Travel Adventure Birthday Cupcakes

We went to Main Street Cupcakes original location yesterday.  The closed their other branches, so this one is the only one left.  It was worth the trip.  Pictured above from left to right:
Back row: Birthday cake, Hudson Apple Pie, Toffee Coffee
Front row: Chocolate Raspberry and Blueberry Cheesecake

This bakery has given me really high standards for cupcakes.  Once you try them, everything else is sort of meh.  They have 200 plus different flavors on a rotating menu, plus you can order boozy adult cupcakes for special occassions.

Burgers 2 Beer

Yesterday we had lunch/dinner at Burgers 2 Beer.  The restuarant occupies the corner where Eddie & Eddies was, and then later Cerinos.   I really like this place.  They have a vast menu and a friendly, casual atmosphere.   Pictured above is my Like Butta Baby burger.   Truffle oil infused with bacon, brie, and fried onions.  Yummy!

Steve had the Vampire Hunter burger.   It's very garlic filled with pepperoni.   Also tasty!

Here is a picture of the burger selection on their most recent menu.   We are definitely coming back.

Otani Noodle

 Steve, Marie, and I went to Otani Noodle in University Circle this past Wednesday.  Otani has a couple of Japanese restaurants on the east side that serve sushi and the works.   I've seen them at the Cleveland Asian Festival too.   This hip little place specializes in ramen, and I can honestly say that it is the best I've had in the city to date.   They just opened this week.  Pictured above is the shrimp tempura ramen that I ordered.

The tempura was well done, crispy at the tail.  The servers were careful to not saturate all of the shrimp.   There are some mushrooms and broccoli in there too.   What amazed me was the broth.  It was savory and only a bit salty.   I am definitely going to go back.  

Steel Magnolias

This past Saturday we went to see Cleveland Playhouse's production of Steel Magnolias.  I hadn't seen the play since it was at my high school and could only vaguely remember the plot.   I looked it up on Wikipedia during intermission to prepare myself for the ending.

This production was done in conjection with the Playhouse Square Broadway Series.   I've only seen a partnership with Playhouse Square once with another local group, the Great Lakes Theater in the Hanna.   That was well done too.

The acting is superb and I was really impressed with the hair.   There are at total of 17 wigs in the show.  More impressive, they get washed and styled on stage while the actresses are saying their lines!   I would be so nervous.  The one does an entire updo and it looks professional!

This play is running through the middle of August, so you still have time to get tickets.   Go see it!

Phantom of the Opera

Yesterday, we saw the new production of the Phantom of the Opera.  It is a new production and quite different from the version I had seen back in high school.   Key differences:  Carlotta is true opera diva rather than a caricature.  I can imagine her in many of the operas I have seen.   The phantom wants Christine in his show because he obsessed with her, not because of level of talent.  

Costuming is gorgeous.  The opera within the play, Hannibal, looks like something I would really see at the Metropolitan Opera.  I'd totally watch that.

This show isn't as dark or macabre as its predecessor.   There is an increased focus on the backstage areas.   It feels more real to me.   Did you know that there really is a lake under the Paris Opera house?  

They do a really good job with the phantom's face at the end of the show.

 Christine has a lovely voice, but she just doesn't have the power/style that Carlotta has.   I liked this production, but the eighties synth in the score hasn't aged well. Still, quite enjoyable.

Empress Taytu

We had dinner last night with a friend at Empress Taytu.  It was my first experience with Ethiopian cuisine.   I really liked it.  I was expecting it to be sour or spicy, but I really enjoyed the chicken tibs I ordered.

Everything is served on a large platter with bread (injera) as a base.   It's very soft.   I can't really compare it to naan.

Delicious dinner, and no room for dessert.   Had a little bit to take home for leftovers.   I would go again.

Ninja City

Last Friday we finally had dinner at Ninja City.  It's a neat Japanese fusion place not far from University Hospital and the museums nearby.   They have various types of ramen, small plates, and steamed buns.   

I had the Bacon and Egg ramen.  It was tasty, but I'm not a huge fan of kimchi.  It made it more spicy.   It was still good.

Steve had the Shrimp Nachos.  It had these crispy wonton pieces with loads of toppings.  You can get bacon guacamole on the side for two dollars.  It really isn't needed because the nachos are flavorful enough.

Again, we didn't have room for dessert.   They recommended the fried ice cream.  Maybe next time.