Happy Tuesday, Westsiders.

Jodie and I did all the things this weekend. We started at Amba for an early dinner, slid into a members-only bar in Tremont, then finished Friday at one of our all-time favorite hangouts, Hotz Cafe (Babe Ruth hung out here during prohibition).

Saturday was a family party, followed by a friend's salon opening white party in Lakewood, and we called it an early night.

On Sunday, we did some patio prep, went to the Cleveland Market (congrats to Kait, Kyle, and the Vibes team for an amazing event), caught a Guardians game, and ended the day with the Sunset Symphony.

THAT is why the Westside is the bestside! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a nap.

Today we’re buzzing on:

• 🍷 Happy hour review gets the highest marks

• 🍉 A new place to get fresh bowls…of fruit

• 🚘 ODOT needs our feedback

Let’s make it a great week!

—The Briggses

HAPPY HOUR REVIEW

Bar Italia makes us say, “Grazie Mille!” | Lakewood

Bar Italia has been a fan favorite in Lakewood for years, with dishes that speak fluent comfort and an open-air dining room that feels like summer on the Italian coast. Tucked on the corner of Westwood and Detroit, this gem has officially earned the highly prestigious, totally real title of The Westside Buzz’s Favorite Happy Hour in Cleveland! 

We don’t hand out that honor like it’s free breadsticks at Olive Garden — this is serious business.

Speaking of serious business, here are 3 reasons why Bar Italia has us returning like midges to the inside of your car:

1. The Happy Hour Deals Are Unreasonably Good
   $8 wine? $2 off drafts and High Noons? Cocktails and hefty apps for 7-10 bucks? It’s basically financial planning disguised as dinner. Jodie and I always start with the crostini loaded with bruschetta and fresh mozzarella, but the house-made meatballs and prosciutto with whipped ricotta? Chef's kiss.

2. That Beautiful U-Shaped Bar
   It’s inviting, lively, and more organized than my closet after watching a Marie Kondo documentary. When the bar is full, they’ve got a genius system: a mini pre-bar before the real bar. The staff keeps track of who is up next for the bar, so there is no awkward sprinting for the open seat when one opens.

3. The Bartenders Deserve a Medal
   Not only do they remember our drink orders, but they also tolerate my two-week Duolingo Italian and dad jokes that would make actual dads from Avon uncomfortably put their hands in their plaid cargo shorts.

Next time you are craving a bite and a beer from 4-7 PM Monday through Friday, stop in to Bar Italia and tell ‘em The Buzz sent you. Check out their menu

COMMUNITY BLEND

Get Ready to Tip Your Hat to This Fabulous Exhibit | Bay Village

Hold onto your bonnets, folks—Bay Village is bringing the drama, flair, and feathered fascinators with its wildly stylish “Hat Extravaganza” at Rose Hill Museum, 27715 Lake Road. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a glorious showcase of head-toppers that could make even a royal jealous.

Thanks to Julie Short for the article. Check out her Short Takes 👉 HERE

This fabulous exhibit—curated by the Bay Village Historical Society (aka local fashion historians with serious flair)—features hats dating all the way back to 1840, because apparently, fashion never goes out of style, it just gets archived.

Also gracing the exhibit are selections from the late Ann DiBenedetto’s legendary personal collection—over 500 hats strong. Ann, known as the “Heady Lady” of Bay Village, brought hat couture to Cleveland, Palm Beach, and Boca Raton before the Kardashians even knew what a brim was. Her designs even made it to the heads of presidents and First Ladies, proving that a great hat really can take you places.

NEW BUSINESS

Popular healthy eatery looks to open on Westside | Lakewood

Something new is coming to Lakewood, and it’s not more Mayflies.

The Fruit Stand, a colorful and health-forward concept started by Jason Carpinelli in Kent, is making its westside debut. With five successful locations already buzzing, the new Lakewood spot will serve up vibrant fruit, smoothie, and oatmeal bowls, which are making my mouth water looking at their Instagram.

While the exact Detroit Road location remains under wraps, keep an eye out for future updates as this hotspot is sure to make a splash in Lakewood later this year.

WESTSIDE POUR OVER

What else is brewing?

♻ Lakewood: Thanks to a $200,000 grant from the Ohio EPA, Lakewood lands a grant to replace old recycling bins citywide in 2025. Some of the blue recycling bins are 14 years old and have seen some s%&t.

❗ Middleburg Heights: ODOT is aiming to make the I-71 North on-ramp from Pearl Road safer. I grew up around these parts and can tell you from experience that the intersection is a nightmare fit for an M Night Shyamalan movie. Leave a comment for ODOT HERE

📸 @THEWESTSIDEBUZZ

If you have been enjoying The Westside Buzz, click above to see our latest weekend recap Reel. Bonus points if you watch the entire thing, like it, and send it to a friend!

Your support means everything to us. It fuels us as we continue to bring you the best weekly round-up of everything happening on the Westside.

TRIVIA RECAP

That’s a Lot of Honey

Apparently we struck a chord with you all on Friday! We had an all-time response to the trivia question about how much honey is used in every batch (75 barrels) of Christmas Ale.

There was an overwhelming response of “I love Christmas Ale!” and a couple of responses like the following:

According to Great Lakes themselves, the recipe has included 20 lbs of fresh-cut ginger, 20 lbs of whole cinnamon sticks, and 612 pounds of honey in every batch since its creation in 1992.

Any claims out there about the recipe changing would be as incorrect as drinking our beloved holiday ale with a cinnamon sugar rim. 🙈

Congratulations to Emma, who was the lucky one of 187 members of Buzz Nation to answer Friday’s trivia question correctly and to be chosen randomly by my Excel spreadsheet. A $25 gift card is on the way courtesy of our friends at Great Lakes Brewing Company.

WHAT’S HAPPENING, WESTSIDERS?

Featured Event

National Donut Day at Brewnuts | Gordon Square

Come to the premier donut dance rager of the year!

• 💽 DJ – Bop around a donut shop.

• 📸 Photo booth – Snap a few with your friends.

• 🍩 Win Donuts for a year – That’s a lot of deliciousness.

• 🏁 Donut & beer relay race – Are you crazy enough to try?

🕕 What time?

• Friday, June 6th – 6:30 AM to 11 PM

Want to feature an event with a custom poster in front of 16,590 Westsiders? Let’s talk! hello(at)thewestsidebuzz.com

Weather

Tuesday

83 🌡️ 68 | 🌞 | 0% | 💨 S 10-15 mph 🌊 1 to 2 feet

Wednesday

85 🌡️ 65 | 🌤🌩 | 50% | 💨 SW 7-10 mph 🌊 1 to 3 feet

Thursday

76 🌡️ 61 | 🌩 | 60% | 💨 SW 5-9 mph 🌊 1 foot or less

💧^{🌡️ Water temperature = 59ºF}

That’s it for today, Westsiders. Do us a huge favor and share The Buzz with someone who calls their mother often.

Until Friday,

—The Briggses