With special, $33 prix fixe menus available March 5-16, Cleveland Independents’ restaurants are encouraging you to step outside your culinary comfort zone. If you can’t choose from the more than 40 participating local restaurants, here are three ethnic spots to get you started.
Bac Asian American Bistro and Bar
Chef and owner Bac Nguyen breathes new life into his Vietnamese grandmother’s recipes. Classic pan-Asian foods such as pad thai and spring rolls coexist alongside coconut milk crepes and bacon guacamole. During Restaurant Week, you can mix and match anything on the menu for $33. “We don’t create a specific menu for restaurant week,” says Nguyen. “It’s kind of unique what we do.” 2661 W. 14th St., Cleveland, 216-938-8960, bactremont.com
Lopez on Lee
Chef and owner Michael Herschman puts Southwest style in every dish. During Restaurant Week, start your meal with a guac trio and enjoy a selection of seafood, salads, and grilled, stuffed and baked burritos. But don’t forget to wash it down with a 100-percent blue agave margarita with agave syrup and fresh squeezed lime juice. “Everyone starts off with a margarita,” says Herschman. 2196 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-932-9000, lopezonlee.com
Taki’s Greek Kitchen
With Taki’s enormous Greek and Mediterranean menu, you’re guaranteed to find something to tease your taste buds. For Restaurant Week, try a new lentil soup plus salmon with sweet potato hash paired with its popular tomato fritters with mango tzatziki sauce. “We have the sweetness from the sweet potato and smokiness from the bacon that just really pairs nicely with the salmon,” says chef and owner Taki Diamantis. 377 Lear Road, Avon Lake, 440-930-8888, takisgreekkitchen.com
