The Observation Deck

Sorry for the header, but wanted all to read.

While talking with a couple of my favorite people in the city yesterday I found out another food chain is moving into Downtown Lakewood. While it is a small restaurant, it is a recognizable name, and I think will fill a nice niche.

They have looked at the parking, the people, the demographics, and already own at least one other of this chain in downtown Cleveland.

The second half of the year has seen a very good group of businesses with good business plans, and individual identities open or plan to open.

I walked through Rosewood last week, while working on a story with Tom Barrett about the grand opening. I like Rosewood, nice clean-up of the corner. Brings old and new together, and takes that block up a notch. Sensible redevelopment.

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Is it Panera Bread?

I like how the Rosewood project has just proceeded along quietly ... other than the groundbreaking, they've just been low-key, and actually building towards completion. It's an attractive building, and I think it's going to add nicely to the area. I hope their downstairs retail is interesting, and perhaps has a "third place"-style gathering center, like a coffeehouse.

So is this small restaurant you mention primarily regional, or is it national? And will it be in a location where there is parking or where it's easily accessible for those of us who like to walk to places?

From some of the sources I've spoken to, I understand that Jim will be annnouncing a contest shortly to guess the identity of the

small restaurant, it is a recognizable name, and I think will fill a nice niche.

We'll wait for his announcement about the prize and other details.

Jeff

c. dawson wrote:So is this small restaurant you mention primarily regional, or is it national? And will it be in a location where there is parking or where it's easily accessible for those of us who like to walk to places?

I think the Chain started in New York.

I think it can be announced shortly, they are finishing their agreements.

I can say they will compete with no other restaurant in the area.


Jim

sounds like Applebees or spaghetti warehouse

we used to have a blind lemon, until the plant rights activists put the kibash on that. (you can still see some of the old printing inside the hi-fi)

Applebee's was my second guess.

I would like to see a franchise offering Jo-Jo potatoes and deep-fried unbreaded Chicken.

We don't see too many Friendly's or Ponderosa's around anymore.

Panera started in St.Louis and Applebees started in Atlanta. so it can't be any of those...


I'm thinking Hometown Buffet....or subway, but we already have two of those here in Lakewood.

I can't think of any other places...

can we get another clue?

too bad it's not Starbucks. I know a lot of people in Lakewood are dying for Starbucks.

Jim

Is it a Sonic or a Hardee's?

Jeff

..

Nathan's Hot Dogs

Many years ago, but after the Rock and Roll Past, we used to stop at an Alice's Restaurant somewhere between Cleveland and Marietta, OH.

There were no Hippies there. Sometimes there was a guy playing piano. An old-timey small town drugstore was next door. The best restaurant Chicken I remember having was here: The menu or waitress said it was deep fried in a pressure cooker.

Someone told me it has burned down since then. And the Alice's Restaurant from the song is from Massachussetts....

Ryan...

THat style of fried chicken is called "broasted".....indeed, it is a deep frier pressure cooker. Cooks very quickly, seals in the juices. And, how, you may ask, does our dear Chef Geoff know these things?

Don't know if the South Walnut Street A & W is still in business in Bloomington Indiana, but I became a certified broaster operator, trained in the intricacies of that machinery, when forced to get a job during college so I could afford to date this stunning red head from the CHicago area.....

Jeff

Jeff Endress wrote:Jim

Is it a Sonic or a Hardee's?

Jeff

I would love a Johnny Rocket's but nope, not even close and really I would rather not say until they sign their paperwork.

Much closer to what Mark is talking about.


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