Blogs > Eating It Up Locally!

Who wants to cook? Let’s go out to eat. See where News-Herald staff members dined and where they go to unwind in our area. You might just find a new treasure in your own neighborhood.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Crepes in the City

The new crepes restaurant in Downtown Willoughby is pretty amazing.

I had lunch at Crepes in the City the other day with Managing Editor Laura Kessel, who reviewed it this week (Dining Out: Willoughby's new Crepes in the City does just fine with the savory, astounds with the sweet). I agree with everything she said about the eatery, and I'm looking forward to going back. I mean, the Strawtella crepe has got to be in the top 5 desserts I've ever had, and I'm guessing the other sweet offerings would be strong contenders for that list as well.

Some more pictures from Crepes in the City:

Breakfast menu

Main menu

Customized art

Hawaiian crepe (with roasted pineapple sauce on top)

Strawtella — stuffed with strawberries and Nutella

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Dining Out: Service left sour taste on otherwise great dinner on Market Garden Brewery in Ohio City

I’ve been to a lot of restaurants. I’ve been to a lot of breweries. There might not be one brewery/restaurant more in my wheelhouse than Market Garden Brewery in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood.

And I’m not sure when I’ll be back.

There is a lot to love — not “like,” “love” — about this spot, a stone’s throw away from the renowned West Side Market on West 25th Street. It’s a brewery with a clear focus on beer, yet one that has a near-ideal menu. It has a huge, beer garden-style patio with fireplaces, two big bars inside and a focus on local sources — both for food and drink. The atmosphere is awesome.

Unfortunately, the service, for the most part, was on the other end of the spectrum.

Read more of correspondent Mark Koestner's review at Dining Out: Service left sour taste on otherwise great dinner on Market Garden Brewery in Ohio City

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Friday, July 5, 2013

Dining Out: Local Tavern in Willoughby Hills does interesting bar food

I’m usually leery when a server doesn’t use a notebook during the ordering process.

To radically turn a phrase, a few times bitten, lots of times shy.

There was no need to worry at Local Tavern in Willoughby Hills. When Merrill took our order, she not only got it all correct, she took the step to see if the two couples at the table wanted separate checks.

Read more of Managing Editor Laura Kessel's review Dining Out: Local Tavern in Willoughby Hills does interesting bar food.

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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Dining Out: Zeppe’s Tavern & Pizzeria in Newbury more than typical pizza joint

The Zeppe’s name is a familiar one to Northeast Ohioans. Its latest endeavor, however, dips its toes into less-than-familiar waters.

Zeppe’s Tavern & Pizzeria in Newbury is the franchise’s newest concept: a full-service restaurant and bar with traditional Zeppe’s offerings plus an extended menu. The pizzas and calzones you’ve come to know are joined by burgers, steaks, seafood and more, and they’re served in a pub-style atmosphere.

A traditional Zeppe’s takeout-and-delivery place is adjacent to the tavern, which makes entry a bit confusing. Pull into the Newbury Center plaza at Kinsman and Auburn Roads, and there are three entrances that seem they could be where to go. The tavern’s is the one furthest east, by the way.

The business has been open only since December 2011, and the tavern smacks of newness. The dining room is open and lively, an entire wall decorated by framed album covers. The bar is one of those half-inside, half-outside set-ups, serving both the dining room and a nice patio area. There’s a fireplace outside, lots of woodwork inside, and a pretty decent flow between the two.

Read more of Correspondent Mark Koestner's review at Dining Out: Zeppe’s Tavern & Pizzeria in Newbury more than typical pizza joint.

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