Luxe Kitchen & Lounge
Address: 6605 Detroit Ave. Cleveland, OH 44102
Phone: 216-920-0600
Website: www.luxecleveland.com
top: steamed mussels; bottom: fettucini carbonara
Marlin Kaplan, who also helms the kitchen at downtown's One Walnut, exuberantly threw open the doors to Luxe in the up-and-coming Detroit Shoreway neighborhood to great fanfare, with good reason. Visually, the space is fittingly luxe, yet comfortable, with a gorgeous Art Deco bar, cowhide-print banquette seating, intimate tables and a number of artifacts culled from around the city. Kaplan's menu is primarily Mediterranean and encourages experimentation, with price points mostly below $20. Choose from shared plates, small plates, salads, pastas, sandwiches, pizzas and large plates. Shared choices include lighter fare, such as roasted red pepper hummus with pita and crostini, and a farmhouse cheese board with charcuterie selections. Pizza at Luxe is elevated beyond your typical carryout pie, but those humble circles of dough must dream about being this good: crisp yet toothsome, perfectly topped with the choicest ingredients, "going out for pizza" takes on quite another meaning here. A well-edited list of cocktails, beer and wine makes pairing a delight. Late nights feature a DJ spinning from an elevated booth in the bar area, setting the mood for night owls.
left: Luxe's Art Deco bar; right: Luxe patio at night
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