La Plaza

There is a short list of places around Northeast Ohio that I haven't, or hadn't, dined at that make me hang my head in foodie shame. La Plaza Taqueria was one of them. If you ask around for the "most authentic Mexican" in the area, 9 times out of 10 you'll hear "La Plaza" as the answer. The grocery store's small takeout counter of prepared foods had gotten so popular, in fact, that they expanded to a full café (still connected to the grocery store) in 2018 with seating for around 40.

Yet, I still hadn't gotten there over the years. Well I knew that had to change, so I added it to the 2019 To Dine Challenge list and I saved the best for last. I gathered a small group and we headed there for dinner recently.

Mr. H and I did some sharing, starting with two different Tamalaes. They were a perfect temperature and texture. We dipped in some sauces from the serve-yourself toppings bar.

A Chile Relleno was on special that evening, and that's one of my all-time favorite Mexican dishes, so we couldn't resist. The spicy flavors were great, but it was way too oily for me. I'd either take it home and remove it from the container, or stick with other dishes on the menu.

But, we were really there for the Tacos! You can choose from 12 fillings served on house-made corn tortillas, and then you can top them from the bar with whatever you choose. I have no idea what I even added onto them, but it was a little of a lot and man was it good. We had the Carnitas, Barbacoa, Chorizo, and Pastor. The carnitas was our least favorite, as it didn't have as much flavor as the others.

The tacos aren't very big so you can mix and match a few. We saw several Grand Burritos go by, and they were HUGE.

You order at the counter and then wait for your order number to be called from the kitchen line. There is casual seating available, but it does get busy. Plenty of free parking in the grocery store lot. It also gives you a chance to pick up some groceries after dinner, and we found some great items to take home. I'm still drooling over their fresh Pico de Gallo, which packed more heat than most.

This may have been our first time, but it won't be our last. Why the heck did it take me so long to get there? But don't kill me, I'm still a flour tortilla kinda gal. However, I can confirm that their food is very good and the closest to authentic Mexican that I've personally had in the area.

That's it. The 2019 To Dine Challenge is a wrap. It's always so satisfying when I can complete them all, because sometimes it hasn't happened. This year was a good one, but I do think the best was saved for last. Now, what does 2020 have in store? You'll just have to wait until January 1 to find out!

La Plaza Taqueria

13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 476-8000

Restaurant Takeover Series at Opal Kicks Off

One of our very favorite spots in the neighborhood is the wine bar Opal on Pearl. Starting in January, the first Monday of every month through July will feature a Restaurant Takeover event with a special menu for the evening from a local chef.

The first event is brought to you by two Old Brooklyn residents themselves, Amanda and Josh of the famous Lilly Chocolates & Confections.

There will be two seatings of the event, and you'll get 5 courses of savory dishes highlighting chocolate. It's not just for dessert, people!

Reservations and a $30 deposit are required. Check out the event's page for the full menu preview. Will I see you there?

Gervasi Vineyards

Since it was our five-year wedding anniversary this month, I wanted to do something a little extra special. We always go out to a nice dinner, but the milestone gave us an opportunity to kick it up a notch and visit somewhere that's been on my local travel "bucket list" for quite some time...Gervasi Vineyards in Canton.

In May of this year, they opened their boutique hotel, The Casa.

Featuring 24 individual suites with courtyard views, king-size beds, and luxury amenities, it was perfect for a romantic one-night getaway. You're really pampered in your room with the complimentary continental breakfast (in an adorable wooden box personalized for your room), in-suite fireplace, heated tile floors, and a walk-in shower.

After getting checked in, we headed for lunch at their more casual restaurant, The Crush House Winery, Wine Bar and Eatery.

The food was hit or miss. While we enjoyed the Provolone Carrozza ($8) of hand-rolled Italian-style cheese sticks and served with marinara sauce (pictured below) and the side of Roasted Carrots, the Wedding Soup ($4.50/cup) and Bruschetta Trio ($8) with marinated tomatoes, artichoke and roasted peppers, and smoked eggplant and ricotta left a lot to be desired.

Then we popped into their gift shop, The Marketplace, where we picked up a candle and ornament to commemorate our trip. Their home goods, particularly the holiday décor, were right up my alley and I could have walked out of there with a lot more!

The winery is open for public tours three times a day on Saturdays only, but you can upgrade your experience by purchasing tickets to the private tour that ends with four wine and small bites pairings (which we did).

Our last adventure for the day was dinner at The Bistro, their upscale, rustic Italian restaurant in the historic renovated barn on the property. Luckily, after 4PM they are currently provided a shuttle service around the property.

It was beautifully decorated for the holidays.

The meal started and ended a little rough. It was a busy Saturday night in December, so I'm really understanding and can be patient, but service was just atrocious. We sat, and sat, and sat without being acknowledged or provided menus or offered drinks, and it didn't get much better from there. Also, never any apology offered, which can go a long way in making things right.

We then had a wonderful Meatballs Arrabiata ($9) appetizer with soft polenta, whipped ricotta, and spicy, sliced peppers smothered in marinara, so I had high hopes for the food. But, sadly, our entrees were only average at best.

Mr. H had the Miele Maiale ($28) of a Grilled Pork Chop, Fingerling Potatoes, Arugula, Wild Mushroom Medley, Cherry Tomatoes, and Caramel Apple Pancetta Sauce. While his was better than mine, it still was nothing memorable. I ordered the special, a Lobster, Mussels, and Roasted (ummm, looks steamed to me) Broccoli over Saffron Risotto. Zero flavor, zero. The risotto was also super watery. I should have stuck with one of the pasta dishes as I had originally planned before hearing the specials.

We packed up the rest of our bottle of wine and headed back to the room.

Luckily, the stay ended on a real high note when I treated myself to a massage by the fireplace in our room (yay for spa services that come to you!) while Mr. H settled in with a great cup of pour-over coffee at The Still House. The Still House is a coffee house by day and cocktail bar by night. We had also enjoyed a flight of wine and a cocktail there the night before, and they often have live music.

For us, the food was lacking and didn't live up to the rest of the experience on property. But overall, it was a wonderful stay and we kept busy with all of the activities on-site. I would head there again in a heartbeat.

Gervasi Vineyards
1700 55th Street NE
Canton, OH 44721
330-497-1000

Weekend Bites: Anniversary Edition

Well, it's Friday, but I'm still going to fill you in on our past weekend because it was a good one! Mr. H and I celebrated our five-year wedding anniversary, and there was no shortage of celebratory moments.

On Friday evening (our actual anniversary), I surprised him by picking up Salted Caramel cupcakes (our wedding cake) from A Cookie and a Cupcake in Tremont. I topped them with our original cake topper (a joke about how he made me wait almost 8 years before we "finally" married). And I arrived home to a surprise of my own, a floral arrangement made to mimic my wedding bouquet from Urban Orchid. Mr. H is incredibly thoughtful. I'll keep him.

Then we headed out the door to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for their new Wild Winter Lights event.

Not only is the zoo the site of our "first date" in Cleveland the first weekend I visited him from NY...

...but we also got engaged there. So it's a special place for us, and this new event was a perfect way to celebrate. The lights were beautiful, there were a lot of activities, and the weather was great that evening.

However, we were ready to warm up and fill our bellies after walking around outside. So we headed to Urban Farmer Cleveland in downtown. We hosted our rehearsal dinner there five years ago, and that experience is still one of my favorite moments of the wedding weekend.

Any meal at Urban Farmer must start with their signature Cornbread cooked in a tin can. It's some of the best I've had.

We also shared their Calamari before Mr. H enjoyed their Trout and I dove into a 21-day dry-aged Filet with tallow butter and blue cheese. It was a really lovely meal.

The celebrating wasn't over, and we jumped in the car the next morning to head to Gervasi Vineyard in Canton. More on that later!

After a wonderful night away, it was great to get back home and have Mr. H back in the kitchen whipping up amazing meals like these Pork Chops from Saucisson and a roasted butternut squash, brussels sprouts, pecans, and dried cherries mix that makes a great side dish for these colder months.

Having an anniversary smack in the middle of holiday season can sometimes feel overwhelming or not ideal, but I always appreciate taking the time to slow down and focus on celebrating with each other. This year was special--- our first big milestone, so we did it up!

New Year's Eve Events in Cleveland

The holidays are rushing in this year, and New Year's Eve will be here before we know it. The end of a decade.

If you're still looking for something to do in the Greater Cleveland area, here are some restaurant events to choose from.

Sawyer's Restaurant (Van Aken District, Shaker Heights)
Six-course ($90) or Eleven-course ($150) Tasting Menu
Featuring celebratory + aphrodisiac classics including wagyu, oysters, lobster, caviar, truffles, + ‘sexy pasta’ (vegan option available). Complimentary champagne sabering at midnight. Reservations starting at 5PM.

Table 45 (Cleveland)
Four-course Prix Fixe Dinner ($75)
Upgrade your experience and stay overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel Cleveland.

Flying Fig (Ohio City)
Party Like It's 1999 ($150)
Join the Flying Fig to celebrate 20 years of service with an eight-course tasting menu of popular dishes of the past. Live music, champagne toast, and gratuity included.

The Black Pig (Ohio City)
Special à la carte menu offered for that evening only.

100th Bomb Group (Cleveland)
Roaring 20s Party: $80 per person / $90 at the door
To celebrate the holiday, 100th Bomb Group is throwing a Roaring 20s NYE party from 8PM to 1AM featuring: Live DJ Gary Pearl, Hor d’Oeuvres, Grand Dinner Buffet, Open Bar, and Balloon Drop. $300 package includes 2 tickets plus one-night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Lago East Bank (Downtown)
7th Annual New Year's Eve Cirque du Soirée: The Greatest Show ($150 - $300)
Lavish food, drinks, entertainment and dancing including: Dynamic Carving Stations, Show Stopping Antipasti, Mouth Watering Seafood Display, Delicious Hot Buffet, Luscious Dessert Display, Premium Bar, and Champagne Toast at Midnight. Late night admission or VIP Package with hotel stay available.


How will you be ringing in the New Year? You can catch Mr. H and I at The Black Pig, per tradition. If you're aware of other great events happening around town, leave them in the comments.

Don't forget to help me with my blog's "New Year's resolution" of the To Dine Challenge! Submit your restaurant suggestions for places I should dine in 2020, and I'll publish the final list of 10 on January 1st.