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BEST Art Gallery The Pop Shop Gallery & Studio

Cool, funky things and other good stuff--lots of surprising and unique items!

BEST Indie Theater Cedar Lee Theatre

Still one of the best things about Cleveland! The seating is comfortable, and the refreshments are delicious.

BEST Live Comedy Something Dada Improvisational Comedy Co.

It's great that Cleveland has such a funky arts scene and supports places like Something Dada. Certainly the performances here are both entertaining and intelligent--and on the edge.

BEST Local Bands Mallory San Marco

Oh, what a wonderful voice!

BEST Miniature Golf Geneva-on-the-Lake Mini Golf

Lots of great memories playing here! The course is clean and attractive, and it's part of the great atmosphere of the GOTL Strip.

BEST Museum The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Art Museum has always been a wonderful place to visit and see a diverse selection of the world's greatest artworks spanning thousands of years of human history. The recent renovations have made it even better. It's a world-class museum, smaller than but still on a par with the Met in NYC and the National Gallery in DC.

BEST Theater Huntington Playhouse

Presenting great plays surrounded by a beautiful natural setting for many, many years!

BEST Theatre Group Dobama Theater

Dobama has been Cleveland's own off-off-Broadway theatre for years, and it is still going strong. Besides the combination of avant garde and mainstream drama, Dobama has encouraged hundreds of young writers to take a shot at having a play produced with their Marilyn Bianchi Young Playwright's Festival

BEST Winery Ferrante Winery & Ristorante

There are a number of wonderful wineries in this area of the state, but Ferrante's tops them all.

BEST Auto Parts Napa Auto & Truck Parts

NAPA's the old stand-by for a good reason: If you need it, they have it or can get it for you, and they offer useful advice as well.

BEST Body Shop York Road Automotive

This is a place that treats customers with courtesy, gives honest answers, does a good job at a fair price, and doesn't tie up the car longer than is necessary.

BEST Car Wash Kwik Car Wash

KWIK has been around forever at the Parmatown and Southland locations. The work is done right, and the price is OK as well.

BEST Repair Auto Repair Technology

Gerry is the Wizard of Cars as far as I'm concerned. He's also an honest, reliable merchant and has been for over thirty years.

BEST Barbecue Famous Dave's Barbeque

It doesn't matter that this is a franchise restaurant--the barbecue here is out of this world. The meat is smoky and deliciously seasoned, and the dinners come with enough food to fill you up while leaving your wallet intact.

BEST Breakfast Perkins

Perkins still has the best pancakes around, and their menu offers a host of other meal ideas for breakfast or any other time of day.

BEST Burger Heck's Cafe

A burger is a burger is a burger--except at Heck's. These are burgers that you'll remember. The meat is exceptional, and the accompaniments are fresh and delicious.

BEST Healthy Lunch Treehugger's Cafe

Treehugger's food is exceptional. I've never had any item that wasn't fresh and delicious, and their menu offers selections that are creative and healthy. The food is definitely not cheap, by any means, but if you want quality food with an emphasis on local ingredients and green sustainable practices, this is the place.

BEST Pizza Donte's Restaurant & Pizza Shop

This is old-fashioned pizzeria pizza with a great sauce, hearty toppings and quick service. Delicioso!

BEST Sandwich Shop Grum's

It doesn't get any better! Grum's subs are the kind I remember from my college days, and they still taste as good. This is a Cleveland landmark on Coventry Road.

BEST Wings Flyers Bar & Grille

Flyers has the wings that make all others pale by comparison. Their spices are fantastic, and the wings themselves are meaty and juicy. The ambiance is great too--a neighborhood bar with different areas that avoid the feeling of sitting in one big box.

BEST Brunch Tree Hugger's Cafe

Treehugger's takes healthy food and makes it interesting and delicious. They emphasize local food and sustainability, but the real reason to go here is the great eating. (Vegetarian and vegan selections are available, too.)

BEST Chinese Wah Fu Chinese Restaurant

Great for either a quick lunch or a leisurely meal! The food is delicious and presented nicely, and the service is fast. Wah Fu is tucked away unpretentiously in a shopping center, but it's a great place to eat.

BEST French Bistro du Beaujolais

A fine French restaurant in Olmsted Falls? Yes, and what pleasant surroundings to complement the food. This is a great place to dine and then spend time strolling among the many shops located in the area.

BEST Indian Cuisine of India

Simple and unassuming, the emphasis here is on great food.

BEST Italian Bucci's Brick Oven

Bucci's Brick Oven serves up great flavors from a wood-fired brick oven, and the pasta dishes feature old-fashioned slow-cooked sauces. Also, this place has the best wedding soup anywhere, and the service is tops.

BEST Mediterranean Aladdins Eatery

Great vegetarian choices--try the chili! The traditional Middle Eastern foods are very good, and the desserts are knockouts.

BEST Mexican El Rodeo Authentic Mexican

The decor is bright and colorful, and the extensive menu contains fantastic meals and combo plates. This is excellent Mexican food, and the margaritas are superb.

BEST New American Nemo Grille

A beautiful restaurant in a wonderfully restored historic building! The food and service are superb--some of the finest food in Northeastern Ohio.

BEST Polish Sokolowski's University Inn

Sokolowski's doesn't serve restaurant food, they serve home cooking in a restaurant. On weekend nights it seems that half of Cleveland is eating here, but it's well worth the wait. The kielbasa is old-world style, and they load the plates up --and up and up. Come hungry!

BEST Romantic Restaurant Sergio's in University Circle

Sergio's has always been a real gem in University Circle--a hip, funky little place with good music playing and wonderful Brazilian cuisine. Great any time! A good stop before or after a Severance Hall concert, for example!

BEST Seafood Don's Pomeroy House

Pomeroy serves some of the freshest, most creative seafood dishes I've had this side of New England. The ambiance--a beautifully restored 19th century house--enhances the meal.

BEST Steakhouse Steve's Dakota Grill

There's a reason why Steve's is so packed on weekends--superb steaks, interesting chicken and seafood dishes, great specials and a lot of extras. Try the 14 oz. top sirloin--surprisingly inexpensive and one of the best steaks I've had anywhere.

BEST Sushi Otani

Fresh! Artistic! Delicious! Otani is a great place to eat Japanese food, but their sushi is a real standout.

BEST Thai Sweet Mango

Excellent service in a clean, simple, peaceful atmosphere complements the delicious Thai dishes. Try the Berea location on the Triangle, too.

BEST Traditional American Pipers Three Restaurant

The menu is varied, the ambiance is simple and unpretentious, and the service is good. This is a place to go for a good meal that is priced right.

BEST Golf Course Emerald Woods

A beautiful course, well-maintained!

BEST Gym LifeWorks of Southwest General

Lifeworks is a clean, spacious facility that emphasizes health and wellness. The trainers are all knowledgeable and motivating, and the equipment is excellent. Besides a general workout floor, a pool area and gym, there are numerous programs offered in everything from "boot camp" training to yoga to proper diet.

BEST Personal Trainers LifeWorks of Southwest General

These trainers aren't just athletes, they are highly knowledgeable professionals with the college degrees to back it up, and they know how to motivate and coach.

BEST Running Gear Second Sole

Great brands, knowledgeable, convenient!

BEST Sporting Goods The Backpackers Shop

It's just plain fun to come here and browse, and when it comes to outdoor sports like hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, etc., this is the best place in the area to find the newest, best clothing and gear. The ambiance is wonderful, too. Check out the windows overlooking the French Creek Nature Preserve area.

BEST Beer Selection Buckeye Beer Engine

An excellent selection of a variety of brews--and good food to wash the beer or ale down!

BEST Bowling Yorktown Lanes

Always a good place to bowl! They keep the place clean and the alleys running well.

BEST Brewpub Cornerstone Brewing Company

This is some of the finest craft-brewed beer and ale you'll find. There is a creative beer menu that changes regularly, but there are a few great selections that are always available. (Sandstone is a nice, smooth one to savor with food.) In March, there is a fantastic St. Pat's celebration, complete with a kegs & eggs breakfast, and you don't want to miss the celebration in January of the birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns.

BEST Irish Pub The Harp

Great ambiance, good food and a nice view of the city and lake!

BEST Jazz and Blues Nighttown

This is, without exaggeration, one of the very coolest spots in Cleveland. It's amazing to consider some of the musicians who have played gigs at Nighttown. (Catch Greg Abate when he's passing through town--unbelievable bebop sax!)

BEST Live Music Venue Barking Spider Tavern

Anyone who visits Cleveland--particularly University Circle--and doesn't hit the Spider hasn't been to Cleveland. This is the finest bar in town, and the eclectic selection of performers is wonderful. It's a real treat to be able to sit in such an intimate setting with the musicians as well.

BEST Neighborhood Bar The Eastland Inn

The Eastland has been a Berea mainstay for as long as I remember. You'll run into friends here, or you may make new ones. The beer is cold and the food is great!

BEST Pool Hall Jillian's Billiards Club

A clean, classy place to shoot!

BEST Sports Bar Babe's Sports Grille

This is a great big wide-open place with a nice bar that curves all around the room. It's clean, the drinks are cold, the service is friendly and efficient, and you won't get better food at any other sports bar--or bar of any kind. The kitchen is run by one of Cleveland's very best chefs.

BEST Boarding Inn To Pets, Inc.

This is a very nice, clean facility, and they really take good care of dogs. They treat your dog as if he/she were their own.

BEST Pet Sitting Angie's Pet Care

Angie is all about responsible care that respects the dog and demonstrates gentle kindness.

BEST Pet Supplies Grateful Dog Bakery

This is the place for a true dog lover to shop. The emphasis is on health-conscious treats, shampoos, toys, etc., and the atmosphere is low-key and welcoming.

BEST Training North Coast Dogs

Calm, positive, motivation-driven training that works on the dog's owner as well as the dog!

BEST Arts & Crafts Pat Catan's

Huge, great selection of art materials and craft supplies!

BEST Furniture La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries

The selection is very good, and the emphasis is on comfort.

BEST Gift Shop The Shoppe

This was once a hippie head shop, but now it's a funky place to find gifts that you won't run into anywhere else, as well as some unique jewelry and a whole bunch of candles, trinkets, cards, etc.

BEST Musical Instruments Rettig Music, Inc.

Good selection and knowledgeable help!

BEST Records and CDs Record Revolution

RR was in business way, way back (when they actually sold records--vinyl LP's) and they are still a great place to find music.

BEST Bakery Dick' Bakery

Dick's is an old-fashioned bakery where everything is made on premises fresh daily. The date-nut cakes are legendary, and their cookies and doughnuts are fantastic. (Chocolate chip cookies from Dick's are irresistable.)

BEST Butcher Shop Chef's Choice Meats

BEST Coffee Shop The Book and Bean

BEST Desserts Bella's Chocolates

Bella's chocolates are beautiful and delicious. Customers are treated well here.

BEST Donuts Madsen Donuts

Madsen's is one of the best reasons to pass through GOTL!

BEST Gourmet Grocery West Side Market

The oldest is still the best. You can get virtually anything here at the Market and have fun shopping for it.

BEST Ice Cream Shop Honey Hut Ice Cream

Honeyh Hut serves thick, creamy ice creams that have real flavors and honey for sweetening. In a dish, a cone, a shake or whatever, Honey Hut ice cream is the best around.

BEST Wine Shop Southland Beverage

The selection is great and the folks who work here are glad to take time to explain things or help with selecting a wine.