'A-LIST' DINING GUIDE: 2014
Northeast Ohio's dynamic dining scene continues to unfold as one of America's best. Our fifth annual "A-List Dining Guide" featuring the area's Top 100 restaurants will be unveiled Friday, April 25 -- online on cleveland.com's Top Restaurants channel and in print in The Plain Dealer's Friday magazine.
We're also serving up a few "A-List" side dishes this year, including mini guides to the area's bets bets in various categories.
Today, we're whetting your appetite with 10 great weekend brunches and breakfasts from Northeast Ohio Media Group Restaurants & Dining Editor Joe Crea.
- Look for more posts and mini-guides this week, leading up to Friday's "A List" unveiling. Follow on Twitter, too, via
- Northeast Ohio Media Group Restaurants & Dining Editor Joe Crea
For lots of us, breakfast is our favorite meal of the day -- even those of us who don't willingly "do mornings." Come weekends (and on weekdays, when some have the time) breakfast or brunch can be a soft landing after a rough night. Here are 10 of the best I've found over the past year. This really is just the tip of the iceberg. Like almost everyone else I'm always looking for more - got any leads? -- Joe Crea
THE FLYING FIG: 2523 Market Ave. (Ohio City), Cleveland; 216-241-4243, theflyingfig.com
I like the buzz of energy The Fig exudes, and in my overall experience the food here is usually spot-on. Chef-owner Karen Small has an uncanny way of tweaking traditional fare to coax unique flavors with a fresh perspective -- and her commitment to locally grown produce adds to the quality of each bite. (Brunch, Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.)
BIG AL'S DINER:
12600 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland; 216-791-8550.
If there's a cooler, funkier place for breakfast in NEO, I'm still hunting for it. Big Al's is a crossroads for Clevelanders of every age, ethnicity lifestyle and pocketbook -- and a terrific place for great chow. Dig into one of the best traditional takes on corned beef in town, livened by green peppers and topped with eggs done to order. If you're going to indulge in eggs Benedict and endure all that fat, you'd better get something more than a side-order of guilt. Believe it: Big Al's are worth the cholesterol, down to perfectly poached eggs on crunchy toasted English muffins and a fresh-tasting Hollendaise. (Daily, 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
PIER W: 12700 Lake Ave., (in Winton Place) Lakewood; 216-228-2250, selectrestaurants.com/pier/
What a purely delightful way to spend a bit of your Sunday: delicious food in a charming space, while drinking in one of the loveliest views NEO has to offer. Did I mention genteel service, live music and as diverse a menu of top-notch dishes? This is the only traditional buffet-style brunch we attended (available Sunday's only), and while it's pricey, it is a spread worthy of your most discerning companions. Time and again, Pier W demonstrates just how excellence is achieved and maintained -- and then raises the bar. (Brunch, Sunday 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
BEACHLAND BALLROOM: 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland; 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
Dish after dish, each course prepared in Chef Brian Doyle's kitchen seems better than the last. Doyle does a Chicken Chilaquiles that's just killer (pinto bean or vegan options are available); his Eggs Beachland are the chef's unique take on Benedict (over chewy, not fluffy, homemade biscuits) doused with a mellow Gruyere cheese sauce; and his Ohio stone ground grits are as creamy as any I've ever enjoyed in Charleston or Savannah. Guest DJ's liven the atmosphere; so do wonderfully silly touches, like the 1940s-style tablecloths that festoon each table. (Brunch, Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.)
GRUMPY'S CAFE: 2621 West 14th St. (Tremont), Cleveland; 216-241-5025, grumpys-cafe.com
Fans are loyal to Grumpy's, and after a couple of visits it's easy to understand their allegiance. Funky art and a welcoming atmosphere -- plus a big selection of omelets (served with toast and the house Cajun home fries), pancakes and French toast -- draw locals and return visitors. The food is hearty and good, and it usually feels like the party is ON. (Monday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.)
THE BLUE DOOR CAFE & BAKERY: 1970 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls; 330-926-9774, bluedoorcafebakery.com
If you live close to the lake, this is gas money well spent. I can't help but refer to it, stylistically, as Flying Fig South: chef-owner Mike Bruno shares a similar, earthy sensibility as that of Fig owner Karen Small. You'll find a really fresh, artisan producer and local farm focus, and a no-nonsense style. "Basically, I approach the menu with the attitude of 'What are we doing this week? Well, what haven't we done for awhile?'" Bruno says. (He routinely posts a menu update on his Website and Facebook page.) Try the addictive Croque Monsieur, delicate crepes, and don't miss the house-made baked goods. (Wednesday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.)
XYZ THE TAVERN: 6419 Detroit Ave. (Gordon Square) Cleveland; 216-706-1104, xyzthetavern.com.
Though XYZ boasts a blue collar spirit, it carries the polish of an upscale eatery. Nothing splashy or pretentious here, just friendly and usually prompt service in an open dining room with roll-up doors that open out onto a sprawling patio. Oh, and really good, well-prepared food, most of it is totally down-to-earth: fluffy but substantial buttermilk pancakes with pure maple syrup, chicken-and-waffles topped with a country-fried chicken breast, Randy Kelly's house-smoked salmon with scrambled eggs and a drift of suave Hollendaise in a crispy-edged croissant...
(Brunch, Saturday, Sunday and Christmas Eve, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.)
THE WELSHFIELD INN: 14001 Main Market Road, Troy Township (Burton); 440-834-0190, welshfielddining.com
It's a lovely drive out to this historic spot, and lovelier still once you've arrived at this 1840s-era stagecoach stop. The rooms, whether in the original building or subsequent expansion areas, are charming and make a welcoming backdrop. Reservations are a smart idea for this Sundays-only treat. The kitchen produces reliable renditions of morning fare like Belgian waffles, biscuits-and-gravy, Sourdough Stuffed French Toast, eggs to order... or stray from the breakfast staples for a hearty Chicken Pot Pie or an old-fashioned roasted turkey breast dinner with traditional accompaniments. (Brunch, Sundays from 10 a.m.)
PLACE TO BE: 1391 Warren Road (at Detroit Ave.), Lakewood; 216-226-8783.
Maybe its location initially made it "the place to be," but a seemingly nonstop crowd, noisy banter between customers and personable (and outspoken) servers and cooks says a lot for its continued popularity. Plus big plates of hearty, well-prepared standards. Be aware, cash only. (Call for hours.)
JOE'S DELI: 19215 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River; 440-333-7890, myjoesdeli.com
It's family-oriented and plenty of seniors are regulars, but week in-and-year out, Joe's is one of the all 'round best spots for simply good food. Portions are generous, food is well prepared and though the place is always hopping the servers strive for friendliness. (Monday-Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Sundays and holidays.)