DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast

In the 54th episode of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, Alex Darus and Josh Duke talk with Marc Bona about Edwins restaurant moving from Shaker Square to the Nighttown space. Alex spotlights the Lebanese flavors of Terranean Herbs & Spices: Spreads & Snacks, celebrating 5 years in Cleveland, and Peter Chakerian joins to discuss the Best of Cleveland search for Northeast Ohio's best steak.

On the 54th episode of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, hosts Alex Darus and Josh Duke are joined by Marc Bona to discuss the closing of Melt Bar & Grilled. Then Paris joins to dig into some of the new and exciting restaurants and bars coming in 2025 before diving into Dry January recommendations.

In our 52nd and final episode of the year, we're bringing you a laugh-filled look at the funniest behind-the-scenes bloopers from our first year of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast! Join us as we close out the year with a smile, and we'll see you back on January 10th. 

In the 51st episode of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, host Josh Duke is joined by Paris Wolfe to explore top shopping markets and gift ideas perfect for food enthusiasts this holiday season. Next, Peter Chakerian steps in to highlight the 'Best of Cleveland' quest to find the best bakeries in Greater Cleveland for holiday cookies. Finally, Marc Bona shares his expert recommendations on holiday ales and books for foodies.

On the 50th episode of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, host Josh Duke is joined by Marc Bona to discuss the opening of Royal Docks Brewing Co. in Hingetown, Richfield Brewing Co. in the Summit County village of Richfield, and the sale of Ohio Brewing Co. Then, Paris Wolfe joins to talk about the launch of Fossil Creek Wine in Madison, Ohio, and the Jacobson brothers' journey from growing Riesling grapes to opening their new wine tasting room.

In Episode 49 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, Alex Darus and Josh Duke sit down with Paris Wolfe get cheery over this season's exciting holiday pop-up bars. Then, the three explore the ins and outs of restaurant rating systems, and discuss why Cleveland lacks Michelin-starred restaurants. To cap it off, Paris and Alex reflect on their “Spirited Women” series which had the pair visiting Northeast Ohio's distilleries throughout the year.

In Episode 48 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, Alex Darus and Josh Duke chat with Marc Bona and Paris Wolfe about W Sports Bar, a women-owned spot coming soon with ties to Brewnuts. They also cover West Side Market updates and holiday plans, and lastly, Abundance Culinary's expansion and Chef Liu Fang's rising fame.

In Episode 47 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, hosts Alex Darus and Josh Duke are joined by guests Paris Wolfe and Peter Chakerian to discuss the benefits of pasture-raised turkeys for Thanksgiving, a new local holiday called "Mealsgiving" aimed at sharing food with the community, and Ohio's beloved chocolate and peanut butter treat, buckeyes.

In Episode 46 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, Alex Darus is joined by Paris Wolfe to talk about the 120th anniversary of Orlando Baking Co. in Cleveland. The two also chat about the Best Of team's hunt for the best bakery in Cleveland that offers holiday cookies as we head into the Christmas season. Finally, they discuss The Grocery, a new food-centric shop at City Goods in Ohio City.

In Episode 45 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, Alex Darus and Josh Duke welcome Marc Bona to discuss Urban Meyer's Pint House, soon to open in a prime Cleveland spot. The hosts then highlight Greater Cleveland's best Thanksgiving takeout options and wrap up with Hartzler Family Dairy's new boozy eggnog.

In Episode 44 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, hosts Alex Darus and Josh Duke chat with Marc Bona about Kiln, a new American bistro by chef Doug Katz opening in Shaker Heights. Peter Cherian joins to discuss some Classic CLE Eats, including some very sweet treats. Alex and Josh also unpack Flight Social and La Pecora, two new Cleveland restaurants, and announce that they will be hosting Grog Shop's back-off competition.

In Episode 43 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, host Alex Darus chats with Marc Bona about Akronym Brewing closing its doors and the new production and tasting facility for Cleveland Whiskey in The Flats. Marc also chats about Cleveland breweries winning big at the Great American Beer Festival this year. Finally, Peter Chakerian stops by the show to talk about the cleveland.com Best Of team's hunt for the best Philly cheesesteaks. 

In Episode 42 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus chat with Paris Wolfe about a themed murder mystery dinner by the Secret Supper Club. They also discuss Lopez in Chagrin Falls' move to a new location, coinciding with Day of the Dead celebrations, and Alex shares what she's learned about microgreens and where to find them in Northeast Ohio.

In Episode 41 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus are joined by Paris Wolfe to explore the region's best farm markets. They discuss the rebrand of Paloma in Shaker Heights and introduce Cleveland's new French brasserie, La Ville Lumière. Later, the hosts recap the Little Italy Meatball Crawl, and Peter Chakerian stops by to talk Franklin Castle Pumpkin Spice Ale and whether the pumpkin spice craze is over.

In episode 40 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus are joined by Paris Wolfe to explore the new menu at Lakewood's Rood Food & Pie. Josh and Alex also share updates on Pulpo Beer Company in Willoughby, which is closing, and Brewella's in Lakewood, which is expanding.

In episode 39 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus talk about the annual Cleveland Pickle Fest event this weekend. Plus, Marc Bona discusses menu changes and renovations at Melt Bar and Grilled before Paris Wolfe stops by to chat about three new restaurants – Masa & Agave, Coyoacán Taqueria and Jamerican Kitchen.

In episode 38 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus talk about two new restaurants in Greater Cleveland – the Friars' Table downtown and Via Roma in North Royalton. Plus, Paris Wolfe stops by to chat about clambakes in Cleveland before Peter Chakerian discusses the tradition of chili cook-offs in Northeast Ohio.

In episode 37 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus talk about the opening of the new Artis steakhouse in Lakewood. Plus, they chat about some of their favorite bars in town to cheer on the Cleveland Browns ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Marc Bona stops by the show to talk about judging the microbrew competition at the 2024 Cleveland Oktoberfest celebration. Finally, Peter Charkerian shares about his recent visits to the top three restaurants that won cleveland.com's best breakfasts contest.

In episode 36 of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus, along with Marc Bona, talk about Nighttown's sudden closure in Cleveland Heights. The crew also discusses Jolene's Honky Tonk, a new country-themed bar coming to East 4th Street. The trio also chat about their favorite bites from the recent Taste of Black Cleveland: The Food Showcase 6.0 event before Paris Wolfe stops by to talk about Oktoberfest season in Northeast Ohio. 

In episode 35, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus, along with Paris Wolfe, discuss the opening of 3 Roses in Little Italy and Vacancy Lounge in Cuyahoga Falls. Later, Peter Chakerian joins to share how the "Best of Cleveland" team is close to finding the top breakfast spots in the area. Finally, Marc Bona drops by to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Butcher and the Brewer on East 4th Street.

In episode 34, host Alex Darus is joined by Peter Chakerian to talk about marijuana edibles now that recreational dispensaries are open for business in Northeast Ohio. Chakerian also discusses ranking 38 Little Debbie's treats after Paris Wolfe stops by the show to explain foraging for food in Greater Cleveland.  

In episode 33, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus along with Paris Wolfe discuss the closing of Salt+, the what to expect from Little Italy's Feast of Assumption this year and the fun and free events being hosted by Yelp Cleveland throughout August.

In episode 32, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus along with Marc Bona give you an early look at Steak, a trendy steakhouse coming to the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. Then Paris Wolfe joins to chat about the upcoming Vintage Ohio Wine Festival which is including hard cider makers for the first time ever. Lastly, Peter Chakerian joins to discuss Great Lakes Brewing Company's perfect-for-the-summer new Rocket Pop seltzer and upcoming beer/ice cream pairing event with Mason's Creamery.

In episode 31, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus discuss where the 'Superman' cast and crew dined during their six-week shoot in Cleveland. Then, the hosts discuss a fresh floral/restaurant concept coming to North Royalton called In The Weeds. Paris Wolfe also joins to chat about Verbena's one-year anniversary and its addition of functional cocktails.

In episode 30, Josh Duke and Alex Darus discuss Westsiders bringing the downtown Cleveland vibe and amazing cocktails to Rocky River. Marc Bona talks about Ohio's sales-tax holiday extending to restaurants for the first time. Paris Wolfe shares news about a pop-up patio at the West Side Market, and Peter Chakerian debates the best crispy chicken sandwiches from fast-food restaurants.

In our 29th episode, Alex Darus is joined by Marc Bonus to discuss tips and tricks for picnicking at Blossom Music Center, Caesar salad's 100th anniversary and how Royal Docks Brewing Co. is innovating and expanding in the brewing space.

In episode 28, Josh Duke and Alex Darus discuss their favorite large-format sharable drinks in Northeast Ohio. Paris Wolfe talks about Boom's Pizza's new Van Aken District location, and Darus covers the closing of Citizen Pie Roman Cafe's downtown spot. Lastly, Marc Bona shares news about a former Plain Dealer food writer's cookbook collection being donated to Edwins Second Chance Life Skills Center in Cleveland.

In our 27th episode, Josh Duke and Alex Darus kick off Independence Day weekend with insights from Darus' recent Barbecue and Grilling Boot Camp at the Loretta Paganini School of Cooking. Marc Bona discusses the rise of non-alcoholic beer, and Peter Chakerian highlights the best places in Cleveland for vegan food following VegFest.

In our 26th episode, Josh Duke and Alex Darus are joined by Peter Chakerian to explore their favorite ice cream shops around town. Then Paris Wolfe joins to talk new and trendy cocktail bars before Marc Bona joins to unpack the Melt Bar & Grilled's bankruptcy situation and the Kelce brother's new Garage Beer business endeavor.

In our 25th episode, Josh Duke and Alex Darus are joined by Paris Wolfe to discuss the latest updates on the West Side Market, including a $20 million city investment for patio dining and more. They also delve into the rebranding of Old Brooklyn Mustards. Lastly, Duke and Darus rave about Cleveland's soul food spots ahead of Juneteenth.

In episode 24, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus dive into LGBTQ+-owned restaurants and bars perfect for celebrating Pride Month on the backend of the Pride in the CLE march and festival. Then, Marc Bona joins to tell us about Tricky Tortoise Brewing Company, a brewery with a fun origin story occupying the space of the former Willoughby Brewing in downtown Cleveland. Lastly, Peter Chakerian joins to share thoughts with the crew on GLIZZYS, a hot dog cart on the west side of Cleveland serving some extremely Instagrammable franks.

In episode 23, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus are joined by Paris Wolfe to discuss a survey indicating servers prefer the current system of base wage plus tips over increased base pay with no tips. Then, Peter Chakerian talks about Pop-Tarts, their ties to Cleveland, and the best flavors. Finally, Alex and Josh share the top spots for dining and drinking with pets in Cleveland.

In our 22nd episode, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus take a trip down Swensons memory lane to celebrate the Northeast Ohio classic drive-in's 90th anniversary. Paris Wolfe joins to give us all the juicy details from the Downtown Willoughby Rib Burn Off, where she judged 13 ribs from. Finally, Darus and Duke shares recommendations for Greater Cleveland patios you'll want to check out while the weather allows.

In our 21st episode, hosts Josh Duke, Alex Darus are joined by Marc Bona to talk Ficarra Cellars, a unique Italian village-winery-wine-shop-restaurant coming to Valley View. Then Paris Wolfe joins to give an update on cleveland.com's 'Spirited Women' NE Ohio distillery trail series. Finally, Duke and Darus get to try out Oat Haus' allergen-free granola butter while chatting about the startup's history and relocation to the Brooklyn Heights area.

In our 20th episode, hosts Josh Duke, Alex Darus, joined by Paris Wolfe, discuss changes coming to the West Side Market thanks to non-profit management, highlighting vendor excitement and what customers should anticipate. Marc Bona joins to share the news about Moxie - Brad Friedlander's restaurant which enjoyed a more-than-two-decades run in Beachwood -replacing Aurelia in Chagrin Falls. Lastly, Darus tells us about the Kyuu-Juu pop-up which features exotic sushi items such as Kurage jellyfish and flash-fried octopus.

In our 19th episode, hosts Josh Duke, Alex Darus, and Paris Wolfe playfully plan their outfits for an upcoming "Goat Derby" event in Cleveland. Later, the trio delves into the tequila versus mezcal debate while sampling crickets from a Mexican restaurant (it doesn't go well for Josh) embracing the spirit of Cinco De Mayo. Adding to the culinary adventure, Peter Chakerian joins to unveil the top taco spots in Greater Cleveland, as determined by a recent readers' poll.

In our 18th episode, hosts Josh Duke, Alex Darus, and Marc Bona unwrap the enticing new menu selections awaiting visitors at Progressive Field and Canal Park this baseball season before giving their first impressions of Astro Restaurant, a new sci-fi dining venture housed in the former Hard Rock Cafe location at Tower City. Peter Chakerian joins to lead the team on a flavorful tour of Cleveland's condiment offerings before we treat you to some bonus content about a couple favorites in the Northeast Ohio area.

In our 17th episode, Josh Duke, Alex Darus and Marc Bona draw inspiration from Cleveland native NFL star Travis Kelce's visit to Geraci's Slice Shop to ponder where he might one day dine with his superstar girlfriend, Taylor Swift, in Cleveland. Paris Wolfe then unveils the story behind Mr. Brisket, a celebrated butcher shop in Northeast Ohio marking its 50th anniversary. Lastly, Paris shares an exciting update about Chef Vinnie Cimino from Cleveland's Cordelia, as he vies for a 2024 James Beard Award in the Best Chef: Great Lakes category.

In our 16th episode, Josh Duke and Alex Darus are joined by Marc Bona and Peter Chakerian to explore the culinary wonders of a rare event in Cleveland: the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Whether you're seeking recommendations for eclipse watch parties, craving eclipse-themed treats such as Malley's 'Eclipse Ahoy' cookies, or search for celestial beverages crafted by local restaurants and breweries, we've got everything you need to TASTE this once-in-a-lifetime event in Cleveland.

In our 15th episode, Josh Duke and Alex Darus are joined by Molly Walsh, a crime reporter at cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer and Miss Dyngus Day 2023, to explore Dyngus Day traditions in Cleveland. Then, Peter Chakerian joins for a chat about Easter treats, including a passionate debate about Peeps, before Paris Wolfe shares insights on RH Cleveland, The Gallery at Pinecrest—a new high-end rooftop restaurant.

In our 14th episode, Josh Duke and Alex Darus, are joined by Marc Bona to unravel the expansion of Hingetown's Larder Deli into a new store offering used culinary equipment and more. Later, Peter Chakerian hops on board to help us dig into the excitement surrounding the upcoming food truck season before we visit Cleveland's ultimate condiment showdown: Bertman's Ball Park Mustard vs. Stadium Mustard.

In our 13th episode, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus are joined by Paris Wolfe to talk Irish bars in Cleveland that are perfect for St. Patrick's Day shenanigans before learning a little about what makes Irish whiskey liquid gold. Later, Peter Chakerian joins to help the crew chew on why an Irish deli sandwich is so popular here in Cleveland.

In our 12th episode, hosts Marc Bona (filling in for Josh Duke) and Alex Darus are joined by Paris Wolfe in a conversation about the recent closure of Pearl Street Wine Market & Café due to a staggering rent increase, followed by news of the exciting opening of Cent' Anni, an Italian amaro bar in Little Italy. Later, they're joined by Peter Chakerian to delve into the ‘Best of Cleveland' team's search for the best burger spots in Greater Cleveland, exploring the standout flavors and the top 10 reader favorites so far.

In our 10th episode, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus are joined by Marc Bona to discuss R. Shea Brewing closings, The Brew Kettle openings and what this might mean for the local craft brewing scene. Then, Paris Wolfe jumps in to shake things up with her top-notch Margarita Day recommendations before Peter Chakerian fires up the grill talk, making the crew drool over BBQ Bril, a mouthwatering fast-casual spot in Willoughby.

In our ninth episode, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus have fun exploring the best locally-owned chain restaurants in Northeast Ohio with Marc Bona. Then, the crew dives into the resurgence and trends of speakeasy bars with Paris Wolfe before taste-testing the delights of Express Deli with Peter Chakerian.

In our eighth episode, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus, along with Paris Wolfe, explore Paczki Day/Ash Wednesday and Cleveland's passion for paczki. Marc Bona joins to discuss the beloved fish fry season and recommend a sweet option for Valentines Day while Peter Chakerian stirs up excitement about Polish Boys, one of Cleveland's most iconic eats.

In our seventh episode, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus, along with Paris Wolfe, share their top picks for Black-owned restaurants. The excitement continues as they delve into the significance of Chef Vinnie Cimino from Cordelia Restaurant being named a James Beard award semi-finalist. Plus, Marc Bona joins talk about the return of the Brewery Passport program by Destination Cleveland.

Hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus, joined by Paris Wolfe, discuss the local offerings and impact of Meijer's new Fairfax Market in the Fairfax neighborhood of Cleveland before getting into Bloody Mary recommendations. Peter Chakerian also joins to get the crew nostalgic with memories of West Side Market classic treats.

In this episode of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus, joined by Marc Bona, delve into health-oriented New Year's trends like "Dry January" and "Veganuary" before taking a trip down memory lane with Peter Chakerian, exploring nostalgic and controversial not-so-healthy treats.

On this episode of DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast, hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus, along with Marc Bona and Peter Chakerian discuss the Melt Bar & Grilled's recent Avon closing, how Ohio minimum wage increase efforts could change tipping culture and new restaurants coming in 2024.