White Lotus, I’m so sorry I missed seeing your post earlier – I really enjoyed meeting you and Dance at Light Bistro (the Heartland gathering) and would have loved to have taken you around Akron. If you plan to be back in the area, here are some of my favorites in the Akron area (besides Luigi’s and Aladdins which have already been mentioned): Vaccaro’s Trattoria, Mr. G’s pizzeria (wood-fired, foldable pizza), Thyme (in Medina) for chef John Kolar's creative dishes, Russo’s (Cuyahoga Falls) for wonderful Cajun-influenced food. A little further in Hudson you'll find Downtown 140, a lovely wine and tapas bar, and North End Market, a casual eighborhood wine store and cafe in Hudson. Back to Akron "local food": R.W. Apple used to love Swensons (the drive in is one of my guilty pleasures!); other local foods include Barberton fried chicken and sauerkraut balls. West Side Bakery has beautiful pastries, and Ninni's Bakery in Tallmadge has another local favorite: Italian wedding cake (sponge cake tiers with a rum-flavored custard). West Point Market is a wonderful store for foodies, and has the most amazing cheese selection. If you plan to be back in the area, please e-mail me.