Alley Cat Oyster - Cleveland

I just had to enjoy some oysters by the lake in Ohio. We shared a plate and paired them with some fantastic cocktails.

I visited a restaurant in the Flats area of Downtown Cleveland with a friend, and it turned out to be a fantastic spot for a pre-game meal before a Browns, Guardians, or Cavs game! We enjoyed sitting outside on a lovely October evening until a few raindrops prompted us to move indoors. We both ordered the Swordfish accompanied by Pumpkin and Pomegranate Risotto, and it was excellent! My friend, who is quite the food enthusiast, agreed that it was among the best he had tasted. With a couple of beers included, the total bill came to $140.88, including tax and tip. Our waiter was exceptionally attentive as well.

This was the best meal I had in Cleveland. The mussels were fantastic, and the poke bowl was exceptional.

The lobster mac and cheese is absolutely delicious. I opted for just lobster, skipping the shrimp, and it really enhanced the flavor perfectly. The "cat's pajamas" and "kitten's pajamas" drinks for non-drinkers are quite refreshing as well. The walleye was also tasty, but it was a bit heavy on the pepper and could use some salt, so be sure to season it to your liking. The rooftop patio is definitely the place to be!

The atmosphere of the restaurant was fantastic! Be sure to grab a rooftop table to enjoy the sunset and watch various boats cruising along the Cuyahoga River. The drinks were quite good and definitely worth sampling. As for the appetizers, we tried the clam and corn arancini, which were delicious. One member of our group found them a bit too spicy, but the rest of us loved the flavor combination. The oysters were not only beautiful but also tasty. The lobster roll, while not as meaty or flavorful as those found in Boston or Maine, had the perfect dressing. Just a heads up: despite being called "split top Mediterranean bread," it is still a split-top roll. We also relished the poke bowls, which are definitely a great option to consider over other main dishes. Unfortunately, the fries were heavily seasoned with Old Bay, which overshadowed their natural flavor, so we ended up leaving behind an entire side of fries that weren't steak fries! One person ordered the peach cobbler and mentioned it had a delightful blend of spices. The waitstaff was absolutely top-notch. We would definitely come back to try more things on the menu, but I think it would be great for just one visit until they switch things up. However, the atmosphere really makes it worthwhile!