CLEVELAND, Ohio – Our brunch and breakfast series continues as we check out Red Lantern Kitchen & Bar. Here’s a look at what to expect:
Location + hours: 17446 Lorain Ave., 216-331-1458. It's in the Kamm's Corners neighborhood in a corner strip mall on the northwest corner of Lorain and Rocky River Drive. It's next to Working Class Brewery and 10 miles from downtown. "Brunch, Bloodies & Blues" is offered 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. (The always entertaining Austin "Walkin' " Cane was setting up on the Sunday we went.)
Menu or buffet? Menu (plus waffle bar option).
About the place: It's been open four years, our bartender told us. Beautifully designed, the vertical space has a long bar with dozens of hanging Edison lights. It's owned by the folks who run Two Bucks. Red Lantern recently moved its waffle bar to Sundays. Also on Sundays: Live blues is played noon to 2 p.m. Half a dozen televisions hang in the space. Lots of families and large groups were at tables on our visit while couples bellied up to the bar.
About the menu: A good mix. Corned Beef Boxty, chicken and waffles, steak and eggs, smoked salmon lox and other hearty dishes are available. A BLT with a fried egg was a two-hands-required sandwich served with delicious French fries.
About the drinks: Bloody Mary bar is set up in the back, and Mimosa kits are $25. They include a bottle of Champagne, choice of three juices and a cup of fresh fruit. There's also wine on tap, a popular and smart option for vino.
Don’t miss: Waffle bar, especially for kids. You are served a pair of Belgian waffles. A toppings table leans toward mostly sweet stuff: M&Ms, crumbled chocolate-chip cookies, raspberry and blueberry drizzles, chocolate and peanut-butter frostings, sprinkles and four types of cereal. (Fresh strawberries and blueberries also were put out.) Fried chicken is extra.
Have a brunch spot you’ve wondered about and want us to visit? Email me.
Previous eats: Northeast Ohio breakfast-brunch spots we’ve tried:
1815 Tavern - Aurora
111 Bistro - Medina
35 Brix - Green
Adega - Cleveland (downtown)
Akron Family Restaurant - Akron
Alexandris - Medina
Alley Cat - Cleveland (Flats East Bank)
Astoria Café & Market - Cleveland (Gordon Square)
Austin’s Wood Fire Grille - Brecksville
Barrio - Cuyahoga County (multiple locations)
Bay Diner - Bay Village
Beau's on the River - Cuyahoga Falls
Big Al's Diner - Cleveland (East Side)
Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern - Twinsburg
Blue Door Cafe - Cuyahoga Falls
Bomba Tacos & Rum - Akron
Bonefish Grill – Independence
Borderline Café - Lakewood
Brim Kitchen + Brewery - Willoughby
Burntwood Tavern - Brecksville
Check Please Cafe - Grafton
Claudette's Café & Deli - Westlake
The Cheesecake Factory - Lyndhurst
The City Diner - Cleveland
City Works - Orange Village
Creekside Restaurant & Bar – Brecksville
Crop Bistro - Cleveland (Ohio City)
Deagan’s Kitchen & Bar - Lakewood
The Eye Opener – Akron
Fahrenheit - Cleveland (Tremont)
Fat Cats - Cleveland (Tremont)
Fire Food and Drink – Cleveland (Shaker Square)
First Watch - Fairlawn
Flour - Moreland Hills
Flury's Cafe - Cuyahoga Falls
Flying Fig - Cleveland (Ohio City)
Fred's Diner - Akron
Fresh Start Diner - Twinsburg
Gabe's Family Restaurant – Cleveland
Galaxy - Wadsworth
Gandalf's Pub & Restaurant - Valley City
The Girves Brown Derby - Medina
Hofbrauhaus - Cleveland (downtown)
Inn on Coventry – Cleveland Heights
Jack Flaps - Cleveland (Ohio City)
Jennifer's - Strongsville
Kelly's cafe - Brunswick
Kosta & Vic's - Parma
Lamp Post – Akron
Lucky's Cafe - Cleveland (Tremont)
Luna Bakery & Café – Cleveland Heights
Luxe Kitchen & Lounge - Cleveland (Gordon Square)
Michael's A.M. - Akron
Mike's Place - Kent
Mom's Deli & Grille - North Royalton
Mustard Seed Market & Cafe - Fairlawn
Noble Beast Brewing Co. - Cleveland (downtown)
Perk Cup Cafe & Grill – Berea
Pinstripes – Orange Village
Prosperity Social Club - Cleveland
Punch Bowl Social - Cleveland (Flats East Bank)
Rose Italian Kitchen – Solon
Rosewood Grill – Hudson
Scratch - Independence
Soho Chicken + Whiskey - Cleveland (Ohio City)
Southside Diner - Parma
Tartine Bistro - Rocky River
Toast - Cleveland (Gordon Square)
Tony's Family Restaurant - Parma
Townhall - Cleveland (Ohio City)
Touch Supper Club - Cleveland (Ohio City)
Twisted Citrus - Canton
Urban Farmer - Cleveland (downtown)
Valley Cafe - Akron
Village Diner - Orange
Wally Waffle - Akron
Yours Truly - Mentor