Conveniently enough, Noble Fare's chef-owner will be former Hyde Park employee Patrick McNamara, a Brecksville native and Johnson & Wales grad who, at 35, figures it's time to become self-employed. McNamara, who has worn the top toque at several Hyde Park restaurants -- including Blake's Seafood Grill in Chagrin Falls and the Metropolitan Café in both Columbus and the Warehouse District -- envisions Noble Fare as "a sexy little bistro," featuring seasonal ingredients; clean, bright flavors; and upscale, contemporary dishes ranging in price from $5 to $25. "Jet-fresh" fish and seafood, ordered directly from the fishermen and overnighted to his kitchen, will be one of McNamara's signatures. Discerning diners will also discover housemade desserts, French-press coffee, and a mostly West Coast wine cellar, stocked with an eclectic, food-friendly collection of wines.
There will be a late-night bar menu, too, with 11 items priced below $11, including sassy little numbers like duck-confit "sloppy joes" and "tater tots" made from Yukon Gold potatoes and peeky-toe crab. Mellow music from a house DJ will help set the mood.
Noble Fare will be open Tuesday through Sunday, for dinner only. And if the phone number, 216-321-6444, sounds familiar, it's because it's the same one that used to ring at Sal & Angelo's. "I figured it was familiar to at least 15,000 people already," says the ever-practical chef.
Manly mixer . . . A summer's evening, a glowing grill, some vintage port, and a fine cigar . . . what a great way to help Dad get back in touch with his inner guy, just in time for Father's Day. Sponsored by the Cleveland Wine School, and held on Sunday, June 27, at the Hilton Cleveland South in Independence, A Summer's Smoker and Grill Night will give Dad a chance to perfect his grill skills, under the guidance of pros like Metropolitan Market's Corporate Chef Richard Spine. Each $100 gift certificate includes dinner, wines, and a trio of cigars; snare one for good ol' Dad at 216-295-9583, or log onto www.clevelandwineschool.com.
