Diners at Piatto Novo at the Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls will soon see a new yet familiar name at the restaurant, and a new menu too.
Piatto Novo will become Beau’s on the River this spring — Beau’s as in Beau’s Grille at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn and as in chef Beau Schmidt.
Schmidt said he’s excited about bringing his brand to the hotel. The change comes as the result of Rennick Andreoli, owner of RDA Hotel Management Co., becoming a part owner of the hotel in September. Andreoli owns the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn where Beau’s Grill is located.
Schmidt said the restaurant will be renovated, but likely will remain open throughout the changes to the dining room and bar.
Executive Chef Roger Thomas, who founded Piatto in downtown Akron and later moved it to the Sheraton as Piatto Novo, said he is a little sad to see his brand go away, “but I think in the long run, it’s good for the hotels.”
Thomas will be staying on at the hotel as executive chef in charge of banquets and catering, where he said the hotel has a lot of room to grow.
Coming on board as executive chef at Beau’s on the River will be Akron native Billy Thurmon, who has worked with both Schmidt and Thomas before and also has worked at several restaurants in the South. Both chefs praised Thurmon’s abilities, and Schmidt said he was excited for the trio to be working together.
Look for a May grand opening for Beau’s on the River.
Gourmet pasta in Hartville
The first Ohio location of a Pappardelle’s Gourmet Pasta Market has opened at Booth 104 of the Hartville Marketplace.
The Denver-based brand has shops in 34 states, mostly at farmers markets or similar venues. The Hartville shop is owned by Lee and Linda Eizenberg of Sagamore Hills. Lee Eizenberg said the couple discovered the pasta on a wine tour in Michigan and “fell in love with the vibrant tastes, shapes and colors.”
The shop offers more than 150 varieties of gourmet pastas and sauces including gluten-free and vegan blends, and traditional ravioli and gnocchi, along with recipes for preparing their pastas, like chocolate and raspberry gemelli, which is being featured for Valentine’s Day.
Mardi Gras treats
Looking for a taste of New Orleans for Mardi Gras? The West Side Bakery, 2303 W. Market St., Akron, is making king cakes and beignets to help celebrate.
King cakes are available now, and bakery staff will be frying beignets on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. Owner Barb Talevich has rented deep fryers and said the bakery staff is excited to cook up an authentic taste of New Orleans.
Phone 330-836-4101 to place an order or visit www.thewestsidebakery.com.
For your Valentine
Silver Run Vineyard & Winery, 376 Eastern Road, Doylestown, has teamed up with Diane’s Candy and Cake Shop in Barberton for a unique Valentine’s gift: a chocolate-dipped wine bottle.
If you purchase a bottle of Silver Run wine, for an extra $7, the winemaker will have Diane’s dip the bottle in chocolate for you. The bottles come coated in milk chocolate and drizzled with dark chocolate, with the wine still inside.
Silver Run’s winemakers say their Buckeye Blend and Strawberry wines pair exceptionally well with the chocolate, which you can chip off the bottle and enjoy along with a glass of the wine inside.
To order, visit Silver Run during its regular hours, Thursday and Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 10 p.m. For delivery by Valentine’s Day, orders must be placed at the winery by Saturday.
Dining deals in Canton
Beginning today and continuing Wednesdays through March 27, Canton’s Downtown Special Improvement District will be hosting Downtown Dining Deals.
Diners who head to participating restaurants these days after 5 p.m. will receive one half-price entrée for each one purchased at regular price.
You will need a coupon, which can be downloaded at www.DowntownCanton.com or clipped from the Canton Repository on Wednesdays.
Restaurants taking part are Arcadia Grille, Bender’s Tavern, Corporate Downtown Bar & Grill, Desert Inn, Lucca, Napoli’s Italian Eatery, Picciano’s Martini Bar (appetizers), Primo’s Downtown, Sports Therapy Bar and Grill, ThatsaWrapp, The Lion’s Den, Thorpe’s Grill at the McKinley Grand, and Tozzi’s Restaurant.
West Point events
The West Point Market, 1711 W. Market St., Akron, has several upcoming events worth noting.
On Feb. 15, the market will host a Chocktail Party from 7 to 9 p.m., with all things chocolate.
The adult tasting event begins with a sparkling rosé with chocolate and Parmesan cheese fondue. There will be a chocolate tower for dipping fruit, a chocolate bar, chocolate stout beers, Mexican chocolate chili, rib-eye steak with chocolate sauce, handmade truffles and desserts.
Tickets are $30; parties of two or more save $5 per person on reservations, which are a must. Call 330-864-2151, ext. 137.
Meanwhile, the market has issued a call for entries in its Fifth Annual Chowder Challenge, with $850 in market gift certificates up for grabs as prizes.
To enter, email your recipe by Feb. 16 to entries@westpointmarket.com. Staff will review the entries and select 10 semifinalists to make a sample of their chowder at home for judging on March 2. Three finalists will compete live on March 9 at the market, where customers will taste the chowders and vote for the winner.
Days of Chocolate Daze
Downtown Wooster is hosting its annual Chocolate Daze on Friday and Saturday, with more than 30 downtown merchants taking part.
The event is free with no registration required. Visitors can stroll downtown, stopping at businesses and enjoying chocolate samples and sales and promotions as they go.
For information, contact Beverly Chrapowicki at Main Street Wooster, 330-262-6222 or beverly@mainstreetwooster.org.
Learn to bake bread
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to bake bread, now is your chance.
Nationally known bread baking expert Kathy Lehr of Bath Township is teaching a series of classes at the Western Reserve School of Cooking in Hudson over the next several months, beginning with a French Bread Workshop from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Lehr also will teach a four-class Saturday series from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 23, March 16, April 6 and May 4, with the following topics, Pizzazz with Pizza Dough, Utilizing a Cloche or Dutch Oven for Artisan Breads, Baking Unique Breads, and No Knead Artisan Breads.
Classes are $75 each, $292 for the four-class Saturday series. Call the school at 330-650-1665 to reserve.
Celebrate the Thin Mint
Friday is National Girl Scout Cookie Day.
The Girl Scouts of North East Ohio are in the middle of their annual sale. If you don’t know a scout, call 888-984-4664 to be connected to a troop in your community.
Lisa Abraham can be reached at 330-996-3737 or at labraham@thebeaconjournal.com. Find me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @akronfoodie or visit my blog at www.ohio.com/blogs/lisa. If you have an item you’d like to submit for a possible food note, please email the information at least two weeks prior to your event.