News Bites (38)

Table 45, which replaces Classics at the InterContinental Hotel, is set to open early this month. Chef Zack Bruell, also of Parallax, will present an avant-garde menu he describes as 'world cuisine": international ingredients and intense flavors pulled from myriad cultures. Also Table 45's ambient sound computer monitoring" will continuously adjust lighting and music in the five central dining areas. The dynamic dining experience is designed to reflect various changing moods, from intimate to casual to high energy, and embodies Bruell's idea that restaurants can be art and theater for the senses. The completely redesigned 7,000-square-foot space seats 130 in the restaurant and 50 in the lounge. (216) 450-4545.

 

mLunch is on at Lola, giving diners another opportunity to sample Michael Symon's much-ballyhoed fare. Soups, salads and sandwiches are served with style, and a raw bar features oysters, shrimp, smoked salmon and scallop ceviche. The smoked walleye chowder and beer-and-cheddar soup are on ladle, and the Lola Burger, spicy chicken baguette and the immediate sensation fried bologna sandwich are popular at noontime. Lunch is served Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and the bar remains open until dinner, which starts at 5 p.m. (216) 621-5652

mFresh on the heels of Cleveland's first grilled-cheese sandwich establishment, the city is welcoming a restaurant devoted to its comfort-food cohort, macaroni and cheese. The owners of Snickers Tavern have opened Cheddar's next door, at 5810 Detroit Ave. Fourteen variations on mac-and-cheese are available, including the Alpine, featuring Gruyere, smoked bacon, chives and three kinds of pasta, and the Barcelona with Manchego, caramelized fennel and Cajun chicken sausage. The menu ranges from $7-$11 (except for the lobster variation) and includes burgers and children's items.

mA devastating fire last summer closed Velocity American Bistro, which was starting to gain a following after just six weeks in business. Undeterred, owner-executive chef Gregg Korney has been renovating and repairing the Clifton Boulevard space with aspirations of reopening this spring, possibly even this month. Korney promises new hardwood floors, new ceilings and new paint with the same comfortable, stylish feel as the original. The modern menu will be similar to before the fire, emphasizing homemade pasta and seafood.

mCity Roast expanded its West Side Market presence in March, opening Crepe De Lux in the next stall. It offers a variety of sweet and savory crepes, including standards such as Nutella and banana or ham and cheese, and specials reflecting what's fresh in the market, such as duck breast. Patrons can also build their own crepe, selecting from ingredients such as strawberries, caramel and apples.

Openings:
Cheddar's Mac & Cheese Cafe 5810 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, (216) 631-7555
Key West Cafe, 25408 Sperry Drive, Westlake, (440) 808-0606 
Whole Foods Market, 13998 Cedar Road, University Heights, (216) 932-3918
Thai Orchid, 7329 Mentor Ave., Mentor, (440) 942-6755
 

Closings:
Thai Orchid, 5136 Mayfield Road, Lyndhurst
Hoggy's Restaurant, 24 Main St., Crocker Park, Westlake