Alea added something new to Ohio City’s exploding Hingetown area when it opened in late 2019 to serve contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. Owner/chef Athan Zarnas converted a century-old former manufacturing space into a chic, minimalist modern bistro, seating three dozen guests at a time to enjoy food inspired by flavors from France, Italy, Greece, Spain and the Middle East.
The menu too is minimalist: it features a selection of 15 appetizers, small plates and entrees. A heads up: while some of the former two are vegetarian/vegan-friendly, none of the entrees are. Alea is also a destination for those who want to enjoy a good drink, with a bar that serves a wide choice of wines (including natural wines) and a dozen specialty cocktails.
Alea emphasizes the experience as well as the food, with communal seating so people can socialize with new friends and a leisurely, European-style approach to dining: they suggest that guests plan to spend an hour and a half to two hours on their “dining experience.”
2912 Church Avenue
216-912-8890
2912 Church Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113