Last spring, we outlined the changes that were about to take place at the Chagrin Falls restaurant West End Bistro, which is owned and operated by the same folks who run the nearby Gamekeeper’s Taverne (87 West St., 440-247-7744, gamekeepers.com). Last summer, the West End space reopened as Casa Roja (79 West St.), a tapas-themed restaurant.

Apparently, the move did not sit well with local diners.

“While people loved the food at Casa, they had a difficult time understanding the tapas concept,” explains owner Tom Lutz, who recently made the decision to pull the plug.

Next up for the small and attractive red-sided structure, which debuted as Village Exchange back in 2008, is a new concept called Gamekeeper’s Cottage, a family friendly eatery offering salads, burgers, sandwiches, and flatbreads. A limited selection of entrees – all under $16 – will also be available.

Lutz says the plan is to open up in mid April.

“Change is good,” he says.

This article appears in Mar 2-8, 2016.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

One reply on “Chagrin Falls’ West End Bistro to Reopen as Gamekeeper’s Cottage”

  1. The tapas concept was solid but unfortunately the execution was seriously flawed. The dishes were mediocre at best, the service was pathetic, the wait staff untrained and non-informed, and the overall experience was sorely underwhelming. This could have been a really great addition to the Chagrin Falls culinary scene, but it fell flat on it’s face. We tried it three times to see if it would overcome the growing pains, but it seemed to only get worse. Now we will get yet another burger, salad and sandwich joint that will likely follow a well-worn formulaic pattern. Sigh.

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