The West 25th Street hot spot cleans up with a host of creative vegan, vegetarian and pub-style fare.
It's a risky move to tinker with your restaurant — especially when the current formula worked so well. With regular Monday-night vegan specials and a beer selection 36 taps deep, TownHall has barely seen a lull since opening three years ago on West 25th Street. While its hipster vibe and stellar craft beer list remain, the Ohio City eatery's shift to feature only non-genetically modified organism ingredients in its menu of vegan, paleo and gluten-free dishes — among more traditional pub fare — has paid off in loyal customers clamoring for more clean-eating options. "If you're giving someone a vegetable and it's sprayed with pesticides or it's genetically modified, you're still ruining their body," says co-owner Bobby George. Using more than the stereotypical tofu and quinoa to craft its good-for-you dishes, the chefs at TownHall get inventive, resourceful and a little quirky. The substantial zucchini-noodle Bolognese ($11), made with grass-fed beef and topped with a poached egg, is just one example of George's penchant for healthy-hearty hybrids. If meat's not your thing, pop in on a Monday night for kale-and-hummus-stuffed jalapeno poppers ($8), tempura battered and served with cilantro and avocado for a multinational appetizer. Don't Miss: Off the side of the main dining room, TownHall operates a full-service coffee and juice bar. Try a Turkish pour-over, a traditional pour-over with a touch of cardamom. Design Lab: Since TownHall co-owner Anis Nakhel also owns Global Custom Furniture, the tables and chairs at TownHall seem to always change since the space functions as a test-ground for new pieces. 1909 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-344-9400, townhallohiocity.com
At the trendiest and most coveted tables in Northeast Ohio, the dishes and the vibe is an extension of the creatives in the kitchen. Get to know them as part of 2023's Best Restaurants issue. By Anthony Elder, Annie Nickoloff, Cassie Tomaselli and Patrick Williams