Mussels

†ª moule frites This European-style dish gets its name from the two main ingredients: mussels and fries. But that's not all you find on this Tremont Tap House favorite ($14). Blue cheese, bacon, garlic, shallots and Ommegang's Rare Vos — a Belgian amber ale — complete this hodgepodge meal. "It sounds like it wouldn't work," says chef Quang Trang, "but it really does work and it really does taste good." 2572 Scranton Road, Cleveland, 216-298-4451, tremonttaphouse.com

†ª mussels with sauteed tomatoes When you work with your two brothers, recipe ideas aren't in short supply. "Every season we always try to change the menu," says Taste chef Tony Orozco. The siblings are currently cooking up this savory version of the bivalves ($12) with garlic, tomatoes, butter, lemon juice, white wine, onions, fresh fennel and fresh herbs. 2317 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-932-9100, tastefoodwine.com

†ª prince edward island mussels After cooking mussels in a broth of shallots, white wine, garlic and Pernod, Black Pig chef and owner Michael Nowak has one final step. "We put a large handful of raw, shaved fennel in it at the last moment so it stays kind of crispy," he says. The mussels ($12) are served with a side of the spot's popular rouille toast. "More than half the people who order it ask for more to finish the broth," says Nowak. 2801 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, 216-862-7551, theblackpigcleveland.com

†ª prince edward island mussels You don't have to be Picasso to appreciate Provenance's artistic creation of Price Edward Island mussels ($14) influenced by the museum's Spanish pieces. Chef Douglas Katz sautes the bivalves in a Spanish white wine as well as chorizo and sofrito, a Spanish condiment for some added spice. "We try to highlight different cultures based on the art that we have at the museum," he says. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-707-2600, clevelandart.org

†ª Thai mussels Merchant Tavern chef Victor Todaro uses his love for Chinese and Thai foods to make this version of mussels ($15) with jalapenos, soy sauce and lime juice. The spicy, salty and sour flavors are a nice contrast to other dishes on the menu at the Akron spot. "We already have an Italian kind of style mussels on the menu, and I just wanted to do something different," he says. 1824 Merriman Road, Akron, 330-865-9510, themerchanttavern.com