Why? Weekends!

Friday night, in order to cover more great places in the land of CLE (and in order to have guy- or gal-night out), CLEguy and I divided forces.  He spent his evening at Willoughby Brewing Co. He and his CLEfriends enjoyed their Coal Shovel Black Lager, Peanut Butter Coffee Oatmeal Stout and the California and Mashed Potato pizzas.  Willoughby Brewing always is a fun place to be on the weekends with live music, good food, and great craft beer.

I spent my Friday evening in Tremont.  First stop was Lolita Bistro for a couple Loopie Loopie’s (girly pink martini drinks).  I absolutely love everything about Lolita, from the menu to the decor to the general atmosphere and attitude of the staff.  I also got to catch up with CLEfriend Matt, the former executive chef at Bar Symon, who is now the general manager at Lolita.  Stay tuned for more on Lolita, as I am long overdue for dinner there…

After Lolita, it was off to dinner at DANTE.

Guitar Pick from DANTE

One of the best things about Tremont is all the amazing restaurants within a couple blocks of each other!  It would be no problem doing a progressive dinner down there.  Especially when Chef Dante’s new sushi restaurant, Ginko, opens up.  Slated for February, Ginko will be located below Dante and will be serving up serious sushi yummy-ness.

Fabulous food and attentive service made for a wonderful evening at DANTE.  I had the veal osso buco with split pea risotto (a special that evening) and CLEmom had the duck cassoulet.

Yum!

Stuffed and happy, we headed home.  From the wonderful restaurants and strong neighborhood feeling of Tremont to the fun and great craft beers at Willoughby Brewing Co., CLEguy and I each spent Friday night at places that are great answers to “Why Cleveland?”

Saturday was a big day, as CLEguy and I moved in together.

CLEpup is ready to move!

The rest of the weekend was spent in a haze of movers and boxes, but we did manage to stop and celebrate too.

Our move-in celebration

And I know I am at home, both with CLEguy and in CLE.  What new answers to “Why Cleveland?” did you discover this weekend?

Why? Friday Inspiration!

Do you ever have those days where NOTHING seems inspiring?  When the idea of writing a perky, Friday inspiration post is just tough?  No, you don’t write Friday inspiration posts?  Just me then…

At any rate, I was feeling uninspired and sometimes when that happens, the best place to look is close to home.  So, for your Friday inspiration, I give you my CLEdad.  CLEdad is a born-and-raised Clevelander – a true fan of the city.  He has spent his life here and raised his family here.  That, in and of itself, from my perspective is inspiring.

More than that, though, CLEdad is also a CLE business owner.  This past June, he celebrated his 34th year in business.  And while his business now boasts multiple locations, he also still has a presence at the very place where, 34-and-a-half years ago, he started his company.  CLEdad has worked through the good times and the bad in CLE.  He has seen neighborhoods change, economic conditions change, and yet he and his business have stayed in the place where they started – where they call home.   He has seen his business grow into a multi-million dollar enterprise.  He has hired more and more CLE-ers every year.  And CLEdad has given back to the community, with customer incentive programs that donate money to the Cleveland Foodbank.

This post is not to promote his business.  I won’t tell you CLEdad’s name or the name of his company.  It’s just to bring your weekly dose of Friday inspiration a little closer to (my) home.  There are CLE-ers out there like CLEdad, who commit their livelihood and their lives to this city; who truly contribute to our economy and community; and who demonstrate the loyalty and dedication that is endemic of CLE-ers.  These people are great CLE-ers, they’re great business people, and they’re great parents (trust me on that one).

Have a great weekend!  Do something inspiring!

Why? Ethnic Enclaves!

One of the best things about blogging so far has been getting CLEguy, CLEfriends, and CLEfamily in on the blogging ideas.  It seems like someone always has a great thought for a post.  Well, credit CLEmom with coming up with an idea for a recurring feature exploring one of the best things about CLE – it’s ethnic diversity. 

CLE has attracted immigrants from all over the world, who helped build the city that we know and love.  These groups brought and maintained their traditions and customs, which live on in still-thriving ethnic neighborhoods.  These traditions have also become a part of the overall culture of CLE.  As just one example, Lola offers pierogies on its menu!  We are all a product of the unique melting pot of CLE.

The plan is to spend a day each exploring, shopping, eating, and chatting in different ethnic enclaves of CLE (and then blog about these days, of course).  So, here’s my list of neighborhoods that I’ll be checking out over the coming months:

Little Italy (both East and West) – Although the East-side Little Italy may be better known, there is also a West-side Little Italy to explore.

Slavic Village – Be still my pierogi-loving heart!  This area, settled by Polish and Czech immigrants, still boasts a strong ethnic community.

Asiatown – Not too far from downtown, this is an Asian food-lovers jackpot.

Ukranian Village – This area of Parma was recently recognized for its long-standing Ukranian heritage.

West Park/Kamm’s Corners – Irish pubs and fun shopping await in this traditionally Irish community.

What are the can’t-miss spots in each of these neighborhoods?  What enclaves did I miss?  Hit up the comments and let me know!

Why? Weekends!

I kicked off this weekend with CLEguy and CLEfriends with a happy hour at Reddstone that I won by dropping my business card in a drawing (I think that’s why I have business cards).

I’ve always enjoyed Reddstone and the Battery Park area in general.  Plus, some of the CLEfriends had never been there and I love introducing people to cool CLE places.  Our happy hour was in the upstairs room, along with another group that had also won a happy hour.  While food was to be provided at the happy hour, two pizzas and 30 chicken wings for nearly 50 people just wasn’t enough.  So, we ended up ordering an array of Reddstone’s appetizers – Macho nachos, crab and potato pierogies, sweet potato fries, and BBQ wings – all of which were very yummy.  Plus, Reddstone has a great beer selection – anyplace where I can order Chimay is good by me.  Overall, it was a fun night catching up with CLEfriends and enjoying one of CLE’s hottest neighborhoods.

From the trendy to the simply comfortable, on Saturday night CLEguy, a couple CLEfriends, and I ended up at the Kirtland City Tavern.  This is one of those places you’d drive right by if you didn’t know about it.  It’s also got that “everybody knows your name” feel to it.  And I have to say, the burgers are out of this world.  Gigantic, with a myriad of topping choices, and just delicious.  Starting off your meal with the homemade potato chips is a great way to go, too.  The beer selection leaves a bit to be desired, but they did have Dortmunder Gold and Commodore Perry IPA from Great Lakes Brewing Co. on draft.

To me, one of the best things about CLE is it’s ability to provide both the trendy and the simply comfortable locations.  From having a big night out to throwing on a pair of jeans and grabbing a burger to anything in between, CLE has a place that will fit your mood.  That’s another great answer to “Why Cleveland?”  What new answers did you discover this weekend?

Why? Friday Inspiration!

This week’s Friday Inspriation post is all about puppy love.  One of the CLEfriends told me about a pancake breakfast this weekend in Tremont to benefit Secondhand Mutts.  Being a fan of both puppies and pancakes, I immediately wanted to know more.  Then, I saw this post from fellow CLEblogger “cleshopaholic” and found my source for more info about Secondhand Mutts.  Before I get to my blog-terview with cleshopaholic, a bit about why rescue pups mean so much to me.

My CLEpup is a rescue dog.  I found him on Petfinder.  He was abandoned and living in a shelter in Lisbon, Ohio.  The post on Petfinder flat-out said that if he wasn’t adopted within a week, he would be put down.

Sight unseen, I adopted him and drove out the next weekend to pick him up.  CLEpup is the sweetest, funniest, most neurotic, smartest, cutest pup in the world (I may be biased).  And to think what would have happened to him in a shelter…sigh.  So, I have a big soft spot for rescue pups and organizations that help them out.  Now, for more about Secondhand Mutts, here’s my blog-terview with Shibani Faehnle, aka cleshopaholic. 

CLEgal: What does Second Hand Mutts do?

cleshopaholic: Secondhand Mutts rescues puppies (I use the word puppies to describe dogs of all ages; they’re all puppies to me), typically from local and high kill shelters, and gives them a second chance at life and love. Since they share space with The Mutt Hutt, SHM can only taken in a limited number of dogs at any given time. The dogs must be socialized, which a HUGE benefit to any foster or adoptive parent since you know that your “furry child” gets along with other dogs.

CLEgal: How did you hear about and get involved with Second Hand Mutts?

cleshopaholic: I heard about Secondhand Mutts through The Mutt Hutt, which is the doggie daycare that my two boxers (Otto and St. Clair) attend on a regular basis. Both were founded by Becca Riker and Secondhand Mutts uses The Mutt Hutt’s facilities.

CLEgal: What motivated you to volunteer with Second Hand Mutts?

cleshopaholic: What can I say, I’m a sucker for a lost/abandoned/homeless puppy. I’ve been making monetary donations and attending Secondhand Mutts events since 2008, but was first motivated to really get involved in the fall of 2009 when SHM rescued a white boxer named Special, who was abandoned in her home when her owner was taken to a nursing home. I have a soft spot for boxers, and despite all she’d been through, Special was an absolute sweetheart!

CLEgal: How can we get involved with Second Hand Mutts?

cleshopaholic: Secondhand Mutts is always looking for donations, foster parents, adoptive parents, and volunteers for their events. If you’re unable to do any of these, you can also make a difference by simply attending events! They have a Facebook page and a website (www.secondhandmutts.org) with more information.

CLEgal: What upcoming events/fundraisers does Second Hand Mutts have planned?

cleshopaholic: They’re hosting an all-you-can-eat pancake barkfest on Sunday, January 23rd at Post 58 in Tremont.

CLEgal: What’s the best part about volunteeering with Second Hand Mutts?

cleshopaholic: Knowing that you’re changing both canine and human lives!! Some of these dogs have had such awful lives pre-rescue, but they have SO much love to share. They can teach us humans so much about life and how we should live it!!!

I couldn’t agree more on the last point.  By rescuing a pup, you do something amazing, not only for the pup, but for yourself.  I have a magnet on my car with a pawprint and the words “Who Rescued Who?” and it is so true.  Check out Secondhand Mutts upcoming events and find a way to get involved with this great organization.  If anyone wants to be on the “Why CLE?” team for the Smooches & Pooches bowl-a-thon, comment below!

CLEpup and I thank cleshopaholic and all the Secondhand Mutts volunteers for their dedication to making pups’ lives better.  Have a great weekend!  Do something inspiring!

Why? CLEbloggers!

Tonight I attended my first Ohio Blogging Association event with my fellow CLEbloggers.  “Why CLE?” is about two months old, so this was a great chance to meet up in “real life” with some of the bloggers who have been so supportive in my first couple months of blogging about our favorite town.

We met up at Whole Foods Market Cedar Center. Lisa Sands, the Marketing Team Leader/Community Liaison at Whole Foods, and our own Alicia Hansen of Poise in Parma greeted us with swag.

A Whole Foods gift bag and the menu for the evening

In attendance was longtime CLEfriend Hungry in Cleveland, who has provided much blogging inspiration and Twitter support.  Also in attendance were Poise in Parma (our hostess with the mostess), Cleveland Food and Brews, Bite Buff,  The Dawg’s Dish, Healthy Heddleston, Mile 26 and More, Green Dog Wine, Happiness is a Hot Pierogi, The Chubby Cook and many others!

Hungry in Cleveland, Healthy Heddleston, and Cleveland Food and Brews mingling

We had a cooking demonstration and sampled amazing food, including sushi, coconut sorbet, chocolates with orange slices, vegan General Tso’s chicken (you’d never know!), Molly’s Asian noodles, roasted veggies, and kale.

Sushi and chocolate...yum!

Also, we got to try to organic Argentinian wines – Grazioso Torrontes 2008 and Vida Organica Malbec 2010.  Both are delish and only $8.99!

It was so great to chat with other engaged and excited CLE-ers, all of whom are working to enhance our city, both through their activities in the community and their skill at making the great things about CLE public.

I had a wonderful evening and can’t wait for the next event.  All of these CLEblogs, written by fun and friendly CLEbloggers, are yet another great answer to “Why Cleveland?”

Why? Weekends!

Oh, the pressures of writing a “Why? Weekends!” post after a relatively low-key weekend…

On Saturday, some CLEfriends and I had a girls’ night in.  We ate ridiculous amounts of yummy Italian food from Casa Italian American Restaurant, drank wine, and watched “My So-Called Life” on DVD.  Judge if you want, but gals of a certain age remember and no doubt crushed on Jordan Catalano from that show.  The evening was a perfect time-out from how busy life has been and a great chance to relax.

Today, CLEguy and I took the CLEparents to Pickle Bill’s Lobster House.  Some CLE-ers will remember there was a Pickle Bill’s in the Flats.  The restaurant is now located in Grand River and is full of kitschy, Jimmy Buffet-esque charm.

We started with Pickle Bill’s fried pickles, which came with a great spicy mustard sauce.  I enjoyed the king crab legs and the Lake Erie walleye and perch were also table favorites.  For a much more comprehensive review of Pickle Bill’s, check out this post from CLEblogger “Cleveland Food and Brews.”  Note: I will say our service was much better than he experienced.

All in all, we enjoyed our meal and I definitely look forward to going back in warmer weather to sit out by the water and sip a margarita.  But Pickle Bill’s provided a nice taste of summer even on a cold day.  And as we were leaving, I discovered my new motto:

What new answers to “Why Cleveland?” did you discover this weekend?

Why? Friday Inspiration.

There’s been a lot of buzz the past couple of days about a certain former Cavs player and a certain tweet.  For more interesting, grammatically-correct, and CLE-positive tweets, you can follow me, by the way…

Seriously, though, LeBron kicked us when we were down, poured salt in an open wound, and all of those cliches.  And notice I said “us.”  His tweet didn’t just anger the Cavs organization, it hurt and angered CLE-ers.  One of the best answers to “Why Cleveland?” is how proud we are of our city – if nothing else, to the outside world.  The Cavs loss and LeBron’s tweet smacked as double humiliation on a national stage.  And we’ve already had plenty of national humiliation from LeBron.

So, how does all this relate to Friday Inspiration?  No matter what else can be said about him, LeBron inspired the city.  He gave us someone to cheer for, to rally around, to be proud of on that national stage.  And we haven’t quite found a replacement for him yet.  I don’t mean in the Cavs organization.  CLE hasn’t found the next person to act as a catalyst, to inspire and energize us, to unite the city behind a common cause.

But it really shouldn’t be that hard.  There’s inspiration around us every day – in the people who teach in our schools, volunteer in our organizations, and daily find ways to make CLE better.  It’s easy to be inspired by glitz, glamour, and the promise of a championship.  But we can also find inspiration – lasting inspiration – in the people who stay, in the people who are dedicated to CLE, in the people who are here before and after the glitz and glamour.  And once we find inspiration in those kind of people, it’s very easy to ignore a tweet about karma, since we’ll be far too busy improving our own.

Have a great weekend, CLE!  Do something inspiring.

Why? Snow Fun!

It’s CLE.  It’s winter.  It snows.  Despite our tendency to forget this, these are the facts of life around these parts.  And that’s OK.  Because we’re hearty folk.  We’re used to weather.  In fact, we can even have fun with it.  So, in the face of the impending snow storm that I keep hearing is coming, here’s some fun winter answers (both indoor and outdoor) to “Why Cleveland?”

Boston Mills Brandywine – you can ski, snowboard, and tube just a bit south of the CLE – there’s even Midnight Madness sessions on select Fridays and Polar Blast snowtubing (the closest this CLEgal will get to the slopes)

Cleveland Metroparks Tobogganing – the Strongsville Metroparks hosts toboganning every weekend through March, after which you can warm up by the snack bar and fireplaces

Cross-country skiing – various Metroparks offer trails open for Nordic/cross-country skiing, which is one of the top calorie-burning exercises

Or just build one of these:

Random snowman from Google images, but perhaps from CLE

After getting out there and enjoying the cold, you’ll need something to warm you up.  Here’s this CLEgal’s favorite spots for winter comfort food, which I think CLE does better than anywhere else:

Sokolowski’s University Inn - traditional Polish food that sticks to your ribs (and other places)

The Diner on Clifton – great food that goes above and beyond standard diner fare

Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers – not too far from Boston Mills Brandywine, Whitey’s cooks each burger to order and they are worth the wait

So, bundle up and enjoy the snow, then hunker down and warm up with some great food.  Winter fun (or even just turning lemons to lemonade) is another great answer to “Why Cleveland?”

Why? Weekends!

Blog-olutions Update: Half of Blog-olution #1 has been accomplished this weekend – Why CLE? is now on Twitter.  You can check out the Twitter feed on the right side of the blog.  Click here to follow Why CLE? on Twitter.

We now return you to your regularly-scheduled post…

One of my favorite things to do is introduce someone to one of my must-go-to CLE places.  This weekend, I got a chance to take CLEguy to Momocho for the first time.  Also along for the yummy-ness were CLEparents, who can’t get enough of Momocho.

Yet another CLE restaurant featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Momocho is located in Ohio City and serves up amazing “Mod Mex” food.  We started with the guacamole with pickled corn, chile chipotle, and crab, followed by duck taquitos with pomegranate ancho barbacoa sauce.  We were stuffed, but had to try the ginger snap and jalapeno bread pudding, which was absolutely fantastic.  Momocho never disappoints and I think CLEguy may have a new favorite place to go.  It was also wonderful to see that, despite the cold and snow, the restaurant was packed with happy CLE-ers.

On Saturday, CLEguy and I did a mini-getaway right in CLE.  We attended a party at the Wyndham Playhouse Square Cleveland and decided to make a small vacation out of it by spending the night at the hotel.  Mini-getaways in CLE are one of my favorite ways to experience the city.  You feel like you’re on vacation, but you’re in your own town.

CLEguy and I had a great time at the party, enjoying amazing food and playing lots of casino games.

Artsy Roulette Picture, courtesy of CLEguy

We even won a prize with our chips, which will be used for futher CLE adventures.

The service and the room at the Wyndham were fantastic.  I definitely recommend checking it out for your own mini-getaway.  With it’s location right near Playhouse Square, you could take in a show and spend the entire evening downtown.

To top it off, we were greeted with a sunny CLE morning today!

View from the hotel

It was a great weekend, with new and rediscovered answers to “Why Cleveland?”  What new answers did you find this weekend?