👨‍🍳 Where chefs actually eat in Cleveland

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Hidden doors, sushi, and a little exclusivity—the Ritz is trying something new 🍣🔐🥢

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Fine dining is dead, and our palettes are better for it.

For a century, it was all about the white tablecloth, snooty sommelier, gold leaf and truffles, immaculately arranged tiny portions, deconstructed gibberish.

No more.

A decades-long downward grind has accelerated post-COVID.

“The economy made things harder,” says Doug Katz, the Beard-nominated chef and owner of Zhug, Amba and Kiln. “But also: Why would anyone want a 14-course meal with all these esoteric things?”

“I want a nook and cranny place that’s authentic, serves amazing food, tells a cool story.”

It’s why Katz is psyched that Michelin Guide has expanded to Cleveland as part its Great Lakes outreach.

“The world is pivoting toward value, fun, a great experience,” he says. “That’s what Cleveland represents as a city.”

Started in 1900, the Michelin brothers founded the iconic tire company launched it as a roadside companion to inspire auto travel in France.

With growth came prestige, and the awarding of stars to Europe’s finest eateries.

The Guide embraced accessibility in 1957, by recognizing “good meals at moderate prices.”

The approach accelerated at warp speed this decade amid radical shifts in dining.

It had to.

After all, 40% of restaurants in NYC that earned a Michelin star between 2005 and 2014 closed by the end of 2019.

RIP, fine dining.

Katz also shifted: In 2020, he closed his flagship, Fire, to embark on intimate spots with idiosyncratic concepts and sharable plates that found dining’s sweet spot.

“Cleveland is ethnically rich where people are free to do what they want,” he says. “Having Michelin helps us tremendously, but we’ll also help it.”

Indeed.

Michelin has come full circle – from a motorists’ handbook to an elite gatekeeper to an explorer of the intimate, ethnic, affordable, and authentic.

Cleveland hits the spot.

“Food is supposed to be fun, tell a story,” says Doug Katz. Which is why the Beard-nominated chef is always on the lookout for spots that hit the spot. Here are seven that he loves.

Cents Pizza: “[Owner] Vincent Morelli cares about what he does, whether it’s innovative dinners, great salads or unique things with Wonder Bread [like the cured anchovy spread].”

Abundance: Chef Liu Fang makes her own dumplings and turned my old diner into the most striking space. It’s fun and casual but also interesting.

The Judith: “Great brunch and amazing coffee drinks. I’ll get all three salads — like the Carrot Lentil and the White Bean -- and combine them. “

Centro Villa :“Love the different stalls. The empanadas at Tumbao58 are great. Love the tacos at Flying Pig.”

Oliva: “An Italian steakhouse in downtown and their steaks are amazing – especially the ribeye, which is cooked to taste and just right.”

Zoma: “Love this Ethiopian spot. The injera bread is great and you can get it gluten-free. Love the chicken tibs and lentils.”

Ha Anh: “Little Korean place in AsiaTown. Great Tofu Soup. Comes with vegetables and pork or clams.  Love the Banchan; always get the white rice with it.”

It’s the defining story of our era; one we’ve covered since starting 216 Scoop:

The backlash to data centers is hitting hard and fast, and it’s sparking a grass-roots rebellion.

Fifty-two percent of voters oppose them in their communities vs. 28% support… That’s a 26% collapse since just late last year.

Finally, politicians – long supporters – are catching on.

Eleven states have introduced moratorium bills on large data centers. Two more are planned. Maine has ended all new constructions.

Now, an Ohio group is pushing to put an amendment that would ban data centers on the November ballot. The petition requires 413,487 signatures from 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties by July 1.

A challenge, but the defining issue stokes rage among all walks.

A 10-15% jump in electricity bills last summer -- on top of the doubling in prices between 2023 and 2024 – will do that.

JobsOhio has pushed for tax breaks 200 for data centers to create a “Silicon Heartland” that makes Ohio the fifth biggest hub in the U.S. for glorified storage units.

Data centers employ around 600,000 workers nationally – or 0.002 workers per square foot, less than an ice cream stand.

This Week

Cleveland Taco Week: This year’s installment of the annual celebration of tacos features specials at more than two dozen spots. It runs through Sunday. Info.

Cleveland International Film Festival: The cinema soiree brings films to the Cedar-Lee, to celebrate its 50^th anniversary – along with Playhouse Square, CSU School of Film & Media Arts, the Rock Hall. Info

👉 View Listing on Zillow

The Ritz-Carlton upscaled its dining offerings when it opened Turn Bar + Kitchen in 2017 -- and, thankfully, without the haughtiness you often find in high-end hotels.

It replicates the vibe, with a very different concept.

On Thursday, the Ritz will launch Sushi by Bou – a speakeasy-style omakase that seats 16.

Located across from Turn, it will give Clevelanders a chance to partake in omakase – where diners leave it up to the chef to select seasonal specialties.

The Cleveland Centennial Arch on Superior Avenue in Public Square, 1890s.

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67 °F 🌡️ 61 °F | 🌧️ (Cloudy / Breezy with Showers) | 80% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 16 mph (≈ 14 knots)

76 °F 🌡️ 62 °F | ⛈️ (Partly Sunny / PM Thunderstorms) | 55% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 15 mph (≈ 13 knots)

76 °F 🌡️ 61 °F | ⛈️ (Mostly Cloudy / Thunderstorms) | 88% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 14 mph (≈ 12 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Away vs. Cardinals, 7:45 PM April 13 (Monday)

Away vs. Cardinals, 7:45 PM April 14 (Tuesday)

Away vs. Cardinals, 1:15 PM April 15 (Wednesday)

Home vs. Orioles, 6:10 PM April 16 (Thursday)

Home vs. Orioles, 6:10 PM April 17 (Friday)

Home vs. Orioles, 6:10 PM April 18 (Saturday)

Home vs. Orioles, 1:40 PM April 19 (Sunday)

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