American in Cleveland

29 results

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  • Bahama Breeze

    3900 Orange Pl., Orange Village Eastern Suburbs

    216-896-9081

    Although the kitchen at this Caribbean-themed restaurant (part of the Darden Restaurants chain) tends to keep the heat turned down, much of the food — such as pressed Cuban sandwiches, butterflied coconut prawns, pan-seared pork tenderloin in a rummy demiglace — is flavorful and attentively prepared. Still, the real draw is the bustling bar scene, fueled by shooters, beer, and boozy, fruity, and frozen concoctions designed to make every night feel like a week at the beach.
  • Bass Lake Taverne

    426 South St., Chardon Mentor/Lake County

    440-285-3100

    Casual, cozy, and with a splendid secluded patio for warm-weather dining, this upscale tavern offers everything from burgers and ribs to filet mignon and veal medallions. The surrounding countryside is charming, and getting there on the winding Geauga County roads is almost half the fun.
  • Beachcliff Tavern

    19245 Detroit Rd., Rocky River Western Suburbs

    440-333-4686

    This warm sports bar hosts live rock and blues when major games aren't commanding attention.
  • Bistro 185

    991 E. 185th St. Eastern Suburbs

    216-481-9635

    Neighbors have thanked owners Marc and Ruth Levine for "not being another wing-and-beer joint," while others appreciate them for not being too upscale. Bistro 185 takes the glorious middle road, offering hearty made-from-scratch comfort dishes at blue-collar prices.
  • Bistro on Main

    1313 W. Main St. Kent/Portage County

    330-673-9900

    Always energetic and occasionally riveting rustic Mediterranean and American cuisine leads the way at this chef-driven bistro in Kent. Above-average desserts, too, from an in-house pastry chef.
  • Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern

    8960 Wilcox Dr., Twinsburg Akron/Summit County

    330-486-BLUE

    Perched on a hill overlooking the Ohio countryside, this rambling lodge offers a lovely backdrop for Executive Chef Brandt Evans' hearty American fare. While entrées like short ribs and mac 'n' cheese may sound homey, count on Evans to update them with luxury ingredients and season them with culinary magic.
    1 article
  • Brennan's Colony

    2299 Lee Rd., Cleveland Hts. Eastern Suburbs

    216-371-1010

    Still our pick for one of the best dinner values in town, Brennan's manages to combine the vibe of a well-worn bar with the quality of a contemporary bistro. While the kitchen does right by burgers, steaks, and sandwiches, the real thrills are the daily specials — full-meal deals ranging from porkchops, fresh fish, chicken and pasta, pegged at $22 or less.
    1 article
  • California Pizza Kitchen

    25365 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst Eastern Suburbs

    216-382-4907

    Clean, casual and family-friendly, this gourmet pizza parlor (part of a large, California-based chain) is the best bet for dining with the little ones while at Legacy Village.
  • Claddagh Irish Pub

    25389 Cedar Rd., Lyndhurst Eastern Suburbs

    216-691-0534

    While real pubs are woven into the fabric of a neighborhood, you’ll find Claddagh (part of a national chain) adrift in the middle of a parking lot, surrounded by a shopping mecca. Once you're inside, though, evocative decor, friendly service and a multipage menu of well-prepared dishes, including a standout version of fish ’n’ chips, help soften the blow. Nor does it hurt that the full bar carries a solid selection of draft beers as well as every Irish whiskey available in the U.S.
  • Crave

    57 E. Market St. Akron/Summit County

    330-253-1234

    An earthy swirl of brick, glass and polished wood, Crave provides a warm backdrop for chefs DeAnna Akers and Aaron Hervey's long, inventive menu of high-octane treats, featuring everything from Black Angus burgers to porcini-dusted scallops. The bar offers an enticing roundup of imported and craft-brewed beers, along with well-priced wines and savory martinis.
  • Dave & Buster's

    25735 First St., Westlake Western Suburbs

    440-892-1415

    For those who have come to this entertainment complex primarily to play the state-of-the-art games and then find that the starship piloting, dinosaur dodging, and race-car driving have left them peckish, meals in the lavishly appointed Grand Dining Room are generally good-tasting, satisfying, and reasonably priced conveniences.
    3 articles
  • Foster's Tavern of Hinckley

    1382 Ridge Rd., Hinckley Medina County

    330-278-2106

    There’s something for everyone at this oddball crossroads tavern, from grilled bologna and pizza to Kobe beef and lobster. The charm factor gets a further twist from boxes, racks and countertops crammed with value-priced wine; coolers stuffed with imported beer; and a jukebox replete with tunes ranging from classic rock to show tunes.
    1 article
  • 4th Street Bar & Grill

    402 Euclid Ave. Downtown/Flats/Warehouse District

    216-298-4070

    Noisy and fun-loving, this 100-seat restaurant is part of the Corner Alley complex, a high-energy hangout featuring 16 lanes of bowling and a fashionable martini bar. With cheese here, bacon there, and deep-fried goodness nearly everywhere, spa cuisine this is not. But thanks to zesty flavors and often-imaginative preparation, the offerings still beat the standard bowling-alley lineup by a long shot.
    1 article
  • The Harp

    4408 Detroit Ave. West Side/Ohio City/Tremont/Detroit Shoreway

    216-939-0200

    An Irish bar on steroids, the Harp isn’t just your corner joint with a few shamrocks on the wall. It boasts a large Irish-influenced menu and a spacious patio with a view of the lake. The music’s as likely to be rootsy rock or blues as Irish.
    2 articles
  • Harry Buffalo Lakewood

    18605 Detroit Ave., Lakewood Western Suburbs

    216-221-1313

    Stampede over to Harry Buffalo when you need a fix of low-fat bison steaks, ribs, or burgers: This homegrown chain, with six area locations, is the largest purchaser of buffalo meat in Ohio. Besides bison, the large menu includes beef, salads, pastas, and chicken. The video games and a big list of imported, domestic, and microbrewed beers are just what urban cowboys need after a long week on the trail.
  • Heck's Café

    2927 Bridge St. West Side/Ohio City/Tremont/Detroit Shoreway

    216-861-5464

    Heading into its fourth decade, this charming Ohio City café remains a reliable, if non-trendy, refuge for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch, best enjoyed in the airy garden room, a mug of cinnamon-scented coffee at hand. While gourmet burgers are the specialty of the house, other options abound, including salads, wraps, steaks, and pastas.
  • J. Alexander’s Restaurant

    5845 Landerbrook Dr., Lyndhurst Eastern Suburbs

    440-449-9131

    Yes, it’s part of a national group of Nashville-based restaurants. But J. Alexander’s still gets the nod for intelligently conceived and well-prepared food, served in a gimmick-free atmosphere. Prices are right, portions are huge, and the slowly roasted prime rib is probably Cleveland’s finest.
  • Jezebel's Bayou

    12718 Larchmere Blvd. East Side/University Circle/Little Italy

    216-721-3877

    This attractive Larchmere Boulevard space is operated by the folks behind Angie's Soul Café and Zanzibar Soul Fusion. Here, the focus is on Cajun and Creole dishes inspired by the Big Easy: Think authentically prepared gumbo, jambalaya, BBQ shrimp, and étouffée. The seafood is fresh, the sauces vivacious, the portions robust, and the prices right where they should be.
  • Karl's Inn of the Barristers

    1264 W. 3rd St. Downtown/Flats/Warehouse District

    216-241-4141

    Cops, lawyers, secretaries, hipsters, football fans, and neighborhood residents — sooner or later, everyone ends up at Karl’s, for the good food, well-stocked bar, and unpretentious vibe. A one-pound corned-beef sandwich is the house specialty; other good bets include the Friday-night fish fry and the well-dressed Snuggery Burger.
  • The Nauti Mermaid

    1378 W. 6th St. Downtown/Flats/Warehouse District

    216-771-6175

    A laid-back alternative to the Warehouse District's pricey haute spots, this nautically themed tavern specializes in fish, seafood, and plenty of beer, in bottles and on tap. One of downtown's best happy hours.
    1 article
  • Nighttown

    12387 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights Eastern Suburbs

    216-795-0550

    The city’s best jazz club books headliners from every corner of the genre. The dining room where acts perform — you can have dinner while you listen — was recently redesigned for even better sound and sightlines.
    3 articles
  • Olivor Twist

    4061 Erie St., Willoughby Mentor/Lake County

    440-946-0900

    An extensive collection of well-priced cocktails and wine is the major draw at this good-looking martini bar. But when the kitchen’s on its game, the concise menu of modern American and Mediterranean fare earns its props too.
  • Pufferbelly Restaurant & Bar

    152 Franklin Ave. Kent/Portage County

    330-673-1771

    Casual and unpretentious, the Pufferbelly has been bringing new travelers to Kent's landmark 1875 train station for more than two decades. The all-encompassing menu includes something for everyone, with varying degrees of success. But even if the restaurant can't claim to offer destination dining, as an occasional layover on life's travels, it generally fills the bill.
  • Pura Vida

    170 Euclid Ave. Downtown/Flats/Warehouse District

    216-987-0100

    Veteran chef Brandt Evans' Public Square restaurant is a breath of fresh air for downtowners, with a spare decor, an urbane vibe, and rustically refined menus built from local, sustainable ingredients. A stickler for details, Evans pays equal attention to every element of a dish. He does, however, leave room for whimsy, as evidenced by the occasional odd ingredient and deconstructed arrangement. Full bar.
  • Shooters on the Water

    1148 Main Ave. Downtown/Flats/Warehouse District

    216-861-6900

    Giant deck, tremendous view of the mouth of the Cuyahoga, and warm-weather weekend parties that run all day and all night.
    3 articles

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