My husband and I are the perfect complement to each other. When we go out to eat, I tend to be Appetizer Girl, and he’s Dessert Guy. It’s not that I’m anti-desserts. It’s just that salty, crunchy, savory foods appeal to me more. (Social psychologists would probably tag me as a talkative perfectionist, and they’d probably be right.)
My husband will usually enjoy some of the appetizer, and I’ll enjoy a forkful or two of the dessert but only if it’s worth it. What?!? -- some of you are probably asking – Isn’t EVERY dessert worth falling off the wagon? I beg to differ.
If I’m going to have a bowl of chocolate chip ice cream, I don’t want the kind with the small, perfectly square, waxy “chocolate-flavored” chips … I want Graeter’s, the kind with black raspberry ice cream and chunks of dark chocolate the size of your fist.
So that’s why when we were choosing the local desserts to feature in this month’s cover story, we were very particular, and it took an unusually long time to narrow down the list. (Greater Akron has so many great dessert options.)
For this piece, I wanted desserts worth jumping off the calorie-intake diving board, the kind of sweet treats we’d only order from a restaurant or bakery because they’re too ridiculously complicated, or time-consuming, or tempting to make in our own kitchens. I hope you devour the story as well as Micah Beree’s beautiful photographs, and then make the journey to North Hill, Wadsworth, Stow and Munroe Falls to sample these delights yourself.
Once you’ve satisfied your sweet tooth, you might need to make an appointment with a good dentist, and you’ll be sure to find one in our Top Dentists piece, starting on page 40.
Every year, we run the local topDentists™ list, provided by USA Top Dentists, and it serves as a great resource all year long. Do you want to whiten your teeth before your reunion this summer? Our Top Dentists list is a great place to start when you’re making dental care decisions for you or your family.
And, speaking of summertime, check out our guide to the HBA Akron Home and Flower Show, which runs Feb. 28 to March 2 at the John S. Knight Center. I love working at the akronlife booth at this show because it’s a reminder that warmer weather is on the way.
Landscape firms show off their botanical creations, and the air smells like fresh soil. Design firms set up their pergolas (Oh, how I long for a pergola ...), and contractors share the latest tips and trends for your home. You have to admit, February in Akron is a pretty grey month. Step inside the Home and Flower Show and start thinking summer.
We’re also excited to introduce you to Thomas Nobbe, the executive director of Gay Games 9, a sports and cultural event coming to Akron and Cleveland in August. The games are expected to attract thousands of athletes, fans and volunteers to venues in this area, and although it won’t happen for a few months, there’s still time to register and start training. You’ll find all the details in The Interview, starting on page 12.
All the best,
Abby Cymerman, Managing Editor
