Fat Cats: Northeast Ohio's best weekend brunches, breakfasts

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Our brunch and breakfast series continues as we check out Fat Cats. Here's a look at what to expect:

Location + hours: 2061 W. 10th St., Cleveland, 216-579-0200. Brunch is 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Small designated parking lot and street parking.

Menu or buffet? Menu.

About the place: The charming eclectic American bistro has been around for more than 20 years, tucked into a mostly residential neighborhood with a clear view of downtown. Classic rock played in the background on our visit.

About its patio: Half a dozen tables, including two 10-seaters, share space along with a pair of colorful rain barrels. Vines creep gently over a wall but are not intrusive.

For the pooches: The dog-friendly covered patio is great for a weekend brunch jaunt, and $2 for each dog-menu-item order will go to the Cleveland Animal Protective League.

About the drinks: You can order a Bloody Mary or Mimosa, but here's a fun one for several people: A Mimosa kit for $30 comes with a bottle of cava (Spanish sparkling wine and a great value), as well as grapefruit or orange juice.

About the food: The menu covers more than 30 mostly non-traditional offerings. You'll find French Toast but not a lot of other standard dishes. Fat Cats embraces meat (brunch burger, buckeye burrito) as well as vegetable and vegan (sweet potato tacos, quinoa bowl) offerings. We ventured out of the breakfast-brunch norm and tried a salmon bowl with tasty vegetables mixed with a generous piece of fish coated with an amazingly delicious, slightly peppery and herbal chermoula sauce. A hearty melted cheese sandwich was loaded: We added ham to its already packed Tilamook cheddar, house slaw and fried egg. The slaw added a zesty punch. Potatoes on the side were tasty and generous, with enough left over to bring home to add to dinner.

Dough! Bread is from The Stone Oven.

Specials: More than half a dozen specials included a wildly eclectic list including bahn bao, orecchiette and crab melt.

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:

111 Bistro - Medina

35 Brix - Green

Akron Family Restaurant - Akron

Alley Cat - Cleveland

Bay Diner - Bay Village

Beau's on the River - Cuyahoga Falls

Big Al's Diner - Cleveland

Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern - Twinsburg