Cleveland Rocks!

Sorry for the lack of posts...the last few weeks have been plagued by cold, infections, and the like...leaving little energy for anything else...

However, I've been meaning to post this for a bit...another reason for a delay...a weekend getaway!

Usually, weekend getaways are great, but factor in a toddler, especially one with allergies, and its a whole new ballgame!

That said CLEVELAND ROCKS!

Hubby and I set out on our adventure to Cleveland for a weekend conference with fraternity friends (its a long story- too long for here) with a mix of trepidation and excitement.  With bags loaded with stuff for the weekend and several safe foods to limp by, we set off for the BWI airport - a much cheaper flight than from Philly, especially with it being times two...

Our trip was fairly smooth - we even found snacks at the airport that were safe for Ty and I! There was hope that this would be an indication of the whole weekend - boy were we right!

We arrived at the hotel around 8pm - later than we wanted, past Ty's bedtime, and hungry and a little anxious...finding a safe meal at this hour might be difficult....we dumped our stuff in our hotel room and trudged back to the hotel restaurant and bar to grab a table...

Our waitress came over to get us settled and we began looking over the menu...at which point, I mentioned to the waitress that we had several food allergies and had a lot of questions...wisely so, she voluteered to get the chef....

The chef, words can't begin to describe this wonderful man....he calmly went over everything with us and made suggestions but also allowed me to point out the items I most wanted...
We settled on a chicken dish that sounded pretty glamourous but in the end was a very simply dish from an ingredients perspective that had a ratatouille side...and also some gluten free french fries for Ty guy...a burger for hubby....

It was delicious...Ty gobbled it up...and since I really didn't expect him to eat, we had to order another since this was "my" meal (like that ever happens to a mom - what was I thinking!?!?!?)
Just after we ordered the second meal, the chef came over to check on us...this personal touch was wonderful and well appreciated...We told him we liked the meal so much we ordered a second....he chuckled and said...no problem...he'd get right on it....

The next day was jam packed with seeing old friends and making new ones...and a banquet to cap off the night...but before that...since this was a conference, I had requested special meals for it...we got to meet the head chef of the hotel and the hotel manager...both were friendly and flexible...I related how much we enjoyed the previous night's meal...so much so, that we basically ordered it again - the banquet meal was a duet of chicken and beef with a side that wasn't going to work for us...but the ratatouille - just like the movie- was perfect...so we ordered that...Ty and I split the meal and it was terrific -

So, for those of you looking to travel to Cleveland  - I recommend the Wyndham Playhouse Square....the food staff "get it" and are happy to help and our accomodations were perfect for a family of 3...

No recipe today...but look for my version of ratatouille this summer...it was a winner and our CSA will be starting soon - Can't wait!!!