The 12 Best Things We Ate in Cleveland This Year

Oysters on the Half Shell - Alley Cat

The view, along with the company, has everything to do with the quality of raw oysters. That might sound apocryphal, but once you've sucked back a platter of raw bivalves on the water's edge, all others pale by comparison. That's why the oysters at Alley Cat, which has unobstructed watery views, taste just a little bit sweeter than those shucked elsewhere. 1056 Old River Rd., 216-574-9999.

Bone-in Ribeye - Cabin Club

There are loads of reasons to adore Cabin Club, from the easy-going roadhouse vibe to the evenhanded tariffs for food and drink. But we go to steakhouses for steak and the Club's massive bone-in ribeye, cooked to perfection on the restaurant's raging Top Fuel broiler. Grab the hefty shank, slice through the meat, and take a moment to savor a truly great steak. 30651 Detroit Rd., 440-899-7111, Westlake.

Grilled Octopus - Santorini

This has been the year of the "octo," with numerous restaurants offering one version or another of this oft-challenging sea beast. It's not surprising that Santorini, a Greek restaurant, does it best. Firm, meaty and charred from the grill, the sliced tentacles are paired with shaved red onion, a few ripe tomatoes and some greens. Drizzle it with some fresh lemon and you'll swear you're dining at a seaside taverna. 1382 West Ninth St., 216-205-4675.

Lemon Soufflé Pancakes - Fire Food and Drink

I never order pancakes for breakfast; compared to biscuits and gravy or corned beef hash, who would? And the truth is, I didn't order Fire's lemon soufflé pancakes either. But chef Doug Katz, fresh off a pancake competition where he took top honors, insisted that we try them. Hot off the griddle, these light, airy and golden brown cakes – kissed with lemon and tangy buttermilk – will never leave a brunch diner with buyer's remorse. 13220 Shaker Sq., 216-921-3473. (Photo via Facebook)

Korean BBQ - Seoul Hot Pot

Gather some adventurous friends around the grill tables at this recently revived Asiatown icon for some amazing grilled meats, namely galbi and bulgogi, spiral-sliced bone-in beef short rib and thin-sliced beef sirloin. Sure, it takes some work manning the grill, but the experience is so unique it more than makes up for it. When done, the flavorful meats are tucked into a lettuce leaf along with sauces and garnishes and popped whole in the mouth. 3709 Payne Ave., 216-881-1221

Spit-Roasted Chicken - Campus Grille

Berea might not sound like the place one goes to score killer Latino and Puerto Rican food, but that's where affable chef Luis Roman opened up shop. Day in and day out, a broad mix of regulars line up for large platters of mofongo, roast pork and beans, and crispy Cubanos. But the best dish is the marinated and spit-roasted chickens, hacked in half and served with lime-and-cilantro scented rice and black beans. 10 Seminary St., 440-243-4229, Berea. (Photo via Facebook)

Falafel - Café Falafel

Falafel is like guacamole in that everybody has his or her own way to make it. After trying Café Falafel, my favorite recipe currently belongs to owner Ehab Enaia. Take a bite and peer inside and you'll see a shade of green so vivid and fresh, it can only come from heaps of fresh parsley and cilantro, which also serve to keep the patties moist and light. Small-batch frying in peanut oil produces the perfect golden brown shell. 3843 Riveredge Rd., 216-688-0330.

Gumbo - Chow Chow Kitchen

Call it soup, stew or chowder, the gumbo served at this Southern-themed café and carry-out is one of the best ways to spend $4. Served atop a bed of fluffy white rice, the gumbo is smoky, spicy and deeply flavorful, with tender chunks of pork and okra bobbing in the rust-colored gravy. 14201 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-712-4126.

Peddler's Noodle Soup - Phusion Café

Tainan is the culinary epicenter of Taiwan, and one of the most beloved dishes to enjoy while there is danzai mian, also known as Peddler's noodles. New to the Asiatown scene, Phusion introduces local diners to this and other Taiwanese dishes previously unavailable in these parts. This complex bowl features chewy noodles, minced pork, boiled shrimp and crisp bok choy in a shrimp flavored broth. 3030 Superior Ave., 216-861-3399

French Onion Egg Rolls - Graffiti Social Kitchen

High-concept food isn't always worth the effort. Deconstructed, reconstructed or simply fooled-around-with, fun food sometimes just isn't. That's not the case with Okin and Bostwick's French Onion Egg Rolls, which have been a staple of the Graffiti menu since the start. Sliced on the bias, the slender rolls are filled with caramelized onions and gruyere cheese, so that when dipped into the accompanying broth, the flavors are a dead ringer for the classic soup. 1261 West 76th St., 216-651-6969.