Ribs + 80's music = Summer in CLE!

There are many signs of summer in Cleveland.  Patios are once again full of patrons enjoying drinks.  The Tribe is once again underway at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.  Boats once again float along Lake Erie.  Sundresses and sandals make their way out of hibernation.  Temperatures (in theory) get warmer and days get longer.  Kids and teachers countdown the remaining days of school.  For many, Memorial Day Weekend signifies the unofficial start to summer.  Communities hold parades to honor those lost defending our freedom.  Families have their first official cookout of the season.  There is one event that has marked the unofficial start of summer in Cleveland for the past 22 years, The Marc's Great American Rib-Cook Off & Music Festival at Jacob's Pavilion.  Once again, hungry Clevelanders will be welcoming summer on the West bank of the Flats May 24-27.

Highlights this year will include:

• Marc's amateur grilling competition on Saturday, May 25
• Greatest Ribs in America, Greatest Sauce in America, and People's Choice awards on Monday, May 27
• The new Riverside Dining area and terrace
• Performances by Mega 80's: The Ultimate 80's Reto Party (Friday night), Rick Springfield (Saturday night), Buddy Guy (Sunday night), and Bret Michaels (Monday evening)

I love the 80's

Tickets are $5 for adults and kids under 12 are FREE.  Fox 8 is also sponsoring a Rock & Ribs dining deal for $31 which includes $40 worth of food and two general admission tickets.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.fox8.com/rib or at area Marc's stores.  Entertainment is included with admission, however prime reserve tickets for Rick, Buddy, and Bret are available at livenation.com.  I also have two general admission tickets that YOU can win right here!  There are three ways to enter!

1. Tell me your favorite way to kick off summer in Cleveland. (Tribe games!)
2. What is your favorite 80's band and/or song? (Tough one here...I have to go with "Don't Stop Believing" but I love it all!)
3. Tweet "I want to kick off summer in #CLE and rock out with @HungryInCLE at #TheGreatAmericanRibCookOff! http://bit.ly/11gttda"  (You can tweet daily.  Please leave a comment telling me you did so)

Contest ends Sunday, May 12 at noon.  Winner will be announced Monday morning.  Good luck!!!

**Disclaimer:  I was asked to promote the Marc's Great American Rib Cook-Off and Music Festival. In return, I was given two general admission tickets for myself, and another pair to give away on the blog.  All opinions are 100% my own!**

Treat Yo' Self + A Great Big WINNER!

Happy Monday!  First of all, thanks to everyone who entered my Great Big Giveaway!  You can still save $1 purchasing tickets online using the code HUNGRYCLE.  I am looking forward to checking out the Great Big Home + Garden Show this weekend!  For more chances to win, check out Bite Buff and Why? CLE.

Congratulations to TISH who was comment #20: "tweeted again today for another entry. can you tell i am dying to go??"

Winner was chosen using random.org.

Lately, I have been catching up on the series Parks and Recreation.  I know, the show has been on for four seasons, but I haven't seen an episode until this fall when Vice President Biden made a guest appearance.  Since then, between Netfilx and DVDs, I am almost all caught up.  There was an episode during season 4 in which the characters of Tom (Aziz Ansari) and Donna (Rhetta) went on their yearly day of indulgence with the motto "Treat Yo Self"

What I took away from this episode is not to go out and spend frivolously, but to "treat yo'self" on a regular basis.  It could be as simple as taking 10 minutes of "me time" in the middle of the day to just be.  It could be a night out with friends/significant other at your favorite restaurant.  It also could be your daily workout.  So this week, when stress is piling up or life is getting to you, remember to take time and "Treat Yo'Self".

Whether is is simple or over indulgent, what is your favorite way to "Treat Yo'Self"?

**Disclaimer: I was asked to promote the Great Big Home + Garden show on my blog.  In return, I was given a pair of tickets to giveaway, and another for me and a guest to "treat ourselves" at the show.  As always, opinions are 100% my own**

A Great Big Giveaway!

Despite the freezing cold temperatures, spring is in the air at the IX Center.  The fourth annual Great Big Home + Garden Show will be taking place from Saturday, February 2, through Sunday, February 10.

Over 650 home, garden, and culinary exhibitors will be on hand to inspire you and give you new ideas to bring new life to your home.  There will be demonstrations, attractions, and the chance to meet celebrities.  Some highlights include:

• A 4,000 square foot Idea Home and 2,000 square foot Dream Basement which will allow visitors to get ideas on how to make their dream home a reality
• The Garden Showcase which will feature 17 U.S. Landmarks
• The Main Stage and The Loretta Paganini Cooking Stage
• The chance to meet:
• Chris Crary (Ohio-native) from Top Chef
• Matt Fish of Melt Bar and Grilled
• Matt Fox from HGTV
• Peter Walsh from TLC's "Clean Sweep"

Tickets are $11.00 (online) for adults, $10.00 for seniors (age 65+), and $5.00 for kids ages 6-12.  Use the code HUNGRYCLE and receive $1 online ticket purchases.  Or, you can WIN 2 tickets from me!  You have until Sunday, January 27th at noon to enter.  Winner will be selected Sunday night and announced Monday morning.  How do you enter?

1. Leave a comment telling me what you what reminds you most of springtime in Cleveland.  
2. Tweet "I want to catch spring fever with @HungryInCLE at @GreatBigShow http://bit.ly/WUazj8"  (You can tweet once daily, leave a comment each time you do so.)

Good luck and maybe I will see you there!!

**Disclaimer:  I was asked to promote The Great Big Home + Garden Show on my blog. In return, I was given two tickets for myself, and two tickets to give away.  All opinions are 100% my own**

Tuesday's Tidbits

Remember a while back, I did this almost weekly.  Well, today is the return of Tuesday's Tidbits (and hopefully less one post weeks).

Sushi anyone?  Thanks for the pic Amanda!

I first want to give a huge THANK YOU to Cleveland City Council for passing legislation to allow food trucks downtown.  Also, the passing Healthy Cleveland will ban trans fat in restaurants and further limit smoking in public.

There is still time to purchase tickets for Thursday's Market Under Glass to benefit Harvest for Hunger.  Over fifty local restaurants will be participating.  This is a wonderful opportunity to try new places and revisit familiar favorites.  Tickets are $85 in advance or $100 at the door.

Having a hard time deciding what to eat tonight?  Head down to Tremont and stop by Lava Lounge or Ty Fun.  Tonight, 10% of all purchases will benefit Arts in August.

Speaking of Tremont, it's almost Farmer's Market season!

The third C-Town Chowdown will be held on May 22 from 11-3 (ugh...conflicts with the brother's college graduation for me).

On May 9th, celebrate Momocho's fifth birthday!  Check out Cleveland Foodie's write up for all the details.

Beer lovers, rejoice!  On May 13-14 the IX-Center will be hosting the International Beer Fest.  Cleveland Food and Brews and The Brewer's Daughter have more information and chances to win tickets too!

The May 16 Dinner in the Dark at The Greenhouse Tavern is SOLD OUT!  However, they will be holding a special DitD on May 23 at Amp 150.  Also, mark your calendars for the June 20 at The Flying Fig.

Check back next week for more May events and announcements!  The last week of May is a great week for Cleveland Foodies!!

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

Naked Sushi Winner!

 17 = mojamala2 said...Love love love Spicy Tuna!  

Congrats to Jessica!!

First off, thanks to everyone who entered and retweeted about my Naked Sushi Giveaway.  A HUGE thank you to Matthew Mytro for providing me with the tickets to give away.  If you are still interested in Free Naked Sushi tickets, head on over to Cleveland Food and Brews by Sunday at 7 p.m.  Tickets are still available for $15 through Stove Monkeys and will be $20 at the door Thursday night.   

I also want to mention Green Dog Wine will donate a can of food to the Cleveland Food Bank for every comment on her latest post.  This goes through noon today!  Have a great weekend!

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

Tuesday's Tidbits

Happy Tuesday!  Hope everyone is having a great week and getting excited for St. Patrick's Day and March Madness!  I know I sure am.  This weekend, starting Thursday, be sure to check out the numerous St. Patty's Day and March Madness events throughout Cleveland.  There are so many fun events in the coming weeks too!

*First off, on March 24th at Suite Sixx, Naked Sushi from 7:30-11.  Tickets are $15 in advance from Stove Monkeys, $20 at the door, or FREE to one lucky Hungry in Cleveland reader.  There is still plenty of time to enter my very first GIVEAWAY!!

*Also on March 24th, The Emerging Chefs will be hosting their fifth production, The ThEATrical featuring Chef Adam Bostwick of Melange.  Tickets are going fast, so get yours today!  Also check out what Cleveland Food and Brews and Poise in Parma have written about this fabulous event!

*Still on March 24th, Twestival Cleveland will be taking place at Amp150 to benefit We Run this City.  From 5-9 p.m., gather with some of your favorite "tweeps" to enjoy good food for a good cause.  Tickets are on sale now for $10.  Also follow @TwestivalCLE for the latest updates.

*Next Wednesday, March 23rd, The Ohio Blogging Association will be holding their monthly Cleveland meetup at The Cleveland Foodbank.

*On Sunday, March 27th, Lincoln Park in Tremont will be invaded by food trucks from all around Cleveland for C-Town Chow Down!

*On March 26th, the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood gets a bit sweeter with the opening of Sweet Moses. More to come on Sweet Moses in the near near future!

*Head over to Visible Voice in Tremont on March 25th for wine tasting to benefit the InterReligious Task Force on Central America.  Tickets are $15 at the door.

*It's Fish Fry season.

*Finally, on April 11, L'Albatros will be holding its first beer dinner.  For $60.00, enjoy a five course dinner complete with beer pairing.

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

Naked Sushi Giveaway!!

I am excited to announce my first reader giveaway thanks to Chef Matthew Mytro of Stove Monkeys and Crisp Catering.  As many of you may recall, Chef Mytro was the culinary mastermind behind the third Emerging Chefs event last January, Aphrodisiacs and last month's Ladies Bite Out.  Both events resulted in a wonderful evening with great food.  On March 24th, Mytro teams up with Dante Boccuzzi to give Clevelanders a unique preview of Ginko, which is set to open early this year.  The two had the honor of cooking together earlier this year at the James Beard House in New York City for Dueling Dantes.  Naked Sushi promises to arouse your taste buds and curiosity along with great Asian inspired food.  So how can you join in the fun???

Ticket for Naked Sushi, held at  Suite Sixx can be purchased for $15 at the Stove Monkeys website, $20 at the door, or FREE if you are my lucky first winner!!  Chef Mytro has graciously provided me with two tickets to one lucky HIC reader.  Winner will be announced Friday, March 18, giving you until 11:59 p.m. on St. Patrick's Day to enter!  You have 6 different opportunities to win these tickets.  Each must be a separate comment.  Winner will be selected via random.org.

1: Comment on this post telling me your favorite type of sushi (mine is ugani.  Eel is so yummy!)

2: "Like" Hungry in Cleveland on Facebook if you haven't already done so.

3: "Like" Stove Monkeys on Facebook and sign up for their newsletter.

4: Tweet the following: "I want FREE SUSHI from @HungryInCLE and @stovemonkeys!! Please RT daily!  http://tinyurl.com/4dsqeg7" (You can do this daily. Please comment each time you do so!)

5: Add Hungry in Cleveland to your blogroll

6: Follow Hungry in Cleveland on Networked Blogs
    

I also realize this event coincided with The Emerging Chefs "The Theatrical" however, sushi will not be unleashed until after 9:00 p.m.  There is plenty of time to support both great Cleveland foodie events and chefs.  Good luck readers!  Hope to see you on the 24th!    

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

Disclaimer: I was given two tickets to Naked Sushi from Matthew Mytro to giveaway on my blog.