CLEVELAND — Here in Northeast Ohio, when the temperatures start to drop and the snow starts to fall, typically we move our dining experiences indoors. But, it's 2020, so this winter, restaurants are getting very creative with their dining accommodations. 3New Special Contributor Emily Mayfield checked out two local restaurants offering special globes, grottos, and igloo-style structures that will keep you warm but still offer private outdoor dining experiences all winter long.
1st stop: Georgetown Restaurant in Lakewood
Address: 18515 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107
Info: Georgetown is a popular Lakewood restaurant offering seafood, pizzas, pastas, cocktails, & more.
What they offer: 5 private "Artic Igloos" that seat 5-8 people. They require a $45 rental fee upon booking. You can book using the link here.
Server Maddie Pedley told Emily this is the third winter they've offered the igloos, and this year, they've been incredibly popular. So popular, that they're fully booked through March. But don't panic, you have a good chance of getting in earlier if you sign up for a waitlist for cancellations.
Maddie told Emily they are taking extra precautions during the pandemic. "We use electrostatic sanitation inside, and in between the guests we have about a half-hour to sanitize everything. We change out all of the throws and all the decorations all the cushions. We swap everything out, wipe everything down, just so it's like extra clean and sanitized."
2nd stop: Felice Urban Cafe in Cleveland's Larchmere neighborhood
Address: 12502 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44120
Info: Felice Urban Cafe is an acclaimed restaurant in Cleveland's Larchmere neighborhood offering seasonal cuisine, craft cocktails, curated wine collection, and a popular bar and lounge space.
What they offer: 5 private "garden grottos" - intimate, heated, ventilated, and clear dome-like structures that seat up to 6 guests. Guests can enjoy a two-hour time slot. Garden Grottos have a table minimum: Tuesday-Thursday $150, Friday-Saturday $250. A $50 deposit will be required with your reservation, which will be applied to your bill and is refundable with 48-hour cancellation notice. You can book a grotto through Open Table here.
General Manager Michael Murtaugh told Emily their grottos were custom-built this year. "We're very fortunate that one of the owners, Paul Neundorfer also owns a landscape design studio, Aristotle Design Group, [and we] really wanted something that kind of had like kind of wood kind of natural elements that kind of fit in with our space and the design you know that kind of we have obviously a beautiful Victorian home here."
And like Georgetown, Felice also takes extra precautions to sanitize between guests. "We do have some ventilation on the top [of the grottos and] between guests we use hydrogen peroxide solution. We have 45 minutes between guests so that they can be open and aired out," Murtaugh said.
So, do not lose hope this holiday season. There are safe ways to still enjoy and support our local restaurants. And whether you're on the east side or the west side, be sure to check out Georgetown and Felice this winter. Cheers!
Editor's note: the video in the player below is from a story published on November 24, 2020: