~ West Side Market | “I go for pork belly, natural sausage casings and lamb heart. You just can’t find these at the grocery store. I took my former chef instructor of Asian cuisine from [the Culinary Institute of America], and he said it reminded him of the great markets in Vietnam.”
1979 W. 25th St., Cleveland, (216) 664-3386, westsidemarket.org~ Baricelli Cheese Co. | “Paul Minnillo sells incredible, unusual, handmade and raw milk cheeses that he ages right there. He’s got wonderful stinky Epoisses and Saint Marcellin in a special room in the lobby.”
2203 Cornell Road, Cleveland, (216) 791-6500, baricelli.com~ The Grapevine | “I’m a cheapskate. Bob Fishman finds me inexpensive American reds. He only carries domestic wines and always picks out great $10 to $13 bottles for me.”
12425 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, (216) 791-9300, thegrapevineinc.com
~ The Sausage Shoppe | “They make their own sausages and hot dogs, smoke their own bacon and do things the old-fashioned way. I want to support that.”
4501 Memphis Ave., Cleveland, (216) 351-5213, sausageshoppe.com
~ The Velvet Tango Room | “I discovered this place a couple of years ago. Until then, I didn’t know you could get drinks like this here. Paulius [Nasvytis, the owner,] and his bartenders mix gin fizzes and side cars the proper way. They raise cocktail-making to a craft. And those cherries imported from Italy — amazing.” 209
5 Columbus Road, Cleveland, (216) 241-8869, velvettangoroom.com
~ Flying Fig | “I hadn’t been there in ages and went with the family for [chef Karen Small’s] short ribs, which I love. We tried her tempura-battered green beans. This is such a special dish. I adore it.”
2523 Market Ave., Cleveland, (216) 241-4243, theflyingfig.com~ Lola | “I go for two of Symon’s signature dishes —beef cheek pierogies and bone marrow. I like to eat them, but sadly don’t make them at home. Marrow on a grilled baguette is 1,000 times better than butter, and coming from me, that’s saying a lot.
2058 E. Fourth St., (216) 621-5652, lolabistro.com~ North Union Farmers Market | “This is where I go for humanely raised and delicious four-legged animals. From a selfish point of view, I buy it because it tastes better. But it’s also the right thing to do. If we eat meat, we’re morally obligated to treat the creatures well. If it costs a little more, then eat a little less.”
Shaker Square (Saturdays only), (216) 751-7656, northunionfarmersmarket.org
