Copyright cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Clambake season is still in full swing in Northeast Ohio, and there are still a few more opportunities to enjoy the New England tradition that’s become as synonymous with autumn in Northeast Ohio. The Northeast Ohio version comes with a regional twist. Instead of burying shellfish in hot coals and seaweed on the beach, Ohioans pack their feasts into giant pots: Clams, chicken, corn on the cob and sweet potatoes. The hearty menu reflects the Midwest appetite and the cooler climate, making it less of a seaside delicacy and more of a harvest celebration. Cleveland’s clambake culture even received national recognition from Food & Wine magazine this year, calling it the “unsuspecting capital of the New England seafood tradition.” Restaurants like Salty Mary’s in Westlake, All Saint’s Public House in Cleveland’s Gordon Square neighborhood and Alley Cat Oyster bar in the Flats were all highlighted in the story. If you’re still itching to indulge in clambakes before it’s too late, check out a few of the best local clambakes in Northeast Ohio. Stories by Alex Darus Create an Instagram-worthy Thanksgiving table at Jukebox Friendsgiving art café Great Grog Bakeoff returns to Cleveland with Doug Katz, Courtney Bonning judging cake Dianna’s Restaurant in Lakewood closed after weekend kitchen fire Ballantine Gastropub 4113 Erie St., Willoughby Ballantine’s clambakes include one dozen clams, clam chowder, roasted 1/4 chicken, red skin potatoes, slaw and corn on the cob ($35). Add-ons include eight-ounce strip steak ($15), lobster tail ($17) and extra clams ($15). Clambakes are available from 4 to 10 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday through Nov. 1. Blue Canyon Kitchen and Tavern 8960 Wilcox Dr., Twinsburg Blue Canyon Kitchen has one more clambake set for Friday, Oct. 24. The menu includes a dozen middle neck clams with drawn butter and clam broth along with New England-style clam chowder with bacon, dry-rubbed chicken with lemon herb butter, roasted corn and sweet potato hash ($45). Add ons include extra dozen clams ($18) salad ($7), grilled shrimp ($12), 8-ounce beef tenderloin substitute for chicken ($25) and chocolate bombe or crème brulee ($6). Brennan’s Fish House 102 River St., Grand River A fall tradition at Brennan’s Fish House has been holding clambakes every Sunday in October, with one left this weekend. The meal typically includes the basics — clams, sweet potato, corn, bread and New England chowder. It’s a casual vibe to curb the clambake cravings at a moment’s notice. Bruno’s Ristorante 2644 W. 41st St., Cleveland Clambake dinners at Bruno’s include one dozen middle neck clams, clam chowder, sweet corn on the cob, sweet potato bake, white clam pasta and house dessert. Diners have a choice of roasted Cornish hen ($42), roasted ½ chicken ($42) or 14-ounce strip steak ($51). Bakes are served every Friday and Saturday from 4 to close through Saturday, Nov. 1. Cle Urban Winery 2180B Lee Road, Cleveland Heights The winery in Cleveland’s Cedar-Lee neighborhood will be hosting its third clam bake starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. The ticketed event will feature Cajun music from Acadian Driftwood. Tickets will be available online. Collision Bend Brewing Co., Euclid 1261 Babbitt Road, Euclid Collision Bend Brewing Co., in Euclid (not to be confused with the Flats location) is having its first clambake from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25. Every clambake includes one dozen clams, chicken, sweet potato, corn, broth, roll and butter for $35. Extra dozen clams available for $15. The restaurant will run a $5 beer special. Reservations are required. Don’s Pomeroy House 13664 Pearl Rd, Strongsville Don’s Pomeroy House offers two options. The first is a lobster bake with six clams, 1 1/4 – pound lobster, corn on the cob and redskin potatoes ($59) The clam bake includes eight clams, half baked chicken, corn on the cob and redskin potatoes ($38). Clam bake is available daily through Nov. 1. Lobster bake is available Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Nov. 1. Fat Cats 2061 W. 10th St., Cleveland Fat Cats in Tremont will host Rosie’s Clambake, a fundraiser for St. Joseph Academy, on Saturday, Oct. 25. Seatings will be at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Three options are available — a basic clambake for $40, an option featuring St. Louis ribs for $45 and a dinner featuring a 10-ounce steak for $50. A dozen clams are served with lemon butter. Meals come with corn on the cob with sage burnt butter and parmesan, New England clam chowder and a roll. Reserve by calling 216-579-0200 Harry’s Steak House 5664 Brecksville Road, Independence Harry’s Steak House has three bake options: Half roasted chicken, $34.49; 10-ounce sirloin steak, $39.49; and 14-ounce strip steak, $47.49. Each comes with dozen clams and broth, clam chowder, corn on the cob, candied sweet potato, plated salad and rolls. Add a dozen clams for $19.99. A mini-bake is a dozen clams, broth, corn and chowder for $25.99. Bakes are every Thursday and Friday through Oct. 31. Call for reservations, 216- 524-5300. La Cave du Vin 710 Jefferson Ave., Cleveland The Kettel Boys from Good Company Akron will host a clambake at Tremont’s La Cave du Vin on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Seatings are available at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and reservations are required. The $45 plate includes a dozen clams, half of a baked chicken, corn and a baked potato. Reservations are available online. Poppy 12502 Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland Poppy on Larchmere will offer a clam bake special every Friday through Nov. 14. The meal includes a dozen clams, a quarter roasted chicken, corn on the cob, crispy fingerlings and choice of a wedge salad or clam chowder. Salty Mary’s Oyster Bar and Tavern 25600 Center Ridge Road, Westlake Salty Mary’s is known for its seafood, so the oyster bar will offer a full clambake dinner every Friday through the end of October. The $46.50 plate comes with a dozen clams, corn, half a chicken, chowder, redskin potatoes and drawn butter. Fried clam strips are always on the menu. Stancato’s Italian Restaurant 7380 State Road, Parma Stancato’s takes clambake season seriously, offering dine-in, takeout and catering options. Reservations are required for the clambake events, running Saturdays through Nov. 8. The $50 plate includes clam chowder, linguine with white clam sauce, marinated baked chicken and sausage and peppers. Plus, a dozen middle neck clams with broth and drawn butter, corn and parsley potatoes. Reservations are available online. Welshfield Inn & Event Center 13975 Main Market Road, Burton Welshfield Inn’s clambake includes clam chowder, one pound mussels, one dozen middle neck clams, rolls, slaw, roasted redskin potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, corn on the cob and pumpkin roll with caramel pecan sauce. Diners have a choice of chicken ($75), prime rib ($85) or 1 ¼ lobster ($87). Additional clams or mussels must be preordered. Bakes are 6:30 p.m. on Fridays through Oct. 31 and 6 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 1. Call 440-834-0190 for reservations. West Side Market Cafe 1979 W. 25th St., Cleveland The West Side Market Cafe will revive its traditional fall clambake at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16. It’s just in time for fans to catch the Cleveland Browns playing the Baltimore Ravens on the big screen while enjoying a Great Lakes Christmas Ale special. Tickets are $40 per person. Winking Lizard 9570 Mentor Ave., Mentor
