LYNDHURST, Ohio – Cleveland Restaurant Management Group is having another growth spurt: The collection is adding two new locally owned dining spots to its portfolio.
Both will be in Legacy Village lifestyle shopping center in Lyndhurst.
The first – The Legacy – is scheduled to open around Thanksgiving in the former Bar Louie location. It will be followed by EVOO, a modern Greek-Mediterranean concept, in early 2026, in the former California Pizza Kitchen location.
The Legacy is a new restaurant concept that pays tribute to CRMG restaurant consultant Brad Friedlander’s 50-year career in Northeast Ohio’s dining scene. The menu will bring together favorite dishes and memories from Friedlander’s iconic establishments like Café Brio, Moxie, RED and Cut 151.
The idea comes from customers who have approached Friedlander with stories of milestone moments — engagements, birthdays, homecomings — tied to meals at his restaurants. Many remember the food from those moments and ask if they will return.
Those stories and dishes inspire the menu at The Legacy.
“I’ve always been touched by how we’ve become part of people’s most meaningful celebrations,” Friedlander said. “With this new concept, we hope to share in the next generation’s milestones, too.”
Developed with CRMG executive chef Julian Kuczma, the menu revives fan-favorites such as pan-seared airline chicken with pistachio sun-dried tomato pesto pasta or free-range, stuffed chicken breast in puff pastry with a cherry reduction. Both dishes are inspired by Café Brio’s original menu.
The dining room will have an all-new sleek, modern interior and seat 120 guests with additional seating on the patio. Multiple private dining rooms will be available.
While there’s a bar in the dining room, the cocktail program adds excitement with a 1920s-1930s era speakeasy serving classic cocktails. If you can find the entrance, you may be able to snag one of 35 seats.
Friedlander and CRMG consultant Michael Dubois will be collecting premium bourbon that will be available to guests.
The two men are also working on EVOO, which takes its name from extra virgin olive oil. It’s a nod to how a single, high-quality ingredient can elevate an entire dish. This new Greek-Mediterranean concept will blend tradition with innovation, offering fresh, bold flavors in an elegant, modern setting.
Both men enjoy Greek cuisine and appreciate its inclusion of healthy, vegan options. They feel Northeast Ohio could use an upscale Greek concept,
The décor there will be refurbished. Among the few remaining items is California Pizza Kitchen’s pizza oven, which will be used to make fresh bread.
The restaurants join a mix of chain and independent options in Legacy Village.
Ramie Schneider, senior vice president of First Interstate Properties, which owns Legacy Village, said the restaurants will “broaden our offering to our customers.”
“We’re thrilled to have these new concepts on our central court lawn to help with our rejuvenation,” Schneider said. “Hopefully next summer when they’re open and we have our summer concert series, the central lawn will be a vibrant place where people will hang out on the patios.”
The Legacy will be at 24337 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst. EVOO will be at 25365 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst.
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