Best of Northeast Ohio 2007

By the Editors

RADICAL RETAIL

BEST SHOE SPLURGE
Anne van H. Boutique
2026 Murray Hill Road, Cleveland
216-721-6633
An ever-expanding selection of shoes at this Little Italy boutique provides the perfect reason to splurge (somewhat reasonably, depending on your budget) on a little something special. Prices range from about $80 to $170 and include a variety of styles, from heels to flats to boots and more. Choose from funky styles by Jeffrey Campbell, Faryl Robin and Melissa. If you’re unsure of how to wear a pair of purple crackled-leather flats or black pointy-toed boots printed with giant safety pins, just ask the experts: the staff at Ann van H. will show you how to combine your new kicks with fun tights, fashionable jeans and enviably trendy tops.

BEST SHOE SAVINGS
Salvation Army Family Store
5919 Mayfield Road, Mayfield
440-449-0656
Bargain hunters in the know turn to their friendly neighborhood thrift store for fun finds at low prices. At this Salvation Army location – much as it pains us to give up the goods on this hidden treasure – you’ll find a well-organized shoe selection (mostly women’s, though kids and guys might get lucky too) priced significantly south of $10. Trendy flats in unusual, circusy colors, classic heels with near-designer pedigrees and even the occasional pair of brand-new shoes all await lucky shoppers. The best part? On certain days, some shoes are half price, which means you might get a new pair for less than the price of a cup of coffee.

BEST CUSTOM-MADE MAN
Savile Lane
117 Ghent Road, Fairlawn
330-864-8642
www.savilelanesuits.com
Savile Lane occupies a quaint piece of the quaintest shopping strip outside of New England – or maybe olde England. Located in a stylish Ghent Road plaza, this service-oriented shop focuses on offering custom suits at an accessible price point. Select your fit and fabric, and allow Savile Lane’s precision measuring techniques to do the rest. If investing in a custom suit seems too dear for your off-the-rack sensibilities, start small: Savile Lane also does custom shirts.

BEST SOURCE OF TWO-WHEEL FUN
Pride of Cleveland Scooters
18636 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood
216-227-1964
www.clevelandscooters.com
In post-World War II Italy, faced with strict airplane-manufacturing restrictions, Enrico Piaggio entrusted aeronautical engineer Corradino D’Ascanio to design a practical, inexpensive and easy-to-operate two-wheeled vehicle: The result was the first Vespa, which got its name after Piaggio said of the initial design, “Sembra una vespa!” (It reminds me of a wasp!). By 1947, thousands of Vespas were being sold, spawning thousands of other makes, and the scooter would soon become a cultural icon as familiar as Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck (who famously rode one in Roman Holiday), and an obsession for many. That obsession continues today, and there is nowhere better in northeast Ohio – or perhaps the Midwest – either to learn what all the fuss is about or find support for your interest. Owner Phil Waters and his staff have created a scooter mecca, with the largest collection of scooters for sale in the Midwest – more than 100 to choose from. At this authorized Vespa dealership, you’ll be sure to find the “wasp” of your dreams. Waters and company also run a full-service garage, where you can get a quick tune-up or a complete restoration of your vintage ride. The vast selection of riding gear and accessories ensures you’ll look cool while riding safely, and scooter artwork and memorabilia mean you can take your hobby indoors.

BEST TOOL BELT FILLER
Ingersoll Hardware
19333 Detroit Road, Rocky River
440-331-6200
www.ingersoll.doitbest.com
Since 1906, Ingersoll Hardware has been helping professional and amateur contractors get the tools they need to tackle just about any project they can dream up. Ingersoll recalls the hardware store of yesteryear, occupying a comparatively small space brimming with the tools of many trades, with a friendly, knowledgeable staff who are willing to spend time with each customer to make sure they get exactly what they need for their improvement projects – though they make no guarantees about the success of said improvements.

BEST AROMATIC BASKET
Day Break Lavender Farm
8376 State Route 14 & Diagonal Road, Streetsboro
330-389-0970
www.daybreaklavenderfarm.com
For many occasions, whether it’s birthdays, engagements or simply a nice gesture, giving gift baskets is a popular choice. The only problem is, the typical wine, cheese, old fruit and fake grass combination has grown, well, a bit stale. For something completely fresh, it’s hard to beat the creative baskets from Day Break Lavender Farm. The organic lavender and herb farm grows 13 varieties of lavender among its 1,500 lavender plants on its plot in Streetsboro. Each July, the farm hosts its popular lavender festival, the only time the farm is open to the public. Fresh lavender and herbs, however, are available year-round with the company’s gift baskets, including the Spa Lover’s Mini basket, featuring aroma bath stress melt, body silk lotion with homey crème complex, vodka splash and body candle – all made using your choice of fresh lavender and herbs.

BEST NEW MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS
Music Saves
15801 Waterloo Road, Cleveland
216-481-1875
www.musicsaves.com
In many modern record mega marts, you have equal opportunity to leave with the latest Top-40 MTV-approved drivel as you do a new washer and dryer combo. However, Music Saves is, in many respects, saving the idea of the music store. Owned by husband and wife, Melanie and Kevin (and full-time resident, Vinyl – the cat), the store offers two music sections: new and used. The small space houses a wealth of music, including the area’s best selection of independent music, on CD and vinyl. More important, the owners share a passion about music that is reflected in their regular recommendations and cross promotions with their neighbor, the Beachland Ballroom. Get on their mailing list for the latest news and releases. And good music.

BEST CHEESE SAMPLING
West Side Market
1979 West 25th Street, Cleveland
216-664-3386
www.westsidemarket.com
Foodies regularly flood the West Side Market, reveling in the culinary excitement only a diverse market of its magnitude could provide. With so many stands and so little time – and stomach space – it’s hard to know where to begin, but cheese lovers have plenty to save room and time for. Among the market’s cheese purveyors, including the Cheese Shop, which occupies stands H-8 and H-9, you can discover a whole new world of cheese. The stands are happy to provide samples for the uninformed cheese shopper, and help broaden your horizons: How about some Taleggio in place of your usual soft-ripened cheese? Sample and decide.

BEST INDEPENDENT READING
Visible Voice Books
1023 Kenilworth Ave, Cleveland
216-961-0084
www.visiblevoicebooks.com
If you’re looking for a good Kerouac celebration, a book on alt-cinema of the 1980s, a fresh cup of coffee and a comfortable chair to enjoy it in, head to Tremont for the area’s newest independent bookstore, Visible Voice Books. As a passionate diversion from his full-time life as the owner of a trucking company, Dave Ferrante opened this 2,200-square-foot specialty shop in a former printing shop a block away from Lincoln Park. Not hoping to compete with the big-box stores, Ferrante is offering niche titles in fiction, poetry, art, music and film, along with free meeting space, free Wi-Fi and free coffee, in this vibrant southside neighborhood.

BEST NEW STREET FOR SHOPPING
West Ninth Street, downtown Cleveland
Among the pockets of life in downtown Cleveland – West Sixth Street’s bar scene, East Fourth Street’s entertainment district and Gateway’s sports monopoly – West Ninth is an emerging fashion district of sorts. Clothing Brigade (www.clothingbrigade.com) and Suite Life recently welcomed Style Lounge (www.styleloungedenim.com), a denim destination for both men and women, into the neighborhood. Staffers and shoppers hang and mingle outside their shops, posing as living advertisements for the particular brand of style they’re selling. Down the street, Anatomy Nightclub (www.anatomycleveland.com) provides the perfect place for stylish citizens to display their new clothes.

BEST PLACE TO BE AN ANGEL OR A DEVIL
Cleveland Costume & Display
18489 Pearl Road, Strongsville
440-846-9292
www.clevelandcostume.com
Halloween is not a prerequisite to enter this store, although it can be. A large selection of costumes to choose from (kids and adults) is available year round to bring out your mischievous side or disguise it. Accessories to complement your new look, such as the generous variety of wigs, masks and hats, are available for every need. Whether you decide to rent or buy a costume, the price for dressing up in something fun, scary or crazy is affordable at Cleveland Costume & Display.

OUT ON THE TOWN

BEST PLACE TO NOT FORGET YOUR UMBRELLA
Bice, Tower City
230 West Huron Road, Cleveland
216-298-4447
www.bice.ws
Several local bars – though not nearly enough – have caught on to the fact that purse hooks under the bar are a genius idea. But Bice has elevated the concept: a sort of short-stack coat tree sits beside your table, ready to hold purses, hats, umbrellas and even short jackets (though staff will happily check your coat if you prefer). Best of all, with your belongings staring you in the face, you won’t likely sacrifice yet another umbrella to the big umbrella stand in the sky.

BEST SUNDAY SUPPER
Crop Bistro & Bar
1400 West Sixth Street, Cleveland
216-774-0055
www.cropbistro.com
Restaurateur and chef Steve Schimoler, and former Johnny’s Bistro owners, Joe Santosuosso and Paul Anthony, have proven a successful partnering since they united to open Crop Bistro in the old Johnny’s space. The new, casual hip restaurant highlights Schimoler’s inventive cuisine that relies heavily on local, well, crops. Sundays are truly special at Crop, when they offer their Sunday Supper special, which features an affordable (think about $20) set menu served family-style. Each diner selects an entrée from a short list of options that will definitely still cause internal debate, and are treated to appetizers, generous and crisp salad and desserts: making it for Sunday supper was never so easy.

BEST PLACE TO PARTY LIKE IT’S 1989
Peabody’s
2083 East 21st Street, Cleveland
216-776-9999
www.peabodys.com
If you’ve ever listened to hard rock music or heavy metal, odds are that you have been to Peabody’s – many times. Despite the genres’ fall from mainstream favor in the late-’80s after the reign of hair metal, and the popularity of dance and hip-hop firmly shaping record station playlists and pop music charts, Peabody’s has kept rocking, hosting shows nearly every night of the week, featuring plenty of acts from down the street and around the globe who share a similar commitment to making sure their amps are turned to 11. The spot serves as a place where fans young and old, long-haired and tattooed, or clean-shaven and sans ink, unite to see bands like ’80s thrash icons Exodus, while sharing a beer or two.

BEST PUPPY PARTY
Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Dog Days of Summer
2516 Market Avenue, Cleveland
216-771-4404
www.greatlakesbrewing.com
Good friends are always treating each other to drinks at the bar, so why not treat man’s best friend? The Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Dog Days of Summer is a great way to reward Fido for all he does for you – and treat yourself to some signature beers with other canine lovers. The party includes a special doggie menu, in addition to a puppy psychic and dog masseuse. Artists are on hand to immortalize your dog as a caricature, and all furry visitors (who walk on all fours) can get a souvenir bowl and bandana.

BEST PLACE TO HAVE LUNCH WITH GRADY SIZEMORE
West Side Market Café
1995 West 25th Street, Cleveland
216-579-6800
www.westsidemarketcafe.com
Apparently a favorite hangout of the adorable, single Cleveland Indians player for Saturday or Sunday brunch, the West Side Market Café is small, friendly and inexpensive, and open more than just market days. Look for the huge neon sign with an arrow pointing to the door – right across the bridge from Jacobs Field. It’s not stalking if you’re eating breakfast.

BEST ISLAND FLAVOR IN A STRIP MALL
Rachel’s Caribbean Cuisine
14417 Cedar Road, South Euclid
216-382-6952
For those of us who don’t have the time or money to take a trip to the Caribbean, Rachel’s provides an inland oasis – albeit it tucked into a non-descript strip mall with a sign you’d miss if you blinked. But be sure to check your coordinates, because you don’t want it to sail by. With ice-cold beers (including the prerequisite Red Stripe), reggae tunes, warm personalities and some of the best jerk cooking in the region, every trip to Rachel’s is a mini vacation – minus the sunburn.

BEST FRIED INDULGENCE
White House Chicken
Multiple locations
www.whitehousechicken.com
A wise man once said, “If it tastes good, it’ll probably kill ya, and if it tastes bad, you’ll live to taste it again.” Balance is an important part of life, so when a hankering for some fried, fat-laden goodness comes calling, there is no better way to indulge than at one of the White House Chicken locations. For more than 50 years, the local chain has been serving up its classic Barberton chicken, with signature sides of hot sauce with rice, freshly cut French fries and coleslaw. But, it’s all about the chicken: tender cuts of meat, coated with a lightly seasoned breading and fried in lard for a uniquely crisp and juicy combination worthy of the caloric splurge.

BEST CURE FOR A LONG NIGHT
Superior Pho
3030 Superior Avenue, Cleveland
216-781-7462
This spartan yet homey spot may take its name from the street it’s located on, but to the many pho followers who flock here, the name more accurately describes the steaming bowls of delicious sustenance that come so expertly prepared from the kitchen. The pho here is nothing short of a magical elixir, especially after a long night out on the town. The combination of perfectly seasoned broth, hearty noodles and tender beef form the basis for a meal in a bowl that is sure to rejuvenate even the most jaded reveler. Add a side of incredibly friendly service and a price tag that will help you feel better about buying a round of shots for all your “friends” at the bar, and you see why this is a superior start to a heavy-headed day.

BEST GALLERY AND LUNCH
Algebra Teahouse
2136 Murray Hill Road, Cleveland
216-421-9007
A large part of this spot’s cozy appeal can be attributed to its artistic owner and employees who fill the space with locally produced art – right down to the dishware and furniture. The atmosphere provides a tranquil refuge from a busy day, with wood fires in the winter and large, open windows in the summer, and the selection of healthy food options, including hummus, wraps and smoothies, in addition to an interesting list of teas, makes this Middle Eastern-influenced spot a true gem of an oasis in Little Italy.

BEST ROUND OF BEERS
Buckeye Beer Engine
15315 Madison Avenue, Lakewood
216-226-2332
www.buckeyebeerengine.com
Garin Wright knows a thing or two about beers. As part of the brains behind the barley of Buckeye Brewing Company, he crafted some of the area’s best locally made beers. The Beer Engine serves as a base for beer aficionados, who get first crack at some of Buckeye’s latest, unreleased brews, as well as no fewer than 20 rare imported and microbrews. The best way to set about trying them is with a group of friends, who can order different samplers of any four brews from the regularly rotating beer selection.

BEST PLACE TO PRETEND IT’S 1900
The Village of Chagrin Falls
Main Street, Chagrin Falls
440-247-1895
www.chagrinfalls.net, www.chagrinfalls.org
Incorporated in 1844 as a busy mill town for the growing Western Reserve, the bucolic setting of Main Street, Triangle Park and the falls is a unique part of northeast Ohio. The mills are gone, replaced by popcorn and ice cream and Starbucks, but a slow stroll around the village on a weekend afternoon is still the thing to do.

BEST PLACE TO CHAT WITH MUSICIANS
Grog Shop
2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard
Cleveland Heights
216-321-5588
www.grogshop.gs
For years, Kathy Simkoff and the Grog Shop team have been bringing in some of the best up-and-coming musicians, as well as veteran rockers. Not one to discriminate, the Grog extends equally open invitations to folk acts, hip-hop and metal artists, and all those in between – and the crowds tend to be equally eclectic. The relatively intimate venue creates an atmosphere where musicians and fans can chat after a performance. Whether it’s asking Evan Dando about life in the Hamptons or playing the ’60s Fender Jazzmaster of the lead guitarist from Australia’s Youth Group – it’s all gravy over a couple beers here.

BEST HOT DOG TOPPER
Stadium Mustard
Available throughout northeast Ohio and outer space
www.stadiummustard.com
Nearly as sac-religious as ordering a hot dog with ketchup in Chicago is eating a hot dog at Jacobs Field – or anywhere in northeast Ohio, for that matter – sans Stadium Mustard. For more than half a century, the mustard and its secret blend of ingredients heightened hot dogs at old Municipal Stadium, and it continues to delight new generations today. The condiment was even included on a space mission: It traveled with Don Thomas aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery from July 13 to 22, 1995, and again aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia from April 4 to 8, 1997.

HERE’S TO YOUR HEALTH… AND BEAUTY

BEST PLACE FOR AN OLD-FASHIONED CLEAN FREAK
Cleveland Food Co-op
11702 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
216-321-9292
www.clevelandfood.coop
In a liquid hand soap world, plain old bar soap seems positively retro. There’s something comforting and wholesome about a cake of good-smelling soap next to the sink, especially in the kitchen, where cooking and cleaning require frequent washing. Kirk’s Coco Hardwater Castile Soap was first introduced in 1839; Kirk’s Natural Products, located in Cincinnati, still produces the all-natural bar soap, which is hypoallergenic, not tested on animals and contains no animal byproducts. It’s also biodegradable (great for camping) and free of synthetic detergents. Locally, we like buying Kirk’s Castile at the Cleveland Food Co-op, where it’s available alongside a selection of other green-friendly cleaning products. And if you just can’t break the liquid soap habit, Kirk’s makes that too.

BEST BARGAIN MASSAGE
Brown Aveda Institute
Locations in Mentor and Rocky River
440-255-9494
www.brownaveda.com
Spa treatments are a necessity for some, pure indulgence for others. With massage, however, it’s not always the best idea to bargain shop: You want to emerge from your massage soothed and supple, not pained and pinched. At the Brown Aveda institute, you can get the best of both worlds. The institute is a training facility for professionals-in-the-making, and instructors supervise all services. Choose an upper body massage for about $17 and a full-body massage for $35. Relax, and think of how much money you’re saving.

BEST CAT CARE
Just Cats Hospital
4125 Mayfield Road, Cleveland
216-691-9100
If you’re a cat person, entrust your favorite feline’s health and well-being to the cat people at Just Cats, a cats-only veterinarian practice. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who knows more – or cares more – about cats. Good advice delivered in no-nonsense fashion takes the guesswork out of pet ownership and makes for very happy cats. If you happen to be going out of town without your furry friend (how dare you!), Just Cats offers boarding at reasonable rates.

BEST CHEAP MANICURE
John Robert’s Salon and Spa
Four Cleveland area locations
216-839-4850
www.johnrobertsspa.com
Having spent the better part of a year in search of the perfect reasonably priced manicure, we can say with authority that it comes from the skilled professionals at John Robert’s. Our quest began when we wondered why basic manicures in our salt-of-the-earth city were priced at $40, $50 or even $60, when fashionable women in New York City pay about $12 (or even less). We tried treatments at all price levels, and all failed to live up to the “express” manicure at John Robert’s, which starts at about $15. This version comes without the ubiquitous hand and arm massage, but you’ll be in and out in less than 30 minutes.

BEST TOE TREATMENT
The Spa at Springfield
20926 Drake Road, Strongsville
440-238-2111
www.spaatspringfield.com
Bring along a pair of flip-flops or open-toed sandals and discover the joy of a pedicure at The Spa at Springfield. Grab a magazine, turn on the massaging chair, sit back and sip a beverage. Then, gently slip your feet into the soothing footbath while one of the experienced nail technicians pampers your feet and toenails. Prices range from $45 to $65, depending on the type of pedicure you choose, but the treat for your feet is worth it.

BEST PLACE TO GET A BRADY QUINN BUZZ CUT FOR $10
Stefanec Brothers Barber Shop
2450 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland
216-621-7808
Cops and firemen, St. Ignatius jocks and Senator Voinovich all get their buzz on at this near east side barber shop, operated at this location since 1991 by the Stefanec Brothers (who’ve been in business since the mid-1960s). All the employees are family, as are the 20-some cutters at the other four locations around town. Slide into a giant, white enameled chair that looks like a classical column, and let the clipping begin. The price is right ($10, more for fancy cuts & trims) and you can catch up on the games, read Maxim and pet Elvis the black lab when he visits.

LEISURE FOR PLEASURE

BEST PLACE TO TAKE ARTSY PHOTOS
Akron Art Museum
1 South High Street, Akron
330-376-9185
www.akronartmuseum.org
An amateur photographer we know likes to hone her craft by photographing the most cooperative subjects of all: fixed, immovable structures. Anything that stands still is fair game, but it’s even better when the building in question is full of interesting angles, reflective surfaces and mind-boggling juxtaposition. The recently re-opened Akron Art Museum fits the bill on all accounts, and what better place to create art than an art museum?

BEST BRITISH INVASION
North Coast Triumph Association’s British Car Show
www.nctaweb.com
The last major British invasion involved a bunch of mop-haired rock icons, but this time around, it’s a bunch of four-wheeled invaders taking over Shaker Square. For car enthusiasts and fans of British wheels, the North Coast Triumph Association’s car show is a dream, brining together plenty of classic rides, from Minis and Jaguars to Austin Healeys and Triumphs, for one jolly old afternoon.

BEST PLACE TO END YOUR DAY
Mapleside Farms & Restaurant
294 Pearl Road, Brunswick
330-225-5577
www.mapleside.com
Whether you’re stopping at Mapleside for a bite to eat at the rustic country restaurant or to pick up some homegrown produce at the Apple House, make sure you end your visit on the farm’s hilltop, overlooking the valley of apple orchards. The breathtaking 50-mile view of the northeast Ohio countryside provides a perfect picturesque scene to watch the sun dip below the horizon. It’s a beautiful way to finish off your day.

BEST OTHER FOOTBALL GAME
Cleveland City Stars
www.clevelandcitystars.com
Though the Browns have a loyal (we’d have to be) following, the Cleveland City Stars, who made their United Soccer League debut this year, earned plenty of fans as the most successful expansion team in the USL’s 20-year history. The new team, Cleveland’s only outdoor professional soccer squad, won all 10 of its first season home games at Cleveland State University’s Krenzler Field, offering Cleveland sports fans a good reason to come out and cheer a professional team.

BEST GROG-Y GETAWAY
Ohio Brew Week Festival
www.ohiobrewweek.com
For most of the year, Athens, Ohio, is home to thousands of Ohio University students, who tend to do a good job of balancing time in the classroom with time on the barstool. Yet, during the summer months while most students are away on summer break, the town becomes a decidedly more restful place – except maybe for one week in July during the Athens Brew Weeks Festival. The event unites nearly all the town’s independent restaurants and bars, which serve the signature suds – and food made with it – of more than 20 Ohio microbreweries. The event attracts an appreciative crowd of beer lovers, locals and OU alumni, who also come for beer cooking demonstrations, lectures and competitions, and the chance to sample the state’s best brew.

BEST PICTURESQUE SNOW STROLL
The Cleveland Metroparks Mill
Stream Run Physical Fitness Trail
This fitness trail, meant for a vigorous workout, is also a magnificent place for a leisurely winter walk, with one caveat: You must go immediately following a freshly fallen snow. This scenic path of beauty begins between rows of large trees, dusted with glistening snow, that form what seems like an infinite arch to walk under. It leads you to the icy waters of the Rocky River, which are enhanced by white-covered banks. As you walk alongside the river, you might spot the majestic colors of a cardinal or blue jay spectacularly set against the blanket of white. It’s like an absolutely perfect picture postcard.

BEST AROMATIC AND FLAVORFUL FACTORY TOUR
Harry London Chocolates
5353 Lauby Road, Canton
800-321-0444
www.harrylondon.com
The wonderful scent pulls you in, and the smooth, creamy taste will leave you wanting more. The 45-minute guided tour of the working chocolate factory begins above the production floor and ends at the on-site retail store, where you will have the chance to savor many samples of the exquisite chocolates, such as the famous Buckeyes, the popular Joys or the London Mints. There are more than 500 varieties of gourmet chocolates and candies available for you to purchase at the factory store for gift giving, or perhaps a little self-indulgence. We dare you to choose only one favorite.

BEST CARDIO WORKOUT WITH A HISTORY LESSON
Whipp’s Ledges Loop Trail in Cleveland
Metroparks Hinckley Reservation
Start at the bottom of this spectacular hilly trail loop surrounded by lush forest, and move upwards to really get your heart pumping. You’ll travel through narrow passageways, step across protruding tree roots and wind around large rocks and boulders, while moving alongside the towering 350-foot-high Sharon conglomerate ledges (sandstone created from crushed pebbles). On your way back down the trail, take a moment to read some of the plaques providing enlightening information on geology and the ledges, which were formed more than 250 million years ago.

BEST WAY TO CELEBRATE THE MIGHTY CUYAHOGA
WRRA Summer Rowing League
1948 Carter Road, Cleveland
216-621-WRRA
www.wrra.cc
You’ve marveled at its beauty from office buildings, bridges and Flats boardwalks, but you’ve likely never been in it: the Cuyahoga River. Sign up for the Western Reserve Rowing Association’s 15-week summer rowing league and you can see the city from a new perspective, as you travel up and down the river with seven teammates, a coxswain and a coach. Learn how to row, row, row your shell, quickly down the stream – our great region’s birthplace – alongside ore boats, cruise ships and dredging barges, past refineries and under bridges.

BEST REWARD FOR A LONG BIKE RIDE
Carvel on the Towpath Trail
8111 Rockside Road,Valley View
216-901-0267
www.carvelvalleyview.com
About seven miles south of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail’s northern terminus at Harvard Road (or 25 miles north of Akron) is a Carvel ice cream store, at Rockside Road in the Thornburg Station, across from the newly opened Yours Truly Restaurant. There are 20 flavors of ice cream and soft-serve, including the ever-popular Cake Mix and the shockingly sweet & pink Cotton Candy. A dozen toppings are available, and several types of cones, so you will have hundreds of ways to reward yourself for your ride (and the calories will help you return to where you started).

BEST MIX OF HOT AND COLD
Hot cocoa and Strongsville Toboggan Chutes
Mill Stream Run Reservation, Valley Parkway, Strongsville
440-572-9990
www.clemetparks.com/recreation/tobogganing
Safer than skating, cheaper than skiing and more fun than building snowmen, the two 1,000-foot refrigerated ice chutes in the Cleveland Metroparks are open Thanksgiving through March and offer toasty fireplaces and hot chocolate in the chalet at the end of your run. Season passes are available for you or your whole family, as long as they’re at least 42 inches tall.

BEST ESCAPE TO THE 1950S
Lakeside, Ohio
www.lakesideohio.com
If you long for a vacation spot where the kids can ride their bikes unsupervised, or where an ice cream social is the place to be on a Saturday night, perhaps it’s time to plan a trip to Lakeside. This gated community does charge visitors a gate fee, but it includes entrance to cultural events and provides peace of mind simply not possible at most traditional vacation spots. Quaint cottages, old-fashioned hotels and a positively old-timey lakefront pavilion make the modern world seem miles – and years – away. Book your cottage now, and sign the kids up for sailing lessons.

BEST PLACE TO STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS
Lake View Cemetery
12316 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
(Cleveland Heights entrance at Mayfield & Kenilworth)
216-421-2665
www.lakeviewcemetery.com
Read a murder mystery with crime fighter Eliot Ness, listen to a classical music CD with Cleveland Orchestra founder Adella Prentiss Hughes, ponder politics with President Garfield or review the week’s oil prices with JD Rockefeller. They’re all buried at this serene sylvan spot on the east side, 285 acres of land straddling Cleveland, East Cleveland and Cleveland Heights. You can walk the grounds any day of the year to be inspired by the accomplishments of the famous and not-so-famous folks who populate Lake View Cemetery.

PLAYTIME

BEST BICYCLES
Century Cycles
Multiple locations
www.centurycycles.com
It’s tough to say exactly why Freddie Mercury proclaimed, “I like to ride my bicycle,” but one could surmise it’s because it’s among life’s simpler pleasures. From children on training wheels to those in their golden years, bicycles pave the way to freedom and fun. Century Cycles has been helping novice and expert riders get the bikes they need, with fantastic customer service, and a commitment to quality products and education that has made them one of the most popular retailers in the region.

BEST PLACE TO EAT LIKE A KID (WITH THE KIDS)
Melt Bar & Grilled
14718 Detroit Road, Lakewood
216-226-3699
www.meltbarandgrilled.com
Certain things instantly transport you back to your childhood: red rider wagons, cotton candy and mom’s grilled cheese. Though the grilled cheese offerings at Melt are a far cry from what Mom used to make (she probably never put pierogi or barbecue chicken in yours), they are just as delicious. The space is filled with historical Cleveland décor, and the little ones will love a big regular grilled cheese, while Mom and Dad enjoy a more grown-up version, with one of the bar’s more than 100 beers.

BEST REASON TO GATHER THE FAMILY IN THE BACK OF A PICK-UP TRUCK
Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In Theater
33395 Lorain Road, North Ridgeville
440-327-9595
www.autoramadrivein.com
It’s easy and fun! Gather the clan, select your movie preference and head to the Aut-O-Rama. After setting up chairs in the rear cargo area of a pick-up (yours or borrowed), make a trip to the concession stand and then sit down to enjoy an outdoor family night of entertainment. You’ll have the best seat in the house – or is it truck? The seasonally operated twin screen theater has been owned by the same family for more than four decades, and offers patrons first runs of movies. Pajamas are optional, but highly recommended.

BEST BOOK IN A TREE
The Blue Heron Bookstore
1593 Main Street, Peninsula
330-657-2575
www.blueheronbookstore.com
Bring the kids to the quaint, independent bookstore located within the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park on Saturdays at noon. They will be delighted to climb the hidden spiral staircase and listen to a story in their own cool, lofty spot: atop the two-story, indoor tree house (Herons Nest) in the kids’ room. Parents can check out the latest releases from their favorite authors and sit around the cozy fireplace while they wait for story time to end.

VERY FINE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

BEST PLACE TO LOSE YOURSELF IN THE MOVIES
Cinemark Valley View
6001 Canal Road,Valley View
216-447-7900 for showtimes
Lucky for us, Cleveland has a few remaining indie flick palaces. But if the craving for an explosion-heavy blockbuster strikes, Cinemark Valley View is where to get your fix. Escape steamy (or snowy) Sundays by spending a few climate-controlled hours in front of a big screen with a bucket of popcorn and a tub of soda.

BEST BLUES JOINT
Northside Blues Bar
111 North Main Street, Akron
330-434-7625
www.northsideclub.com
What better place to open a blues bar than a former brothel? If that former brothel happens to be in a formerly marginal neighborhood and next to a beloved pizza joint, then so much the better. Akron’s Northside Blues Bar features great musical acts, good food and a whole host of characters, but the biggest character of all is the restored bar, which has supposedly featured its share of legends over the years. Stop in for a bite to eat or just to hear some tunes. If walls could talk – well, maybe it’s better they keep some secrets to themselves.

BEST STAR-STRUCK THEATER
Ohio Shakespeare Festival at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
714 North Portage Path, Akron
330-836-5533
www.stanhywet.org
The Garden’s Lagoon provides the setting for these outdoor performances, which just completed a seventh summer residence, led by directors Terry Burgler and Nancy Cates, and a troupe composed of actors with national and regional experience. The spot is perfect for a pre-performance picnic, though sandwiches and desserts prepared by Mustard Seed Market are available, and a walk around the beautiful grounds and gardens is the perfect way to work up an appetite before the curtain rises on a warm evening of entertainment.

BEST CLASSIC MOVIE DATE
Cinema at the Square
Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square Center
1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
216-771-4444
A few select weeks out of the summer bring the chance for you and your significant other to return to a romantic evening of yesteryear. The grand old Palace Theatre shows timeless masterpieces dating back to the 1940s, preceded by funny, classic cartoons. And, if you arrive before the screen lights up, you’ll have the pleasure of hearing the impressive organist entertain you with songs from the theater’s Kimball organ. This night out will only set you back $5 per person, so go ahead, splurge on the popcorn.

BEST PLACE FOR GOOD FOLKS
The Barking Spider
11310 Juniper Road, Cleveland
216-421-2863
A longtime favorite of Case Western Reserve University students, the Barking Spider is one of those great little bars you probably wouldn’t know was there unless someone told you it was. People come as much for the drinks and great outdoor seating as they do for the nightly performances, which are often an exciting blend of local and out-of-town folk talent who help give the bar’s already down-home atmosphere an even more homey feel.

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