L'Albatros

First time here. Came before a Severance Hall event due to the close proximity to the venue. Can't say a bad thing about the place. We sat at the bar. Our bartenders were attentive and nice to chat with. The drinks were all very good. The food was also delicious. Definitely will come back! Hopefully, we will have more time to try and enjoy their desserts.

This restaurant was such a pleasure to visit! Arrival is to a paid for parking lot - very inexpensive, $3 for three hours and a very friendly attendant on the evening of 11/21/24. Upon entering the restaurant you can see directly into the kitchen - I always love this layout; nothing to hide, allowing for full trust of the management of your food. While this could be a busy space with staff walking by they are very conscientious of guests. The restaurant does have a coat check - easily managed with a reusable numbered card. At each interaction with staff they all shared care and concern about your experience - there was no presence of the attitude “that is not my job”. The food was wonderful - I had escargot followed by mussels and frites. It was a perfect meal for the first snowfall of the season visibly falling gently outside. Wonderful wine list. The only criticisms I could find are that I prefer table cloths on tables and there was sediment in my wine which could have been caught if they had utilized a cheese cloth when pouring or decanting. 10/10 - will be back when in the area.

What a cool place! The atmosphere and staff is incredible. The food was out of this world. It was like your in a big city but with the benefits of a “local” vibe. I loved it here and I think you would also. It’s a stones throw away from the Glidden House Hotel which is also INCREDIBLE.

Our family had the most incredible and memorable New Year’s Eve dining experience. All aspects from food, service, and atmosphere were First Class. We were also greeted what a warm smile by the valet attendant. Lisa our server was truly amazing. We have already secured our next reservation for February and are looking forward to it.

Came here for my friends birthday and it was my first time coming here. Service was great! Food was tasty and a reasonable price. It’s pretty dark in here but it’s a whole vibe. Def recommend putting in a reso! It’s a small place but plenty of tables. The waiting area is pretty tight, which is why a redo is ideal. There is a parking lot out front next to the frat house but it is paid parking. Overall, had a great time here and would come again!

This restaurant was fantastic from start to finish. Our experience was nothing short of perfection. The service was impeccable—attentive, friendly, and flawlessly executed. The sommelier was incredibly knowledgeable and guided us to a fantastic wine selection that complemented our meal beautifully. Every dish was outstanding, but the French toast was truly life-changing! The atmosphere was warm, elegant, and inviting, making for a memorable dining experience. Our family had a fantastic evening, and we can’t wait to return. Highly recommend!

Excellent experience! Excellent service! Our waiter was Logan. He and the staff were perfection. Great way to celebrate my 58th Birthday with my chosen family!

Hubs and I had a fantastic meal. Our server was very helpful and we went with his recommendations of the cod and the cassoulet. Both were fantastic dishes. We also ordered the fois gras which was quite a large portion! I highly recommend the polenta cake ...so lemony and not too sweet. Be sure to get your wine recommendation from the sommelier ...they won't steer you wrong. Simply describe your preferences and price point and they will perfectly pair the wine with your dinner. We will for sure be back...I have to try the cheese board!

The ambiance for L'Albatros starts before you even enter the restaurant. The quaint building, nestled on the campus of Case Western Reserve University is inviting in the way one might see in Europe. Inside, this ambiance is enhanced by the different rooms, candlelight, and activity. The restaurant, once dinner gets under way, is lively and inviting. My daughter and I were there for a special dinner after seeing the ballet. She is only four and a half, so we shared everything. We started with a cup of French onion soup. This soup was decadent in a way that soups are not usually thought of. One of the specials of the day were the parmesan croquettes. These, too, were rich in flavor and texture as the parmesan flavor was quite present and their crunch was just fun. We shared the trout with almonds and haricots verts. This plat principal came with a truffle butter that would be dangerous if you were left with vast quantities. It really brought the dish into a level that I usually only see on TV when watching famous chefs. Finally, we ended with the crème brûlée. This dessert was done in a European fashion in that it was not sickeningly sweet, but allowed the vanilla, sugar, and custard to be the starts. Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the service. As my daughter and I sat chatting, staff continuously filled our water and brought around slices of a delicious, crusted break that you could dredge in olive oil that was refilled as needed. One thing we did not order, but I will next time, is the cheese plate which, once you see it, is more of a cheese experience. A member of staff brings around a board loaded with cheeses. As I listened to her at another table, I heard her telling them all about the cheeses and where they come from. Cheese at L'Albatros is truly an experience before you even taste it. One great aspect is how your meal is coursed out. Nothing arrives before you are ready. Our waiter, Nimo, always made sure we knew what was happening and were ready for our next course. His professionalism is truly an asset to L'Albatros. It was a special meal for me and my daughter, and we would definitely go again. I would recommend L'Albatros for any special day you are having in Cleveland.

We had a fantastic experience at L'Albatros. We went after seeing an exhibit at the art museum on a Friday night with no reservation and they set us immediately. The service was great. They were very on top of things. We started with the croquettes which were delicious. They were on the specials menu as was the monk fish dinner. It had a lobster cream sauce that was amazing. This is a great restaurant for special occasions. The only tiny downside is that we were sat in a room that was a little cramped and so it felt like the tables were on top of each other.

Been coming here for years. Recently stopped in on a Saturday Night (with a reservation) and was seated immediately in the newer room, off of the restrooms. It's a tight squeeze with little French ambiance but I was happy to be able to eat here once again. I opted for steak frites and it's was so lovely I forgot to take a picture! I also had the selection of cheeses and this cheese monger was very nice and educational! I was surprised to have the bottles wine list removed from my table before I could even review it. I had to opt for a few glasses of wine instead. I don't want to read into that but one should never assume what the customer may want to order. If you're looking for a place to celebrate or just to have good French food with a modern take, check this place out. Be prepared to pay for parking and secure a reservation in advance.

a hidden gem tucked away near case westerns campus. An elegant French restaurant with good food and atmosphere. It's a little pricey but worth it for a nice date or special occasion. Recommend making a reservation! As a vegetarian, I found limited options but what they do have is delicious. My favorite is the mushroom French toast. It's listed as an appetizer but can easily be an entree with apps, sides or dessert! The cocktails and wine are also delicious There's a Parking lot you pay for but usually plenty of street parking

Came here last night for a dinner with friends. Reservation was at 615 and was seated right away. It has its own parking lot but you have to pay for parking tho (4$). We started with the goat cheese appetizer and escargot. Both were phenomenal. Service was spectacular we constantly were having our waters refilled and being offered bread. I got the vela short ribs which were good. The place is cute and a little small so tables are very close together. But overall- great service, atmosphere and food. Definitely will come again.

What a perfect place for a cozy, snowed-in dinner date before the Cle Orchestra concert. Our waiter, Kyle, was fun and knowledgeable, knowing just the right amount of attention to give us. This is a French menu and we didn't regret making some adventurous choices. My husband and I split a bottle of the pear cider and started with the escargot (a must, you guys). Kyle recommended I try the roasted cod and my husband try to cassoulet. Wow. Due to the generous portions, we unfortunately didn't have room for dessert. What really impressed me was how Kyle said he would have the kitchen staff pace our meal to get us to the concert on time. So thoughtful. We will definitely be back.

Hubs and I had a fantastic meal. Our server was very helpful and we went with his recommendations of the cod and the cassoulet. Both were fantastic dishes. We also ordered the fois gras which was quite a large portion! I highly recommend the polenta cake ...so lemony and not too sweet. Be sure to get your wine recommendation from the sommelier ...they won't steer you wrong. Simply describe your preferences and price point and they will perfectly pair the wine with your dinner. We will for sure be back...I have to try the cheese board!

I have been dining at L'Albatros for about 15 years and have never had a bad meal. The experience is always exceptional and this is my second favorite restaurant in all of Cleveland. There aren't any French restaurants in town and this certainly is the best one. The menu is very good and it's hard to pick out a meal with so many selections. Their specials also offer great options. I highly suggest sampling the cheese car. They have so many cheeses from around the world. It's quite an experience. One specials menu item was a duck and foie gras sausage. This must be the best sausage I have ever eaten and it was very, very good. I was very skeptical to order this because I'm not the biggest Doug fan, but this was exceptional. It's possible they put it on their normal menu because of its popularity.

Located on the campus of Case Western don't miss this French Bistro. The cheese plate is not to be missed. All of our dishes were well prepared with enjoyed by all. The service was warm and friendly. Ambience is like eating in your French aunt's home.

I went there two nights in a row during my short visit to Cleveland. Love the squash soup. Great service. Only the portion is a bit too big for me.

This was one of the most beautiful dinners I have had! My father has always wanted to try this place, so we were very excited! We made reservations beacuse it is usually very hard to get into without one. When we arrived they took us to the back room (which eventually filled up while we ate our dinner). The first thing we did was decide on a wine. The wine sommelier came to our table and asked us: what flavor we are going for, what food we will be eating, what cost we are willing to pay for a bottle, ect. With this information, she left and brought us back a bottle of wine she thought would be perfect for us with what we answered. - For us we got a very delicious red wine. As we enjoyed the wine and bread, we ordered our meals and the cheese presentation. The cheese presentation was an awesome experience, as every single cheese was described to us by tastes, where it comes from, how its made, ect. You then get to pick, out of all the options, which ones you want to taste - be careful though, some of the cheeses have a VERY funky flavor. For dinner I ordered the Chicken Confit and my father ordered the Choucroute Garni. Both dishes were absolutely delicious, but out of the two I would pick Choucroute Garni. The dish overall had more elements to it, somehow every piece had a delicious punch of flavor! It also was a big portion of food, so you won't leave this place hungry. The Chicken Confit was similar to a chicken paprikash and also was large portion of food. This is an amazing restaurant that will treat you to a wonderful experience. Definitely recommend this place, it is the perfect place for a special occasion dinner!

L'Albatros has been one of my favorite Northeast Ohio restaurants for years, so it is with great disappointment I write this review. We came on a late Sunday afternoon - after being shown to our table we had to wait 15-20 minutes for the server to come take our drink order, as tables all around us were being seated and getting their orders in before ours. Finally the guy came and apologized for a "miscommunication" but then proceeded to serve in a robotic manner the entire meal, with barely a word during the final courses. He also insisted that they needed to have our full order all at once - this before we'd even received our drinks - so that the kitchen could "get everything in order" and organize when our dishes would be fired... what?!? Who says that? Bus staff looked preoccupied and kept swirling over incessantly to check to see if we'd finished our bread - I mean the whole set of interactions just stressed us out. Then the food - the Mountainman, one of my favorite of their cocktails, was loaded with Amaro and super bitter (it's a riff on an old fashioned); the oysters on the half shell came served with mignonette already poured over them (another bizarre twist I've never seen before); my wife's crusted salmon with ratatouille and lobster cream sauce had some kind of Asian component to it (hello, this is a French restaurant) and my coq-au-vin had more grease in it than vin, and tasted like it had been seared and cooked a few minutes before being served. For those of you who know this place this will all sound eye poppingly bad. My sincere hope is that this experience was the result of a management change or something that management will take care of promptly. It certainly wasn't representative of the excellent meals we've had here in the past.

L'Albatros is one of the stand out meals to have in Cleveland. Tucked into an unassuming corner of the CWRU campus, park in the affordable lot reserved for patrons and head on in under the faded and well loved sign. Upon entering, you'll pass the kitchen and then be greeted at the host stand. There are two main dining rooms here that sort of operate as separate wings of a house. When you're in one it's hard to remember that there is another space adjacent. It feels like eating in a family members cozy dining room. There is really no way you can go wrong on the menu, but here are a few recommendations: - the vegetarian cassoulet has a particularly good goat cheese cream sauce - if there are the truffle parmesan croquettes as a special, get them - the soup of the day is typically more spectacular than a soup has any business being. Especially if is the red pepper sweet potato or the butternut squash soup - skip the pizza. It's good but they do so much else so much better - always save room for dessert - I love the cherry jubilee Bon appetit!

Came here for Christmas Eve dinner. Friendly staff and great service despite how busy it was. Everything we ordered was delicious. Highly reccommend the French toast. Hope to be back in warmer weather to sit on the patio -- looked stunning.

This place never fails to disappoint! One of the few French eateries in CLE, the food is paralleled in excellence as the service. Quite the attentive and hospitable staff, their recommendations were on point: the oysters were a little small compared to comparable fine dining establishment but still fresh and well garnished. The liver appetizer was a huuuge hit and we licked that dish clean. For main course, I went with our server's recommendation of duck confit. The melody of duck with the sweet yam and pickled cabbage was a prom in my mouth and all my dinner companions kept asking for another bite!

Came here for my friends birthday and it was my first time coming here. Service was great! Food was tasty and a reasonable price. It's pretty dark in here but it's a whole vibe. Def recommend putting in a reso! It's a small place but plenty of tables. The waiting area is pretty tight, which is why a redo is ideal. There is a parking lot out front next to the frat house but it is paid parking. Overall, had a great time here and would come again!

Haven't been here in over 10 years, but we came here on a whim right after an event nearby. Sat on a patio, which is absolutely stunning. Service was fantastic. Due to the time in the evening, we did a very light meal (one appetizer, one main course, and a couple of desserts). Appetizer wad great, main course (fish) was great. Desserts, while very good, were a bit disappointing. Loved their frozen souffle (in my opinion, it's more like iced/comd mousse). Chocolate Napoleon was a bit disappointing for me (maybe because I expected something a bit different. It was just a couple of dallops of chocolate mousse between Fila dough, so I desired it to be better) But it is a very good experience overall. Next time, I think we will go for different desserts.

The service is the best around, but the escargot had way too much butter. The main course of braised beef was a bit dry. And the salad was dressed with too much vinaigrette. The cocktails and suggested wine were great.

Fabulous French restaurant. Concierge at a local hotel tells me there's a good French restaurant within walking distance. In Cleveland? OK... I went in. Sat at the bar. Great service. Great bartender. Get a whiskey. I take a look at the menu. And then it hits me. I am sitting in some corner of Cleveland and this is a LEGIT good French restaurant. Really. Cleveland. And yes people I do know my way around French restaurants. From Le Bernadin in NYC to the French family kitchens to every sort of Parisian restaurant from high to low. I had a fabulous glass of Chinon wine, authentically French. The sommelier knew his stuff. A+ And among other things I tried the vegetarian cassoulet. And it worked, with a nice mix of sweet potatoes and mushrooms along with the classic cassoulet flavor. Inventive. Great menu, great wines and cocktails. Friendly staff. L'Albatros is terrific. Five stars. Congrats. *****

Love the menu! Wish we had more French restaurants around. Came here after graduation and they had our table all set for 5 people and food came out extremely fast. They were well prepared for the rush of graduates and was poised throughout.

Absolutely amazing meal in a really great and unique spot with excellent service. The cheese plate is really fun to order - they bring over an entire tray of cheeses, explain all the cheeses and then you choose which ones you want! This place was fantastic and everything we had was sooooo delicious

This place has great ambiance especially the outside area. The service is fast and friendly. The food just missed the mark for me. The seasonal ramp pizza was too salty and the dough was not cooked through. The steak frites were basic and just lacking anything special.

Absolutely delicious and delightful meal. Our waiter Joseph set the standard for kindness and warmth. Our entrees, steak frites and mussels and frites were to die for. Yummy chocolate walnut brownie + ice cream for dessert. Sat outside and couldn't have been nicer. We are only in Cleveland for 36 hours to tour Case Western and couldn't have picked a better spot. Thank you for the very memorable meal.

Absolutely delicious experience this evening. We were in Cleveland for a conference this week, and I asked a family member who had lived in the are where we should go for a great dinner. Without a moment's hesitation, they told us that we NEEDED to dine at L'Albatros. We made our reservation online and saw that the place was pretty full at 9pm on a weeknight - a very auspicious sign. We were pleased by seeing a very well rounded menu and list of daily specials. The escargot appetizer is delightful - it comes in a small cast iron cocotte, and is a scrumptious layering of flavors - escargots, butter, onion, (and I believe artichokes) combined perfectly and we could not get enough of it! We also ordered the tuna tartare, which was far better than any I've had elsewhere. It comes with a delicious radish and cucumber salad and lots of perfectly toasted baguette slices. Marvelous! We probably should have just ordered 1-2 more appetizers, since we are big fans of a "tapas" sharing experiences, but we decided to try two main dish specials - the arctic char and the seared walleye. Both were perfectly prepared and mouthwatering dishes with layers of flavor added by their sauces / sides - all complemented each other well. Wine / beverage list is ample and well selected, and the ambience was intimate and comfortable. Overall, we would actually return to Cleveland from our home town as a special trip JUST to eat here again! C'est magnifique et delicieuse!

Ever since the closing of Sergio's, L'Albatros has become our go-to spot when staying at the Glidden House. While L'Albatros presents itself as a French "brasserie" with an impressive menu. If the weather is amenable see if they can seat you outside.

Came here for dinner to celebrate the start of a new school year. I made our reservation online and before we arrived I received a text asking if we wanted to sit inside or on the patio. It was great to be given this option ahead of time, we chose the patio and loved sitting outside! The service was friendly and attentive - our water glasses were always full and we were able to get more bread when we wanted it. Our server asked if we were ready for our entrees after we completed our appetizer. The food was delicious! I had the chicken breast and it was cooked perfectly with delicious sauce and potatoes. The cocktails were pretty and great as well!

This is a place in Case Western's campus that I've always passed but never tried. I had heard that it was incredibly fancy and am glad I was able to try it for my anniversary dinner. There is a fancy ambiance around the place. Parking in the lot right outside does cost a few dollars, but there is some street parking nearby if there's an open spot. They also have a coat valet in case you want to drop off your coat prior to your meal. I would say that the appetizers were the star of the show. We had some crispy cauliflower with a side of aioli which was really great. They also have the unique concept of a staff member entirely dedicated to cheese. This person will come to your table with a board of specially crafted cheese and explain each one to you and you're able to purchase 1, 3, or 5 1 oz samples. This cheese may have been some of the best I've ever had and things that I typically dislike were so flavorful and paired well with the honeycomb and jam provided. The meal itself was ok. I got fish with sauerkraut and spatzel (forgetting exactly which type of fish), but it wasn't the most memorable meals. If I were to come back it would be to sample more appetizers and cheeses.

Love this place! The escargot is phenomenal! The rest of our food was perfectly prepared and delicious! Service was impeccable too. Always checking on us, always there to refill our water and bread. A tad pricey, but worth it! I will go back !

Made a reservation on line and mentioned celebrating a 50 th wedding anniversary. Called , had to leave message asking if they had a special dessert or small cake for the anniversary. Received no call back. No mention of the anniversary when we got there until the check came and waitress said who here has been married 50 years. I had thought they didn't get the message but obviously they did. Take away. don't go here for special events. Waitress was very nice and attentive. French bead with dipping oil. no spices. 1/5. French onion soup 2/5. Sausage platter 2/5. Salmon 4/5. Trout 4/5.

I've been here once years ago but I got takeout for a very specific reason. As I was reading A Gentleman in Moscow (highly recommend btw), the author's writing convinced me that my taste buds have not lived until I tried Bouillabaisse. Yes there are other places that do it but I wanted to be, well, French. We all know this place isn't on the cheap side but the con to getting Bouillabaisse here is that you have to order a two-portion dish for $70. The upside? The seafood includes lobster tail. Served in a lovely broth with a complex mix of flavors. I could taste herbs that I couldn't quite pin down with a hint of citrus that I assume (and could be wrong) comes from an orange peel as well as lovely fish flavors. It was a special dining experience to go!

At first I was concerned that this restaurant was going to be overrated, but I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious all the food was. I came here with my parents, we ordered the Arancini as an appetizer. This was truly delicious, it was so savory and the texture was phenomenal. I had the moules frites for my main dish, and I really enjoyed it. While it doesn't compare to moules frites I had in Marseille, these are probably some of the better mussels I've had in the United States. I think the portion size very large for the price. I think I would've preferred if the sauce were a bit thicker, but the flavoring was still great. My dad ordered the duck confit and really enjoyed it! It was very tender, though the portion size was a little small. My mom had the roasted cod, which was so flaky and fresh. I have no complaints about the service. The food came out in a reasonable time frame, and the appetizer bread helped to tide us over while we waited. While this restaurant is definitely at a slightly higher point, I didn't feel like it was entirely unreasonable. I would definitely recommend this place for a date night or somewhere to take family!

Had a phenomenal dining experience at L'albatros last night. The service was 5 star - Kyle was our server and guided us to three A+ dishes - we had the escargot, cassoulet and a salmon special would recommend all. Both sommelier's were thoughtful and guided to a great bottle wine on a budget. will be back soon

Wonderful meal! Our server was polite and helpful. I had the mussels and my husband had the trout. Both were beautifully presented and very flavorful. We started with the Grilled Artichoke and loved it. For dessert we had the cherries jubilee - perfect sized portion to split - the almond cake was crisp on the edges and soft in the middle. The cherries in the sauce were warm and perfect with the vanilla ice cream. We've been here often and enjoy the calm, classy atmosphere. Perfect after a concert a Severance Hall!

Fantastic French Restruant Great seasonal choices Wonderful, knowledgeable wait staff Extensive, reasonable wine list A go to place for impressing anyone in Cleveland Wish I could go more often

Was visiting Cleveland over the holidays and this place did not disappoint. Server was excellent and just the right amount of attention. I'm picky about ambiance/atomosphere, but this was what you would expect from a French restaurant. I had the special of braised beef. It was amazing. So many comples flavors and they complimented eachother so well!! I want it again!!

L'Albatros is one of our favorite all time Cleveland restaurants. This was an off night. Zach not there? My cassoulet was very disappointing. At first It was served to the wrong person. It was not hot and almost cool. The vegetables were raw and difficult to eat. The dish was dry and lacked the typical juices to make the sparing amount of beans flavorful. If I had sent it back to make it hot it would have been more dry and even less palatable. .

My wife and I ate here for our anniversary June 2024. We love this restaurant. We have been coming here for years. Usually we give a 5 star review. This time the food was not quite 5 star. My wife started with the liver pate (chicken/fois mousseline). The seemed bland. The portion was generous. I had the arugula and radicchio salad. I thought this was really good. For her main course my wife had the Cassoulet. She thought this was very good. There were generous portions of several meats in a pleasing sauce. I had the lamb shoulder. This had very tender pieces of lamb but the sauce seemed to have a pickled onion flavor was not really to my liking. In the past we shared this dish and thought it was terrific. For dessert we split a piece of pineapple upside down cake. This was nothing special. Our server, Kenneth, was terrific and we loved the ambiance. We will be back.

This is a hidden gem in Cleveland! Great for a date night around the museums. The vibe gives off an organized chaos of a fine French restaurant. The flavors of the French toast were savory and sweet! The braised beef and lamb melt in the mouth. One of the coolest things is the cheese platter and descriptions is like a show.

It's only my 2nd time here, and both times, I've truly had a memorable meal and experience. The building is a bit of a maze, but I believe it's part of the appeal, feeling more of a home than a restaurant. The staff is friendly and accommodating and very attentive. Escargot was okay, felt like we needed more escargot but the cream it came with made for a delicious bread dip. The salmon was delicious, it came with 4 crunchy toast spears and some pickled items. Great ways to get the experience started. After, I had a bowl of cream soup, next time I'd opt for the Frisée and Bacon Lardons with Poached Egg and Pork Belly...somebody at our table had it and I couldn't help but think how that creamy yolk would taste with the saltiness of the bacon all while the dressing provides an acidic break. I didn't even have it and I'm already planning on what to get next. Braised beef was very tender, green beans could have been cooked more (my preference) but overall I cleaned-up the plate, no problem. For desert, we got the brownie with ice cream. It was okay, tasted as expected. Brownie had nuts in it, fyi, next time I'll try something different. Not a cheap meal, but you get what you paid for. It's also great to treat yourself once in a while. If I can convince the wife to come back, we will. But definitely a must-try for the foodies out there.

Great upscale French restaurant with actually decent pricing. I'm not sure if it's a cheap restaurant but it's worth everything that you pay and not as expensive as some of the other really good restaurants in the area. The waiters and entire staff are on point. And the food is a bit above the rest the escargot was one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life. We went for her anniversary and will probably return a couple times a year.

Another fantastic culinary experience. Jule was on point with his top notch service. Food was perfectly done and paired well with the French Red. Perfect start to the evening that ended with the worlds greatest Orchestra.

Really enjoyed a group outing to this fine restaurant. The service was friendly, helpful, and prompt. We sampled many of the appetizers and all of them hit the mark. The Croque Monsieur and pomme frites were fantastic. I enjoyed the variety of meats to sample in the cassoulet. The wine list is extensive and well curated by the sommelier.

Family vacation 2021...bringing the California variant of COVID-19 to your city. L'Albatros did it! After a year of eating takeout, we had our first dine in experience at L'Albatros. The occasion was my daughter's 17th birthday. We asked the staff at our hotel in Cleveland which restaurant they recommended for a nice dinner. L'Albatros was the answer. Reservations were difficult to come by. We wanted patio seating, but, we could not make the reservations on their website. I called, but, they couldn't get me in. Luckily for me, one of the managers at my hotel got me reservations for the patio that I wanted. Unfortuantely, it rained on my daughter's birthday, our our patio dinner was moved indoors. Service was wonderful! We were quickly seated by the staff. Manager Sean, who grew up with the manager at the hotel we stayed at, came over to greet me and the family. It was nice of Sean to personally greet us. The food was great! We ordered the duck confit, braised lamb shoulder and a stew. Everything was tasty and very well presented. But, everyone liked the duck confit the most. L'Albatros was the perfect place for us to not only celebrate my daughter's birthday, but, it was also the perfect place for us to have our first dine in meal in over a year. Special thanks to Sean for helping to make this happen.

Not for a light meal, but good nonetheless. Our favorite was the chicken liver & foie gras mousseline. It's a decent portion, and we requested more toasts to finish. The artichoke was a bit bland. The cheese selections are unparalleled...highly recommend. Our most unique cheese choice (& out of the box for me) was a chocolate cheese. I wanted to love the watercress Caesar but it was SO salty I could barely eat it and I LOVE salt. I think the salt addition should be cut in half whether it's in the dressing or added on top because the large capers already give that extra punch. It was almost inedible for me. All of the entrees were good - nothing bad but would like to come back to try more dishes. Service was excellent & cocktails were delicious.

A romantic birthday dinner brought us here. Spacious parking lot, and nestled behind it is L'Albatros. It felt warm and like an old friend from your childhoods' house. Old stone brick floors, brick red painted walls, white laquer tables and benches, fireplace, cozy seating (where we sat). Service was innate but not pushy. Escargot. Delightful. Served in a mini cast iron oval dish, swimming in toasted garlic and fennel butter. Earthy, perfect chew. I lapped up the sauce. Duck Confit. Crispy duck legs, sweet potato puree, braised cabbage. This plate was massive to me. The bones were served French style, exposing the bone away from meat/skin, beautifully. On one of the legs, the skin was not as crispy as I would've liked, more hard and chewy... But the inside was tender as could be. The sweet potato to counter the tartness of the cabbage. A bit too heavy handed on the cabbage for me. Cherry almond cake with vanilla ice cream. A smidge bit overdone, and was disappointed that the cherries were fresh, they were dried. They could have at least rehydrated them. The ice cream was good. IMO, the ambience and service get an A. The Presentation gets an A-. Food, a solid B+.

service was impeccable from beginning to end. kind hostess, timely waitress, and well coordinated output from appetizer to dessert. food was great! 'french toast' was great. the duck was rich with lovely presentation. the seating is close but didn't feel like it. i will be there again!

My meal and overall experience at L'Albatros was exquisite from start to finish - thanks fellow Yelpers for pointing me here! I sat at the bar as a party of one, ready to get my French cuisine on, and was greeted by a lovely bartender who really took the time that evening to make sure I was always content (thanks!). I started with an aviation to drink and it was the perfect crisp way to start off what would be a rich and satisfying meal. After talking with the bartender a bit about the extensive menu and daily specials, I decided to go with the escargot to start (I was in a French place after-all) and the braised short rib special for my main. The snails were buttery and succulent, not rubbery at all, they had the perfect chew. The fennel butter they came drenched in was just the best and the icing on the cake was that at the bottom of the ramekin were croutons that had been soaking up that butter the whole time. YUM. The braised short rib was as tender as you'd want it to be and paired perfectly with the parsnip purée and red wine sauce it was served it. Surprisingly, my favorite bite on that place was the little turnip gratin, and I was sad it was gone too soon. But this plate was also super filling, so I don't know if I could have fit any more gratin in me! Oh! I also got a glass of red wine with this part of the meal and that was a stellar choice. It was the perfect "treat yourself" meal at the end of a business trip, and they made me feel special and cared for even as a party of one - thanks L'Albatros!

My wife and I stopped in during overnight stay in Cleveland. What a gem! Every thing we ordered was a hit. However, we might've overdone it on the cheese course...the Alp Blossom was to die for. Another highlight was their preparation of escargot. We would absolutely seek this one out again!

Our favorite restaurant to celebrate any special occasion - the food, service, and ambiance are all top notch. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on the weekends, although you can easily book these directly on their website. The menu has a strong French influence but also expands well beyond with innovative dishes that pair incredible tastes, textures, flavors and colors. Make sure you save room for the cheeseboard at the end of the night and always check out the daily specials which come and go but always offer fresh new items with seasonal ingredients. Last night was no exception - we sat at the bar and the servers were attentive, great at making suggestions, and the food was excellent! We shared an appetizer of Parmesan croquettes, and then ordered the sweetbreads Milanese and the braised beef. Both were very good and large portions. We finished the meal by splitting a season Terrine of Sorbet - a decadent almond cake with margarita, blackberry and mango sorbet. This was outstanding. I've reviewed this place before but wanted to give a fresh update - it is still wonderful and I highly recommend, especially if you are looking for a place for a special date or to celebrate something meaningful.