2021 has certainly seen its fair share of restaurant closings, brought about by the pandemic and other factors in the changing industry. But it hasn’t been all bad news in the industry, and here in Cleveland, a bunch of awesome new spots have opened. It takes a brave soul to open a restaurant in a pandemic, even if we’re (hopefully) near the ending stages of COVID-19, so these restauranteurs deserve extra credit for braving the elements. Here are 42 restaurants and other food establishments that have opened in the Greater Cleveland area this year.
Batuqui
17 East Orange St., Chagrin Falls
Following more than a year of construction, Carla Batista and Gustavo Nogueira are ready to unveil the second location of their popular Brazilian eatery. Like the original, which opened on Larchmere in 2015, “Batuqui on the Falls” has repurposed an elegant residential building — in this case, a stately brick Victorian a short stroll from Main Street. Batuqui Chagrin features the same popular dinner menu starring authentic Brazilian dishes like Feijoada and Moqueca Baiana and an ongoing selection of specials and cocktails created by the owners specifically for this location.
Photo via Pure IlluminationsSoba
1827 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights
After working for years in a traditional hibachi-style Japanese restaurant, Jingbo Xiao had the brilliant idea to adapt the food to a fast-casual concept. He did just that when he opened his first Soba in Sandusky. He followed that up with a new location in the former Jimmy John’s space on Coventry. The fully customized “bowl-type” experience tops bases like fried rice, egg noodles and soba noodles with veggies and proteins like chicken, steak and shrimp capped off with sauces such as teriyaki, garlic butter and yum-yum.
Photo via Scene ArchivesBoney Fingers BBQ
1800 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
After nearly five years at the historic Cleveland Arcade, Boney Fingers BBQ relocated to a larger space up the road. The new location is in the former Pizza Pan spot near the Comfort Inn Downtown. “The Arcade was always going to be our starting point: Get our name out there, get our product out there,” Huff says. “We had a good run there, but it was time to move.” Boney Fingers, known for its slow-smoked Texas-style barbecue, is upgrading from 325 square feet to 1,800 square feet. It’s not “just barbecue” of course. Huff smokes his beef brisket for 15 hours, alongside pork butt and baby back ribs. Those items are sold by weight or in sandwiches, while also appearing in tacos, brisket cheesesteaks and Polish Boys.
Photo via Scene ArchivesAcqua Di Luca
500 West St. Clair Ave., Cleveland
For those looking for a restaurant to celebrate life’s big moments, thankfully, there’s Acqua di Luca, the latest restaurant from the husband-and-wife team behind Luca Italian Cuisine and Luca West. This shimmering downtown establishment, which for more than 15 years was home to XO Steaks, has more buzz than an angry beehive. In true “special-occasion restaurant” form, the menu is unabashedly extravagant. The walk-in coolers are filled to the brim with shellfish, fin fish, veal, filet mignon, Kobe beef and menacing tomahawk chops. Those luxe foodstuffs are gilded with saffron, brown butter, Nebbiolo wine reductions and freshly shaved truffles. Many consider this part of town hallowed ground with respect to Cleveland’s dining renaissance. Now, 30 years later, Lola and Luca Sema are picking up the mantle by bucking trends, taking risks and doing their best to keep diners excited and well fed despite very difficult circumstances.
Photo by Douglas TrattnerEl Arepazo Latin Grill
14725 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
El Arepazo Latino, the new Lakewood venture from the owner of El Arepazo y Pupuseria in Fairview Park, is now open in the former Burgers 2 Beer space at the corner of Warren and Detroit. The new restaurant has an extensive menu of Latin American cuisine including tostadas, torta, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, arepas and much more.
Photo via Arepazo Latino and Bar/FacebookCloak and Dagger
2399 West 11th St., Cleveland
This bookish cocktail lounge has nicely settled in at the revolving-door space in Tremont that has been home to many short-lived restaurants. Billed as a neighborhood craft cocktail bar, the library-themed salon boasts a book-like menu filled with libations described with tasting notes like herbal, floral, smoky and spicy. The beverages are buoyed by an all-vegan roster of bar bites like fries, “pork” rinds, BBQ “chicken” skewers and banh mi sammies.
Photo via Scene ArchivesKindred Spirit Kitchen
3396 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
Since taking over the former Sawyer’s space at Van Aken District, the partners at Forward Hospitality have been busy undoing a lot of the work that came before them, explains CEO Michael Schwartz. Kindred Spirit, which opened early 2021, does so as a hipper, more approachable restaurant better suited to the neighborhood just outside its doors, states its owners. The restaurant describes the cuisine as “West Coast energy with influence from the Mediterranean and around the globe.” Think fresh, healthy and flavorful, with a heavy focus on greens, grains, veggies, fish and a handful of meats.
Photo via Scene ArchivesCity Pop Sushi
1816 East 12th St., Cleveland
This visually appealing eatery downtown is a candy-colored homage to Japanese pop culture. Original artwork is joined by an arcade game, TVs streaming city pop music videos, and a short roster of contemporary sushi rolls. Rolls, both grab-and-go and made-to-order, feature fully cooked items like bacon, steak and shrimp. They are served with dipping sauces like wasabi mayo and yum-yum.
Photo via Scene ArchivesChicken Ranch
13892 Cedar Rd., University Heights
Anthony Zappola closed the Rice Shop last Thanksgiving, but the University Heights space quickly transitioned to Chicken Ranch. Chef Demetrios Atheneos, formerly of Forage Public House, Oak Barrel and Bold, opened this quick-serve fried chicken spot in early December. It’s home to one of the best chicken sandwiches in town, but also ribs, shrimp, salads and sides. A great assortment of sauces adds to the fun.
Photo via Scene ArchivesThe Sleepy Rooster
5210 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls
Following nine months of work, the majority of which was completed by family, Craig and Sarah Fitzgerald recently opened The Sleepy Rooster in Chagrin Falls. The attractive diner is open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday. Biscuit fans will appreciate the fresh-baked ones served here. Some breakfast items, like a section of toasts topped with arrangements like avocado and sea salt, chorizo and goat cheese, and smoked salmon, dill cream cheese and onion, are available all day. The arrival of lunchtime ushers in sandwiches like a griddled PB&J, fried bologna and onion, and a BLT with pork belly.
Photo via Scene ArchivesKeep The Change Kitchen Collective
Virtual
Chef Ben Bebenroth wasted no time closing his farm-to-table bistro Spice Kitchen at the onset of the pandemic. It wasn’t because he knew precisely what to do next; it was because he was certain that he did not. But just as one door was closing, another larger one was opening. Spice Hospitality already was in the process of converting a 10,000-square-foot building in Detroit Shoreway into a new Spice HQ consisting of a production kitchen, tasting room and offices. Now, over a year later, he seeks to preserve those positive changes and build a new business around them. The outcome: Spice’s newly founded Keep The Change Kitchen Collective, an umbrella group that contains multiple virtual eateries for curbside pickup and delivery. This “virtual food hall” operates Winner Winner Spatchcockery, Winner Winner Wing Shop, Leif Burly Salads and Bowls and Woo Noods and Rice.
Photo via Scene ArchivesETalian
13 Bell St., Chagrin Falls
The transformation from blacksmith’s shop to spa to farmhouse-chic pizzeria is complete. Months of construction have netted an open, airy and attractive space with exposed brick walls, cathedral ceiling, original beams and new windows that look out onto the upper Chagrin Falls. Filling the kitchen in a 6,000-pound imported Italian wood-burning oven that bakes pizzas in around a minute and a half. Pizzas can be ordered unsliced, sliced or folded “wallet-style” for mobile enjoyment from a paper pouch.
Photo by Douglas Trattner Credit: Scene ArchivesImmigrant Son Brewing
18210 Sloane Ave., Lakewood
When Constantino’s Market closed its Lakewood grocery store, it was a sad day for the family-run business. But the closure also provided one family member, brewery founder Andrew Revy, with the opportunity he had been waiting for for years: the ideal property for Immigrant Son Brewery. Lakewood’s first and only brewery is a full-on brewery and brewpub, with equal emphasis placed on both the food and beer.
Photo via Scene ArchivesGood Night John Boy
1050 West 10th St., Cleveland
Forward Hospitality Group opened this 1970s-themed nightclub in the Flats this past summer after two years of planning. According to co-owner Bobby Rutter “It looks like your grandparents’ crazy basement, with wood paneling all over the place, shag carpet, linoleum floors and some crazy wallpaper that I can’t believe exists in the world,” Rutter says. “It’s awesome. It’s everything that’s beautiful about the ’70s. We’re way out there on the spectrum of cool design.” Rutter, who proudly claims to be “high on disco,” says that the whole ’70s craze is one of the hottest things going right now.
Photo via Scene ArchivesGoma
2079 East 4th St., Cleveland
East 4th Street’s third act is well underway after the departures of Lola, Greenhouse Tavern and Chinato in the past two years with Dante Boccuzzi being the next powerhouse Cleveland chef to set up shop on Cleveland’s restaurant row. Goma, Boccuzzi’s ninth restaurant, is opening around July 1st in the former Chinato space, which will be unrecognizable to anyone who enjoyed a meal there. Gone are the dividing walls and newly installed are two garage doors on the Prospect Ave. side, opening the space and putting it right in the action at the corner of East 4th. Split between sushi much like you’d find at Ginko and the addition of shabu shabu, tempura, salads, seafood and veg-focused apps as well as udon and ramen, the menu draws on Boccuzzi’s experiences in kitchens in Taiwan, Tokyo and the famed Nobu.
Photo via Scene ArchivesLe Stand
3441 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
In May, Doug Katz recently announced that he will close Chutney B, the fast-casual Indian/Thai rice bowl concept inside the Market Hall at Van Aken District. Chef Anthony Zappola, who also runs the popular Lox, Stock and Brisket in the Market Hall, took over the stall. He got the keys on July 1 and shortly after, he opened his new concept called Le Stand, a French-inspired salad, wrap and parfait shop. Zappola says his intent was to fill a gap in the current food offerings. Zappola also recently revived Rice Shop at Van Aken.
Photo via Scene ArchivesRice Shop
3403 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
Back in May, we shared the news that Anthony Zappola would be reviving his popular Asian-fusion concept the Rice Shop at the Van Aken District. That shop, located in the former Restore juice property, opened this week. Zappola originally launched the business in Las Vegas. He later resurrected it at the Ohio City Galley after relocating to Cleveland but shuttered it nine months later when the demands of running it and Lox, Stock and Brisket in University Heights became too burdensome. The deliberately compact menu comprised of only a handful of dishes is nearly unchanged since the Las Vegas days, says the chef. Diners can look forward to flavorful plates of mochiko chicken with kung pao broccoli, steak fried rice with bok choi and yum-yum sauce, BBQ pork belly with honey-mustard kale and the ever-popular Kentucky fried fish with cabbage slaw and hot sauce aioli.
Photo via Scene ArchivesBoss ChicknBeer
120 Front St., Berea and 27321 Wolf Rd., Bay Village
Heather Doeberling and Emily Moes made such a splash with their popular food truck Boca Loca that they opened a Berea-based brick-and-mortar operation of the same name a couple years later. They parlayed those early successes into Boss ChicknBeer, which they opened in 2018, also in Berea. Recently, they sold both Boca Loca ventures to focus on Boss, a brand bound for bigger things. First up: a second shop in Bay Village, which opened this Spring and is churning out the same delicious food that is destined for bigger things.
Photo via Scene ArchivesFloressa Cafe
3328 West 33rd St., Cleveland
Floressa, which launched in 2015, is well known for its high-quality vegan, gluten-free and classic desserts, which are sold regionally at coffee shops like Rising Star, restaurants like Ken Stewart’s and grocery stores such as Whole Foods and Nature’s Oasis. The cafe offers coffee and popular grab-and-go items like cookies, brownies, banana bread, pumpkin bread, chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls and lemon bars. While many of those confections indeed are vegan and gluten-free, there are “classic” desserts featuring flour, eggs and dairy. Down the road, the plan is to add savory breakfast and lunch items like soups, salads and sandwiches. Floressa is a counter-service operation with seating.
Photo by Douglas TrattnerPho and Beyond
13500 Pearl Rd., Strongsville
We’ll never complain about a new pho spot opening. Strongsville got its first pho spot when Pho and Beyond opened this past spring. Diners can expect to find what you typically would find at a pho spot – delicious pho and banh mi sandwiches. What differentiates Pho and Beyond from other spots in the area is they hand-make all of their noodles for pho and bread for their banh mi’s in house.
Photo via Pho and Beyond/Facebook222 Cold Brew Specialty Drinks and Cereal Bar
768 East 222nd St., Euclid
This coffee and cereal bar opened in Euclid in May. They specialize in milkshake and cereal combinations that are totally over the top and equally as delectable. They also serve coffee and shaved ice.
Photo via 222 Cold Brew/FacebookLekko Coffee
2529 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Last year, the co-working space the Beauty Shoppe and its accompanying café Foyer, both located at the Seymour Building in Ohio City, closed. And while the co-working side of the space will not be returning, the café has a new operator. The new third-wave coffee shop serves standard coffee drinks like drip and pour-over coffee, espresso, cortado, latte, cappuccino, cold-brew and iced coffee. Those are joined by seasonal specialty drinks like pumpkin-spiced coffee flavored with house-made syrups. Food partners supply the shop with quick breakfast items, protein muffins and pastries. The owners hope to add lunch items down the road.
Photo by Lindsey Poyar Credit: Lindsey PoyarBar Italia
15625 Detroit Ave., Lakewood and 26300 Cedar Rd., Beachwood
Rick Doody, restaurateur behind such concepts as Cedar Creek Grille, 17 River Grille and Lindey’s Lake House, changed his Lindey’s Lake House concept in Lakewood to Bar Italia in early 2021. Drawing on his roots as co-founder of Bravo and Brio restaurants, Doody converted the format at his two-year-old Lakewood eatery, Lindey’s Lake House, to Italian, starring fresh pastas and homemade sauces. Bar Italia uses fresh pasta from Flour Pasta Company, fresh-baked breads from On the Rise and made-from-scratch sauces crafted with high-quality meats. The Beachwood location of Lindey’s turned over in the spring and features a pizza oven, unlike the Lakewood location,
Photo via Scene ArchivesOhio Pie Co.
1315 ½ Pearl Rd., Brunswick
In a very crowded market, Ohio Pie Co. has made its presence known since opening two years ago. Pizza lovers routinely make pilgrimages to a colorful storefront in Brunswick to claim one, two, or more thick, square-cut pies. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the shop to run out of dough long before it runs out of daylight. Still, many in Northeast Ohio have yet to try it because 30 minutes is a long way to travel for pizza, regardless how delicious it might be. For those people, Ohio Pie Co. just teased out a bit of good news. A social media post hinted at a new location – its second – in what looks to be the former Pizza Hut in Rocky River, located in the plaza with Whole Foods Market.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesCafe Everest
14304 Puritas Ave., Cleveland
Cleveland just secured another place to enjoy momos, those heavenly filled and steamed dumplings that hail from Nepal. Café Everest, a Nepalese and Indian restaurant, opened in the Bellaire-Puritas neighborhood of Cleveland on August 11. Other specialties of the house include Nepalese-style chicken and noodle soup, pan-fried chow mein noodles and sekuwa, grilled skewers of marinated chicken or goat. A great way to sample a number of dishes is to order the thali, a wide platter containing a variety of small dishes.
Photo via Cafe Everest Credit: Doug TrattnerThe Tavern of Mayfield
6088 Mayfield Rd., Mayfield Heights
DiCillo Tavern wasn’t just the oldest restaurant in Mayfield Heights; it was the oldest business in Mayfield Heights. Now called Tavern of Mayfield, the old-school saloon also still has the handsome wood bar made by Brunswick and installed in 1938. Equally attractive is the art deco back bar. The rest of the two-room tavern has been refreshed, as has the exterior. Also refreshed is the food and beverage program. Chef-partner Zech Taylor, formerly with Red, Wine and Brew in Mentor and Beechmont Country Club has greatly expanded the offerings. It’s still tavern fare, but elevated with fresh ingredients and solid technique.
Photo by Douglas TrattnerThe Spot on Lakeshore
7272 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor
When it opened in early October, The Spot on Lakeshore began serving breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. There is a full liquor license, which clears the way not only for mimosas and bloodies, but also fun events in the private dining room like pop-ups and collaborations with other like-minded chefs. One side of the space opens at 6 a.m. for premium coffee and grab-and-go items like hot sandwiches, bagels and muffins. The main dining room opens at 7 a.m. and offer scratch-made breakfast and lunch dishes. When the lunch bell sounds, the menu flips over to soups, salads and sandwiches like burgers, tuna melts, fried chicken and spiced salmon patties.
Photo via Scene ArchivesCent’s Pizza and Goods
5010 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
It’s been two and a half years since Vincent Morelli announced his plans for Cent’s Pizza + Goods, which originally was supposed to open on the Ohio City/Detroit Shoreway border in 2019. Formerly home to PM Security, the squat brick building has been transformed into a retro-cool slice of nostalgia that blurs the lines between antiquated and avant-garde. In line with the easygoing, communal atmosphere, the menu kicks off with a roster of shareable snacks selected to pair with the house wood-fired bread. For the main event, there are a dozen premade pies from which to choose, dressed with many of the same high-quality products that line the shelves. Diners also can build their own 12-inch, six-slice pies.
Photo by Douglas TrattnerThe Last Page
100 Park Ave. Ste. 128, Orange Village
In a blurry sea of fast-casual monotony, The Last Page is a welcome detour. It’s a modern-day supper club, for lack of a better descriptor, where there’s more to the plot than simply the food on the plates. Timed almost perfectly to coincide with the return not only of indoor dining, but all out celebrating and socializing and an awesome patio hidden behind trees at Pinecrest, the lively environment offers a delicious escape for those ready to exit isolation.
Photo via Scene ArchivesHeart of Gold
4133 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
In June, Heart of Gold came to life in the former Plum space in Ohio City. After being closed for the better part of 2020, the Plum in Ohio City was laid to rest earlier this year, making way for a more casual neighborhood bar and kitchen. Oryszak says that his primary objective was to open a completely new restaurant that looked and operated differently from the Plum, but that still produced “thoughtfully composed inventive food and drinks.”
Photo via Jonah OryszakThe Blessed Cafe
401 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
This past February, The Blessed Cafe joined the food offerings in Cleveland’s Old Arcade. Opened by chef Denise Santiago, who moved to Cleveland from Puerto Rico 10 years ago, the casual restaurant specializes in Latin foods. Diners can expect a rotating selection of hearty, homestyle foods like roasted chicken, beef stew, fried pork chops and stuffed pork loin. Typically two or three meat dishes are on offer each day, paired with sides like white rice and beans, yellow rice with pigeon peas, potato salad and fried plantains.
Photo via Scene ArchivesLeavened
1633 Auburn Ave., Cleveland
Ian Herrington devoted a decade of his life to the art and practice of baking before opening Leavened, a European-style artisan bakery in Tremont. The sleek, modern storefront anchors the Tappan, a new residential building on Auburn. Visitors can expect fresh-brewed coffee, fresh-baked loaves and a light café menu of soups and sandwiches. Don’t miss the rustic sourdoughs, rosemary focaccia, cardamom buns and fruit-filled Danish.
Photo via Scene ArchivesThe Haunted House Restaurant
13463 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights
Melt closed its Cleveland Heights location in 2020 after a decade in business. The Haunted House Restaurant took its place, where the only thing that’s scary is “how good the food is,” the one-of-a-kind space presently taking shape pays homage to the pantheon of great horror flicks. As soon as guests cross the threshold they’ll be greeted by the aroma of fresh-popped popcorn. In place of a traditional host stand is the ticket booth. Original artwork celebrates iconic characters like Pennywise, Slimer and Frankenstein’s monster. And staffers will dress in theater usher uniforms. Credit: Scene ArchivesCilantro Taqueria
Multiple Locations
Fans of authentic Mexican and Cal-Mex food like tacos, tortas, burritos and bowls got a nice treat when this place opened in Cleveland Heights in early 2019, replacing a Chipotle. It’s rare to find real tacos al pastor in these parts, slabs of achiote and pineapple marinated pork layered onto a vertical spit, or trompo, that cooks as it twirls. In Salinas and elsewhere in California, the items often go by the name tacos de adobada. You can find them here, and they’re delicious.
Photo by Douglas TrattnerPizzeria DiLauro
17800 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls
For three years, pizza lovers in Northeast Ohio got to know Adam DiLauro and his pies thanks to the Pizzeria DiLauro food truck, a mobile trailer with a built-in wood-fired oven. Last winter, DiLauro parked the rig to refocus his attentions on a brick-and-mortar pizzeria of the same name. When it opened in February in Chagrin Falls, Pizzeria DiLauro brought a little taste of the East Coast to the far East Side.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene archivesAntica Italian Kitchen
35568 Detroit Rd., Avon
Cafe Piccolo, a popular Italian restaurant in Avon, closed its doors after three years at the start of the pandemic. In January, Heck’s owner Fadi Daoud signed the lease and spent the next six months updating the space. Now, sitting alongside the likes of Heck’s, Mitchell’s Ice Cream, Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes and Melt is Antica. Daoud recruited chef Josh Septoski from Chicago, where he worked as an Italian cooking instructor at Eataly. The menu is described as “classic Italian with a modern take.”
Photo via Scene ArchivesBrewDog
27321 Wolf Rd., Bay Village
The doors to BrewDog’s newest brewery opened on December 3rd. The lushly appointed brewpub, located in the Avian building on the Scranton Peninsula in the Flats, spreads out over nearly 10,000 square feet of warehouse space. The Cleveland location is the Scotland-based brewery’s ninth in the States, joining approximately 100 spots worldwide that include brewpubs, hotels and bars. For now, all of the house beer is coming from the Canal Winchester brewery, but an onsite 8-barrel brewhouse will soon produce distinctive small-batch brews. The BrewDog pours will be joined by a selection of local and regional beers for a total of 28 taps. A full kitchen is preparing “farm to table junk food” like giant soft pretzels, loaded fries, wood-fired pizzas, burgers, tacos, salads and bowls. The brewpub strives to offer at least 50-percent vegan and/or vegetarian options.
Photo via Scene ArchivesCafe Everest
14304 Puritas Ave., Cleveland
In Northeast Ohio, if you’re looking for momos, the delicious Nepalese dumplings, you now have a few options that include Himalayan Restaurant near West Park, a few spots in Akron and now Café Everest, which arrived this past summer. The restaurant was opened by Tarah Baraily, a refugee from Nepal who landed in San Antonio in 2011. A few years later he made his way to Cleveland, where he continued to pursue his passion for home cooking. It was a lifelong dream of his, he says, to one day be able to share his food with a larger audience. That homestyle approach to cooking is making an impression on Northeast Ohio’s large, but dispersed, Nepalese community. The restaurant’s takes on dishes like jhol momos, chicken chow mein and goat sekuwa offer wistful emigrants a comforting taste of home.
Photo via Scene ArchivesDouble Nickel
1852 E. 6th St., Cleveland
Double Nickel, a breakfast, lunch and brunch spot, opened this morning downtown. The restaurant is located in the former Murano and Porcelli’s space in the Leader Building. Given the recent wave of downtown closures (and relocations), the new restaurant is a welcome addition. The menu offers a mix of sweet and savory breakfast items, soups, salads, sides and a handful of lunch-appropriate dishes.
Photo via Scene ArchivesHigh and Low Winery and Bistro
12304 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland
As of November 1st, the Little Italy neighborhood boasts a new winery and bistro. Located on the ground floor of La Collina residential development, High & Low is an offshoot of a six-year-old operation of the same name in Medina-Montrose. The 3,000-square-foot space features multiple tasting rooms and a wine production area. The space offers two separate environments for guests to enjoy, the so-called “high side” and “low side.” The ambiance of each space is dictated by décor items that correspond to the theme. Other choices include a private lounge, a barrel room that can accommodate larger groups and a covered patio. A modern Mediterranean menu offers guests a choice of snacks like meat and cheese boards, soups, salads, small plates, panini, flatbreads and pastas.
Photo via Scene ArchivesJoJo’s Bar
87 West St., Chagrin Falls
Diners who have made their way, over the years, through Gamekeeper’s Tavern and Bull & Bird Steakhouse in Chagrin Falls are in for a pleasant surprise when they cross the threshold of JoJo’s Bar. The interior (and exterior too, for that matter) have been completely transformed by new owner Rick Doody (Bar Italia, Bravo, Brio, Cedar Creek Grille), who took the property over in early 2021. Bull & Bird opened in the former Gamekeeper’s Tavern spot in 2018, closed at the start of the pandemic and never reopened. When it opens in mid-December, JoJo’s Bar will focus on steaks and Italian cuisine, says Doody.
Photo via Scene ArchivesThe Rice Shop
3403 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
Back in May, we shared the news that Anthony Zappola would be reviving his popular Asian-fusion concept the Rice Shop at the Van Aken District. That shop, located in the former Restore juice property, opened in October. The deliberately compact menu of only a handful of dishes is nearly unchanged from its previous iterations in Las Vegas, Ohio City and University Heights. Diners can look forward to flavorful plates of mochiko chicken with kung pao broccoli, steak fried rice with bok choi and yum-yum sauce, BBQ pork belly with honey-mustard kale and the ever-popular Kentucky fried fish with cabbage slaw and hot sauce aioli.
Photo via Scene ArchivesKoko Bakery
1767 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights
It’s been eight months since Koko Bakery announced that it was opening a satellite location on Coventry. They opened their doors on December 16th. The location is the former Piccadilly Artisan Yogurt space next door to Pacific East. Koko Bakery (3710 Payne Ave.,) has been attracting customers to its Asiatown shop for more than 15 years thanks to a brilliant selection of fresh-baked buns, colorful fruit tarts, cakes and pastries, hot lunches and delicious bubble tea. Owner Jian Xu says that the Coventry location will be nearly identical to the original in terms of items offered.
Photo via Scene ArchivesPub Frato
25 Pleasant Dr., Chagrin Falls
The transformation from Grove Hill to Pub Frato in Chagrin Falls is now complete. Over the past year, construction crews essentially gutted the Chagrin Falls property, which had been vacant since 2018, and rebuilt it. Chris and Lynda Frate opened the original Pub Frato (7548 Fredle Dr.,) in Concord Township back in 2013. Through hard work and trial and error, the husband-and-wife team devised a formula for success that has served them, and the community, well for eight years. An onsite chef will work in conjunction with company chef Maggie Demko to prepare the gastropub-style menu. Fans of the Concord site can look forward to the same approachable, agreeable pub fare. Likely menu items include egg-topped poutine, brisket-stuffed peppers with beer cheese, short rib tacos, patty melts, fish and chips, and salmon fettuccine.
Photo via Scene ArchivesSchnitz Ale Brewery
5728 Pearl Rd., Parma
“This is the first brewery in the history of Parma,”owner Goran Djurin said proudly. Djurin is talking about a dazzling new brewery and restaurant that opened in November in Parma. The building sits directly across the street from Das Schnitzel Haus, which the same family opened in 2005. Flagship brews include the kolsch, marzen, stout and dunkel, which is described by Moore as a dark-style kolsch. Smoke Stacked is a rauchbier, a mildly smoky red ale. Guests can look forward to pub-friendly foods made with the same from-scratch mentality that has sustained Das Schnitzel Haus for more than 15 years.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesSushi Junki
79 West St., Chagrin Falls
Downtown Chagrin Falls now has a dedicated sushi restaurant thanks to Chef Art Pour Restaurant Group (Burntwood Tavern, M Italian, Leo’s Italian Social). The restaurant, Sushi Junki, is located in the former West End Bistro space next door to JoJo’s Bar. It officially opened this week. Sushi Junki offers traditional preparations of sushi in the forms of sashimi, nigiri, maki and handrolls. Those items are joined by more creative rolls, designed by chef Thai Vue, that stretch the boundaries. The tuna jalapeno crunch, for example, blends those two ingredients with avocado, cream cheese and eel sauce.
Photo via Scene ArchivesSakana Sushi Bar and Lounge
19300 Detroit Rd., Rocky River
Diners were saddened when Pearl of the Orient West closed in 2020 in Rocky River. Fear not, because that made way for Sakana Sushi Bar and Lounge, an Asian fusion spot featuring all sorts of cuisines. Sakana serves up Cantonese, Vietnamese, Thai, wok, sushi, vegan and more to satisfy the cravings of those who miss Pearl.
Photo via Sakana/FacebookCut151
3355 Richmond Rd., Beachwood
Cut151, a supper club, made its debut in early November. The restaurant is owned by Brad Friedlander and is located adjacent to Blu, in the former Red/Rosso space in Beachwood. Cut151 is being billed as a modern take on the supper club concept. The star of the show is the spice-rubbed prime rib, sold in 12-, 16- and 22-ounce portions along with natural jus and creamy horseradish. The prime rib is joined on the menu by a few steaks, veal and lamb chops, shrimp scampi pasta, potato-crusted cod, twin lobster tails and a few other selections.
Photo via Scene Archives
