Chatty’s Pizzeria’s Clam Pizza: Paired well with a thin, crispy New York-style or cauliflower crust, it was important to keep this oil- and garlic-based pizza ($15) simple, topped with cheese, arugula, lemon oil and chopped clams. “When we put all these ingredients together, it’s for them all to work well together and mesh,” says owner Matthew Harlan. 28611 Lake Road, Bay Village, 440-471-4485, chattyspizzeria.com
Chowder House Cafe’s Clam Chowder: A staple on the menu for 12 years, this soup ($6) doesn’t rely on typical potatoes found in most chowders and better highlights sea clams cooked with bacon, celery, onions, cream and clam juice. “Living on the East Coast, I make mine as close to that as I can,” says chef and owner Louis Prpich. 1244 Weathervane Lane, Akron, 330-794-7102, thechowderhousecafe.com
Mallorca’s Almejas Rellenas: Adding a Spanish flair to the traditional clams casino, this middleneck clam appetizer ($14) is stuffed with a blend of Spanish lomo (cured meat), prosciutto, chorizo and breading seasoned with smoked paprika and saffron. “People that like clams casino like our clams casino because it’s different,” says owner Laurie Torres. “The menu kind of evolves from traditional Spanish to modifying traditional American.” 1390 W. Ninth St., Cleveland, 216-687-9494, mallorcacle.com
Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink’s Middleneck Clams: These clams ($18) are classically steamed with shallots and white wine before chef de cuisine Andrew Alvarez tops them with capers, lemon juice, melted butter and harissa paste, a North African pepper blend. “It’s like this skyrocket of flavor, but then the butter will hit you and it just completely mellows out,” says Alvarez. 3427 Tuttle Road, Shaker Heights, 216-230-8022, michaelsgenuine.com
The Nauti Mermaid’s Steamed Clams: With hints of Caribbean Key West flavor, these wild Virginia clams ($13) pop in a broth of butter, sauvignon blanc wine, key lime juice, fresh heirloom tomatoes, white onion and cilantro. “We have some regulars that when they’re finished with the clams, they will drink the whole bowl of broth,” says owner Jeffrey Hassan. 1378 W. Sixth St., Cleveland, 216-771-6178, thenautimermaid.com
