Gluten Free Cupcakes (06/11)

Friday, June 11th 2010

The Hudson location of Main Street Cupcake has let me in on their latest creation....for those of us with food preferences or food allergies you can now find gluten free sweet cupcakes every Friday for your and your friends at their bakery.

Each sweet cake will be offered in three flavors at $3 a piece. For those of us "sans-allergies" Main Street offers SO MANY adorable flavors, every day (closed Monday's)...my favorites are Champagne and Raspberries & Lemon Drop! Yummm..

Bakery Breakfast

With the time change and the bright morning skies, I feel like I have all the time in the world before my work day begins. Yesterday I took my little pup for a long walk to the Lake, while this morning I made a pit stop at the new bakery, Blackbird Baking Company. With the brisk temps outside there is something so comforting in a warm cup of coffee and something sweet and yummy for breakfast.

This morning I was lucky enough to arrive as they were pulling the Pumpkin Pecan (seasonal flavor) Cookies from the oven. The soft, chewy and sugar-coated treat reminded me of a cross between a moist pumpkin pie and my moms banana bread.



If you miss this cookie flavor some of the other goodies include Cranberry Oat Cookies ("oat," it MUST be healthy?), my friend Elizabeth really likes the Sweet Cream Biscuits, Cleveland Magazine voted the Stick Buns the "Best" and the french baguettes make every sandwich or bowl of fall soup better.

If you can carve out an extra 15 minutes, swing by the new Blackbird Baking Co. for your fall carb. fix! Located in Lakewood before you cross the Detroit Ave bridge to "River."

Doughnut adventure

Hi Cleveland and Happy Halloween-Thursday (let the junk food raid begin!)

Lately I have been dreaming of driving from one side of town to the other filling my picnic basket with doughnuts from area fryers and blowing any sort of healthy-living ideas out the window. Unfortunately I have not been able to squeeze in this dreamy doughnut adventure, try as I may, it just won’t happen pre-Friday.



My initial intention of this nutty trip was to assemble a really great plethora of ideas for where you could go Halloween morning as the wizards and witches rise from bed in anticipation of the treat-filled day ahead. Well, instead of all the extra calories, I’ll just give you a brief rundown on some of the spots I have been to over my tenure in Cleveland...

> Doughnut Pantry : 14600 Madison Ave., Lakewood : Saturday 6am-2pm (a bare bones, not fancy, get-em-while-their hot place)

> Spudnuts : 21800 Center Ridge Rd. Rocky River (sweets made from potatoes? Carbs + sugar, yumm)

> Fragapane Bakeries : 650 Dover Center Rd., Bay Village (my friend Meg swears by this place, it has to be good!)

> Prestis : 12101 Mayfield Rd, Little Italy (does Prestis even make doughnuts any more? If not grab anything else, its’ all good!)

> Jack Frost Donuts 4960 Pearl Rd, Cleveland (Saturday 7am- 8pm)

And then there is always Dunkin Doughnuts, Krispy Kreme and even Starbucks is selling good old fashioned sour crème favorites!


Perhaps I will grab a warm doughnut and hit the gym extra hard on Saturday to celebrate the arrival of fall, shorter days and more evenings at the gym :)

Happy doughnut hunting to you.

Iced Coffee Day (4/21)

For a store location near you visit www.dunkindonuts.com

America Runs on Dunkin!

The week of coffee reports continues...

This morning I was in a hurry to get to a meeting and decided to take the "drive-through" approach...Dunkin Doughnuts here I come.

A medium hazelnut coffee, 1 splenda & milk + 2 chocolate doughnut holes. Not only was the coffee very hot with the perfect amount of milk (I wonder how the coffee fairies know how much I like?) it was a brief reminder of my days living in New England. If you have ever visited ME, MA or CT you'll find that New England runs on Dunkin though they must sprinting to the midwest because I see new locations popping up everywhere.



More affordable than the other national chains (my total bill was $1.75...a quarter back!) the bright pink, orange and chocolate brown branding makes this coffee house super-chic and even a bit sassy. Next time you are driving to a meeting and want a good cup of Hazelnut Coffee, drive through your local Dunkin Doughnuts...but good luck leaving without a doughnut! :)

For locations, drinks and specials visit www.dunkindonuts.com

Community Lunch (7/12)

Saturday, July 12th 2008

To celebrate summer and a sense of community, join the residents of Rocky River at the annual "River Days, Taste of River Fest." The event will be a fun and enjoyable way for visitors to taste samples from area restaurants. Some of the food vendors that will be participating range from the new Sweet Melissa's to Linden Tavern, from Camille's Sidewalk Cafe to Chick-Fil-A. For dessert don't miss the second annual apple pie baking contest.

Tickets will be on hand to purchase for the various food vendors, a great destination for lunch! The event will take place at the Don Umerley Civic Center (21016 Hilliard Blvd. Rocky River) From noon until 3:00pm. For additional information call the Rocky River Chamber of Commerce call 440.331.1140.

On the Rise!

As you enter this bright and cheery bakery your senses will immediately come to life. The warm sweet smells, the soft sounds of mixers and the visual delights all laid out and ready for you to explore.



I have enjoyed every muffin, cookie, scone and bread I have ever bought at On the Rise Bakery in Cleveland Heights a tiny and quaint neighborhood bakery. They offer delicious treats including scones, cookies, fruit brownies, rustic tarts, croissants and granola as well as a plethora of house baked bread options. On the list is everything from rustic Italian breads like Pave to classic French baguettes. For something a little more adventurous, try the olive loaf or the sunflower shaped loaf crusted with sesame seeds. They also serve coffees and have a few tables for sitting. This summer, perhaps early on a Sunday morning, grab your paper or favorite book and head East to On The Rise!

3471 Fairmount Blvd Cleveland, OH 44118 216.320.9923

Sweets on the Hill

A trip to Presti's Bakery in Little Italy was such a great way to kick off the weekend. From the artichoke pizza to the Italian cheesecake, the evening was filled with great sweets and even better cappuccino.

In 1903 Rose and Charles Presti Sr. opened Presti’s Bakery. As the business grew so did their family. In 1918, Charles Presti Jr. was born. He worked at the bakery from a young age, learning the trade from his parents. The bakery moved location a number of times before settling into the heart of Cleveland’s Little Italy on Mayfield Rd. in 1943.

At this time, Presti’s Bakery remains an integral part of Cleveland’s Little Italy. Michael, is the pastry chef and the fourth generation working at the bakery. They still use only the freshest ingredients with no preservatives to produce fine quality baked goods. Still made by hand with the same recipes and techniques originally created by Rose Presti.




Next time you feel like a cannoli or gelato...head east to Presti's (www.prestisbakery.com). 12101 Mayfield Rd. Cleveland, OH 216.421.3060

A Day on the Farm (5/03)

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

Join Slow Food Northern Ohio (http://slowfoodnorthernohio.blogspot.com) at Morgan Farm as they celebrate spring and enjoy the season’s first farm-fresh foods. Located 67 miles southwest of Cleveland near Ashland, Ohio, Morgan Farm features ten acres of unspoiled Ohio farmland where you can enjoy a historic, art-filled 1866 farmhouse; mingle with goats, horses, pigs and heritage turkeys; and experience Ohio farm life. Spend an afternoon biking the countryside; browse local antique shops; and pick out spring flowers for mom at local greenhouses.



Saturday afternoon from 2-6 will include a barbeque, including locally made bratwurst & grass-fed burgers, spring slaw, local cheeses, crackers & snacks, and Amish sweets. Suggested Donation: Adults $10 ~ Kids $3 Reservations required. Local farmers will have pork, certified-organic beef, eggs, and fresh baked goods available for sale. From 5-8pm there will also be a large sunset campfire...Don't miss it!

To reserve your spot, please contact Kari at Slow Food Northern Ohio, 216.225.6311 or email: CAFECINQ@roadrunner.com.
Also, Morgan Farm is now booking 2008 farmstays, for more information call 917.586.5477 or visit www.morganfarmstudios.com

Sunday's at the Market

A Sunday destination and much more than a traditional farmers market, the Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market features entertainment, health education and cooking demonstrations to attract local and regional interest.

Each week the selection of locally grown produce, breads and baked goods, cheese, honey, jams and jellies, herbs and flowering plants changes as the seasons bounty comes in from area farms and kitchens. “Locally grown” entertainment is also a hallmark of the market, with a variety of quality area musicians and other entertainers appearing each week. Click here for an entertainment schedule, and here for samples and bios of the acts. The market also features weekly chef demonstrations by local and regional restaurant chefs, cooking school gurus, and neighborhood gourmet cooks. Most chef demonstrations take place around 11 a.m. Additionally, most Sundays include some type of health education or wellness program such as yoga, chair massage, book signings, or health screenings. Check their site for the most up to date schedule.



The Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market is in the municipal parking lot located at W. 168th Street and Lorain Avenue, near Rocky River Drive. Parking nearby is free and plentiful. It is not at Kamm’s Plaza Shopping Center. For more information visit www.kammscorners.com/farmersmarket.html

Cupcake "Project"

Who needs Magnolia Bakery (NYC) when you have Great Scotts?

The other morning I was reading a fellow Cleveland Blog, feedingmaybelle.blogspot.com and came upon her "Great Cleveland Cupcake Project." The objective is to give your favorite cupcake (Cleveland-based, store bought only) an online "Shout Out!" Vote for the best contest. I knew the perfect recommendation, and couldn't wait to participate.

Like all Friday mornings I am up super early for a weekly standing meeting, my “cupcake project stop” was the perfect way to get through an early meeting...after a late Thursday night...I digress.



Great Scotts Bakery located on in a little plaza on Wooster Road (2214 Wooster Rd ) in Rocky River has luscious cupcakes. My favorite is the perfect white “Wedding Cake Cupcake.” Piled high with sweet frosting you may need to eat this treat with a fork as it is really big and sometimes hard to get a mouthful without having it all over your face! As an avid cupcake connoisseur, I am amazed how they get the little vanilla cake to grow so tall while maintaining the dense texture, good baking is such a science. This cupcake is great for sharing and costs $2.50.

If you are interested in posting or participating in this “project” visit http://feedingmaybelle.blogspot.com for “rules.” Project ends June 1, results to be posted by June 15th.

* Thanks to Sara M. for the delicate handmade book also featured in my photo, I couldn’t resist. Thanks again Sara, it’s wonderful!