“If people walk in expecting to find Inn at Turner’s Mill again,
they’ll be disappointed,” says George Schindler of Hospitality
Restaurants. “If people walk in thinking this will be Blue Point, they
will be disappointed. Our hope is to create a really rocking
neighborhood place that feels like something out of Sonoma Valley
that’s been here a long time.” The final push is underway to remake the
historic Turner’s Mill property, which ceased operation in the summer
of 2007, into Rosewood Grill (36 E. Streetsboro Rd., Hudson,
330.656.2100, rosewoodgrill.com). Schindler, whose
group also operates the Cabin Club, Salmon Dave’s and Delmonico’s, says
the goal is to craft a restaurant that diners would like to visit
often. “Comfortable food, sensible portions and sensible prices,” he
explains. The kitchen will be outfitted with a wood-fired pizza oven
and a wood smoker, equipment that will dictate some of the menu. Of
course, customers can count on quality steaks, chops and seafood. A
visit to the space reveals an entirely new footprint. Whereas the Inn
was an up-and-down layout, Rosewood occupies just the lower level. It
combines the Inn’s old tavern space with a new addition to create a
restaurant with a more modest seat count. “The challenge was to take a
160-year-old space and combine it with new construction to make it feel
like they work together,” says Schindler. The original tavern space,
boasting centuries-old barnstone walls, will serve as the 80-seat
dining room. In the adjoining addition, a lively lounge with long bar
and open kitchen will accommodate another 40. Diners can look forward
to a richly appointed room with leather, wood and copper accents. A
12-foot gas-fire pit will warm patio diners. Matthew Jankowski is executive chef, while beverage guru Chris Kneeland acts as
GM. Rosewood Grill will open before the end of the year as a
no-reservation, dinner-only restaurant. Lunch and brunch will be added
down the road.
At his poplar West Side Market stand, Bob Holcepl sells
made-to-order crepes that are served “street-style,” folded into
cone-shape wedges for eating on the go. Holcepl, who also owns City
Roast and Civilization, is preparing to open his second Crepes De
Luxe later this year. Nombre deux will be located in the food court
of the Old Arcade. Like the original, it will serve both sweet and
savory crepes for breakfast, lunch or snacks. Unlike the original, this
location will also serve coffee, croissants, salads and baguette
sandwiches.
This article appears in Nov 18-24, 2009.
