Eat*Drink*Cleveland

A hungry girl's adventures in Cleveland and beyond.

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This is the weekend we all get to celebrate our Moms. This year my Mom is being extra sweet and cooking for ME because of my recent surgery - aren't Moms the best?! I'm feeling very spoiled especially since chicken and dumplings are on the menu - I can't wait!! Normally we'll go out somewhere, go to a show, or I'll cook for her.

Here are some of my top picks if you want to take your Mom out to celebrate:
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Get a jump start on the holiday by celebrating with your Mom on Friday. Tonight you can take your Mom on the Grape Escape on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. I've been on these before and they are so much fun, especially with a group. You get 5 wines paired with appetizers and get to ride on the super cute train. All aboard! $55-90 depending on luxury level of seat.

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A Mother's Day themed wine tasting is being held at Whole Foods on Chagrin tonight. It's the best $5 you'll spend! Take you Mom for some wine and then either go out to eat or pick up some tasty food from the store and head home for a fun night in.

Friday, May 11: Mother’s Day Brunch

  • Baked Oatmeal with Strawberries paired with Columbia Crest Chardonnay
  • Stuffed French Toast paired with Block 45 Pinot Noir
  • Citrus Fragranced Rice paired with Rasteau Cotes du Rhone
  • Lemon Raspberry Cake paired with Lindeman Moscato
  • Live Music by Victor Samalot

The store in University Heights also has the wine tasting tonight but they are also having a cupcake decorating class on Saturday. It's only $5 too.

Mom's Day Cupcake Decorating Class
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 
Cafe

Bring your mom, daughter or any special lady who might want to learn cupcake decorating. We’ll show you how to make floral accents out of icing like pansies, roses and more. Just $10 per pair, due at RSVP. 20 person class limit. This is a hands on decorating class so children should be at least 8 years old.

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Brunch is a classic for Mother's Day and one of my favorite meals. This year, you can celebrate with a Latin Flair at Paladar. This weekend is their very first brunch - the prices are reasonable and the menu looks delicious! 


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Another brunch that is sure to please is being served at Flour. The mascarpone stuffed french toast sounds so yummy and their wood burning oven flatbreads rock. I also want to try the olive oil salmon salad with fennel, citrus and watermelon - swoon!

Appetizers and Salads

Whipped Ricotta or Whipped Feta


Wood Burning Oven Flatbread


Market Oysters


Limoncello Granita


Italian Wedding Soup

Chicken Stock, Veal Meatballs,Escarole

Burrata
Grilled Radicchio , Arugula, Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Crispy Calamari
Tomato, Brulee Lemon, Ramps

Romaine Salad
Toasted Bread Crumbs ,Poached Egg, Reggiano, Caesar Dressing

Olive Oil Salmon Salad
Citrus, Shaved Fennel, Olives, Parsley, Watermelon, Radishes

Local Greens
Carrots, Tomato, Radish, Baby Cucumber, Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette
Primi
Tagliatelle
Ragu alla Bolognese

Cavatelli
Pork Ragu, Lucky Penny Goat Cheese, English Peas

Triangular Ravioli
Truffled Ricotta Stuffed, Preserved Lemon,Prosciutto
Brunch
Served with Home Fries, Honey Lemon Yogurt and Granola

Veggie Omelet
Spinach, Mushroom, Caramelized Onions,Smoked Mozzarella

Italian Sausage Omelet
Paul’s Housemade Sausage, Roasted Red Peppers, Fresh Mozzarella

Eggs Benedict Classico
Whole Wheat English Muffin, Ham, Hollandaise

Eggs Benedict Italiano
Whole Wheat English Muffin, Pancetta, Sausage, Hollandaise

Corned Beef Hash
Caramelized Onions , Ramp Pesto ,Pickled Onions
Eggs Your Way
Made-to-Order per Your Specifications

Mascarpone-Stuffed French Toast
Nutella, Ohio Maple Syrup, Melted Strawberries
Brunch from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Dinner from 3:00-8:00 p.m.
Reservations: 216.464.3700
Click here  for more details.

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If your Mom likes wants to feel like a southern belle, head over to SOHO Kitchen & Bar in Ohio City. They are serving brunch from 11-2. My friend Sarah from Cooker Girl did a guest blog for me about her experience there. Hint: she loved it! Read all about it here. She also features some REALLY yummy recipes if you want to cook for your Mom at home. I know my Mom would love her ham asparagus quiche. A box of her cake balls would be a welcome treat, even if you are dining out.
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I don't know about you, but my family loves pancake breakfasts! They will be flipping pancakes in Boston Heights at the Stanford House. Tasty food, great price and a cute location - what's not to love! After breakfast you can do some hiking or biking on the towpath too. I always love to check out the Beaver Marsh.

Celebrate Mother's Day with Pancakes in the Park!
Sunday, May 13
10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Stanford HouseBring your family and friends to our pancake breakfast on the grounds of the beautiful Stanford House in the Village of Boston. Enjoy a wonderful locally-sourced breakfast in the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We'll have naturalist-led hikes on the Stanford Trail, and you may tour the recently renovated Stanford House. 


Fee: $8/adults, $6/children ages 12 and under.  No pre-registration for this event.


Please park at the Boston Mills Ski Resort and take the shuttle to the Stanford House.  No parking is available at the Stanford House.

For questions regarding this event, please contact Marilyn Vernyi, Stanford House Manager, at (330) 697-9675.


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If your Mom is a beer lover, head on over to the International Beer Fest at the IX Center this weekend. Single session tickets are $45 and that will give you 36 tastes of some of the country's finest craft beers. Over 200 breweries will be featured. Local favorite Great Lakes Brewing Co has some special pours on tap including Bourbon Aged Blackout Stout, Engine 20 smoke beer and Cherry Vanilla Edmund Fitzgerald. A newcomer to the local craft beer scene, Cellar Rats Brewery, will be showing off their skills as well as their new POC (Pride of Cleveland) Pilsner. They will have growlers for sale at the show so you can even take home some of your favorites.
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Movie buffs can take their Mom to see The Avengers featuring our very own city of Cleveland. Afterwards go to Aladdin's and taste the very delicious shawarma for yourself. It was a big hit when the movie was being filmed here. It comes rolled in a pita, on a plate of hummus, or on a fresh salad.
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If you are planning on cooking for Mom, you can still get out and enjoy the day. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is offering 1/2 price admission for all Moms on Sunday. They even have some special events that honor all Moms, even the furry and feathered kind:

Mother's Day Activity Schedule
All activities are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted

LocationActivity
Welcome PlazaGet-Close Animal Encounters
Get a close-up view of some of the Zoo's smaller residents and talk one-on-one with Zoo staff.
Women's Health Information & Activities
Stop by the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital and MacDonald Women's Hospital activity area:
- Fun Children’s Activities & Prizes
- Create a Craft
- Take the Children’s Exercise Challenge
- Take the Children’s Nutrition Challenge
- Facepainting & Temporary Tattoos
- Women’s Health Information & Blood Pressure Screenings
- Ride the MedEvac Kiddie Helicopter
- Tour the Rainbow Ambulance
All ZooMeet-the-Keeper Programs
11:30 a.m.- Orangutan, The RainForest, Upper Level
12:30 p.m.- Koalas, Australian Adventure - Gumleaf Hideout
1:30 p.m.- Rhinos, African Savanna - Rhino Viewing Deck
2:30 p.m.- Giraffes, African Savanna - Giraffe Viewing Deck
3:30 p.m.- Kangaroos, Australian Adventure - Wallaby Walkabout
- Each program lasts approximately 15 minutes (subject to change)
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No matter how you decide to celebrate, your Mom will appreciate it. The most important thing about the day, is spending time with your Mom and family. Moms love to be pampered but they love their kids even more! 

You can also try to win your Mom a new Kitchenaid mixer by clicking here thanks to another Ohio Blogger Dear Crissy. Good luck!
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