What brings you downtown? Perhaps work, entertainment, or shopping? A game at Progressive Field or FirstEnergy Stadium? A medical appointment for yourself or a loved one? Breakfast out?
Whether it’s work, play or a medical appointment that brings you downtown, or even if you have to make a special trip, don’t miss the uniquely crafted, farmhouse-chic breakfast being served at Urban Farmer.
The morning selections at this 6th Street destination will wake more than just your tastebuds. The house-made english muffins will catch your eye while the brioche french toast will speak softly to your sweet tooth. The hazelnut butter and blueberry preserves that top the thick-cut slices of brioche offer such a delicious twist that the Ohio maple syrup, served up on the side, becomes entirely optional.
The buttermilk pancakes skirt the mundane as well, served with blackberry compote and lemon marmalade – both made in-house, of course.
House-made English muffin dipped in egg.
Not to be outdone, the savory side of breakfast offers its own creative selections. Our server recommended the eggs Benedict – “our signature dish” – as a must try. It features that must-see english muffin and new creation shaved ham.
Or perhaps you’ll be enticed to try the innovative standout – a cheddar bacon biscuit, featuring a fried egg, sausage gravy, crispy chicken leg and lemon marmalade.
Looking to splurge? Consider the grilled flatiron steak & eggs with sausage gravy.
A farmer omelet stuffed with grilled onions, ham, pickled peppers and cheddar cheese, farm vegetable frittata (seasonal veggies, foraged mushrooms, aged cheddar) and farm eggs any style round out the more traditional breakfast fare.
Oatmeal and house-made granola are also available for those in your party who prefer to keep things light first thing in the morning.
Urban Farmer’s “Ohio Fresh” & other decorative signage.
Urban Farmer’s intentional focus on freshness, quality and originality is communicated from the moment you walk in and notice the wispy stalks of grain nestled below rack after rack of colorfully filled canning and pickling jars and the well-weathered wood planks built into the dining room’s main support beams that hint of the farm from which they may have been recovered.
You’ll likely note the hand-painted placards announcing “Ohio Fresh,” “Fresh Meat,” and that “We pride ourselves in craftsmanship, respect for Midwestern food traditions and local, organic sourcing.”
These homestead details stand in intentional contrast to the urban-industrial exposed ceiling, contemporary seating and flooring, and the modern, angular lines of the wrap-around bar, chef’s kitchen and satellite charcuterie station tucked in on opposite sides of the dining room.
These cleverly interwoven elements, along with the name, proclaim in a simple, straight-forward fashion the restaurant’s philosophy (as garnered via our waiter and the website)–local ingredients creatively prepared in a comfortable “urban-farm” setting.
That being said, our waiter made sure to share some additional details with us.
Pantry chef prepares fresh sandwiches.
Joe explained that the chefs ensure quality, freshness and environmental sustainability by purchasing in-season produce and fresh meat from selectively-chosen local organic farms whose names are proudly listed on a board above the kitchen.
Both beef and pork are purchased as “whole heads” and butchering is done on-site–weekly for pork products, every week and half to three weeks for beef. According to Joe, “On-site butchering ensures freshness and also allows additional creativity for the chefs, giving them the ability to try special premium cuts as well as make their own breakfast sausages and charcuterie selections” – for lunch and dinner.
Since produce comes in seasonally, some of it must be preserved. The restaurant showcases its vast pantry of house-pickled vegetables and house-canned fruits by incorporating the broad array of colorful jars into the design and decor of the restaurant. And yes, every jar on display will be put to use somewhere down the road.
Back pantry seating area with table nestled amongst the colorful canning jars stored on floor-to-ceiling racks.
Breakfast at Urban Farmer is worth setting your alarm a bit earlier and getting to Cleveland ahead of your business meeting, museum visit or doctor’s appointment.
Another option… make it your destination for a mid-week breakfast or weekend brunch and then stay downtown and catch an exhibit or ball game on the backside.
Things to know if you go:
Location: Urban Farmer is located inside the Westin Hotel (1325 East 6th Street, Cleveland)
Breakfast Hours: 6:30-11am Monday-Friday
Brunch Hours: 8am-3pm, Saturday-Sunday
Lunch Hours: 11am-3pm, Monday-Friday
Happy Hour: 3pm-5pm, Monday-Friday
Dinner Hours: 5pm-11pm, Daily (closes at 10pm on Sunday)
Price: $$$
Cuisine Type: Regional/Local also known as a Steakhouse/American
Web: urbanfarmercleveland.com
Tel: (216) 771-7707