three in one

So this week's blog has 3 parts all in one.  Great dinner, great festival, and upcoming deals.

1. Great Dinner
     I have spent time at Clifton Martini and Wine Bar for parties and just drinks, but Friday night I decided to go for dinner.  The outside was packed and since I was dining alone I chose to sit at the bar.  Sadly the inside was pretty much empty (hoping this blog brings some recognition to the greatness of this place).  I sat down and immediately noticed Absolut Tea vodka and had a drink with the vodka and lemonade.  If you like iced tea and have never had this new vodka...give it a try.  So now for dinner selections of the night.  I wanted something I could not get at home.  I was torn between the beef carpaccio and the ahi tuna.  I chose the ahi tuna and it was amazing.  The description on the menu is perfect "Sesame Crusted, Kimchee Slaw, Wasabi, & Pickled Ginger, Prepared Medium Rare".  The tuna was succulent and perfectly seasoned.  The kimchi slaw was very unexpected but a great balance to the tuna.  The plate was balanced, quality high, and taste out of this world.  As a protein portion, it was great.  I could have ordered one of the amazing salads but I chose the fried mozzarella.  It sounds like a strange combination...but hey it was what I wanted on Friday night. The fried mozzarella was also amazing.  It was fresh mozzarella lightly breaded in a light tomato sauce with fresh basil chopped on the top of it.  The taste was fresh, the medallions were perfectly melty and for being fried cheese it was not heavy or greasy at all.  While the meal was great, it was definitely above my frugally classy budget for dinner.  However, it was a treat for a long week and so perfectly acceptable to pay $20 for dinner.  :-).  On the plus side, from 4-6pm you can order any of the pizza's on the menu for $6 and $3 off martinis.  The person next to me had ordered a pizza and it was huge.  Definitely a 2 night meal or a great item to split with a date. 

2.  Great festival
   Sunday I went to the Slavic Festival in Youngstown.  It was a $3 entry fee and that included a chance at a raffle prize and great entertainment.  The food however was absolutely amazing.  Most of it was made by Slavic churches and the food was great and cheap!  I was able to purchase a pita with cevapaci, onions, and a tomato eggplant sauce.  The cost was only $6 and the sandwich was a great size.  The next item I tried was from one of churches.  It was a $2 bread pastry with meat and onions inside.  IT was called a pirohi, not to be confused with a perogie.  The smells were great and I wanted to eat more.  The Haluski, keilbasa, cabbage, cabbage rolls all looked amazing, but I was stuffed.  The festival also offered ethnic beers, slivo, and kolachi.  Great event and I cannot wait until next year and eating even more food!

3.  Shhhh....a secret sale for all those foodies out there.  June 20th check out Cleveland Independents for greatly discounted gift certificates!

Looking for more great festivals to try and food from everywhere.  I may blog about the great stuff from Fresh Fork CSA I pick up and how I prepare the food one week.