A few weeks ago – I decided to try and organize a somewhat impromptu Cleveland blogger get together!  There are so many fabulous bloggers out there in the fantastic land of Cleveland, and I really want to get to know as many of them as I can!

The venue: Johnny Mango’s in Ohio City!

The Group:

(L to R): Alicia, Shannon, Alexa, Heather, Katrina, Tina, Suzanne, Moi, and Monica!

Right off the bat the conversation was lively, and everyone was a blast to be around!

The drinks were flowing for others, (but not myself )  Check out how delicious their Sangria looks!

Orange, lemon AND lime garnish?  That’s my kind of drink!

3 pictures of a glass of Sangria, that wasn’t even mine??? Can you tell I wanted to throw the CTC rules right out the window?

But I didn’t – I held strong with my delicious glass of water!

I have to give the staff at Johnny Mango’s mad props (since when do I say mad props? ) They were so accommodating, and set aside the perfect table for a group of crazy bloggers!  Rather than being stuck at one long table, where you only end up talking to half the group/the group at your end – we were at a square table which was perfect for conversation!

Also – very big thanks to our server, Matt (I think that was your name!)!  Thanks for being patient with us, and accommodating 11 separate checks!  There were at least 5 other former servers at the table – so hopefully we took care of you!

Everyone’s food came out quickly, and while everyone was happy – we were all a little taken aback at how large the carrots were.  Seriously.  They were flippin’ huge. So of course – we had some fun with them!

I’m sorry – carrots just aren’t supposed to be that big!

My meal: I went with the Shrimp Fried Rice – served in a traditional Khmer style, with cool vegetables sprinkled atop, and a thimble of fiery lime sauce on the side:

I swear – that “thimble of fiery lime sauce” – made the dish!

This dish was absolutely fantastic!  It was perfectly seasoned, and everything tasted very fresh!  I’m not positive it was CTC approved, seeing as the word “fried” was in the title – but I’m okay with that!

A very big thank you to EVERYONE, for a VERY FUN evening! I really appreciate you all coming out – and I had an absolute blast!!! I can’t wait for the next time we can all get together again – and I can DRINK with ya’ll because the Cut the Crap Challenge will be over!

Blogger group picture courtesy of these two lovely ladies (blog supporter extraordinaires, and two of my very best friends):

Thanks Angelina & Kristin! You are the best!

Want to know the perfect ending (that “perfect” is laced with just the slightest hint of sarcasm) to an awesome  night?    Coming home to find that Harvey (who I left out of her cage thinking “She’s been so good lately, let’s give this a try”) treated herself to my flip flop.

Sometimes, you just have to laugh, right?

Thanks again to Johnny Mango’s, and all of these (Alicia, Shannon, Alexa, Heather, Katrina, Tina, Suzanne, Monica) lovely ladies!

Happy Friday!