Best of Cleveland 2016: Beef Popcorn

Beef: It’s what’s for dinner — and for snacking, especially when it comes in the form of Vita Urbana Bistro and Artisan Market’s beef popcorn ($6). The Gordon Square Arts District restaurant, run by former Certified Angus Beef corporate chef Scott Popovic, makes good use of its beef fat and scraps in this grab-worthy grub. After popping kernels in beef fat, they’re tossed in a house-made beef butter and garnished with dehydrated strips of beef, scallions and smoked sea salt. The snack, which looks like your normal unassuming movie theater go-to, is packed with so much meaty flavor it’s even caught the eye of celebrity chefs Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert. “The fat is where the flavor is,” says Popovic. “You’re getting juxtaposition of the airiness and fluff of the popcorn with the strong robust beef flavor.” 1200 W. 76th St., Cleveland, 216-600-5303, vita-urbana.com