Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Hot Days, Cool Place








Sitting on a cushy couch sipping a tall cold mojito while birds in the trees provide a final serenade before the sun sets, it’s easy to imagine that I'm relaxing in some Caribbean island hideaway. That’s the scene at Rumbar but this lovely little enclosed garden patio, outfitted with teak furniture and brightly colored umbrellas, is only steps away from Euclid Avenue. I just recently discovered the place tucked behind the restaurant in the InterContinental Suites at the Cleveland Clinic. It was quite a surprise to find this pleasant and comfortable outdoor oasis amidst the concentration of big buildings on the sprawling medical campus.

Open only during the summer months, Rumbar is a good choice for Happy Hour. The bartenders muddle up ten different versions of the mojito- my favorite so far is pineapple, but I have yet to try the cucumber, watermelon and peach- and they obligingly accommodated my request to dial down the sweetness. Normally $9.95, the mojito of the day is $6.95 Monday-Friday from 4-6 PM., however it gets cheaper as it the temperature rises: $5.95 if we get to 80 degrees by 3 in the afternoon, $4.95 above 90, $3.95 when the mercury inches up past 100- it’s enough to make you pine for a heat wave.

If merely sipping the classic Cuban cocktail isn’t enough to satisfy you, sign up for one of the weekly Friday night mojito-making class (216-707-4054). $25 gets you a lime mashing lesson and the tool to do it, recipes, three drinks, and some appetizers.

The drink selection also includes frozen treats, rum inspired martinis, and what management calls tacky tropical drinks. The menu of small plates insures that sippers won’t go hungry. A nice extra- valet parking is always free.

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