Downtown debuts: 3 new spots to try for a quick bite or decadent dessert

Downtown debuts: 3 new spots to try for a quick bite or decadent dessertPhoto: II Venetian/Yelp
Hoodline
Published on June 13, 2018

Interested in checking out some new Cleveland businesses? From an Indian eatery to a bakery, here are the newest places to visit if you ever find yourself hungry while downtown.

Desi101

2013 Ontario St.

PHOTO: DESI101/YELP

Fast-casual spot Desi101 is an Indian and halal restaurant near Public Square.

On the lunch menu, look for combination meals that include a main course like pepper chicken and a side of fried rice, noodles or naan. The lunch bowls come in regular, super and mega sizes, depending on your appetite. 

For dinner, there are both meat and vegetarian dinner plates. Signature meals include clay oven-cooked tandoor and biryanis.

The location currently holds five stars out of 11 reviews on Yelp, indicating a favorable response.

Rodney W. noted, "Had the butter chicken, with a side of rice and potatoes. My dine-in meal was $8.74. That's a good price for high quality, tasty food."   

Yelper Lily F. wrote, "I promise you everything is going to taste amazing. The chicken in both the biryani and the tandoor was one of the most tender and juicy I've had in a long time."

Desi101 is open from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. on Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. (It's closed on Sunday.)

Il Venetian

100 St. Clair Ave. NE.

Photo: II VENETIAN/Yelp

Il Venetian is an Italian patisserie/cake shop, offering seafood and more.

Lead by Venetian chef Alberto Leandri, the menu spans breakfast through dinner. Try a frittata or burrata with Venetian cocktails for breakfast and brunch. Rigatoni and antipasto are on deck throughout the day, and grilled octopus, a Hudson Valley Peking duck breast and housemade pastas and risotto are options for dinner.

With a 4.5-star rating out of 14 reviews on Yelp, the establishment has been getting positive attention.

Yelper Ben S., who reviewed it on April 4, wrote, "The space is bright, modern and well appointed. The pappardelle that I got for my main was a good portion size. The wild boar meat with the pasta tasted great, and all the items in the dish went well together."

Anthony M. noted, "Totally awesome meatballs; soft, big and super flavorful. The sauce was off the hook. The rigatoni was homemade and perfectly cooked. Yum!"

Il Venetian is open from 7 a.m.–10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.–10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 7 a.m.–10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. on Sunday.

Corbo's Bakery

1603 Euclid Ave.

PHOTO: LAUREN K./YELP

Little Italy favorite Corbo's Bakery is offering freshly baked goods, coffee, cupcakes and more at Playhouse Square. Cleveland.com reports some items are baked in-house with other treats coming from the kitchens at its main location.

Offerings include a host of breads, cakes in red velvet and chocolate, cannoli, cookies, pies and other pastries. Party trays and event cakes are available for order. Specialty breads include spinach and cheese, and pepperoni and mozzarella. 

Yelp users are generally positive about the bakery, which currently holds four stars out of five reviews on the site.

Yelper Lauren K., who posted a review on May 5, wrote, "Corbo's has a huge selection of everything, from pizza and pepperoni bread, to doughnuts and lemon bars. They also have some of the best cannoli in Cleveland! Everything is super affordable, so just try a few things."

Yelper Ben S. wrote, "This is a great place to stop in for a snack. You can pick cookies and biscotti out of the case and pay per pound."

The bakery's hours are not posted at this time.