Market Garden Brewery finally opened in Ohio City on Monday, further cementing the neighborhood's rep as a preeminent entertainment district and bringing it one giant step closer to becoming an eventual "brewery district."
For now, though, we'll have to make do with the fabulous offerings from the venerable Great Lakes Brewing Company and the new Market Garden, which is under the capable leadership of Andy Tveekrem, former brewmaster for Dogfish Head Brewery (and, years ago, Great Lakes). A sample of Tveekrem's brews reveals an award-winning level of quality, balance, and drinkability. Among the 12 house-brewed beers are Scotch Ale, Viking Pale Ale, St. Emeric Stout, and Pearl Street Wheat. Additionally, a dozen taps are reserved for guest beers from around the region. Down the road, Tveekrem and his team will add small-batch spirits to the mix.
The build-out may have taken longer than expected, but it is surely worth the wait. The nearly built-from-scratch property seats approximately 320, with another 180 to come when the rooftop patio opens next year. Inside, numerous booths and two large bars ("because two bars is better than one," owner Sam McNulty wisely points out) are constructed from warm, dark woods. Outside, protected on three sides by the restaurant and brewhouse, is a spectacular beer garden. Wood-slab communal tables, built around semi-mature trees, are positioned beneath a towering brick fireplace and chimney.
As for the food, chef Mike Nowak says the intent was to craft an approachable brewpub menu that pairs well with beer. "Like at Bar Cento, we will still keep the menu seasonal and as local as possible," he says. Of course, much of the menu is sourced from the West Side Market, which is located all of 20 feet from the brewery.
Starters include meat and cheese boards, soft pretzels, and currywurst (sausage with fries and curry ketchup). In the sandwich department are half-pound burgers, chorizo sloppy Joes, and Cubano sandwiches. Among the mains: buttermilk fried chicken and lobster rolls. A small taco menu offers trios of flour tortilla-stuffed rolls filled with smoked pork, chili-marinated chicken, rock shrimp, and housemade chorizo. Prices range from $4 to $17.
"It's definitely been a long, interesting route to get here," says McNulty, "but we're super-excited to be opening another business here in Ohio City." Find them at 1947 West 25th St.; for more info, call 216-621-4000 or visit marketgardenbrewery.com.
Cleveland's Asiatown recently welcomed its newest eatery: Saigon Grille, a 60-seat Vietnamese restaurant, opened in a freshly renovated storefront about 200 feet east of #1 Pho.
The menu features many of the Vietnamese dishes we have come to know and love, including banh mi, pho, vermicelli noodle dishes, and broken rice dishes. Starters include rice paper rolls, crêpes, and chicken and cabbage salad. Prices are largely between $4 and $9. Find them at 3142 Superior Ave. For more info, call 589-9300.
