Posts from November 2021

Thanksgiving dinner doesn't feel complete without several pies, but making them yourself can be time-consuming as well as difficult. Why not leave the task up to the experts and order pies in various flavors that will impress your holiday guests?

Start planning your menu now and check out these great places to order Thanksgiving pies from in Northeast Ohio.

Norcia Bakery

624 Belden Ave NE, Canton, OH 44704

Norcia Bakery has a long history of success and was founded in 1918 by the Norcia family, who immigrated from Italy. The bakery offers fresh-baked bread and pastries, including a variety of pies at affordable prices, so it's a great place to order several different flavors to end your Thanksgiving dinner on a sweet note. While you're there, pick up some of the bread, an authentic Italian split-top loaf made using the original bread recipe that John Norcia brought from Italy.

Rood Food + Pie

17001 Madison Ave. Lakewood, OH 44107

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If you've had a slice of pie with your meal at Rood Food + Pie or have visited the restaurant's pie bar, you'll want to make one of their unique creations part of your holiday menu. For a more sophisticated take on the classic banana cream pie, try their version that's made with bananas in spiked vanilla pudding with brandy-soaked vanilla wafers and topped with fresh whipped cream and a brandy caramel drizzle. Or impress your guests with the Amaretto Custard, which in addition to its rich custard, has a vanilla almond butter crust, whipped cream, toasted almonds, and smoked sea salt.

Tiffany's Bakery

620 Ridgewood Crossing Dr., Akron, OH 44333

Serving up pies, cakes, and pastries like cannoli and doughnuts for over 40 years, Tiffany's Bakery will have you drooling over their large menu of tasty sweets. Pie choices include traditional favorites like apple and cherry as well as cream pies. The shop takes pride in making sure pies look as good as they taste, and it's received several local Best Bakery honors as proof of its success.

The Sweet Fix Bakery

2307 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

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This cozy Cleveland Heights bakery got its start as Craig's Divine Desserts, a licensed, home-based bakery that was successful enough to expand. All of its baked goods are prepared on-site, including cakes, cookies, and pies by the slice or whole pies. Order a traditional favorite like a sweet potato or key lime pie, and add in pineapple supreme and decadent Oreo pies.

Gray House Pies

26075 Detroit Rd., Westlake, OH 44145

You're sure to find lots to order at Gray House Pies, which serves a large variety of pies including, fruit, cream, specialty, and savory pies. All are homemade, including the butter crusts, and when milk and eggs are used, they're organic and free-range, respectively. You won't find any fillers, preservatives, or canned fruit used, either. Try a Four Berry Buzzed Friends pie made with four types of berries as well as brandy and honey, a pumpkin pecan crumble pie, or a crapple (cranberry/apple). Or, if you'd prefer a savory pie to serve alongside your turkey, order a mac n cheese (plain or with bacon) or loaded potato, each made with a flaky pastry crust.

Bakers Square Restaurant & Pies

7011 W. 130th St., Parma Heights, OH 44130 

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Many people like to enjoy a meal at Bakers Square Restaurant & Pies, and the highlight is often a slice of pie for dessert. Many of the restaurant's pies have won multiple awards, so they've proven to be deliciously popular. You can order whole pies to take home for Thanksgiving, including the triple berry, which is bursting with the fruity flavor of raspberries, blueberries, and boysenberries. You'll also find favorites like pecan, cherry, and apple (which also comes in a reduced sugar option) on the menu, as well as the most popular option — a French silk pie with smooth chocolate silk covered with real whipped cream and milk chocolate curls inside the pastry crust.

Nancy's Main Street Diner

426 Main St., Grafton, OH 44044

Nancy's Main Street Diner has become well known locally for its cakes and pies, most of which can be made in sugar-free varieties and full-sugar versions. The diner serves cream, fruit, and Dutch fruit pies, including raspberry and coconut cream options. For full-on, belt-loosening decadence, go for the Elvis Pie, which has a peanut butter crumble crust and layers of fresh banana slices, peanut buttercream, banana cream, homemade peanut butter sauce, whipped cream, and vanilla wafers.

The West Side Bakery

2303 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44313  

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The West Side Bakery has garnered a loyal following since its opening in 1995. It's been honored for 13 years by Akron Life Magazine as the Best Local Bakery and also earned the award for Akron's Best Bakery from the readers of the Akron Beacon Journal. Choose from pies like pecan and pumpkin, as well as bumbleberry, buckeye, hot fudge, peach raspberry, and more. They look just as good as they taste, so they'll make a beautiful addition to your Thanksgiving table.

Autumn Skies and Delicious Pies

What's your favorite type of pie to find on the Thanksgiving table?

There's nothing quite like enjoying a hot cup of hand-crafted cappuccino on a cold winter's day. When we heard that Cappuccino Day was coming up on November 8th, we decided to start celebrating early by visiting some of the best coffee shops in the Cincinnati area. Next time you're in the mood for a tasty brew, we recommend visiting one of these local hot spots.

Lola's Coffee + Bar

24 W. 3rd St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

A downtown location with a cool, relaxed vibe, Lola's Coffee + Bar is a go-to spot for huge cups of super-smooth cappuccino and a variety of coffees, smoothies, beer, wine, and cocktails. The staff here is super friendly and attentive and their menu is full of unique options you won't find anywhere else. If you live, work, or play in the Hyde Park area, you'll definitely want to frequent this incredible location. 

Sidewinder Coffee

4181 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45223

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You'll love this trendy coffee shop located in the heart of Northside, right near Hamilton and Chase. Sidewinder Coffee is an independent neighborhood shop that has been pleasing both locals and visitors for over 15 years. Sourced from small farms worldwide, the coffee at Sidewinder is proudly roasted in-house. 

The cappuccino at Sidewinders is top-notch and, if you're hungry, you can also enjoy a selection of food items. The menu features everything from baked goods and breakfast burritos to mac & cheese and black bean burgers. 

blaCk Coffee Lounge

824 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

For a perfectly made cappuccino and amazing pastries, you can't go wrong with a visit to blaCk Coffee Lounge. As soon as you walk in, you'll be amazed by the incredible scents and the selection of desserts that are so beautiful that you'll almost feel bad taking a bite. 

This specialty coffee shop was inspired by both HipHop and the community. It's known as Cincinnati's number one coffee shop for culture. One visit here, and you'll quickly see why. 

1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab

1215 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

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A small but cute coffee shop located in the heart of the Over the Rhine neighborhood, 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab is known around town for its upscale, trendy vibe and incredibly friendly baristas. You'll love their locally roasted coffees and delicious light bites. They also have a beautiful patio where patrons can relax and enjoy their coffee during the warmer months. 

Sleepy Bee Cafe

8 E. 4th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

Founded in 2013, Sleepy Bee Cafe makes an excellent cup of cappuccino and also has a great menu with gluten-free and vegan options. We love the unique ambiance here and the fact that most everything is sourced from farmers and suppliers nearby.

More than just a cafe, this truly is a local gathering place. They also have three locations, so whether you're downtown, in Oakley, or in Blue Ash, you'll be able to pay them a visit. 

Sayler Park Coffee

6557 Gracely Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45233

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You'll love the warm and inviting atmosphere at Sayler Park Coffee. This locally owned independent coffee shop serves Deeper Roots Coffee, which is roasted just down the street in the West End neighborhood.

Not only is the cappuccino here delicious, but you'll also feel great about supporting this business. A full 100% of their profits go towards supporting organizations and projects that make a difference in the Sayler Park neighborhood. How awesome is it to know that your daily coffee habit can actually help strengthen the community? 

Urbana Cafe

1130 Broadway St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

This bright, multi-level cafe has been a staple in Cincinnati since 2013. They make an amazing cappuccino as well as a variety of other Italian coffee drinks. If you arrive hungry, you'll want to check out their small menu of delicious pastries, breakfast, and lunch items. They even sell peanut butter dog treats! Even better, they also use a portion of their resources to help local animal shelters.

If you love their coffee and want to take some with you, you'll be glad to know they also sell bags of coffee to go, monthly coffee subscriptions, and a selection of cool merch. 

BLOC Coffee Company

801 Mt. Hope Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45204

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This hip, art-filled coffee shop is a must-visit location! They make an excellent cup of cappuccino and have a delicious food menu that seems simple but tastes incredible. The upstairs area is also bright and beautiful, making it a great place to bring your laptop and get some work done. 

BLOC stands for Believing and Living One Christ — it's based on an inner-city ministry with the same name that wanted to create a safe and welcoming place for people to gather. Since they opened 12 years ago, they've been constantly looking for ways to serve the local community. Every time you visit, you'll help support their mission. 

Cappuccino You'll Love a Latte 

Which of these incredible coffee shops will you try first? 

November is Aviation History Month. It's a great chance to reflect on the history of air travel and all those who have made aviation what it is today. From Wilbur and Orville Wright to Amelia Earhart, so many notable people have shaped the industry. You can celebrate by reading more about these aviation pioneers and also by visiting aviation museums. There just so happen to be some great ones across the state of Ohio.

Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum

10825 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106

Operated by the Western Reserve Historical Society, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum showcases both automobiles and aircraft. One of the most notable displays is the 1910 Curtiss Model E "Bumble Bee," a small prop plane. The museum also houses a 1930 Howard DGA-3 named "Pete," which won five out of seven races in the National Air Races in Chicago.

This museum is open Thursday - Sunday, and admission is $15 for adults. Discounts are available for students and veterans, and active military members receive free admission. 

MAPS Air Museum

2260 International Parkway, North Canton, OH 44720

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The MAPS Air Museum is a great place to learn about the history of military aviation. Inside, you'll get to see an assortment of military aircraft from various periods in history. See a Martin Glider from the early 1900s, a BT-13A from World War II, and so much more. There are also displays honoring fallen soldiers and Medal of Honor recipients.

This museum is open Tuesday - Saturday. Admission is $10 for adults and free for active service members and World War II veterans. A guided tour takes about 2 hours, but most people spend 3 - 4 hours inside the museum.

International Women's Air & Space Museum

1501 N. Marginal Rd. Ste. 165, Cleveland, OH 44114

Countless women have played essential roles in advancing the aviation industry, and this museum in Northeast Ohio honors them. Admission is free, and guided tours are available for a small donation. The museum is located inside Burke Lakefront Airport, and the exhibits are accessible daily from 8 am - 8 pm.

Some of the displays at the International Women's Air & Space Museum include the jacket of former NASA astronaut Pam Melroy and a model of Beguine, a plane flown by Jackie Cochran. There are also displays honoring Amelia Earhart, Ruth Nichols, and Bessie Quimby.

Motts Military Museum

5075 S. Hamilton Rd, Groveport, OH 43125

Motts Military Museum is a great place to stop if you're near Columbus. Their mission is to preserve the past of the American military through documentation and collection of artifacts. While not strictly an aviation museum, they do have a lot of aircraft-related displays. There's an exhibit on the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots from the 1940s. There's also an entire display on the history of NASA.

This museum is open Tuesday - Sunday. Admission is $10 per adult and $5 for children ages 5 and up.

Champaign Aviation Museum

1652 N. Main St., Urbana, OH 43078

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A group of volunteers opened the Champaign Aviation Museum in 2005. Today, it houses eight vintage aircraft, most of which have been restored by the members. They have a B-25 Mitchell, known as "Champaign Gal," and a C-1A (TF-1) affectionately called "Mudflap Girl" — among others. 

This museum is housed on the property of Grimes Field. They're open Tuesday - Saturday, and admission is free, although donations are appreciated. You can also take a virtual tour of the museum on their website.

Historical Aircraft Squadron

3430 Old Columbus Rd. NW, Carroll, OH 43112

The Historical Aircraft Squadron is a museum within Hanger B at the Fairfield County Airport. It's open Wednesdays and Sundays from 9 am - 4 pm and is staffed by volunteer members. Admission and tours are free.

Inside this museum, you'll see vintage pilot's uniforms, older aircraft, and historic military equipment. There's also an extensive collection of books and DVDs that you can explore in the reading room.

Cincinnati Aviation Heritage Society Museum

262 Wilmer Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45226

Located in Lunken Field of the Cincinnati Municipal Airport, this museum houses a collection of scale model airplanes, including a 1939 Stinson SR-10C and a replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer. They also have a Smith Termite and a Burt Rutan. In addition to aircraft, they have a wide array of books and magazines on aviation-related topics. 

The Cincinnati Aviation Heritage Society Museum is a small and friendly one and a great place to dip your toes into aviation for Aviation Month. 

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

1100 Spaatz St., Dayton, OH 45431

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There's no doubt that the U.S. Air Force has played a vital role in developing the aviation industry over the years. That's why visiting the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is a great way to celebrate Aviation History Month. The museum offers free admission and parking, and it's open seven days a week from 9 am - 5 pm.

Inside the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, you'll see more than 350 different aerospace vehicles. You'll also get to see missiles and other weapons used by the Air Force over the years. The World War II gallery houses aircraft that were used both in the Pacific and in Europe. You'll see a Douglas A-24, a Consolidated B24D Liberator, and so many more. Also on display is a demilitarized Little Boy, an atomic weapon originally constructed in 1945.

Tri-State Warbird Museum

4021 Borman Dr., Batavia, OH 45103

The Tri-State Warbird Museum is a 22,000 square foot facility that includes an aircraft restoration area, various exhibits of aviation-related artifacts, and two large hangars where aircraft are displayed. There's also an extensive library of magazines, books, and other references related to flight.

This museum is truly a must-see if you're in the Cincinnati area. They've been recognized as one of the most admired aviation museums. You can visit Wednesday or Saturday, and admission ranges from $7 - $12 per person.

Celebrate Flight

Air travel has truly transformed the world, and that's well worth celebrating. Which one of these aviation museums do you plan on gliding into for Aviation History Month?