Set in an old carriage house on the campus of Case Western Reserve University, L’Albatros features beautifully prepared French brasserie fare in a quaint and romantic setting.
l’Albatros
Throughout one’s life, one will eat at many restaurants, some absolutely amazing and some most definitely forgettable. Some will be your personal favorites while others will be joint favorites with family or significant others. L’Albatros in University Circle is a very special favorite of my wife, Julie, and myself. The food is delicious. The atmosphere is intimate. The service is top notch. We have made many a memory at l’Albatros, eating an amazing meal prior to heading to local Cleveland cultural institutions or simply for a birthday.
(Photo and header courtesy l’Albatros.)
Opened by restaurateur, Zack Bruell, in late 2000s, this Cleveland institution has thrived where, unfortunately, other of Bruell’s restaurants have not been so lucky. Prior to myself and Julie making this one of “our places”, I had been just a few times. I wasn’t unimpressed, it just didn’t move me in the way that it currently does. (I do remember my late grandmother going to “That Place on Bellflower”, the restaurant that occupied the space prior to the arrival of l’Albatros.)
[L’Albatros] is the homestead where Bruell re-charged his restaurateur career with an homage to French cooking that is still rich and deeply flavored, yet brightly interpreted. It was an instant hit when it debuted…The shimmer of this original, I’m happy to say, remains.
L’Albatros in Cleveland’s University Circle, Ten Years Later (2019)
The last two times Julie and I dined at l’Albatros, we were fortunate to have Jewell as our server. He, unfortunately, didn’t remember us, but we most definitely remembered him. Right from the minute he greets you, you can tell that he loves his job and loves l’Albatros. He knows the ins and outs of the menu, acting as a tour guide, providing you with the best experience and the best meal for your specific palette. If you have any food restrictions, he’s on that as well. No idea what wine to pair with your meal? Jewell knows. The food brings you in, but the service completes the experience.
Even beyond Jewell, the rest of the staff seems to take great care of the customer, including regulars. During our most recent visit, I observed a sommelier type gentleman interacting with customers who clearly had been there plenty times previously. He knew exactly what type of wine they liked, providing them with a more traditional option as well as an out of the box choice. Thanks to the personal touch, the couple went out of the box and loved it.
(John Kuntz, cleveland.com)
(John Kuntz, cleveland.com)
This modern French brasserie in University Circle rises to stellar heights with its fabulous cuisine, outstanding cheese course, and well selected wines. Expect a sophisticated feel, with excellent service and a beautiful patio.
Zagat @ l’Albatros – About
After our last visit to l’Albatros, Julie and I were super cultured and went to hear the Cleveland Orchestra play Beethoven. (Okay, okay, Julie was cultured and I tagged along as a very interested participant who is a novice when it comes to classical music.) There were 3 other tables near us in the restaurant and all 3 of them were also going to the Orchestra. I am sure many other guests were also headed to the Orchestra as it was packed on a random Thursday evening in February. Clearly l’Albatros has filled a niche to be that place to go prior to being cultured. Or for special events such as birthdays. Or simply for a fantastic meal.
As evidenced by everything I’ve already written, clearly inspiration knows no bounds when it comes to l’Albatros. They aren’t trying to be anything than what they are: a fantastic French restaurant that consistently delivers great food, either via their everyday menu or specials, as well as top-notch customer service. I would be lucky enough to work at such a restaurant, let alone create something as wonderful and special.
Get over the awkward name — LAL-bah-trow — and get used to the idea that it’s also an obscure English term for a dazzling golf play. L’Albatros, the French bistro remake of That Place on Bellflower, is classic French with contemporary American sensibilities, a bit rich but not too much at once, and, considering the skill level, a bargain.
L’Albatros Brasserie & Bar: Dishing up classic French fare on Cleveland’s Bellflower Road
11401 Bellflower Road | Cleveland OH, 44106
(John Kuntz, cleveland.com)
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