OK.
I have discovered a "Foodie Heaven."
As an East-Sider, I don't get out to Tremont as much as I would like. Since I was out that way today, I took the opportunity to explore some of the shops.
My first stop was Visible Voice Books:
http://www.visiblevoicebooks.com/
This is a FABULOUS little bookstore with an amazingly diverse and appealing collection. If you are out that way, you really MUST stop in. I found a wonderful book today on edible wild plants (for myself) and a magazine about the world's best beers (for my husband...but I'll like it too).
They also have a different artist showing their works each month. I would rate this place as a "must-stop-shop" for holiday gift giving! Food for the eyes (art) and food for the brain (books)!
Now, on to the CHOCOLATE...
I also went, for the first time ever, to Lilly Handmade Chocolates:
http://www.lillytremont.com/
To cut to the chase, I LOVE these chocolates and I LOVE this store.
I'm going to be totally honest here...I am an utter SNOB when it comes to chocolates. I have tasted expensive "gourmet" chocolates by more makers than I can count from locations all over the country and I turn my nose up at most of them. Why? I find that the greatest failing of many of these expensive places is an utter lack of depth of flavor.
I want to eat a chocolate that has such depth of flavor that it evolves in my mouth, the way a fine wine or beer does. I want to taste multiple layers of flavor. Lilly's Handmade is one of only three places I can count right now that delivers this kind of rich flavor experience.
In addition to making amazing chocolate, this shop also provides a fairly wide range of exceptional beers and wines for chocolate pairing or drinking alone. The truffles themselves are displayed next to wines and beers that have been specifically chosen to compliment the flavors of each. You can even mix and match a 4 or 6 pack of beer bottles. Have a question about a beer or wine? You can't stump this owner...at least, I couldn't! She knew exactly how to describe the flavors of each beverage I asked about.
They use fresh ingredients and to boot, they have vegan, dairy free, AND gluten-free options to boot.
Who COULD ask for anything more?
I met a foodie soul mate today with amazing wares, and I'll be going back for more!!!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I'm a gal who loves life!
I am!
My gal-friend has been bugging me forever to start a blog about all the fabulous things I find and enjoy, from food to fun to whatever!
So here it finally is, Lisa...beginning with a recent enjoyable FOOD experience!
I have been hearing about The Flying Fig in Cleveland for quite a while now, but had not had the opportunity to sample their delectable wares until quite recently. The experience stands out in my mind so I think I'd better tell ya about it.
They have a fab happy hour special that runs from 4PM to 7PM Monday through Thursday (though you should note that the kitchen doesn't open till 5PM) and Sunday from 5PM to 10PM.
What's so great about this place? The food, the food, the FOOD! The decor is hip and location convenient (near the West Side Market and Great Lakes Brewery), but the EATS are what will keep me going back for more (and more and more!!)! And another great thing about the Happy Hour specials here: cheapie-cheap prices! (Note that the specials are only good if you sit in the bar area.)
My stalwart companion and I were joined by a gal-pal and hubby and we shared some of the items so we could get to try more.
Drum roll please...and break out your bibs cuz you might start salivating...I am doing this from memory though since not all special items are on the online menu.
Tempura battered green beans with an Asian dipping sauce:
Really fun and flavorful. They were big enough to share between 4 people and a nice variation on the traditional starters.
French fries with aioli dipping sauce: classic and delicious!
Pork Belly sliders with a plum jam and micro greens:
These were the highlight of MY evening. The pork belly was described to me as "bacon, only thicker" and they did not disappoint. The plum jammy sauce was the perfect compliment to the salty, fatty, delight. It wins my official "CRACKTASTIC" award for the evening! Local pork, too!
Burger with blue cheese and bacon:
Wow. Pretty impossible to find a burger better than this---especially for 5 bucks! It was all made from LOCAL beef, blue cheese, and bacon. Yummy!
For dessert...
Warm Molten Chocolate Cake with kahlua syrup, chocolate ganache, and fig ice cream:
This was a real winner...my my my...there are no words to describe the divine combination of flavors in this sweet ending. And the fig ice cream, made in house, was the perfect companion cool companion to this molten piece of heaven.
Supporting one's local economy has never tasted to sweet. Go and eat, my food-snob brothers and sisters!!
My gal-friend has been bugging me forever to start a blog about all the fabulous things I find and enjoy, from food to fun to whatever!
So here it finally is, Lisa...beginning with a recent enjoyable FOOD experience!
I have been hearing about The Flying Fig in Cleveland for quite a while now, but had not had the opportunity to sample their delectable wares until quite recently. The experience stands out in my mind so I think I'd better tell ya about it.
They have a fab happy hour special that runs from 4PM to 7PM Monday through Thursday (though you should note that the kitchen doesn't open till 5PM) and Sunday from 5PM to 10PM.
What's so great about this place? The food, the food, the FOOD! The decor is hip and location convenient (near the West Side Market and Great Lakes Brewery), but the EATS are what will keep me going back for more (and more and more!!)! And another great thing about the Happy Hour specials here: cheapie-cheap prices! (Note that the specials are only good if you sit in the bar area.)
My stalwart companion and I were joined by a gal-pal and hubby and we shared some of the items so we could get to try more.
Drum roll please...and break out your bibs cuz you might start salivating...I am doing this from memory though since not all special items are on the online menu.
Tempura battered green beans with an Asian dipping sauce:
Really fun and flavorful. They were big enough to share between 4 people and a nice variation on the traditional starters.
French fries with aioli dipping sauce: classic and delicious!
Pork Belly sliders with a plum jam and micro greens:
These were the highlight of MY evening. The pork belly was described to me as "bacon, only thicker" and they did not disappoint. The plum jammy sauce was the perfect compliment to the salty, fatty, delight. It wins my official "CRACKTASTIC" award for the evening! Local pork, too!
Burger with blue cheese and bacon:
Wow. Pretty impossible to find a burger better than this---especially for 5 bucks! It was all made from LOCAL beef, blue cheese, and bacon. Yummy!
For dessert...
Warm Molten Chocolate Cake with kahlua syrup, chocolate ganache, and fig ice cream:
This was a real winner...my my my...there are no words to describe the divine combination of flavors in this sweet ending. And the fig ice cream, made in house, was the perfect companion cool companion to this molten piece of heaven.
Supporting one's local economy has never tasted to sweet. Go and eat, my food-snob brothers and sisters!!
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