The Cauldron

Issue date: 1/22/07 Section: Feature

Grumpy's Cafe offers a late night menu Friday and Saturday nights 11 p.m. - 4 a.m.

If you're looking for delicious cuisine, unique shops, and trendy bars in the same vicinity, Tremont is just the place for you.

Less than ten minutes from campus, this west side Cleveland neighborhood is in the midst of urban renewal. The result thus far - fine dining, local pubs, and quaint coffee houses.

Back in 1851, Tremont was home to Cleveland University. Although it only lasted until 1853, the university left its mark in Tremont with street names including Professor, College, University, and Literary.

With its spectacular architecture, including over 25 churches within a one-square mile area and historic landmarks, it is no wonder college students and growing artists are flocking to the Tremont community.

Tremont is possibly most well known for its monthly art walks. The art walks, held the second Friday of each month from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., are an excellent time to visit the neighborhood. Many galleries that aren't normally open except by appointment open their doors and welcome the crowds that flock to Tremont for the event. Some galleries also open the following day.

In addition, many local businesses and restaurants take part in the art walk by displaying featured artwork. Participating galleries include, The Brandt Gallery, Asterisk Gallery, Doubting Thomas, Hybrid, Exit Gallery, and the Kelly- Randall Gallery. The event is free and more information can be found at tremontartwalk.org.

Quick Bites:

Located just on the edge of Lincoln Park is Civilization, a coffee shop and café. Civilization features locally roasted coffee, tea, and a small menu of lunch items. Prices are surprisingly cheap and free wi-fi is available. The structure, once the Flandermyer Drug building, was built in 1881. The interior still has antique woodwork surrounding the small area with tables and the exterior still says "drugs and medicines" near the roof. Civilization also offers gift baskets of their coffee.
2366 W. 11 St., (216) 621-3838, cityroastcoffee.com/civil.html

Located at the corner of Tremont and Jefferson, La Bodega is known for its sandwiches, soups, and salads. The bright colors of the dining room compliment the hardwood floor along with the textile artwork displayed on the wall. Sit and relax for a quick bite while people watching at the counter facing the window.

The extensive menu includes 12 salads with 12 dressing options, 26 sandwiches, seven subs and fourteen vegetarian friendly items.

To view the full menu, visit labodega-tremont.com.
869 Jefferson Ave., (216) 621- 7075

Shopping:

Centrally located in the Professor St. retail district is Banyan Tree. The first thing that strikes you as you walk in the boutique is the friendly barking from the tiny and adorable resident poodle, named Chai. The second thing is the vast array of house wares, greeting cards, jewelry and décor. Banyan Tree's merchandise is very modern with an artsy feel to it such as salt and peppershakers that interlock to form an oval.

A second room contains unique fashion forward clothing, boots, and scarves. Their most popular items are jewelry, however.

"We have great jewelry and it's moderately priced," says saleswoman Jan Novak.

Banyan Tree currently has a 40 percent off sale on select Christmas merchandise to make space for the new things the owners will bring back from their next buying trip to a variety of cities across the U.S. The store also offers services such as free gift-wrap, a gift and bridal registry, and wine and cheese parties for special occasions.
2242 Professor St., (216)-241- 1209, shopbanyantree.com

Mixing vintage pieces with local designers, gingko boutique is a trendy boutique with affordable prices. Magazine tear-outs hang above noteworthy items including ME! Bath Ice Cream, bath bombs in the shape of ice cream scoops, and vintage beads, recently sported by dozens of celebrities.

Look for handmade wool scarves, $10 vintage scarves, and jewelry, including pieces made by owner Melanie Harlan.
2403 Professor Ave., (216) 357- 4085

A recent addition to gingko boutique, robin's egg paperie specializes in lovely paper goods including handmade note cards and stationary.

Upon entering the shop, it is nearly impossible to miss the lit tree branch hanging from the skylight. The beige walls accented by light pink décor add a feminine feel to this cozy paperie, which features cards by owner Erin Stack.

Make note of the strategically placed refrigerator in the shop, decked out with vintage magnets for sale.
2403 Professor Ave., (440) 930- 0410

Hair Care:

Studio Le Beau, "a salon for the beautiful," is a small, yet quaint salon specializing in hair design, color enhancing, curl enhancing, and hand and foot treatments.

The Hairworks starts at $35 and the Men's Cut starts at $20, both of which include a shampoo and blow dry. Waving, Texturizing, Body, or Relaxing begin at $60.
2360 W. 11 St., (216) 621-3638

Catering to Canines:

Located in South Tremont at Clark Field, the Tremont/Clark Field Dog Park is a fenced in gravel lot where dogs can have full reign. The park features water fountains for canines and eight benches for humans. Poop bags are provided to clean up Fido's mess.

Dogs who wish to visit must be up to date on their shots, be over 4 months old, and be spayed or neutered. A maximum of three dogs are allowed per person.
For directions, visit clevelanddogparks. com.
Open daily from 8 am. to 9 p.m.

Bars:

In a building that once housed a shoe repair shop, The 806 Wine and Martini Bar is located on Literary Rd. just off Professor Street. Not only does it have an extensive wine list and award winning martinis, but it also has a gourmet food menu. The bar is dimly lit and romantic with dark wood everywhere and plush antique furniture to relax on. Further adding to the atmosphere is a fireplace emanating cozy warmth. There is also an outdoor patio with another fireplace, this one made of bedrock imported from Ireland by an Irish craftsman.

Every other month, the bar features different artwork on its walls. If you want to impress someone, bring him or her to the 806.
806 Literary Rd., (216) 696-4806, 806martinibar.com

For a more trendy atmosphere, check out Lava Lounge located just off of West 14 Street. Lava Lounge serves a small but eclectic food menu until 2 a.m. and has a full bar. The interior has red walls, a sparkly couch in one corner, and an obligatory lava lamp behind the bar. On weekends the upstairs area is open, which has another bar and more tables. There is also a patio available to sit on in the summer.

Guest DJ's spin super-hip tunes seven nights a week. Stop in early for happy hour Monday- Friday from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. when selected martinis and some appetizers are only $5. Try the bomb pop martini. It's like revisiting your childhood, except with liquor.
1307 Auburn Ave., (216) 589-9112, Coolplacestoeat.com/lava.html

Maybe The Treehouse is most recognizable by the enormous tree hovering over the bar or the giant Guinness tucan mural on the outside wall. Regardless, this corner bar is well known to Tremont-frequenters. It is open seven days a week with happy hour 4 p.m-8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Located only a mile and a half from Jacobs Field, park free and grab a drink before the game, since The Treehouse offers free transportation to and from the Jake for all night games.
820 College Ave., (216) 696-2505, Cleveland.com/sites/treehouse

Casual Dining:

For the absolute best view of downtown Cleveland's skyline, check out Fat Cats, a restaurant on the northern most edge of Tremont. Fat Cats has an inspired Southern/Italian lunch and dinner menu with surprisingly moderate prices. It has blue and orange painted walls with artwork by local artists hanging on them. A large dark wood bar stands near the door with a painting of a cat above it.

When the brutal Cleveland weather permits, there is an outdoor patio, as well. This restaurant has even been mentioned in Bon Apetit magazine.
2061 W. 10 St., (216) 579-0200, Coolplacestoeat.com/fatcats. html.

If casual dining sounds more appealing then stop in Grumpy's Café, prominently located on West 14th Street. Grumpy's was a popular neighborhood hangout in its former location on Literary Road. before it was destroyed in a fire. After two years, it has finally reopened at its new location.

Grumpy's serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and a late night menu all with a spicy Southwestern feel. The late night menu, which runs from 11 p.m.-4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, once drew a crowd of people who worked late, such as service industry types. It sounds like a great post-bar hopping alternative to Taco Bell.

The quality of the food is far better than one would expect with the inexpensive prices. This is partially due to the fact that salsa, bread, soups, and deserts are all freshly made on site. Grumpy's décor is simple with a single fresh flower on each table. Artwork will soon be going on the walls with Hector Vega as their first featured artist. Grumpy's also offers carry out.
2621 W. 14 St., (216) 241-5025

Fine Cuisine:

A unique restaurant and lounge, Parallax radiates an elegant yet contemporary feel. The menu focuses on fresh sushi, fish and seafood, along with grilled items including chicken, steaks, and chops.

For wine lovers, this restaurant offers a selection of about 25 by-the-glass wines as well as an evolving list of about 100 by the bottle selections.

The menu is presented in a clever manner. Dozens upon dozens of options are listed on 8 x 11 paper and secured in a clipboard.

For an extensive list of menu items, visit ParallaxTremont.com
2179 W. 11 St., (216) 583-9999

Dim lights and candles fill the clean and sophisticated atmosphere of Lolita. The Greekinspired Mediterranean cuisine is delectable. The dishes are small, therefore allowing the patron to taste a variety of items on the menu. The prices are rather high, so be prepared.
Reservations are suggested
900 Literary Rd., (216) 771-5652, Lolabistro.com

Chef Rocco Whalen cranked up the heat when he opened Fahrenheit in 2002. The restaurant was listed in Gourmet Magazine's October 2002 issue in a guide to America's Best Restaurants.

Whalen seasonally modifies the menu as he is inspired by the changing seasons. As part of the current winter menu, Fahrenheit is offering Lobster Tarragon macaroni and cheese, Portobello pizza with caramelized onions, goat cheese and rosemary, and Coffee and Mustard Pork Tenderloin with whipped sweet potatoes. Finish off the meal with the Pineapple Ginger Ice Cream Sandwich or the Chocolate Raspberry Bomb.

For those who wish to host a private party, the restaurant has a private dining room with private bar accommodating up to 50 people.
For the full menu, visit FahrenheitTremont.com
Reservations are suggested.
2417 Professor Ave., (216) 781-8858

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