Autumn Johnston, the Pierogi Lady, has opened a second location, at 1023 Munroe Falls Ave. in Cuyahoga Falls, the former Falls Country Deli.
Johnston, who also owns a spot in the Hartville Marketplace in Lake Township, is offering a lot more than pierogis in the Falls space, dubbed the Pierogi Lady Market. Offering takeout, it’s open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Breakfast features sandwiches, homemade sausage gravy and biscuits, and casseroles (such as egg, hash browns and sausage).
Lunch offers homemade soups and sandwiches. Each day, she makes an entree for lunch or dinner. On Thursdays, it’s chicken paprikash over spaetzle, and on Fridays, it’s pierogi and kielbasa (during Lent, the entree will be breaded cod).
“We’re trying to get more of a dinner crowd,” she said, offering entrees for people to take home.
You can get frozen pierogis to go, and Johnston said she typically has several dozen varieties on hand, trying to keep favorites, such as potato and cheese, in stock. She makes 130 varieties.
The phone number at the new shop is 330-922-8133. Look for “Pierogi Lady Market and Catering” on Facebook.
New at Chowder House
The old is new again at Chowder House in Cuyahoga Falls, where owner Louis Prpich has brought back dishes from his onetime restaurant Sugo’s, as well as some Chowder House favorites.
Now on the menu are items that Prpich says were especially popular at Sugo’s, including an eggplant appetizer with fresh mozzarella cheese and homemade marinara sauce, and Sugo Lasagna with bolognese (meat sauce). Prpich said instead of layering cheese he makes a bechamel (white sauce) with three cheeses. He’s also making pizzas, as he did at Sugo, topping them “with whatever’s fresh, whatever looks good.”
Chowder House items he is reprising include Three Little Pigs — a thick-cut pork chop wrapped in bacon, topped with slow-roasted shredded pork. A pork demi-glace is then poured on top.
And in time for Mardi Gras, he’s brought back Chowder House’s muffuletta sandwich, featuring three meats and homemade bread, plus seafood etouffee and shrimp and grits, among other items.
He’s also offering lunch and dinner specials. The Chowder House is at 2028 Chestnut Blvd.
The phone number is 330-794-7102.
More Mardi Gras
• At Russo’s, 4895 State Road in Cuyahoga Falls, chef David Russo will start the festivities at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Items on the menu include Louisiana oysters on the half shell, gumbo ya-ya with chicken andouille, fried green tomatoes, barbecue shrimp, Creole fried chicken with collard greens, Cajun red beans and rice, chicken etouffee, shrimp etouffee, po’boys, beignets and more. Call 330-923-2665 or visit Russo’s Facebook page for more information.
• The Polish American Citizens Club will host its annual Mardi Gras dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at 472 E. Glenwood Ave., Akron. Dinner includes Polish sausage, sauerkraut and pierogis. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 11. To buy tickets or for information, call the club at 330-253-0496 or Tommy at 330-699-4572. The dinner raises money for the building fund.
Cocktails for Valentine
Lorilei Bailey, instructor of popular cocktail classes, will present “Craft Cocktails (and Chocolate!) for Valentine’s Day.”
The class, presented by the nonprofit Countryside Conservancy and Bailey, will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 10 at the G.A.R. Hall in Peninsula.
Cost is $40. For more information or to register, visit www.cvcountryside.org.
Bailey, previously of Spice Kitchen + Bar in Cleveland, has twice won Cleveland’s Most Imaginative Bartender Competition.
Spaghetti dinners
Occasionally, I learn about a not-fussy fundraising event that features homemade eats. For 44 years, New Horizons Christian Church, 290 Darrow Road, has been hosting spaghetti dinners in Akron’s Goodyear Heights. The next one is from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 13.
An adult Sunday school class — dubbed the Lord’s Workers — organizes the dinners, which have become popular with the community at large, as well as those who attend New Horizons.
Class member Cal Wolfe reports that the event, as church dinners go, is special. Guests sit at tables draped in red-and-white tablecloths and topped with candles. The spaghetti sauce is homemade (meat and meatless are available), and the bread is freshly baked. The meal comes with a salad. Cost is $8 for adults and $3.50 for children under 10.
Looking ahead
• The Maple Sugar Festival returns to Hale Farm & Village in Bath Township March 12, 13, 19 and 20.
Folks at the 19th century village/museum in Bath Township will offer a pancake breakfast each day. Visitors can participate in tree-tapping and learn about the process of making syrup. Crafts and trades, such as glassblowing and blacksmithing, will be demonstrated throughout the day.
The Marketplace at Hale Farm & Village will be open for shopping with Ohio-made maple syrup and other locally produced items.
The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission for breakfast and activities is $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 3 to 12, $5 for members of Hale Farm. Pancake breakfast only is $5. Reservations are not necessary. For more information, call Hale Farm at 330-666-3711 or visit www.halefarm.org.
Combination tickets for the festival and a Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad train ride are available at www.cvsr.com; advance reservations are required.
• The annual Spring Bake Sale at Annunciation Greek Orthodox church in Akron will be March 23-24, the Wednesday and Thursday before Western Easter, which is March 27 this year.
The sale is a major fundraiser for the church’s women’s board, the Ladies Philoptochos Society. The society raises money for local, national and international charities.
More information to come.
Reminders
• A spaghetti dinner featuring homemade meatballs will run from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 1800 Steese Road, Green. The dinner benefits Boy Scout Troop 334, which meets at the church. Cost is $8 for adults, $6 for ages 65 and older and $5 for children ages 5 to 12. Free for children under 5.
• The Firestone High School Soupfest will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at the high school cafeteria at 333 Rampart Ave. in Akron. The event raises money for the school’s Instrumental Music Association. Local restaurants donate soup, and patrons get unlimited portions, a dessert and beverage. Cost is $8, $4.50 for children 12 or younger. Tickets are available at the door.
Send local food news to Katie Byard at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com. You can follow her @KatieByardABJ on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com.