2023 restaurant clambake guide, tasting Oktoberfest beers, Art of Bread opens in Tremont, Bubbleberry Boba Tea Shop debuts in Medina

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Entertainment | Food and Drink

TOP NEWS

Looking for a clambake in Greater Cleveland? Check out this list

Clambakes are a September-October tradition in Greater Cleveland. But the idea of preparing a home clambake can be overwhelming. Thankfully, there are plenty of area restaurants willing to feed the demand. Many add clambakes to menus from mid-September through the end of October -- and they’ll do the cooking and cleanup. Cleveland.com’s Paris Wolfe has put together a restaurant clambake guide for fall 2023. READ MORE

Great Lakes Christmas Ale first-pour party set

Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s first-pour party to launch its popular seasonal Christmas Ale is set for Thursday, Oct. 12. The brewery’s holiday beer list doesn’t end there. A barrel-aged version is set to return, and a holiday seasonal Cookie Exchange Milk Stout also is scheduled for release. Doors open for the first-pour party at 11 a.m. with tapping at 11:30 a.m. Christmas Ale is available for only 10 weeks, but it is a huge seller for the brewery, which has been making the spicy brew since 1992. READ MORE

Chef Doug Katz will be culinary consultant for Cleveland Clinic
Noted chef and restaurant owner Doug Katz is influencing food service at the Cleveland Clinic locations. He won’t be in the kitchen, but consulting with Morrison Healthcare, a food and nutrition services company contracted by the Clinic. His mission is to elevate hospital food for employees and patients. Katz is the chef-owner of Zhug and Amba restaurants in Cleveland. READ MORE

Taps and Tails is an all-weather asset for Cleveland’s dogs and owners

Taps and Tails is a dog park and bar in Tremont that allows dogs to interact while owners relax, drink some beer and socialize. Eric and Lisa Hollender opened the all-weather dog bar at 1901 Train Avenue in Cleveland in 2021. There is turf inside and out. Indoor heaters keep the space warm in the winter, and outdoor pools and water misters keep dogs and humans cool when it gets hot. There are also areas separate from dogs where people can eat. Cleveland.com’s Alex Darus has the story. READ MORE

Busy time for Goldhorn: New brewer, baseball beer, craft-soda venture

It's a busy time for Goldhorn Brewery, located at E. 55th Street and St. Clair Avenue on Cleveland's East Side. New head brewer, Sarah Krueger will tap her first unassisted brewing effort this week, a Belgian tripel. The brewery is also making a special beer in support of the Baseball Heritage Museum, and Goldhorn owner Rick Semersky has brought on Mike Clark for a craft soda-making venture. Cleveland.com’s Marc Bona paid a visit and has the story. READ MORE

51 Oktoberfest beers from Northeast Ohio breweries to try in 2023

Once Labor Day weekend comes and goes, Northeast Ohioans start to embrace all things fall, including craft beers with fall flavor profiles. Many local craft breweries have begun to offer their own versions of Oktoberfest beers, from malty märzens to Hefeweizen wheat beers. Cleveland.com’s Alex Darus has a guide to 51 local craft breweries that are pouring their own Oktoberfest beers in 2023. READ MORE

26 great charcuterie boards at Northeast Ohio restaurants

A charcuterie board is the kind of appetizer that doesn’t get old. While it technically refers to a platter of cured meat, folks in 2023 have come to expect charcuterie boards to be the ultimate meat and cheese lovers’ sharing plate. There are many bistros, wineries, and restaurants across Northeast Ohio creating innovative charcuterie boards. Many of them utilize a combination of locally made ingredients with imported goods to make a well-balanced snacking plate. Here are 26 restaurants in Northeast Ohio with charcuterie boards on their menus. READ MORE

Renovation project at Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern moving along

Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern’s design overhaul is in the finishing stages, almost two years into the monumental project. The renovation of the restaurant at 8960 Wilcox Dr., Twinsburg, started in October 2021 and is nearing completion. Cleveland.com's Marc Bona paid a vist to the beloved northern Summit County dining destination to check on the progress. Blue Canyon will mark 20 years in business in 2024. READ MORE

Want to pick apples in Northeast Ohio? We tell you where
It's apple picking season in Northeast Ohio. We have a list of area farms open through October that offer a variety of apples for the picking experience. READ MORE

OPENINGS

Art of Bread combines chemistry and art at Cleveland’s newest bakery

Novice bakers might feel like they are a scientist in a lab when attempting to make scratch-made baked goods at home. Victoria Narby, who owns Art of Bread bakery, started as a real-life scientist who turned to baking. Her Art of Bread Bakery recently found its permanent home at Scoot! Cold Brew at 2085 W. 114th St. The one-woman bakery not only sells baked goods at the coffee shop, but pops up at local festivals and events, creates wholesale orders for other local restaurateurs and fulfills custom orders for weddings and more. READ MORE

Tost Tremont to open this fall

Tost has been serving loaded deli sandwiches and picnic sides on Madison Avenue in Lakewood since opening on St. Patrick’s Day of 2021. Two years later, Tommy Karakostas is preparing to open a second location in Tremont. Tost, pronounced “toast,” gets its name from the Greek term for panini-like sandwiches. The Lakewood menu, which will be replicated in Tremont, features deli sandwiches with flavor profiles from pastrami Reubens to turkey clubs to Italian subs. Customers can make their own sandwiches if they’re picky or opt for one of Tost’s salads or picnic sides. Karakostas wants to open the new Tost location at 2341 Scranton Road by the end of September or early October. READ MORE

Bubbleberry Boba Tea Shop

Bubbleberry Boba Tea Shop, 102 West Washington, Medina is a refreshing break from shopping the town’s picturesque square. Next to Lemonberry Frozen Yogurt, Bubbleberry offers customizable sweet, fruity bubble tea. Don’t let a long line intimidate you. You’ll need to time to determine what fruit flavor and which of three bases you want – milk tea, fruit green tea or smoothie. Then, you still have to choose your favorite flavor of boba, a pearl made of tapioca starch. DETAILS

EVENTS/TASTINGS

Crocker Park Wine Festival

Sample over 150 unique local, national and international wines at this benefit for University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. You’ll also enjoy a selection of seasonal and craft beers, snacks and live music. Tickets, $35-$65. Sept. 15-16. South Main Street, Westlake. DETAILS

Cuyahoga Falls Oktoberfest

Zicke zacke, zicke zacke, hoi hoi hoi! This annual celebration features local craft beers, your favorite German delicacies and live musical and dance performances on two stages. Free. Sept. 15-17. Downtown Cuyahoga Falls. DETAILS

Armenian Festival

Enjoy delicious food, dance performances, live music, shopping, kids activities and more at St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church for this annual celebration of Armenian culture. Featured menu items include grilled chicken or lamb pita sandwiches and Jingalov hats, a traditional, herb-filled flatbread native to the Republic of Artsakh. Free. Sept. 15-16. 678 Richmond Rd., Richmond Heights. DETAILS

Elyria Apple Festival

Follow your nose to Ely Square Park in downtown Elyria, where an apple baking contest is one of the main attractions at this annual pre-autumn festival. Other highlights include a car show, 5K run & fun walk, breakfast buffet, princess pageant, kids fun zone and live entertainment. Sept. 15-17. 400 Broad St., Elyria. DETAILS

Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week

Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week is set to return to the heart of Cleveland this week. Hosted by Downtown Cleveland Inc., the week-long event features three-course prix-fixe menus from some of downtown’s buzziest eateries. Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week 2023 is scheduled from September 7-14 and features special menus from more than a dozen participating restaurants. READ MORE

Duets! launches Sept. 14 in downtown Cleveland

After a hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, Our Lady of the Wayside is back with a fundraising event. The Avon-based non-profit, which serves developmentally disabled individuals, is launching Duets! The strolling event combines food, wine, craft beer, music and more. It is 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14. Spice Catering Co. will provide food for the 21-and-older event, which will be at Gordon Green. READ MORE

NE Ohio wine club to hold 1st pairing dinner

The North Coast Wine Club is holding its first wine-pairing dinner. Cash bar opens at 6 p.m. Dinner will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the club in Solon. Nestle’s in Solon will provide the dishes, the club said. It’s at 30700 Bainbridge Road, Solon. DETAILS

LockKeepers to feature Pride Mountain Vineyards in dinner

LockKeepers has scheduled a five-course dinner featuring Pride Mountain Vineyards. Reception is 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21. The northern California winery bottled its first vintage in 1991. One white – Chardonnay – and four reds will be served. LockKeepers is at 8001 Rockside Road, Valley View. READ MORE

Cleveland Pickle Fest to celebrate all things pickles, beer to pizza

Cleveland Pickle Fest is coming up. The rain-or-shine fundraiser – which benefits Greater Cleveland Volunteers – is noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Mall B in downtown Cleveland. The event showcases pickles, pickled food and volunteerism. Local and regional companies will have all things pickles available -- pickle and other flavored beers, desserts, drinks, candy, pickle pizza, plus sandwiches and other food. And of course pickle-themed merchandise from more than 50 vendors will be available. READ MORE

Taste in Little Italy meatball crawl and wine tasting set

The Taste in Little Italy meatball crawl and wine tasting is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 24. It’s at 12510 Mayfield Road, Cleveland. Visitors can stroll through the streets of Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood, visiting participating restaurants and businesses. Tickets include a food and/or wine tasting at 15 to 20 restaurants or businesses, including dessert and coffee at Alta House, the region’s Italian cultural center. DETAILS

PICKS OF THE WEEK

La Playa Fresh Seafood serves up serious beach drinks

Summer might be coming to an end, but it's always time for the beach at La Playa Fresh Seafood in Cleveland's Gordon Square neighborhood. The new Mexican seafood spot has a delicious menu of unique recipes, from jumbo stuffed coconut shrimp to fresh scallop ceviche. The drinks are not to be missed, especially the soft-serve margarita. The libation changes flavors daily but is a total mashup of a tequila cocktail and a dessert that definitely leaves you with a buzz. 6410 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily; Open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. DETAILS

Luigi’s Pizza: Downhome bites in downtown Akron

Luigi’s has been around since 1949. The pizza is the main event, but you have to order a cheese salad because any salad where shredded mozzarella covers every bit of lettuce is a good one. Luigi’s is at 105 N. Main St. a stone’s throw from downtown Akron. Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday; 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. to midnight Sunday. DETAILS

SPOTLIGHT

Who serves the best chili in Greater Cleveland?

Cleveland.com’s ‘Best of Cleveland’ team is always on the lookout for local Northeast Ohio eateries that excel at familiar dishes that keep you coming back for more -- the kind of experience you want to tell your family and friends about. In October, we will celebrate “National Chili Month” by celebrating those purveyors of the warm, inviting comfort classic. We’re asking our readers, to let us know where you go when the chili craving chili hits. Who has the best bowl that Northeast Ohio has to offer? Is there a secret recipe or a perfect pot of chili you are dialed into? Know of a diner, dive bar or tiny family restaurant that you believe serves Greater Cleveland’s best? Tell us. READ MORE

Entertainment | Food and Drink

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