Best Places for Thanksgiving and Holiday Meals in Cleveland

Cleveland has a host of great restaurants, and several of them will be open on Thanksgiving. Here is a guide:

CHARLIE'S CRAB - 25765 Chagrin Blvd. in Beachwood - 1-216-831-8222

Of course, this is the place to go totally off-book from a Thanksgiving dinner. Charley's has often won the title of Best Seafood Restaurant in Cleveland from local magazines.

You can get Alaska King Crab Legs, Australian Coldwater Lobster Tail or Live Maine Lobster, as well as the daily fresh fish special (all at the market price). A good idea for an appetizer is the baked oyster sampler, which featured two Oysters Rockefeller, 2 Oysters Casino and two Dynamite Oysters for a total of $14.

PIER W - 12700 Lake Ave - Lakewood - 1-216-228-2250

This is the perfect place for a young couple who can't make it home to the family for Thanksgiving. With its views of Lake Erie and romantic atmosphere, the two of you can be thankful for each other and the good times you will share in the future.

Make sure you try their famous halibut tacos as an appetizer, and take advantage of their extensive wine list.

SANS SOUCI - 24 Public Square - Cleveland - 1-216-696-5600

The décor of this restaurant is reminiscent of the Provence region of France. It is located in the Renaissance Hotel near Tower City. The menu spans the Mediterranean Sea from Morocco to Greece.

The bread (with olive spread) and salad are an especially good start to your meal here. Seafood, veal and lamb chops are among the best choices of entrees here.

THE CABIN RESTAURANT - 28810 Lakeshore Blvd. - Willowick - 1-440-943-5195

This laid-back lodge specializes in Italian food and seafood. If you ever wanted to try calamari, this is the place to give it a go. Like Pier W, this is another good choice for a romantic dinner.

J.B. MILANO'S - 355 Richmond Drive - -Richmond Heights - 1-216-289-4000

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner here will cost $13.95. Elsewhere on the menu, Eggplant Parmagiana is one of the highlights, and they are very generous with the portions. No matter what you eat, you will probably go home and fall asleep watching the football game.

DON'S POMEROY HOUSE - 13664 Pearl Rd., Strongsville; 440 572-1111

This restaurant is located in a restored mansion in the town square of Strongsville. The menu features voodoo shrimp as an appetizer (wrapped in bacon with a curry sauce) and Chilean Sea Bass on the entrée menu, as well as a variety of steaks and combo platters.

The dress code is business casual and up. Reservations are highly recommended.

JOHN Q's STEAKHOUSE - 55 Public Square - Cleveland - www.johnqsssteakhouse.com - (216) 861-0900

This has been one of Cleveland's pre-eminent restaurants since it opened in 1979.
The traditional Thanksgiving Buffet will be open from noon to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $23.95 for adults and $11.95 for kids ages 12 and under.
Steaks are the obvious feature otherwise, but John Q's also has a selection of fish, lamb and pork chops. Apple walnut pie and tollhouse pie are among the top desserts.

100th BOMB GROUP - 20920 Brookpark Road in Cleveland - (216) 267-1010.
This World War II-era restaurant is decorated in the style of a French farmhouse, and it is located across the street from Hopkins Airport.
The Thanksgiving buffet will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It costs $26.95 for adults; $10.95 for kids ages 5-12; and $2.95 for kids ages 2-4.
For that price, you can get all of your favorites, as well as homemade waffles and omelettes. Champagne is included as well.

So if you're having a hard time finding the energy to put together a holiday meal - or if you have a small family - this would be a fine alternative. Make it special by picking a restaurant you've never been to before. Then in the future, you will pass it on the road and say "Remember when we had Thanksgiving there?"