Opal On Pearl — Restaurant in Cleveland

I always hear great things about this place, so I decided to check it out! I guess my expectations were a little too high.

I emailed the owner about reservations & he confirmed them. I showed up & the bartender had no idea about my reservation. It turned out okay because there was an empty table for us, but it was still kind of annoying.

I was expecting a more elegant type of atmosphere, but it was very much a dive bar type of atmosphere. Again, not a big deal, just was a surprise!

Being a vegetarian is always a risk coming to a tapas place, but it seemed like there would be enough, luckily I’m not picky! The menu was mislabeled on several of the dietary restriction, so just beware!

My partner (not a vegetarian) got wings and enjoyed them. We also got the corn fritters, which I did NOT care for at all (interesting bc I like most food!). The dip trio was very good, but VERY small portions. My minestrone soup was good, but nothing special. The flatbread was good. I liked the cheese on it! The cheesecake was good. I liked the jam around it.

The service was extremely slow and our water cups remained empty for most of our experience.

Overall, I won’t be back &...

Went here for dinner and decided to have a drink as well. I found everything to be quite delicious, and the martini was expensive, but worth it with how strong it was. The service is slower than you might typically expect when going out to eat these days, but seeing as we were not in a hurry we didn't mind.

People have demanded that casual dining become very fast, but if the food is good the wait is worth it. That's certainly the case here. The staff was very nice and patient, you can tell they care a lot about what they're presenting.

We had the squash blossoms, which were incredible! They were out of a few items we wanted to try, like Brussel sprouts, but you can imagine that if that is the case, they must put a lot of focus on quality ingredients.

I'd recommend going here if you're looking for really great food and don't have tentative plans for after dinner. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt to also make well over...

Incredible food, libations, and atmosphere. Tony, Ray, Lisa, and the rest of the team at Opal serve up delectable small plates, mains, and desserts in simple yet classic preparations that showcase the freshness and quality of the ingredients. Tony's pedigree as one of the most prolific restaurant professionals in Cleveland is apparent in the standards of service that all of the staff exhibit. Whether for a quick cocktail, romantic dinner, or group event with friends, this is one of Cleveland's gems...living up to its name with style, elegance, and class. A1 10/10 will definitely be back again and again.

Highlights:

Calamari - perfectly cooked with a classic aioli

Cod - served with a putanesca that even our guests who hate olives couldn't get enough of

Bruschetta - white beans to die for

Stuffed dates - showstopper

Hummingbird cake - seriously go just for this if...