Things to Do: Burning River Fest!

Many Clevelanders from past to present can recall the insustainably disgusting event when the Cuyahoga River caught fire in 1969. Since 2001, The Burning River Foundation has put on Burning River Fest- an event where people from Northeast Ohio/Great Lakes Regions can come together to learn about and celebrate a "renewed sense of eco-consciousness". Live music acts from local talents, locally sustainable farms and food vendors from around the area make this event a must go! It's also Christmas in July, so you know what that means- the return of CHRISTMAS ALE! Check out the flyer below and their website for more details!

Indian Delight is Right!

When you're craving Indian, you just gotta get at it! And while the last post gave you a taste of the South, here's some delicious heart-of-it-all Mumbai cuisine for those of you who wear your heart on your tummy! I went out to Indian Delight for lunch. It's located in one of my favorite areas for up and coming eateries, Battery Park/Detroit Shoreway. I was looking for somewhere to take a work colleague who is from Mumbai out to lunch and happened upon their website. Their menu featured my favorite Mumbai street specialty (and really all around favorite Indian food)- Pani Puri. Please get to know that name and look for it wherever Indian food is served because once you've tasted what Indians call "street food" your belly will be aching with desire from this magnificent delicatessen. When we got in, the place was slow for lunch, but the owner said that business was slowly picking up. Aside from the lack of patrons, the place was bustling with tantalizing aromas, so I grabbed a plate and headed straight for the buffet! I'm not much of a buffet girl since I'm trying to watch my figure (ha!), but the food looked irresistible. Tandoori Chicken, Lamb Masala, Curries of all Kind along with Basmati rice, fresh out-of-the-oven Naan you name it! It was a feast! My colleague said the food was even better than some places in Mumbai- a true compliment to the chef! Service was good and the clean atmosphere and authentic music made the experience of gorging oneself a little more attractive. I will definitely be back for the lunch buffet, which is served 7 days a week from 11:30-3pm and would like to go for dinner to get a different feel for the restaurant other than "most amazing food coma ever". I highly recommend this restaurant and hope you all get the opportunity to try it! This inexpensive, quaint restaurant boosts a well versed menu for meat lovers and vegetarians alike and it is Halal friendly! A must-eat little Indian Gem right in the Heart of Cleveland!

Indian Buffet featuring Lamb, Chicken Masala & Chicken & Vegetable Curries

Tandoori Chicken & Chicken with Basmati Rice

Naan, Fried Vegetables, Roti Bread

Sauces

Last, but certainly not least, Pani Puri

5507 Detroit Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44102

216.651.4007

#1 Pho Sho!

Number One Pho

3120 Superior Ave E

Cleveland, OH 44114-4343
(216) 781-1176

On these cold fall days we've been having lately, what's better than soup? Pho-tastic noodle soup in delicious beef or chicken broth, filled to the brim of the bowl, steaming hot, accompanied by fresh basil leaves, lime wedges, jalepenos and of course, bean sprouts!!! Ahhh, need I say more?!

Number One Pho, located on Cleveland's east side in its Asian hub, is a Vietnamese restaurant that boasts an amazingly expansive menu with lots to chose from (though mostly meat or fish dishes).

Images via Google Image search

My first dining experience was with a pho-aficionado, so naturally I let her chose a few things off the menu she thought I would be interested in. I narrowed it down to the Chicken Pho in Beef Broth, which was unbelievably divine! She had a beef-stew inspired Pho dish which I believed to be a little more heavy, but just as good. I do have to admit that when I initially glanced at the menu I had no idea what to order. I am not really knowledgeable on Vietnamese cuisine, but even if I had gone alone, the staff is extraordinarily friendly and will help narrow down your options based on what you like! The service was great- fast, attentive and polite, the atmosphere- relaxing, good ambiance, and the prices were unbeatable- I got two meals out of my $10 tab, tip included!

Definitely a goer for a first date, a lunch with mom or a great way to warm up on a cold day!

Pho-netics: {pho bo= beef} {pho ga= chicken}

Dog Eat Dog World

This past Friday I went to Happy Dog. It's located in the Gordon Square Arts District (the cutesy up-and-coming neighborhood located between Ohio City and Lakewood along the Shoreway). I had driven past Happy Dog many of times, but just figured it was a hole in the wall bar with nothing but booze and bar nuts. Boy was I wrong! Called Happy Dog because of it's signature item- hot dogs, this place boasts one hell of a doggone menu!

When you enter, there's stage to your right, booths along your left and round tables scattered about. Although seating is limited at the booths and tables, Happy Dog has a gorgeous hardwood racetrack bar. Happy Hour is from 5-7 M-F on domestic bottles (kinda blah for drink specials), but the they do have a great range of beers on tap to chose from, including indie darlings, Genesee & Pabst. Beers are about $2-4. Can't beat that! But enough about thebeer. Let's talk food!!

I am and have always been obsessed with hot dogs. I love hot dogs. I love things that come on hot dogs. And in my opinion, the more toppings and condiments on my hot dog, the better. Which is why I instantly fell in love with Happy Dog. 50 toppings to chose from on a quarter pound special recipe hot dog or veg-vegan friendly Italian sausage in a poppy seed bun. This American dream is enough to make your eyes tear up with excitement and your tummy shout "hot-dayuum!" I went all out on my first ever Happy Dog experience. My toppings included: Cajun Mayonnaise- Remoulade, Bourbon baked beans, Habanero picked red onions, Bacon spiked southern style greens, smoked gouda cheese, Caribbean coleslaw & Chorizo chili! You can choose between tater-tots or french fries for your feast accompaniment, so in light of middle school cafeteria nostalgia, I chose tater-tots with free sides (there are many to chose from as well) including Black truffle honey mustard, Saffron aioli, Brazilian chimichurri, Marcella's grape jelly and chile sauce and Oaxacan red chile and chocolate mole (my fav!). I should take a moment to say that you can get AS MANY TOPPINGS on your dog and YOU WANT at NO extra price! Hot dogs are only $5 and taters/fries a mere $2.50.

Overall, I give Happy Dog an A++! The friendly, local atmosphere, along with the laid back decor and Friday Polka music gave this place its own unique charm. They have bands play often and I can imagine it's a great place to see some local talent. Just make sure you get there before 9pm because that's when the kitchen closes. Parking can be a little tricky, although they do have their own extremely small parking lot. Best of the best however, is obviously the food. If you can dream it, you can eat it at Happy Dog!

5801 Detroit Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44102-3001

(216) 651-9474