Martinis, Etiquette, and a Seance!

This past Friday, I engaged in all three at the Hanna Theater.  Thanks to my dear friend Julie, I was invited to a special social media night to see the Great Lakes Theater production of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, which also included an introduction to making cocktails and an etiquette lesson.

Stirred, not shaken!

Our night began with a demo on how to properly make a martini.  Noel Coward was a huge fan of gin martinis and was often seen waving one towards the stage during a performance of one of his plats.  We learned a classic martini is made of equal parts gin (or vodka) and vermouth, chilled, stirred, and strained into a martini glass.  (Sorry James Bond, shaken not stirred is not the correct way to make a martini).  We were then given the choice to have either a gin or vodka martini garnished with either an olive or lemon.   Of course, I went with gin and a lemon garnish.

Colleen

With our martinis in hand, we then headed upstairs for an etiquette lesson by Colleen Harding of the Cleveland School of Etiquette.  Colleen's lecture focused on proper etiquette at a cocktail party.  She explained the importance of using proper wine glasses with stems, how and when to join in a conversation, and how to appropriately give someone your business card.  As cute and chic as stemless wine glasses may be, if you are going to be in a situation where you are holding your glass, they will cause your wine to warm  quickly from body heat ruining the characteristics of the wine.  Also, did you know it is not proper to hand someone your card initially, if at all.  Colleen pointed out you should only give someone your card if they ask for it.  Remember, you are at a social event, not a poker tournament.  

Hilarious and "spook-tacular"!

We then were given a brief tour and history of the Hanna before showtime.  In 2008, Great Lakes Theater renovated the Hanna to create a more intimate experience for theater goers.  I personally feel there is not a bad seat in the house.  Also, the bar located in the back of the theater is a gift from Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.  Tom did perform for three seasons at the Great Lakes Theater.  

Blithe Spirit tells the story of novelist Charles Condomine who wants to research spirits for a novel he is working on.  Along with his wife Ruth, their friends the Bradmans, and Madame Arcati, they participate in a seance with leads to the spirit of Charles' first wife, Elvira, being summonsed to visit Charles.  Elvira is unhappy to find Charles has remarried and tries to sabotage his marriage to Ruth.  The play itself is comical and very enjoyable.  It is running currently through March 10.  You can save $10 on tickets by using the code: NEO when you purchase tickets online, over the phone (216-241-6000), or at the Playhouse Square box office.

Delish!!

Afterwards, Katie, Julie, Jessica, Chris, Kasey, and Mary head to Cowell & Hubbard for some late night treats.  I ordered the vegan pizza which was topped with a bed of arugula and balsamic.  It was perfect for a late late dinner!  I cannot wait to return and try an entree and cocktail!  Zack Bruell once again did not disappoint!

**Disclaimer: I was invited to attend social media night at Great Lakes Theater.  I was given a ticket and complimentary cocktail in exchange for blogging about my visit.  As always, all opinions are 100% my own**

My Best Days Are Ahead of Me!

Loved this cake!  Wonder what will be on 27??

Once again, I am back from a blogging hiatus.  Alot has happened since I last posted, some good some bad.  One thing I have learned (yet again) is I must be more open about what is really going on inside.  I never really have been one for making New Year's resolutions but I do have an ever growing bucket list.  Sunday is my birthday which kicks off my favorite week of the year.  Seriously, my birthday, then Thanksgiving (ultimate food holiday), then Black Friday (biggest shopping day of the year).  I could not have been born during a more appropriate week.  I have read quite a few ___ at ____ "birthday resolution" lists lately which made me think, why not.   I realize some of these I already have been working on, some I have complete control over, and others I have to do my best and leave it up to God.  So here it is in no particular order, Steph's 27 at 27.  Enjoy!

1. Run 4 marathons.  Already signed up for Disney in January and Cleveland in May.
2. Take a fun, creative class. (cake decorating, creative writing, ballroom dancing...)
3. Ragnar with the #DirtyRunner team!!!!
4. Make more time for those I truly love and mean the world to me.
5. Find a new job
6. Road trip with the Tribe.  Every season I say I will go to an away game and never end up doing it.
7. Reach my $3400 Liver Life Challenge fundraising goal. (*hint*hint*cough*cough*nudge*)
8. Do the Warrior Dash
9. Do something every day to make me happy.  It can be as simple as going for a run, giving into ice cream, or buying a new pair of shoes.
10. Buy a house/condo
11. Get back into yoga
12. Finally get my passport
13. Get a puppy
14. Make Nana's chicken paprikash.  I have put off attempting this for way too long.
15. Finish the Tour de Bruell.  Yeah, this past year I only made it to one restaurant.
16. Actually finish books I started reading.
17. Be a better blogger
18. Be more responsible and everything that entails.
19. Continue to eat healthy while every now and then treating myself within moderation.
20. Watch the sunset over Lake Erie
21. Go to the Ohio Wineries.  As shameful as it is to admit, I have never been.
22. Volunteer more.
23. Find a softball team to play on this spring/summer.
24. Go to a Notre Dame football game.  It has been too long since I have been in Notre Dame Stadium.
25. Host a clambake.  Again, every fall I want to do it and never get around to it.
26. Go to the Southern Tier brewery.
27. Overall, be the best me I can be!  

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

Pierogies, Parallax, and Two-A-Days

So initially I wasn't going to write this post because I was not pleased at first with the end result.  However, I am the type of person who loves turning a negative into a positive and that is what I did.

As many of you probably have read, this past Saturday was the July meetup of the Cleveland Chapter of the Ohio Blogging Association.  We were participating in the Parma Area Relay for Life "Run for the Pierogies 5K."  Lately I have been determined to run a sub-25 5K at a 8:00 pace.  Saturday seemed like the perfect day to do so.  The course was for the most part flat and it's always motivating to see so many friendly faces on race day!  And, there were pierogies at the finish line.  What more could a foodie/runner ask for?

Photo from the OBA Facebook page.
CLEgal, Morgan, Courtney, Alicia, Jess, Kali, Steph
not pictured here: Ryan, Molly, and Amanda

I woke up a little more excited for this race then most other 5Ks.  I was very happy when I got into my car at felt mild temps and little to no humidity.  If I only knew what Mother Nature was planning as the morning progressed.  After picking up my packet and finding everyone, I noticed something...hello humidity!  I was not going to let it get into my head though.  I found a place towards the front/middle of the pack, set the iPod and watch, and took off as soon as the bell rang.  I did the first mile in 7:55 which on a non-humid day would have been PR pace.  However, by the time we reached the water stop at the half way point, I knew that second loop was not going to be pretty.  I was starting to feel fatigued and starting to slightly cramp.  Just I was ready to give up and walk a bit, slightly past mile 2 or so, Kali caught up with me and we made sure we both finished the race together!  After crossing the finish line, I quickly grabbed water and found shade.  I felt so lightheaded and the thought of food was not appealing at all.  No pierogies for me.  I even did not feel up to joining the other bloggers for brunch as originally planned.  I felt defeated.         

Since I was in Parma, I figured a stop at Honey Hut would cheer me up.  Even after waiting in the parking lot for them to open, I opted to take my Blackberry Chocolate Chip home for later (sidenote:  It is delish and a limited time flavor).  All I wanted was water and a do-over of the race.  By 5:00, I was still in a mood but finally regained my appetite.  The bf and I headed down to Tremont for dinner at Parallax.  Finally checking off stop #1 on my Tour de Bruell put me in a much better mood.  I went with the Japanese Udon noodles since  we also decided to go for a late night run too.  (Blogger fail, no picture).  Everything about this dish, even the melts in your mouth pork belly, brought a smile to my face.  The noodles were not too heavy and they were the perfect way to enjoy the soup which pleased my excess of umami receptors.  For dessert, the sorbet trio (mango, blueberry, and raspberry) was the perfect palate cleanser for a hot July evening.

Two or so hours later with our dinners properly digested, we took to the streets of Lakewood for a late night run.  By this time, the sun had gone down and the humidity was greatly reduced.  Maybe it was the feeling of revenge I wanted or maybe it was the determination to prove something to myself, but that 4.75 miles was one of the best runs I have had in quite sometime.  I really wish I timed it too.  I need to figure out how I can work a two-a-day run into my schedule now.  Monday morning also brought a pleasant surprise for me.  Despite my bad time and the humidity, I managed to finish 11th in my age group out of 36.  Another 5K goal I have is to be in the top 10 for my age group. One passion driving another passion.  I really will run for food.

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

Tuesday's Tidbits

Welcome to the second helping of Tuesday's Tidbits.  Hope you are staying warm and safe on this snowy/chilly/icy day in Cleveland.  Even though the weather outside may be frightful, there are plenty of delicious events coming up around Northeastern Ohio.

For starters, Cleveland's favorite food truck Dim and Den Sum will be offering in home and private cooking classes.  Visit their website for more information.

Tomorrow evening, Bistro on Lincoln Park will be holding a Winter Wine Tasting event.  $40 gives you a five course prix fixe dinner each carefully paired with a glass of wine.  Reservations recommended.

Staying in Tremont, Parallax will be starting sushi and wine classes on February 21.  Learn how to roll sushi and the best wine parings.  Contact Parallax to reserve a spot.

As if Dante could not get any better, look for the opening of Ginko, a sushi restaurant beneath Dante to be opening soon.

Last thought on sushi, Chef Matthew Mytro, who prepared the tantalizing food served at last Wednesday's "Aphrodisiacs" will be holding his next "Naked Sushi" on March 24 at Suite Six.

Speaking of the Emerging Chefs, their next event will be held on February 23.  "Sacrilicious" will feature the food of Chef Jeff Fisher of Touch Supper Club in a very unique venue.

For all of you craft beer lovers out there,Great Lakes Brewing Company tapped a brewpub exclusive Big Black Smoke porter this week.  Looking ahead, The IX Center Beerfest will be held May 13-14.  Check out the event's website or this great post from Cleveland Food and Brews Reviews.

February also brings a new Sandwich of the Month to Melt.  This month's "The Dude Abides Melt" was inspired by the movie "The Big Lebowski".  If you are more of a Molly Ringwald and Emilio Estivez fan, Melt will be offering "The Brat Pack Breakfast Club Melt" this weekend only to compliment their screening of the movie at Cedar Lee.

With all that being said, hopefully everyone is making their Valentine's Day plans for that special someone in your life.  Cleveland has so many great, romantic places and they will fill up quickly around February 14.  Some of those places will be featured on HIC next week.  Don't forget to stop at Malley's or Lilly Handmade Chocolates to get some sweets for your sweet.

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

Bon Appetite a la Bruell!

One of the big names on the Cleveland culinary scene would have to be Zack Bruell.  Owner of four wonderful restaurants, Table 45, Parallax, L'Albatros, and Chinato, Zack offers Clevelanders a variety of food and cooking styles.  In all of my dining adventures at Bruell's restaurants, I have yet to have a less then fabulous meal.  The service and selection also is nothing short of wonderful too.  If I only paid a bit more attention (or joined Twitter sooner) I would have participated in the Tour de Bruell, a promotion running through December 3 to dine at all four restaurants with the chance to win a four course meal for eight people with Zack Bruell.  My most recent dining adventure happened to be at Bruell's French Brasserie on University Circle, L'Albatros.

When going to restaurants, I love to try new things.  I hate falling into the always ordering the same thing rut may tend to fall into when dining out.  Yes, I do have my "stand-by" dishes just in case something does not capture my curiosity and spark my appetite.  When going over the extensive menu at L'Albatros, which has a large variety of poultry, seafood, beef, and vegetarian options, one thing definitely caught my eye, "sauteed skate wing".  Now I like to think I am quite familiar with various poultry and seafood options, however I never heard of skate.  My boyfriend clarified it was a type of sting ray but never tried it himself.  I asked our server, who was very helpful and friendly, about the taste.  She explained it as a very mild seafood almost like a whitefish or shellfish.  That made my decision for me.  I must say, I am very pleased with my adventurous pallet because I LOVED the skate.  It was sauteed in a brown butter sauce and accompanied by zucchini and tomatoes cooked in cheese.  

I must also mention the puree of eggplant, mushroom, and tomato soup that we had was the perfect starter to the meal.  A bit of future advice for those wanting to have soup but not wanting it to fill you up.  Ask if it could be split into two or more portions and share with your table.  Much like Bruell's other restaurants, a basket of bread is not placed on the table, yet brought to you, as needed, to enjoy with the olive oil and herbs.  I also must commend our server too for being very friendly and attentive.  After asking about a huge cheese tray I saw being taken around and mentioning my love of truffle, she brought me what is now my new favorite cheese (I will tweet the name later to ensure proper spelling).  It was very mild had a perfect perfect buttery texture.  I was later told, this particular cheese was brought back to Italy by Marco Polo.

Overall, I would recommend any of Bruell's restaurants for a date night or night out with friends who are in town.  The food and service will exceed any expectations.  Bruell's restaurants, specifically L'Albatros, are worth repeat visits to truely experience all it has to offer.

I now want to apologize for not updating recently.  As we all know, Thursday is Thanksgiving and I have been a bit busy preparing the menu for the big day.  I am so ready to talk turkey!!  Also, I would like to mention Cakes Plus bakery in Rocky River.  I am a recent winner of one of their Facebook contests and will blog about the Ultimate Brownies I have won once I pick them up.

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