BRATENAHL, Ohio — Sorella Restaurant, an elevated Italian-American concept, opens Friday, Oct. 17, at One Bratenahl Place, just beyond the gates of the lakeside community.
Founded by David and Alexa Dragich in partnership with Alexa’s father, Raymond Guarino, Sorella is the latest project from the family’s new G & D Hospitality Group. Guarino has a history in hospitality but is not related to the Guarino’s restaurant in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood.
The team took over and transformed the dining space at One Bratenahl Place in June.
The refreshed venue now features a 16-seat granite bar and lounge with a moody, intimate feel, a 60-seat dining room and a private event space dubbed “The Speakeasy.”
“The name Sorella — Italian for ‘sister’ — perfectly represents both our family and the spirit of Italian culture,” Alexa Dragich said. “Both of my dad’s daughters now run restaurants — sisters in life and in business — so the name felt meant to be.”
Alexa’s sister Lauren manages the family’s Severino’s Restaurant and Lounge in Eastlake.
For the newlywed Dragich couple, Sorella is a personal project inspired by their three-week honeymoon through Southern Italy and Sicily. From Palermo’s bustling markets to the seaside trattorias of the Amalfi Coast, they returned to Cleveland determined to channel the warmth, connection and flavor of the Italian dining culture.
“Everything about Sorella reflects our passion for family, community and authentic dining experiences,” David Dragich said. “Growing up, every family function revolved around food — the stories, the recipes, the laughter. That’s what we wanted to bring here.”
Sorella’s kitchen embraces a scratch-made approach, serving up Italian-American favorites alongside modern comfort dishes. Highlights include:
Roman-style Carbonara and Cacio e PepeChicken Parmesan, Marsala and braised beef short ribPrime Angus steaks and house-made meatballs and saucesFresh salads like Beet Carpaccio and Caesar
The bar menu leans casual and indulgent with smash burgers, wings, signature pizzas and steak frites.
The cocktail program blends creativity and Italian tradition with drinks such as the Sicilian Margarita, Manhattan Milano and classic Negroni and Aperol Spritz. Seasonal wine tastings, pairing dinners and private events are already on the calendar.
Sorella will hold a clambake and Browns Watch Party on Sunday, Oct. 19.
Located just off I-90 at the Eddy Road exit, in One Bratenahl Place, Sorella is open to the public. Guests must tell the gate guard “We are here for Sorella.”
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Dining and Cooking