Akron Life January 2023

330 FLAVOR AWARDS

VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 1

JANUARY 2023

MEANT TO BE 4 DREAM WEDDINGS

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5 R E V I BES GOOD E S T A U R

JAN. 2023 $4.95

GREAT RESI L IENCE PRIVATE SCHOOLS BOUNCE BACK

MÉLANGE PORK TENDERLOIN photo by Meghan Winkler

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JANUARY 2023 | VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 1

Pages start here

On The Cover | 20 330 Flavor Awards | photo by Meghan Winkler

[ FEATURE ]

20 330 FLAVOR AWARDS Escape to a tropical oasis, a retro diner with classic cars, dazzling fine dining restaurants and more cool spaces. Experience our top picks for ambiance and over 235 of your choices for 330 Flavor Award winners.

Raspberry Beret, Square Scullery Noodle Bar photo by Meghan Winkler

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31 UNCORKED FitVine

12 AGENDA [ the essential social digest ]

36 BRIDAL Distinctive weddings

[ DEPARTMENTS ]

12 AGENDA [ the essential social digest ] 13 Entertainment listings + Calendar of events 30 GOOD EATS [ notable food + drink ] 30 Restaurant listings 31 Uncorked: FitVine 34 Untapped: Town Branch Bourbonola

08 MAIL BONDING

Special Sections

36 BRIDAL Couples bring their unique visions to life. 48 EDUCATION Students are bouncing back from the pandemic.

09 FROM THE PUBLISHER Pedal On

10 RADAR [ seen + heard ]

11 UPFRONT Standing Strong

59 PARTING SHOT Hudson Country Day School

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M A I L B O N D I N G

CAMEOS OF CARING NURSES WHO GO BEYOND THEIR CALLS

RAISE A GLASS MAKE A TOAST WITH 3 SPARKLING WINES

Tell us what's on your mind.

NEXT CHAPTER FINANCIAL STRATEGIES AFTER RETIREMENT

VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 11 YEARS CELEBRATING 20 DECEMBER 2022 NOVEMBER 2022

FOUNDER Don Baker Jr . [ 1940-2018 ]

VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 12

JUST A DAD FROM AKRON Kenny Lambert lifts up Kenmore

Comments? Got something to say about an article you read in Akron Life ? Or maybe you want to tel l us about something great happening in the area. Send comments and suggestions to: Akron Life , 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313, and please include your name and address.

PUBL I SHER Colin Baker cbaker@bakermediagroup.com CREAT IVE DIRECTOR William L. Teckmyer III wteckmyer@bakermediagroup.com MANAGING EDI TOR Kelly Petryszyn kpet ryszyn@bakermediagroup.com ASS I STANT EDI TOR Alexandra Sobczak asobczak@bakermediagroup.com GRAPHIC DES IGNER Tylar Calhoun tsut ton@bakermediagroup.com CONTRIBUT ING WRI TERS Aaron Fowler Eric Van Sant

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KENNY AND AMELIA LAMBERT photo by Alan Chavez

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JANUARY 2023 | VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 1 ( ISSN No. 74 470 5787 1 ) akronlife is published monthly by Baker Media Group, LLC, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313. Copyright 2023© by Baker Media Group, LLC, All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited without written permission. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by an addressed envelope and sufficient postage. Baker Media Group, LLC and akronlife accept no responsibility for unsolicited material. Subscription rates: Continental U.S., One year —$19.95, Two years —$34.95. Call for Alaska, Hawaii or international rates. Single issues available by calling the circulation department or visiting akronlife.com/store . $3.95 each plus $3.50 shipping & handling. Editorial, advertising and business offices: (330) 253-0056, fax (330) 253-5868.

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F R O M T H E P U B L I S H E R

[ Publisher | Colin Baker | cbaker@bakermediagroup.com ]

Pedal On

Accomplishing a resolution takes dedication.

Last January I wrote about how I had bought a Peloton exercise bike and was going to really get in shape. It is that season of resolutions, and being active and losing weight are often in the top five most common resolutions. I am happy to report back that the Peloton was not used as an expensive coat hanger — I have kept with it. It started with a ton of conviction, like anything I get new, and I would ride mul tiple times a day. I’m not a bike rider, so I had to work through the early muscle pain and muscle building. It was hard at first. I had this idea about where I should be or how I should feel, and nothing lined up with that. If you don’t have a Peloton or haven’t rid den, it is an exercise bike that has a video screen, and you are in a live or recorded class. All of your metrics, which include speed and work output, are shown on a screen so you can follow the instructor’s suggestions. You can also see where other riders are and how you compare. This was my problem in the beginning. I would get competitive and push myself too hard. I don’t know who these other people are who are at the top of the leaderboard, but they are clearly not human. I could never match the top — or even come close. The best thing I do now is turn that setting off so I only ride against myself. I have been consistent in riding, except for as I’m writing this in December. I haven’t

ridden for a few weeks. I also paused in the summer after I had stitches in my leg from an injury with a power saw. I waited a few weeks after the doctor’s recommen dation and stayed off the bike. When I got back on, I was motivated because I was going to Colorado to backpack for a week, and I knew I needed to strengthen my leg. After that trip, it was a push to exercise. If I can get myself into a groove and ride three to four days a week, I then have the motivation to keep going. There also lies a problem — the motivation. My goal is

to never give up once I start. That’s the motto for everything I do, and sometimes I don’t give up to a fault. Maybe this year’s New Year’s resolution will be to keep rid ing another year. I was recently talking to a friend who said that they have goals or resolutions they set as the four F’s: fitness, family, finances and fun. Don’t forget to set goals for fun. That’s my favorite part and, maybe my goals will be the four F’s of fun, fun, fun, fun.

[ Publisher Colin Baker is a retired racing driver and gearhead. ] Comments? Email them to Kelly Petryszyn [kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com].

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R A D A R

by Kelly Petryszyn

seen + heard

DEEP DIG In less than a 2-mile span, there are 16 vintage stores to scour for treasures in historic downtown Hartville. Grab a Hartville Antique & Thrift Trail Map to plan your route, possibly hitting Two e’s in a Pod upscale children’s resale shop or Best Bib and Tucker stylish women’s clothing consignment store. Find handmade artistry and upcycled vintage items at collectives Thirty two 8 Inspired & Co. or Modern Vintage. And those who are really on the hunt for hidden gems should head to the massive Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market with over 60 shops. discoverhartville.com

photo provided by UNKNWN photo provided by Marc Lee Shannon

FIT FOR A KING Many of us are hoping to get fit this year, so find gear at LeBron James’ sneaker and apparel shop UNKNWN, which came home to downtown Akron in fall 2022. Founders James and Akron childhood friends Jaron Kanfer and Frankie Walker Jr. first launched a Miami location but always intended to bring UNKNWN back to their hometown. University of Akron art students designed some installations for the store, and architect Sarah Krivanka designed a large Lake Erie driftwood centerpiece in front of a sleek sneaker and ballcap display wall. It sells Nike LeBron sneakers as well as items from local brands, plus it hosts fitness classes and gives back through community projects. 199 S. Main St., Akron, unknwn.com

START ANEW The new year is a time to conquer big goals. Get inside Akron musician Marc Lee Shannon’s journey of over eight years of sobriety with his new book, “Sober Chronicles” ($19.99), which features essays from The Devil Strip exploring the ups and downs of his long-term journey of dealing with substance use disorder and mental health

issues. Shannon, who is a singer-songwriter and played with Michael Stanley’s

band the Resonators, writes with vulnerability, providing a raw look at confronting mistakes, giving yourself grace and declaring that even if you are not OK, you can still find joy. marcleeshannon.com

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U P F R O N T

[ Managing Editor | Kelly Petryszyn | kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com ]

Standing Strong

Northeast Ohioans have shown support for Ukraine.

left him with pain and fear for safety when he came to the U.S., say his sons. My father and uncles didn’t speak Ukrainian or go to Ukrainian school, and Tata made the choice to leave the past and focus on creating new lives for his family as Americans. Tata grew up in his family’s farmhouse with a straw roof in Ukraine. In the early 1930s, Ukrainians, including his family, endured the Holodomor, a manmade famine in which Russia took control of Ukrainian farms and seized grains, food and livestock in a genocide that left about 4 million dead, according to Vox . In 1941 during World War II, Tata had to leave his family and home and endured forced slave labor at a labor camp in Regensburg, Germany. He had great faith and found the will to survive over three years of suffering, forced to work while being cold and hungry. Near the end of the war, Tata was labeled a “displaced person” and had about four more years of his life robbed, being stuck in refu gee camps until 1948. Without knowing if his parents or brothers survived the war and facing the harrowing prospect of returning to Soviet-controlled Ukraine, Tata wrote on his displaced person card that his desired desti nation was “not to go home – U.S.A.” After being forced into labor for years and getting ripped from his family, home and culture, he longed for freedom. His relative and the National Catholic Welfare Conference spon sored him, and he resettled in Cleveland. He later learned that his brothers and father were among about 8 million Ukrainians killed around the time of the war. The day he became an American citizen was one of his proudest. Tata always flew an American flag and celebrated the Fourth of July, even if all he could afford was lighting

road flares. He lived with physical and mental wounds from the war but found happiness and raised a family in freedom. Tata died before I could meet him, and I will never be able to fathom the strength it took to survive the war. I’m so grateful for the sac rifice Tata made, and if it wasn’t for his brav ery to choose freedom, I might not be here. His story taught me to be Ukrainian is to be a fighter and stand up against all odds. The current war began with many underestimat ing Ukrainians, but they have shown dogged resilience, brute

We fly a Ukrainian flag outside of our house. It was a gift from my dad as a show of support for the country my grandfather came from. So many Northeast Ohioans have shown they are standing with Ukraine in the war against Russia, which was ongoing at press time in mid-December. Ohio has the fifth largest Ukranian population in the U.S., and more than a third live in Northeast Ohio. This issue announces the winners of our 330 Flavor Awards and our editors’ picks for restau rants with great atmospheres, including Olesia’s Taverne of Richfield. I interviewed owner and chef Olesia Pochynok about her sophisticated restaurant, which serves cuisine that reflects her roots growing up on a small farm in Ukraine. Olesia’s hosted a fundraiser for Ukrainian relief efforts and raised a whopping $20,000. I rejoice Ukrainian Americans and others living in the U.S. have the freedom to help those fighting the war and can freely show support without fear. It wasn’t always like that. Between the famine and World War II, my grandfather, who his family called “Tata,” endured atrocities that

determination and incredible will in fighting for freedom. When I see all of the homes, businesses, util ity poles and cars displaying Ukrainian flags, I rejoice that after all of these years the fear

Tata

of retaliation and persecution has faded and we have the freedom to express our heritage and support. It’s also been amazing to watch my husband help with relief efforts through his job at MedWish International, which has helped send about 147,000 pounds of medi cal and humanitarian supplies and equipment to Ukraine. As the war reaches almost a year, consider frequenting a Ukrainian American business like Olesia’s, volunteering, donating or displaying blue and yellow in solidarity with descendants here and a country that has fought so hard for so long.

[ Managing Editor Kelly Petryszyn is an adventure seeker, forever a dreamer and an avid supporter of #TeamFiona. ]

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AGENDA

JANUARY 2023 | VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 1

Agenda the essential social digest

photo provided by Summit Metro Parks

1/28 Snowshoe Open House p19

Learn about the history of snowshoeing and try it out. Liberty Park, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 1-4 p.m. summitmetroparks.org

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SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS on akronlife.com or email asobczak@bakermediagroup.com.

Akron Symphony Orchestra

Akron Civic Theatre Check its Facebook for local musicians, events, stage shows and other performances. facebook.com/akroncivic Akron Soul Train View video profiles from past, current and future Soul Train artists-in-residence. facebook.com/akronsoultrain

NOTE : Dates, events, locations, times and prices are subject to change. Please call ahead.

Theron Brown, an Akron based jazz musician, and Thomas Moore, director of marketing for the Akron Symphony Orchestra, discuss different jazz-centered topics in their podcast, “Backstage at the Hi Hat,” available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more. akronsymphony.org Akron Zoo Visit the zoo digitally to enjoy live keeper talks, animal encounters and presentations from local experts. akronzoo.org

Virtual Events

Akron Art Museum Explore the museum’s collections online. Kiddos and those wanting to get creative can craft via video lessons. akronartmuseum. org/at-home

Akron-Summit County Public Library

Sit kids down for story times with children’s librarians or various book talks via videos on its Facebook page. Books are available inside or for curbside pickup. facebook.com/akronlibrary

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AGENDA

The Americana Roundup Akron musician Ryan Humbert launched an online radio station, the Americana Roundup, which plays more than 3,000 songs he handpicked. The station plays all day and focuses on rock, country, folk and more. americanaroundup.com ArtsInStark Go to its Facebook for videos with fun things to do at home including crafts and dance lessons, music performances and book readings. facebook.com/artsinstark Apollo’s Fire Indulge in music, art and literature from the Cleveland Baroque orchestra with past concert videos, interviews and readings. See shows through a digital portal or in person. apollosfire.org Blu Jazz Jazz enthusiasts can enjoy their favorite tunes through livestreams on Blu Jazz’s Facebook page and support local artists. facebook. com/blujazzakron Canton Symphony Orchestra Watch mini concerts and learn about the issue of diversity in classical music during the “Orchestrating Change” podcast. cantonsymphony.org

Radio on the Lake Theatre The Shaker Heights-based

Cleveland Orchestra Connect with the orchestra via the streaming platform Adella to access performances recorded in Severance Hall, as well as the “On a Personal Note” podcast that’s about classical music. clevelandorchestra.com Gage House Sessions Grab your favorite drink and enjoy an evening with local musicians via Gage House’s live sessions. Check out previous shows from artists including Madison Cummins and Ben Gage, who both make for evenings of soothing tunes. facebook.com/gagehousesessions Jilly’s Music Room The Akron music venue is hosting select Streaming Fridays on its YouTube channel. Watch the livestreams and visit the online store to order dinner, tip the band, make a donation and buy merchandise. jillysmusicroom.com Magical Theatre Company The Barberton theater company is offering game nights and educational videos. Children can also enjoy stories read by local theater veterans during Magical Storytime. magicaltheatre.org

organization utilizes modern technology to connect with actors, directors and artists from throughout the country to perform and record radio plays. radioonthelaketheatre.org Rubber City Theatre Dive into the world of online theater with its Shakespeare in the Living Room series in which professional actors perform Shakespearean

works using props they found lying around their homes. facebook.com/ rubbercitytheatre

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens The North American Reciprocal Museum

Association is offering virtual tours of the first floor of the manor house at Stan Hywet. Guests can tour the most impressive floor without leaving their homes. stanhywet.org Summit County Historical Society of Akron, OH Learn about historical figures on their birthdays, join virtual book talks, view artifacts and more on its Facebook page. facebook.com/ summitcountyhistoricalsociety

The Nightlight Purchase tickets to rent

movies online through the Akron art house cinema’s virtual screening room — you’ll have access to the films at nightlightcinema.com/ virtual-screening-room.

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Summit Metro Parks Explore many different topics,

including animals, plants, different habitats, fitness and more, through virtual events. summitmetroparks.org Up Front Art Space This Cuyahoga Falls gallery is sharing photos and videos of artwork for sale to support local Virtual Jukebox Dance and sing along to videos made by local artists. You may have heard some of these 330 artists, like Jim Ballard, Shelby Olive and Adrian Labra on 90.7 and 91.3 Summit FM radio waves. Browse the 50-plus videos to enjoy your favorites and discover new sounds. the330.net/virtual-jukebox Wandering Aesthetics Theatre Go on this Akron troupe’s Facebook page for performance videos from members and fans — it could be play readings, poetry, comedy, puppets, dance or whatever else artists submit. facebook. com/watheatre Weathervane Playhouse Sign up for virtual workshops creatives. facebook. com/upfrontartspace

and classes for all ages that focus on dancing, acting and more. Also view short films on the

theater’s YouTube channel. weathervaneplayhouse.com

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Through 1/14 “Now and Then: Seven Decades of Kent State Ceramics” View work by current and former full-time faculty, notable alumni and more. KSU Downtown Gallery, 141 East Main Street, Kent. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. & Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. kent.edu/galleries

In-Person Events

SPONSORED CONTENT

photos provided by Massillon Museum

Celebrate Black singers with Our Song, Our Story Join Tuesday Musical for Our Song, Our Story on Thursday, Feb. 2, at E.J. Thomas Hall to celebrate those who paved the way for Black singers — including trailblazers Marian Anderson, Jessye Norman and Harry T. Burleigh. Two of today’s most exciting voices — soprano Jacqueline Echols and baritone Justin Austin — perform beloved operatic arias, art songs and spirituals by Handel, Puccini, Gershwin and more. A string quartet and Our Song, Our Story creator Damien Sneed on piano join them. Tickets start at $19. Tuesday Musical also provides free tickets for all students plus bus funding for student groups. Student tickets are available on concert night at the E.J. ticket office.

Through 1/4 “Into Light Project Ohio: Continuing the Conversation” This exhibit uses portraits by Heather Bullach and Theresa Clower to humanize people and remove the stigma associated with the disease of addiction. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 2-5 p.m. massillonmuseum.org Through 1/8 “Carry On: A Century of Swing” Learn about the history of swing-style marching band. Massillon Museum, Paul Brown Museum Gallery, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 2-5 p.m. massillonmuseum.org

Through 1/15 “Stark County Artists Exhibition” Take in two- and three dimensional pieces at this annual juried exhibit. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 2-5 p.m. massillonmuseum.org

Tuesday Musical 330-761-3460 tuesdaymusical.org

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Through 1/22 “Coty Giannelli: Days with Delsie” See digital

photography at this Massillon Museum exhibition about the

photographer being the caretaker of his grandmother. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. Tuesday Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 2-5 p.m. massillonmuseum.org Through 2/20 Winterblast Embrace the season with ice bumper cars, ice bikes, mini golf, Archie the Snowman and more. Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron. lock3live.com Through 2/25 “The Me Decade” Peruse clothing and artifacts from the 1970s under a disco ball on a dance floor. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton. Tuesday Through 5/14 “Good Hope” View wall-size pieces by a South African illustration studio. Pieces are inspired by the artists’ hometown environments. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Wednesday, Friday Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Thursday Through 5/28 “Pathfinders: Kent State University School of Fashion Alumni” Check out diverse approaches to fashion by Kent State University alumni who have at least six years of experience after graduation, such as Jules Acree, Deanna First, Keama Garrett, Joshua Hupper, Miyako Nakamura and Anne Skoch. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, staff and all on Sunday, otherwise $6 general public. kent.edu/museum photos provided by Kent State University College of the Arts Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Kids $8, adults $10. mckinleymuseum.org 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $12 adult general admission. akronartmusuem.org

Through 8/27 “As the World Weds: Global Wedding Traditions” This Kent State University Museum exhibit features pieces of clothing beyond white dresses that are incorporated in wedding ceremonies around the world. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, staff and all on Sundays, otherwise $6 general public. kent.edu/museum 1/6, 1/13, 1/20 & 1/27 Lunchtime Yoga Relax with some beginner-friendly yoga at the Massillon Museum each Friday. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. 12:30-1:15 p.m. $6 class, $15 three classes. massillonmuseum.org

1/7 Drive the Cold Winter Away Warm up with this performance of Old English carols and ballads and Irish and Appalachian folk tunes. Blu Jazz, 47 E. Market St., Akron. 8 p.m. $25. apollosfire.org 1/7 Local, Live 2023: Ravenwood Jam to music by this Akron alternative rock band. Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton. 7:30 p.m. $25. cantonpalacetheatre.org

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1/13 Winter Exhibitions Opening Night Celebrate the new exhibitions at Summit Artspace at this event that features an awards announcement and an artists’ panel themed “Celebrating Queer Voices and Journeys.” Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St., Akron. 5-7 p.m. Free. summitartspace.org 1/13-3/18 Winter Exhibitions See exhibits like the “Fresh” juried exhibit, “Still Moving” by Atefeh Farajolahzadeh, “The Corner” by Chris Harvey, “Social Justice Student Art” and more. Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St., Akron. Friday noon-7 p.m. & Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. summitartspace.org 1/14, 1/21 & 1/28 Coffee with the Birds Check out which birds visit the wildlife viewing area while keeping warm with a hot beverage. Liberty Park, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 10-11 a.m. summitmetroparks.org

1/7, 1/14, 1/21 & 1/28 Winery Tours Learn about Gervasi Vineyard’s winemaking facility, then enjoy four wine tastings, a wine glass and four chef selected bites. Gervasi Vineyard, the Crush House, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 1:30-2:30 p.m. 1/8 Comfort Food & Wine Pairing Get cozy with comfort food and four of Gervasi Vineyard’s award winning wines. Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 4:30-5:30 p.m. $39. gervasivineyard.com or 3:30-4:30 p.m. $27. gervasivineyard.com

1/8, 1/15, 1/22 & 1/29 Distillery Tasting Tours Go behind the scenes of the distillery at Gervasi Vineyard during a tour, then enjoy three spirit tastings and take home a shot glass and a salty snack. Gervasi Vineyard, the Still House, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 2-3 p.m. $17. gervasivineyard.com 1/11 & 1/25 Hooks & Books Discuss what you’ve been reading while you sew or knit at this event Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. or Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. White Rabbit Galleries, 571 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton. barbertonlibrary.org 1/12-14 & 1/26-28 Award-Nominated Film Series Watch this year’s top films on Canton’s largest screen. Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton. 7:30 p.m. $7. cantonpalacetheatre.org

photos provided by Gervasi Vineyard and Summit Artspace

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1/19 & 1/25 Kinderealm: Winter Trackers Children 3 to 6 can learn about animal tracks, play a game and take a hike in search of footprints. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron & Liberty Park, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. summitmetroparks.org 1/20 & 2/17 Wine and Paint Paint a tenrec during this event led by an instructor. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron. 6-9 p.m. $35 members, $40 nonmembers. akronzoo.org 1/21-2/19 Epiphany Arts Festival View art by over 200 local artists at this 23rd annual festival hosted by and held at the Bath United Church of Christ. 3980 W. Bath Road, Akron. Sunday noon-3 p.m. Wednesday 1-4 p.m. & Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. bathucc.org

1/27-3/18 “Link Between Roots (Mexican / Mexican

American Print Show)” See over 30 pieces made with printmaking techniques focused on Mexican culture. KSU Downtown Gallery, 141 East Main St., Kent. Monday Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. & Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. kent.edu/galleries 1/28 McKinley Day / Pet Appreciation Day Head to the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum for a wreath laying ceremony at noon. Donate pet supplies between Jan. 3 and Jan. 28 for discounted admission. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton. mckinleymuseum.org 1/28 Snowshoe Open House Learn about the history of snowshoeing and try it out. Liberty Park, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 1-4 p.m. summitmetroparks.org

1/29 Bourbon & Bites Try maple cask, wine barrel and rum barrel bourbons paired with four delicious bites made by the Gervasi Vineyard culinary team. Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 4:30 p.m. $39. gervasivineyard.com

photos provided by Summit Metro Parks and Gervasi Vineyard

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS on akronlife.com or email asobczak@ bakermediagroup.com.

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330 FLAVOR AWARDS

by Kelly Petryszyn and Alexandra Sobczak photos by Meghan Winkler

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330 FLAVOR AWARDS

Scallops

I SLAND VACAT I ON

nic rock that backs the thatch roof-covered bar. And a hall way becomes the jungle with hanging plants and a giant skull with glowing red eyes. “The idea for any tiki bar is escapism,” says Coffey. “You lose track of time. That’s the idea of forgetting about your troubles.” Tiki Underground tells sto ries of the tiki movement through gallery-worthy mem orabilia, including a large wooden tiki from Cleveland’s former Kon Tiki and tiki mugs, including a red one from Hades Hula House in Australia, from Coffey’s home tiki bar collection. “Within tiki culture … you learn about different cultures from the South Pacific,” says

cocktail creator “Tonga” Tim Harnett, who teaches cocktail classes and released a cocktail recipe book. “There’s nearly a century of history behind these drinks.” The drink menu pays tribute to historic tiki recipes, signa tures and riffs on classics. It also serves small plates like scallops and short rib empa nadas from One Bite Kitchen. Newcomers often start with the 1944 mai tai ($11), with a base of dark rum, Curacao and lime, and compare it to the TU mai tai ($11), which swaps orgeat for falernum, creating a spicier and sweeter version than the citrus-for ward original. An eye-popper is the Blue Eyed Sailor ($9), a riff on a blue Hawaiian with fresh pineapple, blue Curacao,

traditional St. Lucia spiced rum and coconut cream, which gives it a foamy texture. Bring a friend to share the potent 1958 luau scorpion bowl ($12-$24) that has orange and lime and packs a punch from 5 or 10 com bined ounces of gin, brandy and rum — but the shocker Underground has converted about 15 to 20 customers into tiki enthusiasts, includ ing two who have traveled to every U.S. tiki bar. “It’ll take over your life if you’re not careful,” Coffey says with a smile. KP 1832 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, tikiunderground.com is that it’s set on fire. Coffey shares that Tiki

A cedar door carved with a tiki is the gate way into a tropical oasis at Tiki Underground,

which looks like a shipwreck inside.

“The far side is the side of the volcano the ship ran aground, and the other side is the ship itself,” says co-owner Sean Coffey of the cocktail bar that opened in Hudson in 2017 and relocated to Cuyahoga Falls in 2022. Arched wooden beams and portholes showing fish at the National Aquarium create the illusion of the design by “Doktor” Bill Lynn, an artist and Kahuna Kings drummer who has played the bar. Lynn made a molten concrete wall with skulls to emulate volca

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330 FLAVOR AWARDS

Smoked cauliflower and sweet potato

Best Restaurant in The 330 1 . Divine Food Spirits Wine 2 . Kingfish 3 . Beau’s Grille

Best Restaurateur 1 . Beau Schmidt 2 . Renee Kintz 3 . Michael Bruno

Best Service Staff 1 . Beau’s Grille 2 . Divine Food Spirits Wine 3 . Jilly’s Music Room

Best New Restaurant 1 . Beau’s Market & Deli 2 . Hermosillo Taco & Tequila Bar 3 . Social at the Stone House 3 . Totally Baked Pizza Best Restaurant in Downtown Akron 1 . Diamond Grille 2 . Luigi’s Restaurant 3 . Crave Best Restaurant in Medina County 1 . Thyme2 2 . Gandalf’s Pub & Restaurant 3 . Galaxy Restaurant Best Restaurant in Summit County 1 . Kingfish 2 . Beau’s Grille 3 . Luigi’s Restaurant Best Restaurant in Portage County 1 . Bistro on Main 2 . Arnie’s West Branch Steak House 3 . Bricco Best Restaurant in Stark County 1 . Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery 2 . Gervasi Vineyard 2 . Bender’s Tavern 3 . Desert Inn 3 . Twisted Olive 3 . Papa Gyros Best Chef in The 330 1 . Beau Schmidt, Beau’s Grille and Beau’s on the River 2 . Eric Wright, Kingfish 3 . Patrick Amato, Divine Food Spirits Wine 3 . Dan Remark, Magic City’s Remarkable Diner

Best Brunch 1 . Rosewood Grill 2 . Beau’s Grille 3 . Burntwood Tavern

Best A.M. Adult Drinks 1 . Blue Door Cafe & Bakery 2 . Caston & Main Brew Yard 3 . Magic City’s Remarkable Diner Best Chicken & Waffles 1 . Blue Door Cafe & Bakery 2 . Magic City’s Remarkable Diner 3 . Beau’s Grille Best Sandwich 1 . Beau’s Market & Deli 2 . Diamond Deli 3 . Winking Lizard Tavern Best Classic Burger 1 . Swensons Drive-In 2 . D&M Grille 3 . Rosewood Grill Best Specialty Burger 1 . Menches Bros. Restaurant 2 . Magic City’s Remarkable Diner 3 . Ray’s Place Best Veggie Burger 1 . Mustard Seed Market & Cafe 2 . Butcher & Sprout 3 . Swensons Drive-In 3 . Galaxy Restaurant Best Benedict 1 . Beau’s Grille 2 . Wally Waffle 3 . Rosewood Grill

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330 FLAVOR AWARDS

T I NY WONDER

Smoked duck bao buns

food, they make recom mendations, and they just become friends.” Popular customer picks include various ramens ($16-$18) and the Tamagoyaki ($14), which is a take on deviled eggs. The egg whites form an ovular base, while a togarashi hol landaise emulates the inner yolk. Prosciutto takes the place of bacon crumbs, and paprika smoked in-house and dill top the dish. “That’s what we shoot for — those classics that are very approachable, but then have a slight weird element to it,” Ulichney says. Another favorite is the smoked duck bao buns ($18), which involve curing the duck for five days in a fruity pink peppercorn salt before smoking it in cherry wood flavor. The dish comes with watermelon radish and apple slaw, candied shishito peppers, crispy garlic, sesame seeds and roasted fennel aioli. “There’s a lot of citrusy fruit notes … that really make it pop,” he says. “They’re very vibrant.” “We do some wild food, in a little bit of a wild space,” Bailey says. “It took a life of its own as we started putting the pieces together. So we ran with it like, We’re just gonna embrace our weird. ” AS Behind American Legion Post 19, 783 W. Market St., Akron, squarescullery.com and whiskey barrel wood chips, creating an earthy

Cozy and hip, Square Scullery Noodle Bar features just 13 indoor seats — a wraparound booth with cheetah print cushions and light blue chairs. Its inno vative dishes draw in guests to the point that staffers have to turn away up to 30 people in an evening. The Highland Square busi ness started as a food truck and then a carryout-only kitchen, but diners wanted to stay and eat in the waiting room, which had just a couch and a coffee table. After 1 1/2-months of DIY artsy renovation, the transformed dining room opened in late 2019. The co-owners painted a colorful geometric mural, hung faux flowers and green ery from tiered frames on the ceiling and turned fishing bas kets from Thailand into light fixtures. They framed pieces of artwork like one that’s a guide to florals and another that blends root vegetables with the female form. “The goal was to create … a whole immersive experience,” says co-owner Heather Bailey. “We wanted people to be submerged in this culture … with this quirky, kitschy environment.” The experience often involves camaraderie between diners.

Smoked pork ramen

Tamagoyaki

“When we’re filled, you get to know everybody

sitting around you pretty quickly,” says co-owner and chef Matthew Ulichney. “Sometimes people will share

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330 FLAVOR AWARDS

GRAND LUXURY

Blackened scallops

Olesia’s Taverne of Richfield opened in 2020, serving sophisticated from-scratch Old World dishes reinter preted from Pochynok’s upbringing on a farm in a Ukrainian village where they raised animals and grew pro duce for homemade meals, such as pierogies, which they made nearly daily. Pochynok uses milk, sour cream and butter for her pierogies ($17) and fills them with cheddar, cream cheese and potatoes to create a fluffy, soft texture. For more indulgence, you can top them with melt-in-your mouth short ribs (extra $12). She crafts red borscht from childhood memories. While her grandma cooked the soup with meat and bones, she makes it with beets, cabbage and more veggies but still adds a touch of sweet and sour. “I use vinegar for sour, little honey and sugar for the sweetness and roasted pep pers,” she says. “That’s how my grandma used to make it.” Order it on its own ($5-$8) or as a soup flight ($9) with house-made velvety lobster and crab bisque and comfort ing chicken paprikash. Pochynok is happy to save a historic gem and is proud to share her Ukrainian heritage. “I wanted to show other people a part of my culture,” she says. “It’s really nice to know people enjoy it. … That drives me to do more.” KP 3960 Broadview Road, Richfield, olesiastaverne.com

Once a hotel with a lav ish grand ballroom and recently the Taverne of Richfield, the 1886 robin’s egg-blue Victorian Richfield landmark was in disrepair — and its rich history was at risk of being lost. Chef Olesia Pochynok saw the poten tial for a new location for her refined Ukrainian American restaurant that she opened in 2012. “I fell in love with the building,” says Pochynok. The $2 million makeover started with contractors taking it down to the studs, fixing structural issues and making it accessible. Pochynok and her husband, Joe Butano, partnered with Architectural Justice to retain its Victorian elegance while adding contem porary upscale flair. “We made new pieces look like old pieces so they all match the late 1800s theme,” she says. Opening up the main floor, they centralized the bar, which now has a gorgeous illumi nated quartz and marble bar top, custom wrought-iron scroll medallions adorning dark woods and teal leather tufted stools. They unveiled and restored a 1917 mural of a Williamsburg, Virginia, palace and added a Victorian front to a fireplace. Butano redid the basement lounge into a speak easy with live music, topping the bar with 19,462 pennies spelling out Olesia and Joe. They restored the wood floors in the upstairs ballroom and added 1800s chandeliers from an Akron hotel.

Soup flight

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330 FLAVOR AWARDS

Best Reuben 1 . Diamond Deli 2 . Gasoline Alley 3 . Magic City’s

Best Jojos 1 . D & M Grille 2 . Fiesta Pizza & Chicken 3 . Gionino’s Pizzeria Best Takeout 1 . Rockne’s Pub 2 . Lucky Star Chinese Carryout 3 . Magic City’s Remarkable Diner Best Drive-in 1 . Swensons Drive-In 2 . Doodle Drive-in 3 . Skyway Drive-In Best Sauerkraut Balls 1 . Divine Food Spirits Wine 2 . Rockne’s Pub 3 . Papa Joe’s Iacomini’s Best Appetizer Menu 1 . D’Agnese’s at White Pond 2 . Beau’s Grille 3 . Divine Food Spirits Wine Best Charcuterie 1 . Beau’s Market & Deli 2 . The Farmer’s Table 3 . D.B.A. Dante Boccuzzi Akron Spiciest Food in The 330 1 . Golden Dragon Chinese & Japanese Restaurant 2 . The Saffron Patch 3 . El Meson Mexican Restaurant 3 . Nepali Kitchen 3 . Rice Paper Thai Cuisine Best Cocktails 1 . Beau’s Grille 2 . Divine Food Spirits Wine 3 . Jilly’s Music Room Best Happy Hour 1 . Kingfish 2 . Beau’s Grille 3 . Jerzee’s Sports Grille 3 . Jilly’s Music Room Best Margaritas 1 . El Fogon Mexican Grill 2 . El Rancho Mexican Restaurant 3 . Casa del Rio Express

Remarkable Diner

Best Barbecue 1 . Jimmy’s Backyard BBQ 2 . Old Carolina Barbecue Co. 3 . Oak & Embers Tavern Best Wings 1 . Winking Lizard Tavern 2 . Beau’s Grille 3 . Gionino’s Pizzeria Best Fried Chicken 1 . Belgrade Gardens 2 . Mark & Philly’s Pizza 3 . Kingfish Best Steakhouse 1 . Alexander Pierce Restaurant 2 . Diamond Grille 3 . Beau’s Grille Best Farm-to-Table 1 . Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery 2 . Beau’s Market & Deli 3 . Butcher & Sprout 3 . The Farmer’s Rail Best Gastropub 1 . Divine Food Spirits Wine 2 . Darby’s on Fifty-Nine 3 . Lager & Vine Gastropub & Wine Bar Best Tacos 1 . El Fogon Mexican Grill 2 . El Ranchos Mexican Restaurant 3 . Hermosillo Taco & Tequila Bar Best Mexican Restaurant 1 . El Fogon Mexican Grill 2 . Tres Potrillos 3 . Tito’s Mexican Grill

Pierogies with short ribs

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330 FLAVOR AWARDS

Best Mules 1 . 111 Bistro 2 . Kingfish 3 . Rosewood Grill

Best Thai Cuisine 1 . Cilantro 2 . Thai Gourmet 3 . Lemongrass Grill 3 . Bangkok Thai Restaurant Best Indian Food 1 . The Saffron Patch 2 . Bombay Sitar 3 . Tandoori Kabobs

Best Restaurant Beer Selection 1 . Winking Lizard Tavern 2 . The Basement Sports Bar & Grill 3 . The Lockview Best Brewery 1 . Fat Head’s Brewery 2 . Eighty-Three Brewery 3 . Ignite Brewing Co.

Best Mediterranean Food 1 . Aladdin’s Eatery 2 . Continental Cuisine 3 . Desert Inn Best Artisan Food Shop 1 . Beau’s Market & Deli 2 . The Farmer’s Rail 3 . DeVitis Fine Italian Foods Best Pizza 1 . Gionino’s Pizzeria 2 . Fosters Tavern of Hinckley 3 . Luigi’s Restaurant Best Italian Restaurant 1 . Luigi’s Restaurant 2 . Santosousos’ Pizza Pasta Vino 3 . D’Agnese’s at White Pond 3 . Dontino’s Fine Italian Cuisine

Best Winery 1 . The Winery at Wolf Creek 2 . Gervasi Vineyard 3 . Sarah’s Vineyard 3 . It’s Your Winery

Best Coffee 1 . Akron Coffee Roasters 2 . Nervous Dog Coffee Bar 3 . Tremont Coffee Best Coffee Shop Atmosphere 1 . Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea 2 . Nervous Dog Coffee Bar 3 . Kave Coffee Bar 3 . Angel Falls Coffee Co. Best Sushi 1 . Kasai Japanese Restaurant 2 . Golden Dragon Chinese & Japanese Restaurant 3 . Sakura Sushi Best Chinese Takeout 1 . Bill Hwang Chinese Restaurant 2 . Lucky Star Chinese Carryout 3 . Golden Dragon Chinese & Japanese Restaurant Best Bubble Tea 1 . T-Bubbles 2 . Maki House 3 . Ming’s Bubble Tea

Best Noodles 1 . D’Agnese’s at White Pond

2 . Divine Food Spirits Wine 3 . Bugsy’s Italian Cuisine Best Seafood 1 . Kingfish 2 . Chowder House Cafe 3 . Beau’s Grille

Pork tenderloin

Duck confit poutine, Korean corn dogs and charred octopus

Best Salads 1 . Rockne’s Pub 2 . Galaxy Restaurant 3 . Butcher & Sprout

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330 FLAVOR AWARDS

MI X MASTER

fluorescent lights that read, “Dine. Drink. Dance” in script and a light-up bar seasonally serving drinks streetside from a retractable glass-enclosed patio. Inside, the extravagance continues with a honeycomb wood wall, locally handcrafted walnut tables and red faux velvet and leather seating. An L-shaped bar lights up in changing hues near green velvet gold-trimmed bar stools and glass ice cube pendant lights. Even the bathrooms are memorable, with whimsi cal wallcoverings of Benjamin Franklin blowing bubblegum in the men’s room and queen of hearts in the women’s room. If diners want to keep the party going, Mélange’s patron only club, Encore Lounge, stuns with a red velvet curtain entrance, a color-changing crystal chandelier, a bar with

hexagonal illuminated shelves, a cheeky neon blue script sign that says, “Trust me, you can dance - Tequila” and an LED programmable dance floor, where clientele can boogie to DJ-spun R&B and club records or attend shows. Like the lavish decor, the food impresses. “Mélange means to mix in French,” Pamboukis says. “From traditional things at a fine dining establishment to things at a street vendor that people love, it’s a mix of everything … the atmosphere, the menu.” Executive chef Frank Hill’s high-end mashups include duck confit poutine with demi-glace, pork tenderloin with aged cheddar grits and soy-glazed charred octopus with crisp pork belly.

To enliven a whole Maine lobster (market price), Hill brushes it with Jamaican jerk-infused butter, charred pineapple and toasted almond couscous. He elevates fair food with the Korean corn dogs ($12). Kobe beef dogs are coated in a crispy corn batter made with flour from Korea and topped with panko breadcrumbs. They sing with a drizzle of honey mustard and gochujang ketchup, which is made in-house with Korean fermented chili paste for showstopping flavor. “Between the crunch and the sweet yet tangy fermented chili paste,” Hill says, “the combinations make your taste buds dance.” KP 221 Market Ave. N, Canton, melangerestaurant.com

An illuminated European hand-blown glass flower ceiling à la the Bellagio in Las Vegas, palm fronds and tropical flowers on South Beach esque wallcoverings, European branzino with beurre blanc — Mélange brings together global flourishes and artful fusion dishes to create a vibrant fine dining des tination that shakes up the Canton dining scene.

“It brings livelihood that downtown needs,” says Nick Pamboukis, CEO of

Contemporary Culinary that also owns Alexander Pierce Restaurant in Akron. The sumptuous accents start at the curb with a striking mar quee with orange-and-green

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33O FLAVOR AWARDS 0 FLAVOR AWARDS

Strawberry milkshake

FUE L STAT I ON

The eye-catching collection has taken Jeff Doll, Chloe’s dad and owner of Jeff ’s Motorcars dealership, years to build. But that pace was worth it — people love look ing at the cars and reminiscing about ones they used to have. “When grandpas bring their grandkids in, they’re so excited,” Jeff says. “You can see it in their faces. They light up.” Each car is parked next to a gas pump and other memo rabilia like Soap Box Derby cars, posters of fuel and tire brands, neon signs and clas sic motorcycles hang from the ceiling and walls. There’s a big Elvis statue, a jukebox and a classic Big Boy diner

seating near the gas pumps during the warmer months. Chloe’s Diner opened in July 2021 after Chloe pitched it to her dad, who was brainstorm ing things to do with his car collection. They decided on classic breakfast food and diner fare, bringing the past into the present. Customers rave about the burger slider and its freshly ($2.79), two ($4.29) or three ($5.49) patties, and is topped with caramelized onions, dill pickles, ketchup and mustard. Combos include sides like fries and garlic bread, but save room for a shake. baked bun from Amish Country. The burger is ground beef, either one

Milkshakes ($5.49) are made at the front counter, where Chloe usually works, and come in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and Oreo, along with seasonal flavors like a shamrock shake. As of recently, diners can choose what flavor of ice cream to use as the base of the shake. “We serve them in these big says. “It stays nice and cold in the tin with a big straw and whipped cream. … You feel like you’re back where it all started.” AS 112 First St. NE, Massillon, chloesdiner.com metal tins, how they were made back then,” Chloe

A ’52 Mercedes, a ’66 Volkswagen bus, a ’57 Chevy convertible, a ’56 BMW Isetta and a ’57 Thunderbird are parked inside a former gas sta tion with old-school gas pumps outside under an overhang with clas sic cars. It isn’t a car museum — it’s a diner. “We pop the hoods because a lot of the guys come in to see the engines,” says Chloe Doll, the owner of Chloe’s Diner in Massillon and a senior at Canton Central Catholic High School. “They’re all in the condition of how they were.”

statue. Glass garage doors open to pet-friendly patio

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330 FLAVOR AWARDS

Best Vegetarian / Vegan Food 1 . Mustard Seed Market & Cafe 2 . Aladdin’s Eatery 3 . Ms. Julie’s Kitchen

Best Food Truck 1 . Swensons Drive-In 2 . Wholly Frijoles Mexican Street Food 3 . Stray Dog Cafe Best Dining with a View 1 . Beau’s on the River 2 . Twisted Olive 3 . Gervasi Vineyard 3 . Lanning’s Restaurant Best Place to Eat at the Bar 1 . Jilly’s Music Room 1 . Jerzee’s Sports Grille 2 . Magic City’s Remarkable Diner 3 . Divine Food Spirits Wine 3 . Kingfish Best Sports Bar 1 . Jerzee’s Sports Grille 2 . Winking Lizard Tavern 3 . The Basement Sports Bar & Grill

Best House-made White French Dressing 1 . Papa Joe’s Iacomini’s 2 . Divine Food Spirits Wine 3 . Bistro on Main Best Cheesecake 1 . The West Side Bakery 2 . Kingfish 3 . Sweet Mary’s Bakery Best Cake 1 . Pallotta’s Pastries 2 . The West Side Bakery 3 . Tiffany’s Bakery 3 . Ann’s Pastry Shop Best Cupcake 1 . Pallotta’s Pastries 2 . The West Side Bakery 3 . Pandora’s Cupcakes 3 . Sunshine Cupcakes Best Doughnuts 1 . Jubilee Donuts 2 . Rise & Grind 3 . North Hill Donuts Best Frozen Dessert 1 . Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt 2 . Pav’s Creamery 2 . Stricklands Frozen Custard 3 . Skoops Ice Cream Best Chocolates 1 . Hartville Chocolate Factory 2 . Malley’s Chocolates 3 . Heggy’s Nut Shop Best Caterer 1 . Totally Cooked Event 2 . Moe’s Restaurant 3 . Vaccaro’s Trattoria 3 . Jimmy’s Backyard BBQ Management & Catering

xxx Sliders

Best Place to Eat and Watch a Live Performance

1 . Jilly’s Music Room 2 . Gervasi Vineyard 3 . Divine Food Spirits Wine

Most Romantic Restaurant

1 . The Bistro of Green 2 . Lanning’s Restaurant 3 . Ken Stewart’s Lodge Best Restaurant to Take the Kids 1 . Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery 2 . Spaghetti Warehouse 3 . Totally Baked Pizza

Grilled chicken sandwich

Best Food or Drink Festival 1 . FreedomFest 2 . Oktoberfest 3 . Taste of Italia

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