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Cleveland Magazine February 2020

Food + Drink

11 of Cleveland's Most Romantic Restaurants

Acqua Di Luca, Marble Room, Pier W and more meet every flavor of love this Valentine's Day.

18 Classic Cleveland Restaurants

The owners, chefs and general managers behind some of Cleveland's longest-running restaurants share life lessons and classic recipes. 

Blu, the Restaurant Makes Big Waves In Beachwood

Brad Friedlander sets sail on a sea-worthy approach in the former Moxie locale.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Balaton Restaurant

Since 1964, this Hungarian restaurant has been serving up its goulash recipe.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Bearden's

The 72-year-old Rocky River diner shares a replica recipe, without giving up any family secrets, for its popular peanut butter burgers.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Corbo's Bakery

The 61-year-old Little Italy bakery shares its recipe for butterball cookies with us.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Corky & Lenny's

Rich in Jewish tradition, the East Side deli has been serving customers for 64 years. Here's a take on its on popular matzo ball soup. 

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Don's Pomeroy House

The Strongsville restaurant celebrates its 40th anniversary next month.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Guarino's

Billed as "the oldest restaurant in Cleveland," this Little Italy favorite has been around since 1918.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Hecks of Ohio City

While the restaurant opened in 1954, current owner Fadi Daoud's changes to the burger have impressed its customers.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Herb's Tavern

Kim Berry is now the owner of this Rocky River tavern, which her parents started in 1963.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Johnny's Bar on Fulton

The history of Johnny's Bar on Fulton stretches all the way back to when current owner Bo Santosuosso's grandmother opened it in 1924 as Louise's Gardens. 

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Longo's Pizza

For 50 years, Longo's Pizza has been tossing up tradtional pizzas in Mentor. 

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Nighttown

The Dublin Lawyer recipe has been a staple at this 55-year-old Cleveland Heights eatery.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Pier W

With a delicious menu and stunning views, Pier W has been a dining destination since 1965.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Ristorante Giovanni's

The elegant fine-dining restaurant in Beachwood has been the hallmark of owner Carl Quagliata for 44 years.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Slyman's Restaurants

The popular St. Clair Avenue deli has been stacking sandwiches for more than 55 years.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Sokolowski's University Inn

The iconic Eastern European restaurant transitioned to a cafeteria-style restaurant in the 1950s.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Tommy's

Tommy Fello opened his beloved Cleveland Heights restaurant in 1972.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: White Oaks

Proprietor Mike Small's father bought the fine-dining Westlake restaurant in 1971.

Classic Cleveland Restaurants: Whitmore's Bar-B-Q

The family-owned barbeque business in Warrensville Heights has been churning out ribs and Polish Boys for 78 years.

Foodhisattva Masters Vegan Food

The Supreme Master Nachos from the Cleveland Heights vegan spot are so good you'll be fine with forgetting the beef.

Four Chili Recipes To Spice Up Your Life

Chefs from Laurentia Vineyard & Winery, Herb'n Twine, Ninja City and Momocho and El Carnicero show us how to take the comfort food up a notch.

Michael Ruhlman Whips Up New Podcast "From Scratch"

The Cleveland native creates a format for learning to cook with everyday people and world-renowned chefs.

The Fried Chicken Sandwich Craze Hits Cleveland

Landmark, Lox, Stock and Brisket and The Plum have our mouths watering at these seriously juicy dishes.

Zhug's Small Plates Serve Up Big Flavor

Start with the curried lamb and apricot hummus at the Cleveland Heights spot.

In the CLE

100 Women Strong Ohio Is Changing Lives

Nearly 300 Northeast Ohio women are banding together to make a lasting impact within their communities with the help of 100 Women Strong Ohio.

1960: Girl Scouts Celebrate at Muni Stadium

The event celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Cleveland council. 

A Former Miss Ohio Advocates For Heart Health

Lindsay Davis' true passion is advocating for heart disease awareness.

CMSD Consolidation Plans Should Improve Education

The plan should mean less unused space and a better education for the city's public school students, says CEO Eric Gordon. 

Editor's Note: These Restaurants Have A Recipe For Success

The owners of iconic restaurants like Tommy's and Sokolowski's University Inn have learned how to adapt over the years.

How I Learned to Speak Clevelandese

A writer's accession to her adopted city and its language. By Sharon Holbrook

Renovating The Historic Cleveland Athletic Club

Now called The Athlon, we take a look at what went into the project that created a workout space and new luxury apartments but retained the building's historic elements. 

Why The Shaker Square Converstation Misses The Point

Instead of what to do with Shaker Square, the discussion, one writer believes, should be "For whom does Cleveland build?"

Entertainment

Amy Should Be 40: 3News Podcast Spotlights Amy Mihaljevic's Life

Thirty years after her body was found, the new podcast Amy Should Be Forty remembers the fifth grader for who she was, not just her tragic end.

Beck Center Youth Theater Explores Asperger's Experience

Mockingbird follows the story of a high schooler with Asperger's Syndrome.

Margaret Kilgallen's Pioneering Influence

The posthumous exhibit at Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art dives into the Mission School art movement leader's blending of folk and contemporary styles.

Rock Date Night: Four Valentine's Day Concerts In Cleveland

Skip the chocolate for sonic treats from Whitney, the Cleveland Orchestra, Cody Jinks and Trippie Redd

Springsteen's Fabled Telecaster Shines At Rock Hall's Play It Loud

The Boss' 1953-54 guitar was featured on the cover of Born to Run and now lives in the middle of the museum's most expansive exhibit.

The Lost Art Of The Contact Sheet

The photography exhibit at Cleveland Museum of Art offers a behind-the-scenes look at photo shoots featuring the Beatles, Marilyn Monroe and more.

Tracy Morgan Hits MGM Stage This Weekend

We revisit the infamous comedian's recent angelic moments — and one Cleveland slight — ahead of his Feb. 29 show.

At Home

Protect Your Floors This Winter

Hardwood floors can take a beating during winter, so Cleveland Hardwood Restoration shows us how to prepare accordingly. 

Sherwin-Williams' Color of the Year Has Us Feeling Blue

Ring in the '20s with Naval, a color that feels modern, natural and exciting.

This Kitchen's Cherry Red Stove Pops

Go inside this Moreland Hills kitchen with two islands, a fireplace and a custom light fixture.

Style

Gift We Love: Plantable Cards From Triple Threat Press

Treat your Valentine to one of these blank slates from Triple Threat Press.

SWDSGNS Upgrades Your Comfy T-Shirts

Samantha Wiggins hand-embroiders T-shirts, tanks and more with florals and cute phrases.

Travel & Outdoors

How To Dress To Impress At Playhouse Square's Jump Back Ball

These style tips from blogger Jen Rome will have you turning heads on the red carpet.

Take Your Best Swing At Topgolf

Missing the links? The new-to-Cleveland golf megaplex offers leagues, parties and more.

Terrestrial's Puppy Bowl Beats The Super Bowl Blues

Terrestrial Brewing Co.'s Puppy Bowl is a pick-me-up for any disappointed member of the Dawg Pound.

Ward Off Winter At The Kurentovanje Festival

The Kurents take over the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood Feb. 17-22.

Health

One Editor Chills At Cleveland's Newest Meditation Studio

Ben Turshen Meditation, a new meditation studio in Hingetown, can help you center yourself. 

Education

Camp Guide: Find The Right Camp For Your Kid

Kids can work through their bucket lists with camps such as Laurel School's camps and Lion's Leap that cater to special interests and broaden horizons. 

Camp Guide: Prepare Your Kids For Sleepaway Camp

Camp directors from Falcon Camp in Carollton and Hiram House Camp offer their tips on how to manage what could be a difficult experience.