Since 2018, Cleveland native Brian Ruthsatz has dished out a few exciting concepts on Lakewood’s Madison Avenue. He started with shareable, gourmet sliders and creative twists on pies. Today, however, Rood has shifted from sliders to hearty Midwest eats with seasonal ingredients. 17001 Madison Ave., Lakewood, rfpie.com
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Far from ordinary. With a camper serving station and an art deco reader board, the decor is Miami-inspired. “It’s fun,” says Ruthsatz. “You smile as you walk in.”
Midwest dreaming. Executive chef Josh Erickson wants to turn Midwest Americana on its head. When wunderkind chef Rachelle Murphy handed him the reigns eight months ago, razor clams were his first addition. “He loves Asian influences,” Ruthsatz says. “We love when people say ‘I’ve never heard of this.’”
Back again. Sliders are finally making a comeback. After abandoning this shareable concept during the COVID-19 pandemic, Erickson also plans to offer koji rolls, a recipe he’s been working on since fall, with meats like pork belly and other carnivore or vegan options. “We get emails probably once or twice a week” asking to bring back the gourmet sliders and Koji rolls from the original menu, says Ruthsatz.
A grown-up pie. In the bustling Lakewood foodie landscape, the late-night pie bar and “boujee coffee” spot holds its own. “How can we make that a pie that people get excited about?” says Ruthsatz. The team has the “challenge to come up with something brand new,” like the Brandy Banana ($7.75) with brandy spiked pudding, bananas, Nilla wafers, whipped cream and caramel drizzle or the chocolate tahini custard ($7) with chocolate ganache and coconut crust.
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