Chase the Flavor Virtual Cooking Events

The pandemic has forced many businesses and local talent to pivot how they work, and one very cool new series that I think you'll enjoy is Chase the Flavor.

These live cooking classes on Zoom are coordinated by Cleveland-area event planner, Amy Pappas, and feature some of Northeast Ohio's most well-known chefs. Chase the Flavor offers donation-based classes with area chefs, step-by-step instruction, and a chance to virtually socialize—all from the comfort of home. The chefs choose the meals and a charity they want to support (ticket prices go directly to that charity). Participants sign up for the class, and are given the recipe in advance. You'll buy the ingredients either independently or as a kit from the host chef and then you're ready to go for the event.

Cook alongside local chefs like Rocco Whalen, Brandon Chrostowski, Karen Small, and many more.

Follow Chase the Flavor on Facebook for updates and class information, and here is the next opportunity to participate: Thursday, Nov. 19: Doug Katz of Zhug and Andy Peay of Peay Vineyards

Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. Moves and Opens Second Location

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know we're big fans of Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. in our neighborhood. Well, they've had some big changes recently that I wanted to share with you.

First, they moved their Old Brooklyn retail location off of Pearl Road and opened up in the same building as their production facility on Broadview Road. 

The retail space in the shop is a little smaller, but you'll still find all of your favorite cheese and charcuterie board accoutrements and familiar local products. Try their award-winning mustard!

And, of course, the quality cheeses you've grown to expect.

They are still offering a small menu of Sandwiches, and have brought back the Snack Cones ($6).

The second piece of big news is that another retail location has opened up on the east side. You can now find Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. in the Van Aken Market Hall in Shaker Heights. Don't snooze on this gem if you live on that side of town and haven't visited their west side location before!

Finally, if you're limiting your errands and don't want to stop in to the physical locations, you can order and schedule delivery through Mercato if you fall within their service area.

Our small businesses need us more than ever. Shop local whenever you can, and it's great that Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. now has more than one option to do so. 

Old Brooklyn Cheese Co.

4464 Broadview Road

Cleveland, OH 44109 

(216)860-4000

3441 Tuttle Road, Suite 101

Shaker Heights, OH 44122

Leavened Opens in Tremont

If you haven't heard yet, the head baker at On the Rise in Cleveland Heights, Ian Herrington, has left to open his own thing, Leavened, on the ground floor of The Tappan in Tremont. Nestled in the modern and sleek residential building, this spacious bakery is a stunner.

Besides the literal wall of bread that greets you from behind the counter, you'll also find tempting sweet and savory pastries.

It was hard not to just order one of everything!

In addition to two regular croissants (so freakin' good!) to save for the following days, we couldn't resist the Duxelle Croissant ($3.75) made with locally foraged maitake mushrooms that was a special that day. Buttery, decadent and a pop of umami in your mouth.

We also split a Citrus Cinnamon Bun ($4) that morning that was pure perfection.

The next day we shared another special, the Pepperoni Roll ($4.50) that Mr. H still won't shut up about. I hope it becomes a regular menu item, because it deserves to be. 

Lastly, a loaf of Sourdough ($6.50) lasted us for days of breakfast and this Brie, Prosciutto, and Peach Jam Grilled Cheese that I made for us.

They are also currently offering two sandwiches daily, with plans to add soups and more in the future. Open 6:30AM - 2PM for now, but will expand its hours at a later date. There is street parking available. Masks required, limited number of people allowed in at a time, plexiglass dividers, and distance signs posted, so we felt very safe with the COVID-19 precautions in place there.

Run, don't walk, to this new bakery.

Leavened

1633 Auburn Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44113

Warren's Spirited Kitchen

As we head into the last couple of months of the year and I scurry to try and complete my 2020 To Dine Challenge list by December 31st, we have to take a brief trip back in time. Pre-COVID. It feels like a lifetime ago. But right before Mr. H and I headed out of the country with my family (and returned on March 13th to a very different world in the United States than when we left), he had taken me out for a birthday celebration at Warren's Spirited Kitchen in Burton.

I've had difficulty writing this post, because of course for a long time life was put on hold and everything was so heavy. Some days, it feels like not much has changed since March. But, this was a positive dining experience that I felt was worth shining a light on in these crazy times. 

It was a freezing cold night at the end of February, but we cozied up by the fireplace and settled in with excitement in trying a new place.

We relied on our server to suggest popular menu items. First up was an order of the Confit Chicken Wings ($13) with 24-hour cured and 12-hour confit slow cooked wings with a choice of maple BBQ, lemon garlic, hot, habanero, Thai ginger, house kc style BBQ or chipotle lime dry rub (our choice). They fell right off the bone, just like the famous ones from The Greenhouse Tavern.

I had their Fish Special with Poblano lime hollandaise, asparagus, and potatoes. Simple, but prepared well. 

Mr. H went for their famous Nashville Hot Chicken & Funnel Cake ($16) that was a brined and breaded boneless thigh, signature hot sauce, marinated kale salad, funnel cake, maple syrup and powdered sugar. Too sweet for my taste, but he enjoyed it and it's a fun play on Chicken & Waffles.

Overall, the food exceeded my expectations and the atmosphere was casual but really pleasant with live music, fresh flowers, and a fireplace. While you'll find higher quality food and service in many of Cleveland's restaurants, this charming spot could definitely hang and it's a real gem in this rural area. 

Thanks for letting me flash back to a simpler time in 2020. I felt it was finally time to go back and give this restaurant the credit it deserves. 

Warren's Spirited Kitchen

14614 E. Park Street

Burton, OH 44021

(440) 273-8100

Ohio Pie Co.

 I'd heard nothing but rave reviews of the pizza at Ohio Pie Company in Brunswick...

...but we hadn't gotten out that way until this past weekend when we wanted to try one of their Brunch Pies. All brunch pies come with the signature “everything” crust and a cream cheese-based white sauce (Party Sauce) before being topped with a cheese blend, scrambled eggs, and garlic oil. You had me at everything-seasoning crust.

We ordered a Medium ($16.50) of The Bodega with bacon, egg, and cheese.

It was cheesy, crispy, salty, and oh so good.

But since we don't get out that way often, we also wanted to head home with a Medium ($15) of The Heart of It All with pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushroom, onion, and green pepper (a.k.a a deluxe). As good as the brunch pie was, this one was my favorite.

All of their pies are cut into square slices, and the cheese goes right up to the edge so you have incredible crispy edges. I'm not sure what "trademark Ohio Style sweet sauce" is, but it was darn tasty.

I'm very critical of pizza in Ohio (one this I miss about NY), and still haven't found "my" favorite yet. But this was top 3 of traditional takeout pizza spots we've tried. Suddenly, that drive to Brunswick doesn't seem so far.

Ohio Pie Company

1315 1/2 Pearl Road

Brunswick, OH 44212

(330) 741-4117