News Bites (30)

A second location of an Akron favorite is under construction at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square.

Bricco is scheduled to open in January, street-level in the Hanna Building on Euclid Avenue. Owner David Glenny says the spot was chosen for its ability to attract nighttime theatergoers for dinner and downtown commuters for lunch. “It’s upscale casual,” Glenny says. “It’s basically non-traditional Italian.” A lengthy selection of gourmet pastas and pizzas are the staples at Bricco, and hand-cut steaks, daily fresh fish and a full bar round out the offerings. Dinner will be served seven days a week and lunch Monday through Saturday.

Agave Tequileria & Grille is set to open its doors in the Crocker Park space formerly held by Hoggy’s. Rey Galindo, corporate chef for Mexican favorite Luchita’s, will helm the kitchen, serving authentic Mexican fare with an international Latin flair. “We’re local, independent guys that will deliver the full package,” says Jim Vecchio, one of the masterminds of the project. “It’s casual dining that’s also a fun place to go.” Dishes will range from mole and enchiladas to coconut curry mussels with fried plantains and a Brazilian crab cake with mango relish. More than 100 tequilas and rums are set to be offered, as well as margaritas, mojitos, beer and wine.

A new spot in Sheffield Village, Sedona Grill, is being described as “casually elegant” by Gary Snyder, vice president of operations. The Arizona-themed restaurant serves steak, seafood, chops, pasta and martinis with a Southwestern twist. “We didn’t want to be fine dining, but we wanted some aspects of that,” Snyder says. For example, a “hospitality ambassador” is assigned to guide each party through its meal. A second location of Sedona Grill is already set for Lima, Ohio.

 

Rocky River has recently welcomed two dining establishments so proud of their locale they both included it in their names. Wine Bar Rocky River is operated by Rocco Whalen and John Owen, also the proprietors of Fahrenheit in Tremont. They’re serving innovative food and wine (naturally) in a relaxed, chic setting. The kitchen is headed by Jill Vedaa, formerly of Saucy Bistro in Westlake. Look for such tasty menu tidbits as mahi mahi tacos, BBQ chicken flatbread and the wino fries, seasoned with sea salt and vinegar and served with Cabernet ketchup. Wine Bar is open daily from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. The Pub Rocky River , occupying the former Gamekeeper’s Lodge spot at Beachcliff, is an Irish pub with a good sense of fun. The large space is a gastropub, serving both traditional pub grub such as fish and chips and shepherd’s pie as well as innovative modern cuisine inspired by the former British empire — including curries, Jamaican spices and sushi-grade tuna. An impressive array of draft beers from Europe and beyond is on tap, and more will rotate seasonally. Dinner is served seven days a week; lunch is available Thursday through Sunday.


Openings:
SASA Matsu, 13120 Shaker Square, Cleveland, (216) 767-1111
Sedona Grill, 5223 Detroit Road, Sheffield Village, (440) 934-6616
Wine Bar Rocky River, 1313 Linda St., Rocky River, (440) 799-4300
The Pub Rocky River, 19304 Detroit Road, Rocky River, (440) 356-6933

Closings:

Kluck’s Restaurant, 1313 W. 117th St., Cleveland
Tannour, 30519 Pinetree Road, Pepper Pike