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Nosh News
Appetizing bites about Jewish chefs, restaurateurs and community staples
Elle’s charity brunch raises $5K for Ukraine
Elle Restaurant & Lounge, a FrenchItalian restaurant in Solon created by co-owners Jay Leitson and Izzy Schachner, held an “Embracing Ukraine” charity brunch, resulting in a fullybooked reservation schedule and an approximately $5,000 donation to causes supporting Ukrainian women and children.
Tickets for the March brunch were $25 per person, with 100% of the proceeds going to those a ected by the Russian invasion. Leitson told the Cleveland Jewish News at the time that due to the busy week sta had prior to the event, it was limited to about 150 guests to allow for a comfortable work ow and ample time for guests to order and eat. Donations were accepted as well.
“There was a really good ow and it was always relatively full,” Leitson says. “We gave people about an hour to eat so we could get new guests in quickly. Some ate faster than that, some slower. But, it worked out well.”
The best part of the event was the way the community came together, he says.
“I’m a very charitable guy and I’m so grateful we were able to do something like this,” he said. “I’m so thankful for the life I have, so if I can help someone out, I don’t hesitate. I’d love to do something like this again.”
Elle Restaurant & Lounge is at 33730 Bainbridge Road. Leitson and Schachner also own 56 Kitchen in Solon and May eld Heights, and Birdigo in Solon.
Elle Restaurant & Lounge sta , including co-owners Jay Leitson, second from left, and Izzy Schachner, far right, after its “Embracing Ukraine” charity brunch. | Photo / Elle Restaurant & Lounge
Tom Fello, owner of Tommy’s Restaurant, stands in his kitchen with milkshakes. | Submitted photo -Becky Raspe
Tommy’s turns 50
Tommy’s Restaurant in Cleveland Heights is celebrating its 50th year.
The restaurant, which opened in 1972 at the corner of Coventry Road and Euclid Heights Boulevard, started as a small soda fountain shop and later moved to two other locations – 1820 Coventry Road in April 1978 and to its current location in 1988. For a time, Tommy’s operated kitchen service in its second location and dining service in its current location, when a re destroyed half of a block of Coventry Road, including Tommy’s dining room. All operations moved to the current location, 1824 Coventry Road, in May 1993.
Owner Tom Fello told the CJN early this year that hitting the 50th anniversary is “unbelievable.”
“It went by so fast, and I wouldn’t have done it any di erently,” he says. “I love it, and I love what I do. I was lucky to nd something to do in my teens and start this. The neighborhood really took care of me, and I’m so thankful, grateful and lucky for it.”
When he rst took over the drugstore that would become Tommy’s, Fello said he had “no idea” what he was doing. But, the customers and community saw to it that it would become the beloved institution it is today. Tommy’s specializes in “having something for everyone,” Fello says, with milkshakes, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and health-conscious items on the menu. Most items are named after the rst customer to create said menu item throughout the years.
“We’ve basically had the same menu since 1972, and we were ahead of the curve with vegetarian and vegan options,” says Fello, adding that most hippies of his generation were also vegetarian and vegan, but their parents were meat eaters. “I feel strongly that the family unit is very important – being able to go out as a family unit to get something to eat. And there is something on the menu for everyone. I think that is what’s kept us alive and relevant in people’s minds.”
-Becky Raspe
These features rst appeared in Cleveland Jewish News. To read more like them, visit cjn.org.
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