"Perched along the Cuyahoga River in the Flats East Bank, Alley Cat Oyster Bar brings an upscale touch to the rustic clambake tradition with a late‑October, four-course celebration that includes New England clam chowder, baked sweet potatoes, cheddar biscuits, a dozen steamed middlenecks with roasted chicken and corn, and a Key lime pie topped with toasted coconut. Sous chef Dave Jedlinski describes the effort as elevating a typically casual meal into a more refined experience, and the river traffic and shimmering light made the event feel both polished and still rooted in the sea-scented ritual." - Wendy Pramik