Things are a little less uneven these days at Stevenson’s Bar & Grille.

That’s because the venerable Euclid sandwich shop has moved from its Lake Shore Boulevard location, becoming the venerable Cleveland sandwich shop in the process. The owners abandoned their original spot after 90 years in the midst of a long battle with Euclid city officials over safety concerns. Officials said the warped floor wasn’t safe and that the building had numerous code violations.

Now at 800 E. 200th St., next to the former Clark gas station and across from Discount Drug Mart, it hasn’t missed a beat in bringing its burgers and more to patrons who’ve found their way to the new spot.

Read more on Managing Editor Laura Kessel's review: Dining Out: Stevenson's moves from Euclid to Cleveland, brings familiar tastes.

I used to call it The Sweet March.

 When you’d head into Manhattan Deli on Chardon Road in Willoughby Hills for a meal, you’d have to pass a long refrigerated case full of just about any dessert you could think of.

There were pies, cheesecakes and cakes. There were eclairs, cream puffs and tortes. If that wasn’t enough to pick from, there were cookies and muffins.

If it had powdered sugar, it was in this case.

And, if you were “lucky” enough to get to the restaurant when it was busy, and you had to wait for a table, the waiting area lined you right in front of the dessert case.

Last year, the restaurant relocated to new digs a few miles away in Willoughby, next door to Heinen’s in the plaza at State Routes 84 and 91.

The new restaurant is smaller, but remains big on taste.

But one of the bigger changes is that the dessert case — much smaller than in the old location — is located between the cash register stand and a bar.

The massive dining room you remember on Chardon Road has been replaced by one probably three-fourths the size. It’s colorful and comfortable, with the feel of an upscale bistro.

But when you open the menu you’ll find plenty of old favorites from down the road and lots of new tastes that likely will keep you coming back.

Read more from Managing Editor Laura Kessel's review at "Dining Out: Slightly downsized, Manhattan Deli still serves big tastes after move to Willoughby."

There are several reasons people might not like the new Melt Bar and Grilled in Mentor.

When they remade the former Mexican restaurant into a cavernous single-room dining area with high ceilings, the place got really loud. Good luck conducting a conversation across the table, with the conversational din and Muzak playing overhead.

This fourth jewel in chef/owner Matt Fish’s crown definitely has the feel of a chain, with its on-table advertisements of specials and frequent diner card offering free food after purchases totalling $250.

Then there’s the legendary wait for a table. Make no mistake: You will be waiting to eat at Melt. How long depends on when you show up. They’re honest about it when you walk through the door. They’re also remarkably accurate. There’s plenty of space for you to sit down.

Read more in Managing Editor Laura Kessel's review Dining Out: Melt Bar and Grilled in Mentor worth the (long) waits.

The Good Living in Mentor section that appears in Thursday's News-Herald (Sept. 20) offers plenty of information about new restaurants opening in Mentor. Check out all the stories by Jean Bonchak and Betsy Scott below:

• Influx of restaurants ramping up
• Caribbean fare served up in Mentor's Maracas
• Zoup!'s on in Points East Plaza
• Tony Sacco's set to change look, tastes of Great Lakes Mall
• Five Guys fans soon to find locale in city
• Looking forward to Scrambler Marie's
• Mmmm ... It's Melt in Mentor
• Jimmy's Backyard BBQ serves up barbecue at its best
• Frank & Pauly's eatery fills historic home
• Familiar Brown Derby back in town
• Red, Wine & Brew expands to city

I'm not a knitter and have little use for yarn, but I was tempted to stop in to Cast on Cafe to pick up some lunch after browsing the menu posted on Downtown Willoughby's website.

I ordered the Confetti Salad, which is made up of "white rice, black beans, scallions, red and yellow bell peppers dressed with basil Parmesan vinaigrette." I've had confetti salad before, but there was something about this mix -- perhaps the vinaigrette -- that made it the best I have had. I'd like to try some of the other items on the menu -- like the Chicken Salad sandwich or the Waldorf Salad -- but it's going to be difficult ever ordering anything else.

(I also splurged on a cappuccino truffle, which was well worth it.)

If you're curious about what exactly the Cast on Cafe is, here is a description from the website:

I’ve had a passion for knitting, fibers and yarn since I was a child and I hope to inspire the same passion in you through education, assistance and the finest products available.
Cast On Café offers a variety of yarns from around the world, books & magazines, greeting cards, notions & needles and more.
Stop in for a cup of coffee or tea and a friendly place to knit or crochet anytime.

Cast on Cafe
castoncafe.com
440-946-9276
castoncafe@sbcglobal.net
38038 Second St., Willoughby
Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

I had Subway for dinner tonight to get a free raspberry cheesecake cookie. I hadn't heard of them until I saw the coupon for a free one, so that was the perfect time to get a taste.

The cookie is pretty good, and tastes exactly as the name implies. I'd like to think it's a lower calorie version of a slice of cheesecake, but after checking the nutrition facts, I have a feeling a couple of cookies for dessert would do you more caloric damage than having a slice of cheesecake itself. But if you're looking for just a taste of cheesecake without eating cheesecake, I would recommend giving Subway's cookie a try.

This month is "Februany" at Subway, so any regular footlong is $5 (or, get a 6-inch meal [which includes a drink and chips or cookies]). A footlong can easily feed two if you and another can agree on the toppings for your sandwich.

Subway has several locations in Northeast Ohio, if you are looking for a $5 footlong or raspberry cheesecake cookie.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Ordering Bob Evans' Wildfire Chicken Salad for takeout has become pretty much a weekly ritual for me. Every Tuesday I ask my supervisor if he's hungry and thinking the same thing I am. His response: "Yes. With rolls."

The salad is lettuce, grape tomatoes, corn, green onions, barbecue chicken, cheese and tortilla strips, with their special Wildfire ranch dressing on the side. It is fantastic and filling. The restaurant offers both a lunch and dinner portion, to fit your appetite, and the dinner portion is just $7.99, to fit your budget.

Other favorites I have at Bob's (if for some reason I'm not in the mood for the WCS) include the Pot Roast Sandwich, the Bob=B-Q Pulled Pork sandwich and the Fried Chicken Dinner (especially the garden veggies on the side). For breakfast, you can't beat their pancakes. Or sausage. Or omelets. Heck, the whole breakfast menu is tasty and cheap.

Oh and their rolls are really great, too -- and can be found in your grocers' freezer.

Bob Evans
locations vary throughout Northeast Ohio and can be found on the restaurant's Web site, www.bobevans.com

-- Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com