Certified Angus Beef ® brand Ambassador Chef Chris Hodgson Opens Hodge's

Hodge’s, the first brick and mortar restaurant by famed food truck impresario Chef Chris Hodgson is set to open March 28, 2012. Situated at 668 Euclid Avenue in the heart Cleveland’s downtown culinary scene, Hodge’s menu will feature fun, global comfort food in a warm and hospitable atmosphere. The Hodge Podge and Dim and Den Sum truck chef, who garnered national recognition on last season’s Food Network “The Great Food Truck Race,” has partnered with restaurateur Scott Kuhn on the venture.

Described by Chef Hodgson as serving “twisted comfort food,” the restaurant will feature the only coal burning pizza oven in Cleveland and an innovative chef’s bar where the chef will be out of the kitchen preparing small bar-side snacks.

“Hodge’s is our way of finally being able to show off our food in a permanent home and offer a true hospitality experience,” explains Chef Hodgson, whose resume includes a stint at New York’s legendary gastropub The Spotted Pig. “We will cater to all of downtown Cleveland from bike messengers to the business community and offer high-quality products at a reasonable price.”

Menu highlights include:
· Creamy Asparagus Soup; horseradish crème fraiche and pork cracklings
· French Onion Ravioli; ricotta and gruyere ravioli, French onion soup and gruyere crouton
· Hodge’s Honey Ribs; smoked ribs, sherry coleslaw, thyme, honey mustard and tater tots
· Certified Angus Beef ® brand Hanger Steak; tomato creamed heirloom beans, potato chards, salsa verde
· Certified Angus Beef ® brand Rib Eye Steak; creamed spinach, potato chards, Madeira demi, whipped lard
· Certified Angus Beef ® brand Burger; Bibb lettuce, bacon and onion jam, bacon, dill havarti, rosemary parmesan aioli, served with tater tots
· “Unfried Chicken;” crispy half chicken, four-cheese mac, spiced asparagus, thyme jus
· “Fluffer Nutter;” fried peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwich, Mitchell’s banana ice cream

Hours: Sunday 4 – 9 p.m.; Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday – Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hodge’s is located at 668 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114. For more information, call
216-771-4000 or visit www.hodgescleveland.com.