In Search of Cleveland's Best Moscow Mule - 2013 Edition

Waaaay back in 2011 I blogged about my love of Moscow Mules. This was well before nearly every restaurant in Cleveland started serving up my absolute favorite drink of all time. I figured I should revisit my list and see if my former faves still make the cut and/or if any new restaurants deserve to be on the list.

In no particular order - Best Places to Get a Moscow Mule in Cleveland:

1. Hodge's - Downtown Cleveland (tots and mules...delicious)
2. District - Playhouse Square (new to the game but offers up a great mule)
3. Dante - Tremont (possibly my fave - love the ambiance at the bar)
4. Lava Lounge - Tremont (drank 5 too many of these on my birthday - oops!)
5. Felice - Shaker Square area (featured on the daily and late night happy hour menus!)
6. Deagan's - Lakewood (don't steal their copper mugs, ok?)
7. Washington Place Bistro - Little Italy (feel fancy pants when drinking a mule out on their patio)
8. Velvet Tango Room (perhaps the priciest in town - drink yours in the back room)
9. Market Garden (solid, as long as the bartender doesn't argue with you about how to make the drink)

I'd like to make this a top 10 list, but...I can't think of a 10th place to get a good Moscow Mule. (there are a couple watering holes around town that are intentionally NOT on this list)

And while I'm griping about the quality of Moscow Mules, would it kill more restaurants on the east side of town to offer up my favorite drink? Get with the program, east side watering holes!

If you're a fan of Moscow Mules, where do you go to get yourself a quality drink?

Review: Moscow Mules at District in Playhouse Square

I had the opportunity to drop by District in the Playhouse Square area the other night for a Yelp event. It was a little hard to find since it's sort of off the beaten path. It's directly across the street from the Hanna Theater.

I was only able to sample a couple light bites at the event including a vegetable crostini with hummus and a tomato with fresh mozzarella, but I took a peek at the menu and there seemed to be a couple vegetarian friendly items. I'll have to stop back sometime to check out their food.

But what really caught my attention was the drink list. One of their featured cocktails is a Moscow Mule. And since I love Moscow Mules so much, I had to try it.

Moscow Mule in a non-copper mug

It came in a "different" kind of metal cup. Not copper...maybe stainless steel? I'm sure that adds to the flavor profile somehow, but...since the cup has no handle, it also makes it a little difficult to hold. The cup kept coating over with ice so I had to put it down on a table. (keep that in mind if you head there for happy hour - this one's too cold to hold!) It was one of the better Moscow Mules I've ever had, honestly. And for $9, it should have been. I feel like the price range for Moscow Mules is generally $5-$7, but...it was a good, solid drink so I can't really complain. Too much.

I really need to revise my list of Cleveland's Best Moscow Mules from 2011. I definitely think District's Moscow Mule is right up there with Deagan's and Dante. (I'd also add Felice to that list if I were writing it now)

If you're a fan of the drink, where do you go to get your Mule on?

June Dinner in the Dark at Good 2 Go Cafe

Have you heard of Dinner in the Dark? Held monthly, these mystery dinners feature 6 courses created by 6 different local chefs. (and are paired with 6 drinks, but that's less important) When you purchase your ticket to a Dinner in the Dark event, all you know is where you need to show up, and the theme for the night. I've always, always, always wanted to go to one of these mystery dinners but the upcoming Dinner in the Dark event on June 17 is THE first all vegetarian event that they've held.

The upcoming Dinner in the Dark event is being held at Good 2 Go Cafe in downtown Cleveland. Tickets ain't cheap - $87.05 per ticket including Eventbrite fees - but I don't think they should be cheap. You're getting 6 courses of quality food paired with drinks. I know I've spent more than the cost of one ticket on 6 drinks in a night. Easily. And although this event is pricey, the proceeds from every Dinner in the Dark event benefit a charity. In this case, the selected charity is Veggie U, an Ohio organization dedicated to combating childhood obesity, teaching children about healthy eating choices, and also promoting sustainable agriculture.

So as I like to say, I'm putting my money where my mouth is and I purchased two tickets. I'm excited to finally get a chance to go to a Dinner in the Dark event...because any organization in Cleveland that wants to embrace/encourage/support vegetarianism is ok by me. (and now I can finally stop tweeting to them asking them to hold a meat free event...for at least a little while!)

Will I see you there?

Thirty Days of Thankful - Day 20 - Alcohol

Note: Today is day 20 in my series "30 Days of Thankful."

I love you more, than the week I did before, I discovered alcohol
Would you please ignore, that you found me on the floor
- "Alcohol" - Bare Naked Ladies

Being alone near the holidays can be rough. I went to Whole Foods the other day and bought a cart full of wine and the cashier asked if I was responsible for providing beverages for the holiday. I shamelessly explained that the wine was going to be my dinner. I was only half kidding.

This Thanksgiving is going to be a little rough for me. It's the first time I won't be hosting Thanksgiving dinner. The first time I'll be alone for a holiday. I could continue on with the pity party, but I think you get my drift. It's not the way I enjoy spending a holiday, but it's not the end of the world and I know I'll survive.

I probably should be ashamed to admit than I've been drinking a bit more than I should lately, but it really is what it is. For the most part, I'm being responsible. There have been a couple times when I should have known when to say when, but thankfully, I have great friends who know when to get my sorry behind home safely instead. I'm trying to enjoy life again. And sometimes that fun includes having an adult beverage or five.

I am well aware of the dangers of using alcohol to cope. I go to Al Anon multiple times a week. I get that it's not a healthy behavior, but, a glass of wine once in awhile while I'm home alone isn't going to kill me, I think. Neither is a happy hour or two with coworkers. Or a night out at the bar once in awhile with my friends. I'm in this crazy transitional period where I'm trying to figure out who the heck I am. I never really went out in my younger years, so maybe I have some going out to get out of my system before I move into the next phase of my adult life.

So today, I am thankful for alcohol. The cause of and solution to life's problems.

Irish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day

There's a semi annual tradition in my house for St. Patrick's Day- dress up like a crazy person and head downtown to hit the bars before most people roll out of bed.  I am 50% Irish (my grandparents came here in the late 40's - grandma is still an Irish citizen), so I feel obligated to celebrate this holiday with my closest friends and thousands of strangers every year.

As a general rule, I don't drink that much (a drink or two here or there), I don't like crowds, and I don't like drunk people, but there's something magical about St. Patty's Day.  It brings people of all ethnic backgrounds together to celebrate.  And it brings a whole heck of a lot of people to downtown Cleveland. 

I support local businesses as much as I can, and I really like seeing SO many people in downtown Cleveland on St. Patrick's Day.  I'm sure if you work in a restaurant or bar downtown, you might not agree with me, but if you're an owner, I bet you appreciate the business.  I didn't even have one drop of alcohol last year and still managed to have a great time. (the people watching alone is worth the Rapid ride)

Every year I buy myself a new shirt to wear on St. Patty's Day, and this year I will be proudly sporting a shirt from C.L.E. Clothing Co.  When I saw this shirt, I just had to have it. 

C.L.E. Clothing Co. shirt and swag

This completely goes against the strategy I've used in past years - trying to find a unique shirt to wear out, but...I'm excited to represent the CLE and Ohio this St. Patty's Day.  I hope to see this shirt on dozens of people downtown!

How will you be celebrating St.Patrick's Day?

In Search of Cleveland's Best Moscow Mule

 In the world of alcoholic beverages, my top three current favorites are martinis, margaritas, mojitos...but the Moscow Mule is definitely in the running for taking over 3rd place. Comprised of vodka, ginger beer (which is more like ginger ale than anything else) lime juice, and fresh mint, this throwback cocktail is a refreshing summery treat. When well made, that is.

I've been drinking my way around town trying to find the best Moscow mules, and here are some of my favorite places in the CLE to have this old school cocktail: (in no particular order)

1. Deagan's Kitchen & Bar - Lakewood
2. Dante - Tremont

3. Lago - Tremont

4. Washington Place Bistro - Little Italy

5. L'Albatross - University Circle

I could post a much longer list of places that don't make great Moscow Mules.  Places that use extra sugary syrup, wilted mint, or some sort of soda instead of ginger beer.  (for shame!)

Have you had a great Moscow Mule in Cleveland?  Or do you have any other favorite throwback cocktails?