A Weekend Spent Eating Well in CLE

Wow, so much for being on a "diet". Lucky for me, that was NOT one of my New Year's Resolutions, although I am trying to generally just eat healthier. Didn't particularly accomplish that this weekend, but considering how AMAZING my dinner's were, I don't even care.

Friday night, N and I headed out to Crop to celebrate JV's Birthday!! Also in attendance were Allison, Alexa, Tiff, Tim, and Michelle.  I can't say enough good things about this meal- the food was really really good, and the staff at Crop were so incredibly accommodating and kind- they really took excellent care of us. Along with the libations and laughter flowing freely at the table, it made for an absolutely WONDERFUL evening.

CLE cuties: Tiff, JV and Allison

My amazing figs with goat cheese, and the incredible dessert bonanza they brought out for us to share. The chocolate cake-thing in the very back was DIVINE, and I LUUURRVVEED the waffles and berries. 

Then, Saturday night, N and I went to dinner with Wes and Danielle at Dante in Tremont.  While the decor is not particularly one of my favorites, I absolutely LUUURRRVVEEEE the food. I cannot gush enough about the pasta carbonara (TO. DIE. FOR), which I get absolutely EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. I go there. My favorite part is that you can get tastings of the pasta dishes, which is about a cup of cooked pasta- a perfect serving, and one that doesn't make you feel like you're about to go into a carb coma. A must if you have plans after. Unfortunately, we were all so hungry when we got there, that we did the whole "eyes-bigger-than-stomach" thing, and ordered waaaaayyyy too much. Needless to say, I had some SUPER yummy leftovers the next day!!

I love these little culinary weekends in Cleveland, as much as my jeans don't!! 

What restaurant's are you looking to try in 2012? I know Bite Buff has a pretty awesome list to discover in her "Year of Fun"- which ones would you add? ( I LURVE Marotta's btw- super cute, cozy and incredibly romantic!).