Urban Farmer | Cleveland

Just when I think the Cleveland food scene can't possibly impress any more, Urban Farmer swoops in and serves us a phenomenal brunch in a luxe farmhouse setting. The commanding space features bold and contemporary meets rustic-chic accents. From an ostrich feather lamp and wraparound cowhide booths to pickled vegetable jars for days and weathered oil portraits, the mash up of décor seamlessly blends. They take immense pride in their commitment to organic and locally sourced Midwest ingredients (I feel like everywhere we eat in Cleveland has this down, though). A billboard collage above the open kitchen displays bright photographs of fresh produce, local farms and ranches. 

Located at The Westin Cleveland Downtown, Urban Farmer is a modern steakhouse by evening, however, I guarantee we did it right; I wouldn't hesitate to scope them out for brunch. I want to order the entire menu. Here is a sample of what the group feasted on: 

Brioche French Toast | blueberry preserves, hazelnut butter, Vermont Maple Syrup (P.S. the Golden Waffle says it comes with Ohio Maple Syrup - I'm digging the nod to VT in this dish.)
Farm Eggs | any style, crispy breakfast potato, house made English muffin (so good), choice of fennel sausage, bacon, ham or chicken cherry sausage

Red Flannel Hash | corned beef, fingerling potatoes, beets, ramps, poached eggs, toast (outstanding)

Urban Farmer Cleveland

Downtown - Civic Center District

777 St. Clair Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44114

march 17.

I could not imagine celebrating St. Patrick's Day any other way, than with a corned beef and cabbage dinner and a green beer at Durgin Park. This is a tradition FIVE years running, and definitely the reason I look forward to this holiday. (That along with a reminder of how good Guinness is and the once a year Shamrock Shake from McDonald's. Guilty.)

Durgin Park | Quincy Market

St. Patrick's Day finds me embracing all things green and enjoying some favorite Irish treats. A Shamrock Shake, guilty as charged thanks to the Golden Arches, a pint of Guinness compliments of St. James Gate and a hearty Irish meal of Corned Beef and Cabbage from the always reliable Durgin Park. Not to mention an appropriately themed $2 scratch ticket and green attire in all forms. Can you tell green is one of my favorite colors? The McDonalds Shamrock Shake is sold for a limited time during the month of March. Being that Thursday was the warmest day so far this year it seemed appropriate enjoy the shake outside under blue skies and warm sunshine.Back at home an ice cold, thick and frothy treat of a different form was consumed. My Goodness, My Green Guinness!The third annual tradition of a hearty Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner ($13.95) at Durgin Park sees Adam and I laughing our way through a debauchery-ridden Faneuil Hall crowd to the red and white checkered market dining room communal tables. Traditionally made slices of Irish Soda Bread were consumed alongside Jameson & Gingers. The signature tang contained within moist buttermilk loaves with chewy dark raisins slathered in melted butter really hit the spot. Oh and: Irish Whiskey for the win! The Corned Beef and Cabbage was amazing, as always. They boil the heck out of everything until the beef is fork tender, shredding into thick salty strands. Savory red bliss potatoes, sweet carrots and bitter cabbage are piled sufficiently higher than necessary. I never manage to finish a whole plate, but not for lack of trying! If you find yourself craving this traditional American-Irish meal look no further than Old Boston legend Durgin Park located in Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market's North Market Building. Classic Yankee cooking in a lively communal environment makes it a fun place to celebrate St Patrick's Day, three years and counting!

Durgin Park

340 Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Boston, MA 02109

North 26 | Brunch

I've walked by North 26 located in the Millennium Bostonian Hotel countless times. In fact, Adam and I were walking by Sunday morning with a different brunch destination in mind when we spotted an open table on the patio and decided, why not? The host greeted us warmly and offered the table he noticed us eyeing. 
I started with the Perfect Bloody Mary ($8) made with Crop Organic Tomato Vodka. The name does it justice, this bloody mary not only looked perfect, with all the appropriate garnishes and a neatly seasoned celery salt rim, it tasted perfect too!
Adam ordered the Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice ($4). It came in a wine glass, points for being fancy!

It was HOT out but I am loving the heat. You've got to fully embrace the New England weather am i right? Upon placing our orders the brunch dishes were delivered in no time along with ice waters, mini ketchup bottles and jars of jam.
Adam ordered the Red Flannel Hash ($14) consisting of House-cured corned beef hash with two poached eggs and hollandaise. After digging in he exclaimed this was one of the best breakfasts he's ever tasted. He's not the type to use that statement lightly.
North 26's traditional version named the Bostonian Benedict ($13) was flawless. I've had many versions of Eggs Benedict over the years. I'm not overly picky - I like my poached eggs anywhere from slightly runny to very runny. 

It is tough to put into words how amazing their signature English Muffins are. Reminiscent of cornbread and grilled until golden brown and crispy on the top with a moist buttery inside, they are the perfect vessel for soaking up every last drop of the runny egg yolk and creamy hollandaise. Slices of thick Berkshire ham were supreme, lightly griddled and smokey. The home fried potatoes were crunchy and seasoned just right. 
I was so impressed with our excellent breakfast drinks and dishes as well the attentiveness of the waitstaff. North 26 might fly under the radar but after today it lands a permanent spot on our brunch rotation!

North 26

26 North Street

Boston, MA 02109

St. Patrick's Day

St Patrick's Day is such a great holiday!! On Monday night I made a St. Patrick's Day Chocolate Mint Oreo Pie.
I was inspired by a blog I came across called Iowa Girl Eats (How on earth did I decide to follow a blogger who lives in Iowa?) She's adorable, we share the same real name, and she has some really fun recipes.

Ingredients:

-1 package instant chocolate pudding

-2 cups of 1 or 2 % milk

-12 mint Oreo cookies

-1 1/2 cups of Cool Whip

-1/4 teaspoon mint extract

-green food coloring

-1 pre-made Oreo cookie pie crust

1) Place the Oreo's in a plastic bag and crush. (If you happen to be out, plastic wrap wrapped up nice and tight works well too!)
2) Combine pudding mix and milk. Whisk until batter has been dissolved. Fold in 3/4 cup cool whip and 1/4 tsp mint extract. Gently add in 1 cup of the crushed Oreos.
3) Pour filling into pre-made pie crust and spread evenly.
4) In a separate bowl combine 3/4 cup cool whip and green food coloring. Pour on top of the pudding and spread until even.
5) Top with remaining Oreo cookie pieces and chill for at least one hour before serving

And behold a delicious puddin' pie!

Tonight was our 2nd annual tradition of Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner at Durgin Park. We strolled over to Faneuil Hall around 8:30 where the streets are packed for amateur hour and the bagpipes are playing loud.
Durgin Park has an upstairs section called the Market Dining Rooms. (The Black Horse Tavern is their bar downstairs.) You are seated at a banquet style dining table with a red and white checkered table cloth. You're all one big Irish family here at Durgin Park!

Order a Green Guinness! Make sure you request that it come green!

Everyone gets cornbread.

And if you so choose, a piping hot plate of boiled beef, cabbage, carrots, parsnips and potato.
I slathered mine in butter and dug right in. Last year was the first time I ever in life ate this Irish feast.
I made quite a dent, but still had a few leftovers to take home after all said and done. I was also sporting a new shade of green lip gloss.
P.S. I am 1/4 Irish. Just in case you were wondering. Durgin Park has left me fulfilled and happy on St Paddy's day once again. Looks like I will see them next year!