoing battle against the coronavirus. More than 100 covers will be on display from Dec. 16 through the 20th and up for grabs…
After Ohio Supreme Court Decision, New Cleveland Foundation HQ May Go Forward
The Ohio Supreme Court Tuesday declined to hear the case of Dunham Tavern Museum trustees who were seeking to invalidate the sale of its adjacent greenspace in Midtown to the Cleveland Foundation, where its new headquarters are planned. Both the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas and the state appellate court in Cuyahoga County had ruled…
WJCU’s Virtual Blizzard Bash Fundraiser to Kick Off on Friday
WJCU and 48 Hour Virtual Music Fest have teamed up for WJCU’s annual fundraiser, Blizzard Bash: 48 Hours to Fight Hunger. The event kicks off at 8:45 p.m. on Friday and runs for 48 consecutive hours. The virtual concert will bring together 48 local artists, including Noon, Ray Flanagan, Michael McFarland, Meg & the Magnetosphere,…
The Land, Creed II Director Steven Caple Jr. to Appear in Film Commission Event Thursday
Hollywood film director and Cleveland native Steven Caple Jr. will field questions about his distinguished young career and offer advice to filmmakers in a conversation with the Greater Cleveland Film Commission’s Mike Wendt Thursday evening. The digital “Between the Screens” event, hosted by GCFC, will touch on many of Caple’s biggest projects, including The Land,…
Bibb’s Early Campaign Contributions Make Him Instant Contender in 2021 Mayoral Race
Local nonprofit founder and executive Justin Bibb was expected to announce his 2021 candidacy for Cleveland Mayor. His name had been on virtually every list of prospective candidates, and he had foreshadowed his intentions with increasingly public calls for citywide reforms. Like other first-time candidates, Bibb has centered messages of urgency — #CleCantWait — and…
Cru Uncorked in Moreland Hills to Expand Footprint with New Patios, Gardens, Greenhouse and Outdoor Kitchen
In an attempt to create a French-inspired estate on par with some of the most sought-after dining destinations around the country, Cru Uncorked (34300 Chagrin Blvd., 440-903-1171) in Moreland Hills will increase its physical footprint in hopes of expanding its reach and appeal. The fine-dining restaurant, which opened in 2017, has just been granted approval…
Amid Pandemic and Slow-Moving Relief Legislation, Theft of Food and Hygiene Items Skyrockets
The Washington Post has reported that retailers, police departments and loss prevention researchers are seeing a nationwide spike in theft of food and hygiene products — data that starkly illustrates the ever-increasing need for federal relief. The Post reports that shoplifting is up markedly since the pandemic began — at much higher levels than in…
Lynette Ramos on “Borikén: Land of the Valiant and Noble Lord,” Her Project Examining Her Puerto Rican Heritage
The Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center today presents a virtual event at 7 p.m. discussing dancer and shamanic-inspired healer Lynette Ramos’ trip to ‘Borikén’ (Puerto Rico). Ramos was awarded a grant from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and received additional support from her local community to study The Tainos, the indigenous people of the island.…
Uno Lady Releases Experimental Film Recorded During Quarantine
Local singer-songwriter Christa Ebert, who performs as Uno Lady, just released Grounded, a short experimental film that features a series of meditations about “mindfulness.” It includes “mantras, soothing songs and guided meditations for busy minds.” Filmed mostly in her backyard during the pandemic, the video makes use of stop-motion animation and features homegrown flowers, sweet…
“All the World’s a Stage Fright,” a Novella Set in Cleveland’s Theater Community, Lifts the Spirits
In the new novella, “All the World’s a Stage Fright, Misadventures of a Clandestine Critic,” local theater critic Bob Abelman explores the glories and challenges of Shakespeare, the daunting task of performing the Bard’s works, and the flubs and foibles of the narrator (a not-so-hidden avatar of the author himself). In the process, Abelman manages…
Here’s Paul Dolan’s Letter on Ditching the Indians and the Future Name of the Cleveland Baseball Team
Following last night’s story from the New York Times that reported Cleveland would officially ditch the Indians as the team’s nickname, owner Paul Dolan released a lengthy letter on the topic today. In a separate but similar statement, the organization said that they will retain the Indians name for 2021 instead of opting for a…
Justin Bibb Signals 2021 Cleveland Mayoral Run, Touts Significant Early Fundraising
After months of anticipation, local businessman and RTA board member Justin Bibb has formally signaled his intention to run for Cleveland Mayor in 2021. In his first public communication with the press, he announced significant early fundraising, which he says will build momentum for a 2021 campaign. Bibb launched a committee to explore a 2021…
Dominick Farinacci to Livestream NYE Concert from Nighttown
During his 20-year career, nationally renowned trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, a guy with deep ties to Cleveland, has performed in more than 120 cities in 14 countries around the world. Farinacci, who regularly plays the Bop Stop and Nighttown, has been a featured guest on ABC’s Good Morning America and is a TED speaker. He regularly comes…
Pandemic Exacerbates Food, Housing Struggles for Ohio Families
COLUMBUS, Ohio — New data reveals what many policy experts have feared for months: The pandemic has taken a serious toll on the well-being of Ohio’s children. Using data from weekly U.S. census surveys, a report released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation demonstrates how families across the country are challenged to meet basic…
With Covid Vaccine Coming, Will Ohio Legislature Still Insist on Our ‘Freedom’ to Kill Others?
Compared to Covid, the Vietnam War was a Chagrin Falls cat fight. It took the virus just nine months to kill five times the number of Americans that Vietnam took in 11 years. Now vaccines are on the way. Ohio, with 7,400 dead and counting, may soon see respite. If only the Legislature doesn’t decide…
Cleveland Indians to Officially Change Team Name at Long Last
The New York Times reported Sunday evening that the Cleveland Indians will indeed drop their team name, parting ways with a moniker they’ve had since 1915. The decision could be officially announced as early as this week, three anonymous sources told the Times. The path forward may include at least one season without a team name…
Local Officers Shot Pennsylvania Fugitive at Steelyard Walmart Parking Lot
Officers with the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, shot a fugitive in the Steelyard Commons Walmart parking lot Friday around noon. The task force is an interagency coalition which includes members of the Cleveland and Euclid police departments and the U.S. Marshals Service. Cleveland Safety Director Karrie Howard, Police Chief Calvin Williams and U.S. Marshal Pete…
DeWine Extends Curfew Until January, Asks Ohioans to Skip Large Holiday Gatherings
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine yesterday extended the statewide nightly curfew until Jan. 2 and issued a series of “Stay Safe Ohio” protocols to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 over the next three weeks. (Spoiler: They are very much the same recommendations you’ve heard over and over again and should have been abiding by anyway.)…
Big Ohio CEOs Make More Than 300 Times Their Average Employees
Many of Ohio’s top CEOs make more than 300 times their average employees, a new report by Policy Matters Ohio has found. Data reported to the security and exchange commission showed that the median salary for CEOs at the 54 Ohio corporations that filed reports was $14.6 million. Most of these corporations paid their CEO…
Before Statehouse Outbreak, Infected House GOP Lawmaker Skirted COVID-19 Guidelines
A Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives who contracted COVID-19 skirted public health guidance, potentially exposing fellow lawmakers and staff to the new coronavirus that causes the disease. Democratic members and staff, meanwhile, say they were never informed of Rep. Stephen Hambley’s positive diagnosis, despite his appearances at floor sessions and committee hearings…
Here Are Answers to 6 Burning Questions About COVID-19 Vaccines
The recent success of some coronavirus vaccines in late-stage clinical trials has inched us closer to the end of the pandemic — a glimmer of hope in a long year of living with the virus. Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is gearing up to consider emergency use authorization for Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19…
New Alliance Motivates Ohio Farmers to Tackle Climate Change
COLUMBUS, Ohio – More than half of Ohio’s land is used for agriculture, and there’s a new effort to keep those lands resilient to the effects of climate change. The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance is promoting tools and incentives that can help farmers tackle the warming climate head-on. And Jessica D’Ambrosio, agriculture director for…
Channel 19 Gets Results, Helps Nab Culprit Who Was Raining Poop on Downtown Cleveland
Dealing with a metaphorical and existential shit storm is bad enough; Clevelanders shouldn’t be forced to also live through a literal one. That bold proclamation was the kernel of a recent story by Channel 19, which found that in its very own corner of downtown Cleveland, poop had been raining unceremoniously down from the heavens.…
Cleveland OKs Unprecedented Subsidy? For Rich Developer? Take it to the (Flats East) Bank.
True to form, the sound and fury of Cleveland City Council’s dismay over an outrageous piece of legislation signified nothing. Council voted 14-2 Wednesday to extend by 30 years an existing 30-year Tax Increment Financing arrangement for the Flats East Bank project. Ward 16 councilman Brian Kazy and newly appointed Ward 15 councilwoman Jenny Spencer voted against…
Cleveland City Council Approves 15% Cap on Third-Party Delivery Commissions for Cleveland Restaurants
Update: In a better late than never move, Cleveland City Council this week voted to approve a 15% commission cap on fees third-party delivery services like UberEats can charge Cleveland restaurants. Mayor Jackson is expected to sign the legislation soon, which will not only cap the commission fees but also prohibit the services from reducing…
Dirty Bird, a New Virtual Eatery from Michael’s Genuine at Van Aken District, Stars Spicy Fried Chicken and Sides
We can add Dirty Bird to the long and growing list of fried chicken-themed concepts popping up across Northeast Ohio. This new “Southern comfort food” eatery might be new to diners, but it’s being prepared by the veteran chefs at Michael’s Genuine (3427 Tuttle Rd., 216-230-8022) at the Van Aken District in Shaker Heights. “We’ve…
It Appears There’s a Huge Backlog at the Cleveland USPS Distribution Center Thanks to Covid
Probably 20-30 trucks parked along Pittsburgh Avenue this evening south of Cleveland's main post office. Why? pic.twitter.com/ZJ0im7y0ez — Ken Prendergast (@KennyPeepers) December 5, 2020 Pictures of a couple dozen semi-trucks backed up for more than 12 hours waiting to deliver packages, complaints on Reddit, anecdotal stories, frustrated and curt statements issued to the press… things…
Cleveland Has Not Yet Shut Off Anyone’s Utilities After Moratorium Lifted, But Process Now In Motion
Director of Public Utilities Robert Davis told Cleveland City Council Tuesday that there have been no power or water disconnections since the city lifted its moratoriums on utility shutoffs Dec. 1. Rather, Davis said that the conclusion of the moratorium triggered the “collection and severance process,” which he said takes time. Assuming the ~89,000 Cleveland…
National Restaurant Association to Congress: Foodservice Businesses Need Financial Relief and They Need it Now
Pointing out that one in five U.S. restaurants has closed amid the pandemic, the National Restaurant Association is urging Congress to pass relief for foodservice businesses before it breaks for the holidays. In a letter to Congressional leaders, the association shared new survey data it says shows an “economic free fall” has harmed 500,000 restaurants…
Savage Love: End the Sexless Relationship Now Before It Gets Messy and Painful
Something is bothering me and I don’t know where else to turn. I’m a bisexual man. I’ve been married to a great guy for the past six years. Despite COVID, we gathered safely for an outdoors Thanksgiving dinner with my family. My mom, my brother and sister-in-law, and my adult nieces and nephews and their…
Local Singer-Songwriter’s New Single Receives Airplay in the UK
In high school, local singer-songwriter Alex Field played in a punk rock band that regularly got gigs at clubs like Peabody’s and Agora. “That’s where my love for music started to grow,” says Field via phone. “Back then, it was a lot of punk rock. I listened to bands like MXPX and early Blink-182, the…
Agencies Move Fast to Help Ohioans with Housing Costs
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Agencies are moving fast to get struggling Ohioans the CARES Act funding that can help them stay in their homes. In November, Ohio’s Community Action Agencies received a total of $50 million through the Home Relief Grant to help those who are behind on their mortgage, rent or other housing-related bills due…
All the Cleveland Browns Do Is Win — The A to Z Podcast With Andre Knott and Zac Jackson
Andre and Zac on Ohio State – Michigan, the state of sports in general, Kevin Stefanski and the 9-3 Cleveland Browns. Subscribe to A to Z here or stream below.
Cleveland Councilman Joe Jones Ticketed Oct. 28 for Impeding Traffic While Playing Biden Campaign Messages
Ward 1 Cleveland City Councilman Joe Jones was given a traffic citation Oct. 28 for impeding the flow of traffic on Chester Avenue. The offense was of particular annoyance to the Cleveland Police Officer who stopped Jones not only because the councilman was allegedly slowing down a busy street, but because he was projecting campaign…
Cuyahoga County Library Is Once Again Ranked Best Library System in the Nation
Cuyahoga County Library vs. the rest of the country’s biggest library systems is essentially Ohio State vs. Michigan at this point… The hometown heroes have taken home the highest ranking from the Library Journal’s annual Index of Public Library Service listings for the 11th year in a row, CCPL announced today. “Library Journal’s rating and…
Alan Madej Releases Latest Christmas Series Single
Since 2012, local singer-songwriter Alan Madej has released a new Christmas single each year. He wasn’t about to let a pandemic get in the way of spreading some yuletide cheer again this year. He’s just issued “Xmas Single No. 9: Red Green and Silver Bright,” a rootsy number about “rockin’ ’til the break of dawn.”…
Cleveland Cinemas Will Close Cedar Lee and Chagrin Cinemas Until Christmas
Cleveland Cinemas President Jon Forman has announced that the local chain’s two remaining open theaters, the Cedar Lee in Cleveland Heights and Chagrin Cinemas in Chagrin Falls, will close to the public until Christmas. The decision was motivated by a number of factors, Forman said in a letter to patrons. Chief among them, no doubt,…
Which Ohio Mayor Had a Sexual Encounter With an Alleged Chinese Spy in a Car Under FBI Surveillance?
That’s the question that has Ohio politicos and political journalists positively aflutter today, with conjecture flying wildly via texts and DMs. Axios reported last night on the tale of Christine Fang, a Chinese national who, according to a yearlong investigation by the outlet, worked as a spy who developed ties to politicians in California and…
Goma on E. Fourth Back on Track for Spring Opening, Says Chef-Owner Dante Boccuzzi
The on-again, off-again Japanese-fusion concept from chef Dante Boccuzzi is back on and moving forward, he reports. Construction on the E. Fourth Street restaurant resumed yesterday, with an anticipated spring arrival. “There’s no set opening day yet, but definitely spring, probably April,” Boccuzzi estimates. Boccuzzi first announced his plans for the restaurant two years ago,…
Feds Must Hand Over Gun Data, Court Rules in Freedom of Information Act Win for Journalists
This article is from Eye on Ohio, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism. Please join their free mailing list, as this helps provide more public service reporting. On Thursday, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals said authorities must hand over database records just as if they were paper records in a file cabinet.…
300,000 Ohioans Could Lose Unemployment Assistance
COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio think tank says unless Congress acts, a grim holiday season awaits hundreds of thousands of Ohioans. According to an analysis from Policy Matters Ohio, without federal action 300,000 people could lose their unemployment benefits the day after Christmas. Policy Director Zach Schiller said new federal supports that have cushioned the…
BrewDog USA Confirms Search for Cleveland Location, But Site Has Not Yet Been Chosen
Cleveland Twitter was abuzz this week when BrewDog CEO James Watt posted a photo with the caption: “BrewDog Cleveland? Watch this space.” Despite the vagueness of the space — a cavernous warehouse interior with few identifiable attributes — it was almost immediately identified as developer Fred Geis’ Avian building, presently taking shape on Scranton Peninsula. But while…
Airbnb Bans One-Night New Year’s Eve Reservations in Ohio
In its latest continued attempt to help combat the spread of COVID-19 and stop rampant house parties, Airbnb has announced it is “prohibiting” all one-night reservations for entire-home listings on New Year’s Eve in Ohio — and across the rest of U.S. (and Western Europe and Australia). They’ll also “be deploying more stringent restrictions on…
Nine Months Into Pandemic, Cleveland Still Doesn’t Have a Single Spanish Speaking Contact Tracer
Cleveland’s Interim Director of Public Health, Brian Kimball, made a shocking admission at a Monday morning City Council meeting: though there are now 70 permanent and temporary employees working on contact tracing for the city, not one of them is fluent in Spanish. Ward 14 Councilwoman Jasmin Santana broached the subject during a Q&A after…
Survey: People Choosing to Dine Out During the Pandemic Are Treating Service Industry Workers Like Shit
You would think that, during a pandemic that’s wiping out thousands of Americans each day, people would treat others with compassion and do everything in their power to ensure the safety of not only themselves, but also their neighbors, right? As it turns out, that’s total bullshit, at least when it comes to those choosing…
Michael Stanley Collaborates with Contemporary Youth Orchestra
Contemporary Youth Orchestra has just announced a new collaboration with local singer-songwriter Michael Stanley. After the pandemic shut down concerts, Stanley and CYO teamed up via Zoom to record a new take on his tune “Another New Year’s Eve.” “CYO is an amazing organization, providing a unique opportunity for students in NEO to perform at…
Cleveland Hostel in Ohio City Will Serve as Seasonal Homeless Shelter
The Cleveland Hostel in Ohio City will serve as Cleveland’s seasonal cold-weather homeless shelter. It will have 24-hour access, a capacity of 60 and ample space for dining and isolation if guests experience Covid symptoms. The location was selected after months of meetings between local government and non-profit partners. Michael Sering, of Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries,…
“About Body | About Face” at AAWR Examines How African American Bodies Are Portrayed in Art
Artists Archives of the Western Reserve (AAWR) Gallery is now hosting “About Body | About Face,” a small-group, figurative exhibition that examines representation of African American bodies in art and culture. The show is free and open to the public at the AAWR Gallery, which is taking all necessary precautions against the spread of Covid,…
Cleveland State Gave Up an NCAA Record-Setting 40-0 Run to Ohio University Yesterday
If, every once in awhile, college basketball appears on your television or some NCAA hoops news crosses your Twitter timeline and you wonder how your hometown Cleveland State Vikings are doing, maybe ignore the urge to actually check next time. Because things seem pretty bad, but at least comically so. The Vikings yesterday played the…
U.S. House Makes Historic Vote to Decriminalize Marijuana
We are now one step closer to the federal decriminalization of cannabis. Members of the House of Representatives voted on Friday to approve the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act, HR 3884 — the first legalization bill to ever make it to the floor of Congress. The 228-164 vote fell largely along party lines,…
First Look: Avo Modern Mexican, Opening Soon in Ohio City
Gabriel Zeller and Julie Mesenburg are putting the finishing touches on Avo Modern Mexican (2058 W. 25th St., 216-331-6961) in Ohio City. The pair eagerly snatched up the former Bakersfield Tacos space a few months ago and have been working to ready it for opening day, which should occur before the end of the month.…
Cuyahoga County Creates $1.2 Million Grant Fund Specifically for Local Restaurants
Cuyahoga County today announced a $1.2 million grant fund for locally owned restaurants designed to bring help to an industry that has already been hit hard during the pandemic and still faces a long battle through the winter months. The deadline for restaurants to apply is Friday, Dec 11 by 5 p.m. Applications open at 2:30 p.m.…
Hudson Native Arthur Kostendt Running for Cleveland Mayor in 2021 on Law and Order Platform
Twenty-nine-year-old Hudson native Arthur Kostendt has thrown his hat in what promises to be a wild and crowded ring: the 2021 Cleveland Mayoral race. A National Guardsman who graduated from Cleveland-Marshall law school in 2019 and plans to sit for the Ohio Bar Exam in February, Kostendt told Scene that he has not yet pulled…
Cleveland Wing Week is Coming in January With $5 Wing Deals
The Inaugural Cleveland Wing Week is coming! From Taco Week and Pizza Week to Burger Week, you’re likely no stranger to the range of Cleveland’s week-long devotions to America’s favorite foods. But coming this winter, there’s a new dish-centric celebration for you to sink your teeth into. For seven days wing lovers will have the…
Todd Rundgren’s Localized Virtual Tour Comes to Cleveland on Feb. 22
Singer-songwriter Todd Rundgren has just announced the dates of his 2021 Clearly Human virtual tour, which will feature 25 performances, each “geo-fenced “and tailored to a different U.S. city. The tour includes a Feb. 22 stop that will virtually take place in Cleveland, one of Rundgren’s best markets. Rundgren and band will perform from a…
An Ohio Blood Bank is Using a Promising Tool to Fight COVID — But There Are Limits
Christine Wilson’s first clue that something wasn’t right came when she couldn’t taste the birthday cake she baked for her son one day in mid-July. A week later she was in the hospital battling pneumonia from COVID-19. The 47-year-old communications professional would spend 11 days at Good Samaritan Hospital in “surreal” isolation battling the novel…
Rapid COVID Testing is Way Less Accurate Than the Government Wants to Admit
The promise of antigen tests emerged like a miracle this summer. With repeated use, the theory went, these rapid and cheap coronavirus tests would identify highly infectious people while giving healthy Americans a green light to return to offices, schools and restaurants. The idea of on-the-spot tests with near-instant results was an appealing alternative to…
Ohio Could Lose Key Part of COVID Response Support
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio soon could lose a key source of support in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through an emergency authorization, the federal government is funding 75% of the Ohio National Guard’s COVID-19 response work through the end of the year. Roughly 1,800 National Guard members are serving in logistical and public health…
Cleveland Police Report on May 30th Provides Faulty Framework for More Police Violence
According to an internal review of Cleveland Police conduct on May 30th, 2020, local officers understood the precise use of force guidelines by which they are governed. The munitions teams who launched cannisters of tear gas and fired pepper balls, pepper spray, flash grenades, and assorted less-than-lethal bullets into a crowd at the Cuyahoga County…
Heartburn No More Reviews – Safe Acid Reflux Support or Scam
Heartburn No More is described as a 5-step plan aiming to eliminate heartburn, acid reflux, and other related gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Compiled by Jeff Martin, this guide appears to be founded on proven holistic strategies, which Jeff affirms helped him overcome his esophageal cancer diagnosis. Finding it difficult to sleep at night, as the pain…
Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 Hit Low-Income Black Households the Hardest, Study Finds
Low-income Black households were hit disproportionately hard by the coronavirus, experiencing more job losses, debt, and food and housing insecurities during the first few months of the pandemic, according to a new study by Princeton University. While numerous studies of COVID-19 have focused on the racial disparities in the U.S. health care system, the Princeton…
If You Have DirecTV or AT&T U-Verse in Cleveland, WKYC Channel 3 is Blacked Out
Due to an unresolved contractual dispute, WKYC is among 64 Tegna stations currently blacked out for DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse customers. The sports media website Awful Announcing reported Wednesday that the stations went dark in 51 markets nationwide Tuesday night. (Scene was alerted to the blackout by local viewers who were attempting to watch the…
Forty Years Ago, Four Churchwomen, Including Two from Cleveland, Were Murdered in El Salvador
On Dec. 2, 1980 — forty years ago today — four American churchwomen were abducted, raped and brutally murdered in El Salvador. Among them were two Cleveland women, the Ursuline nun Dorothy Kazel and lay missionary Jean Donovan. Their murders inspired a broader public understanding in the United States of the atrocities then wreaking havoc…
Citing Distressing Covid-19 Numbers, Hofbräuhaus Cleveland will Temporarily Close Until December 17
As a result of the public Covid-19 Health Advisory, Hofbrauhaus (1550 Chester Ave., 216-777-9449) has announced a temporary closure of its Cleveland restaurant. Effective immediately, and extending through December 17, the Bavarian brewery and restaurant will close its bierhalls and biergarten. The restaurant will continue offering beer and food to go as well as catering…
Habesha Ethiopian and Eritrean Restaurant to Open Friday, December 4 in Kamm’s Corners
In the planning phase for more than a year, Habesha Ethiopian and Eritrean Restaurant (16860 Lorain Ave., 216-400-6539) is all set to open this Friday, December 4, in Kamm’s Corners. When it does it will increase the number of Ethiopian restaurant in Cleveland to three and will be the only such eatery on the West Side.…
Bills to Repeal or Alter House Bill 6 Resurface in Ohio’s Lame-Duck Session
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s controversial energy-bailout legislation at the center of a bribery scandal is getting some new attention in Columbus this week. Lawmakers in both chambers are discussing bills that would either repeal or alter House Bill 6 – which would fund $1.6 billion in utility subsidies through a new customer surcharge. The 2019…
Soba Asian Kitchen Turns Hibachi Into a Fast-Casual Operation Perfect to Enjoy at Home
It’s been ages since I sat with friends around a hissing hibachi table while an animated teppanyaki chef entertained us with his impressive culinary skills. Covid might have slammed the brakes on those wild and carefree feasts for many, but the food is still well within reach. In fact, the closest I’ve come to reliving…
Savage Love: There’s Risk In Every Relationship and Trust is the Only Way to Deal With It
I’m a lesbian and my girlfriend is bi. I’ve read your column and listened to your podcast for a long time, Dan, and I always thought I’d be fine with having a partner ask me about being monogamish. Then my girlfriend of about a year and a half told me she wants to see what…
Best Arts/Film/Music Festival
1. Cleveland International Film Festival 2. Ingenuity Fest 3. Brite Winter 4. Laurel Live 5. FunMill Films Festival
Best Hip Hop Artist/Group
1. FreshProduce 2. Koly Kolgate 3. Jul Big Green 4. Red Rose Panic 5. Muamin Collective
Best Filmmaker
1. Conrad Faraj 2. Kinsley Funari/Josh Miller 3. Robert Banks 4. Tyler Davidson
Best Bar on the Water
1. Collision Bend Brewery 2. Alley Cat Oyster Bar 3. Shooters 4. Merwin’s Wharf 5. Music Box Supper Club 6. Pier W 7. FWD
Best French Restaurant
1. L’Albatros 2. Le Petit Triangle 3. EDWINs 4. Chez Francois 5. Tartine Bistro
Best Latin Restaurant
1. Paladar 2. Barocco 3. Rincon Criollo 4. El Arezapo y Pupuseria 5. El Rinconcito Chapin
Best Diner
1. Grumpy’s 2. My Friends Restaurant 3. Dinerbar on Clifton 4. George’s Kitchen 5. Nick’s Diner
Best Polish Boy
1. Banter 2. Seti’s 3. Hot Sauce Williams 4. Rowley Inn 5. B&M
Best Sports Radio Show
1. Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima (92.3 The Fan) 2. Bull and Fox (92.3 The Fan) 3. Really Big Show (850 WKNR)
Best Thrift Store
1. Common Threads 2. Flower Child 3. Savers 4. Value World
Best Jewelry Maker
1. Oceanne 2. Lake Witch 3. Bunny Paige 4. Liza Michelle
Best Beer Selection
1. Simone’s Beverage 2. Platform Beer Co. 3. Market Garden Brewery 4. Red, Wine and Brew 5. Warehouse Beverage Best Massage Salon 1. Quintana’s 2. Sacred Hour 3. The Studio Cleveland 4. Massage Heights 5. Soothe
Best Yoga Studio
1. Inner Bliss 2. Cleveland Yoga 3. The Studio Cleveland 4. Yoga Roots 5. Hope Yoga
Best Bar or Club for Local Music
1. Mahall’s 2. Grog Shop 3. Beachland Tavern 4. Happy Dog 5. The Winchester Music Tavern 6. Brothers’ Lounge 7. The Foundry 8. Now That’s Class
Best Neighborhood Bar
1. Merry Arts Pub 2. Jukebox 3. The Side Quest 4. Fairview Tavern 5. Funhouse
Best Tattoo Artist
1. Lauren Vandevier (Lakewood Electric Tattoo) 2. Eric Kaplan (Olympus) 3. Al Garcia (Stay True) 4. Stephanie Streeter (Tattoo Faction) 5. Natalie Roelle (Voodoo Monkey)
Best Bottle Selection
1. Banter 2. Beerhead 3. Winking Lizard 4. Twist Social Club 5. Now That’s Class
Best Korean Restaurant
1. Seoul Garden 2. Korea House 3. Rising Grill 4. Miega
Best Butcher Shop
1. Ohio City Provisions 2. Gibbs Butcher Block 3. TJ’s Butcher Block 4. Tie – K&K Portage Meats 4. Tie – Saucisson
Best Bakery/Pastries
1. Blackbird 2. Luna 3. On The Rise 4. Kelsey Elizabeth 5. Michael Angelo’s
Best Local Chain
1. Barrio 2. Melt 3. Yours Truly 4. Swenson’s 5. Winking Lizard
Best Local Newscast
1. WJW Fox 8 2. WKYC NBC 3 3. WEWS ABC 5 4. WOIO CBS 19
Best Record Store
1. My Mind’s Eye 2. Record Revolution 3. Loop 4. Blue Arrow 5. Black Market 6. The Exchange
Best Jewelry Store
1. Bunny Paige 2. Ocean 3. Antrobus Designs 4. Kleinhenz 5. Your Wave Length
Best Auto Repair
1. Bruce’s 2. Bob’s Automotive 3. Detroit Auto Clinic 4. West Shore Auto 5. Plain Brothers 6. Transmission Engine Pros
Best Specialty Exercise Classes
1, Harness Cycle 2, Cleveland Exotic Dance 3. Tie – Be Fitness 3. Tie – Callie’s Pilates 5. Barre3 Solon
Best Movie Theater
1. Cedar Lee Theater 2. Capitol Theater 3. The Cinematheque 4. Cinemark Valley View 5. Crocker Park
Best Director
1. Kinsley Funari/Josh Miller 2. Patrick Ciamacco 3. Conrod Faraj 4. Remy Gareau 5. Scott E. Brosius
Best Street Fair
1. Taste of Tremont 2. Hessler Street Fair 3. Waterloo Arts Fest 4. The Feast 5. Dyngus Day
Best Draught Selection
1. Tremont Taphouse 2. Buckeye Beer Engine 3. City Tap 4. Townhall 5. Beerhead
Best Sushi
1. Ginko 2. Pacific East 3. Voodoo Tuna 4. Shinto 5. Kintaro
Best Barbecue
1. Mabel’s 2. Proper Pig 3. Woodstock BBQ 4. Ohio City BBQ 5. Landmark Smokehouse
Best Cakes
1. Kelsey Elizabeth 2. Wild Flour 3. Luna 4. KB Confections 5. LaLa Custom Cakes
Best Hotel
1. Hilton (Downtown) 2. Metropolitan at the 9 3. Ritz-Carlton 4. Aloft (Flats) 5. The Westin
Best Anchor
1. Wayne Dawson (WJW 8) 2. Betsy Kling (WKYC 3) 3. Russ Mitchell (WKYC 3) 4. Danita Harris (WEWS 5) 5. Jim Donovan (WKYC 3)
Best Salon
1. Stella and Shay 2. Crazy Mullets 3. West Park Beauty 4. Green Opal Salon 5. Forbici Salon 6. Color by Numbers
Best Furniture Maker
1. Rustbelt Reclamation 2. Dave Crider 3. 44 Steel 4. Freddy Hill 5. Dan Simone
Best Car Dealership
1. Leikin Mercedes and Volvo 2. Ganley 3. Brunswick Auto Mart 4. Sunnyside Honda 5. Metro Toyota Best Comic/Collectibles Shop 1. Cleveland Curiosities 2. Carol and John’s 3. Apple Jax Toys 4. Comic Heaven 5. Weird Realms
Best Place for a Kid’s Birthday Party
1. Play: Cle 2. The Jump Yard 3. Shaker Rocks 4. Get Air 5. Talespinner Children’s Theatre 6. PlayLoveLearn
Best Bar or Club for Underground Music
1. Grog Shop 2. Now That’s Class 3. Beachland Ballroom 4. Mahall’s 5. The Foundry 6. The Chamber
Best Spot for Day Drinking
1. Terrestrial Brewing Company 2. Platform Beer Co. 3. Merry Arts 4. Collision Bend Brewing Co. 5. Masthead Brewing Co. 6. TownHall 7. The Side Quest
Best Traditional Dance Company
1. Verb Ballet 2. The Movement Project 3. Cleveland Dance Project 4. Groundworks 5. Elevated Dance
Best Sports Bar
1. Game On 2. The Clevelander 3. The Fairview Tavern 4. Winking Lizard 5. City Tap 6. Around the Corner 7. Dive Bar
Best Japanese Restaurant
1. Shinto 2. Ginko 3. Ushabu 4. Pacific East 5. Shuhei
Best Polish Restaurant
1. Sokolowski’s University Inn 2. Little Polish Diner 3. Rudy’s 4. Seven Roses
Best Breadmaker
1. On the Rise 2. Blackbird 3. Breadsmith 4. Fluffy Duck 5. Stone Oven
Best Place to Take an Out of Towner
1. West Side Market 2. Cleveland Museum of Art 3. Rock and Roll of Fame 4. The Metroparks 5. Edgewater Park
Best Sports Reporter
1. Jim Donovan (WKYC 3) 2. Angel Gray (Fox Sports Ohio) 3. Terry Pluto (Plain Dealer/Cleveland.com) 4. John Telich (WJW 8) 5. Anthony Lima (92.3 The Fan)
Best Bicycle Shop
1. Century Cycles 2. Blazing Saddles 3. Fairview Cycle 4. Spin 5. Joy Machines 6. Beat Cycles
Best Place to Furnish Your Home
1. Helm Collective 2. All Things For You 3. Flower Child 4. Rook Modern 5. VNTG Home
Best Eyewear
1. Eye Candy Optical 2. Eyes on Chagrin 3. Eyenstein Optical 4. Jerold Optical 5. David Ford1
Best Place for a Grown-up’s Birthday Party
1. Tabletop Board Game Cafe 2. Mahall’s 3. 16-Bit Bar+Arcade 4. The Side Quest 5. Play: Cle
Best Hip-Hop Club
1. Grog Shop 2. B-Side 3. Touch Supper Club 4. Rumor 5. Now That’s Class
Best Photographer
1. Allie Hamed (LAMB Photography) 2. Alexa Jae 3. Samantha Bias 4. Scott Morrison 5. Josh Richey
Best Burlesque Troupe
1. Suga Shack Girls 2. Red Hot Heathens 3. Cleveland Burlesque
Best Place to Play Billiards
1. ABC Tavern 2. Iggy’s 3. B&G 4. Hatfield’s Goode Grub
Best Chinese Restaurant
1. Szechuan Gourmet 2. Li Wah 3. LJ Shanghai 4. King Wah 5. Siam Cafe
Best Bagels
1. Cleveland Bagel Co. 2. Bialy’s 3. Cocky’s Bagels 4. The Bagel Shoppe 5. D&R Bagels
Best Greek Restaurant
1. Astoria Cafe and Market 2. Greek Village 3. Mars Bar 4. Gyro George 5. Taki’s
Best Family Outing
1. The Metroparks 2. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo 3. Edgewater Park 4. Cleveland Museum of Art 5. PlayLoveLearn
Best Instagram Follow
1. @CleFoodies 2. @TheCleBucketList 3. @ClevelandVibes 4. @TheGregMurray 5. @Bel.Eat.Land
Best Wine Store
1. Rozi’s 2. The Wine Spot 3. Minotti’s 4. Flight 5. Little Birdie Wine Nest
Best Cleveland Flea Vendor
1. Urban Planting 2. Fount 3. Shore Society 4. Gina DeSantis 5. Paper Cuts
Best Grocery Store
1. Heinen’s 2. Lucky’s Market 3. Mustard Seed 4. Zagara’s 5. The Grocery
Best Local Author/Writer – Fiction
1. Ivy Lee 2. Dan Chaon 3. Thrity Umrigar 4. Michael Vassel 5. Connie Schultz
Best Karaoke
1. Corky’s Place 2. Tina’s 3. Twist Social Club 4. Bar 107 5. Cocktails
Best Happy Hour
1. LBM 2. The Fairmount 3. Humble Wine Bar 4. Pier W 5. Twist Social Club
Best Restaurant
1. Barroco 2. Momocho 3. Dante 4. Salt+ 5. Flying Fig 6. Larder 7. Luxe 8. Astoria
Best Thai Restaurant
1. Thai Thai 2. Banana Blossom 3. Peppermint Thai 4. Thai Kitchen 5. Map of Thailand
Best Vegetarian Restaurant
1. Tommy’s 2. Cleveland Vegan 3. Johnny Mango 4. Root Cafe 5. Nature’s Oasis
Best Soul Food
1. Zanzibar 2. SoHo Chicken and Whiskey 3. Angie’s 4. Squash the Beef 5. Southern Cafe 6. Hot Sauce Williams
Best Neighborhood
1. Ohio City 2. Tremont 3. Gordon Square 4. West Park 5. Old Brooklyn
Best College or University
1. Cleveland State University 2. Case Western Reserve University 3. Kent State University 4. John Caroll University 5. Baldwin Wallace University
Best T-Shirt Shop
1. Cleveland Clothing Company 2. GV Art + Design 3. Emily Roggenburk 4. Where I’m From 5. Cleveland That I Love
Best Spa
1. Sacred Hour 2. Quintana’s 3. Soothe 4. Walden 5. Flex
Best Specialty Food Market
1. Galucci’s 2. La Plaza 3. Nature’s Oasis 4. Ohio City Provisions 5. Astoria Cafe and Market
Best Concert Venue
1. Beachland Ballroom & Tavern 2. Grog Shop 3. The Agora 4. Blossom Music Center 5. House of Blues
Best Local Author/Writer – Nonfiction/Journalism
1. Connie Schultz 2. Caitlin Fisher 3. Terry Pluto 4. James Renner 5. Ken Schneck
Best Painter
1. Samantha Bias 2. Frank Oriti 3. Eileen Dorsey 4. Bob Peck 5. Megan Rindfleisch
Best New Bar
1. Bookhouse Brewery 2. The Little Rose Tavern 3. Flight 4. Phunkenship 5. Opal on Pearl
Best Local Snack
1. Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. 2. Brewnuts 3. Malley’s 4. Koko Bakery 5. The Cleveland Caramel Corn Co.
Best Vietnamese Restaurant
1. Minh Anh 2. Ninja City 3. Pho Thang 4. Superior Pho 5. Saigon
Best Steakhouse
1. Red, the Steakhouse 2. Marble Room 3. Strip 4. Urban Farmer 5. Hyde Park
Best Fried Chicken
1. SoHo Chicken and Whiskey 2. Parkview Nite Club 3. Larder 4. Mahall’s 5. Mr. Chicken
Best Suburb
1. Lakewood 2. Cleveland Heights 3. Rocky River 4. Shaker Heights 5. Westlake 6. Bay Village
Best Local Startup
1. Perfectly Imperfect Produce 2. Legend Headwear 3. The Outpost 4. Boxcast 5. The Opportunity Exchange
Best Cigar Shop
1. Cigar Cigars 2. Cousin’s Cigar 3. Mayfield Smoke Shop 4. Robusto and Briar 5. Cheap Tobacco
Best Boutique
1. Banyan Tree 2. Fount 3. Coven 4. Salty Not Sweet 5. New Moon
Best Place to Buy Sneakers
1. Xhibition 2. Westside Skates 3. Second Sole 4. Krush 5. Rule of NEXT
Best Band
1. Carlos Jones and the Plus Band 2. Tropidelic 3. Front Porch Lights 4. Uptight Sugar 5. Jason Patrick Meyers
Best Blues Club
1. Brothers Lounge 2. Nighttown 3. Beachland Ballroom 4. House of Swing 5. Bop Stop
Best Cocktail Bar
1. Porco Tiki Lounge 2. LBM 3. Velvet Tango Room 4. Spotted Owl 5. Society Lounge
Best Gentleman’s Club
1. Christie’s 2. Lido’s Lounge 3. Hustler Club 4. Diamond Men’s Club 5. Crazy Horse Best Brewery 1. Platform Beer Co. 2. Market Garden Brewery 3. Fat Heads Brewery 4. Noble Beast Brewing Co. 5. Masthead Brewing Co.
Best Seafood Market
1. Kate’s Fish 2. Seven Seas Seafoods 3. Euclid Fish 4. Catanese Seafood 5. Lobster Brothers
Best Pho
1. Superior Pho 2. #1 Pho 3. Ninja City 4. Pho Thang 5. Bowl of Pho
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
1. Zhug 2. Nate’s Deli 3. Anatolia Cafe 4. Aladdin’s 5. Taza
Best Ice Cream
1. Mitchell’s 2. Mason’s Creamery 3. Sweet Moses 4. East Coast Custard 5. Honey Hut
Best Free Outing
1. Cleveland Museum of Art 2. Third Friday at 78th Street Studios 3. Metroparks 4. Edgewater Live 5. Black Mass
Best Place to Work
1. Hyland Software 2. Cleveland Clinic 3. University Hospitals 4. Marigold Catering 5. Sprinly Best Non-Profit/Charity 1. OhioGuidestone 2. Animal Protective League 3. Drink Local Drink Tap 4. Colors+ 5. Vocational Guidance Services
Best Tattoo Shop
1. Lakewood Electric 2. Voodoo Monkey 3. Tattoo Faction 4. Classic Tattoo 5. Collective
Best Men’s Clothing Store
1. William Frederick 2. Kilgore Trout 3. J3 4. Ticknor’s 5. Geiger’s
Best Place for Music Lessons
1. Lakewood Music Academy 2. The Music Settlement 3. Fairmount School of Music 4. Cleveland Institute of Music 5. The Fine Arts Association
Best DJ
1. E-V 2. Bobby Booshay 3. Mattitude 4. Tie – Mimi Dromette 4. Tie – Shawn Brewster
Best Place To Catch a Play
1. Cleveland Public Theatre 2. Near West Theatre 3. Dobama Theatre 4. Ensemble Theatre 5. Beck Center
Best Artist
1. Eileen Dorsey 2. Aaron Sechrist 3. Samantha Bias 4. Garrett Weider 5. Kris Petrenko
Best Bar With Games
1. Hi and Dry 2. Table Top Board Game Cafe 3. The Side Quest 4. 16-Bit Bar+Arcade 5. Funhouse
Best New Restaurant
1. Hola Tacos 2. Lindey’s Lake House 3. All Saints Public House 4. Zhug 5. Alea
Best Seafood Restaurant
1. Pier W 2. Alley Cat Oyster Bar 3. Blu 4. Marble Room 5. Blue Point Grille
Best Sandwich
1. Larder 2. Lox, Stock and Brisket 3. Slyman’s 4. Herb’n Twine 5. Melt
Best Deli
1. Joe’s (Rocky River) 2. Larder 3. Corky and Lenny’s 4. Jack’s Deli 5. Chicago Deli
Best Apartment Complex
1. The 9 2. Flats East Bank 3. The Edison 4. The Bingham 5. One University Circle
Best Place for a First Date
1. The Side Quest 2. Cleveland Museum of Art 3. Little Italy 4. Mahall’s 5. Capitol Theatre
Best Adult Store
1. Adultmart 2. Dean Rufus House of Fun 3. Ambiance 4. Rocky’s 5. Cirilla’s
Best Women’s Clothing Store
1. Fetch & Co. 2. Haven 3. Banyan Tree 4. Evie Lou 5. You Two
Best Place for Musical Instruments
1. Motter’s Music House 2. Academy Music 3. Rettig Music 4. Western Reserve Music 5. Lakewood Music Academy
The Best of Cleveland 2020
Scene’s annual celebration of all the best things in Cleveland is a bit different this year. There will be no party. We won’t be getting together to hand out awards. Some of the winners, unfortunately, are no longer in business. But that only changes the situation a little bit, and with so very few reasons…
Best Female Vocalist
1. Madeline Finn 2. Ashley Armanni 3. Uno Lady 4. Gina Bartos 5. Becky Grano
Best LGBTQ Bar
1. Twist Social Club 2. The Side Quest 3. Vibe 4. Cocktails 5. Leather Stallion
Best Art Gallery
1. 78th Street Studios 2. Negative Space 3. Spaces 4. Hedge Gallery 5. 2020 West Schaaf
Best Bar For Singles
1. Around the Corner 2. The Side Quest 3. Dive Bar 4. TownHall 5. Corky’s Place
Best Coffee
1. Rising Star 2. Root Cafe 3. Civilization 4. Algebra Teahouse 5. Phoenix Coffee
Best Desserts (Restaurant)
1. Rood Food and Pie 2. Thyme Table 3. Marble Room 4. Pier W 5. Lago East Bank
Best Food Truck
1. Cleveland Cookie Dough 2. Boca Loca 3. Wild Spork 4. Touch Supper Club 5. MoBites
Best Bar Food
1. Buckeye Beer Engine 2. Parkview Nite Club 3. Winchester Music Tavern 4. Winking Lizard 5. Fairview Tavern
Best Bed and Breakfast
1. Emerald Necklace Tearoom and Inn 2. Glidden House Hotel 3. Clifford House
Best Place to Buy a House
1. Lakewood 2. Rocky River 3. Cleveland Heights 4. West Park 5. Bay Village
Best Barbershop
1. Black Cat 2. Quintana’s 3. Eddy’s 4. Refinery 5. Principle
Best Pet Supplies Shop
1. Pet-Tique 2. Pet People 3. Three Dog Bakery 4. Lake Erie Pet Food
Best Beach
1. Edgewater Beach 2. Huntington Beach 3. Mentor Headlands 4. Fairport Harbor 5. Euclid Beach
Best Male Vocalist
1. Mikey Silas (Apostle Jones) 2. Jason Patrick Meyers 3. Chris DiCola 4. David Hamilton (Uptight Sugar)
Best Bar/Club for EDM
1. FWD 2. Agora 3. Twist 4. Beachland Ballroom 5. Barley House
Best Arts Event
1. Lakewood Arts Festival 2. Third Friday at 78th Street Studios 3. Cain Park Arts Festival 4. Waterloo Arts Festival 5. Ingenuity Fest
Best Bartender
1. Harmony Moon (The Side Quest) 2. AJ Grandell (Twist Social Club) 3. Jorden Elliott (Corky’s Place) 4. Dan Whitacre (Lago East Bank) 5. Joey Gentile (Distill Table)
Best Teahouse
1. Cleveland Tea Revival 2. Algebra Tea House 3. Inca Tea 4. The Macaron Tea Room 5. Clementine’s
Best Irish Restaurant
1. The Harp 2. Stone Mad 3. Flannery’s 4. Merry Arts 5. Public House
Best Patio Dining
1. Collision Bend Brewing Company 2. Georgetown 3. The Fairmount 4. Luxe 5. Toast
Best Juice Bar
1. Restore 2. Beet Jar 3. Daily Press 4. Anna in the Raw 5. Fawaky Burst
Best Seasonal Festival/Event
1. Feast of the Assumption 2. Taste of Tremont 3. Edgewater Live 4. Brite Winter 5. Parade the Circle
Best Activist
1. Ricky Smith (RAKE) 2. Yvonne Pointer (Positive Plus) 3. Erin Huber (Drink Local Drink Tap) 4. Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez (InterReligious Task Force on Central America) 5. Archie Green (Peel Dem Layers Back)
Best Barber
1. Ryan Hardwick (Black Cat) 2. Theo Challouf (West Park) 3. Chuck Falk (Principle) 4. Hatchi Quintana (Refinery) 5. Jessica Branco (Quintana’s) Best Stylist 1. Nicolette Ironwing (Black Cat) 2. Meeka Scull (Salon Lofts) 3. Kathleen Rose (The Lock Loft) 4. Rachel Hallahan (Drybar CLE) 5. Ericha Grondin (Filthy Hair)
Best Place to Buy a Wedding Dress
1. Radiant Bride 2. Miranda’s Vintage Bride 3. Brides by the Falls 4. Galleria Gowns 5. Something White
Best Dog Park
1. Lakewood 2. Bow Wow Beach 3. Rocky River 4. Canine Meadows 5. Avon Lake Best Sporting Goods Store 1. Geiger’s 2. Dick’s
Best Singer/Songwriter
1. Jason Patrick Meyers 2. Ray Flanagan 3. Gina Bartos 4. David Hamilton 5. Mikey Silas
Best Local Playwright
1. Meredith King 2. Mike Geither 3. Lisa Langford 4. David Hansen 5. Eric Coble
Best Comedy Venue
1. Hilarities 2. The Improv 3. The Grog Shop 4. Winchester Music Tavern 5. The Funny Stop
Best Wine Bar
1. Rocky River Wine Bar 2. Humble Wine Bar 3. Flight 4. CLE Urban Winery 5. Clifton Martini & Wine Bar 6. The Wine Spot
Best Chef
1. Jill Vedaa (Salt+) 2. Doug Katz (Zhug/Amba/Chimi) 3. Matt Spinner (Bar Oni) 4. Matt Koza (Landmark Smokehouse/Twist) 5. Shuxin Liu (Xinji)
Best Pizza
1. Il Rione 2. Ohio Pie Co. 3. Geraci’s 4. Angelo’s 5. Edison’s
Best African Restaurant
1. Zoma Ethiopian Cafe 2. Empress Taytu 3. Kifaya’s Kitchen 4. Choukouya Resto-Bar
Best Romantic Restaurant
1. Marble Room 2. L’Albatros 3. Luca 4. Pier W 5. Aurelia
Best Indoor Wedding Venue
1. The Arcade 2. Cleveland Museum of Art 3. Windows on the River 4. Cleveland Botanical Gardens 5. 78th Street Studios
Best Local Podcast
1. Cleveland Potholes 2. Dude, Nobody Cares 3. Flix & Bill 4. Untucking the Past 5. Academy Queens 6. Non-Denominational: A Sitcom Podcast
Best Bookstore
1. Mac’s Backs 2. Loganberry 3. Visible Voice 4. Firseide Bookshop 5. Appletree Books
Best Consignment Shop
1. Curvy Consignments 2. Flower Child 3. Second’s City 4. Clothes Mentor 5. Revolve Fashion
Best Bowling Alley
1. Mahall’s 2. Corner Alley 3. Buckeye Lanes 4. RollHouse 5. Wickliffe Lanes
Best Cover Band
1. Disco Inferno 2. Tricky Dick 3. The Sunrise Jones 4. First Offenders 5. Radiate Live
Best Dive Bar
1. Parkview Nite Club 2. Corky’s 3. Harbor Inn 4. Now That’s Class 5. Funhouse
Best Comedian
1. Mike Polk Jr. 2. Mary Santora 3. Bill Squire 4. Joey Gentile 5. Jimmie Graham
Best Bar Patio
1. Nano Brew 2. Around the Corner 3. Collision Bend Brewing Co. 4. Luxe 5. Lago East Bank
Best French Fries
1. Tommy’s 2. Bar Cento 3. Banter 4. TownHall 5. Lola
Best Brunch
1. Luxe Kitchen and Lounge 2. Pier W 3. Townhall 4. Landmark Smokehouse 5. Lago East Bank
Best Chicken Wings
1. Dina’s 2. Around the Corner 3. The Foundry 4. Rush Inn 5. Good Company
Best Sub Shop
1. Herb’n Twine 2. Dave’s Cosmic Subs 3. Grum’s 4. La Bodegga 5. Ohio City Subs
Best Outdoor Wedding Venue
1. Cleveland Botanical Gardens 2. Mapleside Farms 3. Holden Arboretum 4. Sapphire Creek Winery 5. Cultural Gardens
Best Drag Performer
1. Peach Fuzz 2. Aurora Thunder 3. Malibu Peruu 4. Veranda L’Ni 5. Dr. Lady J 6. Anhedonia Delight 7. Carly Uninemclite
Best Vintage Store
1. Flower Child 2. All Things For You 3. West of Venus 4. Helm Collective 5. Rook Modern
Best Antique Shop
1. Sweet Lorain 2. Flower Child 3. All Things For You 4. Second Time Around 5. West of Venus
Best Place to Hike
1. Cuyahoga Valley National Park 2. Rocky River Reservation 3. Whipps Ledges 4. Tie- Holden Arboretum 4. Tie – North Chagrin Reservation
Best Jazz Club
1. Nighttown 2. Brothers Lounge 3. Bop Stop 4. Take 5 5. House of Swing
Best Actor
1. Colson Baker 2. Cody Kilpatrick Steele 3. Josh Miller 4. Dominic Canceillere 5. Danny Simpson
Best Dance Troupe
1. Cleveland Dance Project 2. Suga Shack Girls 3. Monster Dolls 4. Verb Ballet 5. The Movement Project
Best Bar Trivia Night
1. Jukebox 2. Happy Dog 3. The Side Quest 4. Parma Tavern 5. Twist Social Club Best Local Beer 1. Great Lakes Brewing Company 2. Platform Beer Co. 3. Noble Beast Brewing Co. 4. Market Garden Brewery 5. Fat Heads Brewery
Best German Restaurant
1. Das Schnitzel Haus 2. Der Braumeister 3. Hansa Brewery 4. Hofbrauhaus
Best Vegan Restaurant
1. Cleveland Vegan 2. The Root Cafe 3. Tommy’s 4. TownHall 5. Foodhisattva
Best Italian Restaurant
1. Mia Bella 2. Luca Italian Cuisine 3. Flour 4. Bruno’s 5. Lago East Bank Best Indian Restaurant 1. India Garden 2. Saffron Patch 3. Cafe Tandoor 4. Indian Delight 5. Tandul
Best Tacos
1. La Plaza 2. Barrio 3. Bomba 4. Taco Tontos 5. The Foundry
Best Radio Station
1. 100.7 WMMS 2. 92.3 The Fan 3. 90.3 WCPN 4. 89.3 WCSB 5. 99.1 WMMS2 (Now the Black Information Network)
Best Public High School
1. Lakewood High School 2. Rocky River High School 3. Shaker Heights High School 4. Solon High School 5. Westlake High School
Best Florist
1. Urban Orchid 2. Blossom Cleveland 3. Urban Planting 4. Brennan’s 5. Flowerville
Best Home/Garden Shop
1. Lakewood Plant Company 2. Gale’s Garden Center 3. Petiti Garden Center 4. Urban Planting 5. Bremec’s Garden Center
Best Golf Course
1. Sleepy Hollow 2. Big Met 3. Manakiki 4. Sweetbriar 5. StoneWater
Best of Cleveland: People & Places
Food & Drink Arts & Entertainment Shops & Services Sports & Recreation Bars & Clubs
Best Rock Club
1. The Agora 2. Grog Shop 3. Beachland Ballroom 4. The Foundry 5. Now That’s Class
Best Actress
1. Tasha Brandt 2. Angela Cole 3. Kinsley Funari 4. Emily Bishop-Bosu 5. Lina Edwards
Best Illustrator
1. Derek Hess 2. Cecilia Li 3. Jake Kelly 4. John G. 5 . Gary Dumm
Best Metal Club
1. The Foundry 2. The Agora 3. LBM 4. Now That’s Class 5. Phantasy 6. The Chamber
Best Mexican Restaurant
1. Momocho 2. La Plaza 3. Barrio 4. Cozumel 5. Blue Habanero
Best Late Night Eats
1. Happy Dog 2. Bar Cento 3. The Fairmount 4. My Friends Restaurant 5. Fairview Tavern
Best Donuts
1. Brewnuts 2. Jack Frost 3. Goldie’s 4. Becker’s 5. Spudnuts
Best Tapas/Small Plates
1. Butcher and the Brewer 2. Salt+ 3. Astoria 4. Zhug 5. Toast
Best College Radio Station
1. 89.3 WCSB – Cleveland State University 2. 88.7 WJCU – John Carroll 3. 91.1 WRUW – Case Western Reserve 4. 90.7 WKSU – Kent State 5. 88.3 WXPN – Baldwin Wallace
Best Private High School
1. St. Ignatius 2. St. Edwards 3. Hawken 4. Laurel School 5. Villa Angela St Joseph’s
Best Store To Find A Piece of Cleveland
1. Cuyahoga Collective 2. Cleveland in a Box 3. Salty Not Sweet 4. All Things For You 5. Cleveland Clothing Company
Best Gift Shop
1. Salty Not Sweet 2. Coven 3. Juma Galelry 4. Luster 5. Graeley and Co.
Best Place to Ski
1. Brandywine 2. Boston Mills 3. Alpine Valley Best Public Pool 1. Beachwood 2. Lakewood 3. Rocky River 4. Westlake 5. Berea
Best Dance Party
1. Emo Night CLE 2. Ivy 3. The Chamber 4. Gagapalooza 5. Fembot
Best Place for Arcade Games
1. 16-Bit Bar+Arcade 2. Superelectric Pinball Parlor 3. The Side Quest 4. Punch Bowl Social 5. Funhouse
Best Local Album
1. I’m OK, You’re OK by Uptight Sugar 2. What If by Jason Patrick Meyers 3. Animal of Disrespect by Spike Pit 4. Welcome to Darkview by Brave Bones 5. Last Year’s Marvel by Joshua Jesty
Best Club or Bar to Dance
1. Twist Social Club 2. The Chamber 3. FWD 4. Dive Bar 5. Around the Corner
Best Jamaican Restaurant
1. IRIE Jamaican Kitchen 2. Taste of Jamaica 3. Caribbean Island 4. Bratenahl Kitchen
Best Burger
1. Heck’s 2. Johnny’s Little Bar 3. Gunselman’s Tavern 4. The Rail 5. Stevenson’s
Best Breakfast
1. Lucky’s Cafe 2. Grumpy’s 3. George’s Kitchen 4. Inn on Coventry 5. The Place To Be
Best Hot Dog
1. Happy Dog 2. Old Fashion Hot Dogs 3. Hot Dog Diner 4. Scooter’s
Best Radio Show
1. Alan Cox Show (100.7 WMMS) 2. Sound of Ideas (90.3 WCPN Ideastream) 3. Rover’s Morning Glory (100.7 WMMS) 4. Bull and Fox (92.3 WKRK The Fan) 5. NEO Rocks (88.7 WJCU – John Carroll Radio) Best Sports Talker 1. Ken Carman (92.3 The Fan) 2. Dustin Fox (92.3 The Fan) 3. Adam the Bull…
Best Pet-Related Business
1. Three Dog Bakery 2. Inn the Doghouse 3. Greg Murray Photography 4. Paws Play 5. Pet-Tique
Best Local Fashion Designer
1. Emily Roggenburk 2. Valerie Mayen 3. Dru Christine 4. William Frederick
Best Place for a Mani/Pedi
1. Venetian Nail Spa 2. Sacred Hour 3. Stella and Shay 4. Quintana’s 5. Revelations
Best Gym
1. Tremont Athletic Club 2. Old School Iron 3. Cleveland Fitness Club 4. C-Town Fitness 5. Be Fitness
