Overall, Alley Cat offers some decent (but uneven) food in a casual but picturesque dining room, highlighted by the garage door walls that open up onto the Cuyahoga River. I really enjoyed the Grilled Octopus, which was surprisingly tender and served with a cassoulet-like mix of ham and beans. Understanding the look of octopus on the plate is not for everyone, I strongly recommend the willing to give this dish a try. Unfortunately, the other foods I tasted did not live up to the octopus: The Crispy Oysters off the happy hour menu were small and primarily composed of breading. The Hush Puppies tasted off, being mixed with some chili powder (something that should be disclosed on the menu). The Baked Oysters were merely lukewarm but did come with a little bit of sauce and butter for taste. On the other hand, the Calamari was good and a step up from the generic calamari you get at non-seafood specialty restaurants.
Despite the disappointments with the side dishes, Alley Cat deserves a solid "A-OK" rating, driven primarily by the Grilled Octopus and scenic views--not to mention the variety of oysters available to taste.