Ah the powers of Facebook. Not only did a social media network bring the Original Asian and I back together after a four year hiatus, but Facebook is where I get my news AND new challenges. Yesterday I ate at Angie's Soul Cafe truck that was parked downtown near the Galleria on East 9th Street. Angie's Soul Cafe has a store front in three locations, but none are close enough to walk for lunch. www.angiessoulcafe.com/
The food is pretty good for coming out of a truck. Not too mention living in Cleveland does not yield that many soul food establishments. It nice to roll out of the building I work and get a decent smothered pork chop and greens for a reasonable price.
After lunch, I posted on Facebook that I am a soul food freak...which is completely true. The Husband and I plan our vacations according to where we can get good Southern cooking. So, we have pretty much vacationed in the south exclusively. Heck, I decided I am moving to Savannah, GA the week after I retire with or without my family.
Living here in CLE, the soul food we eat, I cook myself: shrimp and grits, greens, black eye peas, cornbread. Yesterday, a friend from high school asked me via Facebook where is my favorite place to get soul food in Cleveland. For a split second, I was going to answer her...but then I realized I couldn't. I do not have a favorite place to get soul food in Cleveland. I have not tried enough establishments to give a recommendation on the best soul food restaurant in my opinion. So, Christina, in the words of Barney Stinson: Challenge Accepted! Because I am putting the kolachky caper to rest, I will be actively seeking out the best soul food in Cleveland. Yum.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
The (Almost) Perfect Kolachki has been Found!
If you have been reading from the beginning, you would know I have been on a quest for the perfect kolachki. I remember a huge tray my Croatian grandmother bought every Easter and Christmas from a bakery somewhere in the Vine Street area on the eastside of Cleveland. She has passed and my brother and I are sure the baker is no longer in business. I went out in search of a kolachki that was as similar in taste and appearance as I could find.
I am forever grateful to Officer Whitehair for finding the perfect tasting kolachkis that were sitting right under my nose since May. (I am also eternally grateful for his friendship, advice, and guidance, but that is a little overkill for a post about the (almost) perfect kolachki.)
And the honor goes to...Drum roll please....Baker Rhea. http://www.bakerrhea.com/ (She spells it Kolacky.)
This summer I belonged to a CSA, Community Share Agriculture. Every Saturday I drove to the Frostville Museum Farmer's Market in North Olmsted to pick up my share of fruits and veggies for the week. http://www.olmstedhistoricalsociety.org/Farmers_Market.html I would pass other vendors and sometimes purchase a new loose leaf tea or can of pickles to try. One weekend this summer the family and I went to visit my in-laws and I could not make it to pick up our crop share. Officer Whitehair graciously agreed to pick up my fruits and veggies.
A few days later, I stopped in to see Officer Whitehair and pick up my veggies. He hands me a second bag that contains a small tin pie pan. I look at it and it contains a batch of small kolachkis. He told me that he saw them at one of the stands and he thinks I should try them. At first I was skeptical. They are smaller than the perfect kolachkis that are burned into my memory. The pastry also appeared darker in color. But then I tasted them. They are near perfect! Every filling is delicious, not too sweet. The pastry is crispy as opposed to doughy and not too flaky. I love them. I ate the entire pie pan before I pulled the car in the garage. I have since bought several batches of kolachkis from her. She even made an all nut kolachki pie tin, my favorite. My brother approves of Baker Rhea's kolachkis as well. I hate to admit this, but since the CSA is now over, I purchased a few tins and put them in the freezer for when a kolachki craving attacks.
Because of this wonderful find, I decided to venture to another stand with baked goods, Two Chicks that Bake. They bake out of their Grafton, Ohio home and sell only at Farmer's Markets. Currently, Two Chicks that Bake do not have a website or Facebook page. They make cookies, bars, and scones (so no kolachki competition here). I am absolutely in love with their bakery. They use ingredients that are available during the season. For example, early in the growing season, they made blueberry lemon scones, which were out of this world. Last week I purchased pumpkin drop cookies, a pecan bar, a pumpkin scone, and an apple cinnamon scone. I cannot wait to go back this weekend to get more for the freezer. Dudo and I like to share a scone for breakfast one day a week. I HIGHLY recommend their scones and cookies.
This is what I like about Cleveland. Small local bakers that sell at Farmer's Markets are surpassing the bigger competition. When you find something you love, you hang on to it. Well, Baker Rhea and Two Chicks that Bake, I intend to hang on to you.
I am forever grateful to Officer Whitehair for finding the perfect tasting kolachkis that were sitting right under my nose since May. (I am also eternally grateful for his friendship, advice, and guidance, but that is a little overkill for a post about the (almost) perfect kolachki.)
And the honor goes to...Drum roll please....Baker Rhea. http://www.bakerrhea.com/ (She spells it Kolacky.)
This summer I belonged to a CSA, Community Share Agriculture. Every Saturday I drove to the Frostville Museum Farmer's Market in North Olmsted to pick up my share of fruits and veggies for the week. http://www.olmstedhistoricalsociety.org/Farmers_Market.html I would pass other vendors and sometimes purchase a new loose leaf tea or can of pickles to try. One weekend this summer the family and I went to visit my in-laws and I could not make it to pick up our crop share. Officer Whitehair graciously agreed to pick up my fruits and veggies.
A few days later, I stopped in to see Officer Whitehair and pick up my veggies. He hands me a second bag that contains a small tin pie pan. I look at it and it contains a batch of small kolachkis. He told me that he saw them at one of the stands and he thinks I should try them. At first I was skeptical. They are smaller than the perfect kolachkis that are burned into my memory. The pastry also appeared darker in color. But then I tasted them. They are near perfect! Every filling is delicious, not too sweet. The pastry is crispy as opposed to doughy and not too flaky. I love them. I ate the entire pie pan before I pulled the car in the garage. I have since bought several batches of kolachkis from her. She even made an all nut kolachki pie tin, my favorite. My brother approves of Baker Rhea's kolachkis as well. I hate to admit this, but since the CSA is now over, I purchased a few tins and put them in the freezer for when a kolachki craving attacks.
Because of this wonderful find, I decided to venture to another stand with baked goods, Two Chicks that Bake. They bake out of their Grafton, Ohio home and sell only at Farmer's Markets. Currently, Two Chicks that Bake do not have a website or Facebook page. They make cookies, bars, and scones (so no kolachki competition here). I am absolutely in love with their bakery. They use ingredients that are available during the season. For example, early in the growing season, they made blueberry lemon scones, which were out of this world. Last week I purchased pumpkin drop cookies, a pecan bar, a pumpkin scone, and an apple cinnamon scone. I cannot wait to go back this weekend to get more for the freezer. Dudo and I like to share a scone for breakfast one day a week. I HIGHLY recommend their scones and cookies.
This is what I like about Cleveland. Small local bakers that sell at Farmer's Markets are surpassing the bigger competition. When you find something you love, you hang on to it. Well, Baker Rhea and Two Chicks that Bake, I intend to hang on to you.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Bang Bang goes the Gun
Everyone needs to relieve stress from one time to another. Some people exercise by running or riding bikes in the Metroparks or tip a few back at a local watering hole. I enjoy doing those things as well. Sometimes though, I like my stress busting time to also leave me with a sense of empowerment. That is where the gun comes in. The activity that fits the bill is going to a shooting range. Let me explain how a scared Dem ended up with a .45 in her hands.
In my previous professional life, my company included those that carry around guns for a living...a.k.a. police officers. Well, one day an officer stood very close to me to show me something on my computer screen. I broke out into a cold sweat just because his service revolver, which was in his holster, was within arms' length of me. Right then and there I knew I had to remedy the situation. I asked a colleague whom I knew to own a gun to take me shooting. On a warm fall afternoon, we traveled down I-77 to Route 82 and into Stonewall Ltd. Gun Shop & Pistol Range. http://www.stonewallrange.com/
Upon entering, there are weapons in every nook and cranny of the gun shop portion. You walk up to the counter and you can rent a stall to shoot by the hour. You can also rent everything you need including a weapon, ear, and eye protection. If you need targets or ammunition those are available for purchase too.
Of course I like to bring my own eye and ear protection. Germs...yuck. Once assigned to a stall, you put on your eye and ear protection, go in, put up your target, inspect your weapon, load your magazines, and have at it. My co-worker is an experienced gun owner. He would only let me shoot using his gun, you guessed it, a .45. I hated it. I am not petite, but I am by no means big enough to handle that gun. After that, I decided a call to Officer Whitehair was in order. Not only is he good about finding klochkies, but also weapon safety.
The thing I like about Stonewall is the staff. If you want to come in, rent a stall, shoot, and check out all while being left alone, they will not engage you in unwanted prate. However, if you have any questions at all, the staff is very knowledgeable and willing to help. I once was waiting to check out and overheard the discussion with a couple in front of me. They wanted to rent a gun and purchase ammunition to shoot. There was something strange about this couple. The staff member told both of them if they could properly pick up the weapon, load it with an empty clip, and remove the clip, then they could rent the gun. From the way the gun was pointing when she picked up the gun, it was evident that they had no idea what the heck they were doing. The clerk told them until they could properly handle a weapon, they were not permitted to rent from the store. This is exactly the type of place I am glad to patronize. I feel safer knowing that they care as much as I do about safety.
Since then, Officer Whitehair has given me proper instruction and the Original Asian and I went to relieve some stress, laugh, and throw back a pint at an HB establishment afterward.
The Original Asian 2011 All rights reserved. Cannot use without express consent from JBM.I now feel comfortable with a gun. I have a line of spent casings in my office. One for each time I blow off some steam at the range. There is something so liberating about aiming at a target and finding out that you may have hit it once out of five. I jest, of course. Ok, no, not really.
Now if you would like to check it out, by all means, please do. I think everyone should learn how to handle a weapon. I do not believe everyone should have a gun, but that's a political debate not ripe for this blog. But please find someone who can give you proper instruction. Not knowing what you are doing puts you and everyone else at the range in jeopardy.
In my previous professional life, my company included those that carry around guns for a living...a.k.a. police officers. Well, one day an officer stood very close to me to show me something on my computer screen. I broke out into a cold sweat just because his service revolver, which was in his holster, was within arms' length of me. Right then and there I knew I had to remedy the situation. I asked a colleague whom I knew to own a gun to take me shooting. On a warm fall afternoon, we traveled down I-77 to Route 82 and into Stonewall Ltd. Gun Shop & Pistol Range. http://www.stonewallrange.com/
Upon entering, there are weapons in every nook and cranny of the gun shop portion. You walk up to the counter and you can rent a stall to shoot by the hour. You can also rent everything you need including a weapon, ear, and eye protection. If you need targets or ammunition those are available for purchase too.
Of course I like to bring my own eye and ear protection. Germs...yuck. Once assigned to a stall, you put on your eye and ear protection, go in, put up your target, inspect your weapon, load your magazines, and have at it. My co-worker is an experienced gun owner. He would only let me shoot using his gun, you guessed it, a .45. I hated it. I am not petite, but I am by no means big enough to handle that gun. After that, I decided a call to Officer Whitehair was in order. Not only is he good about finding klochkies, but also weapon safety.
The thing I like about Stonewall is the staff. If you want to come in, rent a stall, shoot, and check out all while being left alone, they will not engage you in unwanted prate. However, if you have any questions at all, the staff is very knowledgeable and willing to help. I once was waiting to check out and overheard the discussion with a couple in front of me. They wanted to rent a gun and purchase ammunition to shoot. There was something strange about this couple. The staff member told both of them if they could properly pick up the weapon, load it with an empty clip, and remove the clip, then they could rent the gun. From the way the gun was pointing when she picked up the gun, it was evident that they had no idea what the heck they were doing. The clerk told them until they could properly handle a weapon, they were not permitted to rent from the store. This is exactly the type of place I am glad to patronize. I feel safer knowing that they care as much as I do about safety.
Since then, Officer Whitehair has given me proper instruction and the Original Asian and I went to relieve some stress, laugh, and throw back a pint at an HB establishment afterward.
The Original Asian 2011 All rights reserved. Cannot use without express consent from JBM.Now if you would like to check it out, by all means, please do. I think everyone should learn how to handle a weapon. I do not believe everyone should have a gun, but that's a political debate not ripe for this blog. But please find someone who can give you proper instruction. Not knowing what you are doing puts you and everyone else at the range in jeopardy.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
CLEVELAND BEER WEEK!!!! A celebration of craft brews
Two things that I like very much combined and celebrated in the same week? That's Cleveland Beer Week 2011 which is slated to begin October 14 through October 22.
http://www.clevelandbeerweek.org/
This is the third annual event that begins in less than two weeks. I was on board right from the very first year...except so was Dudo. I found out only mere weeks before that I could not join Cleveland Beer Week 2009. Ah well, now that Dudo is here, it is time to enjoy the festivities!
I am a stout and porter type of girl. I also enjoy ambers and the occasional lager or ale. IPAs? You can keep them. I am not one for hoppy beers. How did this girl who was raised by non-drinkers come to enjoy dark robust flavors? It happened in two steps: First, I went to the University of Dayton. There I learned to drink. I drank Beast Light. And sometimes Beast or Beast Heavy or Beast Red depending on how the night had progressed. It was quite a step up when my two friends and former roommates, Linda, Linda, and I ordered three kegs of different Leinenkugel beers for our joint graduation party. After graduation, I made my way back to Cleveland for three torturous years of law school. I actually gave up drinking my first year of law school. I wasted a perfectly good year of drinking and according to my law school transcripts, I have nothing to show for it!
The second step occurred when my two law school friends, Lynda and Dar, invited to me to hang at the Winking Lizard on Huron with them. The Winking Lizard is the mecca where I learned about beer. How fortunate are we to have Winking Lizards all around the Cleveland area?
http://winkinglizard.com/
Not only is the food not to shabby, but anyone can learn about beer. I enrolled in the The World Tour. My friends and I shared beers and everyone helped buy them off my list. By the end, I realized that all I wanted were the porters and stouts. I did not finish the tour because back then, you had to drink every beer from the list and there was no way I was going to waste my stretched-already-too-thin law school budget on IPAs. Years later, I celebrated my 30th Birthday at the Winking Lizard Lakewood with friends, fam, and some really drunk co-workers. These days we go there for some dinner, beers, and the many football games broadcast on their TVs. I understand that the Lizard has revamped the Tour so you can complete the tour drinking beers more to your preferences. If you have not visited your local Winking Lizard, I suggest that you do.
Anyway, back to Cleveland Beer Week! (By the way, the Winking Lizard participates in Cleveland Beer Week, of course.) There are so many events for Cleveland Beer Week, there is no way one person could ever attend them all. There is an opening dinner, beer pairings, beer tastings, beer brunches, etc, etc, etc. You can find the Cleveland Beer Week catalog here: http://www.clevelandbeerweek.org/calendar/calendar.aspx
The catalog is great because you can search by date, or neighborhood, or even preferred breweries. Some events require advance ticket purchase such as the Grains vs. Grapes: The Ultimate Matchup at the Crowne Plaza or advance reservations for Founder's is Food at Lilly Handmade Chocolates in Tremont. Other events include tastings at local Heinen's (Yay to them for participating!) and special kegs of brew tapped at your favorite eateries. Lots of establishments are participating! I'll be heading to B-Spot Crocker Park on one particular evening. There really is something for everyone during Cleveland Beer Week.
Our wedding anniversary fortunately coincides with Beer Week and I decide to plan our celebration. The Husband and I will relive our pub crawl college days with the more adult Liquid Beer Hunt beginning at the Winking Lizard Lakewood. I cannot think of a more appropriate celebration for the two of us.
What is the best part of Cleveland Beer Week? Not only can you learn about some new beers and some old favorites from brew masters and others, but you can sample the delicious foods that Cleveland offers at our awesome restaurants. If you think I am going to Dogfish Head on the Southside at Southside, 2207 West 11th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 in Tremont without having their chicken and waffles, you obviously do not know me. Come on out and celebrate with me Cleveland!
***I feel compelled maybe because of my first job, or maybe because I worry too much, but please enjoy Cleveland Beer Week responsibly. Have a designated driver or call a cab. As the title of this blog suggests, Life is Too Short, so don't cut yours or someone else's short because you drove drunk. Public Service Announcement concluded.
http://www.clevelandbeerweek.org/
This is the third annual event that begins in less than two weeks. I was on board right from the very first year...except so was Dudo. I found out only mere weeks before that I could not join Cleveland Beer Week 2009. Ah well, now that Dudo is here, it is time to enjoy the festivities!
I am a stout and porter type of girl. I also enjoy ambers and the occasional lager or ale. IPAs? You can keep them. I am not one for hoppy beers. How did this girl who was raised by non-drinkers come to enjoy dark robust flavors? It happened in two steps: First, I went to the University of Dayton. There I learned to drink. I drank Beast Light. And sometimes Beast or Beast Heavy or Beast Red depending on how the night had progressed. It was quite a step up when my two friends and former roommates, Linda, Linda, and I ordered three kegs of different Leinenkugel beers for our joint graduation party. After graduation, I made my way back to Cleveland for three torturous years of law school. I actually gave up drinking my first year of law school. I wasted a perfectly good year of drinking and according to my law school transcripts, I have nothing to show for it!
The second step occurred when my two law school friends, Lynda and Dar, invited to me to hang at the Winking Lizard on Huron with them. The Winking Lizard is the mecca where I learned about beer. How fortunate are we to have Winking Lizards all around the Cleveland area?
http://winkinglizard.com/
Not only is the food not to shabby, but anyone can learn about beer. I enrolled in the The World Tour. My friends and I shared beers and everyone helped buy them off my list. By the end, I realized that all I wanted were the porters and stouts. I did not finish the tour because back then, you had to drink every beer from the list and there was no way I was going to waste my stretched-already-too-thin law school budget on IPAs. Years later, I celebrated my 30th Birthday at the Winking Lizard Lakewood with friends, fam, and some really drunk co-workers. These days we go there for some dinner, beers, and the many football games broadcast on their TVs. I understand that the Lizard has revamped the Tour so you can complete the tour drinking beers more to your preferences. If you have not visited your local Winking Lizard, I suggest that you do.
Anyway, back to Cleveland Beer Week! (By the way, the Winking Lizard participates in Cleveland Beer Week, of course.) There are so many events for Cleveland Beer Week, there is no way one person could ever attend them all. There is an opening dinner, beer pairings, beer tastings, beer brunches, etc, etc, etc. You can find the Cleveland Beer Week catalog here: http://www.clevelandbeerweek.org/calendar/calendar.aspx
The catalog is great because you can search by date, or neighborhood, or even preferred breweries. Some events require advance ticket purchase such as the Grains vs. Grapes: The Ultimate Matchup at the Crowne Plaza or advance reservations for Founder's is Food at Lilly Handmade Chocolates in Tremont. Other events include tastings at local Heinen's (Yay to them for participating!) and special kegs of brew tapped at your favorite eateries. Lots of establishments are participating! I'll be heading to B-Spot Crocker Park on one particular evening. There really is something for everyone during Cleveland Beer Week.
Our wedding anniversary fortunately coincides with Beer Week and I decide to plan our celebration. The Husband and I will relive our pub crawl college days with the more adult Liquid Beer Hunt beginning at the Winking Lizard Lakewood. I cannot think of a more appropriate celebration for the two of us.
What is the best part of Cleveland Beer Week? Not only can you learn about some new beers and some old favorites from brew masters and others, but you can sample the delicious foods that Cleveland offers at our awesome restaurants. If you think I am going to Dogfish Head on the Southside at Southside, 2207 West 11th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 in Tremont without having their chicken and waffles, you obviously do not know me. Come on out and celebrate with me Cleveland!
***I feel compelled maybe because of my first job, or maybe because I worry too much, but please enjoy Cleveland Beer Week responsibly. Have a designated driver or call a cab. As the title of this blog suggests, Life is Too Short, so don't cut yours or someone else's short because you drove drunk. Public Service Announcement concluded.
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