As early as next week, chef and restaurant owner Demetrios Atheneos will unveil his latest project, Forage Public House (14600 Detroit Ave., 216-226-2000), which will take the place of Pacers in Lakewood. That popular tavern has been in operation for about 25 years.

Atheneos, the opening chef at Deagan’s and current chef-owner of the Oak Barrel Brasserie and Taphouse in Valley View (5975 Canal Rd., 216-520-3640, theoakbarrel.com), says that he’s been working on this concept for some time, but only now found the right location for it. The large restaurant space can accommodate 200 inside and another 100 outside on the neighborhood’s largest open-air patio. Come spring, a major remodel, including new bathrooms and dedicated restaurant entrance, will dramatically change the space.

Billed as a New American public house, Forage will feature a menu built entirely of local products or sustainably produced non-local products when a local alternative doesn’t exist. Atheneos will work with Chef’s Garden, Green City Growers, Green Field Farms and Hiland Country Store to ensure that all of his foodstuffs are naturally, humanely raised. Meats will include non-GMO fed, pasture-raised beef, heritage-breed hogs, free-range chickens and eggs, rabbit and spring lamb. Already, Forage is a Greener Fields Together certified eatery.

The menu gives equal real estate to meat, fish and vegetable dishes. Possible items might include an in-house-ground Ohio Certified Angus Beef burger; poutine topped with Lake Erie Creamery cheese curds and housemade mixed-bone gravy; Ohio-raised rabbit with Killbuck Valley mushrooms and Chef’s Garden edible flowers; Ohio bison short ribs with white hominy; Killbuck mushroom bread pudding made with Blackbird Bakery bread; wild Ohio perch with winter squash; and a wide range of housemade charcuterie.

“We’ve got a great kitchen for doing whole animal butchery,” says the chef. “We’ve always done the confits and pates and fresh sausages, but never had the room to really get into the dry-curing stuff. Now we will.”

While many diners have grown fond of certain trademark dishes of the chef’s – think fish and chips, duck confit mac and cheese, chicken and waffles – don’t expect to see them at Forage.

“Everything at Forage will be completely new and different from what I’ve done at Deagan’s and Oak Barrel,” Atheneos says. “We’ll keep the stars of the menu, but the preparation will be new almost weekly. That’s the whole concept: not having the same items on the menu for years. It will be always evolving, always changing.”

Lee Robinson, a longtime kitchen colleague of Atheneos, will be the chef de cuisine at Forage.

This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 2, 2014.

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.

20 replies on “Oak Barrel’s Demetrios Atheneos to Open New Lakewood Restaurant”

  1. This place will open hot and then be closed in 18 months. Lakewood Center North is mostly empty. There aren’t enough lunchtime customers to support this place long term. The prices are going to be way too rich to sustain a profitable customer base. The hordes of foodies will get tired of it and then move on to the next hot, new place.

  4. Wow, letting old help go right before the holidays based on age sounds a bit discriminating. Hope you sleep well at night! I work in the industry and will pass the news along.

  5. This is a post from my better half – I am reposting it to make some noise for an unjust let go WTF!!! = this is quoted by Cynthia: Well, I have some BAD news! I went to a mandatory meeting yesterday for the Forage. We filled out apps and had little mini interviews. Grant it the first meeting we were told we have a job as long as we wanted to work. I get a call today and was told “WE ARE GOING INTO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, SO UNFORTUNATELY, WE WILL NO LONGER BE NEEDING YOU” WTF!!!!! They just told us that we would have our jobs…and some were kept. I saw that they had an ad on craigs list for servers/bartenders, I just don’t know what the hell! I fit all the qualifications they were seeking…I guess I’m just to old because there is no other reason. I was there 8 yrs, very dependable and loyal, hard working and team player. Thanks for making me jobless at Christmas– Forage YOU SUCK!

  6. Great BIG {{{{{HUGS}}}}} luv ya!!! You will find better!!! This really sucks at!!! Michael Zorich, So sorry Cynthia Henry, you are by far the best and they have no clue what they have done or who they have lost. For them to still take applications till Friday and still calling folks for interviews hiring and firing or accepting and not accepting and for you to be told after dedicating over 8 years of non missed holidays, employment and many, many years of missed time with your family because of it (we are all behind you) through thick and thin and sickness and in health, For you to be told that you would have your job (no worries) by the owner and then = “WE ARE GOING IN ANOTHER DIRECTION” ???!!! WTF!- sorry and see ya!!! after not even seeing what you can do or how you can do or to not even put everyone on a probationary period during transition -UNFORTUNATELY -It sounds like discrimination by the manager if not by the company = if even the systems / tech personnel guy said a slew of young folks are being hired and brought in and put into the system then for sure its not fair = OR someone said something really bad about you to keep you from moving on and working there because of jealousy. You have never left that place for another job or anything like many others there have. I am so very sorry – IT WILL BE OK!!! We will get through this!! love you always! .

  7. Cindy, We will miss you and Pacer’s. Have been going there on Fridays for 25 years. You were the best waitress we ever had. Unfortunately, they will never see us at this new place. Can’t believe how they are handling the hiring. I did speak to someone there today and asked if you would still be there and they told me no. I told them we are very disappointed that they did not keep you. Please let us know where you will be so we can support you.

  8. Its a shame! The word of mouth works wonders though. Who wants to serve rabbit anyway? We all love you Cindy!!! What they haven’t figured out people that are older with families and mortgages are usually the best workers and least drama. I’m old and can run laps around the young help. FOR-AGE I guess ain’t for age!

  9. I love all the closed minded comments from “locals” … way to support our local businesses and really see our city of Lakewood thrive! I can guarentee they will have a loyal customer coming from me and many of my friends who don’t even live in our Lakewood community. Looking forward to all things wonderful for Forage and chef Demetrios Atheneos!

  10. I believe some of the comments are being misinterpreted. Usually when a business is sold the buyers will do all they can to keep the former employees. I am against Forages hiring process. Pacer’s had some excellent long time employees that were not given that opportunity. These employees had a huge following that Forage will, unfortunately, never see. I am a life long resident of Lakewood and have always supported schools, businesses and restaurants for well over 50 years. The above comments by Lakewood advocate are very insulting.

  11. Um ten bucks that Lakewood advoacate is ummm (cough cough) Demetrios Atheneos or a very close relative. Really Lakewood advocate? Lets see you disrespect anyone who disagrees with the concept, spell out your business plan and then…”Looking forward to all things wonderful for Forage and Demetrios Atheneos” Can you be any more obvious.

  12. The way it seems to me is when someone buys a dirty building spot and puts tons of effort into remodelling and cleaning they should be able to hire and fire as they see fit. If this Cynthia is so good she won’t have a hard time finding a new job. Forage makes pacers look like a dirty trash dump. I hope Cynthia finally gets to serve something other than fried frozen wings. The existing employees had just the same chance to start the new job along with other applicants. People always want to whine and cry and be what did you call it, insulting. You guys need to get a life. Go get your disgusting frozen food from somewhere else now.

  15. Dear Foodieyum…”I” had nothing to do with restaurant closing. I had more regulars then you could ever fit into that heartless body of yours. May you lose your job suddenly and at Christmas. See how you feel. KARMA

  16. Demetrios is an excellent chef, he did a great job opening Deagans and the Oak Barrel has some of the best dishes I’ve eaten. Pacers went out of business and you all seem to be blaming someone who is pouring his money and talent into a place that would otherwise be vacant. I’ve lived in lakewood for ten years and am happy to see another business in town that will serve quality food with local ingredients. If you want your crap Sysco market cheap food, soggy fries and shit atmosphere go down the street to bobby O’s and you can wallow with all the other local alcoholics. Cynthia sorry you lost your job, but it’s not like he bought pacers, he’s only opening a restaurant in its place. I’m sure you’re a great server, don’t let pacers closing bring out the worst in you.

  17. I agree with jimmyd84. You really don’t come across as the kind of person who would represent well Cynthia. Maybe you are a wonderful person. Don’t let this change you or define you.

  18. Food is great and staff was knowledgable and really helpful. One of the better dining experiences in Cleveland at the moment.

  19. Love the Oak Barrel, Deagan’s menu hasn’t been the same since this guy left. Same stuff every-time I go in. -Side note Deagan’s wifi sucks too lol. Can’t wait to try this place out.

  20. First visit to Forage====BAD!!!! FOOD== i GOT OVER CHARGED & A FOREIGN SOUNDING WAITRESS SAID==THE PRICE WENT UP A DOLLAR….. CHICKEN UNDERCOOKED AND POTATOES NOW $7.00 WERE COLD===DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME…. LAST VISIT TO FORAGE

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