Getting to know you...

Happy Friday! Any fun dining plans for the weekend? We're having a low-key weekend, with plans for our very own "cheese dinner" at home tonight (courtesy of the cheese we purchased at the L'Albatros event) and then an excursion to the Great Big Home and Garden Expo. Lots of exciting plans coming up over the next couple of weeks- including tackling one of the restaurants on my Top 10 for 2012 list.

So, Stephanie from Hungry in Cleveland tagged me in her "Getting to know you" post this week. I wouldn't normally participate in things like this, but her post was right up my alley for two reasons. With the new blog design, I also made a secret vow to share more of "myself" with my readers through my posts. What better way than to share some random facts about myself, and to answer Stephanie's questions? Most of her questions are food-related, so it's perfect! Here we go...

The Rules:
- You must post 11 random things about yourself
- Answer the questions set for you in their post
- Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
- Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them

11 Random Things About Me:
1. I set our stove on fire last night while trying to make coleslaw. Sounds weird, but true story. I don't exaggerate when I state that I can't cook.
2. I moved to Cleveland four years ago after falling in love with "R" in Put-in-Bay. I am originally from the Syracuse, NY area. Go Orange!
3. The first restaurant that I remember dining at in Cleveland is Symon's Lola.
4. My first job in Cleveland was working for the Cleveland Foodbank, planning two of our city's best food events- Market Under Glass and Taste of the Browns. I credit my passion for food and our restaurant scene to that job.
5. The dish that "R" made for me that I tell him made me fall in love with him was a peppercorn-crusted filet with a balsamic glaze. It still makes my mouth water!
6. I HATE chicken breasts. I didn't eat any meat for a while, and when I started again I would only eat chicken. I overdid it, and now I can't stand them- 12 years later.
7. The first chef that I ever met in Cleveland was Marlin Kaplan, of One Walnut/Luxe/Dragonfly fame. It was a memorable experience, ahem.
8. I have only a couple of foods that I won't eat/drink- any kind of soda (almost 29 years and I've never had one), mayonnaise, and jelly.
9. My favorite adult beverage is a dry white wine with a clean, crisp finish.
10. I don't like B-Spot burgers (I can hear the outcries now).
11. I am currently on Weight Watchers and trying to make a life change.

Stephanie's Questions:
1. What is the most adventurous thing you have ever eaten? Easy--- whole chicken hearts at a Dinner in the Dark event.
2. What would your last meal be if you had a say in it? It would have to include lobster, carbs, and stinky cheese with crusty bread. And wine, duh!
3. What is your all time guilty pleasure food? Cheese
4. What are you currently listening to? In the process of building my playlists on my iPad. Suggestions welcomed!
5. What is your favorite sport (to play, watch, or both)? Watch--- Syracuse University men's basketball
6. One thing you are dying to try (this could be anything). New Crop Bistro location, Ginko, Hodge's, Cowell & Hubbard
7. Fill in the blank: Food makes me _________. Happy. So many good memories are associated with food and special meals.
8. If you could have dinner with just one person, dead or alive, who would it be? My grandfather on my dad's side. I never met him.
9. What is your "go to" restaurant for taking out of towners? Don't have one spot- too many excellent choices!
10. What quote sums up your life right now? Tomorrow is a new day. This year has been a struggle, and I just try and stay focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. It's coming!
11. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween

Phew, that was harder than I thought it was going to be. But hopefully you learned a little bit more about me, and I did enjoy giving some thought about my 11 Facts and Stephanie's Questions. However, I am not going to play by the rules and tag an additional 11 friends in this post. I simply did it to share a piece of myself with you.

Again, enjoy the weekend!