pros and cons at new CLE establishment

I wanted to love Caddy Shack Lounge. I really did.

The new golf-centered drinking establishment that opened last week between Prospect and Euclid downtown Cleveland had so much going for it. It's opening in the middle of a "revitalize Cleveland" movement. The recession is in the past and Clevelanders have a deep craving for sunshine, summer and positivity. I assumed it would rival Corner Alley, except built around a golf theme instead of a bowling theme.

And the space was really cool. At first glance, I thought it was going to be the next "place to be." In reality, it had its pros and cons. Unfortunately the Caddy Shack Lounge won't get a mulligan.

Pros:
-- Great space. Roomy, high ceilings, plenty of seating, plenty of HDTVs.
-- Indoor golf. Unless you've been to Classic Fairways in Hudson, you haven't seen this before.

Cons:
-- Service. We'll get into this later, but shouldn't good service be your No. 1 priority?
-- Beer selection. Could you be less creative with your selection of beers on tap? (Bud Light, Miller Lite, Labatt Blue, Smithwick's, Sam Adams, Guinness)
-- Price. Nothing is cheap: not beer, not food, not golf.
-- Happy Hour. Miller Lite and Bud Light are $2 for a pint. The other drafts are $1 off (Smithwicks is $4.50). Bleh.

Build a service culture
I worked in the restaurant industry for eight years and now I write extensively about the hotel industry--both service cultures--so I recognize good and bad service when I see it (almost to a fault). So I'm not talking from nowhere when I constantly remind businesses: make service your first priority.

Forget how pretty your place looks. Forget the menu. Forget the pricing. Before you build a wall, build a service culture. Hire a staff and train them on the menu, the point-of-sale system and the customer service for a month before your establishment opens.

I have no clue what our bartender's name was; she had no clue about anything. She couldn't change the channel on the TV, she didn't recommend any particular drink, she had no clue when Happy Hour started or what Happy Hour prices were.

In fact, when another guest asked her whether they carried Coke or Pepsi products, she said "cola." She didn't know.

There were about seven people in the bar when I got there. By the time I left, there might have been 25. Once business picked up, the bartenders lost control. My glass sat empty for more than five minutes. And once she pulled it from the bar, she performed the ultimate restaurant/bar no-no: grabbed the glass from the rim, with her finger tips going inside the glass itself.

Happy Hour brings business
Rule No. 2: Establish a Happy Hour. Nobody dislikes free stuff. The next best thing to free is a deal. Make people feel like they are getting a deal--especially during Happy Hour. Across the street at Forti's you can get a multitude of beers for $2. Next to Forti's, at RJ Bolands, you can get quality craft beers for $3.

I know how much beer costs in a keg. I know you can get about 140 pints from a keg. If you sell it for $3 a pint for three hours a day during the week, and regular price the rest of the time, you are still going to make a killing.

Happy Hours build business. They get people in after work, especially in a downtown environment. If your establishment is cool and aesthetically pleasing but doesn't give me a deal, I'm going to go somewhere that does.

cleveland eats

A list of Cleveland's standout restaurants:

Flying Fig :: Ohio City
Casual, relaxed bar setting. Cool without trying too hard, Flying Fig is done all in muted tones, including art. You can easily make a meal of the appetizers: The pupu platter contains three sweet and savory chicken dumplings, a crisp aduck spring roll and broiled shrimp.
menu>> Pancetta Wrapped Scallops $25 :: Braised Lamb Shank $22

Metropolitan Café :: west 6th downtown
A Hyde Park restaurant, the Metropolitan Café specializes in fined, aged steaks and chops, lobsters and fresh fish. Steaks you wouldn’t get at a traditional restaurant, but they also offer pasta and chicken dishes. Towering space, tin ceilings, white tablecloths. Cornerstone of the Warehouse District.
menu>> Chilean Seabass $varies :: Kansas City Ribeye $varies

Luxe :: Detroit Shoreway
Inexpensive, upscale bar food. Revitalized area five minutes from downtown. Luxe creates a cool marriage of vintage and modern; it delivers a "big city" dining experience at a Cleveland price. Luxe’s only downfall—it’s always crowded and they don’t take weekend reservations for parties less than eight; but it may be worth the risk.
menu>> Rigatoni w/ sausage $11 :: Stuffed Chx Sandwich $9

Southside :: Tremont
An old, small neighborhood tavern has been rejuvenated with sophisticated new decor and a contemporary menu to match. Southside is a long, narrow room dominated by a curving, granite-topped bar and a few wood tables. Burgers are upgraded with Kobe-style beef and other house specials are dressed up with sauces, rubs and marinades.
menu>> Fresh salmon $13 :: A huge slab of juicy meatloaf $14

Great Lakes Brewery :: Ohio City
A memorable ambiance whether in the Brewhouse, the Taproom or the new eco-friendly Beer Garden. Food is average. Full of historic brewing memorabilia and artifacts. Award-winning Cleveland craft beers including Burning River Pale Ale, Dortmunder Gold and Elliott Ness Amber Lager.
menu >> Sausage Sampler $10 :: Pretzel Chicken $14

Cozumel :: Valley View
Your typical Mexican joint with fast service, cheap food and giant margaritas. Staff knows the Freed family by name as it is five minutes from their home. Offers practicality, convenience and affordability.
menu>> Tacos $3 :: Pitcher of margaritas $9

Tremont Tap House :: Tremont
Casual pub serving upscale cuisine complimented by a large assortment of wine and beer (24 on tap). Local ingredients produce a creative, yet approachable cuisine. Tremont Tap House is a blend of contemporary and industrial design; the ambiance is warm, inviting and comfortable.
menu>> Salmon BLT $11 :: Hangar steak $17

La Strada :: east 4th downtown
Can’t beat this location. Just a few steps from the House of Blues, La Strada is the newest after-dark hotspot. Takes its name and lighting cues from an Italian filmmaker in an attempt to make you feel like you're somewhere else. Menu features 70 percent Mediterranean and 30 percent Italian.
menu>> Tortellini $18 :: Scampi Risotto $20