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Three Sweet Sweetest Day Dates

If you are like most men, Sweetest Day is one of those “Hallmark Holidays” that sneaks up and catches you unprepared. To prevent that from happening this year, I have put together three “turnkey” Sweetest Day dates. Each of these offerings is designed so that all you’re required to do is park, walk and enjoy. Whichever option you choose will definitely not disappoint, and I guarantee you’ll end the evening smelling like roses.

Gordon Square

This date you will want to start earlier in the evening by grabbing some appetizers at XYZ Tavern. It’s a cool, trendy spot with a lot of great upscale bar food. In the interests of sharing, I would try one of XYZ’s Cured Meat and Cheese boards. Once your tummy is coated, head over to the Capitol Theater for a movie. A little-known feature of the theater is its bar, which allows you to enjoy an adult beverage along with the film. Afterward, I would suggest finishing the night at one of two places — Stone Mad Pub or Sweet Moses. At Stone Mad Pub you can close the night with a delicious piece of New York Carnegie Deli’s cheesecake while playing a game of Bocce. My other choice, the delightful Sweet Moses, is a vintage ice cream parlor where you can split a customized homemade ice cream sundae with two spoons. I would recommend letting her have the cherry.

East 4th St.

Start the night off by ducking into Kevin’s Martini Bar, located in the very cozy lower level of Pickwick and Frolic’s, for a fantastic cocktail. The Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martini will be a hit while sharing some Sauteed Mussels. Then head a few doors away to Saigon. This establishment is a hidden gem in the middle of East 4th. The atmosphere is trendy, and the food flavors are explosive. I would highly recommend the Chicken Cabbage Salad or any of the Spring Rolls. Both of those dishes are very tasty and light, and will keep your energy right where it needs to be for your final stop. Take a quick left out the front door and a few steps away hit the lanes at The Corner Alley. Bowling at this modern alley is a great complement to the night that enables both of you to enjoy a lively date activity.

This article appears in Oct 17-23, 2012.

Jason Beudert has had a dynamic career as a leader with The Walt Disney Company, ESPNZone, The Cleveland Indians, and as a restaurant entrepreneur. He is utilizing his twenty years of hospitality experience along with his love for the Cleveland food scene to contribute exciting and insightful food pieces for Scene. Along with being one of our food writers, Jason is also the food critic for WOIO 19 Action News, and makes a weekly appearance on Q104's Fee's Kompany radio show to promote food and the Scene. Jason is also a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure Magazine.

One reply on “A Gentleman’s Guide to Sweetest Day”

  1. Did you know that not many people outside of Cleveland have ever heard of Sweetest Day?

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