Cleveland ranked as top food city, Paloma restaurant rebrands as Mexican restaurant, 18 incredible farm markets & more

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Entertainment | Food and Drink

TOP NEWS

Cleveland highlighted as one of top 10 food cities in the U.S.

Travel + Leisure magazine has named Cleveland as one of the 10 best foodie destinations in the U.S. Alongside major cities like New York City and San Francisco, Cleveland received a shoutout from the international travel magazine for its eclectic local food scene. Specifically, its skilled chefs and local farm resources were major factors in the city landing in the top 10 list. READ MORE

Guardians’ Steven Kwan picks Cordelia as favorite Cleveland restaurant

Guardians’ All-Star player Steven Kwan shouted out Cordelia as his favorite restaurant in Cleveland. The left fielder was a guest in the second episode of Gabrielle Kreuz’s “Kreuzin Cleveland” show where he answered questions while being driven around the city. READ MORE

LeBron James, Hennessy team up for limited-edition booze collaboration

LeBron James is further cementing himself as both an NBA legend and an alcohol connoisseur with his latest collaboration with Hennessy. The Akron-born Lakers star and the iconic cognac brand recently rolled out the marketing campaign for their distinct collaboration. Hennessy has a steady partnership with the NBA and has collaborated with other pop culture figures in the past, but it’s a first for James. READ MORE

DineDrinkCLE talks Cedar Point Halloweekends eats, Pulpo Beer Co. closing, more

In the latest episode of “DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast,” hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus are joined by Paris Wolfe to explore the new menu at Lakewood's Rood Food & Pie. Josh and Alex also share updates on Pulpo Beer Company in Willoughby, which is closing, and Brewella’s in Lakewood, which is expanding. Finally, they get into the dining options at Cedar Point’s Halloweekends this year. READ MORE

Rising Star Coffee Roasters to move Cleveland Heights cafe location

Rising Star Coffee Roasters is moving its Cleveland Heights location out of the diner car on Lee Road. The local coffee chain, with several Northeast Ohio locations, announced on Tuesday that it plans to move into a new space in the same neighborhood. The new cafe will be at 2184 S. Taylor Road. READ MORE

Sober in the City sets second event at Abundance Culinary in Cleveland Heights

Verbena Free Spirited and Fleurish Zero-Proof Events and Bartending have scheduled the second Sober in the City dinner for later this month. Sober in the City’s second event is set for 5 p.m. on October 19 at Abundance Culinary in Cleveland Heights. Chef Liu Fang will prepare a five-course dinner showcasing different elements of Chinese cooking utilizing seasonal ingredients harvested from Northeast Ohio. READ MORE

A refugee’s path to becoming a chef

When Rehena Jommadar came to this country from Bangladesh and Lebanon, she had no formal chef training and spoke no English. Now fluent in English, she’s cooking with Zach Ladner and running the kitchen at Giovanni’s in Beachwood. She’s a testament to what a positive attitude and work ethic will do. READ MORE

18 incredible farm markets to love local shopping

The American foodie has embraced the farm-to-table movement over the past three decades and driven the growth of farmers and farm markets nationwide. Northeast Ohio foodies enjoy fresh, direct-to-consumer produce and hand-crafted from both during the growing season. We compiled a list of local farm markets that stay open once the farmers markets are closing. READ MORE

Northeast Ohio distillers launch agave spirits amid tequila trend

Tequila is the hottest-selling spirit in the nation. To bear the name “tequila,” the spirit must be made from Blue Weber Agave in the Jalisco region of Mexico. Two Northeast Ohio distillers who don’t want to miss out of the trend, are making the same product and labeling it “agave” spirit. READ MORE

Lake Erie Distillery launches ghost whiskey for Halloween

The Halloween season is starting, and Lake Erie Distillery is getting into the spirit, literally. The Willoughby-based distillery is launching its Ghost Whiskey, for a third year, with a Booz & Brews celebration from 6 to 8 p.m., October 5. Tickets are $45. READ MORE

How to get Mitchell’s Ice Cream sundae for $2.50 one day in October

Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream is celebrating its 25th birthday with ice cream sundae specials for its customers. The local ice cream chain, which first opened its original Westlake shop in 1999, is turning 25 on October 6. To kick off the celebration, Mitchell’s has brought back its seasonal Birthday Cake ice cream flavor. Then, on Sunday, October 6, Mitchell’s will start serving a Birthday Cake Sundae. For one day only, the sundae will be available for $2.50 at all local shops. READ MORE

16 fall drinks from Greater Cleveland cafes that beat pumpkin spice lattes

It’s officially fall, which means pumpkin spice-flavored everything is taking over. To help inspire a change in your typical morning cup of coffee, here are 16 fall drinks from Greater Cleveland cafes that beat pumpkin spice lattes. While pumpkin finds its way into some of the recipes, these local coffee shops got creative with their autumn beverage offerings. READ MORE

Malley’s Chocolates teams with All Cleveland Coffee

Malley’s Chocolates, no stranger to working with other Cleveland-based companies, has partnered with All Cleveland Coffee, which is being served in the three parlor shops – Lakewood, Mentor and North Olmsted. The coffee, which does not have chocolate in it, debuted in time for National Coffee Day this past Sunday. Cups are available now; bags will be offered at a later date. READ MORE

OPENINGS/CLOSINGS

Paloma restaurant rebrands as a Northern Mexico steakhouse

Paloma restaurant in the Van Aken District closed for a week in mid- September to refine their concept. When the dining room reopened, it had shifted from casual Tex-Mex to upscale Northern Mexico/Southern Texas steakhouse. READ MORE

EVENTS/TASTINGS

Cleveland Beer Week

Cleveland Beer Week, a celebration of craft beer, takes place from October 4-13. Five themed, ticketed events are scheduled during the week. Proceeds will benefit the Malone Scholarship Fund, Rec2Connect and Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter. Tickets depend on the event. Various times and locations. DETAILS

Taco & Tequila Festival

A touring Taco & Tequila festival is coming to Crushers Stadium in Avon. More than 50 different tacos and more than 50 tequilas and margarita flavors will be available. Entertainment includes lucha libre wrestling, face painters, caricature artists, strolling magic show and more. The fest is 4:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. DETAILS

Ciderfest at Spring Hill Cider Works

Spring Hill Cider Works is hosting Ciderfest with more than 30 ciders to sample. The weekend includes food and BBQ and live music as well as a Craft Market on Saturday and Car Cruise-In on Sunday. Noon to 6 p.m., October 5-6. 6062 South Ridge Road, Geneva. DETAILS

Halloween Brew at the Zoo II

Akron’s Halloween Brew at the Zoo II is this weekend. The beer and wine tasting event includes eight tastings. Additional tastings and full-size drinks will be available. Guests are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes; a costume contest is scheduled. Tickets are Akron Zoo member: $38, non-member: $43. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. 505 Euclid Ave, Akron. DETAILS

Norton Cider Festival

The 36th Annual Norton Cider Festival will include parades, music, food, train rides and inflatables, apple decorating, crafters, fireworks and more. Free. 5 to 9 p.m., October 4, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., October 5, noon to 6 p.m., October 6

Columbia Woods Park, 4060 Columbia Woods Drive, Norton. DETAILS

Saint Stanislaus Polish Festival

The Shrine Church of Saint Stanislaus presents its 34th annual Polish Festival this weekend. In addition to Polish cuisine, the festival features threepolka bands, ethnic dancers, church tours, and dance contests. Free admission.

5 p.m. to 9 p.m., October 4, 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., October 5 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., October 6. 6601 Baxter Ave., Cleveland. DETAILS

111 Bistro dinner features Italian wines

111 Bistro in Medina has scheduled a dinner featuring wines from the Veneto region of Italy. The dinner is Thursday, Oct. 3. 111 Bistro is at 2736 Medina Road, Medina. The restaurant also is in the midst of shifting some of its space for retail wines sales. READ MORE

Burgundy wine dinner coming up

Veteran wine and beer expert Ed Thompkins will guide a Burgundy wine dinner at Chez Francois on Thursday, Oct. 10. All the wines are from Burgundy, France, and are 2022 vintage. They will be paired with a variety of dishes at the venerable French restaurant in Vermilion. Our story lists the menu of food and wine. READ MORE

LockKeeper’s dinner is set

The restaurant in Valley View will host winemakers Francesca Farina and Nicola Biscardo of Nicola Biscardo Selections of Italy at a dinner Thursday, Oct. 10. The menu features poached fish, braised beef and more in the five-course meal. READ MORE

Pints and Pies is coming up

Pints and Pies is set at Akron Civic Theatre. It’s a food and drink fest pairing craft beer with pies, both savory and sweet. Beers will be organized by style, so you can head to the lagers table and peruse half a dozen offerings from multiple breweries, for instance. It’s Thursday, Oct. 12. READ MORE

Wine 4 Life is scheduled

Wine 4 Life is a fundraiser that raises money to fight rare cancer. The event, to be held at The Madison in downtown Cleveland, is Saturday, Oct. 18. More than 20 wines have been curated for tasting at the event, which will include hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a wine pull where every bottle is valued at $50 or above. READ MORE

Rosewood Grill dinner coming up

Rosewood Grill locations in Strongsville and Westlake are holding a Great Lakes Brewing Co.-vs.-Watershed Distillery pairing dinner on Sunday, Oct. 20. Patrons can choose between a beer from the Cleveland brewery or a drink from the Columbus distillery to go with assorted dishes. READ MORE

Opus One dinner set at Dante

Dante in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood is holding a six-course dinner featuring acclaimed and favorite Opus One wines. The decadent dinner is Thursday, Oct. 24, and includes a range of dishes including truffle miso tuna sashimi and stuffed Sonoma quail. We’ve got the full menu and specific wines slated to be served. READ MORE

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Bad Medicine

Bad Medicine Hi-Fi listening bar is the third space that Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood has been craving. The bar prioritizes serving expertly crafted cocktails and playing high-quality vinyl records. However, its food menu should not be overlooked. Crispy brussels sprouts Caesar salads, Italian beef hoagies with zingy giardiniera, lamb-stuffed cabbage and beyond take the idea of bar bites to the next level. Bad Medicine is at 13334 Lorain Ave., Cleveland. DETAILS

Provenance

Fine art extends to food at the Cleveland Museum of Art with Provenance. Lunch, dinner, brunch and cocktails are all top-notch elegant. On Wednesdays and Fridays this October, Chef Doug Katz is delivering a special menu that’s inspired by the artwork “Shakyamuni under the Bodhi Tree,” currently on display in the CMA’s “Demons, Ghosts, and Goblins” exhibition. Our recent Azuka Salmon (tzatziki sauce, smashed marble potatoes, grilled lemon, capers) was fabulous. DETAILS

Haute Donuts

If you like donuts try Haute Donuts in Van Aken District Market Hall, Shaker Heights. The market stand sells yeast-raised donuts that take three days to make. They’re a slightly sweet cross between pastry and bread textures. The regular donuts are great, but the specialty donuts are a real treasure. Think donut-meets-croissant. Chef/owner Alyssa Ladner and her team make them with roughly 50 alternating layers of European butter and dough, fried, then dressed up for the season with frosting and/or whipped cream. The most popular specialty donuts are the 50-layer Boston cream, 50-layer baklava and 50-layer pumpkin spice. The vanilla-bean glazed donut is vegan and the classic donut dough is egg-free and dairy-free. DETAILS

Ki Asian Cuisine

The restaurant, located in Fairlawn Town Center, offers an array of Asian offerings, from an extensive lunch menu with bento boxes to sashimi, fried rice, and many other dishes. We recently had egg foo young with shrimp for dinner; it made for a great breakfast leftover meal. It’s at 2712 W. Market St., Fairlawn. READ MORE

SPOTLIGHT

Where to find Northeast Ohio clambakes: Prices, menus and locations

In the “old’ days you had to wait until October, when leaves were changing color and crisp fall air was legit, to find clambakes steaming up Northeast Ohio. They started in early September this year and will roll into the first weekend in November. That’s plenty of time to add several bakes to your calendar and enjoy a variety of experiences. Cleveland.com's Paris Wolfe has your ultimate guide. You’ll find a breadth of prices and varied menu offerings. You’ll find multi-course menus, classic menus and buffets. You can eat them outdoors under a tent or indoors with the luxury of fine dining. Add-ons, for those hungry enough, include everything from extra clams or steak to salmon or lobster. Dessert may be optional. READ MORE

Praise cheeses! Stouffer’s Mac & Cheese hits different

Our “Classic CLE Eats & Drinks” column this week zeroed in on a comfort food classic. So much love for this dish with the cold weather coming. Dig in! MORE

Entertainment | Food and Drink

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