So typically my blog is all about food, but being frugally classy I like great deals across the board. The deal of the summer....Edgewater Live on Thursday nights.
Everyone who knows me has learned over the years that the City of Cleveland is typically my focus. I LOVE Cleveland and all it has to offer. Since the Cleveland Metro parks took over Edgewater- the beaches are beautiful! Thursday nights take a drive down to Edgewater and from 5:30-8:30 they offer free live music, food trucks, beer, soda and Honey Hut Ice Cream.
What makes this a Frugally Classy thing...last night for $5, I got a pulled Pork Sandwich with fresh cole slaw on it, free entertainment, running in to tons of friends, and a walk on the beach with my favorite guy. Now since this is a food blog- let me tell you about the food. Each week there are various food trucks at the event. Word is last week they ran out of food because of the unexpected great turn out. We opted for the Cleveland Metroparks food truck and they were offering the pulled pork sandwich. It was tasty, perfectly seasoned and the cole slaw on top was fresh made and had a great balance of dressing to cabbage. The lines for all the food trucks are long- but you can dance in the sand to the music while you wait.
Because it is a public beach, you can still bring your own food and a cooler of non-alcoholic beverages if you would like- making this an even better deal. It was so great to see so many people out and enjoying themselves at Edgewater. This is such a vital part of the city and to see so many people have fun and enjoy is just fabulous!
Check out their schedule of bands and get there early. Don't forget some cash for the sweet treats and food trucks and make this a great Thursday night- on a budget.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Monday, May 12, 2014
Paladar Happy Hour
Finally I ventured to the East side and was able to Paladar at Eton. I went in for happy around 6:15pm and was able to sit at the bar. I was served rather quickly which was nice. However, the bartender making the drinks for the bar and restaurant was very messy. She would just spray water in to glass sloshing it around, when making mojitos she would fill them with the soda water and some would splash out. It was messy and actually gross how she was making the drinks and had water/soda water everywhere behind the bar. The service was also not that great. There were two people behind the bar, the messy drink maker and another bar tender. The other bar tender took some orders and poured some simple drinks or got water or pop for customers. He took my food order and I also asked for a glass of water. He said ok and never came back to check on me or bring my glass of water. So I spent the time sipping on my mojito, eating, my food, paid and left. No one was very attentive to myself or really anyone at the bar. Even when the runners would come over with the food no one behind the bar knew who ordered what and the customers had to speak up.
Ok...enough negativity...the food was excellent. They have a happy hour menu with many $5 drinks, discounted beer and wine and a nice variety of food items under $5 many to share. I ordered the chorizo and cheese papusa's. They were cooked perfectly, great sauce, great filling to dough ration and served hot. I would definitely order these again. Two women next to me ordered the two taco items off the menu and they also looked great. Each order had 2 tacos and there was a nice balance of meat and vegetables on the tacos. The mojito was ok, but it was definitely more club soda then anything else. The majority of the flavor came from me squeezing the lime and muddling the mint leaves myself- they were actually pristine and had not been muddled at all.
I definitely would go back again with a group and share some items. They had guacamole, salsa trio and queso fundido that would have been great for sharing and based on what others at the bar ordered it all looked good, fresh, and enough to share as a meal. My entire tab with tax and tip was $13.00 for the drink and the meal.
This was a great place for happy hour and if I went again I would try to go with a group and sit at a table so I did not have to watch the messy bartender.
Ok...enough negativity...the food was excellent. They have a happy hour menu with many $5 drinks, discounted beer and wine and a nice variety of food items under $5 many to share. I ordered the chorizo and cheese papusa's. They were cooked perfectly, great sauce, great filling to dough ration and served hot. I would definitely order these again. Two women next to me ordered the two taco items off the menu and they also looked great. Each order had 2 tacos and there was a nice balance of meat and vegetables on the tacos. The mojito was ok, but it was definitely more club soda then anything else. The majority of the flavor came from me squeezing the lime and muddling the mint leaves myself- they were actually pristine and had not been muddled at all.
I definitely would go back again with a group and share some items. They had guacamole, salsa trio and queso fundido that would have been great for sharing and based on what others at the bar ordered it all looked good, fresh, and enough to share as a meal. My entire tab with tax and tip was $13.00 for the drink and the meal.
This was a great place for happy hour and if I went again I would try to go with a group and sit at a table so I did not have to watch the messy bartender.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Flying Fig
So I am about a month late...but hey it has been a busy month. So the Flying Fig in Ohio City has a great happy hour menu with a selection of food and cocktails. They also have a happy hour that goes until 7 pm....I hate when happy hour ends at 6- I work until 6 some nights.
On this particular day the $5 cocktail was a Moscow mule- delicious! They also offered $7 martinis and $2-3 beers. All of the meal offerings are under $7 and one item is enough for a meal. My personal favorite for the night was the $6 beef burger topped with cheddar, grilled onions, bacon and mustard aioli. Happy hour burgers and happy hour wings are probably my favorite items. This burger was great- perfect meat to topping to bun ratio. Friends along that night ordered the $6 braised pork shoulder nachos- great for sharing or eating as your own meal if you are so inclined. The one item I am not a fan of are the empanadas for $5.50. Now it is a great looking bite, looks to be cooked perfectly....but it is filled with turkey confit, raisins and pinenuts- I detest raisins in my food so the poor empanada had no change with me.
For those who are vegetarian- they had a nice selection as well- which is not typical for a happy hour menu unless all you want are fries or pizza. Flying Fig offers a beet burger with black beans and quinoa, a cheese plate and roasted shisito peppers that are amazing!
All in all I would highly recommend Flying Fig for an affordable and yummy happy hour. Its great for a group- large or small and the outdoor seating is perfect for the coming weather. For you foodies who like interesting items, stop next door at the Flying Fig Market and see the fun stuff they have available. And for those who enjoy brunch- they have a menu of breakfast and lunch options as well as a kids item for those who want to peruse the market and then stop by for some fresh local and well prepared food.
http://static.squarespace.com/static/52ffda18e4b01936eeb141d3/t/531bd183e4b0a6495db2f096/1394332035659/BRUNCH%20MENU%202013.pdf
On this particular day the $5 cocktail was a Moscow mule- delicious! They also offered $7 martinis and $2-3 beers. All of the meal offerings are under $7 and one item is enough for a meal. My personal favorite for the night was the $6 beef burger topped with cheddar, grilled onions, bacon and mustard aioli. Happy hour burgers and happy hour wings are probably my favorite items. This burger was great- perfect meat to topping to bun ratio. Friends along that night ordered the $6 braised pork shoulder nachos- great for sharing or eating as your own meal if you are so inclined. The one item I am not a fan of are the empanadas for $5.50. Now it is a great looking bite, looks to be cooked perfectly....but it is filled with turkey confit, raisins and pinenuts- I detest raisins in my food so the poor empanada had no change with me.
For those who are vegetarian- they had a nice selection as well- which is not typical for a happy hour menu unless all you want are fries or pizza. Flying Fig offers a beet burger with black beans and quinoa, a cheese plate and roasted shisito peppers that are amazing!
All in all I would highly recommend Flying Fig for an affordable and yummy happy hour. Its great for a group- large or small and the outdoor seating is perfect for the coming weather. For you foodies who like interesting items, stop next door at the Flying Fig Market and see the fun stuff they have available. And for those who enjoy brunch- they have a menu of breakfast and lunch options as well as a kids item for those who want to peruse the market and then stop by for some fresh local and well prepared food.
http://static.squarespace.com/static/52ffda18e4b01936eeb141d3/t/531bd183e4b0a6495db2f096/1394332035659/BRUNCH%20MENU%202013.pdf
Monday, March 10, 2014
Tacos
Finally! I had the chance to go to Taco Tantos. It is a small place with a small bar, but they are quick and the service is amazing. I usually do not comment on the service because it is just normal or expected, but the waitress here was great. She was kind, friendly, and heard you when you asked for something or tried to get her attention even when she was running around to serve everyone. They have great options including gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options.
I love meat and a steak taco is one of my favorite things to eat. I was a little concerned for $4 what I was going to get, but was pleasantly surprised. The steak was nice chunks of beef cooked and seasoned perfectly. The taco come with cheese, tomatoes and lettuce and I added jalapenos for $.75. The shell was thick enough that it did not break when you would bite in to it. They also offer soft shell tacos, burritos, and burrito bowls. My dining companions each ordered soft shell tacos and they were huge, not wimpy tacos. To start we ordered the large fresh salsa and the large queso. Both were delicious. The salsa was really fresh with great seasoning. It was more like a pico de gayo with the large chunks of tomatoes and onions in it. You could smell the fresh herbs as well. These ran between $4-5 each and were well worth the price of the large. I had also ordered on the side the salsa verde and citrus cilantro. Both sauces were great but really not needed on the taco. They may have been better with the burrito or the bowl.
To top off the night we had s a few drinks. I enjoyed a cilantro lemonade and one of my friends a blackberry margarita. They were great not too strong but not watered down either. They also have daily specials that sound amazing and a taco Tuesday! I cannot wait to go back. It is a place you could go alone and feel comfortable just sitting at the bar enjoying your taco!
I love meat and a steak taco is one of my favorite things to eat. I was a little concerned for $4 what I was going to get, but was pleasantly surprised. The steak was nice chunks of beef cooked and seasoned perfectly. The taco come with cheese, tomatoes and lettuce and I added jalapenos for $.75. The shell was thick enough that it did not break when you would bite in to it. They also offer soft shell tacos, burritos, and burrito bowls. My dining companions each ordered soft shell tacos and they were huge, not wimpy tacos. To start we ordered the large fresh salsa and the large queso. Both were delicious. The salsa was really fresh with great seasoning. It was more like a pico de gayo with the large chunks of tomatoes and onions in it. You could smell the fresh herbs as well. These ran between $4-5 each and were well worth the price of the large. I had also ordered on the side the salsa verde and citrus cilantro. Both sauces were great but really not needed on the taco. They may have been better with the burrito or the bowl.
To top off the night we had s a few drinks. I enjoyed a cilantro lemonade and one of my friends a blackberry margarita. They were great not too strong but not watered down either. They also have daily specials that sound amazing and a taco Tuesday! I cannot wait to go back. It is a place you could go alone and feel comfortable just sitting at the bar enjoying your taco!
Friday Fish Fry!
It is that season for the wonderful fish frys that happen all over Northeast Ohio. So where is the best deal for local Friday nights...well I am going to divide in to places to look for them.
1. Local churches. It is hard for me to tell you where the best value is located but I can tell you that the best location is St. Mary's on Warren Road. You walk in, place your order, are seated, and the food comes out to you. It is hot and fresh and not greasy at all. You need to check the different churches to see what is best. Some use really crappy old frozen fish others have homemade perogies and haluski.
2. Local Clubs. For this I mean look at the local Polish Club, Slovak Club, Italian Club. Sometimes they are open to the public on a Friday night for the fish fry or maybe you know a member. They usually offer a great deal and are fresh.
3. Local restaurant specials. I have seen a few great places for Friday specials. Soho in Ohio City offers pieces of fish, shrimp, or oysters for $5 with sides ranging from jalapeno hush puppies to mac a cheese to BBQ Cole Slaw for $3 a side. You could make a meal for $8-11. Wexler's Tavern offers fish dinners including cole slaw, fries, bread and butter from $9.99 to $13.99 and sides of periogies for $3. The best idea...Mac and Cheese with a salad for only $7.99.
BEWARE- some places try to lure you with a fish "special" that is just overinflated in price for where you are going. If a meal costs you over $15 at a restaurant and you are not at a restaurant like Pier W or Blue Point- they are gouging you. If it is more like a bar or casual dining restaurant, just watch what they try to sell.
Share your ideas for a great fish fry. I am always looking and looking forward to a nice church one this Friday. I gave up fried food for lent, except once a week so I could enjoy my Lenten treat.
1. Local churches. It is hard for me to tell you where the best value is located but I can tell you that the best location is St. Mary's on Warren Road. You walk in, place your order, are seated, and the food comes out to you. It is hot and fresh and not greasy at all. You need to check the different churches to see what is best. Some use really crappy old frozen fish others have homemade perogies and haluski.
2. Local Clubs. For this I mean look at the local Polish Club, Slovak Club, Italian Club. Sometimes they are open to the public on a Friday night for the fish fry or maybe you know a member. They usually offer a great deal and are fresh.
3. Local restaurant specials. I have seen a few great places for Friday specials. Soho in Ohio City offers pieces of fish, shrimp, or oysters for $5 with sides ranging from jalapeno hush puppies to mac a cheese to BBQ Cole Slaw for $3 a side. You could make a meal for $8-11. Wexler's Tavern offers fish dinners including cole slaw, fries, bread and butter from $9.99 to $13.99 and sides of periogies for $3. The best idea...Mac and Cheese with a salad for only $7.99.
BEWARE- some places try to lure you with a fish "special" that is just overinflated in price for where you are going. If a meal costs you over $15 at a restaurant and you are not at a restaurant like Pier W or Blue Point- they are gouging you. If it is more like a bar or casual dining restaurant, just watch what they try to sell.
Share your ideas for a great fish fry. I am always looking and looking forward to a nice church one this Friday. I gave up fried food for lent, except once a week so I could enjoy my Lenten treat.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week
One of my favorite weeks of the year. I know I am late in reviewing and it is already Wednesday but...my top picks and low picks for the best menus.
My love of restaurant week is not just for the value, but for seeing something different then the restaurant usually has and enjoying a meal that leaves me wanting to come back and pay full price. Places like Lola, Mallorca and Cowell and Hubbard have been favorites of mine in the past and make me want to find a reason to go there other than restaurant week. I have been to all of them for just special occasions since my restaurant week experience.
I have to start by saying it was hard to pick the top menus because so many restaurants had interesting items that made it well worth the value and purpose of restaurant week. This time the restaurants I picked are all places I have never been for dinner.
Luca Italian Cuisine- located on the via duct (already making it more promising because parking is easier to find) first course is a soup or salad-sort of boring but the rest of the meal sounds AMAZING. Choice of Vitello Tortellini, Pappardelli Bolognese, Filetto di Manzo, and Fieletto di Salmone. The salmon is wrapped in prosciutto with a creamy cognac sauce, the pappardelli has ground beef, duck and wild boar. Definitely interesting items that I am excited to try. For dessert- Tiramisu or decadent chocolate mouse- this may sound boring but an amazing tiramisu can make any dinner better. (Yes I am a little biased, many make tiramisu very few have perfected it)
Hodges- First course choice of Chicken Liven Toast, Canadian Mussels, Caesar Salad or Creamy beer and Tillamook soup- this is a great first course! Second course- braised beef cheeks, Salmon or fried chicken thighs. While salmon and fried chicken are not that exciting...you rarely see braised beef cheeks-thanks for going outside of the box Chef Hodson. Dessert- banana cream pie or chocolate bread pudding- ok this is sort of boring but the rest of the meal sounds amazing that I can let it go this time.
Ken Stewarts- First course has 8 different choices- the interesting ones: truffle fries, house made ricotta or calamari. Definitely not your typical soup or salad. Second course- five choices and the most interesting: wagyu and wild board meatloaf with sweet potato risotto and a roast tomato and soy BBQ sauce or scallops with sweet potato puree Brussels sprouts, crisp gaufrettes and pomegranate molasses. Each one different and with some personality. dessert- peanut butter bomb or chocolate tiramisu- why do the restaurants always wuss out on dessert.
Zocalo- Ok I have heard Zocalo's food has not been up to par lately. I have never eaten dinner there only went for drinks so I cannot comment on that, but the menu sounds fun. First course offers bacon wrapped scallops seared in orange glaze with a citrus habanero salsa or baked chili oysters on the half shell. I do not even like oysters but I want to try it out. Second course- there are 5 choices but the most interesting: Zocalo Paella- shrimp, scallops, chicken, oysters, rajas, and chicken stock served over saffron rice. Mexican Lasagna with chorizo and rajas. For dessert- lime sorbet or cinnamon tamale soppapillas.
Ok now for the ones that just really put in no effort at all:
San Souci- Salad, Pasta, dessert- really why bother participating if it is going to be that simple
Tomo Hibachi-you are offering dinner for 2 for $30 but- Edamame and Gyoza, Chicken Hibachi or Sushi, and Cheesecake or Chocolate cake- zero creativity although a good value for 2 people.
Slight disappointment- Chinato and Cowell and Hubbard- usually Zach Bruell does something really interesting not on his normal menu for restaurant week- while the choice constitutes a good value I just feel like they are not being as creative as normal. Also disappointing in Lola. Again great value for the meal but not interesting. Once of my first times at Lola was for a restaurant week and there was beef heart on the menu. That to me is fun and interesting and the purpose of restaurant week.
Maybe for another restaurant week or Cleveland Independents or Zach Bruell restaurant week the menus will be more exciting. Wow...we have a lot of restaurant weeks in Cleveland- we are a town that loves great food!
My love of restaurant week is not just for the value, but for seeing something different then the restaurant usually has and enjoying a meal that leaves me wanting to come back and pay full price. Places like Lola, Mallorca and Cowell and Hubbard have been favorites of mine in the past and make me want to find a reason to go there other than restaurant week. I have been to all of them for just special occasions since my restaurant week experience.
I have to start by saying it was hard to pick the top menus because so many restaurants had interesting items that made it well worth the value and purpose of restaurant week. This time the restaurants I picked are all places I have never been for dinner.
Luca Italian Cuisine- located on the via duct (already making it more promising because parking is easier to find) first course is a soup or salad-sort of boring but the rest of the meal sounds AMAZING. Choice of Vitello Tortellini, Pappardelli Bolognese, Filetto di Manzo, and Fieletto di Salmone. The salmon is wrapped in prosciutto with a creamy cognac sauce, the pappardelli has ground beef, duck and wild boar. Definitely interesting items that I am excited to try. For dessert- Tiramisu or decadent chocolate mouse- this may sound boring but an amazing tiramisu can make any dinner better. (Yes I am a little biased, many make tiramisu very few have perfected it)
Hodges- First course choice of Chicken Liven Toast, Canadian Mussels, Caesar Salad or Creamy beer and Tillamook soup- this is a great first course! Second course- braised beef cheeks, Salmon or fried chicken thighs. While salmon and fried chicken are not that exciting...you rarely see braised beef cheeks-thanks for going outside of the box Chef Hodson. Dessert- banana cream pie or chocolate bread pudding- ok this is sort of boring but the rest of the meal sounds amazing that I can let it go this time.
Ken Stewarts- First course has 8 different choices- the interesting ones: truffle fries, house made ricotta or calamari. Definitely not your typical soup or salad. Second course- five choices and the most interesting: wagyu and wild board meatloaf with sweet potato risotto and a roast tomato and soy BBQ sauce or scallops with sweet potato puree Brussels sprouts, crisp gaufrettes and pomegranate molasses. Each one different and with some personality. dessert- peanut butter bomb or chocolate tiramisu- why do the restaurants always wuss out on dessert.
Zocalo- Ok I have heard Zocalo's food has not been up to par lately. I have never eaten dinner there only went for drinks so I cannot comment on that, but the menu sounds fun. First course offers bacon wrapped scallops seared in orange glaze with a citrus habanero salsa or baked chili oysters on the half shell. I do not even like oysters but I want to try it out. Second course- there are 5 choices but the most interesting: Zocalo Paella- shrimp, scallops, chicken, oysters, rajas, and chicken stock served over saffron rice. Mexican Lasagna with chorizo and rajas. For dessert- lime sorbet or cinnamon tamale soppapillas.
Ok now for the ones that just really put in no effort at all:
San Souci- Salad, Pasta, dessert- really why bother participating if it is going to be that simple
Tomo Hibachi-you are offering dinner for 2 for $30 but- Edamame and Gyoza, Chicken Hibachi or Sushi, and Cheesecake or Chocolate cake- zero creativity although a good value for 2 people.
Slight disappointment- Chinato and Cowell and Hubbard- usually Zach Bruell does something really interesting not on his normal menu for restaurant week- while the choice constitutes a good value I just feel like they are not being as creative as normal. Also disappointing in Lola. Again great value for the meal but not interesting. Once of my first times at Lola was for a restaurant week and there was beef heart on the menu. That to me is fun and interesting and the purpose of restaurant week.
Maybe for another restaurant week or Cleveland Independents or Zach Bruell restaurant week the menus will be more exciting. Wow...we have a lot of restaurant weeks in Cleveland- we are a town that loves great food!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Jack Flaps Yum!
While parking in Ohio stinks...the food at Jack Flaps is worth it...as long as you like sweet. First of all these were some of the best pancakes I have ever had, crispy and fluffy at the same time, great flavor even without the toppings. Now when we get to the toppings- everything is sweet. My friend had just plan jack flaps and it comes with a side of cinnamon syrup- that is delicious and special butter which neither of us tried. I had the lemon curd pancakes. They were topped with lemon curd, berries and had graham crackers. They were delicious and I could not even fully finish them. We both ordered the cola braised bacon which was delicious and salty but also sweet. The happy hour...1-3 when all the jack flaps are $5. AWESOME!!!!
Onto the other items, many people ordered a side of eggs with their pancakes and waffles and they looked good. They have things other than just pancakes including waffles, eggy bread (French toast), a few others and sides that include root vegetable hash, bacon, eggs, yogurt. I really wanted to cola braised bacon or I would have gone with one of the non-sweet items on the menu- a homage to another one of his restaurants- the Happy Jack. A waffle topped with garlicky greens, everything cream cheese and an all beef hotdog. It is a waffle with three of my favorite ingredients from Happy Dog...add some Momocho habanero sauce and I would have been all over it.
The scene is fun and their is no alcohol so it is definitely a eat before your drink or next morning hangover place. That being said, there were families there were small children and you could definitely order items and share- the servings are big enough. I would love to go back again and try a waffle or maybe even the crab benedict and root vegetable hash...but alas that is for another day.
Onto the other items, many people ordered a side of eggs with their pancakes and waffles and they looked good. They have things other than just pancakes including waffles, eggy bread (French toast), a few others and sides that include root vegetable hash, bacon, eggs, yogurt. I really wanted to cola braised bacon or I would have gone with one of the non-sweet items on the menu- a homage to another one of his restaurants- the Happy Jack. A waffle topped with garlicky greens, everything cream cheese and an all beef hotdog. It is a waffle with three of my favorite ingredients from Happy Dog...add some Momocho habanero sauce and I would have been all over it.
The scene is fun and their is no alcohol so it is definitely a eat before your drink or next morning hangover place. That being said, there were families there were small children and you could definitely order items and share- the servings are big enough. I would love to go back again and try a waffle or maybe even the crab benedict and root vegetable hash...but alas that is for another day.
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