Aladdin's Eatery
Aladdin’s offers four different kinds of baklava ($2.25 each) at its numerous locations across Northeast Ohio, including the Burma, made with shred- ded wheat, and the Bird’s Nest, which looks like the habitat of our feathered friends. “It has the phyllo dough shaped in a square,” says Aladdin’s marketing director Sandra Daher. “It holds all the pistachios in the middle of it like they’re little bird’s nest eggs.” Various locations, aladdins.com
Anatolia Cafe
At this Cleveland Heights spot, owner Yashar Yildirim uses fresh ingredients for his house-made baklava that turns the Middle Eastern pastry into a decadent sundae ($8). The buttery layers of phyllo dough and walnuts come topped with Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream. “Unfortu- nately, in Cleveland, there is no place I can buy a baklava similar to Turkish-style or [one that] our people will eat,” he says. 2270 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-321-4400, anatoliacafe.com
Astoria Cafe & Market
Cory Kobrinski puts his heart into each batch of baklava ($5) he makes at Astoria Cafe & Market in the Gordon Square Arts District. “It’s just layers of phyllo dough with a little clarified butter in between each layer of phyllo dough,” says the chef de cuisine. “Also, stuffed between each layer of phyllo dough, we grind up some pistachios and walnuts.” 5417 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-266-0834, astoriacafemarket.com
Simply Greek
Bacon goes well with any-thing, including baklava. The Rocklava ($8), a bacon-wrapped, deep-fried version, doesn’t disappoint. “In the exact sense of the word, it’s a treat,” says owner Peter Moissis. “It’s not just a treat because it’s sweet. It’s a treat, because it’s something you’re like, I deserve this.” 33700 Aurora Road, Solon, 440-498-4976, simplygreekfood.com
Zaytoon Lebanese Kitchen
Chef and owner David Ina says making baklava ($1.99) the right way was important to him. “The care that goes into making it — it’s not rushed together,” he says. “Layer by layer, we brush the clarified butter on each sheet of phyllo and then we use real pistachios, real honey syrup. And it’s just made with minimal ingredients.”1150 Huron Road E, Cleveland, 216-795-5000, zaytoonlebanesekitchen.com
