Monday, March 22, 2010

Food & FIlm Fest

So here we are, in the midst of this years Cleveland Film Festival...

Over the weekend I had the privilege of screening five fantastic films; from “Ingredients” to “A Matter of Size.”

While the festival committee requests of the viewers that all cell phones, audible watches and even pagers (do people still carry pagers?) be turned off during the film...what about growling stomachs?

Yes, this past Sunday as I sat and enjoyed the afternoon film, my stomach let out a loud, whining growl, and man was it long. Was I hungry? Did the walk through the “food” court of Tower City entice me? I think not. Had I not stuffed enough sweets into my pocket to satisfy my afternoon hunger? I had no idea why my belly was making such a scene.

Then I thought about it, although there is the “food” court and the traditional movie supplies (popcorn, twizzlers, m&m’s, etc) you often see film goers darting from theatre to theater with a small cooler in tow...what did they know that I didn’t? Even if you don’t think you will get hungry, YOU WILL! Watching movies is a hard sport and one that needs to be fueled strategically.



So, with that said, here are a few ideas for you to munch on as you plan your trip to the film fest this year....

Wine & Chocolate for those late night films...stop in at Lilly’s in Tremont to pack your purse with a “juice box” sized servings of vino and pair it with the perfect truffle for you and your movie sweetie. A big step up from diet coke and snowcaps.

Lunch on the go...put your emergency flashers on and run into Nate's Deli (on W 25th, near the Market) for a hummus or shawarma rolled pita sandwich ($3-$5). Both sandwiches could be devoured during a film if you quietly roll down the paper and offer your neighbor a bite. Otherwise schedule a few extra minutes prior to the film and have a Tower City “Nates” fountain picnic in order to have that extra energy to wait in the stand by aisle

Taking a break between films...there are many places close by that you can escape the crowds of tower city and enjoy a quick food fix. If you want to stroll around Tremont to stretch your legs, stop by Dish Deli for the lemon scented tuna salad and daily veggie special. Thinking you’ll meet your friends for the next movie for a drink or a bite first? Flying fig and Momocho both have great happy hours, check them out. Need to run home to let your dog out between movies? How about a smoothie from Liquid Planet? If you want to take a break, but aren’t looking to loose your parking space...when is the last time you’ve enjoyed the bar at the Hard Rock Café or sipped a manhattan at Mortons? Check it out!

Speaking of food...I’m hungry; for more films and for some good food. Happy Film Fest, happy eating to you!

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Friday, November 20, 2009

Thankful for the weekend!

I’m THANKFUL it’s the weekend. The weekend before the “Week of Thanks”... So many things to get done before December madness strikes!




Here is what I am planning to do...hope I can squeeze it all in.

Friday.
> Read a new Zine at Bella Dubby
> Eat some Ice Cream to celebrate the END of Tap! :)
> Listen to some great local tunes at made in the 216
> Party like a rock star.

Saturday
> Groom my little pup (shown at Thanksgiving in DC a few years ago)
> Fall in love with a Vampire..or a werewolf.
> Begin my holiday shopping list...(buying locally thanks to the reminder from Chef’s Widow!)
> Stop by the last farmers market of the season...or see the tree lighting?

Sunday
> Brush up on my manners (there are still a few spots left, call 440.247.2550 to sign up!)
> Explore the gardens & gingerbread creations
> FREE HENNA (with any cosmetic purchase) at Dillards in Beachwood...I am thinking a pumpkin, turkey and fall leaves for the Thanksgiving week?

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Monday, October 19, 2009

Symon Sighting & Signing (11/19)

Thursday, November 19th, 2009




For tickets visit www.lkwdpl.org/foundation/msymon/msymon.htm

(Thanks Michelle! Great find.)

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Wednesday, October 14, 2009

yummy beer (10/16-24)

Friday, October 16th, through Saturday, October 24th, 2009

Craving a lager? Thinking about a pale ale? Me? I am dying to have a Pumpkin Ale this fall..something spicy, rimmed with brown sugar.

Well, have I got something good for you? This year marks the inaugural event of Cleveland Beer Week. A celebration of beers from the unique small local breweries to the infamous imports, there will be a hop and whey for every one's beer belly cravings.



Some of the really buzzing events to kick off the brew-ha-ha include...

- Dogfish Head will be at Southside, Friday at 6pm to kick off beer week with old favorites like 90 Minute IPA and new special releases, prices and glasses.

- Sunday at The Beer Engine will be and serving a special beer breakfast.

- West Park Station will be selling ALL craft beers for $2.50.

- Saturday, beginning at 2pm, The Barley House will pair the Ohio State football game with a "10 craft beer samples for $20" promotion. They will have 30 brews to choose from, and you get a cool mug too.

- On Friday, Moxie Restaurant will host a four-course beer, fondue and raclette dinner. Beginning at 7 p.m., the $45 meal pairs selections from Merchant du Vin, Ayinger and Samuel Smith with imported raclette, and mushroom and shallot fondues.

For more information and where you can grab a great pint...visit www.clevelandbeerweek.org

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Tuesday, September 1, 2009

be quiet & SPEAKEASY

A speakeasy was an establishment which illegally sold alcoholic beverages during the period of United States history known as Prohibition (1920–1932). During this time, the sale, manufacturing, and transportation (bootlegging) of alcohol was illegal. The term comes from a patron’s manner of ordering an alcoholic drink without raising suspicion—bartenders would tell patrons to be quiet and “speak easy."

Wondered what the glow of light from below Bar Cento on West 25th was? Have you seen the dimly lit staircase leading to the murmur below? Do you know the secret handshake? Hmmm? What's down below?

Located in a dimly lighted basement below Bar Cento/McNulty’s Bier Markt, unmarked with no sign. Speakeasy is open every Friday and Saturday night 8pm-2am. (Thursday Live Music Nights coming this Fall)



“I’ve always thought that going out for a cocktail is a great way to escape the mundane realities of life,” says McNulty. “And I was thinking: What was the ultimate escape? The speakeasy during Prohibition.” The concept started brewing in McNulty’s head last year, 75 years after the repeal of Prohibition, which banned the sale of alcohol for consumption.

Check out the culinary cocktail list inspired by Cleveland’s long history of bootlegging and raved about in the New York Times…

Speakeasy Cocktails
The Rosemary–rosemary gin, dry vermouth
Bee’s Knees–honeycomb gin, cane syrup, fresh lemon
O’Sweet Brandy–brandy infused with toasted honey walnuts
Manhattan Pig–caramelized bacon bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters
Pepperoncini Martini–pepperoncini vodka, fresh lime, seltzer
Rome with a View–Campari, dry vermouth, fresh lime, cane syrup, seltzer
Pimm’s Zingiber–pimms No.1, fresh lemon, cane syrup, fresh ginger root, seltzer
Spanish Lover–cachasa, fresh lime, fresh ginger, cane syrup, seltzer

Speakeasy Punches (serves 4)
Claret Jug–red wine, fresh lemon, luxardo, cane syrup, seltzer
Rum Runner–coconut rum, brandy, cranberry, fresh orange, pineapple

For more information and details about the new kid in town visit www.bier-markt.com/blog/

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

On the Patio...

Since we as Clevelanders cherish our outdoor months, tonight, why not have dinner on the patio?

These are Cleveland Independents restaurants that are celebrating sunny days and cool nights on their patios. American Tavern and Eatery, Bar Cento, Bar Symon, Beach Club Bistro, Boulevard Blue, Crop Bistro, D'Vine Wine Bar, fire food and drink, Flying Fig, Gamekeepers Taverne, Great Lakes Brewing, Greenhouse Tavern, Grovewood Tavern, Johnny Mango World Café, L'Albatros, La Dolce Vita, Light Bistro, Luxe Kitchen and Lounge, Melange, Melt Bar and Grilled, Michaelangelo's, Moxie, Nighttown, Paladar Latin Kitchen, Parallax, Players on Madison, Prosperity, Redstone, Sergio's SARAVA, Tartine Bistro, Three Birds, Tremont Tap House, Vue Restaurant & Lounge and Willoughby Brewing Company....

Got any other great patio dining suggestions?

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Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Buy Local

Cose and “ibuyneo.com” has declared THIS WEEK a celebration of independence! So why not celebrate the local businesses in your area buy supporting them.

So used to swinging buy Target on your way home for all your needs? Don't know where to start or what I mean when I say "buy local?" Here is a list of 100 ideas to keep our cash in the area. Spend $100 locally and we can all benefit from it.



Food
1. Buy vegetables from a local farmers market
2. Fill your belly at a local food festival
3. Buy wine from a local winery
4. Get coffee at a local coffee shop
5. Get fresh meat at a local butcher
6. Get your freshly baked birthday cake from the neighborhood bakery
7. Enjoy lunch at a locally owned restaurant
8. Relax with a beer at a local brewery
9. Get something to make for dinner at a local grocer
10. Cool off at your neighborhood ice cream shop
11. Order out from a local pizzeria
12. Visit the West Side market
13. Order holiday cookies from a local pastry shop
14. Cater a party using a neighborhood restaurant
15. Grab a hotdog from a curbside vendor

Arts & Leisure
16. Get your next CD at a local music shop
17. Catch a live band at a music hot spot
18. Buy art from a local art gallery
19. Shop at a neighborhood art walk
20. Hear the Cleveland Orchestra at Cain Park
21. See a dance performance at Cleveland Public Theatre
22. Take a knitting class at a local craft store
23. Have a party at a local pottery center

Entertainment
24. Take an afternoon drive and go antiquing at local dealers
25. Take in a movie at an independent movie theater
26. See a show at Playhouse Square
27. Get up close with the animals at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
28. Hire a party clown
29. Host a pampering party and hire an independent masseuse
30. Visit a local museum
31. Go bowling at a local alley
32. Shop for a cute summer outfit at a local boutique
33. Buy your next hostess party gift from a local retailer
34. Get your manicure or pedicure at a local nail salon

Sports
35. Enjoy a game of golf at a Cleveland Metroparks course
36. Buy a summer pass at your neighborhood pool
37. Spend a night under the stars at a Metroparks campsite
38. Get shiny new bikes for the family at a local bike shop
39. Enjoy the Cuyahoga River by renting a canoe
40. See the Cuyahoga Valley aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
41. Buy fishing supplies at a local bait shop and get a catch of the day on Lake Erie
42.Take a Karate class at a local martial arts studio
43. Play a game of putt-putt at a local course
44. Catch a minor league baseball team and see the future baseball stars
45. Join a neighborhood sports league
46. Work out at a local gym
47. Take yoga at a local yoga studio


Home
48. Use a local lawn care service
49. Visit a local garden center and get your hands dirty landscaping
50. Freshen up your home with new furniture from a local furniture shop
51. Go to a neighborhood art walk to find local art to decorate your home
52. Get some help around the house and employ a local handyman
53. Fix the leaky pipes. Call a local plumber
54. DIY and get your supplies and advice at the local hardware store
55. Employ a local roofer to fix your roof
56. Pay the neighborhood kids to cut your grass and clean your pool
57. Visit a local frame shop to get you best vacation pictures framed
58. Pick up fresh flowers from the local florist
59. Hire a local moving company
60. Hire a local seamstress to hem your pants
61. Purchase your new furnace from a local HVAC shop
62. Have your home painted by a local painter

Auto
63. Get your next oil change from a local mechanic
64. Detail the inside of your car at a local car wash
65. Get a custom paint job for your motorcycle

Pets
66. Take your pet to the local groomer
67. Reward your dog with a treat from a local dog bakery
68. Use an independent pet daycare
69. Buy a hamster at the local pet store
70. Have a local seamstress make an outfit for the pooch
71. Buy a locally grown catnip treat for your cat

Family/Personal/Kids
72. Get a new look at a local barber shop
73. Read a classic novel from your local book store
74. Buy your next anniversary gift from a local jeweler
75. Use a local cobbler to repair your worn out shoes
76. Order a basket of treats from a local candy store
77. Take your laundry to a local dry cleaners
78. Got a cold? Get some medicine at a local pharmacy
79. Planning a wedding or family reunion? Get help from a local planner
80. Join a locally owned club
81. Purchase a child’s birthday gift at the local toy store
82. Enjoy a day at a local water or amusement park

Green/Sustainability
83. Take public transportation to work
84. Ride the new RTA Healthline
85. Purchase a reusable shopping bag at a local grocer
86. Switch out light bulbs with CFL’s from the neighborhood hardware store
87. Hire a local LEED consultant to green your home or business

Business
88. Purchase your office supplies from a local supply company
89. Use a local cleaning service to clean your offices
90. Work with a local accountant to balance your books
91. Cater business meetings with local caterers
92. Use a local company to help with your IT needs
93. Commission one of a kind party invitations from a local artist
94. Purchase chocolates with your logo on it from a local candy shop
95. Use a local courier service to do freight and truck deliveries
96. Hire an in town design firm or ad agency
97. Order a special event balloon or float from a local manufacturer
98. Order bagels for your office from a local bakery
99. Use a local travel agent to book your business trips
100. Pick up your last minute supplies at the neighborhood convenient store

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