In just over four years’ time, Bret Adams has managed to assemble a five-restaurant (and counting) empire since opening his first Burntwood Tavern in Chagrin Falls. With additional locations in Rocky River, Solon, Brecksville and Cuyahoga Falls, the fast-growing concept clearly has legs. Before the end of the year, Adams will open a brand new concept, again using Chagrin Falls as the starting point.
M Italian, “an upscale-casual Italian eatery,” will open on W. Orange Street, in the heart of the village, before the end of the year. Named after his wife, the restaurant will feature simple Italian dishes with contemporary twists. Diners can look forward to salads, pastas and wood-fired pizzas — all made from scratch in house.
“Our goal is to give village residents and visitors a great place to enjoy a comfortable lunch, a casual cocktail, or a night on the town,” explains Adams. “We’re committed to establishing another great landmark addition to the great Chagrin Falls dining community.”
When finished, the space at 22 W. Orange St., in the former Ski and Sport Haus building, will channel an Italian vibe, with exposed bricks, rustic beams, plush fabrics and soft lighting. An outdoor patio will have a covered portion plus casual seating around a large fire pit.
A unique feature of the restaurant will be a window wall that offers diners a look into an adjoining glass studio, where artists and students will be blowing hot glass.
“Four years ago, we opened the first Burntwood Tavern in Chagrin Falls,” Adams says. “We were very humbled by how the Chagrin Valley embraced our original concept, and we’re thrilled to provide this area with another distinctive dining experience.”
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2014.
Should be great news for Chagrin Falls in the “redo an ugly buidling” and “bring more options” sense.. But if the food at M Italian (which frankly sounds too close to Cameron Mitchell’s Columbus “M”,restaurant(s) to make sense using in Cleveland, besides just being a dumb name) is as terribly average as at Burntwood, then I doubt I will show up much, but lots of others (who don’t know better?) will.
I recall that Mr. Adams has a chain restaurant past…. Evident in every aspect of the Burntwood menu and execution. Hey, the restaurants appear successful but if Mr. Adams wants to know what good American or Italian food is, drive about 5 minutes west on Chagrin and visit Flour and ML Tavern. Both are consistently fantastic… Something Burntwood, despite its great look and concept, is not. I always get the sense Burntwood feels we should be privileged to be allowed in the joint, and then serves up average food for fair enough prices.. At places like Flour and ML, the restaurant seems privileged to serve US… At any price.
Geeze, is Eyehrtfood angry at the world?
Great news for Chagrin! Cant wait….our family loves Burntwood! it will be great to have some good Italian food in the neighborhood finally!
Great name as well, naming after your wife! If anyone calls that dumb then that person needs a class in manners. uhhmm post above ^^
Best of Luck Bret! Thank you for being such a big part of the Chagrin Falls Community and giving back so much! Everyone in Chagrin Falls is excited for you!
Carter man… I live in Chagrin Falls… relative inches from this Ski-Sport eyesore…. I love Chagrin Falls – and I thank the Brentwood folks for opening 2 restaurants in town… And popular restaurants at that…
But their Brio/Bravo backgrounds (if I recall) have created a soulless, by-the-numbers, chain-like, lowest-common-denominator menu (like my pre-cooked flatbread… where only the toppings are heated at the last moment…) of “we’ve got to have a raw tuna appetizer here” and a “signauture burger there” and a “$6 salad there”… mediocrity… (all served on cutesy wooden boards, or slabs or marble, or in paper bags…)
I dropped (a thankfully modest) $60 last night on a HORRIBLE Burntwood meal, surrounded by middle aged divorcees and muscle men at their lovely Solon location… Horrible, in a relative sense, because the place looks like a million – and the menu holds such promise. It just doesn’t deliver… I’ve learned my lesson after too many visits..
Oh – and CarterMan… is the wife’s name actually “M”?? Frankly, Burntwood Tavern is a really good name and concept – but choosing a letter “T Bistro” or whatever… just shows no imagination for those who do so… . Even if “M” sounded good… well known Columbus restaurateur Cameron Mitchell already has one or more well-known Ohio restaurants by this “M” name – and I’d actually wonder if his company might try to shut the name down in CF as they have a claim on it already…
Awesome news for Chagrin! If this new place is half as good as Burntwood I think we are really in for a treat! Cannot wait for the opening. Really looking forward to the new restaurant, we are huge fans of Burntwood! M Italian….love the name!
M Italian! Cool name…love it, simple, elegant, meaningful in naming after his wife! We are so happy Burntwood is doing something else in Chagrin. We go the tavern next to the church often and love it! My husband emailed me this article and it made my day! So excited!!
Congrats Bret & Michelle! Love the news and can’t wait! Thanks for your commitment to our community and all you do!
Congrats on the new location! Being new to town and having driven by that empty building too many times, it’s good to know that it will be a thriving corner soon. Personally, I like “M”. Sometimes just accepting something for what it is (to honor his wife) rather than over-thinking it works best. I love Burntwood in both Chagrin and Solon. Having had a number of relaxing, romantic dates with my girlfriend there, they’re fun places to hang. So, rather than judging whether folks are still married and how they look, simply enjoy the time with the person you’re with. Lastly, I’m not one of the muscle bound dudes you’re referring to….I’m the skinny Italian guy enjoying time with my girlfriend. Looking forward to its Grand Opening!
Having lived in Chagrin, Bentleyville, Orange, and Pepper Pike I would like to add my 2 cents….I have been to Burntwood in Chagrin and Solon many times. Food is good, not great. Atmosphere is lively and fun. Service excellent! Both communities have sorely needed more upscale dining choices for its residents and visitors. The consumers here are well traveled, and have disposable income to say the least. When not traveling for business or pleasure its nice to have choices at home. I applaud the owners for giving these areas new life in such a humdrum Cleveland market. When I return to my home turf for visits I look forward to putting my 2 cents into these energetic establishments.
This, like everything else Bret touches, will turn to gold!
Like ‘eyehrtfood’, Burntwood seems full of itself. At the Cuyahoga Falls location we had reservations for 5:30PM, arrived at 5:10PM, and at 6:15PM we were still waiting…..and walked out.
Also, David seems to think patrons will grow on trees, and I’m making this comment based on a reservation after the one above, when we were seated at a table, but ignored, even for drinks, for over 15 minutes. In that time, David walked by our table 2 different times but didn’t even stop to find out what was going on. We will only be tolerant so long.
I hope the owners aren’t awed by the current business because they won’t have it for very long if the Cuyahoga Falls management doesn’t shape up.
Sheesh, tough crowd. Firstly, give the guy a break. Secondly, when you had negative experiences there did anyone call them and say something or write an email or letter to give them feedback yourself or are we just complaining here passively? As a local business owner who put themselves at risk by fronting money for a pretty big project, I can understand not pleasing everyone and making mistakes. I find it interesting that so many are carrying metaphorical torches and pitchforks here but I dare you to write them a letter about your experience instead of lamenting to bunch of strangers. Burntwood fills a void. Their atmosphere is great and it’s one of the few places to get live music. Divorcees have to eat too. And we need more options here in Chagrin. Glad to hear someone has the guts to go out there and create new things.
Good for Brett and Michelle. I applaud anyone investing in a new business in this economy. Good to see more much needed jobs being provided and yes there’s a need for a GOOD Italian restaurant in that area.
Congratulations Bret and Michelle! Can’t wait until it opens! We will be first in line!
Sorry cfifer, my friend and I were first in the door a t 11:00 A M on April 3rd and loved every minute of the hour and a half spent at lunch. Much good luck to Bret and Michelle in this new endeavor.
The glass blowing studio, come on where just where has this ever been done? Quite clever and talk about a new concept!!!. Nice that all of the lighting that is glass and candle bowls were made by this talented artist, note the chandelier in the new “M” reminiscent of a Dale Chiully…