TOP NEWS

West Side Market receives $1.5M from KeyBank

KeyBank and the KeyBank Foundation are adding $1.5 million to the West Side Market’s masterplan project. The money will support renovation of the East Produce Arcade with funding for food access education and programming. The gift marks the first major corporate contribution to the market’s $68 million masterplan project. READ MORE

Related: Construction on West Side Market transformation to begin this summer

Winking Lizard Tavern expanding

The Winking Lizard is moving into Streetsboro. It’s the first opening for the Northeast Ohio-based company since 2018. The new location is at Ohio 43 just south of Interstate 80 and north of Ohio 14. The company is targeting 2026 for its opening. READ MORE

Cleveland food truck Empanadas Errthang establishes permanent outlet in Thomas Food Market

Empanadas Errthang food truck has a permanent home on Cleveland’s West Side, making it easier for customers to enjoy its quarter-pound empanadas. Owner Alexander Barros opened the food truck last year, selling a variety of flavors made-to-order. Now, in addition to the truck, his business has a home base at Thomas Food Market in Ohio City, 4423 Detroit Avenue. READ MORE

Parma’s Hot Dog Diner & Burger Co. to close, relocate after 25 years

After 25 years in Parma, Hot Dog Diner & Burger Co. will close its location in Parma this weekend. The restaurant announced on Facebook that its last day in business at its location at 5494 Pearl Road will be Saturday, Feb. 8.The family-owned fast food joint plans to move to a new location on Cleveland’s West Side, which it will announce at a later date. READ MORE

57 Black-owned restaurants, food businesses in Greater Cleveland

February is Black History Month, so there’s no better time to highlight the BIPOC-owned restaurants in the Northeast Ohio food scene. From bakeries to bars and everything in between, Greater Cleveland has a growing number of Black-owned food businesses worth trying any time of the year. To inspire you to try some new-to-you places, here are 57 Black-owned restaurants and food businesses in Northeast Ohio. READ MORE

Marble Room in Cleveland makes Yelp’s list of most romantic U.S. restaurants

Marble Room Steaks and Raw Bar received high praise as one of the most romantic date-night restaurants ahead of Valentine’s Day. Yelp released a list of 2025’s Top 100 Date Night Restaurants, and the downtown Cleveland gem landed at No. 38. READ MORE

OPENINGS/CLOSINGS

West Side Market’s Kate’s Fish to open seafood bar in Tremont

Seafood lovers will soon get a taste of New England with a new restaurant in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood from the folks at Kate’s Fish at the West Side Market. Tom McIntyre, owner of Kate’s Fish, was inspired by traveling to the East Coast and eating at no-frills seafood shacks. The menu will be entirely comprised of seafood and vegan dishes inspired by summer shore favorites. Think fried clams, lobster rolls, bouillabaisse, fish and chips and more. READ MORE

1899 Social Club closes Van Aken location after 2 years

1899 Social Club has permanently closed its Van Aken location nearly two years after opening. Owner Brian Lindenbaum confirmed to cleveland.com on Friday that the restaurant/bar at 20040 Van Aken Boulevard immediately closed its doors last week. “Not our choice, we would’ve loved to have been successful and been there for 10-plus years,” Lindenbaum said. “Sometimes in business, you just can’t keep going forward.” READ MORE

EVENTS/TASTINGS

Wine, Cheese & Chocolate, Darling! Coming up

The venerable Akron Civic Theatre is hosting its annual Wine, Cheese & Chocolate, Darling! tasting. More than 50 wines ranging from dry to sweet, domestic to imported and many others will be available. We have a list of the specific wines and vintages. It’s Saturday, Feb. 8. READ MORE

PurpleBrown Farm Store hosts artisan cheese, cheeseboard event

Learn about locally made, artisan cheeses and gather tips on composing cheeseboards at “Falling in Love with Cheese & Crackers” at PurpleBrown Farm Store in Peninsula. The store, which specializes in local farm and artisan products, is holding the social event from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 7. Tickets are still available. READ MORE

Edwins Too schedules benefit in wake of crash

Edwins Too is holding a benefit dinner to support home skating clubs of the families of the victims in the recent horrific crash near Arlington, Virginia. The three-course meal with wine is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. Edwins Too is in Shaker Square. READ MORE

Fat's Backroom to host dinner featuring Steinway Piano Gallery

Fat’s Backroom, located in Todaro’s Party Center in Akron, is holding a five-course dinner that will showcase its high-tech player piano. Dishes will be paired with wines from all over the world. It’s Wednesday, Feb. 12. READ MORE

Taylor Swift-themed wine tasting under way

750ml Wines in Akron is hosting a tasting of Orin Swift wines with the backdrop of Taylor Swift music. Nine wines from the California winery will be offered by 2-ounce pour, glass or bottle. The tasting runs through Friday, Feb. 14 – Valentine's Day. READ MORE

Bourbon tasting set at Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton is holding a Bourbon tasting with two flights to choose from and an accompanying menu. Each flight has four different tastings from various distilleries, including Western Reserve Distillers. The tasting is Saturday, Feb. 15. READ MORE

Local distilleries to be featured at Vodka Gala

Taste CLE is bringing a Vodka & Martini Gala to Landerhaven event center in Mayfield Heights next month. The event will have 20 stations where representatives pour local and national vodkas or serve vodka-based cocktails. One brand may bring more than one vodka variety – for example, flavored -- to their table. The event is 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15. READ MORE

Stout It Out Loud

The annual Stout It Out Loud – a celebration of Stouts and oysters – is coming up Saturday, Feb. 15, at Butcher and the Brewer. The fest offers a variety of oysters paired with Stouts from local and out-of-region breweries. Price points vary for various food options. Butcher and the Brewer is 2043 E. 4th St., Cleveland. READ MORE

Brewery tour coming up

Angels on the Avenue’s annual bus tour to area breweries is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22. It is a round trip from Middleburg Height to five breweries. This year’s trek winds through breweries in Summit County and surrounding areas. It’s a benefit for St. Augustine Health Ministries. READ MORE

Mac ‘n’ Cheese Throwdown set

The annual Mac ‘n’ Cheese Throwdown, a tasting event of the classic comfort food, is coming up Saturday, March 1, in Cleveland. Restaurants put their spin on mac and cheese, and attendees get a chance to vote for their favorites, too. It’s also a benefit for charity. READ MORE

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Stino di Napoli

It’s been a while since we’ve been back to Stino’s in Rocky River. With a classic Italian menu, appetizers that aren’t heavy, a nice wine selection and tasteful décor, it’s an inviting place. Unfortunately, know this: It’s open only three days a week, they don’t take reservations, and they do not accept credit cards, so bring a checkbook or cash. It’s at 19070 Old Detroit Road, Rocky River. - Marc Bona READ MORE

Szechuan Gourmet

Weekends in the winter are automatically made better when sharing a Chinese feast with friends, and Szechuan Gourmet in Cleveland’s AsianTown neighborhood is the ultimate place. The authentic restaurant serves sharable dishes like spicy wontons, Hunan beef and Yang Chou fried rice that leave both your stomach and soul feeling fulfilled. Szechuan Gourmet is at 1735 E. 36th Street in Cleveland. - Alex Darus DETAILS

Cremona Scratch Italian, Chardon

Cremona Scratch Italian is developing a local reputation for solid dining experiences. On the northside of Chardon Square, it is open for lunch, happy hour and dinner. Italian-influenced lunch sandwiches are large enough for two. Throw in a house or Caesar salad as a side for larger eaters. Entrée selections are pasta heavy. Still, one every protein category – beef, veal, chicken, fish, etc. -- is available. Craft cocktails change with the seasons. This is a cozy location overlooking construction of Chardon’s new courthouse extension. - Paris Wolfe DETAILS

SPOTLIGHT

Beers, beers, more beers

Our monthly review of beers covers a dozen different brews – 11 that were tasty and one that was undrinkable. They come from all over, including a couple from Ohio. We tried a variety of beers from big hoppy ales to a couple of red ales and others. READ MORE

Entertainment | Food and Drink

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