Cleveland-area deals for prom night: Restaurant Row

High school prom was one of the best nights of my life. OK, plenty of other experiences since have eclipsed that memorable weekend. And OK, I wasn't exactly Mr. School Spirit back in the day (During the 1960s? Are you kidding me?) Yet there can be a whole cool magic to that last big formal of your Official Youth.

Late night . . . out on the town . . . formalwear and flowers . . . soft lights and dark corners . . . dancing with the date of your dreams . . . even if he/she wasn't necessarily the one you brought . . .

So when I heard that a national restaurant chain with an area location was offering a "prom night special," that got me thinking back on a spring evening in my junior year. I took my date to a new hot spot, Pier W, where we were treated like a prince and princess. Even though I probably ended up counting out the tip in quarters and dimes.

So I contacted an array of area restaurants to see what they might be doing to help make prom night extra-special. If you're hoping for a splashy evening beyond the usual chicken strips and fries, these restaurants offer prix-fixe meals, reduced-price specials, free desserts and lots of other enticements.

PEARL OF THE ORIENT . . .

Co-owner George Hwang calls it "Prom at the Pearl" -- for $40 per couple, the young guests get their choice of two beverages, two appetizers, two entrees and two desserts, selected from a special menu. The offer is available at both the Shaker Heights and Rocky River locations.

BAR CENTO . . .

If you're on a tight budget, consider this $15-per-person, three-course meal at one of the city's hippest spots. Owner Sam McNulty offers a menu that starts with an organic bibb lettuce salad with a lemon Caesar dressing and braised artichokes, then moves on to your choice of Ohio City cavatelli pasta (with pancetta butter, fresh peas and parmesan) or Bell & Evans free-range chicken (with fennel and demiglace). Dessert? Black-tie chocolate mousse for two. Oh, yes -- a rose will be presented at the end of your meal.

BARICELLI INN . . .

"We are going to do a three-course meal, including beverage, for $25 per guest or two for $50," writes chef-owner Paul Minnillo. First course is a choice of field greens salad with herbed vinaigrette; bucatini pasta topped with San Marzano tomatoes, pancetta and Reggiano-Parmegiano cheese; or crispy calamari with capers, pine nuts and a tangy aioli. For the entree, choose among tandoori-style free-range chicken; day boat scallops with lentils and Black Forest bacon; or a flat-iron steak with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and spinach. You'll get creme brulee or a trio of ice creams or sorbets for dessert.

LIGHT BISTRO . . .

Owner Eric Dietrich and chef Matthew Mathlage have conjured a three-course menu priced at $40 per couple at this Ohio City restaurant. With "a few choices of items in each category," the options include an appetizer to share, accompanied by glasses of sparkling grape juice for each guest; individual entrees; and a dessert to share.

SERGIO'S . . .
At Sergio's Sarava and Sergio's in University Circle, owner Sergio Abramof says "we love the prom-goers and will offer them one of our delicious homemade desserts, free. They just need to mention they are celebrating prom when making the reservation."

PONTE VECCHIO . . .

If you'd care to add a shot of sophistication to prom night, Ponte Vecchio's dazzling views of Cleveland's skyline will help make you feel like it's a night on the town. Its three-course meal is $20 per prom-goer.

MOLINARI'S . . .

Chef-owner Randal Johnson of this Mentor destination restaurant is serving a Prom Special dinner consisting of Caesar salad, chicken saltimbocca with gemelli pasta in a pink sauce, and chocolate panna cotta served with a blood-orange soda for dessert. The complete meal, including tax and gratuity, is $55 per couple.

MOXIE . . .

Like Molinari's, Moxie's menu -- $65 per couple -- is all-inclusive. Tax, tip and beverage are included in the fixed-price menu. Choose from calamari, a spring strawberry salad or a trio of shrimp cocktail for your opening course. Move on to a choice of twin filets of beef with crisp baby fingerling potatoes; roasted salmon with grilled Victoria Island asparagus; or Grilled Bell & Evans chicken with a salad of romaine, parmesan, focaccia croutons and Caesar dressing on the side. Then make a choice from the dessert menu to conclude your meal.

PIATTO NOVO . . .

This landmark restaurant in Cuyahoga Falls will offer a four-course feature menu for $60 per couple (plus tax and tip) for prom-goers, says executive chef Roger Thomas. Call the restaurant for menu options.

DON'S . . .

At Don's Lighthouse and Don's Pomeroy House, the specials aren't geared exclusively to prom-goers. "Beginning May 15th we will be offering a three-course prix-fixe menu for $29," writes manager Eric Schmiedl. "The great value is that among the choices are mussels, escargot, bruschetta, lobster tail, filet mignon, creme brulee and chocolate mousse."

TABLE 45 . . .

Combine a sleek atmosphere and consulting chef Zack Bruell's thoughtfully constructed menu and the "Prom 45" special -- $50 per couple, including valet parking -- promises to be a fine meal. Share your choice of calamari fritti or a chicken tandoori pizza with a trio of cheeses to start. Move on to roasted breast of chicken stuffed with mushrooms and herbs plus a parmesan risotto; blackened roast sirloin of beef with shoestring fries; or penne pasta with rock shrimp, tomatoes, Moroccan olive and chardonnay cream sauce. What else for dessert but various chocolate confections? (The menu is available through Sunday, May 31.)

P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO . . .

For $39.95 per couple, prom-goers can begin their evening with a choice of hot soups. Next, they'll share one of seven starters from Chang's menu. Customize the meal with a pair of entrees chosen from more than a dozen options, then choose two of the restaurant's eight mini desserts.

PIER W . . .

Lastly, the landmark that affords one of the most magnificent views imaginable of our city's skyline. But Pier W isn't sitting on tradition. "We call this promotion the 'Tuxedo Package,' writes executive chef Regan Reik. "We will offer a $25 [per person], three-course menu that will offer a choice of salad, soup, or appetizer -- such as our grilled Caesar salad, or our new braised short-rib pierogi -- followed by entree choices that include a mixed grill of Gulf shrimp and filet mignon, or bacon-wrapped Atlantic salmon, or free-range chicken arribiatta. The meal will be finished with tuxedo chocolate strawberries."

Wherever you land, here's hoping your prom night will be fun, memorable -- and safe.

Sergio's Sarava and Sergio's in University Circle will offer prom-goers a homemade desserts, free. They just need to mention they are celebrating prom when making the reservation.