Picnic tips at Blossom Music Center, Oddfellows opens doors, Caesar Salad's centennial, July beer picks

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Entertainment | Food and Drink

TOP NEWS

How to picnic like a pro at Blossom Music Center

Going to Blossom Music Center to hear the Cleveland Orchestra is much more than a musical experience. It’s also about the food. We offer 28 pointers on how to navigate Blossom, from food to drink to what to bring and what to never forget. READ MORE

Watershed Distillery offers seasonal strawberry gin, here’s why you should try it

Much produce is seasonal and should be enjoyed at its peak. Think asparagus, strawberries, tomatoes, peaches. Watershed Distillery’s Four Peel Strawberry Gin should be added to that list. The Columbus distillery uses its traditional gin recipe and infuses it with in-season, vine-ripened Ohio strawberries. The 2024 vintage is finished and is expected to sell out as this year’s strawberry season was weak. Our reporter tries it. READ MORE

Northeast Ohio experts talk about the future of food at Pechakucha Night

Hear what local experts say about the future of food at Pechakucha Night Cleveland Vol. 41 on Thursday, Aug. 1, at Truss Event Venue. Tickets are free though donations are welcome. A Japanese concept, “pechakucha” loosely means “chit chat.” Think speaker presentations meet speed-dating. During a Pechakucha event, 10 to 12 speakers talk about a chosen topic. Each uses 20 images for 20 seconds for a total presentation of six minutes and 40 seconds. READ MORE

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams offering special free chili topping at scoop shops
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, an Ohio-based ice cream brand, has teamed up with Chinese food company Fly By Jing for a collaboration at its various Scoop Shops. The company is offering Fly By Jing’s Sichuan Chili Crisp as a limited-edition ice cream topping to give any treat a “Spice Cream” spin, starting July 11. READ MORE

Celebrate the Caesar salad’s 100th anniversary with 18 best Caesar salads at Northeast Ohio restaurants

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Caesar salad. While the humble dish has roots in Mexico, several Northeast Ohio restaurants make delicious versions of the salad that range from classic to creative. Here are 18 Caesar salads to try at local restaurants to celebrate the dish’s 100th birthday. READ MORE

DineDrinkCLE talks over-the-top cocktails, newly opened and closed pizza shops in Greater Cleveland, moreIn the latest episode of “DineDrinkCLE: The Podcast,” hosts Josh Duke and Alex Darus talk about over-the-top cocktails in Greater Cleveland. Paris Wolfe stops by to chat about newly opened and newly closed pizza shops in Northeast Ohio. Finally, Marc Bona chats about Joe Crea’s cookbook collection finding a new home at Edwin’s Second Chance Life Skills Center in Cleveland. READ MORE

Beer, beer, more beer!

Our monthly review of beer is out. For July, we offer a six-pack of varying flavors, from some fruity-forward beers to big India Pale Ales. Plus, we have some news and notes from breweries in Cleveland as well as out of the region. READ MORE

Best fast-food chicken sandwich by state?

The folks at couponbirds are out with a state-by-state breakdown of favorite fast-food chicken sandwiches. Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, Raising Cane’s, KFC, Popeyes and Jack in the Box all garnered votes. Who do you think came out on top? READ MORE

4 DiGiorno pizzas out to mark ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ movie

Four DiGiorno pizzas are out, themed to the upcoming movie, “Deadpool & Wolverine.” The pizzas will be out for a limited time. The company also has a movie-themed contest under way as well. The movie – starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman - is set to be released Friday, July 26. READ MORE

NE Ohio folks represented on statewide breweries board

Several folks with ties to Northeast Ohio breweries are among newly elected board members to the board of directors of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. The statewide organization lobbies on behalf of the state’s breweries. Here’s who’s in and who’s out. READ MORE

A Taste of Black Cleveland tickets on sale

Tickets are on sale for A Taste of Black Cleveland: The Food Showcase 6.0, which is held annually at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The event – which is Thursday, Aug. 22 – brings together minority chefs and eateries in tasty foodie showcase in the arena. Patrons get a chance to vote on their favorites. READ MORE

OPENINGS/CLOSINGS

Oddfellows opens this week in former Aurelia spot

Business partners and experienced restaurateurs Brad Friedlander and Michael DuBois are putting the final touches on Oddfellows in Chagrin Falls as they prepare to open the 56-seat restaurant this week. The new dining spot is a reincarnation of the Aurelia Honest Food & Drink space at 16 North Main St., Chagrin Falls. READ MORE

Gunselman’s Steakhouse & Bar open in Olmsted Falls

The owners of Gunselman’s Steakhouse & Bar, which opened this week in Olmsted Falls, have created a dual personality in a beautifully restored old library. The main floor is the more formal but not stuffy dining room. Below you will find a casual Irish pub-like space. READ MORE

808 Shave Ice expands with Telos Food Truck, serving hot dogs, frozen lemonade year-round

The Telos Food Truck is a new concept from the owners of 808 Shave Ice, with locations in Avon, Fairview Park and Strongsville. Greater Cleveland locals Nick Kudej, his wife Kayla Kudej and brother Alexi Kudej decided to transform one of the 808 Shave Ice trucks into the Telos concept, serving Nathans Hot Dogs with basic condiments, frozen or fresh lemonade and chips on the side. READ MORE

Chipotle continues adding NE Ohio restaurants

Chipotle has been opening restaurants on a steady basis throughout Northeast Ohio. The latest is in Wooster. It's the city’s first Chipotle with a Chipotlane, designed for folks to pick up digital orders without leaving their vehicles. READ MORE

EVENTS/TASTINGS

Tequila ’n Tigers tasting coming up

The Akron Zoo is holding Tequila ’n Tigers, a tasting set for Saturday, July 13. The event includes tastings, plus animal demonstrations (tiger-training sessions!), music and more. The zoo holds a variety of tasting from craft beer and more throughout the year. READ MORE

‘Mushroom Monday’ promo is under way

Several Cleveland independents restaurants are participating in Mushroom Monday, an initiative in conjunction with the Mushroom Council to extol the virtues and versatility of using mushrooms in cooking. The restaurants will offer a free recipe booklet for a range of dishes. READ MORE

Chardon BrewFest is scheduled

The Chardon BrewFest is set for Saturday, Aug. 10. The fest will have 25 breweries serving 50 beers. Most of the breweries are located within 50 miles of Chardon. Plus there’s a couple cool bands who are slated to perform. Tickets are on sale. READ MORE

Taste of Lakewood hosting ticketed fundraising event for 20th anniversary celebration

Taste of Lakewood is changing things up for its 20th anniversary this year with a ticketed and indoor fundraising event. Taste of Lakewood’s 20th anniversary party is set for Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Lake Erie Building, 13000 Athens Ave. READ MORE

La Bastille celebration fundraiser is set

Edwins is holding La Bastille, a celebration of French food with an optional after-party, on Saturday, July 13. Several ticket levels are in place for the foodie event, which benefits the French restaurant’s Second Chance Life Skills Center. READ MORE

Great Lakes Brewing Co. to hold brewmaster’s brunch

Great Lakes Brewing Co. has scheduled a brewmaster’s brunch, which will pair creative dishes with beers and beer mixes. One dish will be accompanied by a ‘Brunchmunder,’ a spin on the brewery’s flagship Dortmunder Gold. It’s Sunday, July 14. READ MORE

Marble Room sets $525-per-plate dinner

Marble Room Steaks and Raw Bar is continuing its wine-dinner series featuring Hundred Acre Wines of California’s Napa Valley in a decadent seven-course dinner. We’ve got the menu with wine pairings for the dinner at the Euclid Avenue restaurant. It’s set for Wednesday, July 17. READ MORE

Creekside Restaurant & Bar sets ‘summer sippin’ party’

Creekside Restaurant & Bar, 8803 Brecksville Road, Brecksville., is holding a summer sippin’ party. The party is 6 p.m. Thursday, July 18. It will include craft cocktails and summer eats in the private dining room and on the patio. A representative from Columbus-based Watershed Distillery will discuss the company’s bourbon, gin, vodka and specialty spirits. READ MORE

Christmas in July is almost here!

Great Lakes Brewing Co. has scheduled Christmas in July featuring – of course – a taste of Christmas Ale. The mid-year treat and taste is set for Thursday, July 25. The ale’s main release happens in the fall at the First Pour party leading into the holiday season, so the supper sip is a nice precursor. READ MORE

Stan Hywet’s Off the Vine coming up

Off the Vine - a food and wine event - is scheduled on Friday, July 26, at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. Stroll through the gardens of the Akron estate, home of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. founder F.A. Seiberling, and enjoy a bite and a drink on (hopefully) a nice summer evening. READ MORE

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Floressa

Floressa, a bakery and cafe in Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood, has a variety of tasting baked goods, cakes and more. When a pal brings you an assortment of individually wrapped gluten-free cookies for a cookout, you say thanks and enjoy. Huge chewy cookies ranging from oatmeal and chocolate chips to Tahini marshmallow hit the spot after a meal. Or instead of a meal, ha! It’s at 3328 W. 33rd St., Cleveland. READ MORE

Kyuu-Juu

Kyuu-Juu, a contemporary Japanese pop-up concept from Ryan Endrian, is one of the busiest pop-ups in town. Kyuu-Juu specializes in sushi like you’ve never had it before, with tapas-like small plates making up the menu. Items like flash-fried octopus and kurage jellyfish are not to be missed. Kyuu-Juu has July pop-ups planned at Patron Saint Cafe + Bar, Never Say Dive, Solstice Lakewood and more. Follow @kyuujuu.1990 on Instagram to stay up to date with future events. DETAILS

Vincent William Wine

If tickets to a Mediterranean town aren’t in your budget this year, grab a seat on the terrace at the new Vincent William Wine in Madison, Ohio. The terrace behind the sprawling mansion meets Lake Erie for incredible views that make you forget land life. And the winery/restaurant offer a carefree chic, European vibe as well as local wines and approachable food. The menu includes sharable appetizers and flatbreads. Artfully executed entrees include burger, pasta, salmon, scallops, lamb, salmon and a USDA prime-grade Delmonico steak. Wine and craft cocktails are available. Bring your sunscreen. DETAILS

SPOTLIGHT

Mila Family Vineyards going strong

A Northeast Ohio couple, Michael Oravecz and Loretta DiChiro, bought land more than 20 years ago in California’s fertile wine country. Their winery – Mila Family Vineyards – is going strong. We talk to them about their biodynamic winery that waves the flag for a somewhat uncommon grape - Grenache. READ MORE

Entertainment | Food and Drink

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