Category Archives: eating

{Apr 12, 2012}
  gift of graeters

Like I mentioned yesterday, I have been receiving emails left and right about upcoming spring events, and I have been trying my best to touch base on most of them..but when this SWEET opportunity came across my desk I just couldn’t say no.

While this site isn’t usually a place for product reviews but more of a “what’s happening in Cleveland type of blog” I justified the following by letting all the Cleveland GRAETERS fans know that our local Giant Eagle would now be carrying Oprah Winfrey’s favorite flavors in Northeast Ohio….forget it, “they had me at hello ice cream!”

So a large Styrofoam cooler arrived at my office where I excitedly pried open the lid to my excitement of four pints of this special creamy concotion. I quickly stuck it in the freezer with plans on sampling it that night at home. I invited one of my close friends over, with spoon in one hand and glass of vino in the other we spent the evening tasting all four flavors; mint chocolate chip,  black raspberry chocolate chip, vanilla chocolate chip and I believe the last flavor was mocha chocolate chip (brain freeze!)

How had I lived in Ohio for over a dozen years and never experienced the oh-so-famous Graeters? It had a totally different creamy texture than my local favorite Mitchell’s. It’s more traditional flavor options were in no way competing with those unique Jeni’s flavors (Bangkok Peanut!) NOW, I finally understand what all the hype and excitement about the arrival of Graeters to our community represents.

So thanks Graeters for letting me in on your super sweet secret, I now need to go run on the treadmill for hours and hours (Did you know you only burn around 100 calories per mile run? Put’s things in perspective, right?) but it was TOTALLY worth every delightful spoonful! Thank you!

Posted on April 12, 2012 by charity
Posted in eat, eating, food, ice cream, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

{Nov 3, 2011}
  Ice cream & cocktails!

We have heard the buzz that Great Lakes Brewing Company and Mitchell’s Ice Cream were partnering for a new holiday flavor…a zero waste partnership per say…well, as of Tuesday, the new sweet treat is out. Get yourself a pint of the “Gingersnap Christmas Ale” creamy ice cream and a pint of the actual spicy alcoholic brew and kick of the holiday season Cleveland style!

If ice cream and beer aren’t your thing, you might be interested to know about my favorite libation at the new improved Crop Bistro, “Mr. Figgy!”  Their homemade fig infused Makers Mark, rhubarb bitters, fig reduction with a slice of sugar coated, bruléed bacon (making a perfect swizzle stick) is simply sweet and salty heaven. The new Crop is stunning, the drinks are stiff and the food is not only beautiful but yummy and unique. You’ve got to check it out!

Happy Thursday Cleveland. Cheers to a city filled with great food, sweets and cocktails for all!

Posted on November 3, 2011 by charity
Posted in adventure, creative, drink, eat, eating, flavor, food, restaurant | Leave a comment

{Dec 29, 2010}
  Day 12 : Ohio City Pasta

Well, here we are just a few days until the end of 2010 and begin our exciting trip on 2011. I have a feeling this next year is gonna be HUGE! Lots of change, tons of excitement, bike rides in the sun, weekend excursions, perhaps a triathlon and a trip abroad? Have you started planning your new year? What’s on your list of “goals?”

Today’s final giveaway is from my favorite Tuesday-night dinner ingredient…Ohio City Pasta. Last year I set out to try all of their ravioli flavors and while  I can’t say I ate everyone, nearly a dozen different combinations (at least one a month) were consumed at my place usually during glee my Tuesday go to night!

The winner of today’s $25 gift card can go to the West Side Market and purchase a few dozen of the special, hand crafted pasta delicacies. From asparagus, to goat cheese, to crab and mushroom, there is sure to be a raviolis for everyone. AND, if you go on Monday’s it is often Buy One Get One, so you can DOUBLE your certificate!!!

To enter to win today’s LAST giveaway, friend Ohio City Pasta on fb and then return back here and tell me what pasta (it doesn’t have to be ravioli necessarily, they have other awesome stuff!) you would purchase if I sent YOU the $25 certificate! (please include your email, winner will be drawn “next year!”…Monday)

(photography by Blaze Photography)

Posted on December 29, 2010 by charity
Posted in cleveland, eat, eating, family, farmers market, food, Uncategorized | 25 Comments

{Dec 10, 2010}
  Day 4 : Gatherings Kitchen, Supper Club

Wow, happy Friday Cleveland. What a winter week we’ve had. The snow, the traffic, the sparkling winter decorations, it’s all just lovely.

Thank you to everyone who have commented on Day 1, 2 & 3 of the holiday giveaway. Your comments and facebook traffic have been a great way to support these local businesses and for that we are thankful….Now, onto today’s goods…

Have you ever been inspired to stay in with a group of friends on a Friday and cook a feast fit for a king, all while picking up some new culinary tips (knife skills perhaps?) while downing your favorite cocktail or vino?

If you answered YES have you heard of Gatherings Kitchen? A professional culinary kitchen located in a charming storefront in Lakewood, this complete gourmet catering operation is the brainchild of Chefs and fellow entrepreneurs, Ruth and Doug.

While their weekends and most weeks are filled withwriting recipes, shopping for the finest ingredients, teaching aspiring chefs-both young & old(er) new techniques, catering intimate dinner parties, corporate lunches, hosting birthday, anniversary and engagement soirees, Ruth and Doug take time every week for an event near and dear to their hearts called “Supper Club.”

Once a week you have the opportunity to gather together with a group of fellow food enthusiasts to work on a common goal, a Friday night meal. The menus are pre-set monthly and focus around the time of the year or what’s in season. You enter the warm dining room, drop your bags and bottles of wine at the door and let the evening unfold. Everyone is introduced, the menu gets presented and then the individual recipes divided up. Once the cooking begins the sound level in the kitchen gets louder and louder, or perhaps that’s because of the BYOB beverages.

After dinner has been prepped, the Chefs send you into the dining room where all of your creations are then served to you in a formal “going out to dinner” manner. No details unturned, so much food you can’t imagine, so much fun learning about new recipes and new people.

For todays giveaway Gatherings Kitchen would like to offer i heart cleveland readers a pair of “Supper Club” passes (valued at $110). So invite your fellow foodie to enter the contest to increase your chances of winning.

To enter please “Like” Gatherings Kitchen on thier Facebook page and tell us why you would like to attend a Supper Club. Are you looking to learn to make pasta? Are french maccaroons something you’ve been hoping to master (that one would be mine)? Do you like the idea of communal cooking? Why would you like to be part of a weekly Supper Club? (please include your email, winner will be drawn Thursday, December 16th)

On a similar food note, please take the time to read my fellow blogger and friend Cleveland Foodies post about the aspiring program called Veggie U. This national orgainzation gives teachers and students the opportunity to educate and learn more about nutrition, agiriculture, farming and the like. There are 157 participating classrooms in Northeast Ohio and we MUST support this continued leaning. Donate today to this intitiative and have the opportunity to win over $2,000 worth of gift cards to area restaurants, just for donating. It’s a win win for everyone. Winner will be drawn December 23rd, please support this effort.

Posted on December 10, 2010 by charity
Posted in amazing, benefit, blog, business, celebrate, chef, class, deal, donation, eat, eating, entrepreneurs, food, giveaway | 39 Comments

{Nov 18, 2010}
  New Wine Bar!

When you are with a close friend do you ever wish the conversation and the time spent together would never end? I do. Sometimes I sit back and realize that I’m growing older, (perhaps because my birthday is looming)  and that we are ALL growing older together and what makes life so precious is the good relationships we make while we are around…Is that me or the wine talking? :)

The other night myself and one of my closest friends had the opportunity to visit the newly opened Battery Park Wine Bar and let me just say, it’s AMAZING. Everything from the adorable retail wine “boutique” in the front of the space (I’m thinking it will be my place to go for that emergency-snow-must-have-a-bottle-of-wine-run) to the beautiful wood bar made from repurposed local timbers, no details has been overlooked.

I’m actually looking forward to going back to try out their yummy menu, it seriously looked wonderful, the perfect pairing to add to any wine drinking evening out type of munchies.

I guess the only bone I have to pick with them is this whole “Y.O.L.O.” thing? (on their menus, mailers, etc.) As a designer and brand consultant I think they are having a bit of new business identity crisis.

“The name of the restaurant is called The Battery Park Wine Bar, but we wanted to call it YOLO, but we couldn’t name it that because someone else has that name” they explained to us.

“What does “YOLO stand for?”  “You Only Live Once!” I smiled and agreed that YOLO is a wonderful wine bar concept, however my professional experience and opinion must kick in on this one… moving forward, I will be referring to the bar as “The Battery Park Wine Bar; where you only live once.” (rolls right off your tongue like…sorta like a Pinot)

The interior still has the smell of new construction, but the warmth of the bricks and the charming employees made it seem like this establishment has been there for years and years. This weekend grab a group and go explore this new find…located under the Battery Park smoke stack.

Posted on November 18, 2010 by charity
Posted in drink, eat, eating, explore, food, neighborhood, new, restaurant, retail, wine | 1 Comment

{Mar 22, 2010}
  Food & FIlm Fest

So here we are, in the midst of this years Cleveland Film Festival…

Over the weekend I had the privilege of screening five fantastic films; from “Ingredients” to “A Matter of Size.”

While the festival committee requests of the viewers that all cell phones, audible watches and even pagers (do people still carry pagers?) be turned off during the film…what about growling stomachs?

Yes, this past Sunday as I sat and enjoyed the afternoon film, my stomach let out a loud, whining growl, and man was it long. Was I hungry? Did the walk through the “food” court of Tower City entice me? I think not. Had I not stuffed enough sweets into my pocket to satisfy my afternoon hunger? I had no idea why my belly was making such a scene.

Then I thought about it, although there is the “food” court and the traditional movie supplies (popcorn, twizzlers, m&m’s, etc) you often see film goers darting from theatre to theater with a small cooler in tow…what did they know that I didn’t? Even if you don’t think you will get hungry, YOU WILL! Watching movies is a hard sport and one that needs to be fueled strategically.

So, with that said, here are a few ideas for you to munch on as you plan your trip to the film fest this year….

Wine & Chocolate for those late night films…stop in at Lilly’s in Tremont to pack your purse with a “juice box” sized servings of vino and pair it with the perfect truffle for you and your movie sweetie. A big step up from diet coke and snowcaps.

Lunch on the go…put your emergency flashers on and run into Nate’s Deli (on W 25th, near the Market) for a hummus or shawarma rolled pita sandwich ($3-$5). Both sandwiches could be devoured during a film if you quietly roll down the paper and offer your neighbor a bite. Otherwise schedule a few extra minutes prior to the film and have a Tower City “Nates” fountain picnic in order to have that extra energy to wait in the stand by aisle

Taking a break between films…there are many places close by that you can escape the crowds of tower city and enjoy a quick food fix. If you want to stroll around Tremont to stretch your legs, stop by Dish Deli for the lemon scented tuna salad and daily veggie special. Thinking you’ll meet your friends for the next movie for a drink or a bite first? Flying fig and Momocho both have great happy hours, check them out. Need to run home to let your dog out between movies? How about a smoothie from Liquid Planet? If you want to take a break, but aren’t looking to loose your parking space…when is the last time you’ve enjoyed the bar at the Hard Rock Café or sipped a manhattan at Mortons? Check it out!

Speaking of food…I’m hungry; for more films and for some good food. Happy Film Fest, happy eating to you!

Posted on March 22, 2010 by charity
Posted in eating, explore, festival, film, food, fresh, funny, movie, restaurant, support | 3 Comments

{Nov 20, 2009}
  Thankful for the weekend!

I’m THANKFUL it’s the weekend. The weekend before the “Week of Thanks”… So many things to get done before December madness strikes!

Here is what I am planning to do…hope I can squeeze it all in.

Friday.
> Read a new Zine at Bella Dubby
> Eat some Ice Cream to celebrate the END of Tap! :)
> Listen to some great local tunes at made in the 216
> Party like a rock star.

Saturday
> Groom my little pup (shown at Thanksgiving in DC a few years ago)
> Fall in love with a Vampire..or a werewolf.
> Begin my holiday shopping list…(buying locally thanks to the reminder from Chef’s Widow!)
> Stop by the last farmers market of the season…or see the tree lighting?

Sunday
> Brush up on my manners (there are still a few spots left, call 440.247.2550 to sign up!)
> Explore the gardens & gingerbread creations
> FREE HENNA (with any cosmetic purchase) at Dillards in Beachwood…I am thinking a pumpkin, turkey and fall leaves for the Thanksgiving week?

Posted on November 20, 2009 by charity
Posted in adventure, dance, eating, explore, music, pets, photo, play, shopping, support, weekends | 2 Comments

{Oct 19, 2009}
  Symon Sighting & Signing (11/19)

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

For tickets visit www.lkwdpl.org/foundation/msymon/msymon.htm

(Thanks Michelle! Great find.)

Posted on October 19, 2009 by charity
Posted in book, drink, eating, event, farm, favorites, live, local, speaker, wine | Leave a comment

{Oct 14, 2009}
  yummy beer (10/16-24)

Friday, October 16th, through Saturday, October 24th, 2009

Craving a lager? Thinking about a pale ale? Me? I am dying to have a Pumpkin Ale this fall..something spicy, rimmed with brown sugar.

Well, have I got something good for you? This year marks the inaugural event of Cleveland Beer Week. A celebration of beers from the unique small local breweries to the infamous imports, there will be a hop and whey for every one’s beer belly cravings.

Some of the really buzzing events to kick off the brew-ha-ha include…

- Dogfish Head will be at Southside, Friday at 6pm to kick off beer week with old favorites like 90 Minute IPA and new special releases, prices and glasses.

- Sunday at The Beer Engine will be and serving a special beer breakfast.

- West Park Station will be selling ALL craft beers for $2.50.

- Saturday, beginning at 2pm, The Barley House will pair the Ohio State football game with a “10 craft beer samples for $20″ promotion. They will have 30 brews to choose from, and you get a cool mug too.

- On Friday, Moxie Restaurant will host a four-course beer, fondue and raclette dinner. Beginning at 7 p.m., the $45 meal pairs selections from Merchant du Vin, Ayinger and Samuel Smith with imported raclette, and mushroom and shallot fondues.

For more information and where you can grab a great pint…visit www.clevelandbeerweek.org

Posted on October 14, 2009 by charity
Posted in beer, celebrate, drink, eating, event, restaurant | Leave a comment

{Sep 1, 2009}
  be quiet & SPEAKEASY

A speakeasy was an establishment which illegally sold alcoholic beverages during the period of United States history known as Prohibition (1920–1932). During this time, the sale, manufacturing, and transportation (bootlegging) of alcohol was illegal. The term comes from a patron’s manner of ordering an alcoholic drink without raising suspicion—bartenders would tell patrons to be quiet and “speak easy.”

Wondered what the glow of light from below Bar Cento on West 25th was? Have you seen the dimly lit staircase leading to the murmur below? Do you know the secret handshake? Hmmm? What’s down below?

Located in a dimly lighted basement below Bar Cento/McNulty’s Bier Markt, unmarked with no sign. Speakeasy is open every Friday and Saturday night 8pm-2am. (Thursday Live Music Nights coming this Fall)

“I’ve always thought that going out for a cocktail is a great way to escape the mundane realities of life,” says McNulty. “And I was thinking: What was the ultimate escape? The speakeasy during Prohibition.” The concept started brewing in McNulty’s head last year, 75 years after the repeal of Prohibition, which banned the sale of alcohol for consumption.

Check out the culinary cocktail list inspired by Cleveland’s long history of bootlegging and raved about in the New York Times…

Speakeasy Cocktails
The Rosemary–rosemary gin, dry vermouth
Bee’s Knees–honeycomb gin, cane syrup, fresh lemon
O’Sweet Brandy–brandy infused with toasted honey walnuts
Manhattan Pig–caramelized bacon bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters
Pepperoncini Martini–pepperoncini vodka, fresh lime, seltzer
Rome with a View–Campari, dry vermouth, fresh lime, cane syrup, seltzer
Pimm’s Zingiber–pimms No.1, fresh lemon, cane syrup, fresh ginger root, seltzer
Spanish Lover–cachasa, fresh lime, fresh ginger, cane syrup, seltzer

Speakeasy Punches (serves 4)
Claret Jug–red wine, fresh lemon, luxardo, cane syrup, seltzer
Rum Runner–coconut rum, brandy, cranberry, fresh orange, pineapple

For more information and details about the new kid in town visit www.bier-markt.com/blog/

Posted on September 1, 2009 by charity
Posted in bar, drink, eating, history, opening, restaurant | Leave a comment