TOP NEWS

DineDrinkCle talks Christmas bars, holiday traditions and more

We’re in the final weeks of 2023 and the holiday spirit is alive and well in Cleveland. Northeast Ohio is buzzing with holiday pop-up bars, festive events and more to celebrate the season. The weather even got the memo by gifting us a bit of scenic lake-effect snow for the occasion. Eating and drinking are a major part of the holiday season regardless of how you celebrate. “DineDrinkCle: The Podcast” also got festive this week by discussing everything about the holiday season. Hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus discuss the several holiday pop-up bars they’ve attended. They’re also joined by Marc Bona to discuss drinking sparkling wine ahead of New Year’s Eve, and Paris Wolfe to discuss various holiday food traditions. LISTEN NOW

Ohio says it’s still illegal to use or sell marijuana in bars, restaurants

Recreational marijuana may now be legal in Ohio, but the state wants to make sure everyone knows that you cannot use or sell it in a restaurant or bar with a liquor license. The Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control and the Ohio Department of Public Safety released a statement late last week clarifying rules regarding the use or sale of marijuana in liquor permit premises. The statement said that while the passage of Issue 2 legalized recreational adult marijuana use in Ohio, it “did not alter the status of marijuana as a controlled substance.” State law still prohibits the use of controlled substances in liquor-permit establishments. READ MORE

Travis Kelce shouts out favorite Cleveland restaurants

Cleveland Heights natives/NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce shouted out a few of their favorite Northeast Ohio eateries in a recent episode of the “New Heights” podcast. The brotherly duo shouted out Townhall in Ohio City and Geraci’s Restaurant in University Heights, among other restaurants. READ MORE

Browns Hall of Famer Joe Thomas to guest bartend over the holidays

Browns legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Thomas will be guest bartending at Barley House on December 28. In partnership with Crown Royal, Thomas will be perched behind the bar before the Browns take on the New York Jets for the Thursday night game. READ MORE

A trio of local burgers are throwbacks to bygone era

What do you do when you can't get a burger from your formative years? Food and Culture reporter Peter Chakerian has some suggestions in his latest installment of Classic CLE Eats & Drinks. Don't just pine away for what was; find an homage that fits and run with it. We tackle reader emails on three long-lost classics and what to do to reclaim the memories from the sands of time. READ MORE

‘Midnight Rental’ host Laura Wimbels dishes her favorite dining spots

You might not know Laura Wimbels by her given name, but you’re likely to have encountered her alter ego “Lenora” on “The Big Bad B-Movie Show” and “Lenora’s Midnight Rental”—both of which have become underground sensations for Cleveland pop culture nerds like yours truly. The former lived on WUAB TV-43 for a hot minute and the latter is quickly becoming an internet hit-series, thanks to streaming exclusively on the Found Footage Festival’s YouTube channel. As fans of the shows, we couldn't let a chance go by without asking her about her local food favorites. She gave us the scoop on dishes to try at Cleveland Himalayan Restaurant & Bar, Johnny Mango World Café & Bar, Momocho and more. READ MORE

Fat Head’s releases A Special Wish Ale

A Special Wish Ale is back. The collaboration between Fat Head’s Brewery and A Special Wish Foundation’s Northeast Ohio chapter is out in multiple places throughout Northeast Ohio. A dollar from each pint sold will support the non-profit organization, which grants wishes to youngsters battling life-threatening diseases. READ MORE

StoneWater’s Rustic Grill makes, sells biscuones

What’s a biscuone? The folks at the Rustic Grill at StoneWater describe it as a biscuit and scone lovechild. Either way, the sausage and cheddar flavored biscuones sounds scrumptious and are available by the dozen. READ MORE

12 festive cocktail recipes for holiday drinking at home

Eating and drinking are a major part of the holiday for so many people, especially during at-home celebrations and cocktail parties. To inspire you this holiday season, we gathered 12 festive cocktail recipes from major spirits brands to provide some inspiration for at-home drinking this December. READ MORE

8 ready-to-drink cocktails for easy drinking this holiday season

Many alcohol brands have ready-to-drink cocktails in cans and beyond to take the guesswork out of holiday hosting and don't require any bar equipment. Here are 8 ready-to-drink cocktails for easy holiday drinking this season that don’t even require a glass to serve. READ MORE

What wines go with which Christmas-dinner dishes?

Christmas dinner is filled with tantalizing flavors, many of which work well with assorted wine varietals. We checked in with Lauren Fiala, a certified wine specialist whose passion and knowledge for vino guided us on matching specific varietals with specific dishes common on the Christmas table. Bon appetit and cheers! READ MORE

OPENINGS

Winery resort planned for Brunswick Hills

James and Darlene Justice of Architectural Justice Design Center in Medina are planning a new winery for Brunswick Hills. The Vineyard by Architectural Justice will be on 21 acres in Brunswick Hills, just north of Mapleside Farms. It will include vineyards as well as a winery and cafe, a spa, multiple event spaces, and luxury villas. READ MORE

Yum Village is expanding to Columbus

Yum Village opened its first Ohio location two years ago near Cleveland State University. Owner Carasai Ihentuge and his brother Godwin started the eatery in their hometown of Detroit and like being near universities. Their latest expansion is taking their Afro-Caribbean flavors to Columbus near Ohio State University. READ MORE

2 Chipotle restaurants opening in Cuyahoga County

Chipotle Mexican Grill is opening two locations in Cuyahoga County this month. Both will feature the brand’s Chipotlane, a drive-through lane that allows customers to pick up digital orders without leaving their vehicles. A Chipotle opened Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 5501 Warrensville Center Road, Maple Heights. Before the end of the year, a Chipotle is set to open at 5270 Royalton Road, North Royalton. READ MORE

EVENTS/TASTINGS

Taste sparkling wines at Winter Solstice Soiree

Dark Room Brewing, 32 N. Broadway, Geneva, is hosting a Solstice Soiree sampling sparkling wines from 6 to 9 p.m., Dec. 21. The brewery will pour 10 sparkling wines – five from Northeast Ohio and five international selections. READ MORE

2023’s final Brew at the Zoo is scheduled

The year’s final Brew at the Zoo is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 30, at Akron Zoo. The tasting – which is 6 to 9 p.m. - will combine Brew at the Zoo and Wild Lights, the holiday lights display. Beer and wine from local breweries and wineries will be served. READ MORE

‘Date Nights with Degas’ combine food, music and art

The Cleveland Museum of Art has created a date-night package that unites food, music and art. “Date Nights with Degas” are held the second and fourth Fridays of December and January. Visitors to the fine-dining restaurant, Provenance, can order from a Taste the Art specials menu curated to complement the special exhibit “Degas and the Laundress.” READ MORE

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Rood Food and Pie

Rood Food and Pie, 17001 Madison Ave., Lakewood, has a menu that makes it impossible to choose an entree. The best strategy is to choose dessert first from the lineup of creative pie slices like Cognac Pumpkin, Baklava, Salt & Honey and more. You don’t have to order pie right away, just be aware so you don’t overorder or overeat the entrée. Then decide from a menu that includes spicy cauliflower steak or succulent scallops with bourbon coconut squash or duck bucattini or Cajun shrimp and grits or ... If you don’t yet have decision paralysis peruse the artisan cocktail menu. The ambiance is just as fun and funky as the food with neon sayings and the façade of a camper for a bar. DETAILS

Aladdin’s offers Middle Eastern flavors

If you don’t consider yourself an adventurous eater, this is the spot to help you break out of your shell. From tabouli (chopped parsley, oil, seasoning) to dawali (grape leaves, rice, seasoning), Aladdin’s offers a diverse selection of flavors perfect for lunch or nibbles for dinner (and who doesn’t hummus?) Most of the dishes are not spicy, but they are flavorful. Multiple locations in Northeast Ohio. READ MORE

Pearl Street Wine Market and Cafe

Tucked away on Market Avenue in Ohio City is Pearl Street, a gem made for wine enthusiasts that feels like it belongs in Europe. The market boasts a wide selection of carefully selected bottles alongside snacks to enjoy them with. Pearl Street also offers a cafe and bar menu to enjoy charcuterie boards, sandwiches and more while sipping on a glass of wine or a house cocktail. READ MORE

SPOTLIGHT

Pop a cork! Sparkling-wine guide is here

If you are in the market to buy a bottle or two of sparkling wine, there are a few terms you should know. Being armed with a bit of knowledge will guide you to make an informed choice, from brut to blanc de noir and more. Plus, we list the bottles we sipped this year with their prices. READ MORE

Holiday splurging? Here’s our 11th annual high-end wine guide

During the year we run reviews of wines costing $25 and less. But this time of year – when you might want to spend a few more dollars for a bottle to go with a holiday gathering – we run our high-end wine review. Bottles this year range from $26 to $300. We offer flavors of what you might expect from various wines from all over the world, price range and vintage. READ MORE

Entertainment | Food and Drink

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