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Entertainment | Food and Drink

TOP NEWS

Malley’s, Heinen’s team up for first time 

Malley’s Chocolates now can be found on shelves at Heinen’s stores in Northeast Ohio. It’s a first for the two longtime family-run Cleveland companies, which have been around for decades: Heinen’s was started in 1929 while Malley’s was founded in 1935. READ MORE 

Alton Brown heading back to Cleveland 

Foodie-author-chef-TV personality Alton Brown is returning to Cleveland on his latest tour. His engaging shows cover food, cooking demos, music and more. He’s set to play Playhouse Square on Wednesday, April 23. Brown was the longtime host of the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.” READ MORE 

Port of Cleveland backs $49.5 million West Side Market overhaul 

The Port of Cleveland board of directors on Thursday gave a boost to the nearly multi-million-dollar West Side Market overhaul. The Port voted to include the market transformation in a program allows for large community projects to purchase construction materials exempt from sales tax. That means the market will save significant money as it moves forward on the $49.5 million transformation. READ MORE 

Michael Symon says you should grill year-round, new cookbook offers 100 recipes 

Cleveland celebrity chef Michael Symon is dropping his ninth cookbook on March 25. “Symon’s Dinners: Cooking Out” is a collection of 100 temptingly illustrated outdoor recipes designed for cooking. It is the kind of book that will inspire your grill work as well as sharpen your culinary acumen as a bedtime read. READ MORE 

Beyond Guinness: Northeast Ohio breweries offer unique Irish stouts 

St. Patrick’s Day might be over, but Guinness is on-trend to drink any time of the year these days. For folks looking to try out locally-made dry Irish stouts, check out a few variations from Great Lakes Brewing Company, Masthead Brewing Co. and more. READ MORE 

Mobile food pantry sites announced 

Nine library branches in Cuyahoga County will host mobile food pantries in conjunction with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. We’ve got the list of times, dates and locations for those in need. READ MORE 

Two North Union Farmers Markets open outdoors on April 5 

The North Union Farmers Markets at Shaker Square and Crocker Park open outdoors on Saturday, April 5. They continue every Saturday through Dec. 20. Shoppers will find locally grown produce, dairy, meats, honey, maple syrup, artisan breads, pastries, prepared foods from local restaurants and food trucks, and handcrafted goods from fine artists. READ MORE 

OPENINGS/CLOSINGS

Hemingway’s Underground to open 

Three owners are planning to open a craft cocktail bar on S. Court Street near Medina’s Square. Target opening date is late spring / early summer for the bar, which will offer some creative bites as well as cocktails, wine and some special beers. We recently chatted with two of the owners about the space, which is undergoing extensive renovation. READ MORE 

Zach Ladner, Carl Quagliata bring Texas-style BBQ to Mayfield Village  

Smokehouse 91 brought a new Texas barbeque joint to Mayfield Village this week. It may feel somewhat familiar to folks who were fans of Smokin’ Q’s, a neighborhood barbeque restaurant which closed in January 2024. That’s because Smokehouse 91 is also operated by owners Carl Quagliata and Zach Ladner. READ MORE 

Mitchell’s Ice Cream reopened Rocky River shop after renovations 

Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream reopened its Rocky River shop on Friday, March 14 after being closed for several weeks due to renovations. The ice cream parlor at 19700 Detroit Road closed its doors on January 6 to kick off renovations. Now, it’s ready for the warm-weather season with a refreshed look. READ MORE  

Chefs Hedy and Talia Trovato to move Coppia restaurant

Coppia, a three-year-old fine dining restaurant in Chesterland, is preparing for new beginnings about 14 miles away in Willoughby. “This month, we will send out the last plates to our Chesterland dining room in preparation for our grand opening in June at our brand-new location,” Chefs Hedy and Talia Trovato posted on their Instagram page. READ MORE  

Rider’s Inn in Painesville has closed permanently 

Rider’s Inn -- recently renamed Legacy Lounge and Event Center -- in Painesville, is permanently closed. Restaurant owner Kaela Alex closed the business in late December. On Facebook, she said she hoped to reopen when repair and maintenance issues were addressed. That didn’t happen. And so, on March 6, she returned keys to building owner Elaine Crane. READ MORE 

EVENTS/TASTINGS

60+ Greater Cleveland restaurants, bars for Lenten fish fry specials

Northeast Ohio restaurants are ready for the Lenten season with an array of fish fry specials. From traditional beer-battered cod to Lake Erie perch, more than 40 establishments are offering seafood dishes with classic sides like pierogi, fries, and coleslaw through Easter Sunday. Alex Darus and Paris Wolfe report on prices ranging from budget-friendly $10.99 specials to upscale $28 walleye dinners, with some locations featuring all-you-can-eat options and unique preparations like koji-fried fish. READ MORE 

• Related: Fish fry guide: Dozens of dinners at churches, non-profits throughout Greater Cleveland

Dante Boccuzzi to share cooking stories at cookbook unveiling 

Chef Dante Boccuzzi is unveiling his first cookbook on Wednesday, March 26, at the Loretta Paganini School of Cooking in Chesterland. The long-planned “Cooking in Harmony” is fully illustrated and will be available that night for $50. READ MORE  

StoneWater plans annual Seder dinner 

StoneWater is planning its seventh annual Seder dinner. It’s Saturday, Apri 12, and features 14 dishes over four courses. The Rustic Grill has dine-in and carry-out options. Here’s what to know about the meal and when to order from the Highland Heights restaurant. READ MORE 

Adun Spice Co. partners with Beituti for weekend pop-up in Cleveland 

Adun Spice Co. is hosting a pop-up event this weekend featuring a fellow Cleveland-made brand of Lebanese marinades and sauces. Adun will host Beituti and owner Rawia Abdelsamad for an event at noon Saturday, March 22. READ MORE  

L’Albatros Brasserie to host Washington winery 

L'Albatros Brasserie will hold a dinner featuring five wines from Dusted Valley in Washington state. One of the owners of the winery, which is more than 20 years old, will guide the tasting. The dinner is Thursday, April 17. READ MORE 

‘Lost Restaurants’ author to speak 

Bette Lou Higgins is slated to give a presentation on her 2021 book, “Lost Restaurants of Downtown Cleveland” in Garfield Heights. The book focuses on forgotten restaurants, chefs and dining trends over different eras in the city. Her talk is Saturday, March 22. READ MORE 

Distinguished bakers judge muffins at the Great Grog Shop Bake Off 

If you or someone you know makes the best muffins, prove it at the 4th Great Grog Shop Bake Off. Based on the BBC’s Great British Bake Off, the Grog Shop is holding a one-night amateur baking competition and bake-tasting event on Wednesday, March 26. READ MORE 

St. Vitus Palm Sunday dinner is set 

The popular and annual St. Vitus Church Palm Sunday dinner is coming up. The benefit for a couple of non-profits features a Slovenian-style dinner. It’s in the church’s new social hall on Lausche Avenue in Cleveland. Palm Sunday is April 13. READ MORE 

Dean Martin’s Lanning’s holds Bourbon dinner 

Dean Martin's Lanning’s will feature New Riff Bourbon at a dinner this month. The five-course dinner with pair drinks from the Kentucky distillery on Thursday, March 27, at the restaurant in Akron. READ MORE 

PICKS OF THE WEEK

TJ’s Butcher Block  

The time-honored tradition of corner delis is alive and well at TJ’s Butcher Block in Lakewood. Aside from fresh-sliced lunchmeat and hand-cut butcher offerings, TJ’s is the perfect spot for a fulfilling lunch. Its loaded sandwiches include all of the classics, from hot pastrami on rye to a homemade chicken salad croissant. Massive sandwiches like the Triple Decker, featuring three slices of bread in between ham & cheese and turkey & coleslaw, aren’t to be missed. TJ’s Butcher Block is at 14415 Detroit Ave., Lakewood – Alex Darus DETAILS  

Dark Room Brewing and Pueblo Real 

Dark Room Brewing Company in downtown Geneva has a rambling collection of four rooms for private parties and hanging out with handcrafted brews. It has no kitchen. So, guests order takeout from Pueblo Real, the Mexican restaurant across the street. There’s a beer to pair with everything from nachos supreme to specials like seafood molcajete with grilled shrimp, tilapia, and crabmeat cooked with mushrooms, peppers, onions and tomatoes in Ranchero sauce and topped with shredded Mexican cheese with flour tortillas. Many of the servings are enough for two. – Paris Wolfe – DETAILS  

The Merchant Tavern 

The Merchant Tavern offers comfort and cosmopolitan fare in a cool setting. From sauerkraut balls, poutine and cheese curds as starters to hearty salads, sandwiches, burgers and entrees like shrimp and grits, rigatoni Bolognese and country fried pork, there’s something for everyone here. Northeast Ohio-made beers, extensive cocktails list, and more than 50 wines go well with your dining choice. It's at 1824 Merriman Road, Akron. - Marc Bona DETAILS 

SPOTLIGHT

Happy Hour Project: LockKeepers offers budget-friendly Italian gourmet experience 

Paris Wolfe and Alex Darus visit LockKeepers in Valley View for the second stop on their happy hour tour. While some people might think of the restaurant as a special-occasion dining spot, the recently-unveiled happy hour aims to make it a regular hangout. The upscale Italian steakhouse offers a robust daily happy hour featuring rotating spritz cocktails, homemade pasta and more. READ MORE  

Entertainment | Food and Drink

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