Just five miles directly south of downtown Cleveland and across the Cuyahoga River is the Tremont neighborhood. Here you’ll find picturesque views of the Cleveland skyline, more than 9,000 residents from a multitude of cultural backgrounds, and an eclectic mix of eateries, neighborhood bars, boutiques, galleries, and historic churches, including St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral, which was featured in the 1980 film, The Deer Hunter. Fans of A Christmas Story (1983) can tour the house and visit the museum.

And every second Friday night of every month, Tremont holds its Art Walk—one of many events organized by Tremont West Development Corporation, a nonprofit whose mission is to organize and build an “inclusive” and “unified” neighborhood” and to promote Tremont as a national destination.

Three of the neighborhood’s finest restaurants are found in Ty Fun Thai Bistro, 216.664.1000; The South Side, 216.937.2288; and Sokolowski’s University Inn, 216.771.9236. At Ty Fun, you’ll find an intimate, high-energy restaurant featuring traditional Thai food prepared to order. The owner/chef is from Thailand and he and his family go out of their way to treat you like family. The presentation is classy, yet casual. And Mon.-Wed. specials feature an entrée, soup or  salad, and a spring roll. There are beer and wine specials, too. Open Mon.-Fri. 11:30am-2:30pm; Mon.-Thu. 5pm-10pm; Fri.-Sat. 5pm-11pm; Sun. 5pm-11pm.   

From Far East cuisine at Ty Fun, we take you to The South Side for what is best described as multicultural comfort food. Here you can find beef brisket empanadas, turkey Cubans, and chicken and waffles, as well as burgers, steaks, seafood, pasta, and salads. Open Mon.-Fri. 11am-2am; Sat. 11:30-2am; Sun. 10:30am-2am; Sun. Brunch 10:30am-3pm.

And for Polish and Eastern European classics, there’s Sokolowski’s University Inn, established in 1923. Served cafeteria-style in an old-world setting, the menu includes bratwurst, kielbasa, pierogi, Salisbury steak, and chicken paprikash. And “tickling the ivories” Wednesday through Saturday is “Mr T at the Keys” Ballog. Open Mon.-Fri. 11am-3pm; Fri. 5pm-9pm; Sat. 4pm-9pm.

Other dining and shopping options, include: 

Dining: Bac Asian American Bistro & Bar 216.938.8960; Bourbon Street Barrel Room 216.298.4000; Dante Next Door 216.274.1200; Farenheit 216.781.8858; Fat Cats 216.579.0200; The Flying Monkey 216.579.0200; Grumpy’s Café and Bakery 216.241.5025; Lolita 216.771.5652; Velvet Tango Room 216.241.8869

Shopping: April Snow 216.862.5153; Banyan Tree 216.241.1209, A Cookie and a Cupcake; 216.344.9433; Eclectic Closet Boutique 216.965.0329; Evie Lou, 216.696.6675; Kollective Gallery 216.862.0799; Lilly Handmade Chocolates 216.771.3333; Paul Duda Gallery 216.589.5788; A Separate Reality Records 216.644.7934; Wine & Design 216.781.8000