I'm really excited about this post, and I would really appreciate your feedback, particularly if you live in the Cleveland area.
PIZZA CHALLENGE!!! I luuuuuurve pizza. Its hard to believe, but growing up in India, pizza was very difficult to find, at least until the late 80s. I was a deprived child. Needless to say, I've made up for it over the past 12 years. I'm on a mission to find the best pizza in Cleveland. N and I have tried many, many pizza places, and here's the ranking I've come up with. Keep in mind, N and I have different pizza tastes, and my ranking order has no reflection on his views (he made me write this disclaimer).
1. Sunnyside Pizza at Bar Cento
2. Panini's on W 6th (N strongly disagrees with this one)
3. Angelo's in Lakewood
4. Edison's in Tremont (they have a parmesan crust, and the pies are served with honey on the side. Sounds wierd, but trust me, its fantastic!)
5. Papa Nick's Pizza on Clifton and W 116th-ish
6. Guys Pizza
7. Alesci's downtown on Huron
8. Big Guy's Pizza
9. Geppetto's
10. Rascal House
So here's where you come in. I'm looking for your opinions on the best pizza in Cleveland. Feel free to disagree with my choices; pizza is a very personal choice, and I wll not be offended if you disagree with mine : ). Please leave me your opinions even if you don't live in Cleveland; I hope to visit you soon and compare your favorites to mine.
Here are the only two criteria:
(a) The pizza place cannot be a national chain (no Donato's, Papa John's etc)
(b) Pizza must be the primary food served (so even though I enjoy Lolita's pizza, I don't consider it a "pizza place")
Let the pizza wars begin!!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Exploring the Neighborhood: Flower Child
So when we moved from Tremont to the almost-Lakewood area, I was concerned about the lack of boutiques within walking distance of our new home. I shouldn't have been concerned. Last week, I stopped by Flower Child, a supercute vintage store on Clifton Blvd and W 115th. While I'm a big fan of vintage, I usually don't like vintage stores: they tend to be dusty, and they make me feel like I'm covered in dust and need to go home and shower right away. Flower Child isn't like that, although there is a LOT of stuff, that can be overwhelming if you're the type of person that gets overwhelmed by too many choices. When I say "a lot", I mean A LOT! Seriously, it doesn't look very large from the street-level, but there's a whole basement that has probably 10 rooms filled with all kinds of stuff. I couldn't figure out how its sorted, but in all honesty, I was so amazed by the ridiculous variety of stuff that I wasn't paying attention to how it was organized.
Things of note:
Insane jewelry collection
Lots of furniture and kitchen collectibles
Large record collection (its in two spots; on the wall and also in one large corner of the basement)
Vintage purses and shoes
There is quite a bit of men's and women's clothing, but its important to remember that this is a vintage store, not a thrift store, so the prices are vintage-y not thrift-y. That said, I thought prices in general were pretty reasonable.
While I was there, I picked up a gift for Hartzell, who celebrated his 30th birthday this week. I think Hartzell is single-handedly trying to bring back the 80s, so I got him the Extended Club Mix of "We Built This City" by Starship.
Very dark and slightly grainy picture of the birthday boy with his record. Sorry, the iPhone doesn't have flash.
So if you're in the Lakewood area, and are looking to kill a few hours, you should definitely consider exploring Flower Child. You never know what gems you might find!
Things of note:
Insane jewelry collection
Lots of furniture and kitchen collectibles
Large record collection (its in two spots; on the wall and also in one large corner of the basement)
Vintage purses and shoes
There is quite a bit of men's and women's clothing, but its important to remember that this is a vintage store, not a thrift store, so the prices are vintage-y not thrift-y. That said, I thought prices in general were pretty reasonable.
While I was there, I picked up a gift for Hartzell, who celebrated his 30th birthday this week. I think Hartzell is single-handedly trying to bring back the 80s, so I got him the Extended Club Mix of "We Built This City" by Starship.
Very dark and slightly grainy picture of the birthday boy with his record. Sorry, the iPhone doesn't have flash.
So if you're in the Lakewood area, and are looking to kill a few hours, you should definitely consider exploring Flower Child. You never know what gems you might find!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
"I believe its jogging or yogging. It might be a soft j"
Wow, I can't believe I've been blogging for almost a month, and this is only my first Anchorman reference.
For anyone who knows me in "real" life, this will not be a surprise: I am accident/injury prone. Let's review some notable injuries over the past few years:
1. Strained my knee skiing down a bunny hill. Actually, I face-planted in the snow, but my boot was stuck in my ski, because I was going, maybe 5 mph! Anyway, the strain was so bad, I had to be transported down the hill in one of those ski cart things by ski patrol.
2. I tore my ACL playing kickball. Yes, kickball. The kind you play in grade school (except not grade school in India. They don't have games like that). Apparently, its a very dangerous sport.
3. The whole plantar fasciitis fiasco.
4. And then there was today: I was jogging with Otto (maybe I was day-dreaming) anyway, I tripped over a giant crack in the sidewalk, and cut both hands open. My DNA is on Lake Ave.
Anyway, this is not a post about my injuries, its a post about a book I've found that helps you prevent running injuries. The book is ChiRunning, by Danny Dreyer, and essentially applies the principles of Chi to running. At this point, you may be going "Huh? What is she drinking?" For the record, its Chateau St. Michelle Chardonnay, but hear me out. The book focuses on posture and relaxation, and using the force of gravity to make running less of a drag. I asked a personal trainer at the gym to read the book and help me with it, to make sure I was doing it right. It really works! Seriously, I used to HATE running, but now, I don't hate it as much, and I end my runs with no aches and pains, not even from my plantar fasciitis. If you're considering running, I strongly recommend picking up this book. If you don't want to buy it, borrow it from the Library (you may not have been in one since college, but now's as good a time as any, and books at the Library are free!). Who knows, maybe you will have the same experience I've had, and actually enjoy running! Its worth a shot!
For anyone who knows me in "real" life, this will not be a surprise: I am accident/injury prone. Let's review some notable injuries over the past few years:
1. Strained my knee skiing down a bunny hill. Actually, I face-planted in the snow, but my boot was stuck in my ski, because I was going, maybe 5 mph! Anyway, the strain was so bad, I had to be transported down the hill in one of those ski cart things by ski patrol.
2. I tore my ACL playing kickball. Yes, kickball. The kind you play in grade school (except not grade school in India. They don't have games like that). Apparently, its a very dangerous sport.
3. The whole plantar fasciitis fiasco.
4. And then there was today: I was jogging with Otto (maybe I was day-dreaming) anyway, I tripped over a giant crack in the sidewalk, and cut both hands open. My DNA is on Lake Ave.
Anyway, this is not a post about my injuries, its a post about a book I've found that helps you prevent running injuries. The book is ChiRunning, by Danny Dreyer, and essentially applies the principles of Chi to running. At this point, you may be going "Huh? What is she drinking?" For the record, its Chateau St. Michelle Chardonnay, but hear me out. The book focuses on posture and relaxation, and using the force of gravity to make running less of a drag. I asked a personal trainer at the gym to read the book and help me with it, to make sure I was doing it right. It really works! Seriously, I used to HATE running, but now, I don't hate it as much, and I end my runs with no aches and pains, not even from my plantar fasciitis. If you're considering running, I strongly recommend picking up this book. If you don't want to buy it, borrow it from the Library (you may not have been in one since college, but now's as good a time as any, and books at the Library are free!). Who knows, maybe you will have the same experience I've had, and actually enjoy running! Its worth a shot!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
I could almost be a farmer. Almost.
So, as I mentioned on Sunday, today was the Tremont Farmer's Market. The bad news is that I didn't get there until after 6, by which time some of the stalls had run out of stuff, but the good news is that I did get at least part of what I was looking for! Let's take a look at a photographic documentary of my evening:
Inspired by the farmer's market, I decide that its time for me to go home and take care of my own garden.
I can't wait for all my veggies to grow!! I almost have all the ingredients to make caprese salad fresh from my own garden!!!!!
If you missed the Tremont Farmers Market, its back again next Tuesday, from 4-7.
Yay! Look at all the tents! There was a folk-sy live band playing too!
Another look at the stalls, specifically the candy stall on the left (in red) and the spice stall on the right. This spice stall is AMAZING! He has a ridiculous number of exotic spices, for $1 each!
Otto loves the Tremont Farmers Market. Its a puppy party!!!
I picked up 4 basil plants ($ 3 each) for my new planters (thanks Jess and DBB!) Otto is very curious about these smelly green things, that's his head on the right.
Step 1. Transplant $1 tomato seedlings to Topsy Turvy. The seedlings are the green thread-like things that you can barely see.
The Topsy Turvy. Ready to sprout tomatoes. Its ridiculously heavy!
Step 2: Convert this.....
... to this!
Carefully transplant basil...
Get curious puppy away from basil, and water the new transplants.
If you missed the Tremont Farmers Market, its back again next Tuesday, from 4-7.
Monday, May 3, 2010
For the love of shoes
As you know, I luuuuuuurrrve shoes. What I haven't told you yet is that I have a really hard time buying shoes. I have ridiculously sensitive feet. Except for sneakers, every single piece of footwear has given me blisters, at least the first time I've worn them. My mom has the same problem; we've just accepted it as the price we must pay for our shoe-love.
Then, last year, I developed plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is the straining/tearing of the ligament that supports the arch of your foot that results in severe heel pain. IT SUCKS!!! There is no real cure; its the usual ice, rest, stretching, massage routine. Most of all, its important to be kind to your feet, mainly by wearing supportive shoes. And that my friends, is my big problem. My plantar fasciitis is a lot better than it used to be, but is by no means "gone". Its mostly my own fault; I just can't bring myself to buy or wear ugly orthopedic shoes! I mean, seriously, I'm in my(late) 20s! I just can't do it!!!! In the winter, I wore boots, which really helped, but the summer brings cute but flimsy sandals, flip flops, and flats, ALL of which are TERRIBLE for my feet. So, last week, I spent some time looking for a supportive but cute shoe that I could wear this summer while I walk around sunny Cleveland.
Look at these beauties!
The Keds Rapture Boat Shoe. $45 at zappos.com.
These shoes are super comfortable and supportive, but most of all, SO CUTE!!
On a completely unrelated note, I took Otto for a walk this afternoon; look at the fantastic view of downtown Cleveland!
Then, last year, I developed plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is the straining/tearing of the ligament that supports the arch of your foot that results in severe heel pain. IT SUCKS!!! There is no real cure; its the usual ice, rest, stretching, massage routine. Most of all, its important to be kind to your feet, mainly by wearing supportive shoes. And that my friends, is my big problem. My plantar fasciitis is a lot better than it used to be, but is by no means "gone". Its mostly my own fault; I just can't bring myself to buy or wear ugly orthopedic shoes! I mean, seriously, I'm in my
Look at these beauties!
These shoes are super comfortable and supportive, but most of all, SO CUTE!!
On a completely unrelated note, I took Otto for a walk this afternoon; look at the fantastic view of downtown Cleveland!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Straight from the farm
Starting this Tuesday, May 4th, one of my favorite summer events returns: The Tremont Farmers Market. From next week until the end of October, I will have a GREAT excuse to skip grocery shopping on the weekend! The market offers the usual suspects: fresh produce from local farms, including one stand that features produce grown at one of Tremont's public schools. The bakery selection is amazing, and you can even buy locally produced meat; the meat stand is Otto's favorite, especially when I pre-order doggie-bones for him! For those looking to start a garden, you can buy seedlings to transport into your own garden or planters; I will be in the market for some basil and mint. There's also this amazing "spice guy" that sells this spice rub that I'm completely obsessed with; I wish I remembered the name, but I will know it when I see it. Otto and I will be visiting on Tuesday after work, and will probably take a detour to The Flying Monkey or Bistro on Lincoln Park for a drink. Hope to see you there!
The Tremont Farmers Market is located in Lincoln Park on West 14th, between Starkweather and Kenilworth.
The Tremont Farmers Market is located in Lincoln Park on West 14th, between Starkweather and Kenilworth.
Gardening for dummies update
HA! Guess I'm not so horticulturally challenged after all! Look at my $1 tomatoes! The herbs however, haven't sprouted yet. I'm hoping its because I planted them a couple of days after the tomatoes and because they have longer germination times. hmmmmm.
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