CLE Eats: Local West

Earlier this week, Nick and I stopped in to check out the Detroit Shoreway's newest addition: Local West. Open just a few days, Local West is so brand spankin' new that it doesn't even have a website yet, but they do have a nice selection of sandwiches.

The old space was a Greek fast-food type restaurant, complete with drive-through. The owners of Local West have transformed the space-- it doesn't even look like it was ever a drive-through type restaurant! Lots of wood and aluminum lend the space a modern feel. There are a few private tables, and one long communal table at the center.

The menu is displayed on the wall (and yes, they offer wine and beer), you order at the counter, and they call your name when your sandwich is ready.

There are about 11 burgers on the menu (cooked to order), 7 sandwich options, and then some chicken options as well as some signature dishes, salads and pita pizzas, and a nice selection of sides. If you're vegetarian, your options include the portabello mushroom sandwich, grilled cheese, the salads, 2 pita pizza options, and perhaps even the portobello burger (although I'm not sure if its meat + portobello? I didn't ask). Pescatarians, you also have the option of a salmon BLT and the signature octopus dish.

Nick and I tried The Roman, and while it took a little bit of time to come out (growing pains-- remember they haven't even been open a week yet!), the sandwich was delicious.

Given the selection and quality of the food, and close proximity to our home, I can see this turning into quite the regular spot for us!!

Shoreway Living: A Fashion + Fabulous Living Giveaway

Hi! Remember last week when I said it was time for me to post more than once a week? Well, this is that week!! And I have a very special event to talk about today-- Aptly titled The Shoreway, 42 brand new luxury apartments are coming to the Detroit Shoreway later this year!!

Take a look at these renderings---

And if that were not all, just LOOK at these AMAZING views of Edgewater Park! That blue thing you see at the bottom of the picture is the walkway that will take you right into the park. And since the Metroparks have taken over the park, it is SO much nicer. There's even a doggy beach!

To celebrate this newest addition to the Detroit Shoreway area, the developer of Shoreway Living, Jesse Grant,  has partnered with Project Runway and local fashion designer Valeria Mayen to celebrate. WITH A KICK-ASS CARNAVAL THEMED PARTY. Let me also point that the World Cup kicks off in Brazil in June, so what incredible timing!!

The event features a full bar, dancing, and of course, a fashion show. Details of the event are as follows:

Date: Saturday, June 7, 2014

Time: 7pm - 2am 

Location: The Shoreway, 1200 West 76th 

Ticket price: $30 - $50. Tickets available here

Now a number of these tickets are sold out, but you have the opportunity to win TWO general admission tickets right here. Here's how you enter:
1. Leave me a comment letting me know what you love about the Detroit Shoreway
2. Tweet: I want to win tickets to the Shoreway Living Carnaval in June via @cleshopaholic http://goo.gl/Gy3gIh

Winners will be announced Friday, May 16th, 2014. Good luck!!

Disclosure: I was approached by Shoreway Living to host this giveaway. Shoreway Living provided the two general admission tickets as well as a ticket for myself. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. 

A happy Friedday at XYZ The Tavern

No, that is not a typo. That is "Friedday" you see up there. And when I tell you what N and I did on Friday, it will make complete sense. N and I usually eat out on Friday nights, and this past Friday, we decided to return to XYZ the Tavern to finally eat a meal there.

Their daily specials are up a blackboard at the back of the restaurant, and they all looked delicious. Somehow, N and I ended up going fried fried fried ALL the way! And although my body probably hated me, my taste buds didn't. I don't have a picture of our Oyster Po-Boy, but here are the pics of the delicious  Broccoli Tempura, recommended by seanski, and the Chicken and Waffles, which is an obvious order for N, every time it appears on a menu.

If I have to sum up the food in one word, it would be OHMYGOD!! Its really really good, and very reasonably priced at $6-$15. Have you been to XYZ the Tavern? What did you get, and what did you think?

XYZ The Tavern

 If you live/work/drive past the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, you may have noticed some activity close to Near West Theatre. Its been going on for some time, and I've been (im)patiently waiting for its completion since last fall. What is it that I'm waiting for? The opening of XYZ the Tavern!!! N and I attended the "soft opening" this past weekend, and here's a sneak peek:

I apologize for the dark picture, but I LOVE the garage doors. They open up to a patio that runs around the side and back of the restaurant. They had a few menu items available to sample, one of which was their chicken and waffles. N deemed them "amazing. Just like my mom makes them", which translates to "I can't wait to eat a real meal there, and of course I'm ordering chicken and waffles".

So here's what the restaurant will look like when it really open (picture courtesy XYZ).

XYZ officially opens on Thursday!!!