8 September 2012

8 September 2012

Today we visited Cleveland's Little Italy, which makes the New York City offering look pathetic.  Cleveland ROCKS!!!  I find people who ridicule Cleveland have never been here.  These ignorant individuals, for what other word can one use to describe someone why mocks that about which they have no experience, know nothing of the art museum, the Case Western Reserve Historical Society, Case Western Reserve University, University Circle, he natural history museum, the Great Lakes Science Center, the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland was the first place where the term "rock and roll" was heard, used by a local disc jockey), and the rich culinary heritage that is Cleveland.  Cleveland, like Youngstown and Pittsburgh was settler by many people seeking to escape WWII.  The steel mills provided good paying jobs and didn't require a command of the English language.  They wanted their children to be educated American, and stressed education.  They also brought their food with them, giving this area one of the most rich culinary heritages in the country.  Local grocery stores carry in their deli items found in NJ only in specialty stores, and generally lacking flavor, perhaps because the NJ chefs omit the spice "love." 

First stop was Corbo's Bakery, a Cleveland tradition.
 

We stocked up on bread, cookies, pizzelles, and Buckeyes, something found only in Ohio.  Then, it was across the street to Presti's Bakery, another Cleveland landmark.

 

More cookies, and see those sticky buns on the right?  Only $1.50/roll.  More bread, cookies, cavetelli from the bakery, and pizza.  The pizza in this area of the country can't be beat.  I haven't had a good pizza since moving to the Godforsaken state.  It' hard to be enthused about a state lacking God and good food.

After Little Italy, the next stop was the Hard Rock Cafe to replace my worn CLEVELAND shirt.  On the way, we passed Jacob' Field (AKA Progressive Field), Home to the Cleveland Indians, the major minor league team!!!  Unfortunately, they were out of town this week-end.

 

Took the second picture as we were leaving, but you can see the stadium and Terminal Tower, where "A Christmas Story" was filmed.  Higbee's Department Store used to be there.  Peregrine falcons have a roost at the top, with a live falcon cam.

Picked up a shirt at the Hard Rock Cafe, one of the besst in the chain (the NYC one is the worst).

Lola is Micheal Symon's restaurant.  Didn't make it there this trip, but a WONDERFUL restaurant, and better than anything I'e had in NYC.

From Cleveland, we traveled south (unlike NJ, trips requiring more than 10 minutes do NOT require 3 weeks of planning and an overnight bag) to The Amish Door.

Broasted chicken....  Tempting as the buffet was, I knew I couldn't eat enough to make it worthwhile.  A visit to the bakery added whoopie pies, cookies, and some other treats to our growing food stash.

 Then it was off to  Kaufmann's Bakery (whoopie pies and pumpkin roll) and Heini Cheese for cheese curds, a delicacy unknown in the uncivilized NJ.

And, of course the busloads of tourist who come... a bane and a blessing...

 Ohio has the country's largest Amish population, most of whom reside in Holmes County.

Ended the day with 4 pizzas to take home from Wedgewood Pizza, the BEST pizza in the world. The entire back of the jeep is full of food.  Dinner was at a place called Charley's, which served pigs in the blanket (a totally different food in OH... not those disgusting mini hotdogs wrapped in dough).

On to the next place... if NJ had good food, i wouldn't have to make these grocery trips home.
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