Thursday, February 24, 2011

Giveaway Time for Downtown Restaurant Week!

You've heard me blabbering on about how it is the 4th Annual Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week...so what have you done about it? I want to hear about where you've been dining this week, and who you think has the best specials/events going on. Tried any new restaurants?

And...

It's giveaway time! I have been provided with a $25 gift card to Sushi Rock and a $25 gift card to Wonder Bar. How does a night on the town sound? Just leave a comment below telling me which one you would like to win. To spread as much Downtown Restaurant Week love as possible, I'll be giving away the gift cards separately. So, go on, comment!


I'll be drawing the two winners on Saturday, so hurry!

Here's a little tidbit from the chef at Sushi Rock about our downtown restaurants:

Sushi Rock- Daniel Cassano, Corporate Executive Chef (interview with Falls Communications): Downtown Cleveland has received national recognition as an emerging culinary scene. How would you describe the culinary scene Downtown? What is happening?

It’s an eclectic group of truly talented chefs and restaurant owners. Collectively we are starting to pay more attention to the quality of the food and where it is coming from. At Sushi Rock, I’m trying to buy as much seasonally available local product as possible. Certain products can be purchased locally, but other products, in order to bring the best quality possible, we need to source. Right now, I’m buying my tuna direct from Hawaii. That means that I’m getting tuna 23 hours out of the water. It’s not sitting in a warehouse somewhere. In this case it is really about bringing the customer a better product - tuna is not available locally! It becomes about balance. Procure as much local top-quality product as possible, then if something is not available - go to the best source. This attention to the quality and sourcing translates into a higher level of dining consciousness.

27 comments:

  1. Brad of Cleveland Food and BrewsFebruary 24, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    I'd love to win the Wonder Bar GC. After interviewing Chef Joe Bemer of Wonder Bar for Downtown Cleveland Restaurant week I'd love to actually eat there and experience his passion for food on a plate.
    Thanks!!

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  2. Joe RathFebruary 24, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    I'm a big sushi rock fan, I've never had a bad dinner there. Every sushi experience I had before that turned me off of it until I went there a few years ago. The servers are always great about explaining each dish and the wine selection is solid. Everything always tastes fresh. Kudos to a Cleveland restaurant pulling off great sushi, never would have thought.

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  3. deannaFebruary 24, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    What an awesome giveaway! The downtown Sushi Rock always holds a dear place in my heart because that's where I went on one of my first dates with my fiance and he taught me how to eat sushi!!!

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  4. CLEgal @ Why CLE?February 24, 2011 at 3:45 PM

    Great giveaway! I'd be happy with either GC. We just went to Sushi Rock and loved it (as always). I've only had drinks at Wonder Bar and would love to try the food.

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  5. SuzanneFebruary 24, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Pick me! Pick me!

    I need to expand my sushi horizons. Plus I can walk to either one from work-always a plus.

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  6. MAXXINISTAFebruary 24, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    I've heard sooo many great things about the Wonder Bar! Would looove to go down and check it out since its one of the only resties I haven't been to on E4 :)

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  7. UnknownFebruary 24, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Very tough call! Love the drinks at Wonder Bar and with Tribe season coming...the East 4th patios are great before or after the game. I'll go with Wonderbar!

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  8. RyanFebruary 24, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    I've never been to Sushi Rock, so I suppose I'd like to give that a shot!

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  9. findmeonlineFebruary 24, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    i am a fan of both places - it's a hard decision. sushi rock is pretty much the only place i go to for sushi - in fact, it's the first place i ever tried it. you can't be tsunami nights there either! the eel roll is by far my favorite. i've been to wonder bar a few times also, which is great for happy hour. i've yet to dine there, only light appetizers but would love the opportunity!

    i'd be happy with either! happy cleveland restaurant week! :)

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  10. CarlyFebruary 24, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    Wonder Bar because I have never been there!!! I have been to sushi rock many times, so I would love to try something new.

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  11. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    I agree with Carly! I've never to Wonder Bar (for food at least) before and I've had Sushi Rock a lot.

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  12. HeatherFebruary 25, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Wonder Bar for sure! I've never been there before. :)

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  13. KellyFebruary 25, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    SUSHI ROCK! I've been craving it for 2 weeks now, and every attempt i've made to go there in that time has been interrupted. So it's now reached the torture stage, and by the time I go, i will be eating ridiculous amounts of sushi.

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  14. @billablebarbieFebruary 25, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    sushi rock, please! life needs more sushi!

    ann

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  15. KristianFebruary 25, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    You would love some help looking more the part for my "300 pound adventures" blog title. And I AM a bit of a sushi junkie.

    Here's hoping that good karma pays off!!

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  16. Allison M.February 25, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    I'm all about sushi rock because my girlfriends and I try to get together once a month on tsunami night.

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  17. monicakayaFebruary 25, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    Either sounds great! Never been to Wonder Bar...but love my Sushi!!!

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  18. rachelFebruary 25, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    I'm intrigued by Wonder Bar's food but since I don't drink, I'd probably get better use out of the Sushi Rock card. Thanks for hosting this contest. :)

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  19. BWoodFebruary 25, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    You temptress, both places look amazing and I have never had the pleasure of either, but Wonder Bar has one of the best name restaurants to date. Would love to see if it can live up to it.

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  20. BDav03February 25, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    I love Sushi Rock and havent been in ages! Pick me!

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  21. Alicia at Poise in ParmaFebruary 25, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    I'll never turn down a chance for sushi! I'd love to go to Sushi Rock again - it's been a long time since my last visit. Great giveaway!

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  22. KristinFebruary 25, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    i want to try wonder bar!

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  23. heisschicFebruary 25, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    Gahhh how to choose?! I love sushi, but have never been to Wonder Bar.




    (But to avoid getting booted for not following rules, let's go with Wonder Bar!)

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  24. UnknownFebruary 25, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    I love all CLE restaurants, however Wonder Bar is on my street... Just hoping to win one!

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  25. tammyFebruary 26, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    My husband and I just recently were talking about both of these places and how we need to check them out. It will be a good excuse for a date night while grandma watches our six-week old Lucy Jane. We miss getting out and about to all of Cleveland's great food spots.

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  26. Craig Can't DanceFebruary 26, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    I would love the sushi rock gc. I'm a big fan of sushi but have never ventured to this hot spot.

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  27. Live to Cook at HomeFebruary 26, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    My wife's been craving sushi throughout her pregnancy so I'd pick Sushi Rock so we can go for her first meal after the baby comes.

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