Dog Eat Dog World

This past Friday I went to Happy Dog. It's located in the Gordon Square Arts District (the cutesy up-and-coming neighborhood located between Ohio City and Lakewood along the Shoreway). I had driven past Happy Dog many of times, but just figured it was a hole in the wall bar with nothing but booze and bar nuts. Boy was I wrong! Called Happy Dog because of it's signature item- hot dogs, this place boasts one hell of a doggone menu!

When you enter, there's stage to your right, booths along your left and round tables scattered about. Although seating is limited at the booths and tables, Happy Dog has a gorgeous hardwood racetrack bar. Happy Hour is from 5-7 M-F on domestic bottles (kinda blah for drink specials), but the they do have a great range of beers on tap to chose from, including indie darlings, Genesee & Pabst. Beers are about $2-4. Can't beat that! But enough about the beer. Let's talk food!!

I am and have always been obsessed with hot dogs. I love hot dogs. I love things that come on hot dogs. And in my opinion, the more toppings and condiments on my hot dog, the better. Which is why I instantly fell in love with Happy Dog. 50 toppings to chose from on a quarter pound special recipe hot dog or veg-vegan friendly Italian sausage in a poppy seed bun. This American dream is enough to make your eyes tear up with excitement and your tummy shout "hot-dayuum!" I went all out on my first ever Happy Dog experience. My toppings included: Cajun Mayonnaise- Remoulade, Bourbon baked beans, Habanero picked red onions, Bacon spiked southern style greens, smoked gouda cheese, Caribbean coleslaw & Chorizo chili! You can choose between tater-tots or french fries for your feast accompaniment, so in light of middle school cafeteria nostalgia, I chose tater-tots with free sides (there are many to chose from as well) including Black truffle honey mustard, Saffron aioli, Brazilian chimichurri, Marcella's grape jelly and chile sauce and Oaxacan red chile and chocolate mole (my fav!). I should take a moment to say that you can get AS MANY TOPPINGS on your dog and YOU WANT at NO extra price! Hot dogs are only $5 and taters/fries a mere $2.50.

Overall, I give Happy Dog an A++! The friendly, local atmosphere, along with the laid back decor and Friday Polka music gave this place its own unique charm. They have bands play often and I can imagine it's a great place to see some local talent. Just make sure you get there before 9pm because that's when the kitchen closes. Parking can be a little tricky, although they do have their own extremely small parking lot. Best of the best however, is obviously the food. If you can dream it, you can eat it at Happy Dog!

5801 Detroit Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44102-3001
(216) 651-9474

#1 Pho Sho!

Number One Pho

3120 Superior Ave E

Cleveland, OH 44114-4343
(216) 781-1176

On these cold fall days we've been having lately, what's better than soup? Pho-tastic noodle soup in delicious beef or chicken broth, filled to the brim of the bowl, steaming hot, accompanied by fresh basil leaves, lime wedges, jalepenos and of course, bean sprouts!!! Ahhh, need I say more?!

Number One Pho, located on Cleveland's east side in its Asian hub, is a Vietnamese restaurant that boasts an amazingly expansive menu with lots to chose from (though mostly meat or fish dishes).

My first dining experience was with a pho-aficionado, so naturally I let her chose a few things off the menu she thought I would be interested in. I narrowed it down to the Chicken Pho in Beef Broth, which was unbelievably divine! She had a beef-stew inspired Pho dish which I believed to be a little more heavy, but just as good. I do have to admit that when I initially glanced at the menu I had no idea what to order. I am not really knowledgeable on Vietnamese cuisine, but even if I had gone alone, the staff is extraordinarily friendly and will help narrow down your options based on what you like! The service was great- fast, attentive and polite, the atmosphere- relaxing, good ambiance, and the prices were unbeatable- I got two meals out of my $10 tab, tip included!

Definitely a goer for a first date, a lunch with mom or a great way to warm up on a cold day!

Pho-netics: {pho bo= beef} {pho ga= chicken}

Light Bistro

2801 Bridge Avenue

Ohio City

216.771.7130

Light Bistro in Ohio City is my pick of the month. It boasts great tapas, but unlike many tapas bars, who have a menu consisting of ONLY tapas, Light Bistro has delectables ranging from sandwiches, pizzas and burgers to delicacies such as ostrich and pheasant. Prices are pretty reasonable, perhaps on the higher end if you're a broke college student like me, but the food is amazing and worth dishing out the cash! It is definitely one of Cleveland's crown jewels! If you are looking for something light, might I suggest the tradition tapas- Bacon wrapped Dates stuffed with Almonds and Valdeon Cheese or perhaps the Apple and Brie panini (which is part of their lunch menu, but you can get it at dinner as well), something heavier? Try the Slow Roasted Bison panini with Jalapenos, Fresh Mustard and Braised Red Cabbage or the Albondigas Pizza with Lamb Meatballs, Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella & Provolone. If you are wanting to go all out- don't hold back, try the Caramelized Scallops with Fennel, Red Onion, Orange Salad and Tarragon Sauce, West Coast Halibut with Basil Gremolata, Ratatouille Vegetables or the Grilled Ostrich in an Asian Glaze with Spinach and Pine Nuts & Raisins.

They also make one hell of a dirty martini and have delicious hand-stuffed blue cheese olives :) YUM!

full menu here

Momocho!

So this month I'm all about Momocho's in Ohio City. Maybe becuase it's margarita drinkin' season! This new take on classic Mexican dishes will have you coming back time and again. Walking in, the space is small and expect (especially during crowded happy hour) to be seated with a table of strangers or standing up near the bar. The atmosphere is festive, decorated with lucha libre masks and pictures of some of Mexico's finest celebrity wrestlers- they also have these great lamps that hang over the bar!

Happy Hour is Tues-Fri (they're closed Mondays) and includes:

1/2 price margaritas + tecate + taquitos (bar area + first floor only)

Everything that I've had or tried is a fiesta in my mouth! They have lots of unique foods to indulge in such as wild boar, duck, roasted grasshoppers and so on! Lots to eat for vegetarians as well :) And don't forget to try their guac- you can tell alot about an Mexican restaurant by their guacamole! Get the blue cheese guac- you won't be dissapointed, then again, you could get anything and really wouldn't be disappointed!

Viva la Momocho Mod Mex!

1835 Fulton Road

Cleveland, Ohio

216.694.2122

McNulty's Bier Markt

Bier Markt's To-Die-For Pomme Frites

So, this months restaurant is McNulty's Bier Markt located on

1948 West 25th Street Cleveland, Ohio, 44113

right across from the West Side Market

They are open 365 days out of the year, have an AMAZING beer and wine list and the food is absolutely divine! This is truely one of my all time favorite restaurants. Whether I'm in the mood to get in and get out or stay and chat with friends, the service is always phenomenal... and nice to look at ;) They also have a great happy hour, usually $3 beers and $5 food items, but if you are going to eat, you must try the Pomme Frites. These Belgian fries are cooked with Rosemary and Galic, served up with 3 different kinds of mayo and ketchup and are just sensational!

Check them out!

Tremont Taphouse

This awesome Tremont gastropub and eatery is a personal favorite!

Tons of unique and tasty beers on tap and amazing happy hour specials, making it a great stop right after work! The atmosphere is low-key and casual and the staff is almost always friendly and fabulous. If you are at a loss for what to order, try the calamari or taphouse burger with fries!

2572 Scranton Road

Tremont, Ohio

216.298.5551