Cleveland on a Plate

For Real.

I felt like an ace last week when this scheduled post was published…without my actually writing it. Go, Kim!

So I’m going to write it now and try not to be super embarrassed at my bonehead mistake.

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While in Cleveland last month, I tried to hit as many local coffee shops as I could and the weather was so awful that I ordered hot beverages all week. I stopped at Black Key in Avon, Rising Star in the Van Aken District, and Trust in Bay Village. Delicious mochas, all.

These stops for coffee had the added benefit of letting me take a breath and compose my thoughts while seeing old friends and old haunts.

My cousin, Ryan, is a tea drinker, but he gave me a little space on his counter for my coffee station in the mornings.

We had a Cinco de Mayo feast with all the fixins.

I met a friend at Pierogies of Cleveland. This place ships pierogies, so I highly recommend ordering if you need a fix or want to try something better than Mrs. T.’s.

We stopped at Heinen’s, the “fancy” grocery store where my mom shopped at Christmas and New Year’s. (I wrote about Heinen’s here.)

They still have ingredients I can’t find anywhere else and they still take groceries out to your car using those numbered cards.

Ryan and I stopped for burgers while we were driving around town. Action shot!

I passed Blackbird Baking Company in Lakewood and had no choice but to make a U-turn. I ate the orange shortie immediately, but saved the raspberry jammer for coffee the next morning.

On my last morning, Ryan made me a delicious farewell breakfast, even using his flattop grill for hash browns since we were in between raindrops.

I already have a list of things to do and see for my next trip back home. And this trip inspired me to take some time and discover some new places here in Naples, which I’ll write about next time.

Thanks again for reading! I care about you, please don’t forget to eat your greens.