James Bigley II, managing editor
Lindey's Lake House's Lobster Roll ($24.90)
Come for the inland breeze, stay for the lobster roll. Delivered on a buttered, toasted split top brioche bun, this over-the-top portion of Maine lobster and tarragon mayo seems too big for the bread it’s served with. But when broken open, there’s just the right amount of sweet, succulent lobster. I love using the chips to pick up the mess that’s left behind. 1146 Old River Road, Cleveland, 216-727-0158, lindeyslakehouse.com
Arbela Capas, associate editor
Hacienda Tapatia’s Shrimp ($3.50) and Carnitas ($3) Tacos
It’s really hard to choose what taco to go with from Hacienda Tapatia. But my go-to lately has been one shrimp taco and one with carnitas. Not only is the pork and shrimp perfectly filling and juicy inside their soft flour tortilla, you get a little taco bar to add as many toppings as you want. The order comes with onions, cilantro, rice and a signature spicy sauce that always gives an unexpected kick. 1572 W. 117th St., Lakewood, 216-862-9893, haciendatapatia.com
Henry Palattella, associate editor
Project Pizza’s Margherita Pizza ($13)
Project Pizza’s Margherita pizza practically reinvents the way I think about pie. It starts off with crispy, thin crust that’s painted in marinara sauce before being topped with heaping dollops of mozzarella cheese and olive oil. Once it’s done toasting, fresh pieces of basil are put on top as a final perfect piece of the puzzle. 10435 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland, 216-266-0422, projectpizzacle.com
Dillon Stewart, associate editor
Pastina Rustic Italian Kitchen’s Shrimp Scampi ($24)
The family behind Longo’s Pizza, a Mentor favorite since 1969, cooks up house-made angel hair, fettucine, linguine, pappardelle and penne in a special pasta machine imported from Italy. The fettuccine is the perfect base for an opulent chardonnay butter sauce that didn’t overwhelm with hints of basil, tomato, garlic and Parmesan. 9354 Mentor Ave., Suite 1, Mentor, 440-255-3117, pastinarusticitalian.com
