tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66806037611350375812024-03-13T14:05:08.008-07:00Unity. Food, Wine and Design.We are active in our community and like to spread the word about great experiences.<br>Dining, design, events, whatever!Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-54480338962615173002019-07-01T12:09:00.002-07:002019-07-01T12:09:47.494-07:00The Hare Wine Co., Niagara on the Lake, ONT<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCkq5fvJidI/XRpZ3AGVdHI/AAAAAAAABFE/BRmv2YC5RIc1UA715eql5eNyigpymQBRQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCkq5fvJidI/XRpZ3AGVdHI/AAAAAAAABFE/BRmv2YC5RIc1UA715eql5eNyigpymQBRQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4422.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hare Wine Co. Tasting Menu, June 2019</td></tr>
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Had a fabulous tasting experience at <a href="https://theharewineco.com/" target="_blank">The Hare Wine Co.</a> in Niagara on the Lake, Canada. Jeremy was knowledgeable and intuitive with our palates, leading us to some wonderful new wines. We have never been fans of Cab Franc, but those at The Hare were complex and outstanding. We are new fans! We even returned the next day to enjoy a glass and a pizza on their patio, and to buy a bottle of our favorite. We will definitely be back next time in NOTL. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fabulous design. Their brochure, so adorable and well designed, is what made us visit. Every last detail in the estate, tasting room, bottle design, and distinction between collections is perfectly thought out and executed. We applaud the excellent design that supports their awesome wines!Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-42757655776876129182019-01-10T08:32:00.003-08:002019-01-10T08:39:18.557-08:00A Brand New Year – Take a Fresh Look at Your Brand<i>By Shara Bohach</i><br />
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The new year offers the perfect resolution opportunity to re-evaluate your brand. To take a look back on the past year and realign your efforts for the year ahead.<br />
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Personally, we visit hundreds of food and beverage establishments each and every year. Some are just opening and making their culinary mark, while others are well established and well known. They range from the local right down the road to treasured new finds discovered in our travels. As brand marketers, we cannot help noticing, evaluating, analyzing, and discussing brands everywhere we go. It’s just a hazard of the profession.<br />
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The most rewarding is when we encounter a brand that we feel has hit the mark and has been executed in all the right ways. No detail too small, everything considered and aligned to the brand. Some are extremely creative, while others are simple and elegant. But overall, there is no question that they know who they are. As customers we are immersed in their distinct message, design look, and interior space. In print and online the brand is defined. Language, tone and design cohesively communicate the same essence.<br />
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A successful brand is not the repetitive use of logo, graphics and message on everything. It is an evolving integration of elements that stay true to a defined feel and tonality. They uphold a consistent look and tone in every communication that makes them both recognizable and memorable.<br />
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Take a moment and resolve to evaluate your own brand.<br />
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<b>The Brand</b><br />
Many think their logo is their brand, and it undoubtably does a lot of the heavy lifting, however your brand consists of so much more. Every marketing impression creates it. Your brand is essentially what people think and feel about your company. Can you list a few meaningful words that represent your business. Are you about integrity, service, quality, reliability, simplicity? Think about what your business strives to do better than anyone else. Consider a farmers market known for always having the freshest, local produce; a modern, upscale restaurant with inspired preparations and impeccable service; a gourmet product with a reputation of only natural, organic ingredients. This is what you become known for. It's your brand promise to your customers.<br />
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<b>Elevator Pitch</b><br />
Now formulate those few words into a few sentences with a distinct tone and you'll have your “elevator pitch”. This is your answer to “What do you do?” It is not a tagline, positioning statement, or mission statement… although it does play into all of them. The pitch serves as the beginning to your unique story.<br />
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<b>The Message</b><br />
It is critical to stay in front of your customers. Put together a marketing calendar for the year. Plan out a healthy dose of creative, compelling promotions or events, and intriguing communications just to stay in touch and on their minds. The key is to stay visible. Be first after the holidays when nothing else is going on and cabin fever starts setting in. Understand the audience you want to reach and the language they speak when crafting your marketing communications. Don't talk young to an older audience and vice versa. Be succinct. You do not want to frustrate your audience with cryptic marketing messages.<br />
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<b>Refresh When Needed</b><br />
The best thing you can do for your brand is to define it and stay true to it. However, sometimes a brand starts to stale. It might look outdated, or the business focus may change. If you feel that's true, it may be time for a refresh. You might modernize the design elements and color palette or change up some language to better reflect the brand’s evolving personality.<br />
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Whether you have limited budget and time, or you have plenty of both, basic principles remain the same to making a lasting impression and cultivating a brand. Stay focused and true. Evolve and know your audience. Avoid adding conceptual noise – distracting elements everywhere to grab attention. These compete for attention, diluting your core message. Always have fun with the journey and stay creative.<br />
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<i>Shara Bohach is Owner and Creative Director at Unity Design, Inc. a design firm that specializes in building brands for the culinary industry. In business since 2000, Unity Design has carried out every imaginable type of project from logos to packaging to websites to trade show graphics and all things in-between. Shara has been an active Les Dames d’Escoffier member for over 10 years. Unity Design, Inc. at 440-516-9688 | <a href="http://www.unitydesign.biz/" target="_blank">www.unitydesign.biz</a></i>Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-15093861973924968992015-12-08T07:42:00.001-08:002015-12-08T07:44:25.400-08:00COFFEE HARVEST, April 2015<br />
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Our delicious, home grown Arabica blend! Yield: 2 miniscule espresso cups of deliciousness. So much work, but worth it! Sharing a few photos of the process. I wish we would have gotten a photo of the super fragrant flowers that started it all.Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-48798121668408869552015-08-31T08:15:00.000-07:002015-08-31T08:17:04.559-07:00REAP the Benefit 2015, “Night on the Farm”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lsdp6_2h-bA/VeRvcXjXXPI/AAAAAAAAAtU/mGVmREa1OUQ/s1600/082915_LDEI_volunteers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lsdp6_2h-bA/VeRvcXjXXPI/AAAAAAAAAtU/mGVmREa1OUQ/s320/082915_LDEI_volunteers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Reprinted with permission from Les Dames d'Escoffier Cleveland's blog "Dame du Jour"</i><br />
<i>By Cynthia Schuster Eakin | Photo By Eric Eakin</i><br />
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REAP the Benefit 2015, “Night on the Farm” welcomed 350 guests into the Ohio City Farm to benefit The Refugee Response in Northeast Ohio.<br />
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Cleveland Dames Paula Hershman, Marla Monzo Holmes, Maggie Harrison, Shara Bohach, and Carol Hacker lended their hands as volunteers throughout the evening.<br />
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The Refugee Response empowers refugees to become self-sufficient and contributing members of their new community. Services offered by The Refugee Response include home tutoring, an academic scholarship program and the Refugee Empowerment Agricultural Program (REAP). Managing sites at both the Ohio City Farm and Urban Community School, the organization employs farm trainees. These trainees have cultivated and distributed more than 20,000 pounds of produce and have supported the weekly delivery of food to 119 community supported agriculture (CSA) members this past year. Produce grown on the farms is available to trainees and their families, donated to hunger centers, sold on-site at a retail stand and purchased by contract from a host of local restaurants.<br />
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Several of the chef and restaurant partners attended the “Night on the Farm” to prepare seasonal cuisine. Music and dance was provided by members of Cleveland’s Bhutanese and Burmese communities. The highlight of the evening was the introduction of Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, who has dedicated his life’s work to spreading the philosophy of non-violence. A journalist, activist, author and “peace farmer,” Arun Gandhi’s work in social and economic justice has touched millions throughout the world.Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-57038809712404700902015-03-15T14:05:00.005-07:002015-03-16T06:06:02.869-07:00The Breckenridge Tap House @ Oscar's – An elevated taco experience<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qAq1Lm7115M/VQXz5Up2GzI/AAAAAAAAApk/euz4x61SrgE/s1600/IMG_20150311_150714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qAq1Lm7115M/VQXz5Up2GzI/AAAAAAAAApk/euz4x61SrgE/s1600/IMG_20150311_150714.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>Don't you love when you have this gut feeling about a place and it pays off better than you even expected?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VR5wBL-vGDw/VQXz8z06YjI/AAAAAAAAAps/oVmkVFDpL_A/s1600/IMG_20150311_150655.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VR5wBL-vGDw/VQXz8z06YjI/AAAAAAAAAps/oVmkVFDpL_A/s1600/IMG_20150311_150655.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>Taking a day off after three straight days of amazing Colorado skiing, we decided to lazily meander Breckenridge's busy Main Street. It’s a street packed to the gills with various coffee houses, boutiques, pubs and restaurants. A day can easily slip by in the dizzying array of tantalizing scents, sights and sounds. We were drawn to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oscars-of-Breckenridge/542070402522109?fref=ts" target="_blank">Oscar’s of Breckenridge</a> – Tacos, Tequila, Whiskey – and their Tap House with its rustic, cool decor, and decided on a quick (if a bit early!) beer. With 34 beers on tap, you're sure to find something interesting to try. We went for local brews, and while enjoying them glanced over the menu and were intrigued. We weren’t hungry, so we continued weaving our way thru the town. All the while we kept thinking about Oscar's menu. We knew they had a great happy hour, so it was inevitable we would go back and conclude our day there. Their menu states “An elevated taco experience…” and is right on. It is amazing to have so much precise flavor complexity in every single taco bite. <br />
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We started with the Chips and Guac. So good and fresh. Served with a roasted red pepper sauce on the side. We had several of their creative ala carte taco offerings: Blackened Mahi Mahi, Slow Braised Carnitas, and Chef's Choice Seasonal Sautéed Veg tacos. Every single ingredient had its place and stood out, while being the perfect complement to every other ingredient.<br />
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Our server, <a href="https://twitter.com/Ashaleylynn" target="_blank">Ashaley Lynn Reynaga</a> also deserves a huge round of applause for being both knowledgeable of the entire pub/restaurant, and for being so accommodating with our usual barrage of menu, ingredient and restaurant questions. She really made the experience.<br />
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Oscar's was that unexpected surprise on our trip – of being drawn somewhere and ending up with a truly memorable experience. We love when that happens. Don’t you?Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-44214161592363716532014-11-04T11:23:00.002-08:002014-11-07T05:30:22.639-08:00Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Certified Organic at Frickaccio'sWhat do <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth" target="_blank">diatomaceous earth</a> and fish bladders have in common? You'd have to have attended Monday night's <a href="http://www.cleveland.ldei.org/" target="_blank">Les Dames d'Escoffier</a> meeting at <a href="http://www.frickaccios.com/" target="_blank">Frickaccio's</a> in Fairview Park to know!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Gloria Kemer</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.frickaccios.com/" target="_blank">Frickaccio's</a>
Owner, Dame Terry Frick and Chef Todd Rothman prepared a fantastic
evening for lucky Cleveland Dames, full of demonstrations and tips for
healthy and delicious vegan cooking, served with vegan wine.<br />
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<i>Vegan wine?</i>
Isn't all wine vegan? Actually, no it is not. Dame Maggie Harrison
educated us on the various methods used to fine (or filter and clarify)
wines, which include straining it through dried egg whites or, less
commonly, dehydrated fish bladder. Vegan wines use an alternate method.
When seeking out vegan or vegetarian wines, one should look for un-fined
wines, however, this is not something one can simply find on the label.
Maggie noted <a href="http://www.barnivore.com/">Barnivore.com</a> as a terrific resource for vegan wine, beer and liquor.<br />
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Oh, and if you are looking for gluten-free wines, seek out unoaked varietals. Oak barrel produced wines use wheat paste.<br />
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Dinner
consisted of an abundant progressive tasting menu, balancing between
lighter and heartier dishes, with explanations of flavors, ingredients,
and processes along the way. Dames tried various gluten-free and vegan
breads and spreads, an organic veggie pizza bagel, Chef Todd's vegan
version of a crab cake (made with shredded hearts of palm), portobello
bisque, strawberry / hazelnut salad, vegan paprikash, and an almond milk
"ice cream" and flourless chocolate cake.<br />
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At the conclusion of dinner, Terry demonstrated making fresh almond milk in the Vitamix.<br />
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She
then took us on a tour of the new facility and kitchen, and introduced
us to Helga, her workhorse of a mixer! Frickaccio's does all of its
baking on-site and sends product out to its West Side Market store and
retailers, including Heinen's, whom she cites as a terrific partner.
Frickaccio's offers around 10 varieties of certified-organic pizza dough
balls, including gluten-free They are also trying something new with
the new location – an eat-in cafe. Chef Todd looks to introduce creative
vegan fare to the cafe-style menu.<br />
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Thank you, Frickaccio's, for hosting such an interesting, informative, and tasty evening!Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-25886904189908140712014-02-16T09:06:00.002-08:002014-05-09T12:45:06.403-07:00The 5th Annual Brite Winter Celebration in Ohio CityLocated in Cleveland's Ohio City Market District, the <a href="http://www.britewinter.com/" target="_blank">Brite Winter Festival</a> is a festival of music, art, food, games and more. The attraction takes place both indoors and outdoors…. yes outdoors in the middle of February. Multiple intimate stages were set up throughout the area. Large warming fire pits huddled the masses as band after band, local and national, rocked the cold from the air with their original music. All local establishments participate, making Ohio City heat up on a cold Cleveland winter night.<br />
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We had no set plan other than finding a parking spot as quickly as possible and getting out into the evening. Parking is a bit of a challenge when more than 20,000 people descend on an area surrounding the West Side Market at West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue, but we got really lucky and followed someone who was leaving to their car. We grabbed a beverage from an outdoor <a href="https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Great Lakes Brewery</a> tent and got into the music right away. Strolling through the event there is much to see. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vk2gb20hEv0/UwDuoFO1k0I/AAAAAAAAAiE/36Agjiv08no/s1600/britewinter_021514_4.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vk2gb20hEv0/UwDuoFO1k0I/AAAAAAAAAiE/36Agjiv08no/s1600/britewinter_021514_4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Art on display or being created… games, food trucks, people. We stopped for a moment, enjoying the sight of thousands of others enjoying yet another fantastic event in Cleveland. No one seemed to care that is was only 8 degrees out, we were embracing the offering of this great city and all the people who made this amazing event happen. The air was still, everyones' frozen breath evaporating into night air, and we were warm and part of something that was just cool. We thought of how it must feel to serve ice cold beer with frozen beer-soaked hands and gloves all night. How one's bare hand might feel holding the neck of their frozen guitar. How those who did never showed it. They just rocked it out and we can stay it was truly appreciated. A thank you to all. We braved the cold, only stopping inside to catch our final act at the Great Lakes Brewery Tasting Room stage. We were simply blown away by the talent of the bands we saw. Wish we could have seen more of them. Here are a few that we especially enjoyed.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wFP1izlX9A/UwDvivfdNTI/AAAAAAAAAiU/ruHX8isTaik/s1600/britewinter_021514_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wFP1izlX9A/UwDvivfdNTI/AAAAAAAAAiU/ruHX8isTaik/s1600/britewinter_021514_7.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UuQF4ekKxvw/UwDunpywWYI/AAAAAAAAAiA/5c_RDggbhuQ/s1600/britewinter_021514_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UuQF4ekKxvw/UwDunpywWYI/AAAAAAAAAiA/5c_RDggbhuQ/s1600/britewinter_021514_2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.sidneyyork.com/" target="_blank"><b>Sidney York</b></a> from Alberta, Canada played on the outdoor Town Hall Stage at 8:00 pm. We sat amidst the firepits and sipped Southern Tier's deliciously dessert-like <a href="http://www.stbcbeer.com/black-water/creme-brulee-beer-page/" target="_blank">Creme Brulee Beer</a>. By the end of the performance we were on our feet dancing up front. Fronted by two females, they easily won the crowd over with their high-energy, sweet, addicting electro-pop.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UuQF4ekKxvw/UwDunpywWYI/AAAAAAAAAiA/5c_RDggbhuQ/s1600/britewinter_021514_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UuQF4ekKxvw/UwDunpywWYI/AAAAAAAAAiA/5c_RDggbhuQ/s1600/britewinter_021514_2.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ut7yXVWn-s/UwDuoiks8DI/AAAAAAAAAiM/m-QQM_hP6e4/s1600/britewinter_021514_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ut7yXVWn-s/UwDuoiks8DI/AAAAAAAAAiM/m-QQM_hP6e4/s1600/britewinter_021514_9.jpg" height="150" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><a href="http://onesheet.com/TheRidges/splash/" target="_blank"><b>The Ridges</b></a> from Athens, Ohio played on the considerably warmer Great Lakes Brewing Co. Tasting Room Stage at 9:30 pm. They are an orchestral folk rock band, combining guitars with upright bass, multiple cellos, and other strings. Very cool.<br />
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The festival began at 4pm, with outdoor activities until 11pm Establishments continued until 1am If you want to experience something truly special in Cleveland, make it a point to get out to this annual event next year. There is just something about everyone being in the same "stay warm" situation together that makes this event shine so brightly.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JgUyBSTBdPM/UwDumy8CQnI/AAAAAAAAAh4/F-bq9yeQBD4/s1600/britewinter_021514_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JgUyBSTBdPM/UwDumy8CQnI/AAAAAAAAAh4/F-bq9yeQBD4/s1600/britewinter_021514_10.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UuQF4ekKxvw/UwDunpywWYI/AAAAAAAAAiA/5c_RDggbhuQ/s1600/britewinter_021514_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
Brite Winter is free and open to all. Big thanks to many winter loving<a href="http://www.britewinter.com/2014-sponsors/" target="_blank"> sponsors</a> and <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/8078232/the-5th-annual-brite-winter-in-cleveland-oh" target="_blank">supporters</a>. <br />
Ohio City Market District – Cleveland, Ohio<br />
<a href="http://www.britewinter.com/">www.britewinter.com</a><span id="goog_1645576337"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1645576338"></span><br />
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For some more reading on the event and the details <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/02/todays_brite_winter_festival_w.html" target="_blank">check this out</a>.<br />
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<i>We apologize for the shaky nature of our photography… it was 8 degrees!</i> Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-89994588373430082072013-09-23T10:21:00.001-07:002014-05-09T12:46:16.534-07:00Happy Hour at Light BistroIf you're looking for a really nice happy hour with a chic ambience and great food and drink specials, stop in at Ohio City's <a href="http://www.lightbistro.com/" target="_blank">Light Bistro</a>. The bar food menu items are $5 during happy hour, and it's not a small list. There is a nice range of choices from a mac and cheese of the day to a specialty burger. We had the very tasty oven-dried tomato pesto flatbread and the fried clams. There are featured wine pours (a red and a white) for $5, outrageously inexpensive beer and many interesting cocktail specials, too. And bonus – it goes past 6pm! Happy Hour is offered Monday – Friday from 2:30 – 7pm. Of course, the dinner menu looked sumptuous too, but we had a date with Ingenuity Fest.<br />
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We used to go to Light Bistro all the time for the Vegetarian dinners, but thought they had discontinued them. We were happy to find out they do still run them, they just do not send out emails any more. So we liked them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Light-Bistro/125735379799" target="_blank">Facebook</a> to be in the know.<br />
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We also learned about their upcoming new restaurant in Hudson, <a href="http://www.peachtreesouthernkitchen.com/" target="_blank">Peachtree Southern Kitchen & Cocktails</a>, which is now on our list to try when it opens this November. We wish them the best on their new endeavor.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry. </i></span>Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-2698489898092187952013-08-16T11:18:00.000-07:002014-05-09T12:47:39.486-07:00Vaccaro's Trattoria, FairlawnIf you have ever driven south down I-77 to Fairlawn, you may have noticed <a href="http://www.vactrat.com/" target="_blank">Vaccaro's Trattoria</a>, an Italian restaurant right off of the Ghent Road exit. Many times we have glanced over and thought, "we have to check that place out one of these times"… so we finally did. And trust us, we will be stopping in again and again.<br />
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As soon as you get into the menu you realize that there is something special going on here. The details in preparation. Let's start with the complimentary bread and herbed oil. The bread, nutty and chewy pairs perfectly with the special blend of oil, sweet Balsamic, and loads of fragrant herbs. We asked our server Lawrence about it and was delighted that he was not only able to answer our first question, he was able to answer the multitude after that. We tend to ask a lot of questions when we like a place. Lawrence was well-versed in the menu, the preparation and the restaurant in general, and extremely helpful with all of our choices for the evening.<br />
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Moving on, we ordered a bottle of Anarkos Vigneto Puglia from Italy. It was nicely priced, and had one of Vaccaro's menu indicators that it was a recommended bottle. In fact, when our server brought it, the bartender enthusiastically commented that it was a great bottle. And indeed, it was deep, lush, velvety, and wonderful.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zRsIkn8AnCA/Ug5rT9b7m0I/AAAAAAAAAfE/zG3431V1xrU/s1600/pizza_bianca.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zRsIkn8AnCA/Ug5rT9b7m0I/AAAAAAAAAfE/zG3431V1xrU/s320/pizza_bianca.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>After reading a little poster about the history, we learned that the city of Akron once issued an official proclamation calling Mr. Vaccaro the Pizza King of Akron. Once again, we asked Lawrence who told us the story. We were hooked and had to try one of their signature pizzas, the Bianca Quattro Formaggio, as an appetizer. This pizza was so authentically homemade, with the biggest, fluffiest, chewy dough and the perfect crunch. Truly a pizza you just don't find on every street corner. Each cheese flavor was pronounced, so you could appreciate each one. Bravo Mr. Vaccaro, the Pizza King of Akron! We decided we would definitely visit the cozy little bar area for a pizza and wine night and try to make our way through all the offerings.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sXBgGg_dOVQ/Ug5rTYS6cWI/AAAAAAAAAe4/Qz24gAZjMao/s1600/cavatelli.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sXBgGg_dOVQ/Ug5rTYS6cWI/AAAAAAAAAe4/Qz24gAZjMao/s320/cavatelli.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>For the entree, I enjoyed building my own pasta, ordering the house-made ricotta cavatelli. I couldn't decide between sauces, so I had half their rich, creamy Alfredo and half their robust marinara. I chose the perfectly cooked and seasoned mushrooms, and was delighted that the zucchini was actually so-tender baby zucchinis. Both vegetables were plentiful, and all of the flavors played perfectly together.<br />
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We split a side of Brussels Sprouts Gratin which were tasty, garlicky and covered in Pecorino-Romano. Love those vegetables.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cGunlRxEYJc/Ug5rTAz-ZpI/AAAAAAAAAe0/TxMr_vaZSEE/s1600/chicken.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cGunlRxEYJc/Ug5rTAz-ZpI/AAAAAAAAAe0/TxMr_vaZSEE/s320/chicken.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>He had the Herbed Organic Chicken Breast, on a bed of creamy farro, with large grilled whole onions, baby carrots, and fried onions on top. This is a boneless preparation with the exception of the little drumstick. Very easy to eat and enjoy. Getting a little bit of everything at once really made the whole dish. Great favor-intense sauce, perfectly moist chicken, and the bottom farro was really a treat. Chewy and awesome. Wish there was more of it.<br />
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We do wish we had room for dessert, because the menu was quite tempting, and if the desserts were anywhere close to the entrees and pizza, they must be delicious. Next visit!<br />
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We dined on the patio, because it was a gorgeous evening, but the interior is elegant and roomy. There is a cozy bar area that seems perfect for dining alone or just for a pizza. We're so glad we finally made it to <a href="http://www.vactrat.com/" target="_blank">Vaccaro's Trattoria</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry. </i></span>Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-48278847947868588662013-05-15T23:00:00.000-07:002014-05-09T12:48:47.228-07:00The Barrio - Part 2 - LakewoodOur latest visit to <a href="http://www.barriotremont.com/#%21" target="_blank">The Barrio</a> was to their new location in Lakewood. Dare I say, it is even cooler than the Tremont restaurant, or at least larger and much easier to get seated. The decor is very fun with Day of the Dead murals on all walls, a bicycling skeleton suspended above head, festive lights, and a unique chandelier made out of liquor bottles.<br />
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The menu is the same with build-your-own custom tacos, which were delicious, although we agreed they were a little spicier than Tremont's version. Then again, one person at our table ordered the Ghost-Pepper sauce, so... caliente doesn't cover it. First he began turning red and sweating, and finally admitted he was on fire.<br />
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Read our earlier post from June 1, 2012 for more details, and be sure to check out either Barrio location, with their cool and interesting twist on the taco experience.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry. </i></span>Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-80466181855656846582013-05-14T21:00:00.000-07:002014-05-09T12:49:54.038-07:00The Oak BarrelAfter reading an article about The Oak Barrel and learning that a previous chef from Deagan's had opened this new restaurant in Valley View, we had to check it out. We had never visited the space, which was previously Hoggy's. As usual, we took a quick look online. The website seemed to be still under construction, but the menu was very promising. We decided to check it out on Taco Tuesday and are really glad we did!<br />
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The first thing we noticed was the awesome patio with an open-pit fireplace and oak barrels all around. Very inviting, and I suspect we will find ourselves there often this summer. The interior entrance is expansive and surprising. Straight ahead is a two-level dining room with both intimate tables and long tables suitable for community dining and large parties. We were told the upstairs is mostly for events and large parties as well as overflow for the busy weekends.<br />
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We opted for the large bar area because it seemed lively. We immediately noticed the intriguing, rare craft beers set along the bar, and the incredibly extensive craft beer list. We learned that they rotate this list monthly and the beers are all-craft, no-crap. Cheers to that! <br />
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The menu has something for everyone, with many local ingredients, and I was thrilled with the multitude of vegetarian options. Since it was Taco Tuesday, we felt compelled to go with that menu. I had the Vegan Unicorn Tacos, made with crispy seitan, a local radish slaw, arugula, and a sweet chili sauce to finish. They were so bright and flavorful – a great blend of sweet with a little kick of spice. The husband had a Spicy Shrimp Taco – perfectly cooked shrimp that popped, with well-balanced flavors and a fresh cilantro finish, and an Asian Chicken Taco which he did not like as much – it may have just been his order, but the orange-soy glaze overpowered everything else. He had also been eyeballing the free-range turkey burger on the menu, and decided to try that as well. It came on a brioche bun and he subbed in some garlicky green beans rather than fries. He said it was really good and he'd get it again.<br />
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Our bartender, Caspian, took good care of us, and answered all of our many questions, offering up additional information on nightly specials, music and brunch. The Oak Barrel is a truly welcome addition to the neighborhood. Everything impressed, from the expansive-yet-cozy atmosphere, to the fresh, tasty food and local ingredients, to the adventurous drink list. Check it out!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry. </i></span>Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-72493101870387347702013-01-28T13:48:00.000-08:002014-05-09T12:50:34.913-07:00Forecasted Food Trends for 2013<div class="headline_text">
<span class="blue"></span>Local sourcing, sustainability and kids' health
dominate the predictions for menu trends in 2013 based on a survey of
chefs by the <a href="http://www.restaurant.org/research/forecast/" target="_blank">National Restaurant Association</a>.
A poll of over 1,800 members of the American Culinary Federation on
"What's Hot in 2013" found the top two menu trends for next year will be
"locally sourced meats and seafood" and "locally grown produce." Other
green culinary concepts that made the top 10 were "environmental
sustainability as a culinary theme," "hyper-local sourcing (e.g.
restaurant gardens)" and "sustainable seafood." Another NRA survey of
200 bartenders predicts "onsite barrel-aged drinks," "food-liquor
pairings" and "culinary cocktails" to be the biggest alcohol trends next
year.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Source: SupermarketNews.com</i></span></div>
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Food suppliers and manufacturers will aim to open
their own concept restaurants. Dannon and Chobani's flagship yogurt bars
in Manhattan, as well as the Ghirardelli Chocolate shop at Disney
California Adventure have set the stage for an influx of such ventures.
Brands will continue to be challenged for falsely using food labels with
such terms as <i>local</i>, <i>natural</i>, <i>artisanal</i> and <i>organic</i>.
Both independent and chain restaurants will look to boost
distinctiveness and embark on edgier design and sustainability features
to create unique individualism and separation from competition. <b><i>Hey, we can help with that!</i></b> <a href="http://www.unitydesign.biz/contact.html">Please give us a call to discuss a plan.</a></div>
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<b>Vegetables: </b><br />
Since meatless meals have become commonplace, vegetarianism and
veganism will continue to evolve. Innovative salads with increased use
of carrots, kale or brussels sprouts. Vegetables will also take
center-plate at meals.</div>
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<b>Grains: </b><br />
Grains will increasingly be used for their nutritional values,
especially those gluten-free items such as quinoa, millet, wild rice,
amaranth, corn, oats and buckwheat.</div>
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<b>Chicken: </b><br />
Always-reasonably priced and versatile, chicken will remain
trendy. Offering southern or spicy takes on classic fried chicken, with
new quick-service and fast casual concepts continuing to pop up.</div>
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<b>Snacking:</b><br />
In 2013, the snacking trend will continue to be a key with
tapas, mezze and upscale bar bites in full-service restaurants being
more prevalent than ever, as well as the furthering of the food truck
craze.</div>
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<b>Values: </b><br />
Dining deals and prix fix fare will continue as diners look for
savings. The 2 for $20 dinner deals, popular for families and diners who
want to enjoy a cost-effective meal, will continue as well.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Source: foodem.com, Technomic, Baum + Whiteman</i></span></div>
Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-50618228464627662662013-01-03T08:18:00.001-08:002014-05-09T12:50:58.452-07:00Olesia’s PlaceAfter driving past this new restaurant many times and glancing at its unique structure with curiosity, we finally stopped in, and are so glad we did. Set in a converted spa showroom that might look like a greenhouse from the exterior, <a href="http://www.olesiasplace.com/" target="_blank">Olesia’s Place</a>, located on Royalton Road in North Royalton, provides a comfortable, upscale dining environment and simply delicious American-Ukrainian cuisine. They feature a wide selection of dishes, all made from scratch and prepared according to the traditional recipes of their heritage.<br />
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We stopped in just to check out their happy hour, but ended up staying for dinner as well. The Happy Hour is fantastic. Nicely priced apps, specialty drinks, and house wine pours along with domestic and Ukrainian beers. Whether sitting at the bar or in the dining area, you can enjoy the view of multiple fireplaces which provide a cozy atmosphere.<br />
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To start, we enjoyed the happy hour red wine pour (very nice) and he had the Chicken Shish Kabob Skewer appetizer, served with house-made sauce, couscous and salad. The portion could have been a light dinner entree, and is actually offered in larger portion on the dinner menu. The chicken was grilled, well seasoned and very good. But the stand out was the amazing couscous. Simple, flavorful, light and fluffy.<br />
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For dinner, we started with something we had never tasted before, Borscht. A traditional Ukrainian soup made with beets, root vegetables and finished with sour cream. Not a fan of beets at all, it was a real surprise for me. It was so savory, robust, and complex that we are still talking about it. We definitely will order a full bowl next visit, having just ordered a cup this time. Next up, Mushroom Pierogies, filled with mushrooms, cheese, spices and served with onions and sour cream. Homemade and just delicious. He had the Pan Seared Salmon with sautéed spinach, seasonal vegetable, apricot glaze with an added side that just had to be tasted – Stuffed Cabbage. It came stuffed with beef, rice, onions, spices, and served with tomato or mushroom sauce. He opted for the mushroom sauce, which was an excellent choice.<br />
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All in all, Olesia’s Place provides a beautiful, warm, welcoming interior perfect for a cold evening. They have a great happy hour, and a dining menu that deserves full exploration. It also seems to have a nice patio for when the weather gets nice. Enjoy. And check out their website too. Nicely done and shows you just what to expect.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry. </i></span>Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-13303779168405873792012-11-27T06:36:00.000-08:002014-05-09T12:51:22.454-07:00Jocko's Bar & GrillIf you haven't been to <a href="http://www.jockosbarandgrill.com/" target="_blank">Jocko's Bar and Grill</a> lately, you owe it to yourself to go. It is the same great sports bar – big and open with plentiful well-located flat screens, and upbeat friendly service – but there's something new. The CHEF and the MENU!<br />
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Jocko's kitchen is now powered by Chef Charles, who comes straight from <a href="http://www.fahrenheittremont.com/" target="_blank">Fahrenheit</a> in Tremont. This young, talented chef who was mentored by none-other-than Rocco Whalen, has elevated typical bar food to a culinary experience. The food is simply delicious, with complex flavors and a special attention to detail that makes a statement. We went in a few weeks ago and so enjoyed our entrees that we went back and ordered the exact same dishes. (Next time we will be sure to venture further into the menu because there are a wealth of choices!)<br />
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I had Four Cheese Blend Tortellini with abundant, sauteed vegetables and basil cream sauce (skipping the shaved pancetta since I'm a vegetarian). Savory and so creamy with large, perfect al dente Tortellini. Along with the bites he kept stealing of my Tortellini (!), he enjoyed an 8oz. Pan Seared Salmon accompanied by edamame mashed potatoes, garlic spinach, and wasabi aioli. Not only was it delicious, healthy and beautifully plated – it is priced so reasonably that you could go there and have it every day for dinner.<br />
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With the addition of Chef Charles, Jocko's is bringing some amazing food to Broadview Heights. The owners' vision and his culinary leadership have taken Jocko's from 'bar food' to 'dining' in a sports bar setting where you feel right at home.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry. </i></span>Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-52254931044642495352012-11-12T09:28:00.000-08:002014-05-09T12:51:37.541-07:00Rosewood GrillI have to say that it is fabulous to see a non-chain restaurant in
Strongsville that is so packed all the time. <a href="http://www.rosewoodgrill.com/" target="_blank">Rosewood Grill</a> picked a
perfect location to bring its concept.<br />
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The interior is spacious,
sleek and very open, but the decor makes it warm and intimate. On our
visits it's been too chilly for the patio, but I cannot wait to dine
there at some point. It is huge and has a great vibe with a cozy
firepit.<br />
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The menu is seasonally inspired with fresh, creative
offerings. I was thrilled to find a cashew-crusted tofu on the menu. It
came with a sweet potato hash that is out of this world, and snow peas
and chili sauce. All of the flavors worked so well together. He had the
cedar-planked salmon with grilled asparagus, and said it was perfectly
cooked and delectable. They have a very nice wine list, and glass pours
at every price range.<br />
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Definitely a welcome addition to this side of town<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry. </i></span>Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-49170119411497329492012-11-11T12:31:00.000-08:002014-05-09T12:52:57.318-07:00Vegan Sweet ToothWe had the opportunity to try <a href="http://www.vegansweettooth.com/" target="_blank">Vegan Sweet Tooth</a> - once at a birthday party where we sampled many different flavors and types of cupcakes, and again at The Cleveland Veg Gala where we sampled cake pops and brownies. We were so impressed that we decided to have them make our wedding cake. Let me tell you, we made the right choice! We got a chocolate cake (rich, dense and moist), with raspberry filling (WOW), espresso simple syrup (adding to the moistness and rich flavor), and vanilla bean frosting (YUM). The flavors all worked so well together. There were a million other combinations we could have tried, too, making it hard to decide! They were so great and simple to deal with too. I emailed them a color swatch and picture of a cake's decor that I liked, and our cake was made in a similar motif and it was beautiful. The best part was that our guests could not believe the cake was vegan. Everyone raved about how delicious it was. We are so glad we went with Vegan Sweet Tooth for our special occasion!Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-28875445989900438772012-10-17T08:28:00.000-07:002014-05-09T12:52:47.841-07:00Cleveland Veg Gala<a href="http://www.clevelandvegansociety.org/index.php/veggala" target="_blank">The Cleveland Veg Gala</a>, held Sunday October 14, 2012 was one of the best food events we've ever been to. Sure there were a few snags, but in its first year, this event exceeded expectations. And we LOVE that a vegan event in Cleveland SOLD OUT!<br />
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Over 28 restaurants, bakeries, and other food vendors showcased their finest vegan cuisine (usually two items at each station), and the results were just delicious. Really, if you didn't think about, you might not have even noticed that everything was meat and dairy free. Some highlights were <a href="http://deagans.com/" target="_blank">Deagan's Kitchen's</a> mushroom-potato "Meatballs" with spicy Marinara, <a href="http://www.theroot-cafe.com/" target="_blank">Root Cafe's</a> Raw Lasagna (zucchini layered with marinara, hazelnut-walnut pesto and cashew-based 'ricotta'), <a href="http://www.puravidabybrandt.com/" target="_blank">Pura Vida's</a> Chili with such an intricate level of spices and seasoning, <a href="http://liononlorain.com/" target="_blank">Lion On Lorain's</a> Cubano Vegano with steamed seitan, vegan ham, and vegan cheese, <a href="http://www.luxecleveland.com/" target="_blank">Luxe's</a> Chick Pea Patties, <a href="http://www.oralecmc.com/" target="_blank">Orale Kitchen's</a> Potato Empandas and Enchiladas, and <a href="http://www.grovewoodtavern.com/" target="_blank">Grovewood Tavern & Wine Bar's</a> Ohio Black Bean Ragoût served over polenta cakes.<br />
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And then the desserts! Decadent creations from so many sweeteries. <a href="http://www.tremontscoops.com/" target="_blank">Tremont Scoops'</a> buckeyes, <a href="http://www.vegansweettooth.com/" target="_blank">Vegan Sweet Tooth's</a> moist cake pops covered in dark chocolate, and those amazing deep dark chocolate truffles covered in toasted coconut from <a href="http://www.grovewoodtavern.com/" target="_blank">Grovewood</a> were stand-outs. But seriously, the selections were abundant and overwhelming.<br />
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There were some outstanding beverages as well. <a href="http://muddypawwines.com/" target="_blank">Muddy Paw Wines</a> were fabulous. This local winery in Grand River Valley donates proceeds to the Geauga Humane Society. Love it!! <a href="http://www.dandyblend.com/" target="_blank">Dandy Blend</a> Herbal Coffee Substitute, a tasty caffeine-free herbal coffee substitute served with rice milk was perfect with dessert. And <a href="http://www.e3live.com/" target="_blank">E-3 Live</a>, such a healthy concoction that aids with digestion, was a great idea after indulging all night on plentiful vegan fare!<br />
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We applaud the effort of many participants who went the distance to show off really creative vegan fare that surprised and delighted. We overheard a few people saying "And the best part is, we can eat everything here. We don't even have to ask about the ingredients!" Indeed.<br />
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The Veg Gala was rounded out with a wonderful cruelty-free silent auction, and live music throughout the evening. Proceeds are going toward the upcoming Cleveland Veg Fest this summer. Surely an event not to be missed!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry. </i></span>Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-18972910619298085202012-10-15T13:51:00.000-07:002014-05-09T12:53:29.727-07:00Istanbul Grill in TremontWe've been meaning to check out <a href="http://www.grillistanbul.com/" target="_blank">Istanbul Grill</a> in Tremont for a long time, and finally, thankfully did! From the tasty authentic Turkish cuisine, to the charming decor and friendly, accommodating service (thanks Andrew and Greta!), this will be a new regular spot for us.<br />
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The ambiance is cozy and inviting with lovely Turkish ornamentation throughout. A beautiful brick archway leads you to a raised up dining area, where all the tables feel very private and intimate. The patio out front would be the perfect people-watching place for dessert and a cup of coffee.<br />
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We started at the bar with a couple of appetizers and wine during happy hour. We had Hummus (rich and creamy - yum!) and Ezme (a fresh tomato dip) with the most amazing, warm and delicious grilled pita bread. The Sigara Boric were really good – delicately deep fried phyllo rolls with house-made feta cheese inside. We will probably order these on every visit!<br />
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For entrees, he had the Chef's Chicken Burger which had great flavor and was served with a yoghurt dill sauce. Next time he would order the burger on the pita bread, because it was so amazing. The deliciously crispy fries tasted like they were battered in a little chick pea flour, giving them extra flavor and crispness.<br />
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I had the Kuru Fasulye Pilav (white bean stew with rice), which was mild in flavor but nice, and healthy-tasting (in a good way!) There were tons of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. It will take a while to work my way through it!<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><i><span style="font-size: small;">Note: If you check it out on the website, don't let that mislead you. It does not do the setting or intimacy justice, and the food imagery on it looks sort of cafeteria-like, when it is actually quite delicious.</span></i></span>Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-73310239411977209842012-06-11T10:43:00.001-07:002014-05-09T12:55:06.425-07:00Wente Vineyards Wine Tasting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9R5wWvNfHvw/T9Yt4ObhLCI/AAAAAAAAAGY/bZHg26plISA/s1600/LDE_Wente_061112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9R5wWvNfHvw/T9Yt4ObhLCI/AAAAAAAAAGY/bZHg26plISA/s320/LDE_Wente_061112.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Enjoyed meeting Karl Wente, Fifth Generation Winemaker from <a href="http://www.wentevineyards.com/" target="_blank">Wente Vineyards</a> this weekend at a
wine tasting at <a href="http://www.westpointmarket.com/" target="_blank">West Point Market</a> in Akron. Their limited production
showcase wine The Nth Degree is OUT OF THIS WORLD. Karl was in town for an achievement award and stopped in at WPM for a wine tasting and bottle signing.<br />
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<i>Pictured left to right – Linda Fletcher (Wine Consultant, West Point Market), Karl Wente Winemaker, Wente Vineyards) and Shara Foldi (Owner, Unity Design). </i>Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-31183543329111759992012-06-01T12:54:00.000-07:002014-05-09T12:54:10.016-07:00The Barrio in TremontUpon recommendation of trusted foodie friends, we checked out <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Barrio.tremont" target="_blank">The Barrio</a> in Tremont. Our friends did not steer us wrong!<br />
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The Barrio is located in the old 806 Winebar on Literary Avenue. They redecorated with fun Day of the Dead murals on the walls and a grunge-goth vibe on the menus.<br />
<br />
You are provided menus and pencils to check off toppings to build your own tacos, and to choose from starters such as guacamole (4 creative variations), tortilla soup, salad and sides. The ingredients are fresh and eclectic and mix and match makes the taco options seem endless.<br />
<br />
They brought us chips and salsa to start. The salsa roja was muy caliente – actually a little too hot for us – so we moved onto guacamole. We ordered the Tuscan guacamole which was finished with a balsamic reduction and pine nuts. It was fresh, generously portioned, and an interesting mix of sweet and spice. I was also tempted to try the mango guacamole, but that will have to wait until next time.<br />
<br />
We built our tacos knowing we'd be back to try other varieties, because the options sounded so intriguing (ie: jicama slaw with strawberries, cilantro pesto, chipotle honey…) Also there were plenty of vegetarian options with tofu and black beans on the protein list. The tacos are actually small, but so is the price of $3. We wished after so carefully choosing the toppings for each taco that there would have been a larger version for a few more dinaro.<br />
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They have quite a happy hour – daily from 5-7pm and then reverse happy hour later on – in fact only a few hours in the evening are not "happy"! Tequila and whiskey seem to be the house drinks, but we didn't indulge as we stuck to our usual wine.<br />
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Overall, we loved the vibe and concept, and look forward to returning! Oh, and of course they inherited the nice patio from 806 with an open air fireplace for those chilled evenings.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Unity Design is a print and online design firm that specializes in the restaurant and culinary industry. </i></span>Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-87421322974230564782012-05-30T12:16:00.000-07:002014-05-09T12:54:47.039-07:00Taverne of Richfield<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ynlI2HPFb8s/T8plRjq6RdI/AAAAAAAAAEk/ns8EJQRoZGI/s1600/IMG_20120529_181321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ynlI2HPFb8s/T8plRjq6RdI/AAAAAAAAAEk/ns8EJQRoZGI/s320/IMG_20120529_181321.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gfl3T4DuRN8/T8plbuWHB5I/AAAAAAAAAE8/VlwrqWBfcAw/s1600/IMG_20120529_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gfl3T4DuRN8/T8plbuWHB5I/AAAAAAAAAE8/VlwrqWBfcAw/s320/IMG_20120529_crop.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HIdIYLzCT70/T8plYs3iPBI/AAAAAAAAAE0/ziwrYi46rJM/s1600/IMG_20120529_181927.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HIdIYLzCT70/T8plYs3iPBI/AAAAAAAAAE0/ziwrYi46rJM/s320/IMG_20120529_181927.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0Yu4GSLI90/T8plVNPsWHI/AAAAAAAAAEs/hcJO4rjdUUw/s1600/IMG_20120529_181351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0Yu4GSLI90/T8plVNPsWHI/AAAAAAAAAEs/hcJO4rjdUUw/s320/IMG_20120529_181351.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc8ohBIUqwc/T8pmOEr74_I/AAAAAAAAAFI/OuiUdRlTKi0/s1600/IMG_20120529_181912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc8ohBIUqwc/T8pmOEr74_I/AAAAAAAAAFI/OuiUdRlTKi0/s320/IMG_20120529_181912.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>We visited the <a href="http://www.taverneofrichfield.com/" target="_blank">Taverne of Richfield</a> for dinner on a beautiful Tuesday
night, so we took advantage and dined on the patio. Our whole experience
from atmosphere to drink to food to service was excellent. This is our second dinner outing at the Taverne of Richfield, and it gets better every visit.<br />
<br />
The
patio is very large and nicely landscaped and sectioned with stepped up
areas, trellises, and a fountain surrounded by foliage. The fountain
wasn't running but I imagine it is on more crowded evenings. It seems
like this would be a fabulous happy hour or night out on the weekend.<br />
<br />
Our evening started off with a glass of Chardonnay with their complimentary warm house-made bread. An amazing blend of crusty on the outside and moist and buttery inside. This was accompanied with with a bright, lemon-basil olive oil dip. We would come back just for the bread and dip alone! Next we had an equally refreshing green apple / cabbage salad with goat cheese – a frequent and welcome ingredient on their menu. He had a generous portioned, pecan-crusted chicken with goat cheese on top. Served with thinly sliced, crispy fingerling potatoes and baby carrots with a tasty butter-sage sauce. Moist and delicious, with nice presentation. I had gnocchi which was super flavorful
and lemony with roasted tomatoes. My only criticism is I wish there were
more vegetables in the dish to offset the denseness of the gnocchi.
Don't get me wrong – they were very good, but another texture and flavor
would have been welcome to lighten it up – especially as the only
vegetarian entree.<br />
<br />
As always, we asked many questions about the line up of evening entertainment, menu items and happy hour deals to which our server josh, never flinched. He was very knowledgeable and attentive and clued us into all the happenings so that we will surely return to try them out.<br />
<br />
For those living in the surrounding areas of Richfield, this is a gem right in your backyard. Embrace it. The restaurant is located at the corner of Rt. 303 and Broadview Road with great parking and old inn vibe. Definitely worth the drive from anywhere. Enjoy.Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-38135012220766337082012-05-25T10:01:00.001-07:002014-05-09T12:55:33.787-07:00The D.C. Pasta CompanyWe recently checked out <a href="http://www.restaurantdante.us/dcPasta-index.html" target="_blank">The D.C. Pasta Company</a> in Strongsville with a group of friends and had a wonderful time. We've been to Dante's other restaurants and were excited to try his Italian concept.<br />
<br />
D.C.'s wine list has a great variety and features an extensive selection of "under $25" bottles. We started with the Rubus Zinfandel (lush) on the menu, but our server alerted us to a special bottle of <a href="http://www.kysela.com/spain/ElCortijillo.htm" target="_blank">Tempranillo (El Cortijillo)</a> that was out of this world. It has the most amazing cherry finish. D.C. had bought the last 2 cases of this vintage, and after a glass, several of us bought bottles to take home!<br />
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The food menu is an adventure, in that there are many ways to mix and match. Pastas come as a $5 taste, $10 appetizer, or $15 main course. There are soups, salads, antipastos, and various meatballs (even ricotta for us vegetarians) to add in. Everyone at our table pretty much started with a Tuscan bean soup, ordered 2 pasta "tastes" with a "meatball", and ended with dessert. This seemed to be a good way to order and was plenty of food with great variety. The pastas were all perfectly al dente and flavorful and the desserts were fabulous. We will definitely return to try more combinations!<br />
<br />
The wait staff was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating - especially to the various dietary needs in our group!Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-6638028261818503132012-04-27T12:46:00.000-07:002014-05-09T12:56:42.049-07:00Wine, Cheese and Chocolate! The Best of Ohio<div class="post-header">
</div>
What a night! Thursday, April 26 the Cleveland chapter of Les Dames
d'Escoffier had its annual fundraiser, and as would be expected, it was rather tasty!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JFBL6E7yRLs/T8pyxpyQfAI/AAAAAAAAAFg/J3WXK1RBlmk/s1600/logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JFBL6E7yRLs/T8pyxpyQfAI/AAAAAAAAAFg/J3WXK1RBlmk/s320/logo.gif" height="153" width="320" /></a>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0SlxuygWMrw/T6fUDORQ-dI/AAAAAAAAACk/LXDcMbTzijg/s1600/IMG_8624.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0SlxuygWMrw/T6fUDORQ-dI/AAAAAAAAACk/LXDcMbTzijg/s320/IMG_8624.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DldE9f10RNw/T8psuLAothI/AAAAAAAAAFU/DcTHGtHbdmA/s1600/IMG_8567.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DldE9f10RNw/T8psuLAothI/AAAAAAAAAFU/DcTHGtHbdmA/s320/IMG_8567.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a>Four wineries, four cheesemakers, and four chocolatiers participated <i>(listed below)</i> and brought delightful, diverse samples for the 65 or so guests to taste and enjoy. The event was held at the beautiful <a href="http://trevarrowinc.com/" target="_blank">Trevarrow Showroom</a>
in Parma, which made attendees eager to re-do their home kitchens!
Guests circulated though five gorgeous kitchens, to taste some of the
best wine, cheese and chocolate Ohio has to offer.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Wine</b></u><br />
<a href="http://www.ferrantewinery.com/" target="_blank">Ferrante Winery</a><br />
<a href="http://www.firelandswinery.com/" target="_blank">Firelands Winery</a><br />
<a href="http://www.harpersfield.com/" target="_blank">Harpersfield Winery</a><br />
<a href="http://www.southrivervineyard.com/" target="_blank">South River Winery</a><br />
<br />
<u><b>Cheese</b></u><br />
<a href="http://www.canaljunctioncheese.com/" target="_blank">Canal Junction Farmstead Cheese</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kokoborrego.com/" target="_blank">Kokoborrego Creamery</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lakeeriecreamery.com/" target="_blank">Lake Erie Creamery</a><br />
<a href="http://www.mackenziecreamery.com/" target="_blank">Mackenzie Creamery</a><br />
<br />
<u><b>Chocolate</b></u><br />
<a href="http://www.coquettepatisserie.com/" target="_blank">Coquette Patisserie</a><br />
<a href="http://www.emeraldnecklaceinn.com/" target="_blank">Emerald Necklace Inn & Tea Room</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pomonachocolates.com/" target="_blank">Pomona Chocolates</a><br />
<a href="http://www.whatsfordessert.biz/" target="_blank">What's For Dessert?</a><br />
<br />
Summed up by Programming Chair, Carol Hacker, "Attendees loved the
opportunity to sample wonderful wines, cheeses and chocolates from
independent local producers. The exposure benefits both sides and
supports the link between farm and table. A delicious learning
experience - what could be better?"<br />
<br />
All event pictures are posted on the Les Dames d'Escoffier, Cleveland <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Les.Dames.Cleveland" target="_blank">facebook page</a>. If you missed this year's event, be sure to watch for next year's offering. Les Dames fundraisers are not to be missed!<br />
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Unity Design was a proud sponsor and designed the identity and all of the event promotions.Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-3270779355490299902011-09-21T10:00:00.000-07:002014-05-09T12:57:53.416-07:00Players on Madison - Fall Menu and Wine Tasting<i>This night was not exactly for the vegetarian, so it was fortunate that Mr. B attended and not me! Here's what he had to say:</i><br />
<br />
What a fantastic opportunity. <a href="http://playersonmadison.com/">Players on Madison</a> Avenue in Lakewood had a private fall menu and wine tasting. I was fortunate to attend, for the small price of $10 (which they returned to me in the form of a $10 gift certificate to use on my next visit). Players is one of those restaurants that easily becomes one of your favorites. Easy on-site parking, a great cozy modern atmosphere, and super-attentive staff make the visit worthwhile every time. Oh and then there is the outstanding food! Thanks to Gary Lucarelli and Chef Anthony Romano for a fabulous, tasty evening!<br />
<br />
So the event was a walk about and mingle while enjoying what seemed to be an endless variety of fall menu samplings. There were several wine stations showcasing a selection of wines. The atmosphere was fun and we all felt like vultures when the next round of samples came out. In no particular order, these are some of the enjoyed items.<br />
<br />
<b>Bacon Wrapped Scallops</b><br />
Not just a piece, but a whole scallop perfectly cooked, perched on a corn fritter with a tomato coulis. This was one of my favorites. Just a touch of spice.<br />
<br />
<b>Roasted Chicken, Corn and Spinach Spring Rolls</b><br />
Lightly crusted, loaded with chicken and almost delicate with an amazing heat from the sriracha thai dipping sauce.<br />
<br />
<b>Almond Encrusted Brie</b><br />
Warm and delicious, served with a tasty apple-pear chutney.<br />
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<b>A variety of thin crust pizzas circulated.</b> All were fantastic. The classic Margherita, an earthy Roasted Portobello with chevre, and a fall flavor classic, Fried Butternut Squash with apples and sage.<br />
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<b>Chicken Francais </b><br />
Light and lemony with a distinct artichoke flavor.<br />
<br />
From the wines, The Franciscan Cabernet was complex and bold, but a bit too dry for my tastes. <a href="http://www.conundrumwines.com/">Conundrum</a>, a surprising white blend from California, was really fresh and crisp and easily my favorite of the evening. A Bourdeaux style red, <a href="http://revelrywines.com/">Revelry “The Reveler”</a> from Columbia Valley, Washington had that bold lush mouth feel that made it a favorite red.Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680603761135037581.post-1691996664013822742011-09-12T11:01:00.000-07:002014-05-09T12:57:24.011-07:00The Cleveland Garlic FestivalGarlic. If you love it like we do, then you had to go to <a href="http://www.clevelandgarlicfestival.org/">The Cleveland Garlic Festival</a> at <a href="http://www.northunionfarmersmarket.org/">The North Union Farmers Market</a> September 10-11. The festival is in its second year and is located on Shaker Square. Despite a little rain, plenty of people were there. We roamed the tents on both sides, sampling lots of garlic goodness, and buying items that wowed us. There were also cooking demonstrations using, of course, GARLIC, as well as live music on two stages. Here are a few of our favorites:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.sergioscleveland.com/">Sergio's Sarava</a>'s Garlic Shrimp: Sergio's really took the theme to heart and made a savory shrimp with big garlic flavor and presented it on a bed of garlic rice to boot! This one really hit the mark on celebrating garlic. Loved it!<br />
</li>
<li>Most interesting – Garlic Ice Cream by <a href="http://mitchellshomemade.com/">Mitchell's</a>: we had to try it... everyone should try it… it actually did work! As a side note, they also had the most unbelievable caramel and salt ice cream. Just go try it, your jaw will drop.<br />
</li>
<li>Roasted Garlic Salsa from <a href="http://blaze-gourmet.com/">Blaze Gourmet</a> (so big and flavorful - one of the best salsas out there, and it's local!)<br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://garlic-expressions.com/">Garlic Expressions Salad Dressing</a> (yep, it's local too - we've been buying this for years.)<br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.theoliveandthegrape.biz/">The Olive and the Grape</a>'s many Garlic Olive Oils, Cooking Oils, and spice packets. The spices they incorporate are not the basic stuff, these delightful blends are carefully scrutinized with a passion for the highest quality, healthiest ingredients from all over the world.<br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/">Whole Foods</a>' extremely pungent, spicy garlic hummus. That says it all. Whoa.</li>
</ul>
Our only criticism is that there were some who showcased their regular fare without doing something creative with garlic. We expected everything to be garlic something. Hence, Garlic Festival. One of those things that's basically implied, if you don't love garlic, then don't come. So we challenge participants next year to bring out the garlic. Show us and amaze us with what you can do with it… I'm sure we garlic lovers will applaud the effort!Unity Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121614042123916459noreply@blogger.com0