Are you Ready for Some Football???

After last night's upsetting BCS National Championship game, you would think football would be the last thing I would be writing about.  However, registration is now open for one of my favorite fundraising events...BvB CLE!!!  

Last year, we raised over $41,000 for the Alzheimer's Association and, despite losing to #TeamBlonde, had fun doing so.  I will once again be taking the field with #TeamBrunette to tackle Alzheimer's and get revenge on #TeamBlonde on June 15!  So how can you get in on the action this year??

1: Registration is now open online.  Remember, only girls can play.  Redheads and all other hues are free agents.  Once again, there is a fundraising goal of $250 and you must attend practices.

2: Come to our Battle of the Bombshells happy hour kickoff this Friday at Around the Corner in Lakewood.  $20 will get you all you can eat and drink from 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about BvBCLE, sign up to play or coach, join a committee, and have a fun night out with friends.  There will also be a raffle with many fun prizes, such a s a booze wagon, to win.

3: Not sure you want to gear up and take the field?  There are many opportunities to join various committees.

4: Check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

I was once again asked to be an official blogger for BvBCLE and will be back to "Monday Night Football" posts every other Monday.  I am looking forwards to getting back on the field and helping exceed this year's fundraising goal of $50,000!  

2012 Team Brunette

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!  

Hope your day is filled with family, friends, good food, and many blessings!

For a peek at some of my family traditions, go here!

Something Unpredictable

Saturday is my ten year high school reunion.  Where has the time gone?  Lately, I have been thinking back to a project we did in our senior theology class at Trinity reflecting on our time in high school and where we hoped we would be in the future.  I really wish I knew where this journal was since it would be interesting to compare where I am now to where thought I would be at age seventeen.  I do remember writing about graduating college (did that), working in a research lab (did that and will be back in one hopefully soon), and living in Cleveland (still here) making the most of all the city has to offer (currently doing).  I cannot remember if I said I would be married or if I would have kids.  However, there is one thing I have realized when thinking back on what I wrote, life truly is something unpredictable.

The past ten years for me have been filled with many successes, some failure, and a great deal of self discovery.  While I am currently getting my career back on track, I cannot say I have completely failed at this aspect of my life.  Yes, graduate school was not my cup of tea and I am currently looking for the "perfect" job.  However, I do have successful years of experience and have a better understanding of where I want my career to go in the future.  I knew I would remain active and healthy throughout my twenties, but if someone told me I would be going to my 10 year reunion as a marathon runner, I probably would have laughed at them.  In high school, I was a cheerleader, long jumper, and pole vaulter who considered herself lucky to just barely pass the mile run in gym class.

Visiting Katie in NYC

Most importantly are my personal relationships.  I am still best friends with the same three girls I met freshman year.  We have been through everything from typical high school drama, to going to different colleges, to living in different cities and countries, a wedding, two adorable babies, and all of our successes and failures.  I already know I have a very tough choice picking my maid (or matron) of honor whenever I get engaged.  I have lost friends, had failed relationships, and made horrible decisions in the past ten years, but without those failures, I would not be who I am today.  I have the most loving and supportive boyfriend who truly compliments who I am.  I cannot put into words how excited I am to see where our future takes us.  I am still very close with my family and miss my grandparents more and more each day.

Nikki's wedding day (2008)

Visiting Amanda in Colorado

Where will the next ten years take me?  That question cannot be answered.  I know where I hope it takes me but if I have learned anything in the last ten years, do not expect life to go as planned.  As the words to our class song remind me

Brad and I in Detroit 

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.  I hope you had the time of your life."  

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

May your Thanksgiving be filled with family, friends, good food, good wine, good beer, and many blessings!

Monday Night Football Week 4: Gear up, Get Psyched!!

I will admit, I could not resist the high school cheerleading flashback with the title...except I only cheered for basketball.  But anyways...I first want to thank everyone who came out the Battle of the Bombshells Happy Hour last week.  Between the raffle tickets and guest bar tending, $1,170 was raised and will be added to the volunteers' (including my own) fundraising efforts.  It was great to finally meet Charlene and Katie in real life and I always love an excuse to hang out with Julie (and finally meet her bf Todd), Nidhi, Kimberly, and Brad.  The next BvB Happy Hour will be May 10th at The Boneyard in Broadview Heights.  More on that in a future MNF post!

Loved this pic Julie...even though you are not in it :(

Over the weekend, I finally received my practice schedule.  As I have mentioned, I am required to attend at least 4 team practices.  I could not be more excited to start either!  I will admit, I don't think I have touched a football since the days of sorority powderpuff in college.  I hope I can still catch.  At least I know I can run!  If you are still on the fence about playing, here are the team practice schedules: 

Team Blonde: 

• April 29 10:30am-12:30pm -Force Fitness 21220 Center Ridge Rd  Rocky River, OH 44116
• May 6 10am-11am -Force Fitness Rocky River
• May 16 7pm-8pm -Force Fitness Rocky River
• May 20 10am-11am -Force Fitness Rocky River
• May 31 7pm-8pm -Force Fitness East location 
  
• June 2 9am-10pm  -Force Fitness East location 
  
• June 7th 6pm-7pm -Force Fitness East location 
  
• June 10th 11am-12pm -Force Fitness East location 

Team Brunette:

April 29 10:30am-12:30pm -Force Fitness 21220 Center Ridge Rd  Rocky River, OH 44116

May 6 11am-12pm -Force Fitness Rocky River

May 16 6pm-7pm -Force Fitness Rocky River

May 20 11am-12pm -Force Fitness Rocky River (a miss for me since it is MARATHON DAY!!)

May 31 6pm-7pm-Force Fitness East location 

June 2 9am-10pm and Car Wash 10am-2pm -Force Fitness East location 

June 7th 7pm-8pm -Force Fitness East location 

June 10th 10am-11am -Force Fitness East location 

FRIDAY is the final day to sign up and play!    Remember, Alzheimer's can develop in anyone at any point in life.  Currently, there are no permanent treatments or cures.  Raising awareness is one way to help fight against this horrible disease.  

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

Cooking for a Cause

Perhaps you are wondering what to give that cook/food lover in your life for Christmas.  There are the obvious choices of fun kitchen gadgets, restaurant gift cards, and foodie friendly gift baskets.  Have you ever considered a cooking class??

Maybe you are wondering how to incorporate raw foods or vegan dishes into your diet.  Or maybe you want to learn to cook some of your favorite steakhouse meals.  

So what am I getting at here?  Beginning in January, The Chubby Cook will be offering a variety of cooking classes ranging from raw foods to "Basics of Braising" to  "Learn to Bake with the Pie Lady".  There is something for everyone.  I just may take the pie one myself (who's joining me??).  Classes are $65 and can fit into anyone's schedule.  The complete schedule and how to sign up can be found here.  Also, The Chubby Cook has agreed to donate 40% of the cost of the cooking class to my Liver Life Challenge fundraising goal for any January class.  When you check out, enter the code: ALF2012 by "gift certificates and coupon codes".  Not only will you be giving a great gift to a loved one (or yourself) but you will be helping the over 30 million Americans and their families who are battling liver diseases.

From The Chubby Cook's facebook page

Please remember you can also donate here until January 31, 2012.

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

***Disclaimer:  I responded to a posting by The Chubby Cook in regards to fundraising with cooking classes.  I was invited to a media preview back in the spring to see what The Chubby Cook was all about.  I am participating in Liver Life Challenge by choice.  All opinions are 100% my own***

A Palate of Spring Flavors

One thing I have come to love about Cleveland bloggers is the sense of community and friendship.  Through reading each others blogs and tweeting back and forth, we develop new friendships and sometimes strengthen existing ones.  After a month or so of tweets, emails, and schedule coordinating, I joined my longtime friend CLEgal, and two "blends" Alicia and Brad for dinner at Palate along with our significant others.

Chicken liver pate and The Chancellor

Duck confit and pork belly

Since opening in late December 2010, Palate has been near the top of my "Restaurants I must try" list.  I have read great reviews of Jeff Jarrett's culinary creations and knew I must experience them for myself.  What was even more exciting about our visit this past weekend was the opportunity to try Palate's new spring menu which was released earlier last week.  One great thing I must say about Cleveland chefs in general is their dedication to using the freshest seasonal ingredients available.  After a round of drinks, we decided to order a few small plates to share.  We ordered the chicken liver pate, wild mushroom bread pudding, braised pork belly, and duck confit.  The pate was the best for a group to share and the presentation was only a preview for some of Chef Jarrett's other unique platings.  The pate itself had a nice smooth texture and a savory flavor which paired well with the sweetness of the black currant jam served with it.  While I am usually not a huge bread pudding fan for dessert, the wild mushroom bread pudding was excellent.  I love mushrooms and there was nothing bland or dry about this bread pudding.  My favorite of the four small plates was the duck confit in a hoisin glaze plated on top of Asian slaw with peanut sauce.  I am beginning to wonder if I have extra umami taste receptors since I love almost all Asian inspired flavors.  The duck was so tender it practically fell off the bone and the slaw had that perfect balance of sweet and savory I have come to love from Asian style food.  Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to sample the pork belly (I think I was too distracted with the duck and bread pudding) but the few fingerling potatoes and mushrooms served with the pork pleased my palate.      

Pancetta wrapped pheasant

For my entree, I went with the pancetta wrapped pheasant breast with zucchini and bacon ragout, oyster mushrooms, and french onion puree.  The deciding factor for me was I never had pheasant and I always love to try something new.  To describe pheasant, I would say it is somewhere between chicken and turkey.  Mine was very moist and flavorful and the french onion puree really brought out the natural flavors of the bird.  The pancetta added a nice subtle crunch to the dish while the zucchini and oyster mushrooms emphasized the idea of a spring garden inspired dish.  My only complaint on the dish was a clove of garlic that made its way under one of the breast pieces.  Overall, I would order this again and recommend it to an undecided diner.  My boyfriend ordered the flat-iron steak with mac and cheese and brown roasted cauliflower.  He said it was an enjoyable dish but found the steak sauce a bit on the salty side.  Also, he was more impressed with the flavors of the cauliflower (and I will agree since I had a taste) in comparison to the mac and cheese.  After dinner, Chef Jarrett came to our table.  We all had a great time chatting with the chef about the menu, Michael Symon's visit to Palate, and local restaurants in general.  He also is very involved with Dinner in the Dark, an event which I plan on attending in the future.

I also had two of the featured libations.  The bacon melonball martini was a fun liquid play on prosciutto wrapped cantaloup.  It's electric green appearance is pleasing to the eye while the sweet smoky flavors from Midori and bacon infused vodka are pleasing to the palate.  While I did enjoy this drink, I loved the cucumber loco which is Palate's take on a cucumber margarita.  Maybe it was the cool and refreshing flavors or maybe it was the fact I love anything with Patron.  Another thing I must note would be Chef Jarrett's Iron Chef-esque plating designs.  Even though no one at our table ordered one, our server showed us the spring garden salad which is served in a small metal bucket.  I also marveled at CLEgal and CLEguy's dirty bon bons which were served in a terra cotta flower pot garnished with a gummi work and fondant flower.  Overall, Palate is a much needed addition to the Strongsville restaurant scene which is dominated by familiar chains.  I would highly recommend visiting Palate next time you are looking for a great dining experience.

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

Hot Dog Happiness

With Tribe season in full swing and summer a few months away, I find myself craving a certain food a little more so then usual.  I will shamelessly admit, I love hot dogs.  Off the grill, at the game, or even broiled in the oven on a cold Cleveland winter day, it really doesn't matter.  I remember my first foot long way back when at Cleveland Municipal Stadium at age 4.  Hot dogs remind me of childhood summers.  Those long carefree days of playing outside and swimming until my fingers pruned up.  Last summer, I was introduced to a place that would have made me one happy little girl, The Happy Dog.

A restaurant that serves only hot dogs (or veggie dogs for my vegetarian readers) and tater tots sounds simple right?  Now, factor in over 30 different topping options and a plethora of dipping sauces and you have combinations to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.  For $5.00 you start with a quarter pound all beef dog and then let your imagination and taste buds go crazy.  There are suggested combinations offered, but I love any place that lets me create my own meal.  I have been there many times and do not think I have had the same combination twice.  In the mood for something hot and spicy?  Top your dog with Happy Dog's own chipotle ketchup or Momocho's habanero sauce.  If you ever wondered how a peanut butter and jelly sandwich crossed with a hot dog would taste, get Marcela's grape jelly and  chili sauce with chunky peanut butter on your frank.  You also can add the chips right on the dog too.  From cheese whiz to smoke gouda, there are cheeses for any palate too.  For $2.50 you get a giant bowl of tater tots with as many dipping sauces as you wish.  This is the perfect way to try new sauces you may have considered for the dog but wanted a taste first.  Personally, I recommend sharing the tots.  Aside from such a generous portion, you want room for dessert which will also take you back to childhood summers.  The Happy Dog's desert menu consists of frozen treats which you probably bought from the ice cream truck such as orange push-ups and Good Humor bars.     

Now what to wash this nostalgic meal down with.  The Happy Dog will make any craft beer lover happy boasting over 75 different brew choices.  If craftbeer is not your thing, you can also opt for a PBR tallboy or other domestics.  Yes, there are non-alcoholic options too.  The Happy Dog also hosts monthly beer dinners with a 5-course meal for only $25.  The next one is on April 12 at 7:30.  On the weekends, local bands take to the stage at The Happy Dog.  Be sure to check their Facebook page to stay up to date with acts coming and other fun events.  

The atmosphere of Happy Dog is fun a laid back.  What would look to be just another corner bar is gaining recognition throughout Cleveland and will be featured on Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" thanks to Iron Chef and hometown boy Michael Symon.  It's a great spot to meet with friends for a fun meal and good beer.  Just ask my kickball team.

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

Naked Sushi in All it's Glory!

Nice rolls

Going to an event hosted by Matthew Mytro and Dante Boccuzzi, one thing for sure can be guaranteed, the food will be amazing.  The two have teamed up previously to host this event back in November, 2010.  They also had the honor of cooking together at the James Beard House in New York City this past February.   Based on the past two events of Mytro's I have attended, Aphrodisiacs and Ladies Bite Out, I knew I was in store for an enjoyable and somewhat playful evening at Naked Sushi.  

Working on a masterpiece

Good food arouses the senses on all levels.  You want something visually appealing that will lure you in with a nice scent and appetizing name.  In your mouth, you want a pleasing texture and your taste buds to be excited and wanting more.  Perhaps this is why the culinary arts are just that, arts.  Sushi  in itself is an art form from the placement of the fish to the rolling to the actual presentation.  The Japanese art of "nyotaimori" and "nantaimori" are displaying sushi on the naked body.  The sushi itself made no contact with the skin as it was placed on bamboo leaves strategically placed on the two female and one male model.   The models as well as the two servers were also tastefully painted with Asian inspired works.

Sushi pops

Prior to the main event, we enjoyed spicy tuna rolls served with a pipette filled with soy sauce, Dante's sushi pops, shrimp or calamari ceviche, and Chinese steamed sticky buns filled with smoked chicken and plantains or chocolate milk braised pork shoulder.  I love the concept of the sushi pop and it made me even more excited for the opening of Ginko later this year.  They are a very compact and chopstick free way to enjoy sushi.  However we were not lucky enough to find a server with the sticky buns.  Around 9:00, the curtains were pulled and two painted women and a painted man adorned in sushi were presented to us.  We  filled our plates from both the women and the man with various rolls and sushi.  

While getting our sushi, my boyfriend made the comment we have yet to sample the sticky buns.  This comment was overheard by both the model and Dante who both smiled and chuckled a bit.  However it mush have worked because once we finished the sushi, the sticky buns found us.   My chicken sticky bun was the perfect blend of sweet and savory.  I only wish I had it before I feasted from the human sushi landscapes.   I also loved the signature cocktail for the event so much that I failed as a blogger to note the name and ingredients.  From memory, it had ginger infused vodka, aloe vera, and lychee puree.

nantaimori

nyotaimori

Overall, Naked Sushi was a great evening enjoyed with my boyfriend, some of our friends, and a few of my favorite "blends" (Jessica, Brad, and Alicia).  I cannot wait for the opening of Ginko and dinner one night at Dante as well as Matthew Mytro's next event.

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

***Disclaimer: I was invited to attend Naked Sushi with a guest by Matthew Mytro.  The thoughts above are my 100% honest opinion.  The pictures were also taken by me for the purpose of this blog post***  

Ladies Bite Out

One of the many things I love about the Cleveland food scene is the number of unique events hosted by our wonderful chefs.  I became familiar with Chef Matthew Mytro after attending last month's Emerging Chefs event, Aphrodisiacs.  Aside from being the founder and executive chef for both Stove Monkeys and Crisp Catering, Chef Mytro is the brains behind events like "Flavor Tripping" and "Naked Sushi".  I was very happy when he asked me to help promote his latest event, Ladies Bite Out.  After all, I love a good girls night that involves good food.

Next Thursday, February 24th, all ladies are invited to Suite Sixx to enjoy food prepared by Chef Mytro along with Jeff Jarrett of Palate, Chef Mia of Chinato, Parallax, and L'Albatros, and Ellis Cooley of Amp 150.  There will be champagne tastings, cooking demos, and cupcakes.  What a perfect way to end the night after enjoying Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week or mingling with some amazing Cleveland bloggers at this month's CLE blogger meet up.  Also, did I mention the cost of this event is FREE???  So grab some of your best girls  and head down to the Warehouse District around 8 p.m. for a night of food and fun.

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

Greenhouse Goodness

"Tuesday's Tidbits" is taking a week hiatus since I have not had time the past few days to blog about last Friday night.  I promise, it will be back next Tuesday full of juicy tidbits about fabulous food events around Cleveland.  So what is so great that is causing this hiatus?  CLEgal may have alluded to our Friday night in her most recent Why? Weekends post.  (P.S. While you are visiting WhyCLE, enter her contest!!)

CLEgal and I always love an excuse to go to The Greenhouse Tavern.  Chef Jonathon Sawyer's eco-friendly spot on East 4th Street quickly became one of our favorite CLE restaurants since it opened its doors in 2009.  The eclectic atmosphere, the location, and of course, the food keep us coming back for more.  With a menu that changes seasonally to ensure the freshest ingredients, there is always the anticipation of what Chef Sawyer will have waiting for you in the kitchen.  Nationally, The Greenhouse Tavern has been recognized by both Bon Appetit and Food and Wine Magazines.  It also has been featured on The Best Thing I Ever Ate as Iron Chef Michael Symon's guilty pleasure (the gravy frites).  Last Thursday, as CLEgal and I were tweeting, we both noticed Greenhouse was offering a free Green and black organic chocolate pot du creme with any chef's tasting purchased.  Free chocolate just sweetened up our Friday night dinner decision.  Or so we though...

Bread and goat's milk butter

Devils on Horseback

The Chef's tasting menu allows you to select a first, second, entree, and half of your choice for $44 (yes, there are vegetarian/vegan options available too).  After enjoying our first round of drinks and the bread and butter , CLEgal and I decided to share the chef's tasting menu since we both came to the conclusion, it was quite a bit of food. Afterall, we needed room for the pot du creme.  For our first, we were in agreement to get the Devils on Horseback.  What's not to love about dates wrapped in bacon and filled with chocolate and Fresno pepper.  The perfect first course to start off the evening.    

Crispy Chicken Wings Confit

For our second course we had to go with my favorite menu item, the crispy chicken wings confit.  Now these are not your ordinary wings.  Whatever Chef Sawyer does to the wings to make them fall off the bone melt in your mouth delicious is some sort of magic.  They are flavored with jalapeno, lemon juice, garlic, and scallions which all blend so well and compliment each other perfectly.  They are not greasy or lacking anything.  The only problem with this dish is when they are all gone.  I have been to Greenhouse and made these my meal, whether it is lunch, dinner, or a post Tribe game snack.  No trip here is complete without them.

It was around this time CLEgal and I were checking our texts and tweets when we both received this:

"@HungryInCLE @whycle Glad you're here! Come say hi to the kitchen!" from @thegreenhouse.   

Duck Pasta

Ohio Apples and Tokyo Turnips

Organic chocolate pot du creme

As we awaited our entree with half, we both decided "Why not!"  Being the social media savvy bloggers we are, we both tweeted earlier about having dinner at The Greenhouse.  We couldn't help but wonder if it was Chef Sawyer himself who sent the tweet.    For our entree, we selected the duck pasta, which was strozzapreti pasta with duck livers, duck skin cracklings, Ohio apples, red onions and toasted bread crumbs.  As a great compliment to the apples in the pasta, we chose the roasted Ohio apples and Tokyo turnips for our half.    Don't be intimidated by the description of what is in the pasta.  The crunch from the livers, cracklings and bread crumbs adds to the dish and the 


apples add a subtle sweetness.  Overall, I would recommend this combination.  One we cleared our plate, the server brought us the black and green organic chocolate pot du creme.  Very rich, very creamy, very chocolaty.  It was the perfect ending to a perfect meal.  Even though we were enjoying all of this wonderful food, we kept thinking about that tweet.  After paying the bill, we finally headed downstairs.  We went up to the kitchen window and asked who sent a tweet to HungryInCLE and WhyCLE.  To our pleasant surprise, Chef Sawyer spoke up.  We ended up talking with him briefly about his restaurant and food.  Since he was busy in the kitchen, and we had a Salt n Pepa concert to attend, we left with his business card, fulfilled hunger, and smiles on our faces.  Now, we have even more reasons to look forward to our future visits to The Greenhouse Tavern.  Thank you Chef Jonathon Sawyer!

  

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

Hungry in Denver

I'm baaaaaaack!  For those who were not following my 4-Square tweets, I was in Denver, Colorado visiting one of my bestest friends.  Now I am back in CLE and excited to share some of my food finds from the Mile High City.

Day 1:  Our day begins with breakfast at Curious Coffee, a small coffee shop on the way from my friend's apartment to the Colorado State Capitol.  After enjoying a "Breggo" and raspberry caramel mocha, we were fueled for the adventures awaiting us.  While in the Capitol and enjoying the view from the dome, we met a very helpful tour guide (wearing a cowboy hat and other Western attire) who lead us to our lunch stop, Pints Pub, a British brewpub in Downtown Denver.  After deciding on sharing an entree we debated between fish and chips or a sandwich.  The Pub Club ended up winning and complimented our beer choices, the Bitchcraft Blone Ale and the Idleweiss Unfiltered Wheat.  One thing about Colorado is the abundance of microbrews.  I felt the need to sample one from each brewpub we stopped at.  Another thing to note about Pints would be the over 250 varieties of scotch.  Now off to explore Downtown Denver.  We also ended up touring the Coors Brewery in the nearby town of Golden.  For dinner, we decided to do happy hour at Dazzle and enjoy great food/drink specials, live jazz, and great artwork.  Also, you can play board games at your table while enjoying delicious food and great martinis (I recommend the Jello martini)  We ended up ordering a plethora of appetizers, two which I must note are the mac and cheese and the pizza with pesto and water chestnuts.  The reason for eating a smaller dinner was our trip to d bar desserts.  I am also slightly embarrassed to admit, I did NOT know this was Keegan Gerhard's restaurant.  I was surprised and star struck to see him behind the bar prepping fabulous desserts.  After much contemplation and discussion, I decided on the bel canto mocha, which was a chocolate coffee tart garnished with espresso brittle, and affogato served with iced Kenyan coffee.    We ended up sitting at the bar and chatting with Keegan leading to getting his autograph and a quick pic.

Pub Club and Bitchcraft Blond

Breggo: scrambled eggs, cheddar, potatoes, baked into a light crust.
Think breakfast calzone

bel canto mocha at d bar

Day 2: After touring Coors Field (I love baseball almost as much as I love food), we headed across Blake Street to The Breckenridge Brewery for lunch and more great craft beer.  We started with a sampler to get a little taste of everything.  Since some of their brews are available in Cleveland, I wanted something that was special to Denver.  To compliment my turkey chipotle club and sweet potato fries, I went with their seasonal brew, Pandora's Bock.  Overall, great food and great beer enjoyed with two of my favorite people after an amazing Coors Field experience.  Afterwards, we loaded up the SUV and headed three hours northwest, through the Rocky Mountains to Steamboat Springs.  Along the way, we picked up a take-and-bake pizza from
Papa Murphy's.

Beer Sampler.  My top three: Pandora's Bock, Thunder Stout, Agave Wheat

Day 3: After snowboarding all day in the Rockies, we all teamed up for a culinary adventure for dinner.  We made fajitas complete with homemade tortillas (thanks to my best friend's service in the Peace Corps down in Paraguay) and homemade guacamole.  For dessert, we enjoyed what I am going to refer to as Paraguayan Carrot Cake simply because the recipe also came from Paraguay.  I did bring this recipe back to Cleveland too. 

BeauJo's pizza and Tommy Knocker Maple Nut Brown Ale 

Day 4: Spent mostly on the road back to Denver after enjoying our leftovers in a Mexican scramble for breakfast.  On our way back to Denver, we stopped in the small town of Idaho Springs for BeauJo pizza and Tommy Knocker beer.  The crust on the pizza was really crispy and thick, enjoyed with honey.  Talk about an entree and dessert rolled into one.  After finally making it back to Denver, we later enjoyed dinner at Vesta Dipping Grill.  I love the concept of Vesta.  You order your entree (great selection of various cuts of steak, poultry, and seafood) and pick three dipping sauces from a selection of over thirty varieties ranging from traditional, to Asian inspires, to Southwestern.  I went with the grilled duck served on truffle farro and maple brussels sprouts.  For my sauces I went with sweet ginger, peanut sauce, and tamarid chipotle.  What I liked about Vesta is the variety of flavor options in their sauces.  I am one who loves and appreciates many styles of food.  Anywhere I can enjoy both Southwestern and Asian influences fares well with me.  

Sweet ginger, Thai peanut, tamarid chipotle

Day 5: Our final day in Colorado was spent in the town of Boulder to tour the Celestial Seasonings Tea factory.  After purchasing way too much tea to bring back to Cleveland, we headed to Pearl Street for lunch.  I must note, if you are ever in Boulder and do not know where to eat, head to Pearl Street.  We ended up at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse for Chicago-style deep dish and more craft beer.  I shared the Southwestern specialty pizza which was topped with blackened chicken, cheddar, cilantro, and corn (which I added on) while enjoying a Nutty Brewnette to drink.  We then headed back to Denver to visit the aquarium, pack up, and headed to an Irish Pub called the Irish Snug for bingo.  There, I shared the quesedillas and Guiness ice cream, along with another Tommy Knocker's brew, Naked Tinker Ale (which the boyfriend won during bingo).

Southwestern deep dish and Nutty Brewnette

And now I am back in Cleveland planning my next trip to Denver.  I am left with many great memories and pictures.  For more pictures, check out the Hungry in Denver album on Facebook.  And if you haven't done so, "like" me!

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

or as Keegan would say "Make it Delicious!"