The Edwins founder says that while it's sad to say goodbye to Shaker Square, his home for more than a decade, this opportunity was too good to pass up.
"I can't think of a bigger, better space with history in a neighborhood that has love for its people," he says. "It's perfect."
Chrostowski says that there is more than enough space to combine the two existing concepts into one rambling property. He plans to divide the space into zones offering different levels of food and service. The dining room and patios to the left will be home to a budget-friendly brasserie, with sandwiches, mussels frites, and some Edwins classics.
The second bar and adjacent small dining room to the right will be converted into an elegant "salon," ideal for the post-concert crowd. There, plush soft seating will provide a comfy roost to enjoy champagne by the glass, craft cocktails, and upscale finger foods like lobster rolls, duck poutine and lamb lollipops.
The large room, formerly home to the famous live music performances, will be reserved for "ultra fine dining," with prix fixe menus that will change regularly.
Chrostowski will immediately get to work changing the look and feel of the interior, he says. While the brasserie spaces largely will remain intact, the salon and main room will get new carpet, couches, banquettes and a makeover in pastels and silver that evoke old-school Parisienne glamour.
For the storefront, Chrostowski envisions "an explosion of flowers" covering the façade, "like something you would see in Paris or London."
"It's fun, it's fantasy, it's food -- and at the same time, we're rocking the mission," he adds. "Under one big roof, our students will be able to crawl, walk and run under the same set of eyes. We've grown so much; we're the number one educator in prisons in America."
Diners in the area can look forward to late-night dining throughout the week and a weekend brunch buffet in the spirit of Pier W on Cleveland's west side.
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