Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Lake Erie Snow Machine.

So with December in Cleveland comes snow. And lots of it.

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It has snowed almost every day since December 1st. Last Wednesday, we got a foot throughout the day and I stayed planted on my couch, watching the snow fall. This past weekend, yet another storm warning was in effect, predicting one to two feet along with extreme winds. I can't decide which is worse, the wind of this storm or the fact that last week all the snow came at once. I did drive in this storm a couple times, however, slowly trying to acclimate myself to Midwest weather.

And we are enjoying some winter weather activities. We went to Indians Snow Days on Friday to do some ice skating and snow tubing. Also, meet our tiny snowman we made on the balcony. Unfortunately, he has melted now from the couple of 35+ degree days we had. But his memory lives on.

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Monday, November 8, 2010

Let the snow fall down.

This past weekend, I felt my first snow flakes here in Cleveland.

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This is the earliest in the year I have ever seen snow fall. And I'm learning about this whole lake effect situation because as we drove there was completely green grass fifteen minutes one way and inches of snow fifteen minutes the other way. Now most of it has melted and the forecast says temperatures in the fifties and sixties for the week. What a tease that's going to be. Because the snow will be back and probably soon.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Sunday brunch at Shaker Square.

Yesterday, the boyfriend and I had our first Sunday brunch experience here in Cleveland. It was also our first visit to Shaker Square, a quaint little area filled with restaurants and shopping. In warmer weather, it would definitely be a nice place to spend the afternoon just walking around.

We went to Fire Food and Drink, sort of an upscale fine dining restaurant. Thus, the prices were a little higher than a casual brunch place, but oh my, it was worth it. Right away, we enjoyed the atmosphere with its open kitchen and packed, but still very welcoming dining room. We had a nice table for two by the window.

We quickly ordered a mimosa (which had a great champagne to orange juice ratio; usually it's just too much oj) and I tried the seasonal fruit smoothie. Then we started off with a housemade sticky bun. It was definitely sweet, there's no way I could've eaten the whole thing. But it was oh so good! For our meals, I had the almond stuffed french toast and he had the bbq beef tacos.

Everything. Was. Delicious.

There's really not much else to say. We had a great experience and if they make brunch this good, we will certainly come back for lunch or dinner sometime. :)

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Our first trip to The West Side Market.

The boyfriend's brother came and went. The second day he was here, we started our day at Melt. We sat at the bar because the place was packed and the bartender entertained the hell out of our visitor. She told him about so many great places to go, he wanted to do them all. Oh, we were also interviewed for The Today Show which definitely made the trip memorable. Unfortunately, we haven't seen it air yet.

After Melt, the plan was to stop by Sokolowski's. Sad to find out, they weren't open for lunch on Saturday. So it was between B Spot Burgers (the Melt bartender said there was an Apple Pie & Bacon Milkshake with Bourbon in it that was to die for) or The West Side Market (which she also raved about).

We convinced him we'd go to The West Side Market. I first heard about it on Anthony Bourdain's show No Reservations before we moved to Cleveland.

They had fresh pasta that we will definitely buy one day. 
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Scrumptious looking fresh bread.
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And other delicious assortments.
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(The dessert in the top center is called a Monk - get it if you're ever in the area. Fresh raspberry flavor with heavenly tasting chocolate. Mmmmm.)
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Anyway, that place meets highest expectations. It's now a bi-weekly trip for us.

Friday, September 10, 2010

We have a house guest to entertain.

So the boyfriend's brother arrived today to stay with us this weekend. He's attending a wedding nearby in Geneva. The two days he's here, he wants to hit up some of the hot spots of Cleveland he's seen on TV.

Thus, we conquered Lola for lunch today the moment he got into town. Delicious, by the way. Must mention: the pear martini, fried bologna sandwich, and the chocolate pot de creme we shared for dessert. Now they're off to the rehearsal dinner.

For tomorrow, it's Melt for lunch (he saw it on Man v. Food and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) and then stopping by Sokolowski's (which he saw on The Best Thing I Ever Ate with Michael Symon) for some pierogis. Then time for the wedding.

I'd really love to take him to momocho (went there for the first time the other day - delicious take on mexican food) or The West Side Market, but there's only so much time. He's leaving early Sunday morning.