Free Birthday Eats

Did you know that Akira Hibachi and Sushi, a terrific Japanese restaurant in Solon, has a birthday club? Sounds like something for kids but this is definitely aimed at adult  sake sippers, sushi lovers and fans of udon and edamame.  You must go there in person to sign up.  Once you’re in the club, owners Hank and Anna Saito will mark your special date  every year by mailing you a gift certificate during your birthday month for $15 off your next dinner.   This is one present you definitely won’t want to return, and in my opinion the savings add an extra bit of pleasure to the whole cake and candle thing.

It’s a lovely place, just right for a celebration, but casual and affordable enough to be an anytime destination. I have enjoyed every bite of every meal I’ve ever had here  and the  artful presentation of the food makes it is as beautiful as it is good.

The restaurant does not have a website. Here’s what you need to know: 6025 Kruse Drive (in a shopping center), 440-349-6850. Open seven days a week.

A Day of Cooking

Wonderful piece by Russ Parson’s in yesterday’s LA Times called Stop and Smell the Ragu. It describes the special pleasure of spending a day assembling and tending to a simmering pot  of real Italian “gravy”. Made me hungry and eager to get into the kitchen and start cooking, the two benchmarks of a great food story.

More French Fare

Thyme in Medina is not a French restaurant and is not in Cleveland Ethnic Eats. But for one night in November chef and owner John Kolar is turning to the land of baguette and Burgundy for inspiration. I’m a big fan of his culinary talents and have no doubt that he’ll put together an incredible evening of food and drink.

For details, click on the link, then click again on the page image.

french_wine_dinner1

Le Bistro du Beaujolais

Le Bistro du Beaujolais, the wonderful French restaurant in Olmstead Falls is reopening on Tuesday October 20th . Owners George and Claudie d’Arras tell me they are already booked up for that night. For those who don’t know, a devastating fire last January destroyed the interior of the historic building.  But the renovations are at last complete- I hear the new space is even lovlier than before- and they are ready to welcome back friends and fans, and show off what they can do to newcomers. The first week they’re open only for dinner from 5:00 pm  to close. If all goes well, they’ll  also start serving  lunch from 11:30am – 2:00pm the following week.

I can’t wait to get out there and have already started making plans for a couples dinner with a friend. The four of us have wonderful memories of a meal shared there last year that featured duck breasts in an incredible cherry port wine sauce and an amazing bottle of wine that  Georges selected to go with his wife Claudie’s food. In the meantime, I’ll be dreaming of their onion tarts, coq au vin, sweetbreads, and beef bourguignon.

 

Interest in Eating Ethnic

Got this press release today about the increasing interest among U.S. consumers in ethnic food.  Of course, for many of us it’s nothing new.  

 

         Americans dish on ethnic fare
Mintel research shows ethnic food sales to reach record high in 2009

 

Chicago (October 15, 2009)—With an expanding ethnic population calling the US ‘home’, a new Mintel report shows sales of ethnic foods have climbed steadily since 2004, set to reach a record high of $2.2 billion in 2009. In addition, Mintel forecasts solid growth of nearly 20% from 2010-14.

 

Mexican/Hispanic foods represent the largest segment of the ethnic foods market with nearly two-thirds (62%) of sales. In fact, Mexican food has become so mainstream, it is hardly considered ethnic anymore. Nearly six in 10 respondents say they have cooked Mexican food in the past month. However, it’s the Asian and Indian food segments that are driving the market’s growth, with 11% and 35% growth, respectively, from 2006-08.

 

“Since 2005, there are over one million foreigners becoming legal permanent residents in the US each year,” notes David Browne, senior analyst at Mintel. “This escalating group is influencing the American palate and piquing Americans’ interest in new cuisines.”

 

According to Mintel, income is one of the strongest predictors of ethnic food cooking. Ninety-two percent of respondents with household incomes more than $150k have cooked ethnic food in the past month. Young adults are also among the most adventurous when it comes to global cuisines. Some 91% of respondents aged 18-24 have cooked ethnic food in the same timeframe.

 

In addition to the growing diverse population, a resurgence in cooking and product innovation are helping to drive sales. Due to the economic downturn, the growing popularity of cooking shows, and a rise in international travel, more Americans are classifying themselves as ‘cooking enthusiasts’ and are having fun with cooking and experimenting with new flavors and foods.

 

 

 

About Mintel
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Laura’s List

I went to Athen’s Pastry on Lorain Saturday to stock up on some Mediterranean staples. It was another great shopping trip: brought home good things to eat, at much less than grocery stores prices for the same or similar products, and sourced a few items I can’t get anywhere else. Here’s the List:

1 liter (33.8 oz) Canola Oil                                                      $3.59

3 liters Extra Virgin Kalamata Olive Oil                            25.99

1 lb almonds                                                                                  5.66

1 lb dried apricots                                                                       4.49

14 oz dried figs                                                                            3.99

 1/2 lb Kefalotiri cheese                                                          4.98

1 lb French feta                                                                           6.75

1 lb Kalamata olives                                                                  3.99

4 heat-n-eat spanakopita pies                                               7.00

2 bottles Mark David white wine, a blend of  Chardonnay,                                              Semillion, Sauvignon Blanc                                                  20.38

Facebook

Just started a Facebook page for Cleveland Ethnic Eats. Hope all my blog followers will become fans and do some sharing there.  Come on, show your enthusiam. If you like the book, let everyone know.  Thanks

L’Albatros Update

I’m not alone in having high praise for L’Albatros (see previous post). It was just announced that  Esquire critic John Mariani included this Cleveland brasserie on his annual list of the Best New Restaurants in the country for 2009.  That’s quite an accomplishment and worthy of a toast!

Le Lunch

Wonderful, wonderful lunch this week at L’Albatros, the French brasserie in Univeristy Circle.  Sat beside the glowing fireplace, gazing out the big windows at the wind whipped garden, dotted with yellow leaves. I was snug, warm, and happily sipping on a glass of  good 2005 Cotes du Rhone from Etienne Guigal.  Shared a veal and pork pate with my dining companion. The terrine’ wa served with mustrady pickled onions and oversized capers- all together they make for a perfect mouthful. Then I had roasted cod with toasted garlic spatzle and creme fraiche. Excellent, and just the right amount- the portion left me full, not stuffed.  Two leisurely and plesant hours went by and I hardly noticed. We talked business- because  this was a business meeting- but mostly we appreciated the fine food in front of us, the pleasure of each other’s company,  and time-out from work day demands. This, I thought to myself, is how life should be lived.

Wonton Gourmet

Read food blogger Tom Noe’s detailed post about his recent meal at Wonton Gourmet  

http://exploringfoodmyway.blogspot.com/2009/10/going-solo-at-wonton-gourmet-bbq.html