Why? Earth Fare Solon!

I don’t know about you, but I try to make grocery shopping a once a weekend occurrence. I go, I load up for the week, and that’s that. Last Saturday, I got a chance to check out the brand new Earth Fare in Solon. I could definitely get used to shopping there!

Earth Fare’s food philosophy ensures you get food that not only tastes good, but is truly good for you: no high fructose corn syrup; no artificial fats, colors, preservatives, sweeteners, or flavors; no bleached flours; and no antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones.

I love this idea! For me, quality is much more important than quantity in food. Give me a full-fat, but all-natural, cheese any day over something fat-free and full of artificial ingredients!

Earth Fare’s meat and seafood department has tons of fresh choices, as well as experts who can help you not only select the perfect steak or chicken, but also tell you the best way to cook it.

Throughout the store, you’ll find specifically-marked local items, which means they came from 100 miles or less from that store. I saw some great local finds, including products from Hartzler’s Family Dairy, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, and Fat Head’s Brewing.

Earth Fare has a large wine department, with wines that cost $15 or less specifically designated.

There’s also a large prepared foods section, with soups, a salad bar, made-to-order sandwiches, pizzas, sushi, bakery, frozen yogurt, and more.

Three days a week, the prepared foods section at every Earth Fare has some special deals: Burgers for Bucks happens on Sundays from 12-3pm, with $3 burgers and $1.50 sides; Good Ole Days happens on Tuesdays from 4:30-7:30pm, with a half chicken, mashed potatoes, and veggies for $7.99; and Family Dinner Night happens on Thursdays from 4-8pm, with free kids meals with the purchase of a $5-or-more adult meal.

After my tour, I stuck around to get my weekend grocery shopping done. You can sample just about anything in the store, so you know before you buy that you’re getting something tasty!

Since we were pretty stocked up on the basics at home, I got a lot of impulse buys, like Jozsef’s Premium Paprikash Sauce, freshly-made honey roasted peanut butter, and Thrive Farmers coffee.

So, to help you get your grocery shopping done healthily, deliciously, and more economically, I have a $50 Earth Fare gift card to give away! The gift card is good at any Earth Fare (there’s also one in Fairview Park if that’s more convenient).

Here’s how to enter: you can do one, two, or all three options, just leave a SEPARATE comment for each.

1. Tell me what you are most likely to buy even if it’s not on your grocery list.

2. Follow @EarthFareSolon and @WhyCLE on Twitter and leave one comment letting me know you’re following both.

3. Tweet the following phrase:

I entered to win $50 to @EarthFareSolon from @WhyCLE and you can too: http://wp.me/p1fb9r-1uP 

You can tweet daily for additional entries, just leave a separate comment each time you tweet.

The giveaway will close on Wednesday, May 22 at 11:59pm and the winner will be announced the following day. Good luck!

***Disclosure: I was invited by Earth Fare Solon to tour and blog about the new location. In exchange, I received a $50 gift card for myself and a $50 gift card to give away. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

Why? Upcoming Events!

***A bit of blogkeeping: Congratulations to Gauri (Comment #1), randomly-selected winner of 2 general admission tickets to the Marc’s Great American Rib Cook-Off and Music Festival. Please check your email and respond by the end of the day or a new winner will be chosen.***

As we head toward summer, there are a ton of great upcoming events to take advantage of around the Cleveland area.

Red, White & BBQ Rib Fest

Saturday, May 18 at 12pm

Erie Street in Downtown Willoughby

Image Source – seriouseats.com

Downtown Willoughby presents the second annual Red, White & BBQ Rib Fest. From noon to 8pm, Erie Street will be turned into a pedestrian mall lined with restaurants serving up tasty BBQ and libations. Willoughby Brewing Co., Lure Bistro, Olivor Twist and many other Downtown Willoughby favorites will be participating. There will also be two stages with live music from eight different local bands and artists. Red, White & BBQ falls on Armed Forces Day and will be honoring our nation’s heroes by asking all attendees to donate $1 to the USO of Northern Ohio.

Recruit Cleveland Alumni-Only Career Expo

Thursday, May 23 at 11am

Veale Center at Case Western Reserve University

Image Source – hirecleveland.eventbrite.com

If you’re an alumni from John Carroll University, Cleveland State University, Case Western Reserve University, or a host of other local schools (see the graphic above), you are invited to attend a career fair with job opportunities from over 75 local employers, including the Cleveland Clinic, PR Newswire, Huntington Bank, and more. Admission is $10 for VIP early access and featured resume placement or free for all other alumni. Space is limited! For more details and to register, click here.

Woof, Wag and Wine

Saturday, June 1 at 1pm

Grand River Cellars

Image Source – lakehumane.org

An event that combines pups and wine? Be still my heart! Bring your pup along for a tour of Grand River Cellars, a wine tasting, live music, auctions, and more. Admission is $15 and includes your wine tasting. Proceeds benefit the Lake Humane Society. Click here for more information.

13^thAnnual Race for the Place

Sunday, June 2 at 8am

Beachwood Place

Image Source – touchedbycancer.org

Get out, get moving, and raise money for The Gathering Place, a community-based cancer-support center. There is a 5K chip-timed race or a one-mile fun walk, as well as family activities in the Celebration Village. Join honorary cancer survivor chair Jim Donovan, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, and The Gathering Place for this great event. Registration ranges from $10-30 depending on age and event. Click here for more information and to register.

15^thAnnual Farm to Table Benefit

Cleveland Botanical Garden

Monday, June 3 at 5:30pm

Image Source – cbgarden.org

Join 20 Cleveland chefs, from restaurants such as Spice Kitchen and Bar, Crop Bistro, and The Greenhouse Tavern, for a strawberry-inspired farm-to-table tasting event. At 5:30, there will be a panel discussion on “Berry Benefits,” then from 6:30-9, let your tastebuds explore the different tasting stations and enjoy live music on the Garden’s Geis Terrace. Tickets are $100 ($85 for Garden members) and proceeds benefit Green Corps and the North Union Farmers Market. For more information and to purcase tickets, click here.

10^thAnnual DePiero Family Charity 5K Run and 2K Walk

Saturday, June 8 at 8:30am

Byers Field

Image Source – deandepiero.com

Join former Parma Mayor Dean DePiero for a 5K race or 2K walk, along with refreshments and raffles, to benefit the Cleveland Courage Fund, recently established to raise money for Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight. Registration is $20 and the first 300 registrants receive a t-shirt. Click here for more information and to register.

Piggy Stardust & the Flavors from Mars

Wednesday, June 19 at 6:30pm

The Beachland Ballroom

Emerging Chefs, Chef Brian Doyle, and Chef Brian Rosander have teamed up to create a rock ‘n roll glam foodie event. A multi-course dinner, cocktail pairings, and live music from Vanity Crash, along with the cool surroundings of the The Beachland Ballroom will make for an evening not to be missed. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by clicking here.

Farm to Table Garlic Dinner

Saturday, June 22 at 5pm

Thaxton Garlic Farm

Join Thaxton’s Organic Garlic and Hudson’s Restaurant for a delicious farm-to-table dinner experience showcasing vendors from the Hudson Farmers Market. The dinner will include a cocktail hour, tour of the garlic farm and neighboring alpaca farm, and a five-course dinner with wine pairings. Tickets are $125 and proceeds benefit the Hudson Farmers Market. Click here to purchase tickets.

What upcoming events are you looking forward to?

***Disclosures: I am the VP of Special Initiatives for the John Carroll University Cleveland Alumni Chapter. Also, I was invited by Emerging Chefs to attend Piggy Stardust with a complimentary media pass, but declined due to scheduling conflicts. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

Why? Silver Spoon Awards Party!

***A bit of blogkeeping: Have you entered to win 2 general admission tickets to the Marc’s Great American Rib Cook-Off and Music Festival? Today is your last chance, so check it out! Remember, you can tweet once per day for additional entries.***

Last night, Matthew and I attended one of the hottest foodie parties in Cleveland: the 19^th Annual Cleveland Magazine Silver Spoon Awards Party. This event not only honors some of the best chefs, restaurants, and dishes in town, but also raises money for the Arthritis Foundation, Great Lakes Region, Northeastern Ohio.

The ballroom at the Intercontinental Hotel was packed to the hilt with fine food. Some of our favorites of the evening included Pier W‘s poached salmon and mushrooms, Deagan’s Kitchen and Bar‘s chicken paprikash, Light Bistro‘s spring pea and mint soup with ramp pesto, Taki’s Greek Kitchen‘s lamb chops, and Sweet Melissa‘s decadent dessert spread.

Hodge’s and Spice Kitchen and Bar rocked out the VIP room, with craft cocktails that included hibiscus-infused tequila at Spice and bourbon and strawberries at Hodge’s and delicious nibbles like smoked lamb tacos with strawberry jalapeno salsa from Hodge’s and smoked fish on spelt pancakes at Spice. Plus, two of the nicest, most personable local chefs you’ll ever meet in Chris Hodgson and Ben Bebenroth!

Aside from the food, there were fabulous wines, wonderful silent auction and Chinese auction prizes, and lots of friends to mingle with. The Silver Spoon Awards Party is definitely one of the premier fundraising events of the year.

Kudos to Alicia for all her hard work in planning. I’m already dreaming about next year’s fun!

***Disclosure: I was asked by the Arthritis Foundation to help promote the Silver Spoon Awards Party. In exchange, I received 2 complimentary VIP tickets. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

Why? Weekends!

For every weekend that hands us gorgeous weather, there’s one that hands us, well, less gorgeous weather. That’s OK, though! We didn’t let the rain and coolness dampen our fun!

Friday night, we chilled at home with what is a not-often-enough Friday ritual of homemade pizza, a bottle of wine, and catching up on the DVR.

I’m completely addicted to Scandal and, as a DVR watcher, need to stay spoiler-free until I can catch up with the show, which is not usually easy! I somehow managed to avoid the spoilers and was completely shocked at the end of the episode.

On Saturday, I got in my morning vinyasa flow at Harmony Yoga. I’m also part of Team #yogaallthelivelongday, which you can read more about here, so I’m committing to practice at least a small bit of yoga every day (more to come on this, I’m sure).

After that, I headed to check out the new Earth Fare in Solon. Stay tuned later this week for a post on that and a giveaway to go along with it!

To round out the day, Matthew and I went to his college friend Jenn’s house for the first BBQ of the summer. I think it’s great that Matthew, Jenn, and Jody have maintained their friendships for so long! On the way to Jenn’s, we drove through Matthew’s alma mater, Kent State University, for a little more college nostalgia.

Plus, weekend BBQ’s with friends are one of my favorite things about summertime. Even though the weather wasn’t too summery, I still sipped a beer or two and got ready for lots of grilling and cornhole ahead this season.

Sunday, we celebrated Mother’s Day by taking my Mom to brunch at XO Prime Steaks.

The brunch menu was a nice mix of breakfast and lunch items. Mom and Dad went the breakfast direction with apple and pear crepes and lobster eggs benedict, respectively. Matthew and I chose lunch, with blackened salmon and wild mushroom ravioli. Matthew and I also shared a very dense, but tasty, white chocolate, raspberry and macadamia bread pudding for dessert.

Everything was delicious and it was a nice, relaxing afternoon for Mom!

I grabbed another yoga class on Sunday evening. I generally have a tougher time practicing in the evenings, but find my energy level is definitely better on weekend evenings than during the week.

How was your weekend? Did you celebrate Mother’s Day?

Why? Weekends!

***A bit of blogkeeping: Have you entered to win a $100 gift card to Provenance at the Cleveland Museum of Art? Check it out! Remember, you can tweet daily for additional entries.***

After Friday night’s fun at the Cleveland Museum of Art, I was looking forward to a lazy start to my Saturday, with a little bit of yoga with Katie at Harmony Yoga, a little bit of errands, and a little bit of Honey Hut (their junior scoop is the perfect size for a mid-afternoon ice cream craving). My go-to place for meats, Pinzone’s Market Fresh Meats, was having their anniversary sale, so I scored a great deal on some strip steaks to grill up for dinner.

We seasoned the steaks with seasoned salt and black pepper and served them with grilled skewers of green pepper, onion, and grape tomato, plus a nice grenache. Sometimes simple really is best!

Saturday evening, Matthew and I attended the last concert of this year’s Tri-C Jazz Fest: a performance by the Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

I was so impressed by the performance! The music was bright and energetic. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra has a great brass section and 3 talented vocalists, who brought the crowd to their feet more than once. Many couples also showed off their salsa dancing skills during the show.

The concert was a unique, upbeat musical experience and a good reminder of the thriving arts culture in Cleveland. I can’t wait to check out more of Tri-C Jazz Fest next year!

On Sunday, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo with Alicia, Hans, Kimberly, and Chris at Momocho. A weekend afternoon seemed like the perfect time to enjoy some margaritas, guacamole, and taquitos!

I noshed on the grilled corn on the cob with chili lime butter and the rock shrimp and lobster empanadas. Oh, I also ate my body weight in guacamole and had two spicy mango margaritas. Viva Momocho!

Since we couldn’t get a patio seat at Momocho and the weather was so perfect, we headed over to Market Garden Brewery to enjoy this weather as it should be enjoyed: on a patio with an adult beverage.

That evening, we met up with friends Erin and Jeff for some outdoor fun at Squire’s Castle in the North Chagrin Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. If you haven’t been to Squire’s Castle, you should definitely check it out. It’s pretty cool to picnic in the shadow of a castle!

How was your weekend? Did you celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

***Disclosure: I was asked by Tri-C Jazz Fest to help promote the festival. In exchange, I received 2 tickets to attend the concert of my choice. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

Why? Sweet Melissa and Lure!

***A bit of blogkeeping: Have you entered to win two tickets to the Silver Spoon Awards Party? Check it out! Remember, you can tweet daily for additional entries.***

I recently got a chance to check out great after-work spots on both the West side and the East side.

Earlier this week, I met up with Kimberly and Amanda for a lovely happy hour at Sweet Melissa. I had been to this tasty and cute locale for lunch, but had heard great things about their happy hour and was anxious to check it out.

The happy hour runs from 4pm until close and is available in the bar area only, which is small, so get there early to snag a seat. You can get $2 or $3 select beers, $5 select wines, and $3 or $5 select appetizers.

I chose a glass of chardonnay, the crab cake appetizer, and the fried Brussels sprouts.

The crab cake was tasty! I really enjoyed the roasted red pepper and asparagus that came with it, too. The Brussels sprouts were delicious, particularly when paired with the sweet chili dipping sauce.

Being at Sweet Melissa, we couldn’t pass up dessert! I took a key lime tart and a lemon berry tart home to share with Matthew. Both had a graham cracker crust and delicious tangy, creamy filling.

For a sweet after-work deal, I definitely recommend Sweet Melissa.

The next day, I had another chance to check out a great after-work spot, this time on the East side, when I met up with my Mom for dinner at Lure Bistro. It was a beautiful evening! We got a table on Lure’s expansive patio and enjoyed a cocktail to start.

I recommend the Elderberry Fizz, with St. Germain Elderflower liquor, Chambord, Pink Moscato, and fresh raspberries.

For dinner, I couldn’t pass up Lure’s sushi. I had the Red Devil roll (red snapper, red pepper, crab, and chili sauce), the Two Timing Tuna Roll (spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber, topped with white tuna and seaweed salad), and the yellowtail nigiri.

Lure’s sushi is always super fresh and the rolls offer unique flavor combinations. This is one of my favorite patios in Willoughby, too!

Where are some of your favorite after-work spots?

Why? Silver Spoon Awards Party Giveaway!

In recent years, Cleveland has landed a firm spot on our nation’s map of cities with great restaurants. Through Food Network appearances by Chefs Michael Symon, Jonathon Sawyer, Chris Hodgson, Rocco Whalen, Kimberly McCune, and more, Cleveland is making its mark.

This summer, Chef Chris Hodgson is returning to the Food Network to compete to be The Next Food Network Star.

Image Source – clevescene.com

But, you don’t have to just turn on your TV to catch up with Chef Hodgson. From his restaurant to his food trucks, “Chef Hodge” is a familiar face around Cleveland. And he’ll be showing that familiar face in the VIP Room at one of Cleveland’s premier food events, the 19th Annual Silver Spoon Awards Party, happening Wednesday, May 15.

Image Source – poiseinparma.com

The Silver Spoon Awards Party is a strolling food and wine tasting event, featuring many of this year’s Cleveland Magazine’s Silver Spoon Awards winners, such as Deagan’s Kitchen and Bar, Chinato, Melt Bar and Grilled, and more.

Image Source – clevelandmagazine.com

Chef Hodgson will bring his comfort food with a twist and his Food-Network-ready personality to shine in the Silver Spoon VIP room, along with Spice Kitchen and Bar, Great Lakes Brewing, and Watershed Distillery. Having just been at Hodge’s this past weekend, I have to say that Chef Hodgson is creating some of the tastiest and most fun food in town.

The Silver Spoon Awards Party is sure to be a night you won’t want to miss! Plus, proceeds from the evening benefit the Arthritis Foundation, Great Lakes Region, Northeastern Ohio.

Image Source – clevelandmagazine.com

Tickets are $85 for general admission and $135 for VIP admission and can be purchased by clicking here. Or, you can enter to win two general admission tickets right here!

Here’s how to enter: You can do one, two, or all three of the possible entries, just be sure to leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry.

1. Leave a comment letting me know who your favorite Cleveland celebrity chef is.

2. Follow @SilverSpoonCLE and @WhyCLE on Twitter and leave one comment letting me know you’re following both.

3. Tweet the following phrase and leave a comment letting me know you tweeted:

I want to celebrate CLE’s food scene at @SilverSpoonCLE with @WhyCLE! Enter to win two tickets here: http://wp.me/p1fb9r-1s9

You can tweet daily for additional entries, just leave a separate comment each time you tweet.

The giveaway will close at 11:59pm on Sunday, May 5 and the winner will be announced the following day. If you have won another blogger’s Silver Spoon giveaway this year, you are ineligible to win this giveaway.

Good luck! And for another chance to win, check out Cleveland’s a Plum’s giveaway.

***Disclosure: I was asked by the Arthritis Foundation of Northeast Ohio to help promote the Silver Spoon Awards Party. In exchange, I will receive 2 VIP tickets for myself and 2 general admission tickets to give away. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***

Why? Corleone’s Ristorante!

I love finding hidden gem restaurants, like Corleone’s Ristorante in Parma. For years, Corleone’s has been cooking up high quality, elegant Italian meals, boasting a stellar wine list, and earning awards such as placing in Our Lady of the Wayside’s Finest Hors d’Oeuvres contest. Tucked in a small shopping center in northern Parma, it’s not exactly where you would expect to find this kind of restaurant.

Last week, Mom and I had a fabulous dinner at Corleone’s. We started with the award-winning Shrimp Sammy.

Huge shrimp are breaded in macadamia nuts and coconut, served with a sweet chili glaze and pickled red onion. Absolutely delicious!

I almost forgot to mention the cocktails! I enjoyed a Rosemary French 75, with gin, rosemary, agave syrup, and champagne. We sipped and enjoyed the live music being played in the bar area.

For our entrees, Mom selected the classic veal marsala. The sauce was rich and packed with tender mushrooms.

I chose the chicken Patricia, which is lightly-breaded chicken with mushrooms in a spicy marinara cream sauce.

While I thought the chicken was delicious, the spicy marinara could use a bit more kick for my taste.

Despite being stuffed, I got an order of cannoli to go, to share with Matthew when I got home. The cannoli filling was creamy, not overly sweet, and had a perfectly smooth texture. Matthew declared them the best cannoli he’s ever had!

So, if you’re looking for a tasty Italian meal in an unexpected spot, check out Corleone’s. What are some of your favorite hidden gem restaurants?

Why? Detroit Shoreway Happy Hour Holla!

It’s time for the second installment in my monthly Happy Hour Holla series. Last month, I rounded up some of the best happy hours in Tremont. This month, let’s head to Detroit Shoreway and Gordon Square.

XYZ the Tavern

Image Source – xyzthetavern.com

The Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4-7pm

The Drinks: $5 select craft beer draft and a slice of pizza, $7 daily shot and beer specials, Whiskey Wednesdays with four 1-oz. pours of featured whiskeys or bourbons

The Eats: $5 slice of pizza paired with a craft beer draft, 1/2 –off slices of cheese pizza on Mondays

The Catch: None

Luxe Kitchen and Lounge

Image Source – luxecleveland.com

The Hours: Monday-Friday, 5-7pm

The Drinks: $5.50 select cocktails, $3.75 select wines, ½-off select drinks

The Eats: $6 personal-style pizzas, $6 snacks

The Catch: Happy hour prices available in the lounge only

Stone Mad Pub

Image Source – facebook.com

The Hours: Monday-Friday, 4-7pm

The Drinks: $2 select domestic beer, $3 select cocktails, $4 select wines, $4.50 Guinness

The Eats: $5 appetizers

The Catch: None

Spice Kitchen and Bar

Image Source – facebook.com/spicekitchenandbar

The Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 4-7pm

The Drinks: $6 daily specialty cocktail, $5 select wines, $3 select draft beer, discounted select bottled beer

The Eats: Discounted select appetizers

The Catch: Happy hour prices available in the bar area only

The Harp

Image Source – the-harp.com

The Hours: Monday all day, Tuesday-Friday, 3-7pm

The Drinks: $1 draft beer, $2 domestic bottled beer, $5 specialty cocktails, $5 select wines

The Eats: $5 appetizers, fish basket, or burger

The Catch: None

This is just a sample of some of the great places in Detroit Shoreway and Gordon Square to enjoy an after-work adult beverage. Cheers!

What neighborhood should I happy hour holla in next month?

Why? Weekends!

***A bit of blogkeeping: Congratulations to Mike T. (comment #17), randomly-selected winner of 2 tickets to see the Spanish Harlem Orchestra close Tri-C Jazz Fest. Please check your email and respond by the end of the day or a new winner will be chosen. If you didn’t win, you can still purchase tickets to any of the Tri-C Jazz Fest concerts by clicking here.***

It was a busy week, so when Friday night hit, I was ready for some downtime. Matthew and I made homemade pizza and chilled out with the DVR, which was just what we both needed. I riffed off a recipe for Ginger Chicken Pizza, but eliminated the soy sauce and used hummus instead of pizza sauce.

I was also inspired by this post from Nadine to use naan as the crust and make smaller, individual-sized pies. All in all, it turned out quite tasty!

Saturday consisted of errands and appointments and a bit of down-dog at Harmony Yoga. Coming out of class to find my car had been towed kind of messed with my yoga good vibes a bit, but I suppose it was a good exercise in breathing and keeping calm, right?

Saturday evening, we headed out to Ferrante Winery for dinner with friends Chrissy and Mike. The happy couple is getting married in June, so we were lucky to snag a spot on their busy pre-wedding schedule.

Ferrante was packed, but we grabbed a spot in the tasting room while waiting for our table and enjoyed a bottle of the Golden Bunches Dry Riesling and a meat and cheese plate. I’m a person who usually runs in the opposite direction from sweet white wine, but the Golden Bunches Dry Riesling is one I really enjoy.

While the meat and cheese plate and salads that came with our meals were just ordinary, the entrees were quite tasty. I had the linguine with pesto cream and shrimp. The cream sauce was not overly heavy and the pesto had a delicious, fresh flavor. Ferrante was generous with the shrimp in the dish, too.

Matthew chose the pesce alla pollo curry. Paiting Italian meats and seasonings with a white wine curry sauce was an interesting choice, but a tasty one. The curry spice balanced well with the chicken, shrimp, and prosciutto and the fresh greens and vegetables added flavor and texture.

We had a great evening of good food and catching up. I love heading out to the wineries anytime of year, but I can’t wait until summer is here to be able to enjoy the beautiful patios that most of them have!

On Sunday, after another yoga class (and not having my car towed), I headed to our friends Patty and Jason’s baby shower at the Mentor Senior Center. They are expecting a baby boy on Father’s Day.

It was a fun afternoon celebrating the parents-to-be! The nursery theme is monkeys and the presents they got were just adorable. I can’t wait to meet their new arrival!

How was your weekend?