We’re done sewing and crafting and decorating and shopping and cookie baking. Now comes the good stuff: relaxing with family and friends!
This is the perfect time to enjoy our favorite haunts and, at the same time, show off our culinary treasures to out of town guests! Can there be a better venue than a fabulous coffee shop or bakery?
Fodors just named Cleveland one of the top places to visit in 2015; and while its true that we have some world-class cultural institutions in the neighborhood, it’s our small shops and restaurants that really create the local flavor. Here is a short list of my favorite places in the Heights to enjoy a tasty treat while reconnecting with loved ones this season.
1. Luna Bakery Cafe – the quintessential meeting spot and creperie! This place is really dangerous because it’s less than a 10 minute walk from my house!
You can watch them make the goodies through the window! There is the owner Bridget (with her back to us) fixing a beautiful tray of cookies!
…well known for their macarons…
and their crepes! Our favorite is the ham, egg and cheese crepe – you choose traditional or buckwheat batter.
2. The Stone Oven on Lee Road is our go-to for lunch: wonderful soups, salads, sandwiches and quiche!
These are their new pork tenderloin sandwiches with a pesto mayo and red cabbage…mmm.
And I personally think they have the best tasting cookies, if not the prettiest!
I also love the mural on the wall!
3. A few doors down is Phoenix Coffee. They have the most amazing coffee and friendly staff.
My cute boy eyeing the treats!
My favorite breakfast-on-the-go: has everything in it to get you through to lunch and, of course, make you have a better morning!
Too pretty to drink!
They roast their own coffee so it’s fresh and fragrant!
4. On the Rise Artisan Breads is a true French bakery. Although they recently started carrying sandwiches and are in the process of expanding, they really are known for their breads! I’m glad I went today, because the line will be out the door and down the sidewalk tomorrow morning -just like in Paris!
The Jennifer cookie (bottom right) is baked heaven and a meal unto itself.
We are lucky if a loaf of Epi makes it home (we live less than 5 minute drive from here – that’s bad!)
5. Dewey’s at Shaker Square is our place almost every Saturday morning in the summer.
We ride our bikes over, grab a coffee and shop the North Union Farmers’ Market. They also have popcorn and a wonderful selection of teas!
6 . Since they opened fairly recently, I’ve only had the chance to visit the Rising Star Coffee on Murray Hill a couple of times. This place makes coffee taste like no other coffee you’ve had. They brew each cup to order, so plan on a three minute wait. But it’s worth it!
And there you have it! How can I be so lucky to live in a place where all of this is within 5 minutes from home?
To be sure, there is no dearth of places to meet, drink coffee or get treats in Cleveland Heights! I hope you find the time to sit and enjoy something tasty with family and friends over the next few days! Tell them I sent you! : )