Over the past year, Cleveland's restaurants have pivoted to create delicious dining experiences that customers can enjoy in the comfort of their own home. Running March 18-31, Cleveland Independents' Restaurant Week To-Go, the second awareness-raising event from local restaurant advocacy group Cleveland Independents, celebrates these takeout experiences with special three-course to-go menus from more than 30 Northeast Ohio restaurants. With so many creative promotions and meals that travel well, choosing just a few meals is going to be a tough decision. So we picked three of our favorite local dinners to help get you started. More Info: clevelandrestaurantweek.com
Char Whiskey Bar & Grille
The Rocky River restaurant's to-go menu for two offers the choice between a couple of traditional American favorites with a modern spin. The meal includes two entrees: a juicy Char burger with chips and a serving of Char Mac (and cheese) with grilled chicken. Two sides salads with your choice of dressing, cookies and an appetizer of soft pretzels with cheese and mustard sauces round out your meal. Add a to-go cocktail from Char's extensive whiskey and cocktail list. "We pride ourselves on how good our food looks to-go," says owner Gabe Zeller. "It'll almost be as good as eating in-house." $60, 19337 Detroit Road, Rocky River, 216-712-4591, char-rockyriver.com
Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute
Mix and match three different courses of fine French cuisine from the non-profit food education facility in Shaker Square. Choose between the soup of the day or a local greens salad for the first course, followed by your choice of salmon or roasted airline chicken breast with special truffle honey. “It takes one month to create this honey,” chef Brandon Chrostowski says, “It takes time to infuse.” Finish it off with crème brulee or chocolate cream for dessert. Think you’ll still be hungry after all that? Add an extra course of grouper wrapped in crispy potato, the chef’s signature dish, or a flight of three wine pairings ($20) to try with each dish. $33 per person, 13101 Shaker Square, Cleveland, 216-921-3333, edwinsrestaurant.org
Twisted Taino Frappe Bar and Grill
Pick up a Latin-fusion family meal from the Puerto Rican restaurant in Ohio City. "We're a brand new concept, and we're getting the word out that we are something different, not the typical Latin/Puerto Rican establishment," says owner and chef Jose Melendez. "It's a new, modern take on traditional flavors from the Caribbean and Latin America." We recommend the Best Of Cleveland-winning El Batey feast, which feeds four to six diners. As an entree, choose three between guajillo pork roast, creole chicken, pork or chicken chicharron and carne asada. On the side, dig in to two of either yucca fries, plantain chips, mofongo balls, sweet plantains and tater tots. With both options, you also get Melendez’s wife Cristina’s signature bread pudding. $30 per person, $100 for family-style, 1400 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-310-5880, twistedtaino.com
