My Favorite Summertime Hangout - Sanctuary on Green

Ah, the dog days of summer.  Where it's finally cool enough to go outside and not have your skin feel like it's going to burn off.  When the air doesn't feel as thick as pea soup.  This is the kind of summer I can get down with.

No matter what the weather, my absolute favorite summertime hang out spot is Sanctuary on Green, a Bavarian tea house/gift shop/sculptor's workshop owned by the Koehn family.  Sounds like a strange combo, I know, but this place is an incredible hidden gem.  Set back off a busy street in South Euclid, a place I don't really consider to be scenic, this shop set inside a house butts up against a huge undeveloped piece of land which features beautiful old trees and a creek/wetlands.  They have indoor seating which is nice - you're essentially eating in the store looking out windows at the scenery and treetops.  But outside!  Wow!  Amazing!  There's a fantastic patio overlooking the mini-ravine (not sure how else to describe it) that makes you feel like you're eating in the middle of the woods.  And not in a, "I need bug spray," kind of way.

And something even better than the view is the food at Sanctuary on Green.  I might sound a bit hippie dippie saying this, but the food is made with love, and you can taste it.  Every item on the menu is made from time honored recipes, mainly honoring the owner's Bavarian heritage. Order the gazpacho?  It will be made with tomatoes from the garden in the back yard.  The chocolate mousse?  (the best mousse I've ever eaten, and I've eaten a lot of mousse) Made with the best chocolate and freshest ingredients you've ever tasted.  And then there's the coffee and tea.  Billed as a Bavarian tea house, the tea selection is incredible.  Sadly, I'm not a tea drinker, so I can't comment on any specific teas, but my tea drinking friends are astounded by the varieties that are available.  I personally love the freshly brewed coffees and iced coffee.

The gift shop is also pretty incredible.  If you're looking for a unique gift for just about any occasion, you'll find something within the Koehn's house.  From jewelry, to rugs, to Christmas ornaments, and beyond, there is something for everyone in the shop.  I'm generally not "into" trinkets or gifts, like what's sold in this shop, but I plan on bringing my entire family in for the holidays when the shop transforms into a Christmas wonderland.

The only bad thing about Sanctuary on Green?  The tea studio is only open for part of the year, so once the bad weather hits, you have to wait until spring to enjoy the great food, beverages and ambiance again  But it's well worth the wait.  And one other thing to note is that reservations are "strongly encouraged," which in my experience, means required.  I've been turned away in the past on busy days.

Do you have any favorite "hidden gems" in Cleveland?  Feel free to share them in the comments. 

My love affair with Sanctuary on Green

I've blogged about Sanctuary on Green in the past, but it bears repeating that this little gem off South Green in South Euclid is a must see!  Not only is this little tea house/cafe nestled in an urban oasis (who knew there could be such a beautiful view on such a busy street?), but it offers beautiful gifts for sale, an amazingly friendly staff, and some of the freshest tasting vegan food I've had in a long time.

I was having a kind of "meh" day and decided to treat myself to lunch.  (Note - if you're a thrifty diner, this isn't the place for you.  Tipping isn't allowed, so the prices of items are adjusted to reflect the "living wage" that staffers are paid.  For the quality of service and food, it's worth every penny.)  I started off with a freshly brewed iced coffee.  It's served in a class reminiscent of something an ice cream sundae would be served in, complete with a dollop of fresh whipped cream on top.  (can be removed for the lactose intolerant or vegans!)  I'm kind of a coffee snob, and I can say that the coffee served at Sanctuary on Green is up to par with some of my favorites.  I got to enjoy my coffee at a large patio table overlooking the wooded grounds Sanctuary sits on.  (for the view alone, I'd pay to get to just sit and relax)

For my meal, I selected one of the new vegan options - tofu schnitzel.  A little odd sounding, I'll admit, but like everything else I've ever had there - it was incredible.  The tofu was lightly breaded and sauteed, leaving it tasting light,  not greasy  (as I'd expected).  It was accompanied by cabbage, some of the freshest bread I've ever tasted, and a mixed greens salad.  I'm a sucker for their kale in a spicy peanut sauce, so I ordered a side of that, too.  Every forkful was fresh tasting and flavorful.  Hands down, this is one of the best meals I've had in months.

If you're looking for a relaxing way to spend an afternoon and would love to taste some of the freshest, most lovingly prepared food Cleveland has to offer, you owe it to yourself to check out Sanctuary on Green.