Table for One: This Mom Takes It Off

It’s easy to get sucked into the vortex of chain restaurants being a Mom. Quick service. Simple menu. No clean up. And in a family-friendly suburb such as Avon, they are everywhere.

There was a time when I was grateful for those options. But as my daughter becomes older and her palette more refined (lobster mac and cheese is one of her favorite dishes), chicken tender and fries don’t always cut it.

And then there’s this. These days, I’ve found myself with some time on my hands.

But instead of hiding, I’m taking off 'the mask,' especially when it comes to going out. Yet dining alone can be intimidating. I mean, a Mom walking into a restaurant in Avon without her family? To think! Seriously though, I enter a restaurant and get stares sometimes. I wish I could say it's my imagination. It's not.

I am now on the hunt for local spots to try. I feel strongly about supporting locally owned and operated restaurants. And I don’t always want to drive 25 minutes east to Ohio City or Tremont. I want something in our backyard, like .

Strip is located in Olde Avon Village inside Ewers Barn, and the barn truly reminds me of why we moved to Avon over a decade ago. Quaint. Warm. I still remember knitting on the second floor of the barn when it was a yarn store.

But it’s not just the atmosphere that makes me love Strip. And it’s not the delicious pretzel bread or phenomenal tater tots stuffed with bleu cheese. The staff is so welcoming. Cate at the bar...yea, she makes a fabulous drink. And I know I could bring my 8-year-old daughter to the restaurant. I can talk to the staff there for hours.

That’s why I love dining at Strip. It's a family-friendly restaurant - the people there will make you feel like family.

I've hit some other restaurants in the last few days that I'll write about in the future, but I want to know if you have any local spots I should check out. Let me know.

And the next time you see a Mom sitting at a table for one, it's likely me. Come and say hi.

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