Old Brooklyn Farm2Table Dinner

I'm totally falling more in love with our neighborhood, Old Brooklyn. Which is a good thing, because Mr. H and I are in the process of purchasing our "forever" home there. More on that to share soon, hopefully!

One of the reasons I'm falling more in love with this Cleveland neighborhood is that the Community Development Corporation has launched this #whatsyouroldbrooklyn campaign, and they've received grant funds to host a variety of special events in 2016.

That included an amazing Farm2Table Dinner in the Ben Franklin Community Garden last Friday evening.

This 5-acre community garden is the largest in the state of Ohio, and it made for a perfect event backdrop.

Chef Joe Horvath from Toast (a new Old Brooklyn resident with his wife Jen) provided appetizers for the cocktail hour, and then a fantastic four-course family-style meal. Much of the produce was harvested right from the community garden.

Attendees got a front-row seat to witnessing their talent.

The menu was very seasonal, featuring dishes like the beet (above) and squash hummus (below)...

...a tasty fennel salad with walnuts, apples, manchego, and orange...

...a pork collar that reminded us of Ribeye steak, and the star of the evening...a plum tart that was to die for!

All of this was paired with beers from Goldhorn Brewery. The brewer's wife happens to work for the OBCDC, and they're both big supporters of the neighborhood. We also enjoyed live music, and cheese from the Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. that is about to open in October. Easy access to a cheese shop makes this cheese-lover VERY happy. Walking distance, folks. That might be trouble.

They are working on a restaurant pop-up event at Gyro Guys this fall, so stay tuned. The CDC is doing a great job of highlighting the neighborhood, involving businesses, and making residents (and non-residents) fall in love with this gem a little more. Me included. Nothing to disclose here, Mr. H and I purchased tickets to this event, and continue to support the neighborhood we call "home."