Kindred Spirits Livens Up The Former Sawyer's Location

If Sawyer’s was a fine dining experience highlighting the best of Jonathon Sawyer, Kindred Spirit is the antithesis of that concept. In March, chef Andrew Brochu helped open the new Forward Hospitality Group restaurant in the former Sawyer’s spot, focusing on simple, shareable dishes. Brochu’s experience as executive chef at Roister, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Chicago, helped him realize the importance of simple ingredients without all the pomp and circumstance. “There always seems to be this push for precision but I found that the food was kind of lacking that personal soul,” says Brochu. You’ll find a few entrees, but there’s an emphasis on small plates and skewers such as the garlic chicken ($11) served with candied peanuts, scallions and an acidic, sweet tamarind sauce. “There’s not a lot going on,” says Brochu, “but there’s so much flavor you can develop.” 3396 Tuttle Road, Shaker Heights, 216-860-0410, kindredspiritcle.com