Easy Tuna Pasta Salad - Recipe

I like to have a staple of weeknight meals to always have the ingredients on hand and whip it up after work.  This is one of those meals.  Almost all of my staple meals have pasta, but TBG like to eat a protein so I added tuna to this pasta salad.  Albacore tuna really is the best for this and makes great leftovers.  I use canola mayonaise and wheat pasta because it is healthier.  This time I put cucumbers because they were in season and growing in our garden, but most of the time I use peas.  First I drained two cans of tuna (and gave my cats their share) then put it into a large bowl.  Then I mixed in the mayo, sriracha, and balsamic vinegar.  I use enough mayo to cover the pasta, but not so much that it's like a sauce, about 3/4 cup for a box of pasta.  You don't want it really heavy on the mayo so sometimes I use italian dressing to cut it down instead of balsamic vinegar, whatever you have on hand.  Use as much sriracha as you are comfortable with.  TBG likes a lot so I put about a tablespoon.  When the pasta is cooked al dente rinse with cold water.  Add cold pasta to the tuna mixture and toss well.  I topped with parmasan cheese to add a little saltiness.  I tend to make a lot so I can take for lunch the next day too.  Enjoy this easy weeknight recipe!

Eddies Famous Cheesesteaks and Grille - Akron

*UPDATE:  I am sorry to say Eddies is now closed*  Eddies is a new sandwich joint in the Merriman Valley.  We decided to try it, but TBG got carry out and brought it home.  The menu isn't large offering varieties on the classic cheesesteak and a few salads and sides.  We got the full original cheesesteak and the full Gotcha.  The full is 1lb of meat on a foot long bun.  I split the original with my mom and we both loved it.  The size was perfect for the two of us, which is probably why they also offer a half sized sandwich.  The sandwich was juicy, and the bun was not soggy even after being brought home.  The Gotcha is the original with banana pepppers and jalapenos.  TBG liked it as well.  He ate the entire full, but that is normal for him.  We also got a side of the fresh cut fries.  They were ok, I like my fries crispy and these were more soggy, but they were fresh cut.  When you walk in there is also a "fry bar" with a selection of salts and different vinegars.  The atmosphere is more like a fast food resturant, but it is a sandwich place after all.  The service seemed ok since our order did not take an overly long time but it was relatively small too.  The value was pretty good because it comes with a lot of quality food.  I will definately be going back when I get the hankering for a good cheesesteak. 

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The Rail - Fairlawn

The Rail is the new burger place at Summit Mall.  I really like the decor they chose.  There is a cow with meat cut lines and the names of counties in Ohio instead of cuts of meat.  They advertise that all their meat is local and they have a good variety of local beers.  The beer list is short but packs a big punch.  The bar is pretty big and there is lots of bar type seating.  There are also some booths in the back which is where we sat.  They were not busy when we were there and our server was great.  We actually had a complaint about the fried jalapenos on our fries and he took it right back to the kitchen and they made us fresh ones.  He even recommended beers even though TBG didn't take his recommendations.  There is a decent happy hour and seasonal specials.  We started the meal with the Bon Fire fries which are nice thin crispy fries with creamy melted pepper jack cheese and sriracha and fried jalapenos on top.  It was very good and plenty big enough for 2 people.  I liked the fries so much I ordered more with my burger.  TBG got the Crouching Burger, Hidden Bacon burger.  It has bacon, pork shoulder, and a crispy wonton on it.  He also added pepper jack cheese.  It was good, the burger was cooked exactly as he ordered it.  The pork shoulder was average, not much of a taste.  TBG mentioned that the crispy wonton got lost in everything else and he couldn't even tell it was there.  I ordered the Mr. Mariola which is fresh mozzarella, pesto, and tomato.  It was good, but the pesto really took over the flavor of everything else.  It was a good pesto, but there was too much on the burger.  It was dripping down my hand with every bite I took.  I did not care of the buns they used.  The bottom bun was so thin it was disintegrated by the time I was halfway through my burger.  The prices were about the same as every other gourmet burger place, but there are a few other I would rather go to eat.  If you are at the mall anyway and looking for some good food, or better yet good beer, this is the place to go.

Service____ 8 Chipps

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Isaly's II - Stow

 Isaly's is hidden away behind CVS on 59 in Stow. It is not huge inside, but is bigger than a lot of breakfast places around here.  The kitchen is open so you can watch your food being made.  The atmosphere is average, I like the open kitchen and the old knick-knacks, but some could use dusted.  The black and white tile floor makes it feel a littly like a 50's diner. The coffee is very good, they have a grinder sitting next to the coffee maker behind the counter.  I ordered the breakfast sandwich, one of my own staples to make at home.  This bagel was perfectly cooked and did not have the waxy texture some bagels have on the top.  The bacon was cooked perfect, not chewy or too crispy.  The egg probably could have been runnier, but all in all I was impressed with the sandwich.  TBG got an omelet with hashbrowns and sausage gravy.  The hashbrowns were good.  TBG said it would be good after a night of drinking.  The service was great, but they were not busy.  The prices are reasonable.  The food is good quality.  I would recommend going if you live close.

Service____ 6 Chipps

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Gervasi Vineyard & Italian Bistro - Canton

Ever since this place opened about a year ago I have heard great things.  I also heard it was expensive and since The Big Guy and I do not care much for Ohio wine, we had been putting it off.  Finally we went on a double date with my brother and all 4 of us loved it.  First off, the place is huge.  I did not get any pics of the outside, but did steal the picture below from their website.  There are two buildings from the parking lot, one is the Marketplace, the second and largest is the restaurant.  We walked into the Bistro first and inside is gorgeous.  All wood inside it feels like an elegant barn with pretty ornate wood details.  The Bistro has 3 levels: The lowest opens out to the outside in the back and is below where we walked in.  It looked like mostly tables.  Half of the main floor (where we walked in) is the wine bar and associated seating.  The top level is a loft area with cool vintage chairs and couches.  All these levels are joined by a open spiral wooden staircase in the middle of the floor.  Reservations are recommended for the table seating in most of the restaurant, but we walked in at dinner time on a Sat and sat upstairs on the couches.  We got served right away and enjoyed our private little party in the loft.  We started with a red wine sampler.  The wines were better than expected.  The vines you pass as you drive up the long driveway towards the parking lot are too young to make wine.  The wines were drank were sourced from California and other places.  We chose our fave and ordered a whole bottle for the table.  The flights were not too expensive and the bottle of wine was reasonable.  There were not other wineries offered, but we did not miss it.  Next we ordered the mussel appetizer.  It was great and a pretty good size.  Some of the dishes on the menu are meant to be shared.  The prices seemed high until you realized that it was actually for two people.  The menu is changed every season to use the freshest, most seasonal ingredients.  I love this, it also gives me a reason to go back.  I want to try something every season!  We were there when it was still the summer menu.  For dinner TBG and I split the short rib dinner.  It was big enough for the both of us (surprisingly!).  The short ribs were very tender and tasty, the mashed potatoes creamy and real.  I do not normally like onions, I just stand them, but the caramelized onions in this dish were amazing.  There were a lot and I tried to get some on every bite.  We loved every bite of this meal.  Our dates got the lemon chicken pasta and the creamed lobster pasta.  Theirs were also good.  The pasta was nicely cooked, the sauces not overwhelming.  The lemon chicken was seasonally refreshing.  These were meals for one and were still pretty big.  For dessert we ordered the chocolate cakes.  It came with 4 little cakes with some ganache on top and fresh berries.  It was perfect.  It went well with the rest of our red wine and was the perfect bite of chocolate to end the meal.  The service was great.  She had to keep running up those spiral stairs and we were never left wondering where she was.  The food also came out in a timely manner, we were actually done earlier than we wanted to be.  All in all I thought the prices were reasonable.  Not something you could do every week, but the food was worth the money.  After dinner we ventured outside.  There is a piazza outside with a more casual menu and it's own bar.  There was live music out here the day we were there too.  He was pretty good.  Past that is the bocce ball courts pictured below and the lake.  To the right of that picture is villas you can rent for the night, or weekend for a romantic getaway.  To the left of the lake is the private party area.  There was a wedding going on the night we were there.  It would be a beautiful place for a wedding.  Behind the party building are the grape vines that would make awesome wedding pictures.  Maybe TBG and I will renew our vows there ;)  After we had enough ooing and ahing at the outdoors we went into the Marketplace.  On the way we passed a small cute building that was actually the outdoor bathrooms.  When you walk in the store you see all their bottles of wine to buy.  The second part of the store is unique wine and cheese related gifts.  There were some typical things and also some high end things like Italian pottery and reclaimed wood cutting boards.  We will definitely be back and I recommend anyone who likes wine, Italian food, or just sitting outside to go to Gervasi Vineyard. 

Service____ 9 Chipps

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View of the bar from the loft

One small part of the beautiful outdoors http://www.gervasivineyard.com/

B Spot - Strongsville

As you may or may not already know TBG and I really like Iron Chef Michael Symon.  B Spot is another one of Symon's awesome restaurants.  There are a few locations and this is the second one (not counting the Q) that we have been to.  I really liked the decor in this one, I am not really sure how to describe it but it was very hip and warm at the same time, lots of personality.  The bar is a pretty good size.  We were there early on a Sat so there were not many people around.  I was not that hungry so I only got a vanilla milkshake.  It was very good, very rich and flavorful.  I ended up eating most of TBGs fries so we ordered a second order.  The burgers do not come with fries but I recommend getting some.  They are so good, crispy with fluffy insides and well seasoned with rosemary and sea salt.  The burgers are really good even if it does not look like it from this picture.  This time TBG got a Philly Witt which is flipsteak, cheezewhiz and onions on a burger.  As always the burger was great and the ingredients complimented it.  Those pickles on the plate are from the pickle bar and are all different kinds.  TBG said they were really good.  The price is not bad for the quality of ingredients and care they are put together with.  The beer list is not large, but the beers listed are above average.  

Service____ 8 Chipps

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The Blue Door Bakery and Cafe - Revisit

The Blue Door Bakery and Cafe used to be Golden Goose - original post here.  The outside still looks the same except for the blue front door.  The inside got a fresh coat of white paint, new bakery area, and new advertisement tables.  You can see parts of the table under these pics even though I cropped portions out.  I am not crazy about the tables, but it is better than the worn out tables cloths they had before. I am happy to say the bakery is still great.  There is a specials board in the front of the restaurant and I would recommend getting something from it if eating in.  I ordered the stuffed french toast and it was wonderful.  Creamy inside, fresh raspberries on top with slivered almonds throughout on nice thick pieces of fresh bread.  TBG ordered the western omelet.  It had ham, Chihuahua cheese, and peppers with a spicy sauce on top.  He also enjoyed his breakfast, said everything tasted fresh.  The omelet came with a fresh english muffin as well.  They serve wonderful Angel Falls Coffee.  The staff seemed a little confused with the reopen and the owner was seating people instead of in the kitchen.  The restaurant was full when we were there but not overly busy.  I would recommend coming here if you are looking for fresh local food or a good fresh bakery.  The homemade granola I have yet to try is beckoning me to come back soon!

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