Restaurants

Dine and Dash

In 2007, the dining scene's revolving door kept on revolving.

By Elaine T. Cicora 

Every year brings scores of restaurants into and out of this region. Here are a few of 2007's notable comings and goings:

Among the departed, mark Peruvian Machu Picchu (downtown), Puerto Rican Lozada's (Ohio City), Japanese Matsu (Shaker Heights), and Osiyo Tea House (Cleveland Heights). In Little Italy, fans bid arrivederci to Battuto, and at Eton-Chagrin, shoppers lost Isola Bella. Also gone: The Inn at Turner's Mill in Hudson and Lockkeepers in Valley View.

On Cleveland's West Side, Truffles Pastry Shop shuttered, as did Velocity American Bistro. And Tremont's Tortilla Feliz marks its final day on December 29.

In the plus column, count contemporary hot spots Dante (inside the former Lockkeepers), Crop Bistro (inside the former Johnny's Bistro), Light Bistro (inside the former Parker's New American Bistro), and Table 45 (inside the former Classics). Also noteworthy are Japanese Sasa Matsu (Matsu's izakaya-style successor) on Shaker Square, Nuevo Latino Paladar in Woodmere, and Italian-accented Bar Cento in Ohio City.

On the East Side, Stages debuted at the Cleveland Play House; seafood chain McCormick & Schmick's made a splash at Beachwood Place; Thai Peppermint launched in Pepper Pike; Ballantine Gastropub opened in Willoughby; and Joe Foodie's set up shop at Lander Circle.

Across town, P.J. McIntyre's Irish Pub joined Kamm's Corners; Reddstone opened in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood; Buckeye Beer Engine pumped up the Lakewood scene; and Ilona Simon popped the cork on Ohio City's Budapest Blue. Also in Ohio City, both Mexican mainstay Villa y Zapata and Kan Zaman, the Middle Eastern eatery and hookah bar, opened second locations. And on downtown's East Fourth Street, Wonder Bar and Zócalo Mexican Grill and Tequileria added to the fun.

Heading south, the eighth Yours Truly opened in Valley View. And Cuyahoga Falls native Chrissie Hynde rocked our meat-free socks with VegiTerranean, her all-vegan restaurant, bar, and bakery in Akron's Northside Lofts.