TOP NEWS

Tripi offers chef Anthony Zappola’s craft spin on Italian specialties

Chef Anthony Zappola is a well-established culinary figure in Cleveland with restaurant concepts like Lox, Stock, and Brisket and the Rice Shop. His many fans will love his latest concept, Tripi, which opened in Ohio City at the end of June. The casual restaurant serves what Zappola calls a “fundamental Italian American lunch” with everything made from scratch. Bread for subs and pizza dough is made fresh daily. The staff, which includes four other people aside from Zappola, makes the sauce and rolls out fresh meatballs daily. The star of the menu is the Papa Tony, Tripi’s take on an Italian sub that is named after his grandfather. READ MORE

Reggie the iguana goes from Winking Lizard Tavern to new home

Reggie the green iguana has a new home and a new job. The seven-year-old iguana has moved from Winking Lizard Tavern in Peninsula to its new home at the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton. He will be one of the park’s ambassador animals, creatures who live behind the scenes and make public appearances in educational programs. Regie had lived his laid-back lifestyle in the Peninsula bar-restaurant for five years. But the company, which has multiple locations in Northeast Ohio, is transitioning away from having live animals on site. READ MORE

Downtown Cleveland Restaurant week announces tasty 2023 lineup

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

19 bakery/cafe hybrids for the ultimate pick-me-up
Bakeries are ideal stops for sweet treats while cafes provide many people with a caffeine boost. Here are 19 cafe/bakery hybrids in Greater Cleveland that provide a simultaneous experience. READ MORE

La Playa brings Mexican beach vibes to Cleveland’s West Side

La Playa Fresh Seafood is a new Mexican-style seafood restaurant in Gordon Square. Aside from a seafood-heavy menu, La Playa also offers beachy drinks and a vacation-like vibe. It’s located at 6410 Detroit Ave., next to the popular modern Mexican spot Blue Habanero. That’s not by accident — both restaurants were created by local restauranteur Rafael Ayala, whose family are also known for starting the local Tres Potrillos restaurant chain. READ MORE

Dewey’s Pizza offers Elote ‘street corn’ pizza through mid-September

Dewey’s Pizza has started making Elote pizza, a popular, seasonal favorite. Elote, which means ‘corn cob’ in Spanish, is Mexican street corn. The Dewey's pizza spinoff is topped with olive oil, mozzarella, fresh roasted corn and poblano peppers, red onions and queso fresco. It is finished with a drizzle of Tajin crema and cilantro after baking. Elote pizza will be available through September 18 at all 25 Dewey’s pizza locations. Three of those locations are in Greater Cleveland – Cleveland Heights, Lakewood and Fairlawn. READ MORE

Wild T hard tea from Columbus introduces new flavor

Wild T, a Columbus-based hard tea company, has introduced its newest flavor – Wild T Original (5% ABV). The company has also redesigned its labels. While the original four teas in the line have popular flavor accents, the newest is simply a fermented black and green tea combination. With some sweetener and carbonation, of course. READ MORE

Cleveland’s Polish Boys make ‘Great Hot Dogs of America’ list

The New York Times has recognized the Polish Boy of Cleveland as one of the ‘Great Hot Dogs of America” in a new field guide showcasing essential regional favorites. READ MORE

OPENINGS

Vegan pop-up Green Kitchen to open brick-and-mortar restaurant

For two years, hungry patrons at the Little Rose Tavern in West Park have been able to enjoy smash burgers, cheesesteaks, mac n cheese, and more from the Green Kitchen, the permanent pop-up kitchen at the bar. Some of those people might not have realized that everything made by the Green Kitchen is totally vegan. Now, the longtime chef, who has worked in restaurants like Lola and Dante, is expanding the vegan business by opening a brick-and-mortar space for the Green Kitchen. It will be in the Clark-Fulton Neighborhood in the former location of the Grafe Café on West 25th and Athlen Ave. Hagerty is aiming for an October opening. READ MORE

EVENTS/TASTINGS

Collision Bend Brewing Riverfest ‘23 offers music, food, games

Collision Bend Brewing Company in The Flats is holding its first Riverfest from noon to 7 p.m., Sunday, August 27. The day will be full of music featuring local bands and artists, food and drink specials, a beer garden and patio games. More than a dozen shelter dogs will be available for rescue throughout the day. Tickets are $10 pre-sale, $15 at the door. DETAILS

Cleveland Garlic Festival

If you love garlic, follow your nose to Shaker Square for what may be the smelliest food festival in the nation. The annual event, a fundraiser for the North Union Farmers Market, features a series grill-offs between some of the area’s top chefs. You’ll also find garlic fries and garlic-infused beer, plus live music, kids’ activities and the Miss Garlic pageant. Tickets $5-$9. Aug. 26-27. 13111 Shaker Square, Cleveland. DETAILS

Avon Lake Beer Fest

Avon Lake Athletic Boosters return to Miller Park to host their annual fundraiser, showcasing more than 60 local and regional craft beers and wines from many of the area’s top breweries and wineries. Expect live musical performances from Carlos Jones, Midtown and Diamond Connection. Tickets $30-$50. 1-7 p.m., Aug. 26. 33760 Lake Rd., Avon Lake. DETAILS

LagerLand

Cleveland’s European immigrants in the 1800s helped make it one of the truly great cities for Lager in the U.S. That legacy will be celebrated at LagerLand, a beer-tasting festival held in the grand rotunda at Heinen’s downtown flagship store. The event will feature more than 40 beers from dozens of craft breweries, most of them local. Tickets $50. 6-8 p.m., Aug. 25. 900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. DETAILS

‘Lost Restaurants of Downtown Cleveland’ author to speak

Bette Lou Higgins will speak about Cleveland restaurant history at the Independence Civic Center on Friday, Aug. 25. Her storytelling program - 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. - is based on her book, “Lost Restaurants of Downtown Cleveland,” which was published in 2021 by Arcadia Publishing’s American Palate. The book focuses on historic eateries of all kinds between Public Square and Playhouse Square, including East 4th Street, Short Vincent and the Terminal Tower. Classic eateries, department-store restaurants and many others are featured along with personal anecdotes from diners. DETAILS

Delmonico’s Steakhouse to hold Sunday Supper

Delmonico’s Steakhouse is holding a Sunday Supper featuring Castello Banfi Winery. Michael Frantz of Castella Banfi will guide the tasting at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27. The menu includes passed appetizers; wild Pacific salmon with braised Tuscan white beans and kale, slow-roasted lamb ragu with pappardelle pasta; USDA Prime strip-loin roast with wild mushrooms, farro risotto and a Cabernet reduction; and torta della nonna, a custard tart, pine-nut lemon-honey mascarpone, honey drizzle. Delmonico’s is at 6001 Quarry Lane, Independence. DETAILS

Female winemakers featured in Fleming’s wine-pairing dinner

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar is holding a Women Behind the Wine - Pouring Success wine dinner. Dinner is 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, and features wines from prominent female winemakers in California. Wineries and winemakers to be highlighted in the pairing-menu dinner with five dishes and four wines. DETAILS

Corleone’s celebrates anniversary, wine awards with special dinner

Corleone’s Ristorante is holding a special dinner to commemorate its 28th anniversary as well as achieving a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the 22nd year. The restaurant is holding a five-wine, four-course dinner at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28. All the wines in the dinner have been rated above 90 points from the wine publication. Corleone’s is at 5669 Broadview Road, Parma. READ MORE

Bourbon-vs.-whiskey showdown set at Music Box Supper Club

Music Box Supper Club has scheduled a bourbon-vs.-whiskey showdown dinner. Dinner is 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1. The four-course dinner will aim to describe the differences between the two and how to pair them with food. Danielle Yasenchack of Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirts will guide the dinner. Afterward, the private-room doors will be opened for folks to watch the Cars tribute concert. Music Box is at 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland. READ MORE

Annual Corks on the Concourse is coming up

The annual Corks on the Concourse is scheduled at the International Women’s Air & Space Museum. The event is 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1. It takes place the night before the official start of Cleveland National Air Show weekend. The benefit includes a wine-tasting experience featuring Ohio-based wineries, trivia with lightning-round prizes and a lifetime-achievement award presentation to pilot Sarah Byrn Rickman. READ MORE

10th Sips and Swigs fundraiser supports West Side Catholic Center

The West Side Catholic Center Associate Board is holding its 10th annual Sips and Swigs fundraiser from 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9. This year’s event will be held at the St. Ignatius Carfagna Family Magis Center at corner of West 32nd St. and Chatham Ave. in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood. Sips and Swigs is an afternoon of craft beverages, food and live music. About two dozen craft breweries and distilleries will pour samples. READ MORE

Woofstock dog, family festival returning to NE Ohio in September

Rescue Village’s 30th Woofstock, a giant celebration of dogs, is coming up. What is billed as Northeast Ohio’s largest outdoor dog and family-friendly festival and fundraiser is set to return Sunday, Sept. 10. Rescue Village, the Novelty-based humane animal shelter, organizes the fest, which is at Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field in Chagrin Falls. It benefits the shelter’s efforts to care for homeless animals. There will be a variety of food trucks at the event. Appropriately enough, Four Paws Brewing Co. of Columbia Station is sponsoring the beer garden. DETAILS

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

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Corner 11 Bowl & Wrap

Corner 11 Bowl & Wrap is the destination for Hawaiian-style poke bowls in Northeast Ohio. The gem of the Tremont restaurant is its poke bowls that contain a base of rice or mixed greens, cooked or raw proteins, and a variety of toppings. Sushi lovers can create their ideal meal thanks to Corner 11’s endless customization. Aside from poke bowls, Corner 11 serves ramen, bubble-tea smoothies, and other crowd-pleasing sharable plates. Corner 11 Bowl & Wrap is located at 2391 W. 11th St., Cleveland, and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. There is a second Corner 11 poke location in Strongsville. DETAILS

Four Paws Brewery

It’s a great time for a country drive, and when good beer is at the end of the road, well, that makes it all the more worthwhile. Tucked into the roadside Red Wagon Farm, Four Paws Brewing Co. offers a perfect opportunity to sample a few beers and then peruse fresh fruit and vegetables to buy for later. Both are at 16081 E. River Road, Columbia Station. The brewery is open 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday to Friday; noon to 9 p.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. DETAILS

SPOTLIGHT

A bartender’s life: Meet George Harouvis

George Harouvis has bartending in his blood. The former Big 10 college football player turned bartender is filled with stories from his time serving drinks in area watering holes. He has poured, swirled and mixed drinks all over Cleveland, his latest a nine-year stint at the Union Club on Euclid Avenue. Bartending is in Harouvis’ blood. His father ran The London Bar in downtown Cleveland. Cleveland.com’s Marc Bona caught up with him during a shift at the Union Club and has the tale. READ MORE

Entertainment | Food and Drink

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