Tuesday's Tidbits

As mentioned on Twitter and Facebook this morning, I was launching a new blog feature, and here it is!  Tuesday's Tidbits is a collection of random thoughts related to the Cleveland food scene and my culinary adventures.  If there are any events or thoughts you would like to contribute to future "Tuesday's Tidbits" please let me know.

First off, I had a fabulous time getting to know other Cleveland bloggers last Wednesday at The Ohio Blogging Association's first Cleveland meet up at Whole Foods in University Heights.  It was great to meet some of my favorite bloggers CLEgal (ok we go way back), Allison, Katie, Heather,Alicia (who did a fabulous job planning the event), Brad, Katrina,Kali and Scott, the Chubby Cook himself.  I also was introduced to and now follow Alana, Michelle, Suzanne, Cleveland Chick, Carly, and Quarry Lane Farms.  We enjoyed a fabulous raw foods demo by Lauren which included parsnip-macadamia rice, avocado, carrots, sweet pea shoots, and rolled sushi style in black nori, a hollowed out you thai coconut with lemon sorbet, raw chocolate infused with mandarin orange-mango preserve (my favorite), raw ginger, and raw coconut.  Afterwards, we were treated to a feast of vegan friendly entrees which included General Tso's Vegan Nuggets which I am going to call "I Can't Believe It's NOT Chicken", MOlly's Asian Noodles, Emerald Sesame Kale, and grilled veggies in Asian dressing.  Great time with great bloggers.  Looking forward to the next one!

Great happy hour at Reddstone Friday night.  However, some advice.  If your business card is pulled for hosting a happy hour as CLEgal's was, make sure there is not a large party sharing the room with you, especially if that party has a tall, drunk bald guy.  There will not be enough food.  Luckily, I had a Restaurant.com certificate for Reddstone with me.  Love their sweet potato fries.

Saturday night, I had a great time at the Winking Lizard's World Tour Party.  While not a World Tourist myself, I enjoyed good food, good beer, and great company.  I would like to suggest to the Lizard to put the veggie burger sliders on the regular menu if you have not done so already.  While speaking of the Winking Lizard, they are sponsoring a soup recipe contest.  You have until January 31 to email your recipe which , if selected, will be a part of their rotating soup selections.  

I am looking forward to the latest Emerging Chef's event, "Aphrodisiacs" tomorrow night at one of my favorite Cleveland bars, The Velvet Tango Room.  Kinda puts me in the mood to start thinking about Valentine's Day.

Lastly, CONGRATULATIONS to Bier Markt for being name one of America's 100 best beer bars.  This concludes your first helping of "Tuesday's Tidbits"  Let me know what you think!  Your suggestions can only make it better!

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your hunger