🌺10 exotic spots to beat the cold

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Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop. Did you know that Ohio is the home of seven American presidents — and two of the four that were assassinated? Happy Presidents’ Day. Now, on to the egg crisis, stolen statues, WNBA & 10 exotic spots to beat the cold. 💪🏀

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In today’s 216 Scoop Edition:

Over Valentine’s weekend, the running joke was that lovers exchanged jewelry boxes filled with eggs instead of rings. The reality is far more serious to area diners and bakeries.

Skyrocketing egg prices resulting from the bird flu have sent diners and bakeries into crisis mode.

“Right now, diners are trying to survive,” says Ed Salzgerber, owner of Steve’s Doghouse. For more than four decades, the West 25^th diner has developed a loyal following in large part for its egg breakfasts.

“Eggs provide the highest profit margin for diners,” he adds. “But now we’re being forced to raise prices on them just to break even.”

As of Feb. 10, more than 10 million chickens perished in Ohio as a result of bird flu. It has caused egg prices to skyrocket 40% in recent weeks – and now area diners and bakeries are forced to implement emergency measures to survive an economic crisis not seen since Covid.

“Prices have doubled so quickly, but I can’t just double my prices in a month,” says Lidia Trempe, owner of Rudy’s Strudel. “This reminds me of Covid and the crazy jump in bleach from 99 cents to $5.”

Trempe is entering high season, er, rather, Paczki Season. Last year, she sold 127,000 of the Polish deep-fried and filled pre-Lenten doughnuts.

“The recipe is the recipe, you can’t just cut back on eggs,” she says. “I’ve had to raise prices on each paczki by a dime, which doesn’t even cover the increase.”

Steve’s Doghouse has been forced to raise the price of eggs 50 cents, like most local and national diners such as Waffle House and Denny’s. To make matters worse, coffee, orange juice and bacon prices have soared to all-time highs.

Denny’s has struggled, even as it has raised prices to keep up. It just announced more store closings across the country last week.

“We had to raise prices; then eggs went up again,” says Salzgerber. “Once a chicken gets bird flu, they kill the entire flock – and it takes 20-22 weeks to replace the flock.”

Price could increase another 20%, he adds.

“Just a few years ago we paid $20 for a case of eggs. It was $60 a month ago and now its $120,” says Salzgerber. “Diners have narrow profit margins and right now we’re all trying to survive this.”

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It’s hard to identify the body without a head – whether it’s a corpse or a statue.

But a recent scientific test uncovered enough details to determine that the Cleveland Museum of Art’s bronze figure, “Draped Male Figure” (aka “The Philosopher”), was stolen – and belongs to Turkey.

The statue, valued at $20 million, has been determined to have been one of countless antiquities looted from southwestern Turkey, after an investigation by it and the Manhattan District Attorney of New York.

The six-foot-tall, 1,800-year-old figure was seized by New York authorities in 2023, pending the investigation.

“The test results led the museum to conclude that the statue was likely present at the site commonly known as the Sebasteion in the ancient city of Bubon,” the museum said in a statement.

The museum took possession of the work in 1986 and made it a prominent part of its Bronze Collection.. The crime trail is thought to have started decades earlier in Manhattan.

In the 1950s and ‘60s, countless statutes of Roman rulers that date back to 50-250 A.D were unearthed in Turkey. Many were looted and ended up on the black market, ultimately surfacing in museums and private collections.

One mystery closed; another opens.

The statue was long thought to depict Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. No longer.  

“The extensive testing and examination of the site also support the museum’s relatively recent determination that the statue is probably not a representation of Marcus Aurelius, but rather a statue of a Greek philosopher,” according to the museum. “Without a head or identifying inscription, the identity of the statue remains uncertain.”

The WNBA is expanding and Dan Gilbert is set to bring a newly-minted 16^th franchise to Cleveland.

The Sports Business Journal reported that “sources put Cleveland’s expansion chances as high as 90%” with an announcement expected no later than March.

The team would reprise the name Rockers (a former Cleveland WNBA team that folded in 2003) and would play in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, according to SBJ.

Gilbert will reportedly pay $250 million – twice the amount paid for the last WNBA expansion team, an as-of-yet unnamed Portland team that will debut in 2026.

The Rockers will likely debut in 2028, per SBJ.

The WNBA has sought to capitalize of the resurgent popularity of the league, thanks to the arrival of Caitlin Clark. The 22-year-old sharpshooter led the Indiana Fever to the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

Clark, who was named rookie of the year, also ushered in a new era for the league. Clark’s nationally televised appearances averaged 1.18 million viewers per game, while all other WNBA outings drew a relatively subdued 394,000. 

It makes sense for the WNBA to expand while the fire is hot – with Clark notching million-plus TV viewers and teams selling for record amounts.

Acclaimed Cleveland chef Brandon Chrostowski will bid adieu to Edwins at Shaker Square tonight with a going-away party. He won’t be gone long, however.

Chrostowski is already providing a first look at and details about the future home of Edwins and Edwins Too, which are set to open Feb. 28 in the former home of Nighttown.

Edwins is already accepting reservations and has booked musical performers into March. Jazz pianist Jackie Warren will perform opening night. Also, Edwins will have a piano player 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, in the fine dining room.

On March 4, Edwins will host a “Paczki  Party” -- a dining and dancing bash that rolls out pierogi, kielbasa, sauerkraut, golabki, dancing and music by the Trans Am Euro Mutts.

The iconic Nighttown (which closed last August) offers about 10,000-square-feet of space. It will get a makeover to give it a Paris vibe that dovetails with Edwins’ French menu.

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We’re a month away from St. Patrick’s Day, which is usually a reliable indicator that spring is on its way. Hard to trust anything these days… Ol Man Winter is a stubborn type and  doesn’t want to leave, even when he’s not wanted.

Lucky you, here are 10 colorful and exotic bars and restaurants that recall warm climates and  bring out the sun even when it’s miserable outside.

Barroco, 12906 Madison Avenue, Lakewood: The walls are colorful, the vibes are exotic and Venezuelan and Colombian offerings – from  arepas to rum-and-tequila cocktails – dial up the heat. Even elaborate and color ice cream-based merengadas are sunny treat.

Batuqui, 12706 Larchmere Boulevard, Cleveland: It’s located in a home, feels cozy and boasts a stellar Brazilian menu... Enough talk. Bring a Caiporoska or two paired with a Feijoada and a Xim Xim.

Bourbon Street Barrel Room, 2393 Professor Ave., Cleveland: This homey Tremont spot brings a bit of the Big Easy to Tremont with a menu that mixes Cajun with creole dishes – to go with a deep drink menu. One Sazarac, please.

Irie Jamaican Kitchen (five locations): The reggae and island sounds set a sunny mood. Ditto for the décor, layout. But it’s the wide-ranging options and toppings at this fast-casual spot that hits the spot in winter.

Mallorca, 1390 West Ninth St., Cleveland: The Paella connotes a warm day in Spain. Their stellar sangria also connotes warmer days anywhere. Ah, but Shrimp in a Fra-Diavolo Sauce? That is very hot, and just right.

Momo's Kebob, 2199 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights: Owner Momo Abdessamad modeled after this spot after cafes of his native city of Rabat. Patrons come for the kebabs, yes, but also colorful walls, pillows and leather poufs. One of the area's coziest, warmest places. The tea is great, too.

Porco, 2527 West 25th Street, Cleveland: It’s like a cheap flight to Polynesia where they serve killer Tiki drinks on the plane. Whoa, check out the thatched huts, bamboo and colorful mugs .

Pupuseria Katarina, 1409 Brookpark Road, Cleveland: Love the paintings and décor on the walls. Also love the pupusas, among the best you’ll find in the States. The thick corn pancakes stuffed with a variety of fillings and fried on a griddle are a Salvadoran delight.

Quintaesencia,  7431 Ridge Road, Parma: Owners Karen Torrado and Katherine Nunez mix and match flavors from their native Venezuelan and things they adore about Spanish cuisine. Great new addition to the Parma food scene.

Sabor Miami, 4848 Broadview Road, Cleveland: One of Cleveland most enchanting spots. It’s a café with great coffee, sandwiches and entrées. It also doubles as an art gallery – with works by its owner, Honduras native Mariela Paz. Colorful and cheery.

💰 Price: $250,000

📏 Size: 1,196 sq. ft.

🏡 Built: 1916

🛏 3 Beds | 🛁 1 Baths

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Seven of America's presidents were born in Ohio, earning it the nickname, "The Cradle of Presidents."

There is tragedy attached to half of them. Two, William McKinley and James A. Garfield, were assassinated. Two others, William Henry Harrison and Warren G. Hardin, died while in their first term.

Garfield and McKInley have landmarks in the area that you can visit to celebrate Presidents’ Day.

The McKinley National Memorial in Canton is a must-see for Ohio and political history buffs. Large, long and spacious, it's befitting of a successful president. Next to it, the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum in Canton exhibits McKinley's personal belongings and puts them in historical context.

While The Garfield Memorial in Lakeview Cemetery remains a popular tourist attraction, the details of his life live on at the James A. Garfield National Historic Site. Located in Mentor, it preserves the home and property of the 20th president. The adjacent visitor center document the life and the passion of a leader who inspired Civil War soldiers.

James A. Garfield, Orange, Ohio. 1881. Republican. America’s 20th president was the last one born in a log cabin. Garfield is the only clergyman to achieve the highest office. He was virulently anti-slavery and earned the rank of major general in the Civil War.

His presidency lasted 200 days; he was the first of two Ohio presidents to be assassinated. For 80 days, Garfield lingered on his deathbed and a constitutional crisis ensued because he was only able to execute one official act as president.

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Monday - 02/17
23°F 🌡️ 10°F | ❄️ | 80% | 💨 W 20 mph (17 knots)

Tuesday - 02/18
16°F 🌡️ 10°F | ☁️ | 20% | 💨 NW 15 mph (13 knots)

Wednesday - 02/19
18°F 🌡️ 14°F | ☁️ | 20% | 💨 NW 15 mph (13 knots)

Note: This forecast is based on data from weather.com.

Cleveland Rocks Shop | The Baker’s Basement + Jean Brandt + Others | 7 PM

Mahall’s | Ax and the Hatchetmen + Easy Honey | 7 PM

Mahall’s | Camping In Alaska + Silver Fern + Others | 7 PM

Beachland Ballroom | The Get Up Kids + The Anniversary | 7 PM

Beachland Tavern | DJ Crow + DJ Mojo | 6 PM

Cleveland Museum of Art | Nate Smith + Tim Lefebvre + Jason Lindner | 7:30 PM

Grog Shop | Black & Blue + Planet Ben + Others | 6:30 PM

The Treelawn | Joe Hunter + Tim Matson | 7 PM

Cavaliers

No games scheduled between Feb 17 to Feb 19, stay tuned for any updates!

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