CLEVELAND, Ohio — “It was literally just this gutted out building that I had passed probably 100 times growing up... it had been a jewelry store, a drugstore,” said Mark Wilson, Rood Food ad Pie executive chef.
Now, Mark Wilson works in that building as the executive chef of Rood Food and Pie. Located on a small corner off Madison Avenue in Lakewood, the restaurant is attracting diners from all over Northeast Ohio.
- The menu consists of only sliders and pie
- The pairings are anything but simple
- They have vegetarian and vegan options
“Coming all the way from Chardon from Chagrin from east side, all the way over to from Westlake and Avon, so we are pretty excited,” said Katelyn Krane, Rood Food and Pie manager.
And what keeps them coming back is a combination of things.
“We go by this motto of good food, good music and good company,” said Jasmine Schoenbaechler, Rood Food and Pie bar manager.
The menu at Rood consists of sliders and pie —that’s it!
Since opening in November of 2018, the restaurant has seen much success.
“It’s a really simple concept, and so far, people are absolutely loving it,” Krane said.
It’s simple, but unique. Restaurant manager Katelyn Krane says you won't find the recipes for the restaurant’s pies on the internet or in a cookbook.
“We offer things like Whiskey Chocolate Cream, Brandy Banana Cream… my personal favorite is the Salt and Honey,” Krane said.
And Wilson ensures that the assemble-it-yourself slider plates are packed with flavor. He says he and the restaurant’s owner Brian Ruthsatz create concepts influenced by international cuisine, but they are prepared and presented in an accessible way.
Diners can choose from over a dozen different types of sliders, including "Grilled Rabbit Sausage" and "Moroccan Goat & Lamb." There's also “Coldwater Coconut Shrimp.”
“People know coconut shrimp and they know pesto, but we're doing it in different ways that are cool, that are still user-friendly,” said Wilson.
And there’s “Sesame Crusted Wagyu Beef.”
“A high-grade beef with that is from Kobe, Japan, and we're doing that with a homemade hoisin sauce. We have a homemade kimchi we're doing with that that's just spectacular,” Wilson said.
Wilson says the quirky restaurant is a part of a transformation happening in the area as more unique eateries and shops continue to pop up along Madison Avenue.
And he's glad to be a part of it.
“Actually I take the renaissance on Madison incredibly seriously. I grew up on Madison and Morrison,” said Wilson.