One of the most beautiful restaurants in Cleveland will close its doors after dinner service Saturday night. Rockefeller’s, located on the expansive second floor of the Heights Rockefeller Building, is pulling the plug.
“For four and half years we were doing fine,” says owner Michael Adams. “We were established as a good restaurant. We established a solid core of regulars and people from the neighborhood who loved to come here. But it was time to rededicate myself to my three kids and my wife.
“Obviously, it was a difficult decision,” he adds. “As a resident of Cleveland Heights, I enjoyed opening up a business here and contributing to the economy.”
Nobody is more upset with the decision than executive chef Jill Vedaa, who has been crushing it in the kitchen since opening day.
“Yeah, it sucks,” she says. “But I have no regrets. I was very spoiled with Michael because he allowed me to make the food that I wanted to make, and that, for me, was amazing. I pumped out probably the best food that I have in my culinary career.”
As for what’s next – both for Vedaa and the gorgeous restaurant space – only time will tell.
“I don’t know what’s next,” says Vedaa. “I might be kinda off the grid for a little bit, but not for too long.”
Adams says the space is ripe for the picking.
“I would love for another restaurateur to come in and open up whatever he would like to do conceptually,” he says. “The owner of the building is more than amenable to that happening.”
