News Bites (36)

Que Tal?, the Mexican mainstay on Coventry Road, has expanded its offerings to include fresh salads, wraps and soups with an international flavor. Co-owner Michael Greenberg says he and his girlfriend and co-owner, a trained chef, developed Greens & Co. in their home kitchen, and integrated the concept right into Que Tal?. “We were taken with the idea of fresh salads as a nice complement to burritos and Mexican,” Greenberg says. The Greens & Co. menu is divided into West, Europe and East cuisine, and just as customers can build their own burritos, they can also build their own salads and sandwiches from fresh ingredients and tasty homemade sauces. (216) 932-9800

After a successful inaugural year in 2006, the Cleveland Wine Festival is returning to Voinovich Park this month. The event, planned for June 29 and 30, gives attendees a chance to sample from hundreds of wines, participate in cooking demonstrations and enjoy live music outdoors behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the gate, and include 10 sampling tickets. For information, call (216) 233-2457.

A new Latin-themed restaurant, Paladar, will open at Eton Chagrin Boulevard later this summer, from the same owner-and-chef team behind Boulevard Blue. Paladar is taking the space that formerly held Bossa Nova. Owner Andy Himmel says there will be a warm, colorful, welcoming atmosphere, perfect for enjoying the dual cuisine focus: “Nuevo Latino is great Latin ingredients with modern cooking techniques. Latin comfort food is straightforward, hearty, soulful dishes found throughout kitchens in Latin America,” he explains. A made-to-order guacamole bar will complement the regular bar, serving Latin cocktails and 30 different types of rum — look forward to “rum flights.” Executive chef Matthew Mytro is planning a lunch menu including Cubano sandwiches, salads and soups, and dinner featuring watermelon & tuna ceviche with hearts of palm, honeydew and roasted chili vinaigrette, a braised Cuban beef brisket “ropa vieja” with black beans and sweet plantains, and Florida snapper “a la plancha” with smoked corn grits, watercress salad and a mango chimichurri.

A group of top local chefs are uniting forces for a fundraiser to help one of their own. Amelia’s Feast, envisioned by Heather Haviland of Lucky’s Cafe to aid the ailing daughter of Ky-wai Wong, executive chef of Lockkeepers, will take place at Fire Food & Drink June 18. A dozen chefs will donate their talents to whip up the unforgettable seven-course dinner. Tickets are available for $150. Visit www.lockkeepers.com/ameliasfeast, for more information.

Now LeBron can get his fix of fresh, local produce at his new palace. The North Union Farmers’ Market has added a location in Bath on Cleveland-Massillon Road in front of the Mustard Seed Market. It is open Saturdays this summer 9 a.m. – noon. This is the sixth location for North Union, joining markets in Shaker Square, Crocker Park, Parma, Lakewood and Eton Chagrin Boulevard.

 

Openings:
Cyrus Waterfront Restaurant, The Powerhouse, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, (216) 241-3325

 

Closings:
Niko’s on Detroit, 15625 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Mughal Restaurant, 6857 W. 130th St., Parma Heights