Don's Lighthouse

04/06/2008 Posted by Popki

This restaurant was a great choice. I have been there twice now, once as a celebratory lunch w/co-workers, and once as a date, and both times the food, service, and atmosphere were great. The lunch crowd was busy but the service didn't miss a beat. Went for an off-night dinner w/my girlfriend who loved it. As a girl who loves nice restaurants and has lived everywhere from NY to FLA, she stated many times in the months following that this was by far one of her favorite restaurants. As a former server in college I can attest to the great service. And the food was great. The prices seemed closer to $$$ than $$ listed here, but it was reasonable and delicious. They seem to have very good specials, and I definitely recommend a visit. I will be back!

Pros: Great food, atmosphere, etc.

Cons: Possibly pricey for lunch, GREAT for dinner.

01/31/2008 Posted by jbean84

Don’s Lighthouse is a very unique building and would be a wonderful place for a upscale restaurant, key phrase: would be! To start the staff and Don’s are robotic to say the lease! They have little to no expression, personality or friendliness. It seems like they are as miserable to be there as you will be about half way through your meal. However, the valet (which is usually complementary) is really nice and welcoming. The walls are painted with massive hot air balloons which remind me of a child’s room from a horror movie-it’s just really creepy. Save your money and enjoy your meal by not going to Don’s and any holiday or weekend night. I ordered a steak well done it came to me rare! My boyfriend’s meal was served to him cold and our wine glasses were so dirty that we wondered if they were washed. I feel that Don’s quality of food is more of a Red Lobster than an upscale sea food restaurant. The shape of the building allows for the “Red Lobster-like” crowd to spoil your conversation and experience.

Pros: If you have any in mind please let me know

Cons: Everything

08/05/2006 Posted by bgaviator

I took my wife to Don's Lighthouse for our 1st wedding anniversary in May 2006. It was very crowded, but our anniversary happened to fall on Mother's Day this year, so that was understandable. It took a very long time for our waiter to even initially come to our table after we were seated, but he was trying to deal with the annoying party of 10 seated right behind us. Our food was top-notch....probably the best, most tender steak I've ever had. The desert was ok, but not the best (I had cheesecake.) My big complaint about this restaurant and probably the reason I will not go back is that the large party seated next to us had 4 children around the age of 3-5 years old.....they did nothing but scream, cry, and run around the restaurant to the point where my wife and I could not even hear each other speak! Now I don't hate children, but when I'm dropping over $100 on a dinner for two, I would like to think that other patrons would have the common sense not to take small children to a restaurant like this! I went to Don's Lighthouse web site after we had returned and wrote to them and expressed my concerns about the atmosphere....I never heard back from them. That seemed a little unproffesional and the loud atmosphere was enough to make me not want to go back, even though the food was excellent. Loud atmosphere at Don Pablo's....acceptable....at Don's Lighthouse where a meal for two costs over $100.....not very good in my opinion. If you want great food but a loud environment, go to Don's Lighthouse....but if you're like me, and enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere when dining on a $30 steak, go somewhere else.

Pros: Awesome steaks!

Cons: Loud environment, very expensive

10/09/2005 Posted by 1bigcookie

My husband and I loved the look of the restaurant and the food. We went in celebration of our second wedding anniversary for a more romantic and intimate scene. It did have that scene and feel we hoped for, I went with the booth for us. This was the first time we had ever been there.We thought the food was great,and the scene was nice and all but, I do'nt know probably because of the day we chose being a Saturday and all it was very chatty and loud in the area we were in. We definatly want to go back but it will have to be through the weekdays instead of the weekend. I feel that if we go on one of the weekdays next time it will have an even more romantic and intimate feel to the both of us.

Pros: the food, the scene, prompt seating

Cons: loud talking

07/22/2004 Posted by mccallbenn

My parents live in Cleveland, and whenever I go for a visit (like last week), I make it a priority to have dinner at Don's Lighthouse. The location is perfect... right on Lake Erie. (Especially convienent for West-siders heading downtown.) If you need a place to have a special night out, with a lover , friend, company or family... this is the place! It might take you a while to choose your entree, because so many of the appetizers scream to be tried. I really recommend whatever special they offer on the day you go... the freshest fish in town! And the desserts... oh, the desserts. My advice: Save room for 'em.

Pros: The Appetizers, The Entrees, The Desserts