After over a year of waiting, our first venture to an indoor restaurant was Mother’s Day weekend and we haven’t stopped since. Woo Hoo, does it feel good to get back to normal! Or as normal as I can likely be.
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My husband and I, along with Middle Child, my son, and his wife had dinner at an old school Italian restaurant, Corleone's. Isn't it straight-up Godfather? This photo is from their website, pre-pandemic, when they didn't have those ridiculous plexiglass shields between the tables. Because viruses can't travel above six feet, right? I had my favorite item on their menu: eggplant rollatini. It is wonderful and something I wouldn't make at home.
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| Afterwards, we went to a wine bar and I was delighted to see they had Mumm flights for Mother's Day weekend. Bubbles are my favorite! We visited Mumm in 2016 and I have fond memories of a flight on their patio, overlooking the vines. |
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| The following weekend for my birthday, my husband and I had dinner at Sérénité. Isn't it located in a beautiful old building? |
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| This tells you a little about their program. We have a few other culinary institutes/restaurants similar to this in the area. They all focus on classic French cuisine. |
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| My husband had the short ribs over mashed potatoes and Mexican street corn in a demi glace. |
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I had the Dover sole over fingerlings and spinach with a key lime beurre blanc. For dessert, we shared the chocolate duo, a flourless chocolate cake and mousse. Everything was tremendous.
(Photo credit: Concrete Construction)
The following weekend was beautiful, so my husband and I ventured to Cuyahoga Falls one evening to their Front Street area. It's a collection of restaurants and shops in a very walkable area that includes a riverfront walk where you can view the falls. We had been there a few times during the day, but never the evening. We were blown away by how pretty it was at night. All the trees were covered in fairy lights and they had baskets of flowers hanging everywhere. We enjoyed a dinner of appetizers on the patio of Craft Social.
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| Then we walked to HiHo Brewing to try a few of their tasty concoctions. I had their American Wild Ale (Saison rested in a Chardonnay oak barrel combined with a red ale rested in a Pinot Noir barrel, with addition of tart cherries, blackberries and Madagascar vanilla.) Husband had their classic roasted coffee stout. Isn't that a pretty view? We were seated right along the edge of the building that overlooks the gorge. There's a fine screen up so that birds don't fly in. |
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Last week, I ventured downtown with a group of friends for a walking tour. We hit a few breweries and ended the day at a popular pizza spot. I had a delicious margherita pizza. Fortunately, the weather has allowed me to walk off all this food and drink so I can do it again next week! Hello Life, I've missed you!
Have you been out enjoying life again? |
"an old school Italian restaurant, Corleone's. Isn't it straight-up Godfather?"
ReplyDeleteIt sure does! And I'm wondering if Don Vito Corleone was your waiter. LOL! Btw, that restaurant looks so beautiful.
You choice on the menu sounded delicious. I love anything with eggplant.
Sérénité looks like a building in New Orleans. Bellissima!
And that view overlooking the gorge is glorious. Views like that make dining/drinking all the more enjoyable, don't they?
Philly has opened more and more each week. Still wearing masks indoors, but other than that, most people are walking around outside sans a mask.
Thanks for sharing your outings, my friend! Have an awesome weekend! X
I’m glad to hear that things are opening up near you. For the most part, people never wore masks outdoors here. And As of June 2, the only places that are requiring a mask indoors are drugstores and anything related to health (doctor, dentist, medical facilities). My daughter is so happy to not have to wear a mask at the library anymore!
DeleteIsn’t eggplant so yummy? And I didn’t think about it, but yes that restaurant does resemble a New Orleans mansion. I need to research what it used to be. Thanks for stopping by so early and enjoy your weekend!
You've really been getting out and about, and all such fantastic places! We still haven't been going to any indoor places yet, but suppose we can start venturing out again any time now. Enjoy every second!
ReplyDeleteYou’re in a place where outdoor dining has been available. We had quite a dry spell in being able to eat out, so it’s nice to do it again.
DeleteYour adventures in the real world look and sound wonderful. Eventually I'm sure we'll get back out and into restaurants, but not yet. We're fully vaccinated but lacking the motivation to mix it up with people again. Introverts here, btw.
ReplyDeleteI’m a total extrovert, so it’s been hard on me. My husband and I were counting down the days until we were 2 weeks post-vax!
DeleteYes! And it's been wonderful to not have to wear a mask while shopping anymore! I mentioned to my friend that I feel so free when I walk into a store without a mask! Love that old school Italian restaurant! I'm dying to get to Cuyahoga Falls someday!
ReplyDeleteIt’s been really nice to go grocery shopping without a mask. I’m looking forward to trying clothes on in a dressing room, but most places are still not allowing that.
DeleteI love places like Corleone's. Our version here in town is called Sabatino's (though it doesn't have the wood paneling, sadly). I have to admit, I thought those fingerling potatoes on your plate were meatballs at first.
ReplyDeleteYay to indoor dining options again!
If the last name ends in a vowel, it’s going to be good food! Ok, meatballs with fish is nasty!
DeleteThose look like fun places to go and the food looks great.
ReplyDeleteWe’ve been enjoying ourselves!
DeleteI think because my family and I make so much Italian food that I'm super picky with Italian restaurants. That being said, I looovvveee going out for French food! That building is gorgeous and I love their program. Like you, we're starting to enjoy life a little more also. We were never as locked down as many other places, but it still feels good to see life returning. Next on the normalcy train - Disney World! Too soon? :(
ReplyDeleteI’ve always loved going to French restaurants. There are not a lot of them around. We were nervous about eating out until being vaccinated, but most places have been open. Unfortunately, there is now a serious lack of staff and some places are closing for good. I’m not ready to get on a flight until I don’t have to wear a mask.
DeleteMother's Day and your birthday on consecutive weekends? Bit of the old 'double-dipping', eh?
ReplyDeleteWe live next door to a college town, and the university brass has got the student population absolutely terrified - they're still walking around with masks OUTDOORS! Suffice it to say, the restaurants have been a little slow opening back up for public dining.
I'm seeing more folks without masks in the grocery stores, but the funny thing is, most of 'em are old gray-hairs like me. Man, the old Doors song was right - People Are Strange. . .
Yes, I’ve always had to ‘share’ my birthday with Mother’s Day. I just can’t with the masks outdoors. Zero science behind it, unless you’re spitting in someone’s face for 15 minutes. The mask mandate was lifted here as of June 2, though grocery stores/big box stores took down their signs a week before. I’d say 20% of folks are still wearing them. Possibly the unvaccinated?
DeleteAs of May 15, vaccinated folks were dispensed from wearing masks at all, and most of the stores (except the college-town ones) took down their signs. But I'd say it's more like 20% maskless in the grocery stores here.
DeleteWhen it comes to 'Follow the Science'. . . don't get me started. . .
Wow! That’s really surprising about the mask wearing. I think there’s critical thinking science and then there’s tribal science. Unfortunately, many in the science community are worried about their jobs and reputations, so tribal wins.
DeleteDoes Sérénité have both the upstairs and downstairs of the building? It is charming! Oh my goodness, look at that delicious food you had there! I like those Mumm flights you had! I have yet to be to a wine bar (I don't think a winery tasting room would count as one?) but that's on my agenda to do sometime :) We found one downtown we want to go to but we both agreed Ubering would be the way to go :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful view at the brewery too :)
So glad you are feeling comfortable to go out and do fun things again!
I am enjoying not having to wear masks in stores and today I got my haircut and masks were optional at the hair cutting place. That was nice because the last time I got it cut in August I had to wear a mask and the stylist kinda butchered my hair around the mask area and I had a lot of clean up work to do with it at home to make it be straight :)
betty
Hi Betty! No, the dining is only downstairs, but since they also run a culinary institute, maybe that’s run upstairs. The wine bars here usually double as wine shops. You can browse their shelves and choose a bottle. Then you pay a corkage fee (usually $5-10). Which is still a lot cheaper than the upsell at restaurants. Here, by law, you are allowed to re-cork your bottle to take home. I still prefer a flight when available.
DeleteI’ve been lucky with the haircuts because I have a friend who has a mini salon in her basement. I started going to her during the pandemic and have decided to just continue.
We'd actually been dining out since about mid winter, here and there. Alas for reasons you know I'm back on an even more extreme lock-down than even COVID can dish out. This, too, shall pass!
ReplyDeleteI’m guessing you felt immune after already having Covid. I’m just sorry for all you’re facing now :(
DeleteYeah, COVID isn't even on the list of worries anymore, eh?
DeleteYou're certainly making the most of your new freedoms! I looked up Serenite's Mission and History. It looks like they do some really good rehab work. We've been out enjoying life as well - a meal at our favourite local restaurant, visits to the coffee shop, and catching up on new books in the city centre Waterstones. On Tuesday we're going to the Ulster Museum to have a look at their new exhibitions. It's great to be circulating again!
ReplyDeleteOh, that all sounds wonderful. I’m really looking forward to visiting museums again!
DeleteI'm SO happy for you! It looks like you're making up for all the time locked up and not enjoying yourself out THERE. Your beer sounds very interesting with all the wine barrels happening too. Well, we live in Florida, so we've been 'out' for a while. I saw a meme this morning that showed the outline of our state with the words: "Florida, been open since forever."
ReplyDeleteLol, I love Florida, but its reputation proceeds it! Glad to be out and about again.
DeleteMan, you're making me drool all over the key board!
ReplyDeleteGreat post title too, btw. :)
When I can, I love a good song reference in a title!
DeleteWow!! You really didn't waste time! You are definitely taking advantage of the "return to normal". Good for you! It all looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Kat!
DeleteLots of great eats, it appears. It is nice to be able to be able to go out again. Just the sight of the building that houses the Sérénité would be enough to draw my attention. What a neat place.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely evening! The staff really tried to make you feel special.
DeleteCorleone's looks a real old school Italian restaurant! I 'd probably jump under my table if I heard a car backfire.
ReplyDeleteYou never know when somebody is planning a hit...
Serenite looks beautiful. It seems you're really getting out and about, Bijoux.
Enjoy!
My sister and I went up to the Bronx yesterday to visit the New York Botanic Gardens. It was hot, but we love the place.
And afterward we went to an old Italian restaurant in the Arthur Avenue section of the Bronx. It's their version of Little Italy.
Take care!
That sounds great, Rob! I love botanical gardens. I’m certain you have lots of old school Italian joints to choose from! Have a great week.
DeleteNow that we're fully vaccinated, we've been enjoying indoor dining as well. We did support restaurants last year when we were able to eat out on the patio, but indoor dining was a no-no for us. We've been trying new eateries (new to us anyway) once a week for the last month, and like you, I am really enjoying it! It's one of those things you don't know that you're going to really miss it until it's gone.
ReplyDeleteI like the restaurant that gives people a second chance. I don't think we have anything like that in my area, but I'd be more inclined to dine there if we did.
We did the same; ate on patios last year until the weather prohibited it. I still prefer it if the weather is nice. It’s so nice to be out and about again.
DeleteBelated birthday wishes to you, Bijoux, and it is indeed great to be out and about again sans a mask. We were always maskless outdoors, but now to be the same indoors when shopping and dining is great. You certainly made up for lost time out with all the great dining out places in this post. I hope that the plexiglass barriers and other so called “virus barriers” will soon be gone as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind wishes. I think some places are removing the barriers, but they are still up at grocery stores and many employees are still wearing masks. I hope that doesn’t mean they are unvaccinated, but who knows?
DeleteWOW!!! Those are some amazing outings! I'm so happy you're out n' about enjoying life and boy, are you enjoying it! I think I would have to try everything on the menu at Corleone's. Seriously. And I bet that eggplant was delicious. Eggplant anything is one of my faves. - The wine and beer. I'm in! - Sérénité is very cool. I read the flyer. What an awesome way to help people in need. - The view of the gorge. Amazing. I love that they have a screen so birds don't fly in. I don't think I've ever been to such a place and it just makes so much sense. - All of our summer concerts, fairs, etc. are all going to be open this summer. I can't wait! Funny thing tho. You have to buy tickets online to go to the zoo... Crazy. - Great post! Thanks for taking us along!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it!!! The fine screen was the first time I’d seen that as well. It’s a great idea. I think the zoos around here are also requiring advanced purchase. My son tried to go to Shedd’s Aquarium in Chicago last week and it was sold out in advance. Irritating! Our local fair is postponed one month. It’s nice that we are getting close to normal.
DeleteFoods look great! Italian foods are really amazing. Also those look like fun places to go. I bet it was such a different mothers day to you.
ReplyDeleteAwesome. Great to hear that you are out and about again. We have been getting out as well and it sure feels good. Look forward to reading about more of your adventures this summer. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mr. S!
DeleteWe've been eating out loads too. Isn't nice to be able to sit inside a restaurant again? Even with the plastic screens. Looks like you've had some really good food and drinks too. Unfortunately cases are going up again the UK because of the new Indian variant, so we are just praying that vaccinated people won't be getting too ill with it, and the jabs will outrun the virus.
ReplyDeleteYes! We keep going from cold temps to sweltering, so we are really appreciating indoor dining. I’m going to just believe that the vaccines will work and the variants will die down.
DeleteWell all I can say is, if I could have gotten away with it I would have had some of your man's short rib with mashed potatoes and a bite or two of your Dover sole with fingerlings. That looks and sounds delectable! We love to go out to eat and although our style was cramped somewhat during 2020, this year we have gone out as much as we want, and that tends to be fairly often. I love to eat and then walk in a lovely downtown area, but unfortunately we have not had the opportunity to do that very much. Only because we don't go to downtown Columbia for dinner very often. When we travel, we always eat in the downtown areas, and then walk, so I do miss that and hope we can do it again soon. We may go to Chicago in September, after a trip to Toledo for TG's fiftieth high school reunion ... which should have been last year (Class of '70)! Fingers crossed ... xoxo
ReplyDeleteWe love to do the same thing, and just like you, it’s wonderful to explore new towns and cities on trips. In the last few years, we’ve been to San Diego and Indianapolis and they were both amazing cities to walk. Chicago is a place I’ve only been once, as a young teen, but I’d love to go. That’s exciting about the class reunion. My 40th is this summer and I’m looking forward to it.
DeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteOoh, I love eggplant rollatini and WINE! And beer and pizza and more food! You are certainly enjoying yourself, I'm so glad!! We're still actually doing takeout. We have been into the Netflix/Hulu/APrime shows... so we've gotten comfy relaxing at home. We never were much into eating outside, so even though a lot of places around here offered patio ... or parking lot, lol, dining, we didn't go. I'm sure eventually we'll get back to a few restaurants we liked though. Maybe even that cool cocktail lounge in Philly!
ReplyDeleteWe do like outdoor dining, but not when it's miserably humid and certainly not fans of the parking lot dining!
DeleteOh wow, that meal looks good! I love fingerlings and street corn.
ReplyDeleteThat restaurant does look like something from The Godfather. It sounds delicious, too. It has been so wonderful getting back out into the world and being around people again. I hope I never take being able to eat dinner with friends for granted.
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