Northeast Ohio foodies have so embraced the products of Columbus-based Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams that owner Jeni Britton Bauer selected the region as the site of her first scoop shop outside her hometown. Located at 67 North Main St. in Chagrin Falls, Jeni’s officially opened its doors last Friday, April 15.

“The attention we’ve received from people in Northeast Ohio has been really flattering,” says Bauer. “Chagrin Falls, being such a beautiful, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, reflects the communities we’re a big part of in Columbus.”

Available at grocery stores and on the menus of many fine restaurants, Jeni’s is an ultra-premium ice cream made from local and artisanal ingredients. The ice cream starts with milk and cream from grass-fed Ohio cows. In-season fruits and vegetables are added to create intensely flavored hits like Salty Caramel, Pistachio & Honey, and Bourbon Buttered Pecan.

“We pride ourselves on using as many fresh Ohio ingredients as we can,” says Bauer.

When it opens on Public Square later this summer, Jonathon Sawyer‘s Noodlecat will take its cues from the popular quick-casual noodle bars of New York City. “We wanted to have some fun with this,” explains Sawyer. “We love the [Greenhouse] Tavern, but everything about it is huge, romantic, intense. With this we didn’t want to take ourselves too seriously. It’s noodles in a bowl for $10 to $13.”

Sawyer says he is a huge fan of this style of cuisine and felt a need for it here. The 55-seat restaurant, to be located on Euclid Avenue in the former Theresa’s Pizza, will serve food that is “hyper-specific to the genre,” says Sawyer. That means no pho, no curry, no glass noodles, no sushi. “We want the noodles to be the star.”

A concise cocktail list will feature beer, wine, and sake. — Trattner

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This article appears in Apr 20-26, 2011.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

One reply on “Bites: Jeni’s Splendid Comes to Chagrin”

  1. Does this business realize that Ben & Jerry’s tried Chagrin and pulled out after realizing that competing with the Popcorn Shop wouldn’t work?

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