LOCALS ONLY: LUNCH BREAK W/ ANDREW WATTS

ANDREW WATTS AT LI WAH

Cleveland’s East 4th Street Alley. The prime location in downtown Cleveland for world-dining entertainment, and often the first stop for sports fans on home games to begin their day of beer and skittles. It is true, at least here, that no man can be wise on an empty stomach. 

Sandwiched in between a smorgasbord of feasts, Cordelia is an immediate stand-out with its comforting Midwest-Southern essence. The “Modern Grandma” coined by Cordelia’s chef-partner Vinnie Cimino accurately sets the tone for the year-old restaurant. Cordelia manages to transport you to a time when food just appeared on the table and innocence was out of bounds to the drag of bills and budgets-at least that’s until the check arrives. Here, Cordelia feeds both gut and brain, with nostalgic staples like the over-dressed green salad, schmaltzy za’atar fried chicken, and hearty loaded toast. Somehow the time-travel works. At the table, decorated with purposeful mismatched tableware, diners have the opportunity to indulge in a refreshingly warm memory. Each meal leaves you healed and inspired to take on the day. All that’s missing is Grandma’s bat wings.  Away from the home turf, we caught up with Cordelia’s proprietor, Andrew Watts, who happened to have an appetite for excursion. At Li Wah, an authentic Chinese kitchen in Asiatown, we talked about people, places, and the things that ground us over dim sum and then some.

CJ: What is your greatest extravagance? 

AW: At one point I had a couple hundred pairs of sneakers. This was nearly 20 years ago, when it was a tad weird to collect sneakers like that. I've greatly paired down the collection, but at any one point in life that was as about "extra" as I could be.

CJ: When + where are you the happiest? 

AW: Traveling. Eating something new, around very different people, in a place I've never experienced before. 

Runner-Up: In the dining room of Cordelia, seeing our team appreciate each other, watching the reactions of guests as they take their first bites, hearing the revelry of an energetic restaurant. When it's at capacity, lively and jumping!?!?!? Nothing better.  Nothing. I get choked up sometimes witnessing so many folks enjoy themselves (Team and guests) as my great grandmother 's portrait looks over my shoulder.

Bonus: Having folks walk away from eating with us appreciating our beautiful town more than they had prior to their experience. Having out of towners answer "WOW!!!" when I ask how they liked their meal / visit to our city. 

CJ: Which talent would you like to have? 

AW: Dancing. I'd love to be a great dancer. I have zero rhythm.

CJ: Which American Historical figure do you most identify with? 

AW: Charles Eames. Like him, I adore and tremendously value aesthetically pleasing things (especially furniture and surroundings) and like him I'd be nothing without my better half. Ray (Charles's wife) most would say carried him. My wife Katie is my biggest supporter, my best ally, my dream partner. Cordelia would not exist without her and I'd be much less a man without her having my back and making me better.

CJ: What is your motto? 

AW: Treat others as you would want to be treated. Don't get caught up in how others act or conduct themselves. Be better. Be the example. 

CJ: Which musical artist do you find yourself returning to the most? 

AW: Kendrick. I grew up on (in my opinion) the golden era of hip hop. He is beyond brilliant and is the only artist in quite some time who continues to put out the perfect album. 

CJ: Deep sea or outer space? 

AW: Outer Space. That sounds fascinating! Deep sea sounds very drowny and dark. 

CJ: What is your favorite convenience store snack? 

AW: When I grew up Convenients had hot food and their fried chicken, jojos and pepperoni rolls were legendary. These days: Cool Ranch Doritos

CJ: If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? 

AW: Anthony Bourdain. He had a beautiful way of connecting a place's food with the people, culture and their reality.

CJ: Where is your favorite place to travel? 

AW: So far, internationally: Vietnam. It was oh so enlightening. It reminded me to be grateful. For everything. It was oh so friendly, beyond delicious, beyond different than anywhere we'd been. The markets, the hospitality, the tastes, the smells, the beautiful chaos of the traffic and scooters 5 people deep. Striking. I'll never forget it and can't wait to get back. 

Domestically: New Orleans. It is as delicious as anywhere. The French, the creole, the shrimp, the southern influences.....

It is the origin of cocktail culture in our country. Anyplace bitters were invented is alright with me. Have you had their BBQ shrimp!?!  

It oozes beautiful music. It is kind, eclectic, and as good as weird gets. I could go over and over and over. Birthplace of Jazz. I mean...c'mon. I could go on and on. 

CJ: What is the worst thing you've ever tasted? 

AW: Canned green beans. Disgusting. Mushy, soggy, gross. They smell fake and metallic. Real fresh green beans are a thing of beauty. The canned junk is a tragedy and should be ashamed of themselves. My kindergarten teacher had a rule that no matter what they served, no matter how many times, every single time we had to take three bites. After getting caught putting them under the table or in my pockets we had a stand off..... After sitting there through nap time and all afternoon she called my parents in tears asking why I was so stubborn. I hope my parents asked why she had such a stupid rule. 

CJ: What do you consider an overrated virtue?  

AW: Magnificence. Not much needs to be grand. I value humility. There is tremendous value in a life lived simply with integrity and compassion. Work in silence and let the work speak for itself. 

CJ: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? 

AW: I would be able to be at ease. I don't rest well. I always feel the need to chip away at something or be making progress. 

CJ: What do you value the most in your friendships?

AW: Mutual support. The friends who celebrate each other. The friends that live for each others success and joy. Those are my people. I don't have time for anyone else. If you see someone accomplishing their goals (regardless if you agree with them or not) shout it from the rafters, throw them a party, re-post everywhere. Celebrate them. 

CJ: What advice do you have for your future self? 

AW: You can't take it with you. Make sure that last check bounces.