{"id":1086,"date":"2020-05-04T16:36:37","date_gmt":"2020-05-04T16:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.experiencegreaterakron.org\/?page_id=1086"},"modified":"2020-05-05T19:03:04","modified_gmt":"2020-05-05T19:03:04","slug":"eat-toast-shop","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/expgreaterakron.org\/?page_id=1086","title":{"rendered":"Eat, Toast & Shop"},"content":{"rendered":"

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WE KNOW HOW TO BE MERRY.<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Ready to enjoy life? Picnic at a vineyard. Or \u201chike\u201d the Summit Brew Path, a passport-style trail of 20 craft breweries. Stir up some excitement with a crafted cocktail at a speakeasy-style bar. Eat up the diverse restaurant scene. For example, visit North Hill, where Nepalese refugees serve the food of their home country. Or eat at the iconic Diamond Grille, a steak house that\u2019s been around for more than 75 years. Fresh veggies are on the menu at the myriad farmers\u2019 markets across the region.<\/p>\n

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If shopping is your thing, you must see Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, an eight-building center that features the work of the celebrated Akron artist and artisan crafts from across the U.S. Visit the outlet stores in Aurora and Burbank, or stroll our two traditional malls. Go antiquing at the many charming stores in Medina\u2019s quaint downtown. Take the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad into Peninsula for some leisurely browsing. No matter your shopping style, Greater Akron has the stores to suit you.<\/p>\n

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Please know that due to COVID19 restrictions, some of the establishments throughout the Greater Akron area have temporary closed their locations or are only offering curbside pickup, takeout and\/or delivery only.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” angled_section=”no” text_align=”center” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” padding_top=”75″ padding_bottom=”50″ z_index=””][vc_column el_class=”body-copy-section”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1558460032820{padding-bottom: 25px !important;}”]Eat<\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1558460038885{padding-bottom: 25px !important;}”]Toast<\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1558460045655{padding-bottom: 25px !important;}”]Shop<\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”grid” anchor=”eat” angled_section=”no” text_align=”center” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” z_index=””][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”grid” text_align=”left” padding_bottom=”50″ css_animation=””][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1558710578286{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Experience Greater Akron (EGA) talks to Katie Byard, food writer at the Akron Beacon Journal<\/em>.<\/h2>\n

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EGA:<\/span><\/strong> How would you describe the Greater Akron food scene overall to a newcomer?<\/div>\n
KB:<\/span><\/strong> Not snooty and always evolving for the better. There\u2019s everything from high-end gourmet to amazing, cheap eats. There\u2019s everything from Nepali Kitchen\u2014a hole-in-the-wall gem founded by refugees in Akron\u2019s North Hill\u2014to iconic, old-line steak places such as the Diamond Grille, which was founded in 1941 and is a favorite of pro golfers. The Blue Door Bakery & Cafe in Cuyahoga Falls has croissants luscious enough to rival those in Paris; Bob\u2019s Hamburg has been selling delicious burgers since 1931. Then, there are the fine dining places such as Ken Stewart\u2019s Grille in West Akron and . . . well . . . I could go on and on.<\/div>\n
EGA:<\/span><\/strong> What are some of the most exciting developments you\u2019ve seen?<\/div>\n
KB:<\/span><\/strong> There have been a few. First, there\u2019s been a growing indie scene where chefs and chef-owners prepare fresh, inventive food. It includes early entrants such as Moe\u2019s, the Blue Door, Chowder House and Russo\u2019s in Cuyahoga Falls; Bricco, DBA and Crave in downtown Akron; and the Bistro of Green, along with places such as Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern in Twinsburg.<\/div>\n
Newer indie spots worth trying include The Merchant Tavern in Akron\u2019s Merriman Valley, Arnie\u2019s Public House in Akron\u2019s Wallhaven neighborhood, and 35\u00b0 Brix and Twisted Olive in Green. Also, try Bistro 111 in Montville Township and Trano and Bricco in Kent.<\/div>\n
EGA:<\/span><\/strong> Are there more?<\/div>\n
KB:<\/span><\/strong> A second exciting development involves our Southeast Asian refugee community whose members have opened their own restaurants such as the Nepali Kitchen, Everest Nepali and Indian Restaurant in Cuyahoga Falls and the Global Kitchen on the Tallmadge Circle. We have a rich ethnic food scene here, and these Southeast Asian refugees have deepened it.<\/div>\n
There\u2019s wonderful food at Canal Park. The new Akron RubberDucks Executive Chef James Phillips, continuing a tradition at the minor league ballpark, prepares appealing extreme foods and regular menu items. New this year on the extreme foods menu is the La Montagna (Italian for \u201cthe mountain\u201d) double decker sandwich. New on the regular menu at the ballpark\u2019s Game Grill + Bar are such yummies as Pierogies & Pot Roast and Buffalo Cheddar Cauliflower.<\/div>\n
In summer, Food Truck Wednesdays in the parking lot of the Akron Child Guidance Center and Friday\u2019s Cascade Cucina on the Cascade Plaza in downtown Akron are two great ways to dip into the growing food truck scene.<\/div>\n
EGA:<\/span><\/strong> What are some \u201cmusts\u201d for newcomers to the area?<\/div>\n
KB:<\/span><\/strong> Luigi\u2019s is an iconic, family-friendly Italian spot dating back to 1949. A social media frenzy was created last year when a place in Scotland with the same name closed, and fans of Akron\u2019s Luigi\u2019s panicked that our landmark was closing.<\/div>\n
Flury\u2019s Cafe is one of my favorite places for breakfast. This homey Cuyahoga Falls spot is on the part of Front Street that recently reopened to vehicles after 40 years. Get one of the daily pancake specials.<\/div>\n
EGA:<\/span><\/strong> What places define the area?<\/div>\n
KB:<\/span><\/strong> Swensons is a must. The famed journalist R.W. Apple wrote in Forbes that Swensons was \u201cAmerica\u2019s best burger,\u201d which brought the place national recognition. But some people passionately prefer Skyway\u2019s burgers and fare.<\/div>\n
At Strickland\u2019s Frozen Custard on Triplett Boulevard, you can eat your treat while taking in a view of a hulking blimp hangar. Where else but Akron?<\/div>\n
If you\u2019re a fried chicken fan, check out one or more of the four Barberton chicken houses: Village Inn Kitchen, formerly known as Milich\u2019s and actually in Norton, Belgrade Gardens, Hopocan Gardens and White House Chicken. All serve chicken fried in lard, a tomato and rice concoction called hot sauce and vinegar-based coleslaw. Serbian immigrants brought the method of frying in lard to the area.<\/div>\n
EGA:<\/span><\/strong> What\u2019s a great place for a special meal such as an anniversary or graduation?<\/div>\n
KB:<\/span><\/strong> I like Beau\u2019s on the River inside the Sheraton Suites in the (Cuyahoga) Falls. It has gorgeous views of the Cuyahoga River. Or Beau\u2019s Grille in Fairlawn (inside the Hilton) and Papa Joe\u2019s in Akron\u2019s Merriman Valley\u2014consistently good American and Italian eats at a range of price points. You can eat fairly cheap or go high.<\/div>\n
Wolf Creek Tavern is housed in an 1840s-era building. Its bar was a speakeasy during Prohibition and takes its cue from that history. The Rosewood Grill in Hudson is a nice atmosphere with good food in a former grain mill. Trano in Kent is an Italian restaurant (the old Pufferbelly) in a converted train station. Vaccaro\u2019s Trattoria in Bath Township has some of the best Italian fare around. Get the homemade pasta. Russo\u2019s has Italian and Creole feasts. The Diamond Grille can get pricey, but you can pay about the same as chain steakhouses and get a much higher quality. Or you could try the Circle L Steakhouse at the Galaxy in Wadsworth. Kingfish in Copley Township is a fine seafood place.<\/div>\n
One of my favorites is Giuseppe\u2019s Italian Ristorante in Northfield. The location is a blah strip plaza, but the quality of the food is excellent.<\/div>\n
EGA:<\/span><\/strong> What\u2019s a great place for a casual bite with kids in tow?<\/div>\n

KB:<\/span><\/strong> Right away I think of Trecaso\u2019s Mary Coyle, an Akron institution with ice cream, pizza and more in Akron\u2019s Highland Square and Dontino\u2019s La Vita Gardens (try the homemade pasta) in Akron\u2019s North Hill neighborhood. Ray\u2019s Place in Kent has a kid-friendly, two-story bar with a loooong menu. Gasoline Alley in Bath Township is popular but small, so be prepared for crowds on weekends. Panini\u2019s Bar & Grill in Stow and Twinsburg, Winking Lizard Tavern in Copley and Peninsula are delightful. Mike\u2019s Place in Kent (also with a huge menu) has a fun decor. Look for the full-size Star Wars X-Wing fighter outside.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”grid” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1558531885146{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1558708093086{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Veggies Are on the Menu.<\/h2>\n

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We love our Farmer\u2019s Markets. Here are some of the larger ones. Discover others in your community.<\/div>\n
Medina Farmers Market<\/strong>
\n2 Public Square, Saturday mornings, May-Oct.
\nRoot Candles, 623 W. Liberty St., Medina, Wednesday evenings, June-Oct.<\/div>\n
Hudson Farmers Market<\/strong>
\n103 N. Main St., Saturday mornings, June-Oct.<\/div>\n
Countryside Farmers\u2019 Market at Howe Meadow<\/strong>
\n4040 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, Saturday mornings, April-Oct.<\/div>\n
Countryside Winter Farmers\u2019 Market at Old Trail School<\/strong>
\n2315 Ira Rd., Bath, most Saturday mornings, Nov.-March.<\/div>\n
Countryside Farmers\u2019 Market at Highland Square<\/strong>
\n1175 W. Market St. (Will Christy Park), Akron, Thursday evenings, May-Sept.<\/div>\n
Countryside Farmers\u2019 Market at Northside Marketplace<\/strong>
\n21 Furnace St., Akron, Saturdays and Sundays, all year.<\/div>\n
Haymaker Outdoor Farmers\u2019 Market<\/strong>
\nUnder Haymaker overpass, Kent, Saturday mornings, May-Oct.<\/div>\n
Haymarket Indoor Farmers\u2019 Market<\/strong>
\n1435 E. Main St., Kent, Saturday mornings, Nov.-April.<\/div>\n
Tallmadge Farmers Market<\/strong>
\n46 N. Munroe Rd., Thursday evenings, June-Oct.<\/div>\n
Cuyahoga Falls Farmers Market<\/strong>
\n1817 Front St., Friday evenings, June-Sept.<\/div>\n
Downtown Barberton Farmers Market<\/strong>
\n3rd St. NW, Wednesday afternoons, June-Oct.<\/div>\n
Copley Creekside Farmers Market<\/strong>
\n1245 S. Cleveland-Massillon Rd., Thursday afternoons, May-Oct.
\n3232 Copley Rd., second Sunday of every month, June-Sept.<\/div>\n

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Great Grocers Abound.<\/h2>\n

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