News Bites (1)

Cut Above

Melissa Khoury, former executive chef at Washington Place Bistro & Inn, received the nickname "Queen of Pork" due to her love of butchering. That passion led Khoury to venture out on her own and launch Saucisson's Artisan Cured Meat and Sausage. The self-taught butcher can be found at both the Downtown and Shaker Square farmers markets selling duck, lamb, mortadella and rillettes — all skillfully hand-butchered and hand-cured. "If you create respect with how you butcher the animal and how you cook it, it translates, and there's a calming nature to it for me," Khoury says.

Draft Day

Finding your favorite obscure beer just got easier thanks to the recent opening of Cleveland Beer Cellars in the Uptown neighborhood. A one-stop shop for connoisseurs and amateurs alike, the spot offers 40 beers on tap — with approximately 500 brews total — offering plenty of chances to try something new. "It's a craft beer lover's dream," says owner Greg Goodrich. "They can come in and try something new every day."

Expansion Plan

Though Orale! Kitchen recently doubled the size of its space, the popular Ohio City Mexican restaurant is getting more than just seating. The expansion includes a bar that serves up cocktails, margaritas and tequilas, plus a new bar menu featuring items such as fried tamales and barbacoa pulled pork pizza. "You walk down the street and there's beer everywhere," says chef and owner Roberto Rodriguez. "We're trying to offer something different."