Who: Dana C. Crawford, PhD
What: Bin 216
Where: 1515 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115
Going to a show at Playhouse Square and looking for a classy place to drink and nosh before or after the show? Bin 216 has some small plates and hand-crafted cocktails just for you!
We stumbled onto Bin 216 literally the week we moved here to Cleveland. All of us, and some of our cats, were staying at the Comfort Inn on Euclid Avenue while the buyers of our previous home took their time signing all the required paperwork (Figure 1). We would have liked to have stayed closer to CWRU, but there are surprisingly few mid-priced or budget hotels in the area, especially ones that will allow cats. The Comfort Inn, it turns out, is very popular with very different groups of people. It was obvious from the morning shuttle announcements that many people were staying there and being seen by or had a family member at the Cleveland Clinic. It was also obvious at breakfast time that we were staying there with the cast of Motown the Musical. An eclectic mix of people I can’t really imagine meeting otherwise.
Figure 1. We’re in your Innz, enjoying your Comfortz.
This Comfort Inn is just a block or so from Playhouse Square, so we walked around every night looking for a place to eat. Bin 216 looked intriguing to me because it seemed like a throw-back to opulent spaces filled with beautiful people sipping champagne and nibbling on small bites of elegantly prepared hors d’oeuvres. Indeed, Bin 216 is a renovated space that was formerly the lobby of the Ohio Theater. The seating consists mostly of elegant loveseats or leather wingback chairs with tables. Much of the wall is lined with tufted fabric, and all colors are neutral yet classic.
We have been several times just ‘cause and before or after shows at the Playhouse Square. We have even been there during happy hour on Wednesdays when they host a live jazz combo. I highly recommend this as they were fabulous!
Figure 2. A good wine selection by the glass and real cocktails will keep us coming back!
Overall, we have found that the cocktails and wine selection are excellent (Figure 2). The food can be hit or miss. The plates offered are designed as small plates, but you can order several to make a full meal. We recommend the sliders, but not the tuna tartar (Figure 3). The cheese plate is decent (Figure 4), and they also offer desserts such as this fondue chocolate-like spread (Figure 5).
Many on-line complain that the prices for these small plates are too high. Yes, it’s a bit much for the amount (and sometimes quality) you receive. But, it’s all about location, location, location. Bin 216 is immediately adjacent to
Figure 3. Left to right: the good (chicken sliders and shoestring fries with malt vinegar aioli) and the bad (tuna tartar).
the lobby of the Ohio Theater, which guarantees you can start or end the show here with minimal fuss. Outside of the Wednesday jazz-combo happy hour, though, I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat here.
Figure 4. The cheese plate is pretty good. We also recommend the devils on horseback (Medjool dates, chorizo, Applewood bacon, maple glaze).
Figure 5. Gran Marnier chocolate fondue. It’s no Melting Pot, but it will do.
