Cleveland Plus offers up some delectable offerings for those travelers looking to eat out over the Christmas holiday–from traditional eggs and pancakes to eggnog brûlée at the Ritz.

Lights on Public Square (photo: Scott Meivogel)

December 24, 2010: Christmas Eve

1890 Lounge at the Hyatt Regency
Drink in your choice of holiday spirits in a luxurious cosmopolitan atmosphere. Open 12pm-1am. For guests staying in the Hyatt Regency at the Arcade, in-ioom dining is available from 6am-11pm.

Amelia’s at Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel
Fight post-flight hunger with a warm plate of Ohio City Black Pepper Fettuccine or start off your “island vacation” a few hours early with a Hawaiian burger.  Open for breakfast 6am-11am; lunch 11am-4pm; dinner 3pm-10pm

Bistro on Lincoln Park
Head to Tremont for a unique blend of French, Italian and Spanish flavors served up in a relaxed environment. Experience this seasonal menu of delicious food for lunch, 10am-2 pm.

Blake’s Seafood Restaurant & Bar
In addition to their regular menu, Blake’s Seafood Restaurant and Bar will feature a Surf & Turf special for $14.99. This feature includes a top sirloin steak with choice of Maryland crab cake or sautéed scampi shrimp (lobster tail for an additional $5) and a choice of a classic Caesar or wedge salad and a side dish. Open 4pm-9pm.

Bob Evans – All Locations
When the holidays have you yearning for home, grab a stack of blueberry hotcakes or a hearty knife & fork sandwich to warm your soul and lift your spirits. All Northeast Ohio Bob Evans locations are open 6am-3 pm on Christmas Eve.

Buca di Beppo Strongsville & Westlake
Enjoy Buca di Beppo’s delicious Italian-style, family-size portions meant to be shared among generations young and old.  Open 11am-10pm.

Bucci’s Brick Oven
Enjoy an Italian panini or a traditional margherita pizza baked in a wood-burning brick oven. A warm and cozy atmosphere and hearty portions lend themselves to an old-world authenticity at Bucci’s various locations throughout Cleveland Plus. Open for lunch until 2:30pm; available for carryout until 3:30pm.

Bucci’s Restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport
Be one of the first to try the new menu, premiering on Dec. 23 at Bucci’s Restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport. Experience superior service and choose from a variety of delicious menu items such as steaks, seafood, pasta and Italian specialties. Open 6am-7pm (last seating).

Creekside Restaurant
Nestled in treetops overlooking Chippewa Creek, visitors can take in the beautiful view of Northeast Ohio’s winter wonderland while enjoying a delicious fresh meal at Creekside Restaurant in Brecksvile. Open Christmas Eve 11am- 4pm.

Emerald Necklace Inn
Gather the family to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea lunch or high tea at the Emerald Necklace Inn, a bed and breakfast located in Fairview Park. Please call 440.333.9100 for tea times and reservations.

Fat Fish Blue
Louisiana-Creole cuisine and traditional American dishes reflecting the roots, diversity and broad popularity of blues music, is the staple of this toe-tapping downtown Cleveland favorite. Seating until 7pm. 

Great Lakes Brewing Company
Celebrate the season at the brewery home to the one of most beloved Christmas ales in the region. The menu offers a variety of locally-produced food choices aimed at complimenting any of the award-winning Great Lakes beers on tap. Open 11:30am-6pm (last seating at 4pm; last call at 5:30pm; gift shop open until 6pm).

Grumpy’s Cafe
From Veggie Benedict (poached eggs on an English muffin with tomato, avocado and hollandaise sauce) to the West 14^th Special (corned beef hash with two eggs and toast), the brunch menu at Grumpy’s can’t be beat. And don’t forget the cafe is BYOB as well, so pack up your Great Lakes Christmas Ale and head into Tremont. Open 7am-3pm.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Positively Cleveland is constantly getting asked about new hotels or hotels that have undergone a renovation. We want to provide business and leisure travelers with the information they want. That’s why we’re beginning to profile hotels that are new, have recently renovated or are expanding.

The Cleveland Airport Marriott recently underwent an intense renovation. The transformed hotel features 371 guest rooms with lush carpeting, stylish décor, upgraded bathrooms, refrigerators, 37-inch flat screen TVs and Marriott plug-in technology. The Marriott is conveniently located just miles from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and within minutes of downtown Cleveland, the IX Center, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and sports venues (like Browns Stadium, Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena). Complimentary airport shuttle service is available.

Another mentionable addition to the Cleveland Airport Marriott is AMP 150, a Chef Dean James Max destination restaurant. The new eatery offers travelers as well as local foodies an unforgettable, yet affordable dining experience. The dining room seats 80 and everything is $3 – $20.

For more information about the Cleveland Airport Marriot, visit www.ClevelandAirportMarriott.com. –Submitted by Corinne Allie, Social Media Specialist

EDITOR’S NOTE: Visitors ask us where the skating rinks are. Although there are several indoor rinks, the Rink at Wade Oval in University Circle (launched last year) is the City’s outdoor rink.  

The Rink at Wade Oval (photo: KFCrisafi)

The most concentrated square mile of arts and educational institutions in the nation, Cleveland’s University Circle includes a history and auto-aviation museum, a natural history museum, an institute of music, an institute of art, a botanical garden with two amazing glasshouse ecosystems and a series of outdoor spaces to explore, a renowned art museum, the winter home of the Cleveland Orchestra and most recently an ice rink.

More than 10,000 skaters took the ice on Wade Oval last season while onlookers enjoyed hot drinks and snacks from nearby concession stands. A wintry Wade Oval makes for a scenic experience and what’s even better, admission is free ($3 for skates if you don’t have your own). The rink is open now through March 21, but hours are subject to change. Call 216.707.5033 for daily information.

Visit www.universitycircle.org for more information about all there is to do in the Circle. –Submitted by Corinne Allie, Social Media Specialist

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio.

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is the former home of F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Now a museum open to the public, this historic 65-room Tudor Revival mansion sits on acres of garden landscape that includes a birch allee, walled English garden and a lagoon.

The winter holidays were always a great time at Stan Hywet Hall, serving as an occasion to gather the rubber baron’s entire family under one roof and celebrate big (especially in 1923 when daughter Irene’s noon wedding ceremony took place in the Music Room on December 25). Guests included the Seiberling family, grandchildren, cousins, aunts, uncles and other distant relatives. According to the family, the Manor House kitchen staff began holiday baking on December 1 and no visitor left the mansion without a bag of cookies throughout the holidays.

Each year, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens hosts its evening holiday celebration, Deck the Hall!, from 5-8pm weekends through December 30. Christmas collections are the focus this year, with 25 rooms in the Manor House decorated to create a warm and inviting holiday setting. Each of the 25 decorated rooms offers a glimpse into the past. Collections on display include Christmas cards, snow globes, sheet music, children’s books, Christmas china, cookie cutters, vintage toys and more. Other Deck the Hall! festivities include a winter wonderland of 250,000 twinkling holiday lights, a nutcracker suite in the Corbin Conservatory, ice sculptures and holiday treats in the Carriage House Museum Store and Café.

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is located at 714 North Portage Path in Akron . . . just 30-45 minutes south of Cleveland. For more information visit www.stanhywet.org or call 330.836.5533.  –Submitted by Corinne Allie, Social Media Specialist

EDITOR’S NOTE: While in Akron this winter, you may want to check out the Akron Zoo, Akron Art Museum (showing “Familiar Faces: Chuck Close in Ohio Collections” throughout December), take a Lantern Tour at Hale Farm & Village or go shopping for one original creations at Don Drumm Studios.

To see a video about Deck the Hall! and other Cleveland Plus holiday celebrations, please watch below.

 

Statue of Tom Johnson, 35th mayor of Cleveland, on the northwest quadrant of Public Square.

A statue of Tom Johnson, considered one of Cleveland’s most influential mayors of all time, sits in the northwest quadrant of Public Square in downtown Cleveland. Johnson was born July 18, 1854 and served as the 35th mayor of Cleveland from 1901 to 1909. He died April 10, 1911. –answered by Tammy Lester, Special Projects Coordinator

EDITOR’S NOTE: For those of you who have a lot of time on your hands and a little too much eggnog latte in your system this time of year, here are the words to Positively Cleveland’s 2009 video holiday card. Since we know many Youtube users have the attention span of an elf hopped up candy canes, we didn’t parody the poem in its entirety.

‘Twere the weeks before New Years
and thru our fair city,
The Dawg Pound had gone silent–
The Browns played . . . well, just say it’s a pity.
Our dreams had all turned to an NBA ring
and the giant casino Gilbert promised to bring.

It’d be great to be champs, but we were all fine . . .
eating chocolate dipped bacon with local ice wine.
We shopped galleries for gifts for our spouses,
buying festive leg lamps to deck out our houses.

Some braved the cold waters to surf in Lake Erie,
while others found waterparks that much more cheery.
On slick toboggan chutes the kids, well, they flew–
while adults got their thrills from a holiday brew.

Whether seeing Gauguin, Karamu or Stan Hywet,
there was lots going on, we just needed to do it.
When in front of the Tower, out on Public Square,
the smooth voice of a deejay magically filled the night air. 

We came from the bistros, playhouses and clubs.
We poured out of Fourth Street and emptied the pubs. 
The voice was compelling, this voice it had soul . . .
and it came from the man who coined rock and roll.

“Alan Freed!” we all cried in one mass reaction,
for Freed’s legacy fueled our city’s best-known attraction.
Here he was, the moondogger who threw a great ball . . .
here he was, the deejay, who spawned the Rock Hall. 

Madonna, The Rolling Stones, Traffic, The Clash . . .
Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Prince or Grandmaster Flash . . .
from the vinyl resurgence to Guitar Hero releases,
music lives on and the beat never ceases.

“Hello Cleveland!” boomed the voice from the heavens
over a power chord with amps turned to eleven.
Suddenly the city’s true spirit was felt everywhere
and thousands of rock hands flew up in the air!

So simply he’d done it. He erased all our doubt.
Then he flew from the stage . . . The Black Keys played him out.
But we heard him exclaim in the spirit of Drew Carey,
“Cleveland rocks everyone and may your season be merry!” –Submitted by Positively Cleveland staffers

Ahh, the question we get every year  . . . what is there to do for New Year’s Eve?

Last year I celebrated New Year’s Eve in white–a wedding dress, that is. Needless to say, the pressure is on to make our first anniversary pretty spectacular. So, I dedicate this blog to my husband, Keith. Hopefully he (and you, too) can peruse these offerings to make it a New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2009) to remember!

NEW YEAR’S EVE PACKAGES

Sergio’s SARAVA: New Year’s Eve Samba Party  The party begins after 10pm ($15 cover) with a fantastic mix of cultures at Sergio’s SARAVA in Shaker Square. Dance to SAMBA JOIA Brazilian Drum Line and DJ Kris Koch of Num Num World Music spinning the best samba, salsa, bhangra, afro-cubano, bollywood and much more. The cash bar will be open and a menu of Sergio’s signature street plates will be available. At midnight you’ll not only celebrate the New Year, but Sergio draws for a trip for two to Rio (click here to enter). After, enjoy a beautiful overnight stay in the Glidden House located in University Circle for only $99+tax. Click here for more information.

Cleveland POPS Orchestra: 14^th Annual New Year’s Eve Concert and Dance  Cleveland POPS welcomes the new year with a rousing concert of music from Broadway’s contemporary musicals. The concert starts at 9pm with Broadway singers J. Mark McVey and Capathia Jenkins singing selections from Phantom of the Opera, Tommy, Rent, Lion king, Mamma Mia, The Wiz, Hairspray, Dreamgirls and more. This two-hour concert will be followed with social dancing in two separate locations within Severance hall. Guests can complete their New Year’s experience with an overnight stay at the InterContinental Cleveland Hotel. Click here to learn more.

The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland: New Year’s Eve Celebration  The last night of 2009 is yours for the taking. Indulge in a bottle of bubbly and a special dinner for two at The Ritz-Carlton’s award-winning restaurant, MUSE. In its entirety, the New Year’s Eve Celebration Package include (starting at $499+tax): deluxe overnight accommodations, a chilled bottle of champagne, a welcome amenity, valet parking and this special New Year’s Eve Dinner for two (during either the first seating at 6:30pm or the second seating at 9pm. Reservations required. Click here or call 216.623.1300.

Then, ring in 2010 with style in The Ritz-Carlton’s intimate and festive Lobby Lounge on 6 with live music, dance floor and party favors. The Lobby Lounge on 6 offer sa menu of light fare and a vast selection of spirits as you toast your way in the New Year. Dom Pérignon sold by the flute is the perfect way to treat yourself and the one you love to a fantastic 2010. This music and dancing is open and available to the public.  

Embassy Suites in Independence

EDITOR’S NOTE: Okay, so no one specifically asked us a question about suburban hotels south of Cleveland today, but it’s something  we do get asked a lot and that we thought you needed to know.

 

If you’ve never been to Cleveland you probably don’t know that in addition to an abundance of downtown hotels, the city’s suburbs are full of worthy places to stay, eat and play.

A ten or 15 minute car ride south of the city will take you to Independence, where you can take advantage of suburb perks yet not be too far removed from the action. Very popular with family reunions, traveling families and group tours, Independence is home to 12 hotels (providing 1,884 rooms) and more than 35 restaurants. The city is easily accessible from all directions and a stone’s throw away from downtown dining, entertainment and nightlife.

Positively Cleveland recently toured some hotels in Independence. We visited the Holiday Inn, Hyatt Place, Hampton Inn, Skyline Hotel & Conference Center, Doubletree and Embassy Suites.

We also stopped at Delmonico’s Steakhouse (where all Italian wines are 50% off on Friday) and Mavis Winkles (a wonderful group option).

Each property has something special to offer. Take a photo tour here.

No, it’s open year-round . . . Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (not on ”T” days and not Sunday). For close to 100 years, Clevelanders and visitors, have flocked to the West Side Market, making it the oldest outdoor market in the nation. Located in the near west Ohio City neighborhood (at the corner of West 25 and Lorain Road) just minutes from downtown, it’s easily accessible. Because of it’s rich history, the West Side Market is one of the most well-known landmarks in the city.

The walls are lined with more than 100 vendors offering fresh produce, dairy and meat as well as prepared foods like crepes from Crepes De Luxe, pizza from Frickaccio’s and even side dishes at Side Show. 

Visiting simply to enjoy the atmosphere isn’t uncommon and the balcony overlooking the market is a popular spot for eating and visiting. Although busy all year, holiday shopping is especially exciting. With dozens of ethnicities represented, it’s easy to try special holiday eats from different cultures without having to crash anyone’s party.

Positively Cleveland recently spent some time at the market to take it all in. We talked to 15 vendors (see them here) about their products, histories and what they love most about Cleveland (for which the most common answer was ”the people.”) Watch the video to learn more about the West Side Market experience:

Here’s a complete list of the West Side Market vendors we visited:
Crepes De Luxe – Sweet and savory crepes
Grandma Freda’s Fresh Bakery – Try the strawberry cupcake (actually try them all!) 
Michelle’s Bakery – Breads, muffins, cookies and other baked goods. 
Irene Dever - Fresh cheese, yogurt (Irene Dever’s strawberry yogurt is always on my market list), cottage cheese, eggs and salads
Turczyk’s / Bistricky’s – Meat (whole heads of several varieties, just not sure which ones)
Boutros Brothers Produce – Fresh vegetables
Campbell’s Popcorn Shop – Popcorn, chocolate covered everything, candied and caramel apples and other sweets
City Roast Coffee and Tea – Any kind of coffee or tea you could ever want, although their most popular is the house blend
Frickaccio’s Pizza Market – Homemade pizza hot or to go, pizza bagels and other Italian delights
Juice Garden – Fresh juice and smoothies
Kim Se Cambodian Cuisine – Fresh homemade Pad Thai, egg rolls, sushi etc. 
Mediterranean Imported Foods – Meat, cheese, cookies, crackers, candy and the things you’re dying to try but can’t buy at the regular grocery store
Ohio City Pasta – Their handcrafted fresh pasta is in restaurants across the US and available for purchase around Cleveland
Side Show – A variety of take-with-you side dishes
The Olive and the Grape – Oils and spices including a sampling of 17 original Cleveland spices –answered by Corinne Allie, Social Media Specialist

The Cleveland Plus Official Visitors Guide (OVG) is the official visitor publication showcasing Cleveland Plus and is the first publication sent to visitors upon request before their arrival.  The guide features vibrant imagery and enticing editorial highlighting the assets of our community. The OVG provides a comprehensive source of information for visitors on area accommodations, restaurants, events, attractions, museums, entertainment, family fun, shopping, sports & recreation, sightseeing & tours, neighborhoods, multicultural activities, transportation, maps and visitor services. 

Published in-house by Positively Cleveland’s Marketing Department, we print two issues annually. 180,000 copies of the Spring/Summer OVG are distributed May-September and 70,000 copies of the Fall/Winter OVG are distributed October-April.  The publication is circulated through local hotels, downtown Cleveland Plus Visitors Center, CLE and CAK airports, the Ohio Turnpike and ODOT Visitor Centers, regional AAA offices, other Ohio CVBs and fulfilled and mailed to visitors via website and toll-free phone requests.

It truly takes a team effort to go from 84 blank pages to the finished product. We start by verifying membership listings. With more than 725 published listings we go through a process with our members to make sure that every listing is as accurate and up-to-date as possible. On the editorial side, the Publications Manager and Communications Director draft an editorial outline featuring articles and sidebar stories that keeps with Positively Cleveland’s advertising campaign, “Discover The Unexpected Side of Cleveland Plus.” The majority of the copy is then written by local freelance writers. On the design side, the Publications Manager (me) works with the in-house Creative Director, a freelance designer and freelance photographers on crafting a design that reflects the energy and excitement of the city.

We are proud to say that the Cleveland Plus Official Visitors Guide is an award-winning publication and recipient of the 2006 OTA Ruby Award in category of Guides and Planners and 2009 OACVB Middy Award, First Place for Excellence in Group Travel & Meeting Planner.  If you’d like to read the most recent OVG online or request a copy be mailed to you, click here.

If you’re a business reading this blog entry and wondering how you can be listed in the Official Visitors Guide, click here and one of our Business Development Sales Representatives will give you a call. These same sales reps also sell advertising space in our publications. Click here to view the media kit for advertising opportunities. –Answered by Mark Schutte, Publications Manager