Brine Bar and La Porta Rossa Bring Boston-Style Oysters and Italian Sandwiches to Edgewater

Edgewater scores big with Brine Bar's New England oysters and La Porta Rossa's Italian street sandwiches—all thanks to chef Kevin O'Connell.

Craving East Coast vibes without booking a flight? You’re in luck, Cleveland. Chef Kevin O’Connell is about to flood Edgewater with fresh oysters and Italy-sourced sandwiches, opening two bold concepts—Brine Bar and La Porta Rossa—on Clifton Blvd. It’s the culinary shake-up this side of town didn’t know it desperately needed.

What’s On the Menu at Brine Bar

Forget tiny towers of shrimp cocktail. Brine Bar cranks up the raw bar experience with an ever-changing selection of coastal favorites:

Oysters and clams (fresh daily)
Red prawns
Snow crab
Lobster-crab salad
Crudo and tartare specials
Hot and cold lobster rolls
Crab cake sandwiches
Bowls of clam chowder
Steamed mussels
Crab-stuffed shrimp
Swordfish skewers
Steak frites

If that doesn’t make you daydream about seaside patios, nothing will. O’Connell’s inspiration came straight from a Boston trip—and trust us, he’s bottling that buzzy oyster bar energy, walk-in only and way more casual than your average white-tablecloth seafood spot.

La Porta Rossa’s Sandwich Game

O’Connell didn’t stop at seafood. In the neighboring space, La Porta Rossa brings Italian street cred with a sandwich shop for the ages. House-baked schiacciata bread (think: crunchy, airy, impossibly fresh) is the base for:

Prosciutto di Parma classics
Mortadella stacked high
Porchetta for meat lovers
Creamy stracciatella and burrata combos
A mushroom-pesto vegetarian option

The menu is Italy-inspired, but the foot traffic? 100% Cleveland. When the bread’s gone for the day, that’s it—so try your luck before the kitchen sells out.

The Edgewater Revamp: Filling Neighborhood Voids

Both concepts take over revamped spaces connected to O’Connell’s French brasserie, Le Ville Lumière. After Le Marché Clifton fell victim to slow foot traffic, O’Connell returned from Boston energized to create something missing in our west-side landscape.

The gamble? Seafood, shellfish, and Italian sandwich artistry not found anywhere else in the neighborhood. These spots are walk-in only, neighborly, and ideal for small groups on the hunt for something new and exciting, not just another burger.

Location, Hours, and How to Visit

You’ll find both venues at 10427 Clifton Blvd. in Edgewater. Hours (because you will want to remember):

Brine Bar: Open every day except Sunday, 4 p.m.–midnight
La Porta Rossa: Open every day except Sunday, 11 a.m.–sold out

No reservations. No stuffiness. Hit the patio with friends or swing by for carryout—either way, you’ll want to get there early, especially when word gets out about the schiacciata.

Why This Matters for Cleveland Eaters

Cleveland has always had seafood lovers, but our oyster game? Historically, a bit underwhelming. And as for Italian sandwich culture, we’ve had solid delis but few that channel the Napoli street experience. Chef O’Connell is taking that gap personally, promising unique flavors and a casual space to meet.

It’s another sign that Edgewater is turning into a hotspot worth detouring for, not just a drive-through on your way to the beach.

Two new reasons to eat local and experiment with your dinner plans. Are you ready to brave the brine (and the sandwich line)?