Ohio Distilleries win world spirits awards, Schnitz Ale to open bakery, Greak Lakes Brewing gets a refresh

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Entertainment | Food and Drink

TOP NEWS

Ohio distilleries win 29 medals at San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Ohio distilleries brought home 29 medals at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition, with Gervasi Spirits in Canton and Towpath Distillery in Akron among the winners. Paris Wolfe reports that of the 74 distilleries in Ohio, those participating won nine double gold, seven gold, twelve silver, and one bronze medal. High Bank Distillery in Columbus led with 12 medals, while whiskeys dominated the Ohio winners with 23 medals total. READ MORE

Marc Glassman’s Cleveland Restaurant Management Group has 16 restaurants and counting

Cleveland Restaurant Management Group is quickly making a name for itself as it acquires and opens delis, diners and other restaurants around Northeast Ohio. At the helm is Marc Glassman, the largest investor in CRMG, but best known as the founder and CEO of 61 Marc’s stores throughout the Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown and Columbus areas. Other investors include Glassman’s associates and well-known restaurateurs. READ MORE

Yelp names Lakewood’s Vegan Doughnut Co. among best in America

The Vegan Doughnut Co. was recognized by Yelp as one of top donut shops in the U.S. The Lakewood shop at 14811 Detroit Avenue landed at No. 39 in Yelp Elites’ Top. 50 donut shops in the U.S. It was the only Greater Cleveland bakery to make the list, but it had good company in Ohio. READ MORE

West Side Market: Boutros Bros Produce

Tom Boutros runs Boutros Bros Produce at West Side Market, carrying on a family legacy that began when he took over his cousin's stand in 2003. The business has grown from 60 items to 130, including specialty mushrooms and seasonal local produce. READ MORE

Great Lakes Brewing Co. to reopen with refreshed décor, menu (photos)

Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Ohio City has reopened after getting a makeover. The craft brewery gave the space a facelift, including improved acoustics. The menu puts even more of an emphasis on local ingredients. READ MORE

Ballpark food review

We sample a spicy pepperoni flatbread at Progressive Field. It’s one of the newer food options at the ballpark this year. Throughout the season we’ll sample food from the ballpark’s concessions and describe its flavors and value. READ MORE

Fidelity Hotel taps Daniel Young as new executive chef

Daniel Young has joined the five-month-old boutique Fidelity Hotel as Executive Chef. He replaces Chef Eddie Zaler who helped open the hotel. In his new appointment, Young takes charge of all culinary initiatives at the hotel including revising menus, sourcing ingredients and more. READ MORE

MidTown Collaboration Center open

MidTown Collaboration Center’s The Sixty6 is open with Pearl’s Kitchen and Black Frog Brewery. Located in the Hough Arts and Culture District, the Cleveland Foundation-run place is a sleek, open-concept space that brings together entrepreneurs Tiwanna Scott-Williams and Chris Harris with a shared mission of community building through food, craft beer and music. READ MORE

Wooly Pig Farm Brewery: Low-key rural brewhouse wins prestigious award

A small farm brewery in rural Coshocton County, Wooly Pig Farm Brewery recently won a prestigious World Beer Cup silver medal for its Rye Dunkel. Owner Kevin Ely focuses on traditional German beer styles in his sustainable operation where wooly Mangalica pigs roam the 90-acre property. READ MORE

Wines, wines, more wines

We reviewed nine wines from five countries, all priced between $9.99 and $25. The selection includes unusual varieties like Rotgipfler and Zweigelt alongside more familiar options. READ MORE

OPENINGS/CLOSINGS

Tres Leches Café: Cleveland’s new ghost kitchen offers traditional Latin American dessert

Tres Leches Café opened this year in the Carnegie Food Hub ghost-kitchen complex. The small kitchen makes six different variations of the Latin American dessert, which is sponge cake soaked with three kinds of milk and topped with whipped cream. The café works with several Northeast Ohio restaurants to offer the dessert on local menus. READ MORE

Schnitz Ale to take over Rito’s Bakery space in Brunswick for new bakery, market concept

Schnitz Ale Brewery and Das Schnitzel Haus will be expanding its empire with a bakery and market in the soon-to-close Rito’s Bakery location.

Rito’s Bakery, 1930 Pearl Road, will close its doors after 60 years in Greater Cleveland because members of the Rito family have decided to retire. The space will transform into Schnitz Ale Bakery and Market on June 1, featuring both Eastern European and Italian treats. READ MORE

EVENTS/TASTINGS

Vinnie Cimino, Liu Fang, more top Cleveland chefs to cook at Nature At Night benefit

The annual Nature At Night benefit for the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes has revealed its lineup of chefs, drink vendors and more. The annual dinner, which raises money for the Nature Center at 26000 South Park Boulevard in Cleveland, is set for May 31. Cordelia chef Vinnie Cimino, Abundance Culinary chef Liu Fang and more are slated to cook. READ MORE

Anchor Ball Raffle: Dine in Steamship Mather’s captain’s dining room

Win a historic dining experience aboard the Steamship William G. Mather. A special raffle offers the chance to host dinner for eight in the Captain's Dining Room of the 100-year-old freighter. The multi-course, wine-paired meal will be catered by Levy and inspired by the ship's original cookbook. Raffle tickets cost $100 each with only 500 available. The winner will be drawn at The Anchor Ball on May 22, a fundraiser celebrating the vessel's centennial. READ MORE

James Beard Award-winning author Samin Nosrat coming to Parma library

James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Samin Nosrat will speak about her new book "Good Things" at the Parma-Snow branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library on September 21. The Berkeley-based chef, known for "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat," will discuss her new collection of 125 favorite recipes including comfort foods like ricotta custard pancakes and yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Tickets are $40 for general admission or $150 for VIP access with a pre-show reception. READ MORE

Taste of Black Cleveland 7.0 set

Taste of Black Cleveland 7.0 will celebrate the city’s Black-owned culinary scene on Thursday, July 31, at Rocket Arena. The annual event features restaurants, caterers, food trucks and private chefs, with attendees voting for their favorites. Each year the tasting draws folks to try a variety of tasty appetizers. READ MORE

Special Lake Metroparks Farmpark wine dinner set

Lake Metroparks Farmpark is hosting a country pairing dinner featuring a horse-drawn wagon ride, equine demonstrations and wines from M Cellars on Friday, May 16. The event includes chef-curated appetizers, barbecue dinner with ribs and cheesecake for dessert. It’s a rustic-meets-culinary experience in Kirtland. READ MORE

Cleveland Asian Festival returns May 17-18

The Cleveland Asian Festival is back for its 2024 edition on Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, featuring a diverse array of cultural experiences. Visitors can enjoy the food court, Asian food competition, world marketplace, and entertainment including Asian trivia, Asian-Pop Dance Competition, Cosplay Showcase, and fashion show. Free health screenings will also be available throughout the event. READ MORE

2-day Crocker Park Wine Festival scheduled this summer

Crocker Park’s two-day Wine Festival is set for Sept. 12-13. The festival will feature more than 150 local, national and international wine producers, along with beer, spirits, local vendors, food vendors and live music. Attendees can stroll through Crocker Park while enjoying tastings. READ MORE

Tequila Dinner

Valley's Edge Steak & Seafood at MGM Northfield Park is hosting a five-course tequila pairing dinner on May 21 featuring El Tesoro tequilas. The $125 menu includes softshell crab, Arctic char, and a grilled achiote mojo veal chop paired with premium tequilas from Mexico's Jalisco highlands. Paris Wolfe reports reservations can be made by calling (330) 908-7602. READ MORE

Spanish wine tasting coming up

BarNone Wine Café in Shaker Heights is hosting a Spanish wine tasting Saturday, May 17. The inexpensive, no-reservations-needed tasting features primarily red wines and will be accompanied by some nibbles. READ MORE

Rodney Strong to be featured at wine dinner

Corleone’s Ristorante & Bar in Parma is hosting a special five-course dinner featuring Rodney Strong Vineyards on Monday, May 19. Winemaker Greg Morthole will guide diners through pairings including grilled shrimp burrata with Sauvignon Blanc and wild-boar burger with Knights Valley Cabernet. READ MORE

Wine and oysters pairing scheduled

M Cellars in Geneva is hosting a special Sparks Sparkling Albariño + Oyster experience on Saturday, May 24. Choose from multiple sessions for the tasting, which features a sparkling version of Albariño. READ MORE

Foraged Feast is scheduled

CLE Urban Winery will host Foraged Feast. It’s Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners’ fourth annual event and aims to merge sustainability and local flavor. It is slated for May 22. READ MORE

Hall of Fame Ribs Burnoff returns

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Ribs Burnoff is back for Memorial Day weekend, running May 24-26 in Canton. The event will feature multiple rib vendors, live music and family activities. It’s the second annual fest. READ MORE

Gervasi Vineyard to hold wine dinner

Gervasi Vineyard in Canton is hosting "Savor the Season," a five-course dinner paired with wines on Friday, June 13. Chef Ryan Bowen's menu includes spring gazpacho, lemon ricotta tortellini and rack of lamb, with live music by Rolando. READ MORE

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Sam’s Supper Club

Tucked away in the industrial part of Avon Lake, Sam’s Supper Club is a sandwich shop and catering hub making some of the best sandwiches in town. The one-man-operation is ran by owner Sam Boccuti, who has had to overcome hurdles that include beating lung cancer to fulfill his dream of feeding people. Everything here is made from scratch. First timers should start with the Rajai — house-roasted sliced beef, spicy giardiniera, cheesy caramelized onion dip, fried onions and mixed greens on locally-made focaccia. Don’t miss out on sides like potato salad or desserts like Sam’s famous peanut butter cookies. Sam’s Supper Club is at 33688 Walker Road in Avon Lake. – Alex Darus DETAILS

Hofbrauhaus

It’s that time of year – ballgames in full swing at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario. And about half a mile away is the spacious Hofbrauhaus, with a beer garden made for sipping a lager and enjoying nice weather. It’s about three-quarters of a mile from Progressive Field and close to parking garages (not to mention Playhouse Square), so it’s a perfect spot for a beer and a bite – especially if you’re in the mood for some European fare. Hofbrauhaus is at 1550 Chester Ave., Cleveland. - Marc Bona DETAILS

SPOTLIGHT

Best of Lakewood 2025 winners Woodstock BBQ: Becoming a Lakewood staple

Woodstock BBQ has become a neighborhood staple in Lakewood, Ohio, transforming from a small operation to a beloved barbecue destination over nearly nine years in business. The restaurant was recently named the “Best” spot to eat and drink in Lakewood according to Cleveland.com readers, and we visited to figure out why. READ MORE

Entertainment | Food and Drink

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