Rock and Roll Cleveland without a car

[crowsonguy]

Flying back to the Rock and Roll Museum next Monday, but will not have a car (hoping to stay somewhere close). Does Cleveland have a subway? If not, will be looking for good lunch and dinner close to the museum. We are adventurous, like local specials, intense flavors, both meat and veggies. Not formal people, but will spend for good food if needed.

Any ideas? I looked at previous posts, but they seemed either far out or did not give an idea of location. Many thanks, will report back when I return to Baltimore.
P.S. I am posting almost the same for St Louis.

[NancyH]

I totally agree with the suggestions to try East 4th or the Warehouse District.

My current E. 4th favorite is the Greenhouse Tavern - the Clams in Foie Gras sauce are to die for! They are just beginning their new lunch service on Monday. If you want a taste of local, Greenhouse and Lola will both provide it! You can find lots of food photos from both places on my blog: www.funplayingwithfood.blogspot.com.

Lola has a great lunch - the Fried Bologna Sandwich is fantastic, and not something you'll find just anywhere. Dinner at Lola is a little more upscale and expensive, but I have enjoyed every dining experience I've had there. The Beef Cheek Pierogies rock.

The Vietnamese place on E. 4th looks and smells nice, but I haven't tried it. I would avoid Zocalo - haven't heard a single positive report on the place yet. Wonder Bar is a nice place to have a drink and a nibble.

Crop, in the Warehouse District, is open for lunch and dinner, except unfortunately on Monday. I enjoyed my one meal there very much, and hope to return shortly.

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Lola
2058 East 4th Street, Cleveland, OH 44115

The Greenhouse Tavern
2038 E 4th Street, Cleveland, OH 44115

[nammoumj]

There is a good bit of really good restaurants in downtown within a couple blocks from the Rock Hall Museum. The Best new spot would be East 4th st. which has fine dining as well as casual dining. 3 more restaurants have just opened there including the greenhouse tavern which has rooftop dining and great food as well. One of the more famous restaurants would be lola opened by Michael Symon who won America's next iron chef.

So East 4th Street would be your best bet because of the great atmosphere and food. Another good option would be in the warehouse district because there are dozens of great restaurants around there as well such as blue point grille, brasa grill, XO prime steak, John Q's, etc. Just look up Cleveland Warehouse District.

Shaker Square is kind of far away and not as good and Ohio City only has a few good restaurants or seating areas and one of them being the Great Lakes Brewing Company - which is a very nice place and has good food also.

Overall though for convenience, atmosphere, and great food just stroll to East 4th street in downtown. They are all on one block next to each other and am sure you will find something you will love. As a side note the restaurants open till 2 am in most cases on this street and is usually still a bit crowded.

[rockandroller1]

I 2nd the recommendation of E 4th street and the warehouse district. For lunch or dinner I recommend Lola (4th) and Crop Bistro (Warehouse; closed on Mondays). Both are a good stretch of the legs though. If it's raining, take the waterfront light rail line (stop on E 9th very close to the rock hall) into tower city and take the free E-line trolley (big, dark green and gold, runs every few minutes past Tower City entrance, you can't miss it) and you can take that to warehouse or E 4th area.

[stuart]

Cleveland has light rail. It's above ground but the same idea. There are three lines and you can easily get to several dining areas from downtown. Our transit system is covered by Google Maps. I discussed this in a past thread:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/5784...

I'll stand by my judgments in that thread: I don't have any favorites downtown but Ohio City and Shaker Square are both easily accessible and have a few good options.

I should make two amendments. I didn't mention Flying Cranes in that thread. I think that's because the poster was interested in dinner. It's certainly not because the food isn't fantastic. The Japanese food, at least. I haven't really been tempted by the pastries, sandwiches, etc... The Japanese food is great. I wish they were open later. I'd certainly eat there more often.

I also didn't mention Darna in that thread. Darna is a new Moroccan restaurant. I've been pleased with all of my meals. Portions can be comically large but the food is good. The menu changed recently and several of the things I've had there were specials so I'm having hard times thinking of something to recommend. Hmm??? I'm sure the steak brochette is still on the menu. That was good. The vegetables and spices in all of the dishes have been fresh and bright. The ice cream is also good.

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Darna Casablanca
13114 Shaker Square, Cleveland, OH 44120