"Coming soon" is the go-to phrase this week. A pair of much-anticipated restaurants in Cleveland are all on the brink of opening. Now, if only inspectors, licensing agencies and the final-touch crews would let them each take wing . . .

Energy is amping up in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood, with the pending opening of two new eateries. While chef-restaurateur Michael Nowak awaits final clearance at the Black Pig, 1865 West 25th St., his former employer Sam McNulty (they worked together at Bar Cento, Bier Markt and Market Garden Brewery, just up the street near West Side Market) is working double-time next door. McNulty's hustling on the finishing touches for an "imminent" (his words) opening of Nano Brew Cleveland.

"There are a million details, of course, but everything's falling into place," says McNulty, glancing at a mountain range of heavy cedar picnic tables and European biergarten tables stacked on Nano's courtyard patio. Seating for 120 guests will wrap around Nano's front and side walkways, while the courtyard will accommodate dozens of additional guests.

Inside, newly installed Amish walnut floors, barn-wood fixtures and exposed brick walls provide a backdrop to an area with a 24-seat bar and tables that should handle upward of 100 patrons. (Very cool touch: a bike repair station, with all the tools you'll need to get your wheels back on the road -- after a beer, of course. You'll get half-off your first when you show up wearing your bike helmet.)

Burgers and "seasonal street foods" will populate the menu at Nano. Patties will range from "classic" marinated beef-loaded buns and a country-fried steakburger, to playful variations like a ground pork "ham" burger laced with ginger, pineapple and other Asian flourishes; a ground lamb "gyro" burger with feta and tzatziki in a pita; and a hummus-topped "falafel" burger with sprouts and pickled cucumbers.

"We want to keep everything really easygoing," says McNulty. Which explains street-food offerings like chile-lime butter slathered corn-on-the-cob, plantain fries and watermelon slices replete with pickled melon rind.

"After all," he adds, "this is a bar -- with some really good food thrown in."

OPENING SOON . . .

Nano Brew Cleveland: 1859 West 25th St., Cleveland; 316-621-4000. Online: nanobrewcleveland.com

The Black Pig: 1865 West 25th St. (Ohio City), Cleveland. Online: theblackpigcleveland.com