Cleveland is the next location for the rapidly expanding progressive-dinner outfit known as Dishcrawl. The special-events company launched three years ago in San Jose and has quickly expanded to numerous urban markets.
The local branch will be headed up by "Dishcrawl Ambassador" and Cleveland native Sylvie Branch, a Yahoo contributor who covers food and restaurants.
The typical "dishcrawl" is a walking tour of three to four restaurants in a single neighborhood (often ending with a sweets option). While the specific neighborhood is revealed prior to the event, the restaurants are kept secret until just before the event. Branch says that she is shooting for groups of 25 to 40 people.
"The idea is to connect people with the neighborhoods," she explains. "I know I am always driving by a ton of restaurants and can't always make the effort to stop in each one. These events give you the opportunity to try four places in one night."
The group will spend approximately 30-40 minutes at each location, with a portion of that time shared with a chef or owner.
"It's kind of like a VIP thing," adds Branch.
Up first will be Detroit Shoreway, with an event slated for 7 p.m. on April 2. Tickets are $45 and will include multiple samples at each location. Beverages are extra.
The events are rain or shine. Branch says that she hopes to ramp up to weekly events East, West and South. Other food-related events are also in the works.
"There are lots of restaurants out there," she says.
You can view the event online at Dishing it on Detroit.
