Posts from August 2019

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August
29

So you've just moved to Cleveland—welcome! You've found yourself in one of the best cities on the planet, full of things to do, eat and see. But before you settle in, there are a few things you should know. 1) We prefer brown mustard to yellow. 2) We love craft beer. 3) We are a city full of sports fanatics.

That's right! Cleveland is definitely a sports city, home to the Browns, the Cavaliers and the Cleveland Indians, so don't be surprised if you start painting your face and collecting jerseys—it's expected when you live here.

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August
27

Columbus' art scene is bursting with creativity, which is evident in the spectacular art that you can find throughout the city. Not only are we home to the Columbus Museum of Art, which was the first art museum registered in Ohio and home to hundreds of interesting exhibitions, but our area also boasts amazing art galleries, art festivals and public art...

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August
22

It's no secret. Cincinnati has one of the finest restaurant and bar scenes in the country. But you may not realize that the city is home to a multitude of lesser-known hotspots, many of which are completely hidden from view. Let's take a behind-the-scenes look at some of the mysterious speakeasies and hidden bars in the Cincinnati area, from one concealed behind a secret door in a video shop to a classy, rooftop terrace with hidden elevator access.  

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August
20

It can be hard to eat out with a family—trust us, we know. And while it may seem tempting to head directly to the drive-thru or a fast-casual spot, you don't have to anymore! There are plenty of restaurants in Cleveland that now offer specially designed kids' menus, specials and fun atmospheres that make dining with the kids easier than ever.

To help make your dinner selection a bit easier, we rounded up some of our favorite restaurants in the Cleveland area that are 100% kid-approved. Happy eating!

 

100th Bomb Group

20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland

 
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This unique dining destination is located right across from the runways of the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Your kids will be entertained—and well-fed—as they watch the planes take off and land at the airport. Plus, the adults should be pretty happy too! The food at 100th Bomb Group is just as good as the view, from decadent brunch staples like French toast to upscale dinner options like filet mignon.

 

Bearden's

19985 Lake Road, Rocky River

When looking for a family-friendly spot to feed your little rascals, you can't go wrong with Bearden's. They offer juicy steakburgers (including one with peanut butter on it!) along with grilled cheese, fried clams, sandwiches and much more in their retro diner. So head over to Rocky River and get a blast from the past, or you can find their food truck roaming the streets of Cleveland with plenty of burger goodness in stock.

 

Corner Alley

402 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland 

Visit Corner Alley downtown for a family outing you won't soon forget. Before you eat, you can entertain the kids with a round of bowling in the posh alley. With its delicious menu options, craft beer on tap and invigorating cocktails, the Corner Alley is anything but your typical bowling experience—it even made the Food Network's list of 15 Great Bars for Fun and Games.

 

Crust

2258 Professor Avenue, Cleveland | 3000 St. Clair Avenue NE, Cleveland

Not only does Crust have some of the best pizza in town, but they also happen to be a fantastic place to dine with the family. Their pizza dough is made every morning in-house, resulting in a perfect thick crust that your entire entourage will love. Plus the sheer magnitude of pizza toppings that they offer—from pepperoni to fried eggs—will please even the pickiest of eaters.

 

Happy Dog

5801 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland

Kid Restaurants Cleveland

Photo courtesy of Happy Dog

Do you have a hotdog aficionado in your family? Then you definitely don't want to miss Happy Dog. This neighborhood corner bar is the epitome of the Cleveland experience, offering a hip and friendly atmosphere, live music, beer on tap and hot dogs (of course). Pick your dog, and then smother it with any combination of 50 topping choices—including some quirky ones like Froot Loops, Cheetos and chunky peanut butter.

 

Honey Hut

Five Locations Around Cleveland

We couldn't create a list of kid-approved restaurants in Cleveland without including at least one fabulous ice cream spot! Honey Hut Ice Cream is a Cleveland staple, offering delicious ice cream in a multitude of flavors at their five different locations around the city. While you definitely can't go wrong with any choice at Honey Hut, we recommend their signature Honey Pecan flavor which will ruin all other butter pecan ice creams for you forever.

 

Forage Public House

14600 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood

Photo courtesy of Forage Public House

While many restaurants dumb down the kids' menu, at Forage Public House, you won't find a chicken finger in sight. Instead, kids can order from a selection of Amish chicken wings, Great Lakes Grilled Cheese, New Creations Sirloin Steak and Roasted Scottish Salmon. The adult menu is even more exceptional, boasting options like poutine and mushroom fettuccine with seasonally foraged mushrooms.

 

Johnny Mango World Café

3120 Bridge Avenue, Cleveland

Just because you're eating with the kids, that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your sense of culinary adventure! This colorful Ohio City dining spot offers food that spans the globe, with a menu of wholesome and healthy food. They serve everything from Caribbean fried plantains, fried rice and Bangkok barbequed chicken to vegan and gluten-free options like nachos or fried tofu.

 

Mamma Santa's Pizzeria

12301 Mayfield Road, Cleveland

Kid Restaurants Cleveland

Mamma Santa's has been cooking up delicious and authentic Sicilian dishes since 1961. Still settled in their original location, in a building that is over 100 years old, Mamma Santa's offers a variety of tantalizing options from pizza to handmade pastas. Because the restaurant is still family-owned, they have a family focus and work hard to ensure that every guest, regardless of age, is happy.

 

Merwin's Wharf

1785 Merwin Avenue, Cleveland

Located on the waterfront in Cleveland's Flats, Merwin Wharf is a casual eatery featuring some of the best views of the Cuyahoga River around. Your little ones will love to sit outside and take in the views of the boats and natural beauty that surrounds the restaurant. The large menu is almost as impressive as the view, offering homestyle eats like fish tacos and an enormous pretzel—perfect for sharing.

 

Punch Bowl Social Club

1086 West 11th Street, Cleveland

While this Flats lounge is considered a hotspot for adults at night, it is certainly a kid-friendly oasis during the day. The kids' menu features a plethora of delicious items like a banana almond butter sandwich, chicken tacos, mac n' cheese and flatbreads. Before or after you eat, explore all of the activities at Punch Bowl Social, such as putt-putt golf, bowling, arcade games and private karaoke!

 

Sokolowski's University Inn

1201 University Road, Cleveland

Cleveland's oldest family-owned restaurant was established in 1923, and since has drawn in a wide array of big names, including celebrities, presidents and musicians. Sokolowski's specializes in Polish and Eastern European cuisine, including Salisbury steak, chicken paprikash and pierogis. Here, you'll find hipsters and suburban families sitting side by side with tourists and steelworkers, all lured in by comforting dishes—just like you will be.

 

Swensons

14510 Cedar Road, University Heights and seven other locations

Photo courtesy of Swenson's Drive-In

Swensons is actually known as basketball star LeBron James' favorite burger joint in town, and we're not surprised in the least. The old-school drive-in eatery serves a simple menu of burgers, fried dishes, sides and shakes, and although the venue doesn't take itself too seriously, the food is nothing to scoff at! So treat yourself and the family to an old-school dining experience and make sure to grab the Galley Boy, which is an award-winning and mouthwatering double cheeseburger topped with two special sauces.

 

Townhall

1909 West 25th Street, Cleveland

Townhall believes that healthy does not mean perfect but that balance is the key to a happy and healthy life. They are committed to being completely GMO-free and serving mostly organic food to their customers. Their kids' menu is one of the best in town—tasty and fun enough to impress your little ones and healthy enough to make you feel good too! Choices include grilled chicken strips, Kobe burgers and cheese flatbread all served with a choice of fresh fruit or fries.

 

Where does your little one like to dig in?

Tell us all about your favorite family-friendly dining spots in the comments!

August
15

They say that your home is your castle. It's the place you go to relax, to rejuvenate, to spend quality time with the ones you love, to entertain and (most importantly) to enjoy your space. Sometimes a few luxurious details are all you need to make your home truly feel like a castle, which is why we rounded up some of the most spectacular properties for sale right now in the Columbus area.

These homes all make it easy to love where you live, boasting luxurious features like grand kitchens, in-ground pools, private exercise rooms, home theaters and more. But beware:...

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