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Food Notes: Wait almost over for new eateries coming to Montrose

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You have food questions, and we’ve got answers.

Have no fear, Melt Bar & Grilled is really, really going to open in Bath Township in the not-too-distant future. We’re looking at June now, says Matt Fish, the owner/founder of the popular Cleveland-based chain.

And also in the Montrose area, Bomba Tacos & Rum, which is part of the Beachwood-based Paladar Restaurant Group, is set to open May 13 in the former Hudson’s at Cleveland-Massillon Road and state Route 18 in Copley Township. A day before the grand opening, you can get a sneak peek at a fundraising event for Stewart’s Caring Place, a Fairlawn-headquartered nonprofit that offers services to people with cancer.

Hopefully the weather will be nice enough to open the three big garage-style window-doors newly installed across the front, opening onto the outdoor seating area.

The May 12 fundraiser will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $50, and all proceeds will go to Stewart’s Caring Place. On the bill are food and drink stations, and music from Justo Saborit. For tickets, go to www.stewartscaringplace.org.

Restaurant hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The bar will stay open until midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 p.m. other days. They aim to sell a lotta rum, after all.

Key menu items include 20 varieties of tacos, made-to-order guacamole with 12 ingredients you can add, and tortas, Latin sandwiches. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are included. The kids menu features a build-your-own taco kit.

Melt fans have been wondering about what is taking so long with the remodeling of the former Friendly’s at 3921 Medina Road (state Route 18). The buzz about the new Melt — the first in Summit County — began in August, when Bath officials said the chain was seeking zoning approvals.

Fish finally revealed his plans in December, initially saying he’d like to open in March. This week, Fish told me unanticipated construction issues caused delays and he’s looking at a June opening.

“We went into the old Friendly location, knowing we had a heck of a project ahead of us,” Fish said. “Once we got it, we realized it was bigger than anticipated.”

One particularly big issue: Fish and his team decided to remove a beam, opening up the interior. This meant that for structural reasons, a new beam had to go somewhere else. “That kind of set us back,” he said.

Melt, known for its variety of grilled cheese sandwiches served on thick bread, began with a single restaurant in Lakewood in 2006. Over the years, it’s developed a cult following, offering a 25 percent discount to anyone with a Melt tattoo. Its 5-pound “Melt Challenge” was featured on the Travel Channel show Man v. Food in 2010.

The Bath restaurant will be its seventh full-fledged location. Melt also is at Progressive Field in Cleveland and at Case Western Reserve University.

Also coming to the Montrose area is a PizzaFire, part of the Medina County-headquartered chain that will open in Fairlawn; and a new restaurant owned by the Fairview Park-based Rosewood Grill folks that will focus on seafood. That will go on “Restaurant Hill,” off state Route 18 in Copley Township.

Market returns

It may be hard to believe with a chill still in the air, but this Saturday is opening day for the Farmers Market at Howe Meadow in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

One of the largest in the area, it will run Saturdays through Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. until noon, as in prior years. On May 21, the market will run until 2 p.m., in celebration of the National Park Service Centennial.

Officials have accepted 72 vendors for this season, including seven new ones, reported Erin Molnar. She’s the farmers market manager for the nonprofit Countryside Conservancy.

A bit of sad news: The popular Summit Croissants will not be at Howe Meadow this season. It will sell at the Countryside Farmers Market at Highland Square, the Thursday evening market which runs May 19 through Sept. 29.

Molnar said the Howe Meadow market just got to be too much for owner Sally Ohle.

“She literally would stay up all night to make those croissants,” Molnar said. “When the opening bell would ring, that is one of the places people would make a beeline to.”

There will be no lack of baked goods, Molnar said. Those include new vendor Floured Apron, which bills itself as Ohio’s “only vintage camper bakery.” Owner Shannon Keibler lives in Aurora.

Other new vendors are Avant Gardens Farm and Mushroomery, Bloom Hill Farm, Dillon Fruit Farm, Europa Charcuterie, Turtle Island Natural Soap Co., and Wake Robin Fermented Foods.

The seven new vendors can give themselves a pat on the back. They were chosen from among 50 applicants.

“We work very hard to manage the diversity and quantity [of specific items], based on customer demand,” Molnar said.

Customers can use cash, check, credit cards or the Ohio Direction Card, whose holders are eligible for Carrot Cash, a program that provides matching funds for purchases of fresh fruit and vegetables.

For information about the markets and the nonprofit Countryside Conservancy, go to www.cvcountryside.org.

The Beacon Journal is compiling its annual list of farmers markets. See the box accompanying this story for information on submitting yours.

Craft cocktail class

The Merchant Tavern in Akron doesn’t bill itself as a craft cocktail place, but it does offer some on its drink menu.

And since last year, the restaurant at 1824 Merriman Road in Akron’s Merriman Valley has offered a class called Mixology 101, in which participants are “guided through the process of making a cocktail the proper way,” reports owner Anthony Piscazzi.

The next class — dubbed Spring Cocktails — will be at 6:30 p.m. May 26. Participants will learn to make six drinks, including the Just Peachy, a bourbon-peach-basil concoction created by Merchant bartender Jessica Horinger. Topics will include techniques, including when to shake or stir.

Tickets are pre-sold at the restaurant. Cost is $45. Call 330-865-9510 for more information.

Piscazzi said the class began as a way to introduce customers to craft cocktails, which he said were relatively new to the Akron area at the time. “People were not really familiar with the ingredients and were hesitant to try something new at $7, $10 per drink.”

Craft cocktails celebrate classic recipes and fresh ingredients, as well as housemade mixes. Just in the past two months, I’ve written about two new Akron craft cocktail bars, Chop & Swizzle and Northside Speakeasy.

Taste of Theater

Here’s a foodie way to market the upcoming Weathervane Playhouse production of Monty Python’s Spamalot, the musical adaptation of the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

A Knight at Weathervane/Taste of Theater is set for May 21 at the theater, 1301 Weathervane Lane in Akron’s Merriman Valley.

The Spamalot cast and designers will be on hand for the event featuring food offerings from The Rail (with a location in Fairlawn at the Summit Mall) and the City Square Steakhouse in Wooster.

Fare will include Spam-A-Lot, seared teriyaki-glazed Spam with charred pineapple served on a wafer; chicken drumsticks that have been brined and seasoned with herbs; and Mac & Cleese, a reference to Monty Python’s John Cleese.

Tickets are $40 each or $75 for two. Discount tickets to Spamalot are available for those who attend the Taste of Theater.

Beverages, mingling, tours and backstage experiences begin at 3:30 p.m. with food service from 4 to 6 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the general operating fund of Weathervane Playhouse. To purchase tickets, go to http://tiny.cc/KnightAtWVP or call the box office at 330-836-2626.

Spamalot is a parody of the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The Broadway production won three Tony Awards.

New coffee shop

Akron Coffee Roasters has quietly opened its shop at 30 N. High St. in downtown Akron. The building also houses the Nightlight, Akron’s indie movie theater.

The company’s beans and coffee previously have been available through its website (http://akron.coffee) and at events and farmers markets.

Akron Coffee Roasters is owned by Albert Masco and Tim Hollister. Hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Chefs at art museum

The Akron Art Museum will feature a series of short presentations by local chefs and other “food creatives” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, reports Dominic Caruso, design, marketing and communications coordinator for the museum.

The event is called Slide Jam: Snack and is related to the museum’s Snack exhibition, featuring works in which artists explore society’s relationship to food.

Presenters will include Ben Bebenroth of Spice Kitchen+Bar in Cleveland, chef Jamie Simpson of the Culinary Vegetable Institute in Milan and Abbe Turner of Lucky Penny Creamery in Kent. Also presenting will be Salli Swindell of Hudson, whom Caruso said is a co-founder of a large collection of illustrated recipes, created by artists from around the world; Andy Taray, owner of Ohioboy Art & Design in Akron; and Shane Wynn, an Akron photographer.

This installment of Slide Jam is curated by Edible Cleveland magazine and the nonprofit Countryside Conservancy.

Cinco de Mayo

Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar, 54 Mill St. in downtown Akron, will again pull out all the stops for Cinco de Mayo on Thursday.

Co-owner and chef Zack Hirt will slow-roast two pigs using a special wood box. Local Latin/salsa/timba band Ahi-nama will play. Cost is $20, including sides and a beverage. Drink specials will continue Friday and Saturday.

For pig roast reservations, call 330-762-8000.

Other Nuevo news: The restaurant, which is not normally open on Sundays, will be open from 11 to 5 p.m. Sunday for Mother’s Day. Call for reservations.

Kirbie’s celebration

Every Saturday during May, Kirbie’s Meats & Catering in Stow will hold its Pre-Summer Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kris Burns and his staff will offer food samples, as well as menu ideas for picnics and barbecues. This Saturday will feature the shop’s pig roast, including sides.

Also at Kirbie’s, 2 Girls’ Cafe & Bakery in Stow has begun selling baked goods.

Kirbie’s is at 4062 Fishcreek Road at Graham Road in the Oregon Trails Plaza. See www.kirbies.com or call 330-688-4333.

Celtic festival

The Scottish American Society will present its 12th Annual Celtic Beltane Festival on Saturday at Columbia Woods Park, 4070 Columbia Woods Drive, Norton. It’ll feature music, dancing, Highland athletic competitions (tossing telephone poles around), children’s games, vendors, Scottish baked goods for sale and more. Hey Mavis, Celtic Rush and the Red Hackle Pipe Band will perform.

Gates open at 10 a.m., and the event wraps up at 6 p.m. Admission benefits Pegasus Farms, the therapeutic equestrian center in Stark County’s Marlboro Township. Organizers say those age 100 and over are free, as well as age 8 and under. It’s $7 for everyone else, $20 for a family.

Primavara! Festival

The 10th annual Primavara! Festival will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. May 21 (a little earlier than usual) at the Presentation of Our Lord Roman Orthodox Church, 3365 Ridgewood Road, Fairlawn. Admittance is free.

Ethnic foods and pastries will be for sale, along with imported beers and wines, dancers and music, and activities for children. A wine tasting will be offered (call 330-334-1616 for reservations).

Go to www.festivalofspring.org for information.

Wine tastings

• Ken Stewart’s Grille, 1970 W. Market St., Akron, will have a wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. May 12 featuring Ferrari-Carano wines of Sonoma County, Calif. Cost is $65. Call Terry Kemp at 330-697-6917.

• Area wine importer John Bee will lead a Nebbiolo Wine Dinner at 6 p.m. May 18 at D’Agnese’s Trattoria and Cafe at 566 White Pond Drive, Akron. Cost is $50. Call 234-678-3612 for reservations.

• 3 Point, 45 E. Market St. in downtown Akron, will host a Wines of Australia/New Zealand dinner at 7 p.m. Monday. Cost is $60. For reservations, call 330-535-6410 or click on the “Reservations” tab at http://3pointrestaurant.com/.

• Fishers Foods will host its annual Top 16 Spring-Summer White Wines tasting from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at its Jackson Township store, 5215 Fulton Drive NW, and 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 20 at its Plain Township store, 8100 Cleveland Ave. NW. Cost is $5 for four 2-ounce wine samples.

Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @KatieByardABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/KatieByardABJ.


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