Move over key lime pie in Key West! I want some Strip House 24-layer chocolate cake too!

I have been salivating over Key West dessert options based on the guide books I've been perusing as we prepare for our trip next month. Our hotel supposedly serves up a good Key lime pie, so you know I'll be actively sampling. I was also thrilled to realize that there's a Strip House in Key West, which serves up an AMAZING 24-layer chocolate cake (or so I've heard from the Food Channel). Cleveland's The Greenhouse Tavern was featured on a Guilty Pleasures episode of The Best Thing I Ever Ate, and the show also highlighted this dessert.

I...can't...wait...to...try...it!

Watch The Best Thing I Ever Ate tonight at 10 p.m. to see Cleveland Heights' Lopez featured by Michael Symon for its yummy guacamole. Lopez is one of my favorite restaurants, and I've written about it here in The Heights Observer.

My fav hotel reward programs

When I travel, I'm all about maximizing rewards...airline miles, hotel points, etc. When it comes to hotels, I heart Kimpton boutique hotels because of their fantastic amenities. I also participate in Marriott's rewards program, and have redeemed their free hotel rooms when in Paris, Raleigh for the Krispy Kreme Challenge and Dayton for March Madness (woo hoo). I'm "this close" to a Kimpton redemption.

While in Chicago a few weeks ago, I stayed at Hotel Monaco. I’ve never stayed at this location, but I’ve stayed at other Hotel Monacos in other cities (and other Kimpton-branded hotels) and loved them. I was cheerily greeted when I arrived, upgraded and given a card to redeem two mini bar items for free…despite my already steeply discounted rate. How's that for a welcome?! My room was immediately available and had a pretty bay window with a nice view...see above (the circular condos/parking building near the House of Blues has served as my beacon many times when visiting Chicago).

Many Kimpton hotels are green and they always offer great products like Aveda and L’Occitane in the room. Plus, they have daily free wine receptions, fun animal print bathrobes and offer complimentary items like fashion tape by request. I love staying in their hotels because they have a boutique feel, yet offer all the amenities and services (and then some) of a major hotel chain.

What about you? Where do you like to stay when you travel? Any travel reward programs that stand out to you?

How can we not be happy in Cleveland w a Man v. Food visit?

I usually write about my travels away from Cleveland, not my adventures in my hometown, but I want to make an exception because of this b.s. that has Clevelanders in an uproar. Saturday was an AMAZING day, and I think it's a great illustration of awesome things that happen in our city.

First, Man v. Food filmed at Melt, which was incredible enough in itself, but I also got to meet Adam Richman! Phil and I have been huge fans of the show for the past two seasons, and even visited Hash House A Go Go when we went to Vegas in December because we salivated over the waffles Adam sampled on the show. So, I was pumped! (However, there is no way ever that I could eat 4 lbs. of grilled cheese, which is the Melt Challenge that Adam attempted.)

From Melt, we scrambled home to get ready for PlayhouseSquare's Jump Back Ball, an event I helped to plan (I was co-chair of ticket sales for this year's event). What a great night! The Spazmatics played some dynamite 80s tunes and everyone's outfits/costumes were great. We also ate delightful appetizers by Zack Bruell during the V.I.P. party before the event (even though I was still really, really full from our Melt outing). Mmmm.

So, a great night and a great example of how awesome Cleveland is! Holla!

UPDATE: read this blog for a great account by one of the Melt tattoo brothers of his experience during the filming Saturday: http://bit.ly/a1HEuu