Edwins in Shaker Square in Cleveland, Ohio
“Let’s try Edwins,” my husband said to me...after watching a 7-minute, CBS News segment about the restaurant.
Edwins—located in Shaker Square in Cleveland—is a French restaurant that opened in November 2013 and is the culmination of founder Brandon Edwin Chrostowski’s EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute.
In brief, Edwins offers formerly incarcerated adults intensive training and hands-on work experience in the culinary arts and hospitality industries. While they are enrolled in the program, these students receive free housing, legal services, basic medical care, clothing, job coaching, literacy programs, help finding employment, and more. Each year, the Institute graduates 100 students. 95% of them find employment in dining establishments across the country. And the recidivism rate is less than 1%.
Having learned a little about Edwins, we made online reservations and then met friends at the restaurant the day after America’s Independence Day holiday. It was fantastic!
The location is great—right on the Square in Shaker Square—and the restaurant atmosphere is equally fine. There is a small dining room, full bar, and outdoor seating under a big, white awning. All of the employees (formerly incarcerated) were friendly, quick with their service, attentive (but not overly so), and eager to make our evening a good one.
And the food. Delicious! I won’t get too deeply into the weeds, but I’ll say that my salmon (prepared with a light sauce over shaved cucumber) was terrific. Others at the table had steak tartare, goat cheese salad, grouper, lamb. But I’m simplifying. Each of the dishes was prepared in a French style and were beautifully plated and served.
We finished eating and decided to indulge in dessert. Magnifique! Chocolate Pyramid and Bananas Foster (prepared at the table).
While we were waiting for our desserts, Chrostowski stopped at our table to chat. He was charming (everyone was charming!). It was a special moment in a special evening.
Particularly when there is so much upheaval in our country (and, indeed, the world), going to Edwins gave me a positive boost. I love that the driving principle behind Chrostowski’s organization is that “every human being, regardless of their past, has a right to a fair and equal future.” I love that Chrostowski is putting that principle into successful action—with the result being a change in the face of re-entry in the United States.
Yes, it is one small step (although Edwins has now grown to include a butcher shop, bakery, and EDWINS TOO...a culinary incubator, community kitchen, event and makers’ space). But if we do not begin with small steps, we can never take the giant leaps that true change demands.
If you live in the Cleveland area, go to Edwins! We definitely will return.
