The Hungry in Cleveland 12 Days of Christmas

Merry (almost) Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!  Yesterday morning, I received a delicious surprise from a Secret Santa (and if you are reading this, even though I have no clue who you are, thank you!)

Yes, there were a dozen LaBella cupcakes there before two hungry scientists enjoyed cupcakes for breakfast.  I later realized that "12 LaBella Cupcakes" sounds like it belongs in a parody of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" which lead me to come up with this fun little variation.  Enjoy!  

The Hungry in Cleveland 12 Days of Christmas

12 LaBella Cupcakes

11 Types of cheese (The Melt Challenge)

10 toppings on a Happy Dog

9 Parma pierogies

8 Malley's Milk Chocolate Bars

7 fabulous food trucks 

6 Lilly Truffles

5 scoops of Honey Hut!!

4 Farmers Markets

3 Michael Symon restaurants

2 Dinner in the Dark tickets

And a keg of Christmas Ale!!

Oh, and my favorite version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is John Denver and The Muppets

**Side note!  The Chubby Cook has been adding more fun cooking classes to the January schedule!  Remember, use the code ALF2012 to donate 40% of the cost of the class to my Liver Life Challenge fundraising effort!  Or make a donation right on my fundraising page!  My deadline has been extended to January 31, 2012!!**   

Until next time...follow your heart, fulfill your (holiday) hunger!

Romance in Cleveland

I will admit, I have always liked Valentine's Day.  I never thought of it as "Single's Awareness Day" or some made up Hallmark holiday, even when I did not have a Valentine.  I would look forward to the classroom parties in grade school and had my Snoopy Valentines filled out by February 1.  Even in high school and through college, I would still buy the box of Valentines and pass them out to my friends and, if I really felt daring, my crush of the moment.  Maybe it was just another excuse to eat way more candy and treats then I should, or maybe I am just a hopeless cheesy romantic.  Either way, I am looking forward to another romantic culinary adventure on Feb. 14th with my boyfriend and our dinner at a new Cleveland hot spot next Friday.  With all that said, I hope to inspire you if you are still in need of V-Day plans with my top 5 most romantic Cleveland restaurants.

5: L'Albatros Zach Bruell's French inspired brasserie has provided a modern yet seductive atmosphere on University Circle for almost two years.  There is something to be said for enjoying French cuisine by the fireplace with a bottle of wine in the winter or on the patio in the spring and summer.  I also enjoyed a very romantic birthday dinner here.  For Valentine's Day, Bruell is offering a prix fixe menu at $75/couple along with an aprodisiac salon on February 13.

4: Lago The only Italian restaurant in Tremont offers a wine list and menu to seduce the wine and Italian food lover in all of us.  The booth's offer a cozy, intimate setting to enjoy one of Chef Fabio Salemo's interpretation of Northern Italian cuisine and a bottle of wine from a list that boasts over 100 varieties of Italian wine, many being undiscovered or hard to find.

3: Fahrenheit Rocco Whalen's Tremont restaurants provides a dimly lit atmosphere perfect for any couple looking to set the mood.  The food speaks for itself, making it one of my favorite Cleveland restaurants.  Whalen describes the food as "contemporary American regional cuisine".  I describe it as romance for your tastebuds.                              

2: Lola Michael Symon's East 4th establishment can make anyone fall in love.  Dimly lit and intimate tables for two are only the beginning.  The menu boasts some of the Iron Chef's best creations and can satisfy any pallet.  If you are looking for a "wow-factor" date, everything about Lola will fit the bill.  Afterall, the wine list is on an iPad.  Or just order the 6 a.m. special.  Bacon ice cream = food of love!

1. Pier W.  Maybe it is because I love seafood and Pier W sets the standard.  Maybe it is the breathtaking view of Lake Erie and the Cleveland skyline.  Maybe it is the fact that is has been a Cleveland landmark since 1965.  Maybe it is because it was the setting for my perfect Valentine's Day last year.  Whatever it is, Pier W tops my list.  Last year, their special Valentine's Day menu was superb.  This year, they are offering a chocolate bar and V-Day packages starting at $75/couple.

For more Valentine's ideas around Cleveland, check out these posts from fellow bloggers Bite Buff, Poise in Parma, and Why CLE?.  I can only speak from experience with this list, so I must ask you dear readers, What do YOU think the most romantic restaurant in Cleveland is?   

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

The Best Thing I Ever Ate...Part 1

Happy November Everyone!  I hope everyone had a great Halloween full of their favorite treats and pumpkin libations.  With that said, let the days get shorter, the temps get cooler, and the thoughts of TURKEY fill our minds and pallets.  November is a great month for foodies.  A few events worth noting before I get to the point of this blog.

*The Fabulous Food Show will be at the IX Center November 12-14.  This is a wonderful time to meet celebrity chefs (Guy Fieri, Michael Symon, and Giada De Laurentiis to name a few), taste treats from local businesses, and do a little wine tasting.  Tickets are $25 in advance (wine tasting is $5 extra).  For more information visit: http://www.fabulousfoodshow.com/

*Christmas time is here...well, sort of.  A Cleveland Christmas favorite is now on taps and will soon be on store shelves this week.  The elves at Great Lakes Brewing Company have the 2010 edition of Christmas Ale ready to bring holiday cheer to all.

*Cleveland Independent Restaurant Week November 1-14.  For two weeks, many local favorites are offering three courses prix fixe  for $30.  A complete list of participating restaurants and menus is available here:  http://www.clevelandindependents.com/wp/?page_id=280

*Thanksgiving: November 25.  Need I say more??

Ok, so one of my favorite shows on Food Network is "The Best Thing I Ever Ate".  Each episode, Food Network personalities and other famous foodies give their best of list related to a particular topic.  Every time I watch this show, I often wonder how I would answer "What is the best (fill in the blank) you have ever eaten?  Some are hands down easier then others.  Last week, while dining at Lola, I came across a dish that would answer that question.  If I am ever asked what is the best dessert, sweet surprise, etc. I have ever had, I would hands down say the 6 a.m. Special at Lola on East 4th Street.  As we all know, Chef Michael Symon loves bacon and finds unique ways to work it into any dish.  When I first heard of the bacon ice cream served at Lola, it immediately topped my list of things I MUST eat.  The ice cream is actually maple bacon ice cream.  This combination of sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy is making my mouth water as I type this post.  It is served on top two pieces of brioche French toast and drizzled with maple syrup.  On the side, it is paired with caramelized apples.  I already love the "Breakfast for Dinner" concept, but the "Breakfast for Dessert" idea takes the cake.  I may even recommend ordering this first just to make sure you have room for it.  I was also informed this ice cream is the base for the apple bacon bourbon milkshake at B-Spot.  Iron Chef, you once again succeeded at infusing bacon into a very unlikely treat.

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