Ninja City opens its doors today with a
loud emphatic “kaboom!” The comic book creation that began to take shape in Bac
Nguyen’s imagination in the 80s has been realized with fantastic design, brick,
mortar, duct work, steel, graffiti, hip-hop music and an arcade game. It is a joint venture with
business partner Dylan Fallon. The soft opening Tuesday night was frequented by
many of the two partners’ pals, industry friends and family. You felt the
celebratory spirit the second you walked through the door. As they say, there
is no better compliment than to be respected by your peers. Everyone was happy
to celebrate and witness this moment. You may already know Bac as the chef/owner
of Bac Asian
American Bistro & Bar in Tremont, which has been operating for
four years now.
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| Ohio City loves Ninja City |
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Tremont love for Ninja City
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Ninja City is a brilliant
concept for the University Circle area. In the old Boarding House location —
back when cream of mushroom soup (and I don’t mean oyster, chanterelles or
morel mushrooms either) was considered “new and exotic.” Ninja City is actually
a great example of how far we’ve come. Can you imagine how much better your
college years would have been with decent ramen and comfort food? And, as an
added bonus you get to enjoy it in a back-to-the future retrospective of the 80s
— an amalgam of comic book, hip-hop and video games — all taking you back to a
time when “Everybody was Kung fu fighting.”
Ninja City’s fun-tastic
logo was designed by Aaron Sechrist, who, along with Designer Jude Goergen, are
responsible for the restaurant’s successful look. As you enter from Euclid
Avenue, the space is divided into two levels: the lower barroom with some high
tops, and a dining room on the second level with four tops. Both areas account
for about 80 seats, including the 30-seat bar. There is a garage door facing
Euclid that opens up the space, weather permitting, and another 15-20 seats on
the sidewalk patio. Fans and wire lighting add the perfect industrial accent, and
by “industrial” I mean a factory of fun, complete with arcade game and great
food and drink. As Paul Benner of Platform Brewery succinctly summarized
Tuesday night, “Just enjoying some wet drinks and killer grub.”
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Ninja City Soft Open 9.12.14
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Ninja City Soft Open 9.12.14
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Ninja City Soft Open 9.12.14
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Ninja City Soft Open 9.12.14
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Ninja City Soft Open 9.12.14
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The fun and casual
environment extends to the menu. Similar to Happy Dog and Barrio, there are menu
pads to check-off your selections. In every other way, Ninja City is a full-service
restaurant. There are three main divisions on the menu: Little Bites, Big Bites
and Build-Your-Own Big Bites, where you build your own Banh Mi, Bowl or Buns.
There are eleven Little Bite choices. They can be purchased on their own or as
a build-your-own bento box combo with three or four choices. We selected a
Bento Box with Spring Roll, Gyoza Dumplings, Sweet Potato Tempura Fries and
Bacon Guacamole. We also shared a bowl of soul-soothing Chicken Ramen from a
list of six Big Bite options and a build-your-own Banh Mi. The Chicken Ramen
was all the comfort anyone could want on a cool, rainy summer night. It came layered
with veggie miso broth, poached chicken breast, napa cabbage, seaweed, sesame
seeds and scallions. We selected pork, cucumber, cilantro. spicy kim chi,
scallions and peanuts with lime aioli for our banh mi. As we enjoyed our meal
at the bar we talked to many of the guests. Our neighbors who sat to the right
of us work at Porco Lounge & Tiki Room, and they graciously allowed us to
photograph their eye-catching Bacon & Egg Ramen which consists of pork miso
broth, smoked pork belly, fried egg, spicy kim chi, seaweed, sesame seeds and
chili aioli. It’s the first thing I will order on my next visit.
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Ninja City Bento Box
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Ninja City Chicken Ramen
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Similar to his place in
Tremont, all of the selections are a fusion of Asian/American favorites. There
wasn’t a missed step in the food or drinks. They’re ready to go. For his part,
Bac has experience and heritage on his side: Bac’s family has been in the
restaurant business in Cleveland for three generations. His grandmother was
instrumental in the opening of Minh Anh and his mother is a partner of Bac in
Tremont.
Ninja City’s bar list also
packs a “kapow” punch thanks to Christopher Flood, Bac’s Bar Manager. The list
includes some of my all-time favorites (17th Parrallel, Lychee Mojito and the
Tokyo-Politan) along with some Ninja City newbies and a fine selection of beer,
wine and sake. Flood says, “We are highlighting Ohio and Asian beers here.”
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Ninja City 17th Parralel
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Tokyo-politan and Lychee Mojito
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Go and experience a unique
80s back-to-the-future dining experience. You’ll be glad you did. I don't know
what the process is to become a permanent resident or citizen of Ninja City,
but I’m looking into it.
Ninja City
11311 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106
216.860.0510
Website: http://www.ninjacity.com/
Prices: $$
Reservations Recommeded
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