Downtown Cleveland Alliance's Restaurant Week runs until this Sunday, Feb. 27.
With Clevelanders having an Iron Chef and James Beard nominees and winners in their backyard (among numerous other accolades), there’s really no excuse to not have a good meal. And it’s about more than just the food, a lot of times it’s the experience of the restaurant that makes the evening – be it a well-executed theme, a mission to use sustainable, local food, a particular chef’s strong personality or all of the above.
The only downside I’ve found in trying out these new experiences is the strain on my wallet. Fortunately, the Downtown Cleveland Alliance is remedying that this week with their 4th Annual Restaurant Week. It started Monday and runs until this Sunday (Feb. 27). Cleveland diners can try out fixed-price lunches and dinners at over 40 downtown restaurants.
For dinner, most restaurants are offering a $30 3-course meal (at some places, it’s even 2 diners for $30). The lunch menus – which are new to this year – are $15 per person. With restaurants like Lola, Crop, Greenhouse, and Zinc on the list, these are prices you definitely wouldn’t normally get.
I like using Restaurant Week to try out places I haven’t been to before. It allows me to step outside my comfort zone of the restaurants I know I already love without the risk of having to drop too much money. This is always the kick in the pants I need to visit those places I keep telling myself I’ll try.
Last year, Scott and I visited Fat Fish Blue because we used to always drive by it on our way to work and the menu offerings appealed the most to Scott. They’re back this year with a 2-for-$30 deal and the Downtown Cleveland Alliance blog has a nice interview with Chef JR Grady.
On my list of good eats for this year is Chinato, Greenhouse Tavern and Brasa. These are three restaurants I’ve wanted to go to for awhile and the perfect opportunity to try them all.
Last night I kicked my Restaurant Week off at Chinato. A group of 8 of us decided to try it out after a long decision process and it was the first-time visit for most of us. Here’s my review of our dinner – we were not disappointed with our choice.
Today’s lunch is at Greenhouse Tavern which has been #1 on my list of restaurants I’ve been meaning to visit since sampling their food at last year’s Chef Jam. And Sunday wraps the week up with Scott and I stopping by Brasa for a belated anniversary dinner. Brasa will be interesting because instead of a 3-course fixed menu, diners get the restaurant’s continuous tableside service of meat – normally priced at $35 – for only $30. In addition to my Chinato review, I plan on posting on my experiences at Greenhouse and Brasa after I dine there (you’ll have to bear with me as restaurant reviewing is not my strongest suit).
If the amazing dining deals weren’t enough to get you downtown, several restaurants during Restaurant Week will feature tasting and educational events and a variety of downtown parking lots will offer special $2 parking after 5pm to all Restaurant Week diners (here’s the voucher). There is really no excuse not to explore the incredible restaurants in our city and try new dishes all week long!
Downtown Cleveland Alliance Restaurant Week 411:
Pingback: Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week Review – Chinato « Clue Into Cleveland