One of Cleveland’s most spectacular interiors has officially been claimed. Originally home to the Cleveland Trust Co., and later National City Bank, the column-lined bank lobby on the main floor of the Garfield Building will become the Cleveland home for Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse. The 11-story structure, built in the 1890s, was recently purchased by Cleveland-based The Millennia Companies, which has plans to convert the bulk of the building into apartments.
The first Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse opened in Cincinnati in 1999, followed by a location in Louisville in 2006. The third Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse is slated to open this April in Nashville, with Cleveland following in late spring or early summer. Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse is the flagship brand of Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment restaurant group, which also operates Precinct and Carlo & Johnny.
Each Jeff Ruby’s location is hand-picked for its distinctive beauty. The restaurants undergo multi-million dollar buildouts that highlight the space’s best features. That won’t be difficult to do in this stunning space, designed in the neoclassical style by celebrated architects Walker and Weeks.
“We’re really excited to come up there – it’s going to be the most spectacular restaurant we’ve ever done,” says Britney Ruby Miller, the company's director of operations and daughter to namesake Ruby. “You can tell by the restaurants around you and the culinary scene that you guys have there; Cleveland is definitely appealing to us. We’re really excited to bring our five-star service and entertainment to Cleveland.”
These restaurants are big and glitzy, seating more than 200 guests and hosting live entertainment. The unapologetically over-the-top chophouse menu – with prices to match – attract A List celebrities and high-paid athletes. USA Today included Jeff Ruby’s in its list of Top 10 Steakhouses in the USA.
All of the steaks are USDA Prime, with many of the cuts dry-aged. Steaks and chops are joined by a concise seafood menu as well as classic steakhouse starters like giant shrimp cocktail, oysters Rockefeller and crab cakes. Sides include asparagus, creamed spinach and seven-cheese mac and cheese. Of course, there’s an impressive wine list to wash it all down.
“We’re detail-oriented, we’re service-oriented and we’re very culinary driven,” says Ruby Miller, adding that the local executive chef will work closely with the corporate chef and culinary director to create a menu perfect for Cleveland.
Obviously, with the Republican National Convention on tap for July 2016, this glitzy new chophouse is poised to make a huge first impression.
