First Look: Flour Restaurant at Valor Acres, Opening Nov. 25 in Brecksville

After nearly 15 years in Moreland Hills (34205 Chagrin Blvd., 216-464-3700), chef-owner Matt Mytro is one day from opening a second location of Flour. This one is located 20 miles to the southeast in Brecksville, specifically at Valor Acres, the mixed-use development currently taking shape on Route 21.

“I’ve always wanted to do a second location,” Mytro says. “We’ve been looking for a long time but never found the right opportunity.”

While approximately 30 seats larger – including a much larger patio – the new restaurant retains the look and feel of the original restaurant. Guests enter into the bar and lounge area, which features a large horseshoe bar.

“We wanted the bar to be a main focus when you walk in,” Mytro explains.

Beyond the bar, the open kitchen is also immediately visible, including the massive wood-burning pizza oven. One of the largest of its kind in the state, the Italian oven can cook 28 pies at a time. Unlike the “chef’s counter” in Moreland Hills, which is tucked away on the far side of the kitchen, Mytro wanted to move that action closer to the front door. Now called the “pizza bar,” the counter is a family-friendly place to watch the culinary action.

Second bites at the apple often result in improved logistics, and that’s definitely the case here, adds Mytro.

“In terms of the openness of it, the kitchen is very similar to the other kitchen, but from a flow standpoint I think it’s going to be way better,” he states.

When Flour opens tomorrow, November 25, it will do so with essentially the same menu as the original in Moreland Hills. That will change down the road.

“To start, the menu will be the same [as Moreland Hills], but eventually we will modify the food menu and the wine list to the clientele once we get an idea of what they want. Maybe we’ll have a few items that you can only get here.

Flour will be dinner-only to start, with lunch service coming online after the new year.