In Anthony's footsteps

In a recent episode of Anthony Bourdain's show No Reservations (check it out on the Travel Channel--the new season looks great), he took his viewer audience along for the ride to Cleveland, Ohio. Looking for something to do over the Christmas break, we thought why not follow the Bourdain path; we decided to check out Cleveland.

Our plan was to visit some of the featured attractions and restaurants of interest that Bourdain boasted; we added a few destinations that were more or less off the beaten path.

Our first stop was to the Christmas Story House. If you are not from the Midwest, you may not be familiar with our fascination with a little film entitled, A Christmas Story, that was made in 1981. The film chronicles the plight of Ralphie who only wants a Red Rider BB gun for X'mas. Ralphie's X-mas wish is not welcome and is greeted with "You'll shot your eye out kid!" by everyone he encounters.

The film was shot in a house on the West side of Cleveland. I think back in 2005 one of my obsessed brethren bought the actual house where the film was shot, along with two other houses on the same street. You can now visit the museum and actually tour the house the film was shot, which has been refurbished to look just like it did in the film.

The main attraction is to have your picture taken with "the lamp." The father in the film wins an award, a tacky lamp. The base of the lamp is a female leg in a black pump with fishnet stockings, topped with a lampshade. They sell the lamp for $200 bucks in the gift shop. Watch the movie, and you'll see the point in all of this. If you have watched the film and want to get the lamp for your front window, here is a link to the museum's web site, url: http://achristmasstoryhouse.com/. (We also got to meet the woman who played the elf whose one line was "Come on Kid!")

Next, we made our way to The Sausage Shop located at 4501 Memphis Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44144; there number, if you get lost , is (216) 351-5213. This place is great. The smell as we walked in was incredible; it reminded me of a meat market my mom used to shop in when I was little. Right on the counter, proudly displayed, was Mr. Bourdain's smiling mug welcoming us. They had samples on the counter--liver pate that was out of this world. It was delicious. Since it was so close to the New Year, we purchased some of their holiday kielbasa, only available during Christmas and Easter, w/ free kraut. We served it on New Year's day, as is the custom, and it was very good. We were very careful not to over cook it, adding it at the last minute to the kraut, as instructed by the young lady at the counter. She said that their unique flavor comes from a recipe that includes wine in the kielbasa begins to cook. My sister purchased some Roast Beef; she said it was the best she has ever had. For more information about, the Sausage Shoppe visit their web site, url: http://www.sausageshoppe.com

Next, we made our way to the West Side Market. Parking took forever! Once we found a spot, we made our way towards the back door of the fruit and vegetable market. The place was incredible. People were everywhere. When you enter the place, you are greeted with unbelievable displays of all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables. Samples are available, and the prices are reasonable. There was even a little flower market. Inside the actual market, you could purchase various cuts of meat, pasta, fresh nuts, Greek pastries, Amish pies, etc. The entire experience reminded me of the markets we visited while traveling in Mexico City. It was amazing. The market was built in 1912, and it is located near the Sausage Shoppe. You can visit their web site, url: http://www.westsidemarket.com

At this point the main attraction, Sokolowski's University Inn wasn't open for several hours, so we gave ourselves an impromptu self guided tour of downtown Cleveland where we stumbled upon the International Women's Air and Space Museum. Check them out at url: http://www.iwasm.org/

Finally, we made it to Sokolowski's University Inn. My step-dad had been wondering the entire trip why we wanted to go to this place . . . especially when we waited patiently in the parking lot for an hour till the place opened along with 5 other cars waiting to get into the door. Ten minutes after we ordered, he figured it out, asking, "How did you hear about this place again?" I had only talked about No Reservations about 40 times that day as we made our way around town. Honestly, his question was no greater complement to the person who was responsible for making the Chicken Paprikash that evening. It made him sit up and take notice. Hell, before the meal was even finished, he said the next time we were in town to catch an Indian's game that he knew where he was going to eat. I hope that this gives you an idea of how good this place was. Served in a cafeteria style, the average cost for dinner is $12. You get a meal, drink, dessert, salad and roll. The place is filled with sports memorabilia. The decor is cozy; there is even a fireplace in the dinning room. Everyone was lovely, a good family atmosphere. The restaurant is located at 1201 University Road, Cleveland, Ohio, 44102. There number is (216) 771-9236. The next time we go back I will try the stuffed cabbage; they looked so good. Check out their web site: www.sokolowskis.com Finally, we headed home. Regretfully, we did not get to try a polish boy at Hot Sauce Williams, but Lauren, a native of Cleveland, tells me that there is a far better place to get them (more on that later.)

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