hot coffee girl

Lighter than even normal posting this week.

"Why?", you ask.

 Because. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

True 'nuff.

This just in from Wired...

Female sharks can fertilize their own eggs and give birth without sperm from males, according to a new study of the asexual reproduction of a hammerhead in a U.S. zoo. Shark experts said this was the first confirmed case in a shark of parthenogenesis, which is derived from Greek and means "virgin birth."

But Hueter, a biologist working on the project, said he doubted it was happening anywhere besides in captivity. He also argued that the power to self-impregnate represents "an evolutionary strategy to keep the population and species going when all else fails. Genetically, it's a last resort tactic because it leads to genetic uniformity, and eventually that will catch up with the population and make it less fit.

"But as a short-term alternative to extinction, it has its benefits," he said.

To extinction?! Shoot. I think we take this and run. We got the vote. We can go to college. Hell, lots of us make more money than our testosterone-laden counterparts. And now our fishy sisters can go it alone on the reproductive front as well.

Now if we could just figure out how to write our names in the snow and not care about whether he’ll call the next day…

I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don't believe I deserved my friends.
Walt Whitman

Cleveland is mourning a loss that it might not even know about. My lovely friend, Erin, has moved on to a better place. No, not heaven. Chicago. A little like heaven for her, I'm sure. If you believe in that sort of thing.

She has had a whirlwind few weeks, to be sure. She graduated from CSU with her master's in Urban Planning. She has a new job in a new city (Sears Tower will be her new work address). And her exceedingly wonderful boyfriend is now her exceedingly wonderful fiance. My my.

Although I know that she will always be my friend and I am partial to day trips to Chicago, I am sad to see her go. I think that Cleveland needs really brilliant, hip, educated people ... especially in her area of expertise.

So how do we keep them here?  

Cleveland is not always the first US City that leaps to mind when the term "Fine Dining" comes up in conversation. But should you find yourself in this neck of the woods, there is more than meets the eye pallet. I am late in catching up on my blog reading, so I am tagging myself on a meme that Avi presented last week. But since my philosophy has always been that you can call me anything you want, just don't call me late for dinner, I bring you...

My Five Favorite Places to Eat Locally - The Cleveland Version.

West Side Market Cafe

Hands down the best place to get a meal in Cleveland. This quaint little spot in Ohio City has a diner look and feel and a menu that even the snottiest foodie will deem outstanding. The Crabby Crepes? Unbelievable. The fresh squeezed juices? OMG. Being adjacent to the West Side Market, a Cleveland treasure in and of itself, they have access to the freshest and best ingredients around. The pancakes are so good, The Boy wondered if his late Grandfather was standing over the chef in spirit. Although it is nearly impossible to top the food, the service does. Randy and Linda, the brains and brawn behind the dishes and operation itself, are two of the nicest, most welcoming people you will ever meet. They make you feel like you are eating in their own home, the hospitality is such. Greeting nearly all of their customers by name, they have an uncanny knack for remembering special orders (I NEVER have to ask for hot sauce and blue cheese dressing for my home fries-it is delivered automatically), as well as details about what's going on in your life. Last Sunday, we headed over there for breakfast, to find the doors locked. I was in the middle of pitching a bit of a fit ("Where the fuck are we going to eat NOW?!") When the door swung open and Randy was standing there in his apron. "We don't open for another half an hour. Get your asses in here, you two," he said before heading back to the kitchen. Linda greeted us warmly and set down the Sunday PD in front of us, not put off at all at the early patrons. That, my friends, is worth the price of admission. If you live anywhere near Cleveland and haven't been there yet...stop what you are doing and go. Now. Tell them I sent you.

Lolita's

If you live in Cleveland and haven't been to Lolita's, then you are clearly retarded or poor. Yes, the prices can be a little higher than an extra value meal from Mickey D's at this Tremont spot, but they are a bargain at twice the price. The dishes, the atmosphere, and the wine list are worth the second mortgage. Nestled on a cozy corner on Professor, you can sit back and enjoy a Beta, Skyy Vodka infused with ginger, lime juice and soda on the rocks, while you decide between the Grilled Halibut and the Crispy Chicken. In my opinion, if you don't order the Mac and Cheese, a brilliantly delicate pasta with roasted chicken, rosemary, and goat cheese, then you are just stupid. It is one of the best things I have ever eaten. Save some money during their Happy Hour, where they have a respectable selection of food and drink in the $5 range, including a half order of the aforementioned M&C, and the Kobe Burger with fried egg and bacon...guaranteed to send you straight to your cardiologist with a smile on your face. And the guy slaving away back in the kitchen? Michael Symon, the executive chef, has a measure of national fame, named one of the "Ten Best New Chefs in America" by Food and Wine Magazine in 1998. He has also appeared as a challenger on "Iron Chef America" on the Food Network, as well as the feature of numerous articles and shows. Want to be like Mike? Fork over (Get it? Fork? I crack myself up.) a Benjamin and you can attend a cooking class by Symon himself and then enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of his labor by eating your homework. (Check their website for the schedule.) Go. Eat.

Heck's Cafe

Head back over to Ohio City, Tremont's uglier cousin, and you will have to find yourself at Heck's. Although they are known for their burgers, or so their website says, I have found myself tempted by other entrees on my visits. The sun dried tomato & roasted garlic ravioli (chicken, pine nuts and sun dried tomatoes in a garlic olive oil) is pretty great. Heck's House salad - mixed greens with blue cheese, onions, tomatoes, walnuts and dried cherries is not too shabby either. Add some grilled chicken and their awesome balsamic vinaigrette, and you’ve got yourself a meal. (I generally order the half sized one and find myself struggling to finish it, the portions are that generous.) I love being able to sit outdoors on their sidewalk tables when the weather is warm, but the Garden Room is lovely year round and the prices are reasonable for the fare. The last few times I have been there, the service has been mediocre at best, which is a shame since the food and surroundings are so lovely.

Mama Santa Restaurant & Pizza

Where to go for great Italian food in Cleveland? Little Italy, of course.
Forghettaboutit. Stepping in to Mama's for their pizza and hearing Dino crooning in the background makes you feel like you're back in the Old Country-or at least New York City. With the hundreds of places to get a pie in the area, I have to say that this is one of the best. The service is always good and the place is always busy. Afterwards, the shops and galleries on Murray Hill can motivate you to burn off the calories consumed at dinner. Too much excersise? Get your expanding ass over to Presti's for some great desserts. You cannoli imagine.

Sushi, Anyone?

Hungry for some Sushi? Although Zagat's user review is a bit harsh, an insider might tell you that Sushi Rock is the place to go (and it's pretty good stuff, to be fair) for Sushi. Bah. I say stay over on the east side, and swim in the selection at Pacific East. I took the afternoon off a few Fridays ago, and my Dad and I headed to our favorite place for all things raw-this great little place on Coventry. The chefs, who travelled here from NYC can roll with the best. Not into uncooked? Not to worry. Their tempura selections are fantastic and impossibly grease less. Also worth a mention is the Roti Chanai, a griddle fried unleavened ghee pancake, served with curry chicken as dipping sauce from the Malay Menu. 

Wow. When I started this post, I thought it would be an easy one. It turns out, I like to eat. There are so many restaurants that I didn't talk about here that I still love. Perhaps I will start a food blog. Like I have that kind of time. I am too busy gaining weight.  

Now here are The Rules if you want to join in the fun...

Add a direct link to your post in the comments. Include the state and country you’re in.
List out your top 5 favorite places to eat at your location (locally).
Tag 5 other people (preferably from other countries/states) and let them know they’ve been tagged.

And I am tagging...

Lucy, our Non-Working Monkey
Jen at As I Was Passing
Laci at Beautiful Dance
Phil at The Proof
Ms. NYC aka Ms. Brain Bombs 

But most selfishly...Clevelanders...I want to know your thoughts! Tell me I'm crazy or better yet-share your own favorites in the comments or your own posts and let me know the link. 

You know that if I am going to imbed a YouTube Video on my site, it's going to be a good one. No, It's not Avitable and his milkshake...but it's pretty good. Let me caution you that this French PSA promoting AIDS awareness is not even remotely safe for work. But it is so brilliant. And before you wonder what the hell this really has to do with preventing HIV, the slogan at the end of the French version translates as "Live long enough to find the right one" ... which I guess puts the escapades into an HIV/AIDS setting even better than the English message shown here. Don't worry...the cartoon is the same.