It’s been over three years since a business operated at 728
Prospect. The address most recently was home to the Waterhouse, but
before that, it housed Phil the Fire and Diamondback Brewery. If all
goes as planned, the new tenant will be up and running by late October.
Described by its owner as a high-energy American saloon, R.J.
Boland’s will combine a sports-bar design with upscale pub grub.
Partner and executive chef Doug Fulton, opening chef of
McCormick & Schmick’s, says guests can expect familiar but
high-quality food dished up in a casual environment. Minor cosmetic
changes will be made to the space, including dark-wood accents and the
addition of numerous flat-screen TVs. If the proposed “American saloon”
décor sounds a bit like BlackFinn Saloon, a 10-shop chain
destined for Cleveland, it is no coincidence. Boland’s owner Rossi
Penney is a former operating partner with that organization. Down the
road, locals can look forward to Martini Suite, an ultra-lounge-style
club with bottle service to be opened upstairs.

Michael Herschman has left the kitchen. The former chef and
owner of Mojo and most recently chef at Metropolitan Café is now
wearing a suit and working as the GM of Melange (2101 Richmond
Rd., 216.378.9755, dinemelange.com). In addition to
fine-tuning front-of-the-house operations, Herschman is putting his
stamp on the wine program. He just unveiled Flight 271, a flights menu
that gives guests the opportunity to explore various grapes and regions
in one sitting.

This year’s Cleveland Browns Taste of the NFL 2009, which
benefits the sorely needed Cleveland Foodbank, will kick off at 6 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 14. The celebrity-studded fundraiser will boast 31 food
stations manned by the area’s top culinary talent. Suffice it to say
that your favorite eatery (and winery) will be there. Check cleveland.com/tasteofthenfl for a complete listing. Tickets are $150.

Fungus fans should make plans to see the movie Know Your
Mushrooms, which makes its Cleveland premier Sept. 10, 11
and 13, at Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque (11141 East Blvd.,
216.421.7450). Written and directed by documentary filmmaker Ron Mann,
the trippy flick explores the wonderful world of fungi. Film from the
annual Telluride Mushroom Festival in Colorado is combined with
animation and old footage to expose the shadowy subculture to the light
of day. The Flaming Lips provide an appropriately psychedelic
soundtrack.

dining@clevescene.com

This article appears in Sep 9-15, 2009.

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.

3 replies on “Bites: R.J. Boland’s Opening”

Comments are closed.