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Last weekend I had some Rochester family in for a visit. For dinner we went to the Great Lakes Brewing Company, which was really very cool. Naturally, they're known for their beer which has won national and international awards and bear Cleveland-related names like Burning River and Commodore Perry. Their food was also cool, with an edgy pub-like menu. Plus, a good portion of their ingredients are grown locally or at their own farm. So if you're ever in the area, it's a great restaurant. And their beer is quite good, coming from a non-beer drinker.
Some photos I took on the drive:
Right now I am sipping on a delicious cup of Phoenix Coffee's Light Roast.
I love small locally owned business like this, because they seem to actually know and care about what their customers want. The Baristas are friendly, the drinks aren't too pricey, and the wireless is free. This particular location used to house a Caribou Coffee (boo! burnt coffee!) that happened to have a sentimental place in my heart. It was where I met my sweetheart of almost three years. I couldn't be happier to see that a Cleveland based coffee roaster has taken over.
I adore the atmosphere. It is a huge upgrade from Caribou Coffee's rough North Western theme interiors. I can go the rest of my life without stepping into a log cabin themed coffee house. From the lovely olive colored walls to the big plum fire place, everything seems to fall into place. It appears that instead of coming prepackaged like many chain restaurants, this place was decorated for the building that it inhabits.
The clientele is varied. There are college kids, young professionals and people who could be their parents all enjoying themselves. Unlike other cafe's this one is not overrun with Laptops. There are people reading thick novels, writing essays and leafing through newspapers. There appears to be an overall sense of community. As the room begins to fill up, customers offer each other a seat at their table. Practically unheard of at Starbucks!
Phoenix Coffee certainly reminds me of another Ohio based coffee chain- Cup O Joe. And that is a wonderful thing. Cup O Joe is located in Central Ohio, and has brought fierce competition to the national chains in the area. It has created an strong army of customers who know support independent retail in the area, expanding from coffee houses to boutiques and bakeries.
For all of you outside of the Cleveland area, check out the Phoenix Coffee website. They have different roasts available at an excellent price. I also believe that Cup O Joe has their coffee for sale on their website.
What was the bravest thing you did in 2008?
Submitted by TheFiercestCalm.
My current situation is either the result of the biggest leap of faith, or stupidest mistake I have ever made.
I have recently left a well paying, stable job in a community that I adored to move home to Cleveland, Ohio. For those of you who are not familiar: Cleveland was recently ranked the poorest major city in the United States. Perched on the cold southern shore of Lake Erie, it is not a forgiving place. It has a terribly unstable job market (assuming you can find a job), as many manufacturing jobs have been eliminated or outsourced. I have been struggling to get interviews for entry level positions that I previously would have thought much below my experience level.
It has been a rough road coming back home, and I am certainly depleting my savings by returning in such a difficult economy. But there has been something pulling me back here. It seems like every fiber in my soul is made of Cleveland's murky grey skies, cold choppy waves and towering steel buildings. I finally feel as though my spirit is complete. While I was away, I hadn't realized how drained I was. Despite the hardship I've experienced, nothing can compare to the exuberence I felt when I turned the corner of I-71 to Route 2 and saw the gorgeous expance of cold grey lake water. It is a beauty unlike any other.
Cleveland as a city reminds me so very much of Manchester. Once thriving, then working class poor, and now Manchester is once again on top. How long until it is Cleveland's chance to succeed? The people here are the most genuine, hard working individuals I have ever met. There is a fierce sense of individuality deep within them, and the stresses of living in an economically depreciating area is allowing for incredible exhibits of artistic spirit. The every day ho-hum of going to work at a dead end job has planted the seed for fantastic pursuits- music that you've never heard anything like, rich writings, and creativity unparalleled by the current art capitals of the nation.
So although I have given up material happiness, I can't deny that my heart sings every day that I wake up in this beautiful grey city.
This recipe comes courtesy of Bach's Lunch, a 1971 cookbook published by the Junior Women's Committee to benefit the Cleveland Orchestra. They sold the book for a whole $3.00. Some of its recipes were provided by cooking celebrities of the day, but most of them were favorite recipes of the wives of prominent Clevelanders. Each recipe ends with the name of the person who supplied it.
IDIOT'S DELIGHT
1 - 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1/4 bottle Pickapeppa sauce or Worcestershire sauceUnwrap cheese and place on a plate. Pour sauce over and serve with English water biscuits.
Mrs. Arthur Modell
Every year since we've been in Cleveland we've gone to a little resort town right on Lake Erie - Geneva-on-the-Lake, you get the name LOL - on the 4th of July. It's kind of middle America meets bikers; and it's one street crowded with the most fabulous assortment of people, and lined with all kinds of little shops and entertainment: antiques, tattoo parlors, mini golf, arcades, music, bars, restaurants, donuts, lemonade, souvenirs, etc. Check out the sign for the mini golf course: "The Oldest Miniature Golf Course in the United States in Continuous Play; Est. in 1924." We think that's very cool! Fireworks at 10 pm, everyone stops to ooh and ahh, and a good time is had by all :)
Ever since we did a sweat lodge last weekend, I've been a little out of sorts. So we went to John Carroll University yesterday to walk the labyrinth. It totally put me back to rights - I immediately felt more grounded and centered, and I feel so blessed that we have such a beautiful thing available to us, practically in our backyard. Thank you, John Carroll :)
...and so do we!!!
And tonight we love it just a little more, discovering -- by way of Drew Carey's ongoing connection with his hometown -- Antonio's!! (Check out the latest if you haven't heard. The link also has lots of Clevelanders commenting on the best pizza in the area - a definite must read!)
It was amazing, and we have lots of leftovers for later, or tomorrow... or probably both ;)
Thank you, Drew Carey, for turning us on to our new favourite restaurant - you're a good guy, and we love YOU as much as we love Cleveland!!
Cleveland does indeed rock ;)
There aren't many things that make me happier than a stop at Gallucci's, and I typically wait until I need a few things that I like to get specifically from there... because I can walk out with SO much that I don't need, but must have :) It's always an experience and delights all of my senses! I can get lost in there for hours; yesterday, I was good :) And the experience lives on in the two-bags-full that came home with me. If you live in Cleveland, you probably know Gallucci's. If you come to Cleveland, stop in and wander around - I think you'll be pleased :)
This song always reminds me of my trip to Ohio. Which was a very long journey for a Thanksgivings to visit family ....I do like Ohio and had a great time, I will have to get back there one day.... By the way I think Bowling for Soup are great and really make me laugh.......
