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I’m pretty sure that when Monday night rolls around, most of us aren’t really looking for a crazy night out.  At least I know Jason and I are not! Plus, most of us have spent enough money going out over the past weekend and really aren’t looking to blow a lot more dough.

BUT that doesn’t mean that a Monday date night is a bust!  Have you ever visited Cedar Lee Theatre for their $5 Monday Movie Nights?

Umm, yes…total winner right here. You can’t even see a movie for that cheap during a matinée! (Or can you? I haven’t been to a movie that early in years).  Plus, its the perfect “chill” atmosphere for a date early in the week, and cure for “a case of the Mondays” !

Cedar Lee Theatre | Cleveland OH | iCarabout.com

Added bonus: They show a lot of indie films that aren’t shown at many other theaters in Cleveland.  But, they certainly aren’t limited to just those flicks either. Cedar Lee has more well known movies too! For instance, I saw Slumdog Millionaire there when it first came out.

So, I’ve known about this not-so-well-kept secret in Cleveland for a while (I lived in CLE Heights), but Jason had never been! Plus, he loves Jeff Bridges (THE DUDE!) and wanted to see Crazy Heart.  We were pleased to see that they offered very convenient show times, so we picked the 9:40pm one (latest showing).  Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, I forgot that they served beer and wine! Nothing is better than being about to bring your favorite local beer into a great movie!

We grabbed our drinks, headed into the movie, all the while appreciating the old/antique vibe of the theater itself. Long story short, it was a great show and an even better Monday date night activity! If you haven’t taken advantage of this East-side treasure, please do soon. You can also follow @CedarLeeTheatre on twitter and hear about their daily deals and such!

Jason and I will be back for sure. Especially since he mentioned that it would be an awesome Monday tradition to start.

Tavern Co. | Cleveland OH | iCarabout.com | Metromix CLE

One last thing, if you’re looking for cheaper, tasty eats BEFORE your flick in the Cedar Lee District, try Tavern Co.  It’s just down the street and they have a $5 Burger & Beer Monday special that ROCKS! You’ll never believe what you get for just five bucks…seriously. Check it out!

There are TONS of things us Clevelanders can boast about our city.  At the top of that list is, of course, our theatre district, talent and arts! Well, thanks to The Cleveland Play House, I got to experience this amazing part of Cleveland. 

This past week, Jason and I were looking for a fun date night idea for Friday. Something new, fun and supportive of the culture of CLE. It just so happens that I was lucky enough to score some tickets to “Emma” at The Cleveland Play House. Now, I don’t know how many of you venture out to the East side of Cleveland for a night out on the town, but I recommend you try it soon. Other than the traffic being consistently annoying, that area has SO MUCH TO OFFER!

The Cleveland Play House | iCarabout.com

So, with our tickets in hand, Jason and I set out to find a new restaurant to explore in Cleveland Heights before the show. We both decided on Taste and I think I can honestly say that we were BOTH very glad we did. The restaurant itself had super-chic styling and it made you feel like you needed to be on a list to get inside (but in a good way). The staff was warm, friendly and personable, which balanced that “exclusive” feel. We struck up a conversation with our waitress right off the bat and mentioned that we had a show to catch.  Even though we were in a hurry, she didn’t make us feel rushed at all.  The food came out fast, and MY GOD, was it tasty. Jason and I both picked the specials of the evening: Grilled Tuna and the Rib-eye Steak. One thing I noticed was that the taste of the steak and tuna weren’t covered up by an overwhelming sauce or spice. Both were cooked perfectly with complimentary flavors, creating the perfect balance for your palette. I even have to admit a FAIL on my part. I was really excited to get a shot of the food for you guys, but when it got to the table my desire to devour it overcame the excitement to get the picture. LOL. 

Taste Restaurant | Cleveland OH | iCarabout.com

By the way, Taste also has a PHENOMENAL wine/champagne list. What’s even better than that? A KNOWLEDGEABLE staff to come a long with it. I love tasting new wines, but do I know all about them? NOPE! Taste’s staff new ever description to the “T” and I couldn’t help overhearing the waitress talk about the selections with passion and great understanding.  And double plus (in my book at least), they’re also utilizing social media to reach their diners. Check out Taste on facebook. 

Taste Restaurant | Cleveland OH | iCarabout.com

After our extremely satisfying feast, Jason and I rolled over to The Cleveland Play House to catch “Emma”. I have to admit, I really didn’t know the story that well before we got there, but honestly, it didn’t matter!  The show was so cute, the cast was engaging, funny and just awesome. The story was also pretty easy to follow for someone with hardly any future knowledge. It reminded me just a little of “Pride and Prejudice”, which I love, and is also a novel by the same author, Jane Austen. It wasn’t too “girlie” or “romantic” either. It was more like a witty, romantic comedy, and very man-friendly. (In other words, your BF won’t be snoring through it).

I’m no “play critic” by ANY MEANS, but I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I think Jason and I may have been the youngest couple there, which is a shame. We had a blast and would definitely recommend enjoying the theatre art talents of our city to anyone of any age. It’s truly a tremendous feeling to watch live show with actors who you can see the passion pouring out of. Plus, how many movies to we sit and watch? I mean, it’s SUCH a different experience to be engaged in a live show. 

The Cleveland Play House | Cleveland OH | iCarabout.com

What makes it even better, they serve cocktails that you can bring into the show! Yep! We were very excited about that! Besides, not too many movie theaters offer up that luxury.  (Not that we needed to get tipsy to enjoy the show)

So, PLEASE, try spicing up your date night with a little homegrown talent and culture at The Cleveland Play House. Oh, and why not try checking out some fun spots on the East side?  I mean, if you listen to me, you already have a fantastic restaurant to try and an engaging, fun, activity. What do you have to lose? 

PS. Cleveland Play House is ALSO on twitter (MAD PROPS FOR THAT) and it was how I originally learned about the show. Once again, social media working for you!

Case Western BME | Haiti Fundraiser Bar Night | Cleveland | iCarabout.com

Once again, the young professionals of this wonderful city of Cleveland cease to amaze me.  Somehow these extremely busy Case Western Biomedical Engineering grad students find the time to continuously lend their time and  generosity whenever it’s needed. Whether it be in our own city, country or around the world, these ambitious and kind-hearted individuals always find a fun way to bring people together for a great cause while having a fun time.

Come on out to B SIDE LOUNGE this Thursday night and help them make a difference over in Haiti.

2785 Euclid Heights Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106-2883
(216) 932-1966

PS…Something tells me that The Chef’s Widow would very much appreciate this effort!