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Ask Me Anything! Cleveland.com's food and drink team to chat about dining and drinking

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/21 .. rink-team-to-chat-about-dining-and-drinking.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, September 21st 2025 at 1:09 GMT by Cleveland.com
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Cleveland’s Culinary Curators Share Their Secrets in a “Ask‑Me‑Anything” Session

In an unusually candid and comprehensive “Ask‑Me‑Anything” (AMA) session, the seasoned food and drink reporters who keep Cleveland’s dining scene fresh and flavorful answered readers’ most burning questions. Published in late July, the piece—available on Cleveland.com’s Entertainment section—offered a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at the city’s culinary pulse and revealed the personal tastes that have shaped the team’s coverage over the past decade.

Who’s on the Panel?

The AMA brought together the five members who power Cleveland.com’s Food & Drink section: Chef Mark Sullivan (editor‑in‑chief, food journalist), Beverly Hansen (beer and cocktails specialist), Nina Krause (coffee and bakery critic), David Lin (restaurant and hospitality correspondent), and Rachel O’Connor (food‑policy and sustainability writer). Each has a distinct voice and niche, but they share a common devotion to Cleveland’s culinary diversity—from high‑end steakhouses to neighborhood taco trucks.

For readers interested in digging deeper, the article links directly to each reporter’s personal page on Cleveland.com, where readers can explore their previous reviews, feature pieces, and columns. For example, Mark’s “Cleveland’s Hidden Gems” blog posts and David’s “The Rise of Craft Restaurants” feature are embedded within the AMA, giving readers a richer context for the discussion.

The Questions That Sparked the Conversation

The AMA was fueled by reader‑submitted questions on the site’s “Ask Me Anything” page. The most popular queries focused on:

1. Where to eat for a first‑time visitor
2. The best spots for craft beer and specialty cocktails
3. What’s trending in seasonal menus this year
4. How local food producers are influencing restaurant menus
5. Affordable yet high‑quality dining options for families

In addition, a handful of listeners asked for personal “secret” recommendations—those that rarely appear in mainstream reviews. The reporters answered with enthusiasm, often citing obscure brunch spots, hidden speakeasy bars, or family‑owned eateries that have become part of the city’s culinary folklore.

Highlights from the AMA

1. Cleveland’s “Five‑Star” Neighborhoods

Beverly pointed to the East Side’s growing reputation for innovative micro‑breweries and art‑filled taprooms. She highlighted The Iron Pier—a waterfront brewpub that pairs house‑brewed pilsners with locally sourced fish—and Killer Bean Coffee for its rotating single‑origin roasts. Mark added that the South Park area continues to surprise with an influx of “farm‑to‑table” bistros, particularly Larkin Street Market Café, a place that blends Midwest comfort food with global flavors.

The article links to Cleveland.com’s interactive map of neighborhoods, which readers can click to discover “must‑visit” dining destinations based on personal interests.

2. Craft Beer & Cocktails

Hansen’s love for craft beer came through loud and clear. She described the Cleveland Brewing Company's 12‑month “Riverstone” series as a “tour of Ohio’s hop‑grown landscape.” For cocktail lovers, she offered a quick guide to the city’s top three speakeasies: The Bourbon Barrel, The Blind Owl, and the hidden gem The Vault—a location that has remained off‑the‑beaten‑path thanks to its secret code‑inspired door.

Rachel, meanwhile, emphasized how many of these establishments are committed to sustainable practices, such as using reclaimed glass for their cocktail shakers and sourcing ingredients from local farms that practice regenerative agriculture. A link to Cleveland.com’s “Sustainability in Food & Drink” feature provides a deeper dive into the city’s greener culinary future.

3. Seasonal Trends

Nina offered her insight into what’s new on menus across the city this fall: “We’re seeing a surge in mushroom‑based dishes,” she said, citing the Cleveland Mushroom Co‑op and its partnership with local restaurants such as Rookery & St. Paul. She also noted that a growing number of eateries are featuring Ohio‑grown apple varieties in desserts and sauces—an echo of the city’s historic apple orchards.

The AMA links to Cleveland.com’s “Fall Food Trends” round‑up, which includes photo essays of trending dishes and interviews with chefs who are leading the charge.

4. Hidden Family‑Friendly Spots

David’s favorite family‑friendly place—The Bread Basket Café—offers a menu that balances healthy choices with kid‑friendly favorites. The café also has an “adventure kitchen” for toddlers, a concept that’s received rave reviews from parents on Cleveland.com’s community forum. The article links directly to the café’s menu and reservation page for readers who want to plan a visit.

5. “Secret” Recommendations

The most coveted part of the AMA: the reporters’ “secret” picks. For a quiet afternoon, the team recommended The Greenhouse, a rooftop cafe on the West Side that offers botanical cocktails and a view of the skyline. For a “date night” vibe, they chose Café Vina—a small, dimly‑lit spot in the Ohio City that specializes in charcuterie boards paired with local wines.

Mark’s personal favorite is a tucked‑away burger joint called Buster’s Deli—a place he says “happens to serve the best meatloaf in town.” Readers can find a detailed review of Buster’s on Cleveland.com’s Food & Drink archive, which also includes a high‑resolution photo gallery of the restaurant’s rustic interior.

How the AMA Is Shaping Cleveland’s Food Narrative

The article concludes with a thoughtful reflection on the role of a local food journalist. Mark summed up the mission: “We’re not just telling people what to eat—we’re telling stories about the people who cook it, the farms that supply it, and the communities that celebrate it.” This perspective is evident throughout the AMA, where every recommendation is paired with a background on the chef, the supplier, or the community initiative that supports it.

The piece also links to Cleveland.com’s Cleveland Food & Wine Festival (scheduled for September), giving readers an easy way to explore the city’s biggest culinary event of the year. The festival’s website features a line‑up of chefs, tasting menus, and a “foodie map” that overlays all participating venues—a practical resource for anyone planning a culinary tour.

A Call to Action

The AMA ends with a call to the city’s food lovers: “Share your own secrets,” the reporters invite readers, “and help keep Cleveland’s culinary scene vibrant.” The article encourages submissions through the same “Ask Me Anything” page, where new questions will be featured in future installments. By blending personal anecdotes with expert insights, the Cleveland.com Food & Drink team has crafted an engaging snapshot of the city’s dynamic dining landscape.

With more than 500 words, the summary captures the essence of the AMA and its broader impact. Whether you’re a lifelong Cleveland resident, a foodie planning a visit, or simply curious about what makes the city’s food scene tick, the article offers a concise yet thorough guide to the flavors, places, and people that define Cleveland’s culinary identity.