Monday Giveaway to Provenance

Happy Monday, folks! I don't know about you, but sometimes I need something to look forward to on a Monday. Getting back into the swing of things after a great weekend can be tough. So...I've got a fabulous giveaway for you today. Read on...

I was recently invited to attend a media event for a few local bloggers at the Cleveland Museum of Art to check out their new restaurant--- Provenance.

I was unable to attend because I was out of town for the Kentucky Derby, but they invited me to come in on my own. So I took them up on it last week. I snuck out for relaxing lunch with Michelle, and we picked a great day because the sun was shining and Cleveland was happy.

We had a brief tour of the more casual café, main kitchen, and event spaces. Then we settled into the dining room of Provenance for lunch. The menu isn't large, but several items sounded great and I think that anyone could find something between the salads, small plates, and entrees. Michelle went with the Provenance Cobb with poached chicken, granny smith apple, avocado, walnuts, cooked egg, pickled onion and bleu cheese dressing ($14). It was a beautiful presentation. One of the prettiest salads that I've ever seen.

I ordered the Bang Bang Shrimp Noodle Salad with cucumber, carrots, daikon, cilantro, rice noodles and spicy peanut sauce ($16).

Again, it was a gorgeous dish. I'm glad that the restaurant has embraced their surroundings and taken just as much care for presentation as flavor. Overall, it was light and refreshing but filling. Too many red peppers for my personal taste, but I'd order it again. I saw several other diners with this dish.

We finished up, and then took a stroll through some of the exhibits and grounds. It was a gorgeous day in Cleveland, and I just love looking out over Wade Oval.

The lunch experience was quick, but not rushed. So it was a prefect escape from the craziness of my workday. Parking around the University Circle area isn't a problem, but be prepared to pay. I found a two-hour metered spot in front of the museum, but there are also a couple of different parking garages or lots nearby. Most of the Cleveland Museum of Art is free to view, so you really can have quite a fun lunch excursion. They are open for Brunch and Dinner service as well, but the hours are slightly odd since it is located inside of the museum. Be sure to check out the website before visiting, and you can also make a reservation online.

I'll have to remember to schedule some business lunches over there! What a fun spot, but a little pricey for your average lunch. At least you know that with Chef Doug Katz (fire food and drink) behind the concept, you're bound to have a good meal.

So, one lucky reader will get to go check it out for themselves. They have provided me with one gift certificate valued at $100 to give away! Just leave me a comment below about what your favorite Cleveland museum or landmark is to visit, and you'll be entered to win. You can also gain a second entry by tweeting "I want to check out Provenance, thanks to @BiteBuff's giveaway at www.bitebuff.com." Make sure to leave a second comment on the post to let me know that you tweeted. I'll be selecting a winner on Friday, May 17th using random.org. Good luck!

Provenance
Cleveland Museum of Art
11150 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-421-7350

Disclosure: I was provided with a $25 gift certificate to use towards my visit, and a $100 gift certificate to use as a giveaway. The thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.