Category: Food

  • Vegan Chocolate Mousse

    Vegan Chocolate Mousse

    Having a dairy allergy in the house means we make sacrifices sometimes. Separate pots of mac and cheese, creamy soups without cream… it’s a travesty. We don’t, however, like to make sacrifices in our desserts if we don’t have to. Which is where this vegan chocolate mousse comes in.

    Although it’s vegan, I challenge you to tell me it’s not delicious. And in the end, it’s probably a little bit healthier too (it certainly has fewer calories!). And the best part is, your vegan chocolate mousse doesn’t have to be chocolate. In fact, for the first version of this that we tried, we whipped up a bright citrusy curd and folded that into the mousse.

    Vegan Chocolate Mousse

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  • The Black Pig

    The Black Pig

    Situated on a corner in the middle of the bustling Ohio City neighborhood, The Black Pig is much more than just an homage to pork.

    Though the brick building itself doesn’t stand out, the inside exudes a sense of comfort and welcoming. Exposed brick walls left me wondering about what history they had seen (sorry, I have a thing for exposed brick in old buildings), while abundant natural light and rustic wood accents added an extra element. All told, it’s a cozy place to settle down for a meal.

    Of course, I couldn’t care less about what it looks like if the food is no good, and on that end, The Black Pig shines. The oft-changing menu offers “European-inspired New American cuisine” slanted toward local and seasonal fare. Although pork is obviously a highlight, you’ll also find other meats and pastas, along with a few veg-friendly options.

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  • The Harp

    The Harp

    Every once in a while, I get a craving for good Irish pub food.

    Somehow, I had never heard of The Harp, an Ohio City institution for years. Named to many local and national “Best Of” lists, The Harp boasts a fantastic Irish-American menu. You’ll find staples like fish and chips and shepherd’s pie, but also more traditional American fare for pickier eaters. One of the highlights is the Boxty Cake – a jumbo potato pancake folded over a variety of fillings. Think a Reuben taco, except the taco shell is a potato pancake.

    As much of a highlight as the menu is the patio overlooking the lake and downtown skyline – it’s absolutely beautiful on a warm afternoon or evening. Toss in some live music and you have yourself a nice summer-in-Cleveland outing.

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  • Two-Ingredient Healthy Homemade Jello

    Two-Ingredient Healthy Homemade Jello

    Every kid loves jello. I remember Jigglers being a big deal when I was a kid.

    Back then, jello was a special dessert treat, and rightly so, because I remember the sugar that we had to add, and that vivid shade of blue definitely didn’t come from anything natural. That was great when I was a kid, but now that I have kids of my own, I certainly don’t want to load them up with garbage. If you want to treat your kids and still feel good about what they’re eating, try this homemade jello instead.

    Healthy Homemade Jello Recipe

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  • M Italian

    Opening in early 2015 in downtown Chagrin Falls, M Italian quickly became one of the more popular spots in town, and our recent visit shows that this is still the case.

    Billing itself as a family-style Italian restaurant, it certainly backs that up. The atmosphere is lively and loud, much like the stereotypical large Italian family get-together at nonna’s (or something like that; sorry, my heritage is German). The interior is a sort of rustic-industrial mashup, with high ceilings and not much color accented by some old wood and an open kitchen (as well as a view into the glass-blowing shop next door). Although we had reservations, we still had to wait for a bit (in fairness, it was Friday at 6, so peak time).

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