Well, it's finally curtain time for Cowell & Hubbard, Zack Bruell's modern French bistro in PlayhouseSquare. Slated to open this Friday, February 3, the restaurant will be the chef and restaurateur's fifth within Cleveland's borders.
Named after Cleveland's famed jewelry store, which occupied the space from 1920 to 1981, the historic space features 18-foot ceilings, walls of windows, and 6,500 square feet of space interrupted by little more than the occasional support column.
The cavernous space is broken up into smaller, more intimate nooks, separated from one another by low-slung walls. Each is lined with cozy banquettes — a signature Bruell design feature. Black and white photos plucked from the Playhouse Square archives will adorn the walls. Overall, the restaurant and bar will seat approximately 140.
"The challenge is to not be a 'theater restaurant,'" says Bruell, "but to be a restaurant for regular diners who happen to be in the Theater District. I believe this is one of the next neighborhoods to pop," he adds of PlayhouseSquare.
Described as "Cuisine Vanguard," the menu will include French-inspired dishes like Beef Ceviche with Black Bread, Foie Gras Donuts, Lake Superior Whitefish with Coriander and Tomato Lime Compote, and Frog Legs with Butter-Poached Radishes and Thyme Butter.
Andy Dombrowski will serve as chef de cuisine, relocating from his current post at one of Bruell's other restaurants, Chinato.
Cowell & Hubbard will be open for lunch and dinner every day but Monday.
