Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week at Muse and XYZ Tavern & Sweet Moses in Gordon Square!

Friday night, I kicked off a foodie weekend in CLE by capitalizing on the 2013 Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week! The 6th annual Restaurant Week was even better this year, why? Because it extended through two weekends AND had a delicious pierogi power theme! Needless to say, this Cleveland gal was salivating to embrace a tasty pierogi meal at a fancy restaurant for an affordable price!

$30 for one diner at Muse Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton

First course: Wedge iceberg salad

Second Course: The Smoked Hog Pierogis with barbecued pork, brussel kraut and creme fraiche

Pierogi Power! Beautiful presentation and equally delicious!

Third Course: Oreo Cheesecake

That dessert was totally smirking at me...so I devoured it! ;)

The lit marble fireplace, ambiance, surprises, good company and wonderful meal only added to a great dining experience. DCA 2013 Restaurant Week was a big hit and satisfyingly good...proving the potent power of pierogis on every Clevelander's palate!


On Saturday, I hit up XYZ Tavern for girl's brunch in the Gordon Square Arts District. The brunch marked a special occasion as we celebrated my girlfriend's, Jenna's, first birthday as a Cleveland resident! Again, another savory meal in CLE! I had the BLT&A, mmm love avocado incorporated into a BLT breakfast sammie! Yum!

Cleveland is happy to have you, Jenna! Happy Birthday!
Pictured left to right: Julie, me, Jenna, Kayla and Gina

After toasting with some mango sorbet mimosas to Jenna on her birthday spent in Cleveland, we then strolled next door to sweeten the celebration at Sweet Moses. This retro soda fountain and treat shop is a nod to Cleveland's years past.

Learn more about all the goodies available at Sweet Moses!

Gina looking like a kid in a candy shop :)

I may have drooled a bit over that gorgeous glass case of goodies, but finally narrowed it down to milk chocolate pretzel bark and a small bag of melting pot carmel popcorn...wo0o0weee, that stuff was GOOD!

So many sweet treats to choose from at Sweet Moses

After a weekend of indulgence and spectacular meals... I maaaaay need to do some extra cardio this week! :) But what a fun weekend of celebrations at some of Cleveland's finest foodie places!

Did you participate in Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week? Which Cleveland neighborhood is your favorite for a celebratory meal or dessert?

(My thanks goes out to the DCA team, fabulous participating Cleveland restaurants...and I must give a shout out to my talented sister who played a key role in orchestrating such a successful event and bringing back the pierogi power!) *All opinions and reviews expressed are 100% my own.* Just want to give them a big round of applause!