In two weeks, it'll be one year since my grandmother died. One year since I decided to change my life, or maybe it was to live a carefree existence. Either way, it didn't exactly pan out the way I thought it would. What exactly did happen? I have moved out of my grandparents' house. It's up for rent, and I, in my late twenties, have moved back in with my mother and stepfather. I feel like I reversed head- first into high school and I am no longer the cool outcast that everyone wants to hang out with. I am almost an outcast to myself, if that makes any sense at all. Let's think of all the things I did in high school-- art class, photography, writing, hanging out on Coventry, going to concerts, and taking a stand for gay rights. Wow. I guess I haven't changed that much since high school and now I have the residence to prove it.
The only difference really is Coventry Road. I still hang out there every once in awhile. I am certainly old enough to drink, but the allure of that is fading. A couple of weekends ago, I went to Coventry after the Feast of the Assumption in Little Italy (it was amazing, like always). I make it to the patio of Panini's and it is packed, but I find that I know only a handful of people. The rest are all bright-faced kids that have barely made it past their 21st birthdays. Man, do I feel old.
I hung out on Coventry when I was in middle school, when there was the hippest Arabica coffee house on the corner and the Grog Shop was down the street, with shops like High Tide Rock Bottom that you could find just about anything. And I'm not saying that the street sucks now. It very clearly does not. It's just different. Age is a number, as they say, but time does change everything.
The Grog Shop is still an awesome place to hang, it's just a bit cleaner, and still has an unbelievable amount of up-and-comers and already established acts come through. The owner also did an awesome job with B-Side, having an array of people flock to it most nights of the week. Just last Sunday I went there when I thought all of Cleveland would be sleeping, I found that the closer the time ticked to Monday, the busier it got. Who knew that I would find a place pulsing with life at that hour? And one with such a cool vibe at that?
Bodega, on the other hand, has trouble getting you in the door. It has a New York City feel to it that keeps you there for the martinis, the exquisite tapas, and many nights a live jazz band. Where else in town are you going to find a bartender that will serve you a caprese salad or calamari at one in the morning? The problem is, the people are missing. Somehow, having it tucked away behind sheer curtains and a beautiful mystique makes it that people just walk past it without ever noticing the gem that lies within. Very few nights of the week have I seen it busy. I hope it'll pick up more business soon. Utrecht Art Supplies used to be in the same location that Bodega is in now, and has moved to the corner of the street, next to a tanning salon and laundromat. Utrecht seems to have made the right move. As a former art student, parking next to the store is crucial when you're walking out with large canvasses and heavy supplies.
Big Fun is still on Coventry, but in the old High Tide Rock Bottom spot. It's bigger and has even more stuff filling up the place! Big Fun kept it's same glorious aura of digging through piles to find your treasure and even more, they kept some of High Tide's splendor like the cards section that I always found to be amusing enough to keep me there for quite some time.
The Medic became a Marc's, which makes sense. There are a ton of apartment buildings and homes near the area, but there had been no grocery store. Grum's is still around making some great sandwiches. It has some competition with Jimmy John's, which is in a prime location-- the center of the strip of bars and is open late. I have a friend, whose dream was to open up a Jimmy John's on Coventry, and had his heart broken when someone beat him to the punch. He's happy to see it there, but still sad that it's not his. McNulty's and Panini's (especially after their addition of a patio) are still going strong, although to that 21-year-old crowd.
I'd rather keep this about the bar scene and searching for something when you're feeling a bit older than the college crowd but too young to hang with the real adults. But I can't talk about Coventry and not mention Tommy's. It's still the best restaurant around even after all of these years. This is the place where you can take the pickiest eater, vegan, meat and potatoes guy, gluten allergy, lactose intolerant, and every kind of person you can imagine, and STILL find something for everyone! The Coventry Village area is truly a magical place, where you can find something fantastic to eat at all hours. To talk about the restaurants on Coventry could take all night. Browse them at www.coventryvillage.org.
Honestly, I'm not really sure where I'm going with this entry. But check out Coventry again... even with an oldie point of view. You'll find yourself feeling like a kid again if you choose the right places, and an old fart when you choose the ones where you really are the oldest person to walk through. Don't you worry when that happens, you can just cross the street or go right next door, and there's a good chance that you'll find yourself feeling like you again.
