Hello CLE: Dining Guide

[ downtown ]

Blue Point Grille seafood

700 W St Clair Ave, 216-875-7827. This Warehouse District staple has been voted one of Cleveland's best seafood restaurants 13 years running. Serves fresh seafood and thick steaks. Sophisticated, friendly service. Award-winning wine list. H S $$$$

Brasa Grill brazilian steakhouse

1300 W Ninth St, 216-575-0699. Brazilian steakhouse serving 13 rotisserie meats, seafood, antipasti and salads. $40 prix fixe. H T P $$$$

Chinato italian

2079 E Fourth St, 216-298-9080. Chef Zack Bruell serves a refined interpretation of rustic Italian comfort food. These are not oversized portions drenched in red sauce and cheese. Dishes are simple in ingredients and style but heavy on flavor and presentation. And like his other Cleveland restaurants, expect a fine dining experience without the white-tablecloth pretentiousness or price tag. H C S $$$

Cowell & Hubbard french

1305 Euclid Ave, 216-479-0555. At his fifth Cleveland restaurant, chef Zack Bruell serves what he calls "cuisine vanguard," his interpretation of modern Parisian cuisine. The 140-seat restaurant, which features a jewelry vault for private dining, takes its name from the store that sold fine jewelry in the space from 1920 until 1981. H T C $$$

The Greenhouse Tavern contemporary

2038 E Fourth St, 216-443-0511. There has been no shortage of well-earned praise for Ohio's first green restaurant and its chef Jonathon Sawyer. The French-influenced restaurant embraces sustainability at every turn from its recycled decor and energy-efficient bathrooms to a relentless focus on local, fresh ingredients. H T P $$$

Hodge's contemporary/american

668 Euclid Ave, 216-771-4000. Dim and Den Sum food truck founder Chris Hodgson's first brick-and-mortar restaurant. Look for food truck favorites, such as the PBLT (pulled pork BLT), on the lunch menu and contemporary entrees with a comfort feel at dinner. H T P $$$

John Q's Steakhouse steaks

55 Public Square, 216-861-0900. Choose from melt-in-your-mouth certified Angus beef, black pepper strip steak, pork chops or a 24-ounce porterhouse. H P C $$$$

Lola contemporary/american

2058 E Fourth St, 216-621-5652. Located in a historic building in downtown's East Fourth Street neighborhood. Seasonal menu from chef Michael Symon features sustainable cuisine focused on local and natural farms, seafood and meats. H T P $$$$

Mallorca spanish/portuguese

1390 W Ninth St, 216-687-9494. Specializing in Spanish and Portuguese continental cuisine that breaks free of the tired meat and potato dishes. Fresh fish arrive daily and are the stars of most of the 40-plus entrees at this white-tablecloth Warehouse District spot. H T P S $$$$

Muse contemporary/american

1515 W Third St, 216-902-5255. Innovative American cuisine featuring fresh regional and organic ingredients. Works by local artists featured on the walls. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Mon-Sat, Sun brunch. H $$$$

Noodlecat japanese

234 Euclid Ave, 216-589-0007. Jonathon Sawyer's Japanese noodle house features three kinds of noodles. The menu includes traditional noodles, Tokyo noodles and mash-ups, which can all be personalized with extras. H S $$

Osteria di Valerio e Al italian

408 W St Clair Ave, 216-685-9490. A white-tablecloth restaurant with a newly remodeled dining room tucked away in a cozy Warehouse District spot. Traditional and contemporary Tuscan and Piedmontese cuisine. H T $$$-$$$$

Otto Moser's Restaurant american

1425 Euclid Ave, 216-771-3831. Established in 1892, Otto Moser's is Cleveland's oldest restaurant. Located in the heart of PlayhouseSquare, it offers a variety of deli items for lunch and full dinner for pre-theater dining. H T P $$

Pura Vida contemporary

170 Euclid Ave, 216-987-0100. Under the motto "live for today," this latest concept from chef Brandt Evans brings gourmet lunch and dinner to Public Square with house-cured meats, salads, sandwiches and desserts. The 26,000 LED ceiling lights add a pop of color and shifting moods to a contemporary white and gray atmosphere. H P $$

Sans Souci french/mediterranean

Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, 24 Public Square, 216-696-4095. Cuisine reflects the styles of coastal Italy, Spain and Morocco with specialties from Provence in a relaxed, French country atmosphere. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. H T $$$-$$$$

Slyman's Restaurant deli

3106 St Clair Ave, 216-621-3760. A deli-style restaurant famous for its corned beef sandwiches stacked high. Established in 1964 by Joseph Slyman, whose family still operates the place. S $-$$

[ east side ]

Accent asian

11460 Uptown Ave, Cleveland, 216-721-8477. Chef and owner Scott Kim has created an Asian-influenced menu that is healthful and full of flavor. Look for dishes prepared on the innovative high-heat Robata grill or Josper oven. H T P C $$$$

B Spot american

28699 Chagrin Blvd, Woodmere, 216-292-5567. In classic Michael Symon fashion, there's no shortage of meat on the menu of this burger and bratwurst joint. Handmade patties are topped with bacon and bologna, and milkshakes come with a shot of bourbon. Dining is casual and service is quick. H S $-$$

Big Al's Diner american

12600 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland, 216-791-8550. If you're hungry, get here early. There's guaranteed to be a line out the door at Big Al's, where breakfast is an institution. Classic American diner fare is cooked to order at this no-frills spot where Michael Symon dubbed the corned beef hash, "The best thing I ever ate." H $

Club Isabella continental

2175 Cornell Road, Cleveland, 216-229-1111. Fabio Mota recreates the once-popular spot in Little Italy, this time focusing on European-style cafe fare, an intercontinental wine list and 10 specialty cocktails. Grab a drink, and try your hand at the three-hole putting course out front. H T P $$$

Fire Food & Drink american

13220 Shaker Square, Cleveland, 216-921-3473. "Simple yet inventive" best describes the seasonal American specialties at Fire. The focus here is on locally grown produce as well as roasted meats and fish prepared in wood-fire ovens. Sat and Sun brunch. H T P C $$$$

Flour italian

34205 Chagrin Blvd, Moreland Hills, 216-464-3700. Leave behind all preconceived notions of Italian cooking. Chefs Paul Minnillo and Matt Mytro offer the kind of from-scratch food you'd find in Italy, including pastas, meats cured in-house and pizza from a wood-burning oven. It's rustic Italian fare in a modern setting. H T P C $$$

Geraci's italian

2266 Warrensville Center Road, University Heights, 216-371-5643. Serving pizza and Italian dishes for more than 50 years in a comfortable and relaxed family setting. Hand-tossed pizza features great Italian-style pepperoni. H C S $$

Giovanni's italian

25550 Chagrin Blvd, Beachwood, 216-831-8625. This five-star restaurant has been a Cleveland institution for 36 years. A Northern Italian-influenced menu features entrees such as Maryland crab and shrimp cakes, and chilled, marinated sweetwater prawns, plus chops and pasta. H $$$$

Harvest Kitchen & Lounge american

33730 Bainbridge Road, Solon, 440-349-6520. This spot is small on space but big on chef Mike Longo's new American cuisine, sourcing locally whenever possible. Bar offerings include craft beers, nearly 150 wine selections, a large bourbon selection and a playful martini list. H T P $$-$$$

Hot Sauce Williams BBQ american

7815 Carnegie Ave, Cleveland, 216-391-2230. A Cleveland institution for soul food items such as ribs, shack-fried chicken and house-made barbecue sauces. Try the pork shoulder or the Polish boy. H S $$

Inn on Coventry american

2785 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, 216-371-1811. Home cooking includes all-day breakfasts and fresh desserts. Sun brunch features lemon ricotta pancakes. H P $$

L'Albatros Brasserie & Bar french

11401 Bellflower Road, Cleveland, 216-791-7880. This intimate French brasserie from chef Zack Bruell features rustic, hearty cuisine and Cleveland's only fromager, who runs the restaurant's cheese board and offers a rotating selection of the world's best cheeses. H P C S $$$

La Dolce Vita italian

12112 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, 216-721-8155. Upscale yet casual Italian bistro. Specialties include red pepper ravioli and chicken saltimboca. H T P C $$$

The Mad Greek Restaurant greek/indian

2466 Fairmount Blvd, Cleveland Heights, 216-421-3333. Half the menu is contemporary Greek fare while the other half boasts traditional Indian dishes, such as chicken tikka. H P S $$

Mama Santa's italian

12305 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, 216-231-9567. Hearty portions of Sicilian cooking at bargain prices. Choose from pizza, veal parmigiana and house-made pastas. H S $-$$

Map of Thailand thai

3710 Payne Ave, 216-361-2220. The extensive menu from chef and owner Chinnawatt Scott features dishes from all regions of Thailand, including the popular pad thai. While no alcohol is served, guests can bring their own. H $$

Michaelangelo's italian

2198 Murray Hill Road, Cleveland, 216-721-0300. True Italian cuisine and daily specials created by chef Michael Annandono in a smart, sophisticated setting. Full bar and extensive wine list. H T P C $$$$

Moxie the Restaurant american

3355 Richmond Road, Beachwood, 216-831-5599. Guests can choose from house-made small, medium or large plates, opting to dine traditionally or in a shared-plate style at this progressive American bistro. The style is industrial contemporary with colorful nouveau murals and chrome accents. Food and wine tastings and events are the norm here with wine dinners the third Thu of the month. H T P C $$$-$$$$

Nighttown american

12387 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-795-0550. Traditional American cuisine specializing in steaks, chops and seafood. Casual, turn-of-the-century pub atmosphere with live jazz most nights. H T P C $$-$$$

Pacific East Japanese Restaurant japanese

1763 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-320-2302. A fusion of authentic Japanese cuisine with Japanese-American dishes. Coventry Road location features Malaysian cuisine. H T S $$$