Forget everything you know—or think you know—about the former bar and restaurant at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, in Wickliffe. The previously high-powered watering hole is being transformed into an affordable and delicious Italian-inspired restaurant with banquet and meeting facilities that accommodate up to 250 people.

“Delphine’s operates independently of the Ramada Plaza Hotel,” says Daniel Cline, who leases the restaurant and adjacent banquet facilities with a business partner. “We’re excited the hotel will soon be switching to a Holiday Inn that will be totally renovated. Although we will still be independent, the new spruced-up hotel will be a good match with our face-lifted space.”

With Chef James Watson at the helm, the kitchen produces mouthwatering Italian fare at some of the most reasonable prices in town. Where else can you feast on spaghetti in homemade sauce with meatballs or Italian sausage for $10? Or sausage and broccoli ravioli for $14?

“Our daily specials are unbeatable,” Daniel adds. “We offer one-pound Angus ribeye steaks with a salad and choice of
twice-baked potato, baked potato or fries, for just $19.99. Like all of Delphine’s meat, our steaks come from a local butcher and are hand-cut.”

Diners also love the local flavor of lightly breaded Lake Erie yellow perch with potato and fresh vegetable, for $15.

For folks looking for a nosh to go with an after-work cocktail, Daniel suggests a basket of homemade potato chips with malt vinegar, sea salt and a side of ranch dressing ($5). Fried zucchini ($6), banana peppers stuffed with Italian sausage and cheese ($7), and sugar-rolled fried pizza dough ($6) also hit the spot.

Delphine’s Happy Hour runs 5-7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, with food and drink specials.

Beginning Monday, July 23, Delphine’s opens its cozy, mirrored and newly refurbished dining room for lunch. There is no reason to settle for fast food with Delphine’s serving up soup, salad and fresh-baked home loaf (a specialty bread), for $4.99.

Priced at $5.25, daily lunch specials will rotate among half-pound burgers (made from ground chuck with no fillers), sandwiches, wraps, pizza and other fare.

“We will get people in and out quickly so they can get back to work,” Daniel promises. “They can even call in their order ahead of time.”

With space for 250 guests, the soon-to-be-renovated banquet room is perfect for weddings, rehearsal dinners, receptions and holiday parties. Several events are booked for December.

“Our banquet menu features steak, lobster, salmon, sides and salads,” Daniel says. “We have about 100 items to choose from.”

Throwing a party at Delphine’s won’t break the bank. The standard package includes appetizers through dessert and a two-hour open bar for $49.99 per person with a minimum of 75 guests.

One Saturday a month, Delphine’s hosts live music from the 1950s and 1960s in the ballroom from 8 to 11 p.m. with no cover charge.

Delphine’s is an ideal spot for meetings because it offers audiovisual equipment, food service and easy access from Interstate 90. Fourteen conference rooms accommodate 20 people each; some can be opened to hold 40.

Daniel invites folks to shed their preconceived notion of hotel food and give Delphine’s a try.

“We’re different because we’re adaptable,” he says. “You can get a fried bologna sandwich or a hand-cut steak any time of the day. Most hotels just cater to their guests. We’re also a great lunch or dinner spot for locals.”

Delphine’s at the Ramada Plaza Hotel is located at 28600 Ridgehills Dr., in Wickliffe. They are open Tuesday through Saturday. Lunch service begins on July 23 from 11:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Dinner service begins at 5:00 p.m. The phone number is 440-585-0600 ext. 155.