Category Archives: eat

{May 21, 2013}
  Martins Deli

Morning everybody. Surviving this humidity patch okay? Looks like they say the weekend will cool off in the high 60′s low 70′s…perfect for planting flower, yard work, cleaning out the garage as well as a long bike ride/bar hop and picnics with good friends. Can you tell I have lots planned for the three days off?

Today I just wanted everyone to know about Martin’s Deli in Rocky River…in case you’ve never been in there. It’s a little deli that sits off of Detroit Rd near the high school field. The other day when I was prepping for a road trip so I stopped in to pickup a handful of made to order deli sandwiches and some snacks but to my surprise found a wonderful wine shop as well.

Such assortment, very helpful staff and even a row of chilled wines…perfect for the last minute summer party. If you’ve never been into Martin’s plan to swing in this weekend for some picnic supplies… and when the Heinen’s parking lot looks just too much to bear you can get your malbec fix just up the street! :) Happy Tuesday everybody.

 

Posted on May 21, 2013 by charity
Posted in eat, explore, food, shop, shopping, wine | Tagged | Leave a comment

{Mar 28, 2013}
  Guest Post recipe : Carrot Cake

Every now and then you come across a blogger who makes you smile. Today I get to introduce you to Courtney a fashion student, chef and fellow CLE-lover. I hope you enjoy the recipe she has “whipped” together for you, perfect for Peter Rabbit who might be hopping down your bunny trail for Easter weekend. Thanks Courtney & happy baking weekend to ya!

Hi Friends! My name is Courtney McCrone and I post my musings at 23 Skidoo Blog. I am a Cleveland-lover (what classy lady isn’t?) currently completing my fashion design degree in L.A.; upon graduation this June, and will quickly hustle back to the CLE to live the dream! This summer I will be working on launching some of my designs, so look out world!

Easter is just around the corner, so I am really excited to share a great recipe with you to enjoy with your friends and family–perhaps even some little bunnies that might stop by for brunch!

MORE! →

Posted on March 28, 2013 by charity
Posted in bakery, baking, blog, blogs, cooking, eat, families, family, holiday, holidays, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

{Mar 11, 2013}
  1-tank trip : Columbus

This past weekend I had the opportunity to take a Saturday, 1-tank trip to Columbus. The skies were bright blue and while 71S was swarming with police cars we managed to make it there in just over two hours with no stops.

We arrived to a quiet Columbus starting our morning with breakfast at North Star Cafe on High Street. Not only was the breakfast yummy, the unlimited magazines and people watching was even better. After breakfast we headed to the new Rothko exhibit at the Columbus Museum of Art. It was awesome, a three room intensive on the life of the artist and how his works once more figurative morphed into intense color studies. Also along with the Rothko exhibit there is this fascinating exhibit of Czech puppets on display in the other galleries, almost as cool as Rothko, but also sorta creepy. You have to check it out! MORE! →

Posted on March 11, 2013 by charity
Posted in adventure, artists, arts, artwork, cities, city, drink, drive, eat, events, exhibit, explore, fashion, ohio, outside, shoes, shop, shopping, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

{Feb 5, 2013}
  Support OUR Market!

Morning CLE! It’s another wintery 2-sock day here and this week looks like it’s gonna keep coming; a perfect weekend to hit the slopes for sure!

I wanted to take today to chat about our amazing West Side Market and the recent fire tragedy. It was crazy, because while we usually do shop there pretty regularly the weekend prior to the outbreak we had made a special shopping excursion to find the perfect cut’s of beef, the most fresh mushrooms and an adorable bag of fresh pearl onions (no frozen ones for me) to make my first attempt at Julia Child”s boeuf bourguignon. The entire weekend was focused on this one recipe and the market vendors really added to the romance of the entire experience. Needless to say how sad I was when I hear the news of the fire, as many of us were…speechless.

Last weekend for the super bowl we would normally head to the market for chicken, cheese, perhaps a few pizza bagels? What were we going to do to continue the support of these area vendors? (Cue finding business card from the previous weekend shopping trip from Fricakaccios in my market shopping bag)

We were having a few people over to watch the big game and so rather than order pizza from our usual suspects we decided to try out our favorite pizza bagel stand and head to Fairview Park for Fricakaccios. Not only do they make the best pizza bagels in town, the make all sorts of pizza’s, special to-go options, Italian sandwiches and more. I mean check out the pic I snapped of what was a CHEESBURGER PIZZA! Sounds sorta weird; I know, but honestly I tried it and it was as good as your favorite patty melt served atop of some pizza dough. Bonus, the people at this location were so kind they even carried my order out to the car!

When asked about their market location, a little sadness fell over the team, it broke my heart. I explained that we had searched them out to do our part at supporting them as part of our market community; it brought back their Ohio-proud smiles.

This week there are many opportunities that you can get involved with to support the market and all the tried and true vendors. From the fundraiser at Market Garden Brewery tomorrow night, to the local musicians that will be performing Saturday at the Five O’Clock in Lakewood. Find your own  way to support those vendors who have been closed and without a paycheck during these cold Cleveland winter months. It’s the least we can do for our special place food memories are made. We HEART you West Side Market; get well soon.

(photo : amazing cheeseburger pizza, complete with pickles!)

Posted on February 5, 2013 by charity
Posted in chef, cooking, drink, eat, explore, farmers market, fun, fundraising, historic, independent, local, love, market, ohio, passion, shop, support, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

{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

{Dec 1, 2011}
  Holiday cookie making party!

My friends over at Gatherings Kitchen are hosting their third annual “Holiday Ice Box Cookie Making Event,” I already registered, and I highly recommend you do too!

Join the dynamic due Chef Ruth & Chef Doug in the kitchen for an evening of making slice and bake cookie doughs. We’ll make 6 different delicious icebox cookies that you’ll take home to bake for your holiday celebrations. What better way to impress your last-minute guests than with homemade cookies fresh from the oven. No shopping. No cleaning. Your holiday baking couldn’t be easier!

This year I am hosting the holidays, so any little opportunity to make thinsg a bit easier, I’m all over it! Plus, it just sounds like a fun evening to get to know some fellow holiday baking enthusiasts, I hope you will join me.

The flavors sound scrumptious! Cherry Ribbons, Dark Chocolate Coins, Fig Pinwheels, Lime Meltaways, Cappuccino Crunch, and Cranberry Pistachio. Yummy!

A light supper will be served and we’ll bake up a batch of each dough for tasting. Wednesday, December 14th, from 6-9 p.m. $65 per person. Call Gatherings Kitchen (216.228.2285) TODAY to make sure you are party of this holiday cookie extravaganza!

(photo from Martha Stewart’s cookie book!)

Posted on December 1, 2011 by charity
Posted in chef, chocolate, cooking, eat, event, food | 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

{May 10, 2011}
  beer on tap – giveaway

Hello Cleveland, happy Tuesday to each of you. Isn’t this weather divine? A wonderful past weekend of riding bikes, patios and sunshine makes me a super happy CLE-camper. I even switched over my closet from winter blacks and greys to more pattern and vibrancy…summer is when my closet comes to life, another reason to be happy…flip flops, I digress.

Do you like beer? Well, you are in luck because I have a pair of general admission tickets (valued at $90!) to the IX International Beer Festival happening THIS WEEKEND at the IX Center. I am way more a wine drinker (mostly reds) but I am a sucker for a good light wheat ale, a Corona on a beach or the seasonal brews, especially at Christmas time…you know what I’m talking about. :)

The ticket includes admission to selected entry sessions, unlimited tastings, a special tasting cup and special demos and educational sessions on everything BEER! Tell me which brewery you’d like to sample and a random winner will be drawn this Friday by noon. Good luck and happy hops to all.

Posted on May 10, 2011 by charity
Posted in adventure, beer, blog, blogs, drink, eat, event, explore, fair | 24 Comments

{Apr 25, 2011}
  market under glass giveaway!

Morning Cleveland. A cute rain coat, some sassy wellies and perhaps a bubble-like umbrella should make this weeks forecast of rain, rain, and more rain a tiny bit more fabulous.

Again, another great week in our dear city, including this Thursday’s 16th Annual Market Under Glass event. Filled with unlimited food and drink, this event is the largest fundraiser for Harvest for Hunger.

I went last year (I passed out adorable apps made by Three Birds) and the fundraiser was more fun than I could have ever imagined. Tons of people, great food, decadent desserts…it was over the top amazing. Everyone should get their ticket and meet me there this year!

Speaking of tickets, I have a pair to give one lucky winner (tomorrow…TUESDAY) valued at $170 for the pair. To win, leave me your name and email, winner will be drawn at random.

Posted on April 25, 2011 by charity
Posted in cleveland, community, drink, eat, event, giveaway, non profit | 41 Comments

{Mar 28, 2011}
  Sweet Moses Monday

Happy Sweet Moses Monday!

Were you able to get out this weekend and enjoy the latest and greatest sweet shop that Cleveland has to offer? Let me tell you, I was able to taste test a few of the perfect little treats a few weekends ago and I am still having visions and dreams of Sweet Moses dancing in my head.

Caramel popcorn, bacon & peanut butter sandwich, a sweet strawberry phosphate soda delight and to top it off a simple bowl of the most refreshing, chocolatey mint ice cream, it was a decadent afternoon of sugar-filled happiness.

This new eatery is going to be my summer go-to, I can just feel it. With a quick hop on my bicycle, a snap to my helmet and a handful of “moses money” (stop in to buy their adorable wooden coins to use for purchase) the warm summer nights will be soothed by the fresh ice cream (including Belgian Chocolate & Bananas Foster) and dark chocolate pretzel “bark.”

Owner Jeff and his family have poured hours of love and history into this new city treasure. The interiors boast a historic marble fountain counter, the simple wire parlor chairs compliment the wooden booths of the party room and with no detail left untouched the register shines a vintage golden hue.

Make your plans to visit Sweet Moses ASAP, I promise you will be overjoyed with the details of every sweet sundae, with the charming interiors and most of all…that we can say, Sweet Moses (Cleveland) is open and ready for your visit.

Posted on March 28, 2011 by charity
Posted in amazing, drink, eat, food, new, opening, restaurant, Uncategorized | 1 Comment