By mid-September, Brecksville will be home to an ambitious new steakhouse concept called Seared. The 250-seat restaurant is going into the space (8188 Brecksville Rd.) formerly occupied by Old Spanish Tavern, Mama Rosa Ristorante, and many other failed eateries.
“This will be a little different than just a steakhouse concept,” explains GM Robin Schulze. “There will be [USDA] Prime steaks, but also fresh seafood and a raw bar.” That raw bar will be separate from the main bar and feature oysters, clams, shrimp and other shellfish.
The upscale restaurant will offer traditional steakhouse fare with modern touches, she adds. A large bar and lounge area joins a white tablecloth dining room in the main section, while a loft and VIP section will cater to high-rollers who still favor bottle service. Down the road, a large outdoor patio and rooftop deck will complete the complex.
The décor is described as eclectic, with traditional features like chandeliers and old wood beams combined with modern light fixtures and contemporary paint colors.
“Brecksville is a pretty wealthy area,” notes Schulze, “which fits our price point. There’s really nowhere around here that offers the same vibe.”
This article appears in Aug 17-23, 2011.
I wish the very best for the new restaurant. Brecksville and surrounding area diners certainly want some consistency in that location. So many of us long for the days of the Old Spanish Tavern, a long-established warm and friendly place to eat regardless if it was a special occasion, a place to take and impress guests, or a spur-of-the moment meal with the kids. Food was dependably delicious and priced to fit the average pocketbook. Staff was like ‘family.’ However, I’m wondering if “Brecksville is a pretty wealthy area…which fits our price point” will preclude the repeat customers the Spanish Tavern enjoyed for many, many years. While there may be residents fortunate to be considered wealthy in this area, the majority of us certainly are average folks who are just financially comfortable. Many are just making it raising a family, or retired on a fixed income watching their savings dwindle in this economy. And, don’t think this economy hasn’t hit many who were more than financially comfortable and now find themselves without jobs. No less than a half dozen restraurants in that location have failed to heed the Spanish Tavern management’s recipe of longevity and success. I’m wondering if the published intent of Seared will be another?
I will be a sever there! I am so excited and I hope Cleveland and the greater community is as well! We open on September 14!!
My name is Leroy H. Brettin and I was born on September 23,1924, just a few miles from the old Spanish Tavern on Brettin Lane in Independence, where the pond my Dad built is. We will be coming to Independence next Monday 10/22 and would like to have dinner at the tavern before we return to California .I will be bringing my three sons, Ronald, Lee Jr. and Doug along with their wives to visit the area where I was born. We plan to have dinner one night at the Old Spanish Tavern.