Bites Nearby: Anatolia Café

— Dining al fresco is a concept we Clevelanders need to be re-introduced to every spring, especially after a felonious winter battering like the one we took over the past few months.

So when you’re finally ready to relinquish your fleece-lined mittens and emerge, you might want to consider dining al fresco at the Anatolia Café on Lee Road.

This cozy venue offers comfortable bistro dining inside or out, with the sidewalk patio providing a great opportunity for people watching.

Anatolia Café, a Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant, is a favorite with many thanks to intriguingly flavored dishes such as yogurt kebabs, and a full bar service including Turkish wines.

Authentic dishes are freshly prepared and include the thin-sliced Doner, a mixture of lamb and beef, and Tavuk Adana, ground chicken accented with red bell peppers and grilled on skewers.

If you can’t make up your mind, there’s always the mixed grill — in meaty or vegetarian versions — each featuring a combination of customer favorites.

In addition, you can order wines from California to Australia, or perhaps a refreshing rum drink featuring Turkish sour cherry juice. And how can you leave without concluding your meal with traditional Baklava?

Consider celebrating the end of our deep freeze in the warmth of the Anatolia Café.

2270 Lee Road, 216-321-4400. Open Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m. to Midnight, Sat.-Sun Noon to Midnight. Prices: Lamb and beef dishes $14 - $23, yogurt kebabs $15 - $18, Baklava $5.