Downtown Cleveland restaurant suggestions, please!
 

My SO and his brother will be in Cleveland for 3 nights, most likely staying at the Renaissance. Can anyone suggest a few restaurants for them to try? They won't have sportcoats or ties, so nothing formal, and while they will have a car, places within walking distance would be preferable. They're adventurous eaters, but also appreciate classics like BBQ or Italian...your help would be appreciated!

Sorry, forgot to add that they're driving to Canton on one of the days, so could dine in Canton, or anywhere on the way back to Cleveland. Thanks!

One last try--anyone at all? I have done a search, but many of the threads are rather aged...

The restaurant *at* the Renaissaince, or Hard Rock Cafe which is inside tower city which the Renaissance is connected to.

Or just wander around downtown, the warehouse district especially.

I'll try and give a few suggestions.

The Watermark restaurant in the flats is nice. I don't think you have to wear a suit, but it is pricey. For more casual dinner in the flats there is Shooters which is also fun for drinks.

Other downtown restaurants that get good reviews are Il Circo Zibibbo, Cleveland Chop House, Blue Point Grill (Seafood), Mallorca (Spanish), Sushi Rock, Johnny's and John Q's Steakhouse.

If they want to take a short drive, The Great Lakes Brewing Company in Ohio City makes their own beer and the food is quite good.

try www.cleveland.com for restaurant reviews.

Hope this helps.

A place not necessarily known for fine dining but is unique in other ways, is Pickwick and Frolic on Fourth Street and Euclid. While it serves great rustic American cuisine, this new spot dishes out comedy, cabaret, and tableside magic in a multimillion dollar complex. It's classy and entertaining -- exactly the kind of place to spend "a night on the town."

My parents just went to Pickwick and Frolic the other night and enjoyed the atmosphere but not the food! I guess they cook on a grill with wood chips so it has that "woody" flavor. Some people really love that though.

A place where we used to enjoy eating is the "356th Fighter Group". A World War 11 restaurant at the Akron/Canton Airport. It's close to the Freeway as they drive to Canton. You can check it out at: http://www.starcom2.com/356thFG/

Thanks so much, all, that really helps. I've passed all of these ideas on to the SO. I'll get a report from him if anything interesting befalls them... thanks again!

topping for KathyK