WOW, what an experience. A hidden gem. intimate, exquisite, fun, even for a retired couple from DC. The most complex food experience I have had in years. Where are the Michelin Stars???? read more

Tapas... Love Tapas. Small establishment. Out of the way placed in Fairport Harbor in Lake County. When you enter you realize it is a very small place, but they have a nice outdoor dining area in good weather. The food is always fantastic... small and large plates. The service is always pleasant and efficient. This establishment is a joy. I love going to "The Pompadour". You must give them a try... you'll see read more

What a great find this was! We were looking for a quick bite after a sunset date at Mentor Headlands. They specialize in tapas / small plates and have a full bar. One plate is perfect for sharing among two people. But it's so tasty you will want to eat it all yourself. The combination of flavors on the small plates is wonderful. We ordered tender heritage chicken thigh with citrus habanero BBQ baked beans and fried fingerlings and the other dish we ordered was mussels w/mexican chorizo, white beans, thyme & smoked spanish paprika-infused tomato broth. They were sooo tasty and beautifully presented! Our whole experience was enhanced by our wonderful server, Kelly. We came in strangers and felt like we made a friend. Is no surprise that this restaurant has received so many accolades. Add ours to the long list. We will be back!! read more

The Pompadour - punk rock heritage chicken thigh, citrus habanero BBQ baked beans, fried fingerlings - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Fairport Harbor, Ohio

See all

The shiitake mushrooms...let me just start there. They were one of the last plates we tried, but the dish stood out as our favorite. We tried 5 plates including the crab special. Everything was delicious, though we were a bit let down by the venison (and we are not strangers to this meat). The service was great for the most part; a little slow at the beginning but the place was full in their defense. We arrived on time (early) for our reservation and were sat about 10 minutes late, which would not have been an issue at all had it not been chilly outside (there is no room to wait inside). We will return to try more soon! read more

See all

Visited The Pompadour for Valentine's Day. We had made reservations , which is recommended. It is a small dining room and bar. But, it had all the right vibes for an intimate meal. Our waitress, Kelly, was super friendly and helpful. It is a small plate restaurant, different than your normal dining experience. The selections come out in phases but a bit like family style, as to say we shared the meal. It's not really an app then entree type meal. But, But!, it was amazing. We had some cocktails, my wife got Island in the Stream and I sampled the bourbon selection. We then shared the Ricotta Gundi & sausage and grapes. Wow. We then shared the Octopus and the Venison, both fantastic. Then she brought out the special, which was a 6oz Wagyu strip steak and shiitake mushrooms. I can't say enough about it. The bill was not inexpensive but the entire meal, the service, the experience was well worth it. If you need a special night, this place is a must visit!! read more

See all

The Pomp summer mule drink was elite. Delicious tiramisu and Kelly is an amazing bartender. 10/10 would highly recommend.

Dinner planned to celebrate our wives birthdays. First we all got a glass of champagne to toast our wives. Then we placed our dinner orders. The selections made by us were fantastic! Served hot and pleasantly presented. All six plates exceeded our expectations, and demonstrated what a gem this restaurant is!! For all who live west of Fairport Harbor, this I MUST VISIT PLACE TO DINE!! You will not be disappointed!! read more

The Pompadour was one of those experiences so uniquely incredible that there really isn't much to write! The restaurant is small--reservations are a must--but inviting and cozy. We had two servers, both of whom were very knowledgeable about both the drinks and food we enjoyed. We tried the shishito peppers, burrata, gnudi, and scallops (which were a special, not normally on the menu) and every dish blew us away. What stood out the most was the attention paid to specific single ingredients that amplified each dish: sea salt with the peppers, fermented maple syrup with the gnudi, and fresh apples with the burrata were all thoughtfully selected to amplify the base ingredient to its fullest extent. The restaurant's unofficial slogan is that it's "worth the drive" and I could not agree more. This will be a regular rotation spot well into the future. read more

Food and drinks were great, next closest spot to this is in Tremont. It's a nice alternative that's local. Decor is about the only think Tremont does better. That and Tremont has rotating/seasonal menu. Unsure if it changes at pompadour? read more

Birthday dinner for a family member and everything was great. Every plate was solid. Cocktails were Perfect spot for a special occasion or a foodie date. Eat here, Be happy. read more

I think we came to the restaurant with very high hopes as I love tapas. We ordered the shiitake mushrooms, venison, shrimp and duck. Our favorite dish was the shiitake mushrooms, but the other dishes all fell a little short on execution and flavor. Their cocktails were solid though. The restaurant itself was very dark and loud, so may not be the best place for a romantic dinner with conversation. Overall 3.5/5 read more

See all

Wowza! Small, intimate place with handcrafted cocktails, (Nora is the best) our favorite!!! Worth the drive! The Pompadour is a MUST TRY! Every Dish we had was delicious! My favorite was the spinach, apple and cranberry dish! The Barada cheese dish is also a must have! This restaurant is different from any other restaurant I've ever been to simply because the chef is thinking outside of the box and putting together different gradients than anybody else does. It's delicious for any foodie! They have gluten-free vegetarian dishes. read more

The Pompadour - Yep! 2 thumbs up! - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Fairport Harbor, Ohio

The service was excellent. The good was beyond fresh and delicious. The chef uses a very interesting and unique combination of flavors in his dishes. For example, we had an amazing dish of stuffed dates with cocoa almond-stuffed, w/spanish iberico chorizo, goat cheese, and green onion for dessert! Have you ever thought to combine grapes with sausage? It works! The adult beverages were delicious too and were enjoyed in the swanky yet intimate and cozy atmosphere of the restaurant and bar area. We will definitely return! read more

See all

The menu was unique but limited. Cozy quaint atmosphere. We ordered a short rib ravioli and the special of the night scallops. Both were cold and very small portions. However, the date appetizer was warm and delicious. We wish that if the dishes were meant to be served cold that the server would have told us. read more

We've wanted to try this place for months and we finally made it! I'm bummed I didn't take any photos, but will do my best to review the small plates. We reviewed the menu before we went - and I will say we almost cancelled because the menu is definitely "different".. but decided to give it a try especially since it got such rave reviews. Upon walking in - it's definitely quaint ... and very loud. I struggled throughout dinner to be able to hear conversations at our table and we were seated at a large table separated by plexiglass from the party next to us. I love the atmosphere (dark, quaint), but it was way too loud for my liking. Overall every dish was amazing in flavor. The Burrata Cheese was very filling - would almost be good as a "dessert" to finish the meal. Tried the ravioli and this was probably our least favorite. The veal cutlet was very good, but wouldn't order again. The Pork Belly and Short ribs were to die for - so tender w the perfect sear and glaze. Drinks were also unique and amazing. Overall we were pleasantly surprised at how flavorful every meal was - even the garnish was worth eating! lol But if we came again, we'd make reservations after 8 when it seemed to die down. It was just too loud and cramped for my liking (but to each their own!:) read more

This place was not at all what I was expecting. The food was absolutely delicious. My husband and I met my brother and wife for dinner and a time was had. We ate. Then ate. And ate some more and was already talking about when we go back next time. Very small quaint little spot like something you'd find in New York. The hostess/owner and her husband/chef is amazing. The Punk Rock Chicken was so good I almost ordered it twice. The Burrata Cheese was strangely delicious. The Short rib just melts in your mouth. It was hard to decide and I definitely want to try more. read more

See all

A unique gem by the water: My first tapas in Ohio and in the most unthinkable place- Fairport Harbor. Not much here besides residents, beach and small stores. I think that this restaurant brings so much light into a place that doesn't have too much. Not so much light but sorta mood lighting lol Although the restaurant is rather small, it definitely fits in with their unique personality. Unique drinks that were exceptionally made by their mixologist/waiter. Pictured are the Howdy and Betty. Howdy had nice tart bitterness that made me think I was drinking juice (dangerous) and my hubby had the Betty that was just as dangerously good. The tapas was great. My favorite was the shrimp with the Mexican twist. The best 2 bites I bad. It was so well balanced with acid and texture. I highly recommend it. The octopus had the texture heat and smoke that is needed with seafood. If you're thrown off by seafood, don't! Honestly, all the food was great. Personally was not a fan of the sauce that came with the duck but I think that's all dependent on those who like sweet and savory together (I am against it, but it was okay of a combo for this particular pairing) Martin, I think our waiter,was attentive and did a great job serving his side of the bar. The only thing I hope for is that they expand and decrease the prices. Honestly though, worth the price. Try it out y'all!! read more

See all

Incredible experience!!! We were able to get in last min reservations since it was only two of us, and it was bar seating. The food, the drinks, it was delicious, impressive, and beautifully presented!!! Service is personable, welcoming, and awesome If we are ever in the area I'd love to come back! read more

See all

It's hard to explain how this place exists in Fairport. Seriously one of the best dining experiences of my lifetime. From the food to the service, this is a must try for anyone. read more

This unexpected gem is small, but amazing tapas style menu provided flavorful food paired with creative cocktails. I recommend making a reservation &/or calling before you arrive - it is a small space, but definitely worth it! read more

Attention to detail. Drinks take time to make. And they taste great because of it. Veggie friendly options especially when vegetables are in season. When the veggie options are on the menu they are good and not just something like pasta and veggies. Relaxed feel yet classed up rocked out placed. My meat eater husband is beyond pleased with the carnivore/omnivore options. read more

The Pompadour - Seats at the bar. - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Fairport Harbor, Ohio

See all

Oh, what a night! We tried The Pompadour and - wow!!! Upon entering, we fell in love with the decor. I'd say it is farmhouse-chic, both elegantly and stylishly fashionable. From the chopped wood on the walls, the art deco era barstools, and the pennies lined up behind the bar like a tile mosaic, this Fairport Harbor gastropub is both bold and sexy. A unique and impressive cocktail list laid before our eyes, which we quickly took advantage of. I ordered the "Don't call it a comeback"; which is Tangarey Sevilla gin, Grand Mariner, spiced cranberry cordial, lime, hibiscus bitters, and sparkling wine. Sweet, refreshing, and delicious. Now let's talk food... the menu is incredible. I literally wanted it all... First we had the dates. Beautiful... We're talking almond-stuffed dates, served with iberico chorizo, goat cheese, and green onion. The dates, combined with the stuffed cocao gave it a sensual chew and almost a creaminess, like biting into a caramel stuffed chocolate. The sweetness contrasted with the savoriness, and hint of crispiness, from the chorizo made this explode with taste on ones palate. And the goat cheese brought in a scrumptious side of flavor. I wanted to take tweezers and eat every last little bit off. It was that delicious. Next, the mussels... beautifully presented, these muscles were served with Mexican chorizo, white beans, and tomato broth infused with thyme and smoked in Spanish paprika. It also came with a side of toasted bread. Again, amazing. The muscles had a wonderful chew, tasted delicious, and the tomato broth was wonderful to dip the bread in and devour. It was so delicious I wanted every last drop the broth. I wish we could've got more bread so I could stop up every last drop, but that was not available; and it's totally fine I get it. I literally thought about asking for a spoon (or a straw) to get up every last drop. And then - the duck! I love duck. But I know it's not easy. I know there's very little room for error. The best I've ever had in the world was in Paris, Toronto, and now Fairport Harbor. This was seared, macerated with wine and strawberries, served with a parsnip purée, and red ribbon sorrel - get it...!!! The duck was magnificently cooked. It was tender, juicy, had just the right amount of fat on it to give it the perfect amount of extra flavor without making it greasy. It worked magically with the parsnip purée, and the beautifully paired wine-macerated strawberries. That pairing of the fruit with the duck is a must have! It's an amazing balance of sweet and savory in one bite. Even the aftertaste was out of this world. I wanted to have a cigar later just to finish off this heavenly satiation. The lamb followed... this is pepper-crusted lamb rib chops with: honey maple drizzle, tart apple, celery, Gorgonzola, and candied pecan. Amazingly flavored, the lamb is tender, again juicy, and I just wanted to suck on the bones because of the flavor. It was yet another dish where I had a scoop of every last bit of the sides with a fork and eat it all, amazingly, masterfully, well done. We could've stopped eating, but this was just too good, we had to get another dish! Last we went with the ravioli. This is short rib and Manchego-stuffed, with short rib broth, grilled peach, whipped ricotta, and fresh basil. Normally, I hate ricotta. I've never liked lasagna my whole life. But this was whipped almost like whip cream. Soft, creamy, kind of fluffy, which made it almost like a sauce. The sweetness of the peach, along with the savoriness of the short rib, just made this, once again, an extraordinary dish. The pairing of sweet and savory, was like having several courses, including dessert. We didn't do dessert. We were so stuffed, that we couldn't do it. Moreover, I just didn't feel that we needed it. The fruit that was paired with all of the dishes helped get us our sweet fix. This is an extraordinary restaurant, with a capital chef, and superb staff. This is a real deal, extraordinary Chef. This is their passion!Be prepared to spend some money, but well worth it. We (hopefully) joked that if we lost our sense of taste and smell from Covid, this would've been an unquestionably worthy last meal. It's great to go anytime. But definitely a great restaurant for an impressive first date, classy anniversary, cordial family get together, or if you're really living high, just a regular dinner. I'm thrilled to hear that they have a changing seasonal menu - but I don't want to miss anything! So now I want to be a regular there. A+. GRAND SLAM. HOME RUN. Oh, what a night! read more

The Pompadour - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Fairport Harbor, Ohio

See all

Very lovely owners! Great food! Amazing bartenders and mixed drinks. Great location and atmosphere. I'm probably biased because I had my first job here but they treat their employees so great. I loved it so much. read more

What a great spot just outside of Cleveland! As an out of town traveler I was lucky enough to find this little gem. Food - amazing. Staff - lovely. Would I go back? - YES! read more

This place is a bit pricy, but absolutely amazing. We were out for our anniversary.....I did not make reservations so we ended up sitting at the bar, much to my wife's chagrin. (in my defense, didn't think they were necessary) As it turned out those were the best seats in the house, chatting with the bartender as he made absolutely stunning drinks of various sorts to send out to the restaurant. Dinner and a show! The tapas (small plates), were each and every one a gourmet experience in themselves. Bottom line. Go here and eat and drink, you wont regret it. read more

Still 6+ stars...we just love this place. We probably go there weekly if we actually live in Fairport Harbor! You can't really go wrong with any cocktail there. Four of us shared Catalan Spinach (can't miss!), Smoke Octopus, Mussels (the best ever...just wanted to drink the broth!), Duck, Ravioli, Venison, Pork Belly (so good!!!) and Scallop Special! Can't wait to go back again!!! read more

See all

Small portions, very different food. Not much space inside and very expensive. Service was good.

We love it and everyone else we know loves it, unless your a burger and beer only kinda person.

This place is darling! It is conveniently located in downtown Fair Port Harbor. It has a great front for sod nice inside bar and table seating along with the back patio. The toppers were delicious although the portions were small. We loved the Portabella sliders, and drinks. I think anything you try here would be fantastic. The staff is quick and friendly. They have parking in the front and in the back. read more

See all

Amazing food, amazing service by Tim behind the bar. So lucky to live nearby and this is my new favorite restaurant.

Have been wanting to check this place out every time I visit family. Wow, so good don't know why it took me so long! Make a reservation for sure, small place. Very cool vibe but not uppity at all. Amazing and friendly service (shout out to Tim). OMG the food was so good. Interesting flavors, nice potion sizes for small plates and I thought the prices were fair. Shared two small plates and then we each got our own "entree". Plenty of food. Nice bar and creative cocktails. Cannot wait to go back next time I'm visiting. read more

I took my wife here for Valentine Day. I had tried to get reservations , but looked like were booked up We were greeted as we came through the curtain to enter and offered two seats at the bar My wife is a light eater , so we just wanted to try the small platesThe cocktail menu looked interesting. We each ordered a drink and they were excellent. I tried the bourbon mash, which was good and strong We tried 3 small plates and had another round of cocktails. The filet with butter will not disappoint you. Very tender and flavorful For my second drink, I got the figgy piggy., figgy Piggy, This had a fun presentation. It features hickory smoked bacon and it came with a. Cake cover and wood plate. When the cover was lifted the smoke came up from drink ! My wife enjoyed the interesting cocktails and atmosphere The read more

This place is amazing! They are mad scientists in contrasting textures and flavors. It is an experience. It will leave you wishing you tried everything on the menu! The cocktails are just like the food. Interesting twists on flavors and handcrafted ingredients. This place is worth a good 30 or 40 minute drive. Highly recommend. read more

See all

The small plates are delicious and the drinks are even better. Definitely worth the drive.

Food and service are amazing. We have been a few times and always loved the food. The server is lovely. The only negative is that the male bartender is pretty unfriendly. read more

We have 9 small plates and let me tell you yummy. This place has great decor and ambiance. Our server Nora was amazing and the ownership walked around making sure everything was grand. I will be here again soon. read more

The Pompadour - Patio - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Fairport Harbor, Ohio

I've wanted to try this place for a while now, but it's not exactly close for me to get to. So, mY hubs and I traveled about 35-40 minutes to give it a shot. Easily located in downtown Fairport Harbor, with abundant street parking. When we walked in, it was fairly busy, but enough space for us to belly up to the bar. Not much of a wait to place our cocktail orders. The bartender had RBF, but makes some killer cocktails. I'm a sucker for a great cocktail shake and she had it! (Trivial stuff, I know.) We settles on 2 cocktails and 2 tapas each. The seasonal, "How do you like them pears?" and the "Pompadour 75" cocktails were outstanding. Well balanced, not overly sweet, served in lovely crystal. The duck with red wine reduction and a tiny hint of jalapeño was juicy and flavorful, I only wish the jalapeño had been more obvious in the dish. The chorizo croquettes were outstanding! Second round of cocktails included the Old Cuban and the seasonal Winter Mule were equally as tasty and balanced as the first. I would patronize again, definitely in the summer, after a day at the beach! Things to note: not really sure if it's self-seating or wait for a table. That was unclear and I didn't see any signage. This place is pretty small, so getting there early would be in your best interest. Most people wore smart casual, but I didn't feel out of place wearing jeans and a baseball cap. This place makes great food and drinks that won't break the bank, so go enjoy it like we did! read more

See all

The best food and drinks on the East side. Hands down. Best for date nights and intimate dinners.

Some friends of ours suggested that we go into Fairport Harbor and try out this little place called The pompadour. For us we don't normally go to Fairport Harbor for much of anything cuz they really didn't have much of anything to offer us. Which is a shame because it's a really cute little downtown that leads right up to a waterfront Beach but has a seasonality to it that doesn't lend itself to year-round visitation. If you didn't know it was there you would drive right past it but that's the beauty about the place. It's really small has only about five or six tables but some of them are large. And then the bar seats about 15 people. This is a tapas bar so the food is meant to be shared. From what we've learned is that you really need reservations on the weekends and they do book up but during the weekdays it's relatively easy to get in there and it was a very nice experience. We ordered the calamari steak fries which is a bunch of calamari chopped up and molded into what looks like a steak fry which for someone who doesn't eat seafood is deceptively delicious looking yet I didn't want to try it but my wife said they were A1. We also ordered steak crostini and turkey meatballs. We also had the carrot plate. I only real feedback other than presentation was beautiful and the meal would have been a five-star delicious meal save for the salt. It was exceptionally salty. I did have an opportunity to speak with the owner and gave him some feedback directly that I felt that he needed to know that maybe he had a kitchen accident where a little too much salt may have been added. Our drinks were fast and delicious no problem there it's just there was way too much salt. Nothing that would stop us from going back there because we will definitely go back there to try to see if it was just a one-off issue. We learned that the place is been a couple different bars and a hair salon prior to it becoming the pompadour. Neat place, will be back read more

I love the fact that this place is local and I don't have to go to Cleveland for a fine dining experience! It's such a cozy and laid back little gem in Lake County, both in the restaurant and out on the patio. I've been there a few times and recently visited on a Thursday night with live jazz music. The employees were very prompt and friendly, even with a packed house. (My hubby and I sat at the bar...we weren't in the know about making reservations, but we will next time for sure.) I ordered a seasonal apple vodka based drink, which was a great aperitif. We started out with the warm citrus marinated olives, which are a must if you love olives. We also had the steak crostini and the marinated mushroom tacos. They were so good we ordered a second plate of them! I also had the House Tiki drink. It was unusual but really tasty. I can't wait to go back! I'd give them more stars if I could! read more