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!!

Winter Skin Survival

A few years ago, I did a little feature on beauty tips on Fox 8.

But since that was over a year ago, I feel like I'm due for an update. Here's what I'm using the winter to keep my skin soft and hydrated:

From left to right:
Julep Mint Condition pedi creme: I walk around barefoot. Which is so terrible in the winter, but its what I do. This smells delightful, and works wonderfully for daily wear. I usually put it on before bed and before workouts-- I once read that the heat from a workout helps the lotion get absorbed into your feet. I'm not sure its actually true, but it certainly doesn't hurt! *cruelty free
Lush Sympathy for The Skin: I do not say this lightly-- this is THE BEST body lotion ever. It smells like vanilla (you can see the flecks) and dessert, and it leaves your skin ridiculously soft. I've even gotten comments on how soft my skin feels. Even better: this product is vegan and not tested on animals! *cruelty free
Clinique Chubby Stick Baby Tint: This stuff spells sweet relief for my dry lips, and enhances the natural color of my lips. It looks different on every person, adapting to your own lip color. *animal testing language vague.
Swell Skin Miraculous Multi-tasker: This sea buckthorn oil is magical. Keeps my skin clear and hydrated, wrinkle-free, and also helps with accidental flat-iron burns. This smells a little "earthy" and is made locally, and is not tested on animals. *cruelty free

So there you have it-- my winter skin rescue arsenal. What are some of the beauty products that you're loving this season?

Listening Now: Sun Goes Down

I just keep reminding myself that it WILL eventually get warmer….



 In the meantime, here's something to mentally take you to warmer climes.

Friday Night Fave: Harness Cycle + Jukebox

This past Friday was Galentine's Day-- a day popularized by none other than Leslie Knope on Park and Recreation. As a Parks and Rec and general Amy Poehler fan, naturally I was game to get behind a Galentine's Day celebration, so when I received the email from Harness Cycle about their Galentine's ride-- my bike bestie Sara and I jumped at the chance. The studio was a sea of red and pink, girl power thick in the air.

After a sweaty 45 minutes, Sara and I headed over next door to JUKEBOX for some drinks and pierogies. We split the Mac-n-Cheese and vegan Buffalo chickpea pierogies, and we so blown away by the buffalo chickpea that we promptly ordered a second round! JUKEBOX is quickly becoming one of my favorite bars in Cleveland-- super low-key with the nicest people-- a true neighborhood bar, made even better when you're with people you love and enjoy!

Even though Galentine's Day only comes about once a year, Harness hosts a happy hour ride each Friday. I highly recommend spending a Friday evening with a friend (or significant other) riding bikes and getting drinks next door! Who knows, maybe I will even see you there!

Cleveland Eats: Choolah

It is a well-know fact that I have impossibly high standards for Indian food. Having grown up in Mumbai, once gets used to a certain standard, and until lately, Cleveland has fallen woefully short. If the food is good, then the decor is awful (read: everything is covered in plastic), and if the decor is acceptable, then the food is all wrong.

I have 2 basic standards of judgement*: chicken tikka and naan. Chicken tikka should be juicy, served simply on a plate, with a size of green chutney, red onion and lime. Naan should be flaky, have air bubbles, and should be buttered at request so it comes out all glossy and buttery. If you've got these 2 pieces right, then you've got a great thing going. And at most places in Cleveland, at least one of two things go wrong.

I say this all as a preface to say that when I stepped into Choolah this past weekend, I had very low expectations. And I'm happy to say that I was blown away. Now, the thing about Choolah is that is focuses on Indian BBQ (in clay ovens called a tandoor), so its not a full Indian menu, but they do the tandoori food very well.

I ordered the Chicken tikka masala bowl-- the chicken tikka is served on a bed of rice, with the "masala" on the side. Also included is a side of green chutney, which is very nicely spiced but not spicy. I ordered a naan on the side as well as an order of samosas. I LOVED the chicken tikka - perfectly spiced (contrary to what you might think, tikka's are not really spicy) and juicy, and the masala sauce also had a really nice flavor and texture. The samosas were delicious and served with the same green chutney. I didn't ask for the hot sauce, but it is available on request if you want your food hotter. The only downside was the naan-- butter naan did not appear to be an option, and the naan was really close-- almost there. There was a difference in texture, but it might just be US flour vs. Indian flour. The decor was lovely and light and modern, and the 4 tandoors were up front and center so you could see exactly how your food was cooked!

Overall, a great experience, and one that I will certainly go back for! My only request is that they open a second west-side location because I'm about 45 minutes away, and when an Indian girl needs a fix of Indian food, she needs it to be closer!!! So all you east-siders, I'm officially jealous!!!

P.S. Please bring me some Choolah. Please?!


*Note that this standard only applies to northern Indian food-- I have different standard for South Indian food which I will get to at another time.

Fighting the Sniffles

Ah Cleveland Winter. I thought we were going to get lucky with a mild one, and then last week happened. Its not like you can just stop your normal life and hibernate either. So with the crazy fluctuations in temperature, and needing to be outside, the odds of getting sick are very high.

I currently have some weird throat tickle going on, but I absolutely refuse to come down with anything. So I'm fighting back with a combination of hot water + lemon, and this:

Frankly, I bought this because I love the packaging, but it seems to be working so far. Do you have any home remedies that you swear by?

Obviously, I am not a doctor. Please go see one if you are ill.

New Year, New Post

When 2014 rolled around, I had one goal-- to end the year with a different job than I started it. And I'm happy to report that in June of 2015, I succeeded!! That was also around the time my blog activity died way, way off, but it was worth it. I was getting in the swing of things in my new role, learning a lot, and finding my footing. Fast forward to 6 months later, and I feel really good about where I'm at, career-wise. I'm in a role that challenges me, I'm learning everyday, and I'm having a lot of fun! All said and done, goal achieved!!

So now its 2015, and I really only have two goals:
1. To get back in the swing of blogging: I missed it. I've missed you.

2. To become a spin instructor. And not just a "I'm licensed to teach", I mean a full fledged spin instructor who creates real playlists for other people to ride to. I AM SO INCREDIBLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS, that I absolutely cannot wait to get started. That said, I do have to wait a little bit for a training to be held and get going, so in the mean time, I'm just trying to ride 3x/week. You can usually find me at Harness at 6 am on Tuesday and Thursday, and once on the weekend, so maybe I will see you riding on a bike next to me?

Oh, and one more thing: on January 1st, I started a little series on Instagram called #100daysofsparkle, which is basically me posting pictures of the sparkly jewelry I wear everyday! Yes, it is very rare for me to be sans jewelry (sometimes I wear bracelets to spin), so if you do see me and I'm not wearing any jewelry at all, there is definitely something wrong with me! Anyway, I hope you will check it out-- I'm @cleshopaholic on Instagram as well!

Happy 2015 everyone!! Hope this year is exactly what you want it to be!