The Rock Hall. Progressive Field. Celebrity chefs. We always hear about these kinds of things. But there is a lot more to Cleveland, as we discovered when we asked 50 Clevelanders for three things they love, and love to do around town.
The task was simple: Don't worry about picking places that were popular or well-known. In fact, we asked them to look beyond the obvious for places that others might not know about. The result is a one-of-a-kind tour book that even those who think they know the city will learn from. In doing this, I discovered a number of places I never knew about.
We're rolling this series out 10 Clevelanders at a time Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, then 20 on Friday, until we get to 50.
Feel free to share this with your friends and add your own favorites. We're looking at it as community property, so take possession of it.
Abhay Shah
Owner, Cuisine of India
1. Falafel at Aladdin's Eatery: People think a falafel is easy to make, but you can tell the difference between the falafel here and other places. It's also inexpensive, like all the things here, which are all great. You could eat a falafel and don't have to worry for the rest of the day.
2. Gran Fiesta in Strongsville: People think of food in terms of how spicy it is, especially with Indian or Mexican food. You can have spicy, but you also need taste – and the food at Gran Fiesta is very tasty and comes in large portions, without costing too much.
3. Kalahari Waterparks in Sandusky: It's only an hour drive from Cleveland and you have a waterpark, animal parks, a resort, and it feels like you're far away from here.
Adriana Matos
Party promoter, co-owner of Tropical Cleveland
1. Grand Pacific Junction in Olmsted Falls: A collection of shops in historic buildings from the 1800s. It feels like you're going back in time. I love going there to have tea, like they used to do, in these beautiful old places.
2. Bon Vivant in Cleveland's Larchmere district: A nice French bistro that does Brazilian nights on Friday with Luca Mundaca, a singer from Brazil that has an amazing voice.
3. Town Hall in Ohio City: You can get food and drinks from all over the world. They have the most diverse menu in Cleveland, and even serve mamioc – a Brazilian dish made out of yucca that goes great with a caipirinha.
Alex Tapie
Owner, Survival Kit Gallery; musician
1. Lakeview Cemetery: Pack a lunch and go sit under the shade of some flowering tree in Lakeview Cemetery. There are a couple of great spots where you can see the expanse of the grounds below you, with the added view of Lake Erie. And when I've been really lucky, I've even spotted a fox or two.
2. The Parkview Nite Club on West 58th Street in Cleveland: Great hangout. It's just dive-y enough, and retains all of its authenticity amid the new development going on in the Detroit-Shoreway district. Plus it's affordable, and the red-and-white checkered tables and red glow from all the neon signs make me feel like I'm in some bar out of a David Lynch flick.
3. The GO Factory on West 96th Street: It's a DIY space. Always an intimate experience you can't get in a crowded club, it gives you a real opportunity to appreciate some of the experimental music being performed in Cleveland.
Alexis Adrian (Claudio)
Latin Pop/Merengue Electro performer; hair stylist
1. Barroco Grill in Lakewood: The ambiance makes me feel like I'm back in Puerto Rico or somewhere in the Caribbean. And the food is unique, with many different dishes that take you to another place.
2. Voinovich Bicentennial Park: My favorite place to go for a sunset or sunrise, a calm getaway from the stress of the day. The view of the lake, the boats and seagulls is beautiful, and it's a great place for a picnic or just to walk around and sing.
3. Open Mic Nights at Brothers Lounge in Cleveland: The ambiance is chill, with people coming out to see new talent in the city over a glass of wine. It feels like a lounge in Los Angeles, and you see talented people.
Andrew Pucella
Founder of Society Lounge; mortgage broker
1. Calamari at Maxi's in Little Italy: It's floured, lightly sautéed, with a little sweet marinara sauce and garlic. Don't be shy with that garlic, even if it makes your breath stink.
2. Inn on Coventry in Cleveland Heights: Get the chocolate chip and peanut-butter chip pancakes. They call it the Reese's Cup -- hands down the best place to eat pancakes in Northeast Ohio.
3. Corleone's in Parma: One of the best Italian restaurants in Northeast Ohio, and it doesn't get enough praise! Check out the Breaded Veal, Crab Meat, provolone, Portabella in a sherry sauce.
Andrew Samtoy
Host/producer at Civic Commons WCPN FM/90.3; break-dancer
1. Eli Miller Leather Shop and Antiques in Mesopotamia Township: The smell of leather seemed to gently stroke my nostrils; he has shelves and shelves of old bottles and jars and tools, cast iron skillets, canes, books, tomahawks, lamps, belts (really, really, really amazing belts), furs, saddles, and a workshop that could have been handed down to him from the 18th century.
2. La Mexicana in Painesville: Different regions in Mexico make different types of food. I grew up with Baja-style Mexican food in San Diego; the food at La Mexicana is from Leon (where most of the workers are from). It has a lot more spices and a lot less fish, but I think it's 1,000 times more delicious. Also, the portions are generous. Once, the manager and I were wondering how much their burritos weighed, so we put one on a scale: 2.4 pounds. When I visit my parents San Diego, people sometimes ask me if I miss the Mexican food in California. I tell them, "No, right now I miss the Mexican food in Cleveland."
3. Citybreaks Studio Cleveland: For the last three years, I have been picking a physical skill -- so far, rock climbing, sailing, boxing and swimming -- and training in that skill for six months. Right now, my focus is break-dancing. I've been going to City Breaks CLE. The owner, Daisun, is a former member of the Cavaliers Scream Team. Somehow, his belief that anyone can learn how to break-dance means that anyone -- including me -- can learn how to break-dance. For example, yesterday I learned how to stand on my head in a new freeze. "Next time," he said, "you're going to spin."
Arabella Proffer
Artist
1. The Dittrick Medical History Center and Museum: Both horrifying and hilarious, it is probably one of the most "Instagram-able" places in the city, between the old medical equipment, illustrations, lectures (they bring in historians from Europe often), and library. There's a book on display from 18th century France that illustrates the dangers of young men who pleasure themselves -- it's hysterical!
2. The Capitol Theatre on West 65th Street: The only movie theater I will go to these days, and not just because it is gorgeous inside. When The Stone Roses documentary sold out in other cities, they screened it to a scarce audience and had prizes. Same with "Sign Painters" and the "Everything Is Terrible" Festival. They also screen cult classics like "The Warriors," which wins all kinds of points right there.
3. Dante in Tremont: There is a saying among my friends and I when we go to one of these hyped-up fancy restaurants in town: "We should have just gone to Dante." Even when I don't have reservations, I get great service; the pasta dishes are amazing; I don't have to worry and it is dependable; the Happy Hour is really nice, too. And, did I mention he pens beautiful thank-you notes to his guests? I aspire to have handwriting like Dante one day!
Arnold Hines
Owner, Word of Mouth; entertainment consultant and planner
1. Fiscal Spliff Band: It's a new Afro-beat band playing Afro, Brazilian and samba jazz. Check them out next at Take 5 Rhythm and Jazz tapas lounge. Good rhythm, great sound and a diverse following -- my new favorite local band.
2. RED Space Hotcards at 2400 Superior Ave.: Cool new art gallery and event space located in the Hotcards headquarters. Every event I've attended there has been totally different and unique in its own way. A creative space that adds more flavor to the city of Cleveland's arts and culture.
3. Pizza at Bar Cento in Ohio City: Hands-down the best pizza in Cleveland. It reminds me of Ray's Pizzeria in New York City. You can't go wrong with the sausage or Sunnyside pizza.
Audi Sharif
Singer-comedian-actor
1. Jezebel's Bayou in Cleveland's Larchmere district: Their Chicken and Beignets take me to New Orleans without being there. The networking events and live music are also great!
2. Cleveland Museum of Natural History: I love the special events and tours. There was a History of Sex exhibit (reproduction that mainly focused on animals and plants) from London that had an adult appeal but was very informative. It was an evening event with cocktails and live music!
3. Hilarities 4th Street Theatre: I'm addicted to laughter and love seeing the television and movie star line-up that comes through for shows. It's a classy place that doesn't look like you'll leave with gum stuck to the bottom of your shoes.
Autumn Dowling
Film student, program director at WCSB FM/89.3
1. The Museum of Divine Statues in the former St. Hedwig's Church in Lakewood: It houses an amazing collection of traditional Catholic art which is breathtakingly beautiful and completely surreal.
2. The abandoned Cleveland subway tunnels under the Veteran's Memorial Bridge: Eerie, stunning, and open for an annual tour in the summer.
3. The Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive In Theatre in North Ridgeville: The ideal place for a cheap retro date, complete with hot dogs, ice cream, and teens necking in their daddy's cars.
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