Blue Sushi Sake Grill

Mr. H and I were invited to dine at the newly opened Blue Sushi Sake Grill in Crocker Park.

Normally, I shy away from chain restaurants, but this group only has a handful and just one in Ohio. After hearing some rave reviews from fellow foodies, I decided to check it out for myself.

In addition to a pretty vibrant and fun atmosphere, they have a program with an oath for sustainable practices. It's their commitment to responsibly sourcing the seafood and respecting our Earth's ecosystems, by land and sea.

They have a couple of different dining areas within the restaurant, but we were seated with a great view of the sushi bar and the chefs hard at work.

While we decided on our order, the team sent out a Tuna Tower ($15) with sesame and ponzu-marinated bigeye tuna, spicy crab mix, avocado and sushi rice, topped with black tobiko and wasabi sprouts, served with honey wasabi, and mango and eel sauces. Not only was it gorgeous, but tasty and with great textures as well.

We ordered the Mango Crab Rangoon ($8) with crispy wonton wrappers stuffed with crab mix, mango, cream cheese and scallion, served with mango and fresno pepper sauces.

And the Tuna Tataki ($13.50) with thinly sliced pepper seared bigeye tuna with daikon momiji, garlic chips, scallion and tataki sauce.

Then we got into the sushi, and shared an order of the Cherry Bomb ($8) with bigeye tuna on top of rice tempura, topped with serrano, sriracha and ponzu sauce.

A Hot Popper ($9) specialty roll with smoked salmon, cream cheese, jalapeño tempura, soy paper, and sriracha. Not a far cry from my favorite roll at Mizu Sushi, the Mexican.

Our server recommended the Amazon Roll ($13) with red sea bream, olive oil, smoked salmon, tampico mix, jalapeño, chino chimichurri, wasabi sprouts, and maldon sea salt.

Lastly, Mr. H loves a good fried roll so he dove into the Hawaiian Roll ($12) that was tempura fried with salmon, crab mix, mango, and mirin mango purée.

Cooked salmon is way too fishy-tasting for me, even in a roll like this. So, I saved that tiny bit of "room" I had left in my stomach for the Tempura Fried Ice Cream ($8) with pound cake, vanilla ice cream, topped with chocolate sauce, raspberry purée and powdered sugar.

Overall, it exceeded any chain sushi joints I've ever been to and I was impressed with their service and vibe. While it still doesn't compete with my favorite local hole-in-the-wall, Mizu, I'd choose to dine at this restaurant while shopping at Crocker over many others in the area. 

Blue Sushi Sake Grill

2000 Crocker Road
Westlake, OH 44145

Disclosure: I was invited to enjoy a complimentary meal with a guest in exchange for my honest review and social sharing. All opinions stated are 100% my own.

Zero Zest

I've been in Cleveland for over 11 years. That's exactly how long I've been on the hunt for a good soft serve ice cream, and more specifically...a Flavor Burst. It's what I grew up on in NY, and it's been impossible to find in OH.

But then I saw Jill from Cleveland Rocks, Cleveland Eats post a photo on Instagram of a Flavor Burst cone. And it wasn't too far from home!

That led to a Memorial Day Weekend stop at Zero Zest in Parma.

Finally, I had one in hand (small Black Cherry pictured).

While it was a far cry from the rich, creamy vanilla base of my favorite stop in NY, it satisfied the craving and brought back a flood of summer memories.

Mr. H had the Chocolate Covered Pretzel Avalanche. The best way to put it, it was lacking any "zest" and was almost flavorless. Much like the weak vanilla base of mine.

I may stop again if the craving really hits, but some of you all have been chiming in on Twitter and Instagram with other local Flavor Burst joints, so we'll be trying those first. For having "zest" in the name, it certainly didn't deliver that.

Zero Zest

6096 State Road
Parma, OH 44134
(440) 886-6473

V's Gourmet Chicken

V's Gourmet Chicken has gotten the reputation for "best fried chicken" in Cleveland, so it had to make its way onto my 2019 To Dine Challenge list. But this is a takeout-only spot, so be prepared. A reader had tipped me off, and suggested waiting until summer and then taking it over for a picnic at Euclid Beach Park.

A free evening where we didn't feel like cooking just happened to take place right after Cleveland Metroparks unveiled the new Euclid Beach Park Pier.

The sunny, warm evening just begged for this excursion across town. But I had no idea we could expect Adirondack chairs and views of Downtown.

After deciding bringing back dinner to the park was a good plan indeed, we called ahead with our order (20 minute wait, everything is cooked to order) and then we headed there to pick it up after spending some time on the pier.

Look, it's not the best neighborhood, and you could easily drive right by this discreet corner shop, but it may just be worth a stop.

In addition to Fried Chicken with seven different types of seasoned breading, they have ribs, fish dinners, wings, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and sides.

I had searched a couple of "foodie" Facebook groups I belong to in advance, and knew that many claimed the Seasoned and Honey Crisp were the best two for the fried chicken. We each got a 3-Piece Breast, Thigh and Wing and did some sharing.

I favored the Honey Crisp and Mr. H preferred the Seasoned. Just look at that gorgeous, crispy, golden breading!

The meal comes with two small sides and a corn muffin. I enjoyed the Mashed Potatoes and Gravy and Macaroni and Cheese. Both had spicy seasonings in them that I couldn't identify, but were unique. The sides were fine, but the fried chicken was clearly the star. The only thing I didn't care for was the corn muffin, as it was too dry. For $7, it was a lot of food, and I had plenty to take home as leftovers for lunch the next day.

I'm no fried chicken expert, but it was probably the best I've had in Northeast Ohio. Worth the drive over and the hassle of takeout only? Probably not for this west-sider, but I would happily pick it up again for a picnic at Euclid Beach Park or for a catering order.

I think the pup and Mr. H would agree that the evening was a near-perfect taste of what summer in Ohio will be.

Another one ticked off the To Dine list. Where should I head next, and who's joining me?!

V's Gourmet Chicken

15418 Lake Shore Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44110

Dodd's Hillcrest Orchards Farm-to-Fork Dinner

I was recently invited out to the Dodd family's Hillcrest Orchards for one of their Farm-to-Fork Wine Dinner events.

The weather wasn't participating, so it was held in their rustic barn amid picnic tables, fresh cut flowers, twinkling lights, and a chandelier.

The setting was gorgeous and the tables were set for a wine-paired dinner featuring Trinchero Family Estates Winery.

But before we settled in for the meal, we did get the opportunity to tour the orchard on a hay ride. We got to see some of the older apple trees and how they were traditionally farmed.

And the newer, modern way of growing apples. All with a complimentary signature cocktail in-hand.

Once we got back to the barn, the Dodds welcomed us and shared a bit about their family's orchard. 5 generations are currently involved with the orchard in one capacity or another, including the Dodd's son-in-law, who was our chef for the evening.

We kicked off the meal with a spring soup and then a Fresh Spring Vegetable Salad with asparagus, beets, baby carrot, radish, spring onion, micro greens, Lake Erie Creamery Herb Chèvre, and fresh herb vinaigrette. It was paired with Bieler Pere et Fils Rosé, France, which was one of my favorite wines of the night and we took home a bottle. 

I really enjoyed the Pan Seared Halibut with cauliflower purée, potato leek mushroom hash, and lemon herb truffle butter. This one was also paired with one of my favorite wines of the night, Terra d'Oro Barbera, Amador, Sierra Foothills, California. Two bottles came home!

The last savory course of the evening was a Herb Grilled Colorado Lamb Rack with snap pea and tomato salad, feta, caper balsamic vinaigrette and toasted pine nuts.

Truly, the food was beautifully plated, thoughtful, and well executed. This wine dinner could stand up proudly next to any similar event we've attended in Cleveland.

But, you can't duplicate that setting! They just renovated the event barn and added this gorgeous patio. It was a wet and dreary day, but I could easily picture sipping a glass of wine overlooking the orchards on a sunny day.

Despite the weather, I still wanted to sneak out to take in the stunning apple blossoms.

In addition to all of the traditional orchard activities like apple picking, market, u-pick pumpkins, hay rides, a maze and more...they also have their wine retail and liquor licenses, so on top of great events like the wine dinner I attended, you can also stop in on Fridays (4-10PM) and Sundays (11AM - 6PM) and their bar and patio is open. Live music is featured, and you can purchase wines by the bottle to take home if you enjoy what you've had from the bar.

Their next dinner event is a Father's Day Craft Beer Pairing Dinner on June 15th at 6PM. This locally-sourced, 5-course dinner will feature craft beers paired with each course. Then there is another wine dinner coming up on July 13th. Enjoy the Summer Wine Pairing Dinner out in the orchard.

We found this gem last summer, thanks to friends that had told us about a wine dinner they planned to attend. We enjoyed a fabulous evening last summer, and this spring's trip just reinforced how special this family's orchard is. We'll be back for a future wine dinner, and to sip some wine on that patio while enjoying live music some Friday or Sunday this summer.

Hillcrest Orchards
50336 Telegraph Road
Amherst, OH 44001

Disclosure: I was provided with two event tickets in exchange for my honest review and social sharing. All opinions stated are 100% my own.

Event Recap: Silver Spoon Awards Party 2019

Mr. H and I had the chance to celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of the best food events in town recently, Cleveland Magazine's Silver Spoon Awards Party. Held at The Hilton, there were more than 50 restaurants and beverage purveyors to sample from. Many of my favorite things were in the room at the same time, like Luca's famous Sacchetti and Porco's tiki cocktails (both in VIP Room).

I may have had three(!) that night.

Of both!

Attendees got to sample food and drinks from award finalists and winners, like Michael Symon's Mabel's BBQ...

...Lakewood's Thai Thai...

...and one of my favorite bites of the night, a Galley Boy from Swenson's. This may or may not have led to a stop for dinner last week.

While the night brought us all kinds of good food, we were there to raise funds and awareness for a good cause. The Arthritis Foundation is leading the fight for the arthritis community. The Arthritis Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections.

This party may only come around once a year, but it's one you don't want to miss! They know how to throw one heck of a party.

Disclosure: I was provided with two VIP tickets in exchange for my assistance in promoting the event. All opinions stated are 100% my own.