January 2026

330 FLAVOR AWARDS

VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 1

235+ WINNERS

JANUARY 2026

20 BEST RESTAURANTS UNIQUE STYLE

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PAGES START HERE

FEATURE Ken Stewart’s Grille photo by Mal McCrea

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TASTE MAKERS Indulge in chef-driven dishes at 20 best restaurants in The 330. Dine in an 1890 schoolhouse, savor meltin-your-mouth wagyu rib-eye, treat yourself to banana stuffed croissant French toast and more. These 20 best restaurants will satisfy your cravings. Plus, check out over 235 winners in 70 categories selected by readers for the 330 Flavor Awards.

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CO N T E N T S

DINING

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BRIDAL

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EDUCATION

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MAIL BONDING

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FROM THE PUBLISHER | Favorite Bites

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RADAR | New & Notable

SPECIAL SECTIONS

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UPFRONT | Memorable Eats

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BRIDAL

Take in dreamy weddings and vibrant venues.

AGENDA | Entertainment listings

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71

These private schools teach life skills.

EDUCATION

PARTING SHOT | Mayflower

ON THE COVER

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330 FLAVOR AWARDS The Industry Kitchen & Bar photo by Mal McCrea

JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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MAIL BONDING THE GIVI

NG ISSUE

VOLUME 23 | ISSUE

11 NOVEMBER 2025

Tell us what's on your mind.

NOV. 2025 $4.95

ART LESS ON

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Lyndee’s Costume Closet at Akron Children’s

15 FESTIVE

MOST WAYS TO ENJOY THE 001-009 front

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T TRANSFORM S KIDS’ LIVES

DECEMBER 2025

Winter Wonderland photo by Mal

VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 12

STAR POW ER

McCrea

WONDERFUL TIME

OF THE YEAR

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GORDON RAMSA Y REFRESHES LYLA’S RESTAURANT

BOO K

MAR K “AKRON AT 200” ON WHAT SHAPE REFLECTS S OUR CITY 10/17/25 2:52 PM

WR APPED UP

LIST AT 5 CHECK OFF YOUR NEWER HUDSON SHOPS

Comments? Got something to say about an article you read in Akron Life? Or maybe you want to tell us about something great happening in the area. Send comments and suggestions to: Akron Life, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313, and please include your name and address. Or email them to editor@ bakermediagroup.com. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and clarity.

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by Erin Gulling 11/12/25 5:15 PM

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

PAGES

{ Publisher | Colin Baker | cbaker@bakermediagroup.com, the Blue Door Cafe & Bakery photos by Erin Gulling }

FAVORITE BITES MY TASTES CHANGE OVER THE YEARS. This issue brings our 330 Flavor Awards back to January. We moved the topic around a bit, but it’s found its way back to the beginning of the year.

It seems fitting to start the year talking about our favorite places to eat.

This will be my 24th year with Akron Life — and over that time, I have definitely settled into my habits.

Before our son, Bodhi, came along, my wife and I ate out a lot more. Like many people, we developed a routine of going to the same handful of restaurants we liked and trusted. Now that I am back in kid mode, negotiating with a 5-year-old who wants mac ‘n’ cheese every night, our dinner plans look a little different.

Right now, the one place all three of us can agree on is Sakura in Montrose. Somehow, there are no complaints when that comes up. I order the same thing every time: a Spicy Killer roll, which is tuna with avocado, chile sauce and more. I would eat it every day if it were not for the mercury warnings about tuna. Bodhi orders the crab salad and, using those kid-training chopsticks, somehow finishes the whole bowl. The second place we all agree on is Dewey’s Pizza. Sometimes having a place where you can sit together, relax and enjoy each other’s company is what makes a restaurant a favorite. At Dewey’s, you can watch them make your pizza through the big window. For a 5-year-old, that is better than any kids’ menu.

When my wife and I go out without Bodhi, we usually choose authentic places and foods we know we wouldn’t attempt with him. (He will eat almost

anything once he gets there, but he will fight you about going.) We try to go out at least once a week, but it’s rarely anything extravagant. I’m not a fan of meals where you leave feeling uncomfortably full. I like simple, light in my stomach food. One place I keep coming back to is Heera Indian Cuisine in downtown Akron. It’s relatively simple on the inside, so takeout works perfectly. The food is always reliable.

My favorite restaurant tends to be whatever I am into at the moment. My tastes change, and when I find something I like, I stick with it until I move on to the next thing. Then, several years later, I’ll go back and love it as if it’s the first time I’ve been there.

There is one category of food that never gets old for me, and that’s breakfast. I could eat scrambled eggs and avocado every day. At home, when I can’t think of anything else, that’s my default. When I go out, the two breakfast places I visit most are the Eye Opener in Wallhaven and the Blue Door Cafe & Bakery in Cuyahoga Falls. At the Eye Opener, I keep it simple with eggs. At the Blue Door, I always go for the eggs and salmon.

When I meet new people, I almost always ask them about their favorite restaurants, especially if they’re not from Akron. They bring an outside perspective. I’ve discovered great places that way, and we have even featured a few based on readers’ recommendations. So, if you have a hidden gem you think deserves some attention, send it my way. I’m always looking for something new to try — even if I eventually go back to my old favorites.

JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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RADAR

{ by Jillian Flack, Constance photos by Erin Gulling, igloo photos provided by Blue Heron Brewery and Darby’s on 59, Alfred McMoore, LeBron James as a basketball star, Jesus playing guitar, around 2006, 31.25 x 25.25 inches, pencil and crayon on paper, on loan from Community Support Services }

INNER WORLD

Graphite lines on a massive 60-by-540-inch scroll depict a casket covered in a pile of roses and photos of a man and a woman displayed behind it — a bittersweet funeral scene sketched by late Akron artist Alfred McMoore.

This drawing is one of McMoore’s seven larger pieces on display at the Akron Art Museum, along with some smaller pieces.

The works of art depict many of the people he encountered — as well as his daily experiences living with schizophrenia. He was a friend of Chuck Auerbach and inspired the name of Chuck’s son Dan Auerbach’s popular band, the Black Keys. The “Alfred McMoore: All This Luck in My Head” exhibit is on view until Feb. 15. 1 S. High St., Akron, 330-376-9186, akronartmuseum.org

CHEESE PLEASE +3 IGLOOS BLUE HERON BREWERY With soft decorative lighting, these cozy, eight-person igloos provide two heaters and either blue lounge seating with a coffee table or a dining table setup. Dig into Southern-fried chicken and sugar pearl waffles topped with whipped cream and Sriracha maple syrup during the two-hour reservation.

Through March, Rental fee, minimum spend and reservations apply, 3227 Blue Heron Trace, Medina, blueheronmedina.com

DARBY’S ON 59 Enjoy the warmth of two heated igloos, which stay around 20 to 30 degrees warmer than the chilly weather outside. Under string lights, six people can dine for two hours on gastropub favorites such as stuffed 8

akronlife.com | JANUARY 2026

banana peppers — with sweet Italian sausage, Swiss, provolone, sugo rosa sauce and Parmesan. Plus, Darby’s also offers one enclosed high-top table that seats six to eight — amenities include multiple heaters, as well as a TV. Through January or March, weather-dependent, minimum spend and reservations apply, 2764 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-9227540, darbyson59.com

SANDY SPRINGS BREWING CO. Relax at picnic tables and chairs with pillows in these six-person igloos on a string-lit patio during the three-hour rental. Sip raspberry rum punch with Bacardi rum, raspberry mix, cranberry juice and ginger ale. Through April, weather-dependent, reservations apply, 232 N. Market St., Minerva, 330-522-4024, sandyspringsbrewery.com

With Constance Fromagerie & Cafe’s build-your-own charcuterie and cheese bar, you can be your own food artist. Select artisanal cheeses such as Queen Anne’s Lace, rich meats like mortadella and garnishes, such as dried fruits and edible flowers, to fill your custom charcuterie board.

If you’re still hungry, order from a cafe menu, which includes a Brie, pear, prosciutto and fig sandwich ($14). Grab a chai latte with vanilla and bask in the chic atmosphere, complete with golds and pinks, floral patterns and softly colored plush seating. Opened in November, it offers catering and meats and cheeses to buy and make more creations at home.

2299 W. Market St., Akron, 330-805-4005, constanceakron.com

PAGES

UPFRONT { Editor-in-Chief | Kelly Petryszyn | kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com, Good Company photo by Mal McCrea }

MEMORABLE EATS THESE BEST RESTAURANTS PUT A GREAT DEAL OF CARE INTO THEIR FOOD.

After talking with Good Company chefs and cousins Tony and Tommy Kettel, I knew the food would be good. They smiled as they described the detailed preparations for the dishes with passion and enthusiasm. When I sat down to order, my expectations were high. Boy, did they deliver.

I’m not a wing person. I usually leave a good amount on the bone — but not this time. Good Company’s 72-hour pecorino garlic wings were fall-off-the-bone tender and so generously slathered in pecorino garlic aioli that I cleaned every bit of sauce and meat off the bones. The Good One certified Angus beef sirloin blend double smash burger was delectably crispy along the edges. The ample amount of mustard caper aioli complemented the juicy burger so well, and it dripped down my face as I ate. I’m not even a fan of mustard — or capers — but together, with the rich burger, it was mouthwatering. In the strawberry short stack shake, you could taste that the strawberry buttermilk ice cream was handcrafted with strawberry puree.

“You get put into such a good spirit because of the atmosphere and the food that all of a sudden you’re just like, I am in good company,” Tommy says.

“There’s no corner cut anywhere. You can taste it. You can feel it after you eat.”

This issue delivers 20 of The 330’s best restaurants.

We didn’t take this title lightly. We worked hard to present the reasons why each is the best and excels in its lane. See readers’ picks in the 330 Flavor Awards too.

A retired U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer, Blue Door Cafe & Bakery owner Michael Bruno sets a high bar for his staff — and uses top-tier ingredients.

“I don’t think there’s too many other owners that have the background that I have as far as leadership and supervision, and it allows us to execute dishes with really good ingredients,” says Bruno, complimenting his team too. “They’re a really seasoned group of people who I’ve been working with for a long time, and they know what my expectations are. … I don’t think you’re gonna get a brunch like this anywhere else.”

The Blue Door’s food also prompted me to expand my horizons. I don’t eat raw food, but the New Zealand king salmon was perfectly smoked. The

seared croissant, slathered in garlic and dill cream cheese — and topped with creamy eggs — was delicious. I’m still thinking about the huevos rancheros Baja with its cheesy, flavorful tortillas and tender skirt steak, as well as the bananas foster French toast. The latter is heavenly with a croissant stuffed with vanilla pastry cream, a bed of rice pudding and a sauteed bananas and whipped cream topping with chocolate chunks that melt as you eat. It went so well with the mocha, made with 70 percent dark chocolate.

We know there are many more restaurants that deserve to be called the best, but we can only fit so many. What spots are on your list? Some of my favorites have closed, including the adventurous, hip Square Scullery and the authentic, flavorful Battleground. We went to the latter one last time in December and ordered our favorite beer-battered coconut shrimp taco and pollo tinga taco.

Use this issue to support these worthy establishments.

As we witnessed with our reporting, they put in great care and effort — it’s evident in the taste of their food.

Supporting these restaurants makes The 330’s flavor richer.

JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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AGENDA

JANUARY 2026 | VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 1

Agenda

the essential social digest

“Polo Spectators,” LeRoy Neiman, courtesy of LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation

Through 6/28 “LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style” Highlighting his early fashion illustration work, this exhibit on LeRoy Neiman showcases his lesser-known work as a fashion illustrator and explores its influence on his lifelong interest in capturing the clothing, gesture and style of subjects. See 85 illustrations, many on public view for the first time. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. TuesdaySaturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, staff & all on Sundays, otherwise general admission $10. kent.edu/museum

Through 1/11 “Stark County Artists Exhibition” Take in pieces by those living and working in Stark County at this yearly exhibition, featuring art in multiple mediums. Displayed in the MassMu Main Gallery, this show includes 57 works of art by 37 artists. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon.

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Tuesdays-Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sundays 2-5 p.m., except New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Free. massillonmuseum.org Through 1/24 “Wood and Ink: Expressionist Voices from Germany” Journey through the techniques and themes of German Expressionism with this exhibit, curated from the Kent

State School of Art collection. This modernist movement occurred in the early decades of the 20th century.

Explore woodcuts, works on paper and prints from artists such as Ernst Barlach, Fritz Winter, Max Beckmann, Lyonel Feininger and Käthe Kollwitz. KSU Downtown Gallery, 141 E. Main St., Kent.

Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. kent.edu/galleries

AGENDA Through 1/25 “Katy Richards: Fleeting Florals” Observe paintings of bouquets in different stages of wilting in the Massillon Museum’s Studio M Gallery.

These works reflect on the beauty, fragility and transformation in life’s fleeting moments. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. TuesdaySaturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 2-5 p.m. Free. massillonmuseum.org Through 1/31 “Merry Christmas Charlie Brown” Feel the warmth of a Christmas classic with this exhibit at the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum.

Featuring Peanuts comic strips, vintage Peanuts novelties, a Santa letter writing station, a photo op and more, it’s sure to bring a smile to your face. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton. Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday noon-4 p.m.

Admission to museum: $17 adult, $16 senior adult, $15 students and children, free children 2 & under. mckinleymuseum.org

Through 2/15 “Alfred McMoore: All This Luck in My Head” See the work and reflect on the life of inspired late Akron artist Alfred McMoore. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, McMoore used art to connect with the world and express himself. He drew numerous works in pencil, on scrolls of paper that were 5 feet high and up to 50 feet long.

Akron Art Museum, Karl and Bertl Arnstein Galleries, 1 S. High St., Akron.

Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m.9 p.m. Adult general admission $12, seniors $10, students $8, children free.

Adults with Ohio EBT card $3. Free for all on Thursdays. akronartmuseum.org Through 2/16 Winterblast Head to Lock 3 park to take part in winter festivities with Winterblast!

Ride ice bikes, take a spin in an ice bumper car or strap on ice skates.

Lock 3 park, 200 S. Main St., Akron. downtownakron.com Through 5/10 “A Meeting of Cultures: Fashioning North Africa”

This exhibit is the first of its kind in the world to focus specifically on contemporary fashion designers and influencers in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. It broadens the scope of scholarship on fashion history. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. TuesdaySaturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, staff & all on Sundays, otherwise general admission $10. kent.edu/museum Through 6/30 “A Gift in Ink” See a selection of prints donated to the Kent State University School of Art Collection by the New York Print Club. Library, Michener Gallery, 1125 Risman Drive, Kent. Hours vary. kent. edu/galleries Through 8/23 “Sparkle: The Style and Jewelry of Aileen Mehle” Browse the dresses and jewelry of widely syndicated society columnist Aileen Mehle at this exhibit. Designers she wore included Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Tiffany & Co. and more. Kent State University

JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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AGENDA

JANUARY 2026 | VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 1

524 WICK AVE, YOUNGSTOWN, OH 44502

Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent.

Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, staff & all on Sundays, otherwise general admission $10. kent.edu/museum 1/8 Cucina Demonstration Dinner: A Taste of Winter Warmth Learn how to cook a demonstration dinner, led by chef Bob Sferra, owner of Sophie La Gourmande Cafe & Patisserie and Sophie Events. Enjoy a meal of chicken noodle soup, pork loin roulade with spinach and caramelized onion stuffing with sherry pan sauce, potato gnocchi, pancetta and peas and Ohio apple dumplings with apple cider anglaise. With your meal, choose a glass of red or white wine. Take home a recipe book with step-bystep instructions. Gervasi Vineyard, the Villa Grande ballroom, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 6-7:30 p.m. $75. gervasivineyard.com

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1/8 Free Portrait Pop-up: Mickalene Thomas Snap a free Polaroid portrait in a Mickalene Thomas-inspired seating area at the Akron Art Museum!

Feel free to dress up. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. 5:307:30 p.m. Free, registration required. akronartmuseum.org 1/10 Animal Art Family Adventure Collaborate with one of the Akron Zoo’s animal ambassadors to create a painting you can take home. Paint the background of a canvas that the animal artist paints on, learn about how painting is a form of enrichment for animals and meet other animal ambassadors as well. Watch an animal artist create a masterpiece with this unique event. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron. 1-3 p.m. Akron Zoo member painter $55, member observer $25, non-member painter $65, non-member observer $35. akronzoo.org 1/10 Community Open House Join the Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio for a free community open house at the Perkins Stone Mansion and John Brown House. Perkins Stone Mansion and John Brown House, 550 Copley Road, Akron. 1-3 p.m. Free. summithistory.org

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akronlife.com | JANUARY 2026

AGENDA 1/11 Winter Bird Walk Bird lovers can join a naturalist for a 2.1-mile birding hike on the Missing Link and Prather trails. Explore which birds stick around during the winter weather. A few pairs of binoculars are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Cascade Valley Metro Park, 1134 Cuyahoga St., Akron. 8:30-10:30 a.m. summitmetroparks.org 1/15 Movement & Mocktail Celebrating Dry January? Try out healthy habits with this event at Gervasi Vineyard. Start with a Pilates class led by a certified instructor from YogaStrong, then enjoy a signature mocktail and small bites. Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 6 p.m. $35. gervasivineyard.com 1/17 Planted & Poured: Succulent Book Workshop A vintage book transforms into a living planter for a selection of succulents at this interactive event.

Instructors from Boomdyada guide participants through this workshop to combine horticulture and artistry.

Sip a complimentary glass of bubbly as you work. Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton. 1 p.m. $75. gervasivineyard.com 1/17 Beethoven’s Seventh Listen to a concert that blends Beethoven, Duke Ellington and Leonard Bernstein at this performance by the Akron Symphony Orchestra.

Plus, the night is opened with the debut of University of Akron student Sarah Hegenderfer’s “Clearing of Snow.” E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron. 7:30-9:30 p.m. $7-$65. akronsymphony.org 1/17 Poe in the Park Hear readings of several of Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous literary works on his birthday. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 6:30-8 p.m. summitmetroparks.org 1/17-1/18 Cleveland Persian Society Cat Show See cats and kittens compete for Best in Show at this fun cat show. Plus, shop for items for your furry friends at a Meow Mall. John S. Knight Center,

77 E. Mill St., Akron. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. visitakron-summit.org 1/19 Museum Record Day Help the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum set the first record for the most people going down the firepole in the Street of Shops in one day! McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $17 adults, $16 seniors, $15 kids 3-18, 2 & under free. mckinleymuseum.org 1/22 Soup at Six: McKinley’s Front Porch Campaign Executive Director Kim Kenney takes listeners on an in-depth tour of how William McKinley’s Front Porch Campaign ultimately led to his election as president in this talk. Soup, bread and a dessert are provided. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton. 6 p.m. $25 per person. mckinleymuseum.org 1/23 Winter Nature Tales Young kids and their adults can enjoy taking part in an interactive,

NATIONAL LIFELINE, LOCALLY ANSWERED BY

JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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AGENDA

JANUARY 2026 | VOLUME 24 | ISSUE 1

Made in Akron.

Moving the World.

81ST AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARDS February 27, 2026 4:30PM–10:30PM Akron Civic Theatre

Featured AdverTasters

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akronlife.com | JANUARY 2026

AGENDA winter-themed story time with this program. Liberty Park, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 10:30-11 a.m. summitmetroparks.org 1/24 Downtown Akron Frost Fest Enjoy an afternoon of winter fun with a hot cocoa crawl, ice sculptures, live music and more. Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron. Noon-5 p.m. downtownakron.com 1/30-3/7 “None of us really know what we look like inside” Kent State University’s School of Art Collection and Galleries present this exhibition from artist Corrie Slawson.

Slawson’s work takes the form of mixed-media paintings, drawings and prints that explore an imagination of the interior of the body. KSU Downtown Gallery, 141 E. Main St., Kent. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Reception Jan. 30, 5-7 p.m. kent.edu/galleries Submit events on akronlife.com or email cgorman@bakermediagroup.com.

The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory

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Now celebrating 150 years of dedicated service to Greater Akron.

Complimentary Preplanning Conferences – On-site Crematories Offering the Highest Levels of Service, Competitive Pricing and the Best Value

Fairlawn • Cuyahoga Falls • 330-867-4141 • www.billowfuneralhomes.com

2025 Title Sponsor

Thurs, Jan 22, 2026, 12pm Quaker Station, 135 South Broadway St., Akron

Guest Presenter:

Daniel M. Rice President and Chief Executive Officer, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition

For more information, and to register visit akronroundtable.org or call 330.247.8682 JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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Taste Makers Indulge in chef-driven dishes at 20 best restaurants in The 330. Dine in an 1890 schoolhouse, savor melt-inyour-mouth wagyu rib-eye, treat yourself to banana stuffed croissant French toast and more. These 20 best restaurants will satisfy your cravings. Plus, check out over 235 winners in 70 categories selected by readers for the 330 Flavor Awards.

by Cameron Gorman and Kelly Petryszyn photos by Erin Gulling 16

akronlife.com | JANUARY 2026

Sta r ng Risi

A retired U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer, Michael Bruno has high expectations for his Blue Door Cafe & Bakery in Cuyahoga Falls. So, when he traveled to France in 2024 and discovered the croissants in Paris were better than his cafe’s, he came home and reworked the recipe to use 50 percent more butter. The key ingredient is 83 percent butterfat European-style butter.

Now? “Our croissants are as good as Paris,” says the owner of the Blue Door, which makes all of its bakery items fresh daily.

After studying at the French pastry arts program L’Académie de Cuisine — and obtaining European artisanal baking equipment — he opened the Blue Door in 2009.

Today, with over 50 employees serving the up to 65-seat restaurant, Bruno uses his training to run the Blue Door with a strong focus on teaching, communication and quality.

“We have [over] 50 employees because we make everything from scratch, whether it’s a croissant, an English muffin, a sourdough, a baguette, you name it — pasta, biscuits,” Bruno says. “When we had a Michelin chef in here … he said, Nobody uses these ingredients — and he’s cooked all over the world.”

To prep more efficiently, Bruno strategically reorganized the menu into specials and classics, with the latter including the smoked New Zealand king salmon and eggs ($25). To craft it, cooks halve a house-made croissant and sear it on the flattop, caramelizing the buttery layers, then slather it with garlic and dill cream cheese. They layer on salmon smoked on mesquite wood and make creamy local cage-free chive scrambled eggs, topping the dish with an onion caper relish.

“This is actually a Gordon Ramsay-inspired dish. We adjusted it a little bit. We made it better,” Bruno says. “They’re European-style scrambled eggs … before you’re done scrambling, you add heavy cream to it, so that they stop cooking and stay creamy.”

Inspired by how Ramsay filled a croissant with pastry cream, the bananas foster French toast ($24) makes that concept even more decadent. It involves preparing the croissant like French toast and placing it over vanilla and Jamaican dark rum rice pudding — topping it with butter, rum sauteed bananas and Michael Bruno (above)

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whipped cream with chunks of melty chocolate in it.

“It’s like the best bread pudding you’re ever going to have because it’s a croissant soaked in custard, and it has pastry cream inside,” Bruno says.

Prompted by Bruno’s time being stationed in Southern California, the huevos rancheros Baja ($36) dish is expertly prepared with certified Angus skirt steak, blackened Gulf shrimp, organic refried beans, Spanish rice, melted chihuahua cheese, housemade hot sauce, avocado, queso fresco and local sunny side-up eggs on house corn tortillas made from stone-ground masa.

Bruno’s former Michelin chef came up with elements of the lobsterman’s breakfast ($38) — house-made maple sausage and melted leek ragout with butter-poached Maine lobster and sunny side-up eggs over house-baked buttermilk biscuits, avocado, crispy Berkshire bacon crumbles, hollandaise and potatoes.

For a beverage, order the mocha ($5.50) made with double Angel Falls Coffee Co. espresso and chocolate milk crafted with ground-up 70 percent dark chocolate for extra richness.

Return for elevated yet approachable dinner dishes such as chicken Parmesan crafted with house-made breadcrumbs, house-made marinara and local chicken that’s farm-raised without antibiotics or hormones.

Bruno is constantly making improvements. Dinner chef Jimmy Pintiello recently started. Bruno hopes to expand the bakery. He hears from customers that the food is better than they’ve had anywhere. But Bruno is chasing the pinnacle of success.

“It’s damn good now. It’s gonna keep getting better,” he says. “I want a Michelin Star.” //KP 1970 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-926-9774, bluedoorcafebakery.com

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THE RIVER MERCHANT

Catch glimpses of a rushing river and in-service railroad tracks while dining at the River Merchant.

Located beside the Cuyahoga River in vibrant Kent, this restaurant blends craft food and beverages with rustic flair. “We also incorporate some industrial elements, such as our railroad spike tap handles and wine making equipment, … that complement the active rail line,” says Cameron Thomas, owner and general manager, via email.

Dine on dishes like Szechuan short rib ($30) — topped with crispy wonton strips and tuxedo sesame seeds — or pesto gnocchi ($22) — with sauteed spinach, fire-roasted tomatoes and a house-made pesto cream sauce — at the scenic destination that opened in March 2020. Driven by chef Perry Smith, its New American-style menu provides twists on classics and combinations of different cultural cuisines, creating fresh flavors. Order the French-cut pork chop ($28), crowned with apple cherry chutney and served over maple bacon Brussels sprouts and mashed red-skinned potatoes, and the blackberry smash ($13), made with bourbon, blackberries and fresh mint. Plus, shop its wine market, which offers over 350 curated options of wine, craft beer and more. “The River Merchant is a unique dining and shopping experience,” Thomas says. //CG 911 N. Mantua St., Kent, 330-968-6376, therivermerchantkent.com

photos by Mal McCrea

DIAMOND GRILLE

Celebrating over 90 years, the Diamond Grille is an Akron institution drawing locals and celebrities — including Hall & Oates and Tiger Woods — alike. Its French streetscape wallpaper, ruched emerald curtains, neon sign, phone booth and Sputnik chandeliers make the 1935 restaurant a true frozen-in-time jewel. The focus is simply sophisticated steaks, seafood and chops prepared with classic techniques by chef Johnnie Smith and his team. Its steaks are USDA prime, handtrimmed and seasoned with salt and pepper — with a slight char from the broiler. The 22-ounce bone-in marbled rib-eye ($72) delivers a hearty bite, while the 9- to 12-ounce filet mignon ($63-$76) melts in your mouth like butter. Sides include a tossed salad ($9) with crumbled Danish blue cheese and house-made garlicky vinaigrette and oysters Rockefeller ($22) with Blue Point oysters, spinach and bubbling mozzarella. With over nine decades of support, this Akron cornerstone is here to stay. //KP 77 W. Market St., Akron, 330-253-0041, diamondgrille.com photos by Shea Media & Design JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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D

TA S T E

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After Charlie Somtrakool graduated with a degree in engineering, he began looking for jobs while working as a manager at Thai 9 in Dayton. But he soon realized that the restaurant industry had his heart.

“There was a turning point or an aha moment,” says Somtrakool, who was born in America and lived in Thailand for years.

In 2009, Somtrakool opened Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant.

“I found this location in Akron, and I said, This is a love at first sight for me,” he says.

Located in a former bank, its 6,000-squarefoot dining room is complete with high ceilings, large windows overlooking downtown and a colossal silver eagle behind the bar.

Diners enjoy authentic Thai food and sushi for lunch and dinner.

“We have our own recipes,” Somtrakool says. “My mom gave me some because when we first started, she came over from Thailand to help me. …

Over time, we actually started coming up with our own dishes, our own flavors.”

Try Cilantro’s pad Thai ($18.95-$24.95), made with carefully cooked rice noodles, tamarinds squeezed for a tangy flavor, soy sauce from Thailand and more. Fresh bean sprouts and green onions are added — along with ground peanuts and a protein of your choice.

“My personal favorite Thai dish here is the duck basil ($29.95),” Somtrakool shares. “We

have a roasted duck filet that we lightly dusted and then fried until it’s crispy. And then we have our stir-fry with our house brown sauce, with some Thai basil, some red and green bell peppers, white onions and fresh garlic — fresh chiles if you like it spicy.”

Also sample khao soi ($16.95), from Cilantro’s new noodle soup menu. It’s made with egg noodles, curry broth — crafted from curry paste, coconut milk, chicken broth, cinnamon, cumin and turmeric — and a quarter of chicken, slowcooked in the broth until the meat is falling off the bone. Garnishes include pickled greens, crispy noodles and more.

“This dish is known in Chiang Mai, which is a city I grew up in in Thailand,” Somtrakool says. “The richness of the curry broth and the egg noodle and the chicken go so well together.”

Pair your meal with a wide selection of sake, beer, wine and cocktails. Sip a Tokyo mule ($12), made with Japanese whiskey instead of vodka, blueberry puree, freshsqueezed lime juice and Australian ginger beer, or a Thai tamarind margarita ($12) — a twist on the traditional drink that features tequila blanco and the earthy flavor of tamarind juice and lime juice, rimmed with spicy, tangy, salty TajÍn.

“If you’re looking to have a great dining experience in an elegant space with authentic Thai flavors, accompanied with fresh sushi and craft cocktails,” Somtrakool says, “we would be your destination.” //CG 326 S. Main St., Akron, 330-434-2876, cilantrothai.com Charlie Somtrakool (left)

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Mike Lytz

Customers have long been asking Sarah’s Vineyard owner Mike Lytz to open a brewery. But he didn’t rush into making the dream a reality. Lytz built out the 6,000-square-foot, 300-seat Richfield Brewing Company over four years, pulling together natural or reclaimed materials for features, such as an Amish white oak-stained timberframed high ceiling and reclaimed sandstone tables.

Opened in late 2024, the restaurant’s wooden bar is from a Miami speakeasy, and an exterior sign showcases an inscribed custom millstone hanging from a Firestone jib crane. Parts of the 15-barrel brewing system are from Massachusetts’ shuttered John Harvard’s Brew House — as is the big silver mug hanging over the bar in the rustic beer hall atmosphere.

“It’s similar to what you find in Germany or other parts of Europe,” Lytz says.

Head brewer Andrew Ritterbeck is a traditionalist.

On the Richfield Brewing Company’s beer list, find a Bavarian hefeweizen, a Vienna lager, an Italian pilsner and more. Ritterbeck insists on using real ingredients such as Costa Rican sun-dried black honey-processed coffee in the Golden Café ale ($7.50), which has a creamy profile with fruity and chocolatey undertones.

“I had a cup of the coffee black, and I was blown away by how much flavor,” he says. “The beer’s the medium for the coffee to shine.”

The spot’s lunch and dinner menus are full of culinary-driven brewpub fare that complements — and features — its beer. The Reuben ($19) is made with hand-sliced corned beef cooked in wholegrain mustard and broiled with Swiss cheese, Cleveland Kraut and Richfield Brewing’s Minuteman lager. It’s finished with horseradish remoulade and Old World rye from Breads in Fairlawn.

“The horseradish really comes through,” says co-kitchen manager Brennan Maughan. “You can distinctly tell all the flavors.”

For Southern flair, try the shrimp and grits ($28). Buttercream grits are paired with large bay butter shrimp scampi and a gumbo-inspired trinity gravy sauce, along with black-eyed peas and okra.

“It gives you a little kick from the gravy,” says Maughan. “But then the grits — we put a lot of butter and milk in it — that helps cool it down.” photos by Erin Gulling 22

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Other highlights include the roadhouse pretzel ($14), brushed with Richfield Brewing’s dark John Brown ale, and a steak burger ($19) with a dynamic sauce made in-house with horseradish, mayo, Worcestershire, ketchup, mustard and pickles. Made from Lytz’s grandmother’s recipe, the 13-ounce beef meatball ($16-$22) can be ordered as an appetizer or entree.

Sip a chocolate martini ($15) crafted with Towpath Distillery vodka, Bailey’s chocolate liqueur, Bailey’s Irish Cream and dark chocolate.

The quality food and drinks make Richfield Brewing an elevated brewery.

“It’s a step above most breweries as far as the food menu,” Lytz says. “We pride ourselves not only in our beer but in our atmosphere and food.” //KP 3871 Broadview Road, Richfield, 330-944-2739, richfieldbrewing.com

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NEW CHAPTER

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NEW CHAPTER

Step down a flight of stairs and enter the luxurious, leather-infused atmosphere of Amelia’s by the Farmer’s Rail. Surrounded by paintings, curated vintage treasures and gold-rimmed mirrors, it’s easy to sink into velvet lounge booths and feel instantly transported beyond the Farmer’s Rail — its bright, casual upstairs sister restaurant.

“Our original theme was this very elegant, kind of Hollywood Regency, with vintage vibes,” coowner Melanie Brunty says. “We’re presenting to you this beautiful steak — it’d absolutely be coming in a fine dining restaurant — but we’re in a way much cozier atmosphere. The ambiance gives it a little step up.”

Opened in August 2025, Amelia’s offers something entirely new to the Falls dining scene.

“Our menu is very different than anything you can find locally,” Brunty says.

Take in darker colors and intimate dining areas while you savor a deluxe menu full of local ingredients — with beef, chicken, pork and lamb uniquely sourced from Brunty Farms and butchered at its Hudson Farmer’s Rail location. For the ahi tuna nachos ($22), tuna is cut into bite-sized pieces and placed in a pokestyle marinade — also used to make a glaze — then combined with fresh ingredients like charred pineapple, avocado, togarashi, toasted coconut, wonton crisp, house-made Sriracha aioli and jalapeños.

“You get a little bit of that sweet and savory

from the soy glaze and then the Sriracha is like this hot element,” Brunty notes. “It’s a fun dish because it kind of hits all these senses.”

Also order the 14-ounce prime strip steak ($44), sourced from Brunty Farms, which raises its animals with care on pasture. Heavily coated in salt and pepper and served with silky mashed potatoes and a local mushroom demiglace, it’s a refined classic.

“You can tell the quality of the products when it’s coming from the farm,” says head chef Chris Cook. “The farm actually makes my job easy because of all the quality ingredients I get from them.”

Amelia’s Faroe Islands salmon ($36) is crusted with sesame, pan-seared and cooked in the oven. It’s served with cauliflower fried rice, sauteed with chili oil, eggs, carrots and edamame, and finished with a soy mixture.

“I make a kimchi aioli … which is kind of a combination of our Sriracha aioli with some actual kimchi blended into it,” Cook says. “A little bit of gochujang in there to kick the spice up a little bit, and that’ll come with actual raw kimchi as well for a little garnish, some more togarashi and a lemon wedge.”

Pair your meal with wine or one of Amelia’s signature cocktails, such as the sage bee ($15) — made with Watershed Distillery’s Four Peel Gin, honey ginger simple syrup, sage, lemon juice and egg white foam.

“It’s this sweet and savory drink with some floral and herbal aromatics,” Brunty notes. “It photos by Erin Gulling

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LA LOMA

Through a Mexican grocery store with aisles of piñatas, candies, herbs and more, enter La Loma, a small Akron restaurant with big flavor. Mexico City native and owner Blanca Saucedo started La Loma as a taco trailer and expanded into the original Akron, as well as Canton and Columbus locations. Look for an expanded restaurant in Akron in spring 2026, with the market and bakery down the street in summer 2026. Taste streetstyle tacos, home-style tamales, soulful pozole and more. “La Loma’s menu is vibrant, honest and deeply rooted in Mexican culture — simple in spirit and generous in flavor,” Saucedo says via email.

Served with handcrafted rich consomé, the buzzworthy birria tacos are delectable with marinated beef. The carne asada features thin-cut steak marinated with traditional spices and grilled with a smoky char. Seafood offerings include the massive molcajete, which is served in a warm volcanic rock bowl and features mussels, octopus, scallops, crab legs, shrimp and fish simmering in a savory broth.

To finish? Walk over to its in-store Akron bakery and snap up a churro, pan dulce or tres leches cake, baked in house. //KP 459 Darrow Road, Akron, 330-784-9300; 4794 Dressler Road NW, Canton, 330-956-4363; lalomaohio.com

photos by Mal McCrea

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has a creamy note from the foam, and then you get this warm spice from the ginger and a little tart from the lemon.”

Amelia’s classic old-fashioned ($15) is made with Buffalo Trace bourbon, orange bitters and a demerara sugar cube, topped with a Luxardo cherry, while its apple pie Harvest Bubbles mimosa ($14) features local apple cider, house-infused vanilla vodka, fino sherry, lemon juice and prosecco.

“We do a little rim of graham cracker on it, and it actually helps the nose,” says Alex Most, assistant manager and head of bar. “We do house-made cinnamon bitters in there too.”

Named after Amelia, Brunty’s baby daughter, the restaurant has seen success in its first months. With its menu of creative, farm-to-table fare and its sophisticated atmosphere, it’s the perfect place for celebrations.

“It’s exactly what this area needed,” Brunty says. //CG 2231 Front St., lower level, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-576-3333, ameliaslounge.com

CRAVE

Located in a former bank — complete with ornate plaster ceilings, hand-blown glass light fixtures and warm colors — Crave provides a menu of elevated favorites. From red chimichurri steak skewers ($17) to airline chicken with Romanesco ($26), find a wide variety of creative dishes by chef, founder and co-owner Aaron Hervey in the contemporary restaurant that first opened in 2001. Start with an Akron-style giardiniera ($18), featuring pickled peppers, olives, garlic herb oil, creamy whipped feta-Boursin spread and focaccia, ciabatta and baguette slices. Then dig into main dishes — including vegan risotto ($23), smoked Gouda mac ‘n’ cheese ($21) with blackened chicken and roasted garlic butter and grilled pork tenderloin ($29), served with goat cheese grits and more. “Crispy apples, silky goat cheese grits, roasted Brussels sprouts tossed with bacon and house-made hot honey all come together well,” Hervey says via email. Pair it with the Crave Tini ($13) — with Grey Goose L’Orange, tang-infused vodka, orange liqueur and fresh-squeezed orange juice — or the Crave Experience ($14), crafted from Herradura, ginger liquor, yuzu sour syrup and fresh lemon balm. Garnished with buzz button flowers, it’s the perfect start to a night out on the town — Crave is located within steps of Lock 3 park and the Akron Civic Theatre. //CG 156 S. Main St., Akron, 330-253-1234, eatdrinkcrave.com photos by Talia Hodge

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When you step into the Industry Kitchen & Bar’s red brick Romanesque revival building in Green, you’re walking into over 135 years of history. While it’s housed in an 1890 one-room East Liberty schoolhouse, the atmosphere is entirely contemporary and upscale — plaster is tastefully chipped away to reveal patches of brick, while vines crawl up walls and twin murals frame both sides of the stylish vestibule entrance.

“For the mural there, which is the hand of David being handed a drink … that’s actually the original plaster as well that we had an artist paint over, chisel out,” says partner Kyle Oberlin.

Opened in March 2025, the Industry’s renovations took about 20 months.

Wooden cutout feature walls make it modern — as does a slatted wooden ceiling with myriad pendant lights

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crowning a chic lounge area with sheer white curtains and original wooden floors throughout.

The restaurant aspires to offer the industry’s best in atmosphere, food and drinks with elevated, from-scratch lunch, brunch and dinner menus from chef Ben Myers. For a small plate with a stunning presentation, order the deviled eggs ($14) topped with smoked mustard seed caviar, dill, an artful dusting of paprika and bourbonglazed crispy pork belly that’s been roasting for eight hours.

“Our prep is very intense,” says Oberlin, adding that the restaurant doesn’t have a freezer or microwave and spends most of Mondays and Tuesdays, when it’s closed, on prep.

Dig into a French dip ($18) with handsliced rib-eye cooked on the flattop on ciabatta with garlic cheddar, parsley, house-made horseradish aioli and a

side of house au jus. The rich ravioli ($28) showcases Ohio City Pasta’s cremini mushroom and fontina cheese ravioli with a goat cheese Alfredo, blackened chicken breast, confit cherry tomatoes and herbs.

“The Alfredo and goat cheese really pop on that,” Oberlin says.

Enjoy Cuyahoga Falls’ Salt and Light espresso in the pistachio tiramisu, featuring ladyfingers, dunked in espresso, and 100 percent pistachio paste — a creamy dessert inspired by a similar one Oberlin had in Italy. The Fireside espresso martini ($15) also incorporates Salt and Light espresso with fire-roasted marshmallows on top and more.

The old-fashioned ($18) starts with smoking a glass over smoldering hickory chips on a wood plank. Buffalo Trace bourbon, house demerara, cherry bark vanilla bitters, muddled

L A V I IN

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orange and cherry, orange peel, a Luxardo cherry and egg white froth combine for a layered experience.

“We use cherry bark vanilla bitters, so it has a little bit of a vanilla element,” says Oberlin, adding that the Industry offers many mocktails too. “Then the egg white froth adds that velvety mouthfeel.”

The Industry gives new life to a historic gem through a distinctive, toptier dining experience.

“The atmosphere makes it very unique,” Oberlin says. “We have … foodies, and they’re like, Wow, this is some of the best meals we’ve ever ate — we’ve had that happen quite a bit. So much work goes into each meal.” //KP 3492 S. Arlington Road, Akron, 330-563-4048, theindustryohio.com

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GAC

Y

There’s no mistaking the caliber of Ken Stewart’s Grille. An Akron mainstay since its opening in 1990, its attentive servers and sophisticated meals make it one of the area’s finest dining experiences.

But as you enter, you know that this isn’t just any white-tablecloth establishment. Leopard print carpeting greets you, and colorful portraits of cowboys line the walls. Celebrating over 35 years in business, the Grille is a labor of love.

“I’m a cowboy at heart,” Stewart

says, sporting his trademark colorful glasses. “In Aspen, Colorado, every Wednesday night, I’d ride bareback bucking broncos.”

Stewart is a cornerstone of the Akron dining scene. The owner of three restaurants — the Grille in Akron, plus Ken Stewart’s Tre Belle and Ken Stewart’s Lodge, both in Bath — he strikes one as charismatic yet focused, zeroed in on what makes a restaurant experience memorable.

Servers at his establishments must know every item on the menu and how each is prepared.

“One reason we are successful is I hire really, really good people,” he says.

“I’ve got an eye for what’s good.”

Born in Akron, Stewart grew to love restaurants at an early age.

“My dad would say, If you order it and don’t like it, get something else but at least try it,” Stewart says. “As a result, I experimented with a lot of different items and food.”

The Grille’s lunch and dinner menus offer lofty options, from Alaskan king crab legs (market price) to Ossetra caviar ($95), served with crème fraiche and house-made chips — as well as more casual bites such as fried pickles with chipotle tartar sauce ($13) and sauerkraut balls ($15).

Order the table-side Caesar salad ($17) — it’s crafted using Stewart’s mother’s recipe. At your table, fresh garlic is minced in the bowl, then anchovies are minced and lemon is squeezed over the fish. Mustard, olive oil, Worcestershire and a touch photos by Mal McCrea

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Ken Stewart

THYME2

Chef John Kolar's dual concept Medina restaurant, Thyme2, offers diners the best of both worlds. Opened in 2012, Thyme2 serves both elevated fare and pub-style grub. Sit in a white-tablecloth environment upstairs while you enjoy chipotle cream steamed mussels ($18), made with Prince Edward Island mussels, onions, garlic, chipotle peppers, double-thick cream, andouille sausage and diced tomatoes — served with focaccia to soak up flavor — or pan-roasted thyme chicken ($26), served with Yukon gold potatoes, maple-glazed roasted root vegetables and roasted chicken jus. For nearly two decades, Kolar has featured a fire-roasted pork chop ($32) on his menus.

Cooked in a pizza oven, it's charred on the outside and soft and juicy within. Craving something more casual?

Head downstairs to wood-paneled walls and cozy tables and order the kraut balls ($13) for an Akron-area staple.

Then, bite into a house-made 8-ounce flamethrower burger ($17.50), with pepperjack, fried jalapenos, habanero sauce and Sriracha aioli. //CG 113 W. Smith Road, Medina, 330-764-4114, thyme2restaurant.com

photos by Talia Hodge John Kolar (left)

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of Tabasco are used to make a paste, and Parmesan is added. Seasoned and baked croutons absorb the dressing, while torn hearts of romaine are tossed in the mixture until covered. The salad is topped with grated Parmesan.

“It’s the old-school way,” Stewart says. “Some of the older restaurants in New York … they always make the salads table-side.”

Also try the yellowtail hamachi sashimi ($22).

“We make sure it’s really chilled, and we slice it razor thin … and then put micro-planed raw jalapeño on top. … And then we have it lightly dressed in a ponzu yuzu sauce,” he notes. “It checks all the flavor boxes.”

For a sumptuous main course, order the A5 Japanese wagyu rib-eye (market price).

Distinctly, the wagyu arrives white with red marbling. It’s served sliced with roasted clove garlic and a soy-based sauce.

“The fat, which is where all the flavor comes from, is so delicate that if you put it in your hand, the steak actually starts to melt,” Stewart says.

The Grille’s wine selection and signature cocktails include the lavender 75 ($22), crafted with Empress gin, lavender, lemon and champagne. Stewart’s favorite cocktails? A margarita and a cosmo.

Today, all three of Stewart’s daughters, Carley, Hailey and Lindsey, are involved in the business — taking an Akron icon into the next generation. It feels good, Stewart says, for his name to represent so much. But he’s nowhere near resting on his laurels.

“I never think I’ve got it made, or I’ve made it. I like to operate like we’re one meal away from going out of business,” Stewart says. “That’s what keeps our feet to the fire.” //CG 1970 W. Market St., Akron, 330-867-2555, kenstewartsgrille.com

DARBY’S ON 59

photos provided by Darby’s on 59

Pub fare reaches the next level at Darby’s on 59.

Simple sliders, for example, find new life as mini elevated sandwiches, with variations like filet mignon ($8), salmon ($7), barbecue pulled pork ($5.50), scallop ($9) or Buffalo chicken ($6.50). A cozy, rustic gastropub located inside a former house, Darby’s uses ultra-fresh ingredients and creative presentations. “At Darby’s, we pride ourselves in having the best, locally grown ingredients from surrounding farms and businesses in an effort to bolster the community we care so much about,” says Lyndsey Marie, manager and social media content creator, via email. “With no freezer or microwave, we make everything in-house daily, from every

dressing to the ever-changing desserts.” Opened in 2015, Darby’s spotlights an eclectic menu that partially changes seasonally. Chef Eric Higgins prepares favorites such as the tempura-fried green beans ($12) — hand-battered with light, flaky tempura, they’re then deep-fried and drizzled with sweet soy glaze. Dip them in Sriracha ranch. Then, bite into the chicken ($16), spicy pork ($15.50), filet mignon ($17) or mahi-mahi ($16.50) tacos. “The intimacy of the establishment and quality of food is unmatched,” says Marie. “It feels like the best-kept secret.” //CG 2764 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-922-7540, darbyson59.com

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63 CORKS

Savor a truly local-to-table meal at 63 Corks in Strasburg.

About 75 percent of the ingredients used in its recipes are sourced locally — including its beef and honey. “We ensure that our menu reflects the best of what the region has to offer, while supporting sustainable practices and the local economy,” says executive chef and co-owner Nathan Kelly. In its rustic-meets-industrial-chic dining room, try dishes from Kelly, such as the Appalachian trout saltimbocca ($35) — mountain trout wrapped in Benton’s Country Ham, filled with cornbread crawfish stuffing and served with butter pea succotash, bourbon beurre blanc, apple collard green slaw and more. Also order the Appalachian wagyu beef cheeks ($44). Tomato and molasses braised beef cheeks are served with smoked whipped potatoes, sweet and sour root vegetables, parsnips and a red-eye demi-glace. Finish your meal with a customer favorite, the smoked s'mores ($13). At the spot, opened in December 2022, taste the difference provided by fresh ingredients. “63 Corks takes pride in its culinary approach, which combines the flavors of Appalachian Mountain Southern cuisine with a local Ohio twist,” Kelly says. “This fusion of regional influences is evident not only in our dishes but also in the overall ambiance, allowing guests to experience the essence of both traditions.” //CG 9185 state Route 250 NW, Strasburg, 330-878-4050, 63corks.com photos provided by 63 Corks photos provided

by Stirling

STIRLING 34

Each monthly menu at Stirling is a work of art. Crafted with care by chef David Tigelman, changing themes — such as fall or Asian-inspired — represent new culinary explorations and forays into the unexpected at the spot that opened in June 2024. “This is a huge undertaking for a restaurant and ensures one will never be bored eating here,” says owner and operator David Glenny via email.

In December, diners savored snapper crudo ($19) with ajo blanco, grapes, tarragon, espelette, almond and olive oil, a veal chop ($65) with prosciutto, sage Marsala, crispy Parmesan potatoes and broccolini and more. “Chef Tig’s soups are very popular,” Glenny says. “His take on chicken and waffles — scallion waffle with black garlic butter and Japanese whiskey-infused maple syrup — has been ... a fan favorite.” Stirling has also become known for its cocktails, such as the Between Two Fires — consisting of silver tequila, dry curaçao, passionfruit liqueur, tangerine juice, ghost pepper hot honey and a red bell pepper float. “It is savory, spicy and sweet all at the same time,” says Glenny.

“The flavors change as you drink it.” //CG 1288 Weathervane Lane, Akron, 330-701-9303, stirlingakron.com

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SÉRÉNITÉ RESTAURANT & CULINARY INSTITUTE

When you order the chicken poulet with root vegetables and a celery root puree ($28) at Sérénité Restaurant & Culinary Institute, your meal is part of a larger purpose. Operated by the Recovery Center of Medina County and opened in 2018, the accredited institute allows those in recovery from substance use disorder to start over by learning the culinary profession.

The 12-month program gives students hands-on experience in the front of the house and the kitchen of Sérénité. With an October 2025 relaunch, the restaurant and culinary institute has started over — refocusing the menu on European inspiration with French influences and adding chef Niko Courey, who was trained at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu. In a fine dining brasserie atmosphere replete with rich woods and white tablecloths, dine on bouillabaisse ($40), made with smoked mussel meat, shrimp, halibut, rouille, fennel and potato, or braised short rib ($45) with onion molasses glaze, kimchi and potato pave. Sip a lemon lavender drop martini ($15) or a nonalcoholic strawberry lemonade fizz ($10). //KP 538 W. Liberty St., Medina, 330-952-2611, sereniterestaurant.com

VUE

photos provided by Sérénité Restaurant & Culinary Institute and by Talia Hodge

photos by Talia Hodge and provided by Vue, Anthony Scolaro (center)

Vue is committed to reinvention. Every 10 weeks, it rotates to a new creatively themed menu by chef and co-owner Anthony Scolaro — also of 111 Bistro in Medina. With Brian Doglowicz in late 2023, Scolaro opened the sleek Vue, featuring full windows overlooking downtown Wadsworth. In December, the menu highlighted bountiful ingredients from the Americas, such as bison meatloaf. A favorite, venison osso bucco started with 13 ounces of venison being seasoned, braised and prepared sous vide and paired with mole, black garlic elote risotto, pickled tomatillo and cotija. Scolaro reimagines classics, such as a chicken noodle soup-inspired dish that featured pappardelle pasta topped with airline chicken and cornbread hush puppies, paired with a surprising cranberry jalapeño jam. "We make dishes with ingredients that are normally not used in dishes that you find in the area,” says Dolgowicz via email. “Our menu allows guests to step out of their comfort zone to experience international/ national flavors.” The cocktails are equally inventive, including the butter pecan old-fashioned ($15) with Elijah Craig small-batch bourbon, butter pecan syrup, amaretto and black walnut bitters, topped with candied pecans. In January, savor a northern Italian menu. //KP 102 High St., Wadsworth, 330-808-6347, thevuewads.com JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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SO GO O D photos by Mal McCrea 36

akronlife.com | JANUARY 2026

Good Company’s 72-hour chicken wings are life-changing, attests Akron location sous chef Tony Kettel.

“There’s life before and there’s life after eating our chicken wings,” he says.

“It’s the perfect encapsulation of what a chicken wing should be. It’s unlike any one that you’ve had in the past, and it’s probably different than any one they’ll have in the future.”

Cooks start by curing jumbo wings in a mixture of spices overnight, packing in the seasoning. The next day, they put the wings in the oven, so the rendering cooks down, confiting them. The following day, they cool them, trapping the fat, so that the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender.

To season the pecorino garlic ($13 for six) variety, for example, cooks infuse the restaurant’s salad oil with pecorino overnight and strain the oil, using it to make an aioli that smothers the wings, along with cheese and herbs.

“We’ve infused it with not only the little bits of density from the cheese and all that extra fat but also all that flavor,” says Akron location chef Tommy Kettel, Tony’s cousin. “[It] makes a nice, fluffy really thick, dense lap-on aioli.”

The second location of a Cleveland restaurant, Good Company opened in 2024 in a 105-year-old former West Hill firehouse. With green velvet booths, a Murano glass chandelier, 16-foot ceilings and a botanical mural by Cleveland artist Dana Oldfather spanning the bar wall,

Tommy and Tony Kettel

it’s a sumptuous environment that sets the bar for highquality, scratch-made dishes.

“So many different things hit that next level, hit the next echelon of food,” says Tony.

The Good One signature burger ($15) is topped with griddled onions, malted pickles, shredded lettuce, American cheese and bright mustard caper company aioli and is served on a house-made spongy, dense poppyseed Japanese-style milk bun. The two custom Angus beef sirloin blend smash patties shine.

“It’s a very unique form of smash patty using belly fat, and it creates a different … level of paper thin, crispy, lattice-y on the outside of the patty,” says Tommy. “You have that crispy lattice-y but also fatty patty mixed with those bright flavors.”

Featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” the Gabagool ($16) is served on a house-made poppyseed hoagie with house-cured capicola pork collar with an anise rub — which adds a salty, floral taste — Italian-dressed lettuce, pickled banana peppers, company aioli and house-made Japanese-inspired kewpie aioli.

“You’re using so much oil in such a small amount of egg to get that recipe done, that little bit of Dijon helps it bind properly and makes us able to make a really big batch of very fluffy kewpie mayo,” says Tommy. “It’s the type of thing you want to be wiping off your face and have a big smile because your bite is so good.”

The fries that accompany the sandwiches go through an in-depth process that starts with blanching.

“When you blanch the fries, they kind of break open, you get that fluffy inside … and you get those crispy bits,” says Tommy.

The Good Company pastry team makes all the ice cream for its shakes, and it shows. The strawberry ice cream uses buttermilk, lemon juice and strawberry puree for a bright, lemony flavor that gets paired with Bacardi JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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rum, Ohio maple syrup and a streusel topping reminiscent of the Good Humor strawberry shortcake frozen bars for the strawberry short stack hard shake ($13).

It all makes for delicious diner fare that’s prepared with far more depth, detail and care than you’ll find at most other burgers-and-fries joints.

“It’s all about the process we do that is the difference,” Tony says. “You taste all the time, taste all the effort that goes into it. You taste the hard work. That’s what encapsulates Good Company.” //KP 60 S. Maple St., Akron, 330-252-9099, goodcompanyakron.com

akronlife.com | JANUARY 2026

by Mal McCrea

KINGFISH

THE TWISTED OLIVE 38

Amid sky-high windows, vaulted ceilings, multiple dining levels and a large patio overlooking a pond, the Twisted Olive offers tasteful Italian American fare. Part of Gervasi Vineyard’s GV Destinations portfolio, this restaurant presents a refined menu by chef Tori Marion in a gorgeous setting. “The Twisted Olive was built to be both a destination and a discovery — where contemporary takes on classic pastas and pizzas meet a scenic landscape and warm atmosphere,” says marketing director Andrea Hartman via email. At the spot that opened in November 2014, try the cheese tortellini ($20) served with roasted corn, peas and rich butternut squash cream — or the braised beef short ribs ($35), served with mushrooms, bacon onion jam, veal demi-glace, roasted garlic redskinned mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Sip the Twisted Olive’s signature cocktail, Gin It to Win It ($14), to complement your meal. “The preparation balances crisp botanical notes from the gin with the subtle floral essence of rose and the fruity sweetness of watermelon, finished with the cooling freshness of mint — making it light, refreshing and perfectly balanced for a winter cocktail experience,” Hartman says. //CG photos provided by 5430 Massillon Road, Green, Gervasi Vineyard and 330-899-0550, gervasivineyard.com

photos by Marc Standen

KINGFISH

Kingfish is a place of luxury. From its Barracuda room, featuring an illuminated 8-foot metal barracuda art piece, to a stunning bubble glass chandelier and custom hardwood table in the private Harbor dining room, its white-tablecloth atmosphere, bolstered by attentive staffers donning Oxford shirts and ties, sets the tone for a decadent meal at the Akron fine dining restaurant opened in 2016. Dive into new American seafood with Southern influences, such as the pecancrusted Florida grouper with sweet corn succotash, chorizo dirty rice and piquillo pepper sauce ($42).

Enjoy fresh flavors from chef Eric Wright in the herb-crusted walleye, served with butternut squash spaetzle, spinach, wild mushrooms and almond

cream ($36). Diners indulge in favorites such as the Kingfish trio ($59) with lobster tail, scallops, shrimp, lobster mashed potatoes and asparagus or the pasta Newburg ($35) with Maine lobster, Gulf shrimp, mushrooms, spinach and brandy lobster cream.

Toast with a spiced cider Manhattan ($13) made with private label Knob Creek bourbon, spiced apple syrup and tawny port. But this isn’t only a special occasion place. From 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays and all day Sunday, dig into happy hour deals like steamed Blue Hill bay mussels ($10), Blue Point oysters ($2 each) or shrimp cocktail ($2 each) for a luxurious, yet casual bite. //KP 115 Montrose W. Ave., Akron, 330-777-2005, kingfishakron.com

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Best Chef & Restaurateur: Chef Beau Schmidt #1 (Beau’s Grille, Beau’s On The River and Beau’s Bar & Bistro)

Thank you for your Vote!

Beau’s Grille

Best Cheesecake #1 Best Sauerkraut Balls #3

Beau’s on the River

Best Dining with a View #1 Best Brunch #2 Best Brunch Cocktails #2

Beau’s Bar & Bistro

Best Charcuterie #3 Best Artisan Food Shop #3

See the full listing of

Please visit the The 3 B’s

Our Flavor Awards

in this issue.

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BeausRestaurants.com

LUCIANO’S CUCINA ITALIANA

When you order the Parmigiano-Reggiano pasta wheel ($35) at Luciano’s Cucina Italiana, you get a show. A cook puts a high-proof spirit on a Parmesan wheel, lighting it on fire and stirring the pasta into the cheese as it melts. "It's true, authentic Italian cuisine. Ingredients are shipped in from Italy, and all of our pastas and sauces are made inhouse,” says Joel Testa, CEO of Testa Hospitality Group, via email. Featuring Tuscany-inspired arborvitae trees inside and a patio with stunning city views, the Northside District spot opened in early 2025. Savor lobster ravioli ($36) that’s handmade with ricotta, herbs and Maine lobster in a rich cream sauce. Nosh on expertly prepared small plates and sides, such as a house-made tiramisu and sauteed Rhode Island calamari ($20), served with white wine, roasted red peppers, heirloom tomatoes and a spicy Arrabbiata sauce. Look out for new dishes from new executive chef Aaron Coon. New steaks and chops include a hefty hanging tomahawk for two, grilled and finished table-side with bone marrow butter. Don’t miss artisanal cocktails, including the pistachio gelato martini ($14), made with chocolate vodka, bourbon crème, white chocolate liqueur, Frangelico, crème de menthe and a crushed pistachio garnish. //KP 21 Furnace St., Suite 402, Akron, 330-808-7670, lucianos.xyz photos by Erin Gulling

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THE RIVER MERCHANT The River Merchant Restaurant & Wine Market is Kent’s riverfront restaurant, which combines crafted food & beverage with upscale hospitality. The River Merchant is the place to visit for business lunches, date nights, family gatherings and friendly get-togethers.

911 N. Mantua St., Kent 330-968-6376 therivermerchantkent.com contact@therivermerchantkent.com

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330 FLAVOR AWARD Best Restaurant in The 330 1. Kingfish/Diamond Grille 2. Sylvester’s North End Grille/ Luigi’s Restaurant 3. The Twisted Olive

Best New Restaurant in The 330 1. Amelia’s by the Farmer’s Rail 2. Good Day Oven 3. Luciano’s Cucina Italiana

Best Restaurant in Downtown Akron

1. Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant 2. Crave 3. Luigi’s Restaurant

Best Restaurant in Medina County

1. Thyme2 2. Gandalf’s Pub & Restaurant 3. Dominic’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant

Best Brunch Cocktails

1. Jilly’s Music Room 2. Beau’s on the River/Rosewood Grill 3. Sunrise Social

Best Chicken & Waffles

Best Farm-to-Table

1. The Farmer’s Table 2. Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery 3. The Blue Door Cafe & Bakery/ Butcher & Sprout

1. The Howlin Bird/Jilly’s Music Room 2. Over Easy at the Depot/Vicious Biscuit 3. Wally Waffle/Sunrise Social

Best Gastropub

Best Benedict

Best Tacos

Best Sandwiches

Best Mexican Restaurant

1. Akron Family Restaurant 2. Sunrise Social 3. Vicious Biscuit 1. Diamond Deli 2. Eddy’s Deli & Restaurant 3. Gasoline Alley

Best Classic Burger

1. Table Six Kitchen & Bar 2. Butcher & Sprout 3. The Richfield Brewing Company 1. El Fogon Mexican Grill 2. El Mesón Mexican Restaurant 3. El Rincon/Casa Del Rio 1. El Fogon Mexican Grill 2. El Mesón Mexican Restaurant 3. Casa Del Mar/Pancho’s Southwestern Grille

1. Swensons Drive-In 2. D&M Grille 3. Frank’s Place on Market/George’s Lounge

Best Jojos

Best Chef-driven Burger

Best Place to Order to-go Food

Best Veggie Burger

Best Drive-in

Best Restaurant in Stark County

Best Reuben

Best Sauerkraut Balls

Best Chef in The 330

Best Barbecue

Best Appetizer Menu

Best Restaurateur

Best Wings

Best Charcuterie

Best Fried Chicken

Best Cocktails

Best Steakhouse

Best Happy Hour

Best Restaurant in Summit County 1. Luigi’s Restaurant 2. Kingfish 3. Papa Gyros

Best Restaurant in Portage County

1. Ray’s Place 2. The River Merchant 3. The Lake House Kitchen & Bar

1. Sylvester’s North End Grille 2. Bender’s Tavern 3. Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery 1. Beau Schmidt, Beau’s Grille & more 2. John Kolar, Thyme2 3. Eric Wright, Kingfish 1. Beau Schmidt, Beau’s Grille & more 2. David Glenny, Stirling 3. Ken Stewart, Ken Stewart’s Grille & more

Best Service Staff

1. Rosewood Grill 2. Jilly’s Music Room/Wise Guys Lounge & Grill 3. Kingfish

Best Brunch

1. Rosewood Grill 2. Beau’s on the River 3. Jilly’s Music Room 42

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1. Thyme2 2. Flip Side 3. 111 Bistro

1. Mustard Seed Market & Cafe 2. The River Merchant 3. Swensons Drive-In 1. Akron Family Restaurant 2. Grinders Above & Beyond 3. Gasoline Alley/Diamond Deli 1. Old Carolina Barbecue Company 2. Jimmy’s Backyard BBQ 3. Big Eu’es BBQ 1. White House Chicken 2. Winking Lizard Tavern 3. On Tap Grille & Bar 1. White House Chicken 2. The Howlin Bird 3. Belgrade Gardens 1. Diamond Grille 2. Sparta Steak House & Lounge 3. Alexander Pierce

1. D&M Grille 2. Rizzi’s Ristorante & Pizzeria 3. Fiesta Pizza and Chicken 1. Chin’s Place/Imperial Wok 2. Gionino’s Pizzeria 3. Papa Gyros

1. Swensons Drive-In 2. B&K Rootbeer 3. Skyway Drive-In Restaurant 1. Waterloo Restaurant 2. On Tap Grille & Bar 3. Beau’s Grille/Papa Joe’s Iacomini’s 1. Amelia’s by the Farmer’s Rail 2. The River Merchant 3. The Twisted Olive 1. Lock 15 Brewing Company 2. Cellar 59 Wine 3. Beau’s Bar & Bistro 1. Thyme2 2. Northside Speakeasy 3. Ken Stewart’s Grille 1. Jerzee’s Sports Grille 2. Kingfish 3. Brubaker’s Pub

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WINNERS of 2026 readers' picks Best Margaritas

1. El Fogon Mexican Grill 2. El Mesón Mexican Restaurant 3. Casa Del Rio

Best Mules

1. Burntwood Tavern 2. The Merchant Tavern 3. Kingfish

Best Mediterranean Food

1. Papa Gyros 2. Aladdin’s Eatery 3. Laziza/Lyla’s Family Restaurant/ Zakee Mediterranean Street Food

Best Artisan Food Shop

Best Frozen Dessert

1. Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream 2. Pav’s Creamery 3. Stricklands Frozen Custard

Best Chocolates

1. The Farmer’s Rail 2. Canton Importing 3. Beau’s Bar & Bistro

1. Hartville Chocolate Factory 2. Malley’s Chocolates 3. Anastasiades Exclusive Chocolates/ Heggy’s Confectionery

Best Pizza

Best Caterer

Best Italian Restaurant

Best Food Truck

Best Seafood

Best Dining with a View

1. Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea 2. Tremont Coffee 3. Angel Falls Coffee Company/ Nervous Dog Coffee Bar

Best Salads

Best Place to Eat at the Bar

Best Coffee Shop Atmosphere

Best Vegetarian/Vegan Food

Best Sports Bar

Best Bubble Tea

Best House-made White French Dressing

Best Place to Eat and Watch a Live Performance

Best Cheesecake

Most Romantic Restaurant

1. Lucky Star Restaurant Chinese Carry Out 2. Bill Hwang Restaurant 3. Golden Dragon Chinese & Japanese Restaurant

Best Cake

Best Restaurant to Take Children

Best Thai Cuisine

Best Cupcake

Best Restaurant Beer Selection 1. The Basement Sports Bar & Grill 2. On Tap Grille & Bar 3. Winking Lizard Tavern/The Lockview

Best Brewery

1. McArthur’s Brew House 2. Eighty-Three Brewery 3. Hoppin’ Frog Brewery

Best Winery

1. It’s Your Winery 2. Gervasi Vineyard 3. Maize Valley/The Winery at Wolf Creek

Best Coffee

1. Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea 2. Angel Falls Coffee Company 3. Tremont Coffee 1. T-Bubbles 2. Boba & Pearl 3. Lyeh Thai Restaurant

Best Sushi

1. Kasai Japanese Restaurant 2. Sakura 3. A1 Japan Steakhouse

Best Chinese Food

1. Rice Paper Thai Cuisine 2. Pad Thai/Taste of Bangkok 3. Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant/ Lyeh Thai Restaurant

Best Indian Food

1. Saffron Patch 2. Bombay Grill/Nepali Kitchen 3. Heera Indian Cuisine

1. Luigi’s Restaurant 2. Gionino’s Pizzeria 3. Burrata Italian Kitchen 1. Luigi’s Restaurant 2. Parasson’s Italian Restaurant 3. Vaccaro’s Trattoria 1. Kingfish 2. Russo’s 3. A Plus Crab

1. Thyme2 2. Rockne’s Pub 3. Rosewood Grill 1. Aladdin’s Eatery 2. Mustard Seed Market & Cafe 3. Veg+

1. Papa Joe’s Iacomini’s 2. The Bistro of Green 3. The Ido Bar & Grill/Ken Stewart’s Grille 1. Beau’s Grille 2. The Twisted Olive/Kingfish 3. The West Side Bakery 1. The West Side Bakery 2.Tiffany’s Bakery 3. Chef Gina’s Bakeshop/ Sweet Mary’s Bakery 1. The West Side Bakery 2. Pandora’s Cupcakes at Crafty Steere 3. Sprinkle City Bakery & Cafe

Best Doughnuts

1. Jubilee Donuts 2. Dough Co. Donuts & Coffee 3. Ann’s Pastry Shop

1. Marigold Catering & Events 2. Taproot Catering 3. Spice Catering Co. 1. D&M Grille 2. Burrata Italian Food Truck 3. Swensons Drive-In 1. Beau’s on the River 2. Burntwood Tavern 3. The Twisted Olive

1. Kingfish 2. Jilly’s Music Room 3. Dean Martin’s Lanning’s

1. Jerzee’s Sports Grille 2. The Basement Sports Bar & Grill 3. Brubaker’s Pub

1. Jilly’s Music Room 2. Gervasi Vineyard’s Piazza 3. Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery 1. The Bistro of Green 2. Thyme2 3. Dean Martin’s Lanning’s/ Club Prive

1. Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery 2. Winking Lizard Tavern 3. Rockne’s Pub

Best Food or Drink Festival 1. Freedom Festival 2. Cuyahoga Falls Oktoberfest 3. Summit County ItalianAmerican Festival

JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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Our Style

With unique personal touches, such as a canine ring bearer and a pop culture cake, these local couples tied the knot with flair. illustrations by Cameron Gorman

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Ryan & Kimiko Riggs { by Lydia Koszegi }

Ryan Riggs, a wrestling coach at the University of Mount Union, and Kimiko Nakamura, an ER nurse, met in 2023 after she followed him on Facebook that summer.

“I’ve known one of her older brothers through the wrestling community but didn’t know he had a sister,” Ryan recounts. At a wrestling event, Ryan asked a friend if Kimiko was related to the brother he knew. The friend said yes.

“I finally got the courage to send her a Facebook message on her birthday in October of 2023,” he says. “After talking a little bit, we had our first date, and it was love at first sight.”

The couple bonded over a love of sports, the arts and their mutual dedication to their families. In 2024, Ryan decided to pop the question with the help of their beloved yellow French bulldog, Libby.

At Umbrella Alley in Louisville, Ryan attached the ring carrier to Libby’s collar — then proposed.

“When it shines and it hits the light, it’s like there’s stars on the wall, and I’m like, Oh, my gosh, my future husband got me stars,” Kimiko says.

On Aug. 15, 2025, at the luxurious 159 Events on Main in Akron, Kimiko and Ryan held a distinctive wedding ceremony and reception. The Alliance residents are now expecting their first child.

“We are so fortunate for it all to be happening.

Ryan has been nothing but super supportive,” Kimiko says. “Both families are very excited for us to bring our own little family to the table.”

PHOTOGRAPHER: JOE TATE JTateDesign, jtatedesign.com

where the guests signed in.

Playful Attire: I wore wrestling shoes [for the ceremony]. … For the reception, I got to change. …. The reception dress was ... just above the knee, and the off-the-shoulder top was feathers.

Perfect Day: My face was hurting so bad from how much I was smiling. … It was absolutely everything I wanted.

Dance the Night Away: The dancing was … one of my favorite moments I’ll never forget. I love Whitney Houston, I love the song “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” That song came on, and it was the only time Ryan wasn’t around. … I stood there and yelled, Where’s Ryan? When I opened my eyes, he was there. It was like a genie wish.

FROM THE GROOM Bow Wow: The Libby cuff links were a birthday gift.

We got a little mold made of her to put at the top of the cake, and my nephew walked her down the aisle.

She was our ring bearer — rings were attached to Libby’s collar, and she had her own nice little outfit.

Ceremony High: The venue setup was pretty unique. So, she comes out walking across the balcony so she’s above me. So, I first could see her when she got to the stairs. I was really calm in the moment, but when I saw everyone’s jaws were dropping, it was a really cool moment. When she got to the stairs, she smiled, and I smiled back. I was really nervous before the wedding, but after I saw her, I was really calm.

FROM THE BRIDE Paw Print: Instead of a guest sign-in book, Ryan made a painting of Libby. … Libby was the center oil painting, and the white space around it was JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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Becky Koler & Nick Williams { by Jillian Flack }

PHOTOGRAPHERS: BRIAN AND JOELLE HUNSAKER brianhunsaker.com

Dappled under the light shining through a partial solar eclipse, Becky Koler and Nick Williams stood in the Grand Canyon in October 2023. Facing Horseshoe Bend, Nick got down on one knee and asked the question that sealed their future in stone: Will you marry me?

Bonded through their shared physical therapy career field, Becky and Nick met on the Bumble dating app. They had their first date at Anatolia Cafe, a Cleveland Heights Turkish restaurant. Quickly, they knew their bond was something special. They spent hours getting to know one another.

“I feel very comfortable and happy, and I fused with this person in a way I hadn’t been with anybody else,” Becky says.

“We had fun talking to each other. We had long conversations.

As I was driving, [we had] multiple hourlong conversations,” Nick says. “It made it really easy, so I didn’t have to search for things to talk about — it just came naturally.”

At their Aug. 8, 2025, Cuyahoga Valley National Park wedding, Becky walked down a green field aisle in a white dress featuring pink and green florals, holding white and light pink flowers. Filled with pale, pinkish blooms, greenery and wooden centerpieces, their Happy Days Lodge reception brought their love of the outdoors and hiking to their wedding. Each table was adorned with a different national park sign — the South Euclid residents have a goal to visit each one.

FROM THE BRIDE Park Place: I really enjoyed doing the photos out in the national park. That was probably the most fun for me, just being out in the woods and having that one-on-one time with him.

Hand Made: I put together all the centerpieces and arch pieces and the headpiece. … I really enjoyed making the centerpieces because I feel like they came out so pretty.

Tasty Meal: Everybody had compliments on the food we got [from LaVera]. We had salmon, chicken cordon bleu as our main courses.

Island Honeymoon: We chose Hawaii … because of the two national parks — Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which is on the Big Island, and Haleakalā National Park, which is on Maui.

Picture Perfect: They caught a lot of really good moments and something really unique in the fact that they would do a lot of the adventure photos. … I really enjoyed our experience with them.

FROM THE GROOM Cheers, Buddies: So, my buddies and I, I got them all mugs.

They were these mugs that you can kind of clank with each other, these nice wooden mugs. Throughout the night, every time we saw each other, we were clanking mugs and we got a couple photos where everybody’s kind of cheering together, 12 to 14 mugs in a small little circle. It was really nice.

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Kendra Myers & Jerry Myers Jr. { by Lauren Bischof }

PHOTOGRAPHER: ANASTASIA OTTO

OttoFocus Photography, ottofocusphotography.mypixieset.com

After decades of unknowingly crossing paths around Akron, Kendra Philon and Jerry Myers Jr. finally connected. “We danced around each other in the city of Akron for 20 years, going to the same places during the same time frames and never bumped into each other,” says Kendra, who met Jerry on a dating app. “But we finally found each other.”

When the two met for their first date at Cashmere Cricket in Cuyahoga Falls in 2019, the connection was instant.

“When I first saw him, we clicked right away,” Kendra recalls.

That chemistry deepened when the world slowed down. “The pandemic shutdown was a pivotal moment for us,” she says. “We got to grow

our relationship.”

On Christmas morning 2024, Jerry proposed in the comfort of their Copley home — a moment as intimate and genuine as their love story.

“I put her ring in a shoebox with a pair of shoes,” Jerry says with a laugh.

“I probably said yes before he even finished talking,” Kendra says. “It was just the two of us at home, and it was perfect.”

The couple wed Sept. 19, 2025, in an intimate ceremony at the Akron Photo Society, surrounded by some of their closest friends and family members.

With a bohemian vibe — featuring soft orange, green and cream tones — it reflected their authentic style.

Beforehand, they took photos at the Akron Art Museum and sipped drinks at their favorite bar, South Point Tavern. After the ceremony, they toasted over dinner at Kingfish.

FROM THE BRIDE Shaken Sweetly: I was surprised at how nervous I was. I was literally shaking. But once I got behind him, I started crying. It was this overwhelming moment of emotions, realizing, It was our day — we were here.

Something Borrowed: My grandmother gave me a roseembroidered handkerchief before she

passed when I was a teenager, and I carried it with me. It came in handy during our first look.

Heartstrings Pulled: The one thing I wanted, no matter how much it cost, was a violinist. I surprised Jerry with a friend of mine, Jaron LeGrair, singing “I Believe in You and Me” by Whitney Houston, accompanied by violinist Maria Viñas. I’d heard the song in the car on my way to get groceries one Saturday morning and started crying.

It speaks for me how I feel about him and our relationship.

Simply Us: We’d both been married before, so we didn’t want a big production. We wanted something more intimate — something that we knew we’d both enjoy together.

FROM THE GROOM Love Unfolding: After a few months of dating Kendra, I really fell in love with her personality. Kendra challenges me in a good way, and even when we disagree, we communicate openly and work things out. Watching how Kendra connected with my family made me love her even more.

Overjoyed: I’m a big Stevie Wonder fan, so the violinist and Jaron were playing and singing his songs in the background of our reception. That was beautiful in the way it worked out.

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BRIDAL

Juliette Lawless-Tudor & Nina Tudor { by Lauren Bischof }

PHOTOGRAPHER: APRIL GAJOCH

April G Photography, aprilgphotography.com

Almost five years ago, during a night out at Brubaker’s Pub in Montrose, Juliette Lawless noticed a lady who she thought was the most beautiful woman in the world behind the bar — and jokingly greeted Nina Tudor with, Hey, hot bartender. Days of talking followed, and the pair became best friends.

A year and a half later, in 2021, life pulled Nina to Florida. One night, Nina sent Juliette a song to express her feelings — “Some Other Bar” by Ernest.

“The whole song itself signifies how I was feeling looking back at our friendship, realizing that I had feelings for her, hoping that ‘someday at some other bar’ we’d run into each other and pick things back up,” Nina says.

When Juliette heard the song, she knew she felt the same way. They visited each other, and Nina tied up loose ends in Florida before heading back to Ohio to be with Juliette.

On a two-week Mediterranean cruise 50

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in June 2024, Juliette admired a halo-style ring in the ship’s boutique that reminded her of her late parents.

Nina quietly returned to buy it — with Juliette’s daughter secretly helping plan a proposal.

Two days later, in front of Rome’s Trevi Fountain, Nina got down on one knee and proposed to a shocked Juliette. The moment sank in later, in the back of an Uber ride to the train station. “I started sobbing,” says Juliette, who laughs at the fact that she was wearing a tie-dye “I am Kenough” T-shirt. “It was so perfect.”

The now Fairlawn residents married on Sept. 13, 2025, at Gather at the Lakes in Portage Lakes. Personal touches shaped the day, including dancing their first dance to “Some Other Bar,” as well as honoring Juliette’s late parents with a Generations of Love display and showcasing photos of their private 2024 New Year’s Eve elopement at Green Leaf Park in Sharon Center.

FROM THE BRIDES JULIETTE Deep Breaths: I can be totally and completely myself around her, and she still loves me. I’m not afraid to talk to her about anything, and I know

she’ll always have my back. I was told that when you find your person, you’ll finally be able to breathe — and my lungs are full of air.

Look-alikes: Our flower girl and ring bearer were our mini-mes. My niece was my mini-me in a sparkly little white dress with a train, and my nephew was in all black to be Nina’s.

Rap Stars: We entered the reception to Cardi B’s “WAP.” Nina jokes she always knew I was nearby whenever the song played at the bar. ... I love female rappers, so we had told our DJ to announce to our guests that the music was about to get a little raunchy.

NINA Free Falling: I fell in love with everything about Juliette. How we started off as friends, then became best friends who talked nonstop every day — I really got to know her and fall for her even more.

Sweet Surprises: We had a bunch of little us things incorporated. Our cake was very classy in the front, black, white … but when you turned it around, the back had logos of our favorite things, like Starbucks, Pokémon and football teams. … I wore a Batman tie, Batman socks, and I walked down the aisle to music from the Batman movie.

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Adam Croft & Amanda Stober { by Lydia Koszegi }

PHOTOGRAPHER: JOE TATE JTateDesign, jtatedesign.com

Students and climbers Amanda Stober and Adam Croft first met in 2015 while working at Kent State University’s Adventure Center. After falling out of touch, they got in contact again — and began dating in 2020. In 2023, Adam planned to propose.

“We took a trip to Indian Creek, Utah.

I decided I wanted to take her on top of this desert tower,” Adam says.

While we were climbing, Amanda was not having a good time — it was a tougher climb.”

Since he’d brought Amanda all the way up the tower, he persisted. When they reached the top, he got down on one knee.

“She looked down at me and said, You’re not doing this right now, and I said, Yes, I am,” he says. “It was a total 180 of emotions, and we had a good rest of the day.”

After traveling the U.S. and Canada, the pair wed and hosted a reception at the Barn at Wolf Creek in September 2025. They are planning on traveling the world, continuing their adventure.

FROM THE GROOM Rock On: I went and took a rock from our first climbing outing together and picked up a granite rock up in Estes Park and had it shaped and polished by a lapidary and then made arrangements with the jeweler to have it set on a ring.

Finding the Words: It was funny. Joe [our photographer] sets me up for the first look and tells me … Remember to tell her that she’s beautiful.

Compliment her dress. Compliment her hair. Tell her how excited you are for today. And I remember thinking, This guy doesn’t know me. I’m good with words. I will be fine, and I’ll be able to handle myself. But once I turned around for the first look, I felt like my brain rebooted, and when I finally

caught sense, I was like, Oh, yeah, Joe said to say these things. … It was a really kind thing that he did in that moment.

FROM THE BRIDE Just Us: Doing the pictures before the ceremony allowed us to have some more intimate time together and really grounded us in the fact that our wedding day and the ceremony was going to be about us and not about the people watching us.

Nature Lovers: The unintentional theme was just the emphasis on nature and the natural beauty in the barn, the natural beauty around it. It was a previous tree nursery. We loved the redwoods. We loved just all the greenery around. Our floral really had an emphasis on natural greenery.

Laid-back: We really prioritized it having a more casual feel. We had a bonfire, lots of dancing, a buffetstyle meal.

Life of the Party: We also posed a challenge to all of our guests: That if they wanted to add something funky or add some flair to their outfit when the dancing came around, that that was highly encouraged, and people really showed up for that. They pulled out all their sequins and boas, and some had total outfit changes, lots of fringe, lots of light-up things. So, yeah, it was a really fun time.

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ivine DDESTINATION BRIDAL

{ by Cameron Gorman and photos provided by 1840 Manor House and by Gemini Photography }

1840 MANOR HOUSE OFFERS A LUXURIOUS WEDDING EXPERIENCE.

In a rustic space called the carriage house, those getting married at 1840 Manor House in the Akron area can etch their names and the date of their wedding into the walls. Covered with historical photographs, the walls are crafted with refurbished wood from a chicken coop originally on the property — once a farm owned by the Miller family.

“To me, it was important to share the history and give back to the family that gave so much love to this property,” says co-owner Jennifer Boyd. “The love is going to continue with weddings and celebrations.”

Now an 11-acre venue, 1840 Manor House’s rich history was part of what drew Boyd and her husband, also owners of Akron’s Boyd Construction company, to purchase the property.

They renovated its 1800s farmhouse into a luxury, boutique space for the groom, bride and wedding party to get ready and constructed a grand ballroom for receptions, indoor weddings and events. They kept intact the property’s natural features, such as a nearly 300-year-old maple. Inside the ballroom, marvel at vaulted ceilings and large circular chandeliers.

The Boyds built a speakeasy-inspired bourbon lounge, with a large bar, stool and booth seating, caged crystal-drip chandeliers and premium bourbons on display. They also updated two cottages — perfect for overnight guests — to fit a midcentury vibe, complete with screened-in porches and stylish living room areas with fireplaces.

“We tried to marry it all together, so it almost makes our couples feel like they’re going through time, and that they’re part of the history of 1840 Manor House,” Boyd says.

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and a balcony — and you’re greeted by a modernized interior, complete with a moody, lounge-inspired color palette. The groom and his groomsmen have full use of the main floor, which features a beamed bar and an additional room accessible via a hidden door.

“We have our own liquor license, so we can bring them cocktails, get ready beverages, and then we can also bring in some sandwiches for them or pastries,” Boyd says.

Head upstairs to visit the bridal suite — an airy, relaxing space complete with a full bath with a star-patterned tile floor. There’s also a massage room with a unique butterfly light fixture — 1840 Manor House offers massage therapy on-site.

In the ballroom, spot massive, custom chandeliers made by Glass Asylum in Chagrin Falls, as well as pendant lights mimicking a starry sky over the dance floor. A large mirror offers space for selfies.

In the courtyard, host yard games or cocktail hours, and continue past rabbit hutches to the grove where ceremonies take place. Framed by trees and a koi pond with a waterfall, guests feel like they’re miles away from the city.

“We have up lights here, we have outdoor lighting here, electric back here, and then we do the white padded chairs here,” Boyd notes.

“All of our packages include valet, so when they get dropped off … they’d be able to walk by the koi pond, see the waterfalls for pictures.”

Couples love to snap photos by the pond, on a swing out front, on the porch of the Manor House and in the bourbon lounge, which has a lingering scent of fired orange from the smoked cocktails made within.

“We’re creating a luxury experience,”

Boyd says. “Our hearts are into it.”

Boyd’s son recently got married at the Manor House. Able to attend as a guest, she experienced the enchantment of the venue through a different lens.

“To remove myself as the business owner and be a guest made me realize, at that evening, that we were a success,” she says. “To be able to see my staff, to see the vendors, and to see what they’re able to give back to these families and their friends and their closest and best was magical to me.”

804 White Pond Drive, Akron, 234-255-2350, 1840manorhouse.com

BRIDAL SPONSORED CONTENT

WE’VE GOT IT ALL! Turn your wedding into a work of art at the DoubleTree by HiltonTM Akron Fairlawn, one of the most unique and beautiful wedding venues in Akron, Ohio. Our experienced staff will extend an unsurpassed level of service and attention to detail.

Enjoy fabulous menus designed by award-winning chef Beau Schmidt.

Our hotel features a sleek, contemporary look with one-ofa-kind art pieces, a private dining room perfect for rehearsal dinners, a beautiful poolside veranda and a stunning ballroom with grand chandeliers.

Guests can relax in the “Area’s Newest” guest rooms. Experience the DoubleTree by HiltonTM Akron Fairlawn — there’s an art to beautiful hotels.

330-867-5000 | akronfairlawnweddings.com

MEMORIES ARE MADE HERE

Rehearsal Dinner | Ceremony | Reception Overnight Guest Rooms and Suites SCHEDULE A TOUR WITH OUR WEDDING SPECIALIST. 330-867-5000 | sales@rdamanagement.com Visit us at akronfairlawnweddings.com 3180 W. Market St. | Akron, OH 44333

JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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63 Corks Chef’s Table

Behind-the-Scene Experience Intimate 5-course dining guided by the talented chefs at The Appalachian.

63 CORKS 9185 state Route 250 NW, Strasburg, OH 330-878-4050 | 63corks.com Wed & Thurs 5 - 9pm | Fri - Sat 4:30 - 9pm

On the outskirts of Strasburg sits 63 Corks — a passion project melding together a love for food, local ingredients and heritage through exciting seasonal dishes. Offering catering for your wedding, 63 Corks is grounded in a farm-to-table approach, with a focus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.

“We develop partnerships with local farmers that bring the highest quality ingredients to our guests,” explains chef and co-owner Nate Kelly.

The menu draws from Kelly’s southern and Italian heritage — with an Ohio Appalachian twist.

Signature dishes like wagyu beef cheeks and handmade pastas are testaments to Kelly’s creative and technical execution. His dish presentations have a wow factor that will impress your guests. “It must look as stunning as it tastes,” Kelly says.

63 Corks is one of the region’s go-to spots for locally sourced, elevated catering.

63 CORKS 9185 state Route 250 NW, Strasburg, OH 330-878-4050 | 63corks.com

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SPONSORED CONTENT

+3 VIBRANT VENUES

1885 Farms

Make it a weekend affair with 1885 Farms’ luxury lodging for up to 45 guests on-site in its two large homes located on two properties, complete with lavish amenities like theater rooms and pools. At the modern Stables, located in North Lawrence, exchange vows in a woodland setting under a covered gazebo before you party the night away under a paved 1,400-square-foot canopy tent. Built in 1885, the rustic Barn, located in Navarre, is an octagonal building overlooking 50 acres of land, including flower fields where you can pluck your bouquet seasonally. Have your ceremony in one of five locations, including a gazebo, pine trees, flower field, lower-level patio or pond. Then, after cocktails, retire to the barn for your reception. Marvel at 55-foot ceilings, a curved staircase, farmhouse chandeliers and more.

The Barn: 5553 Richville Drive SW, Navarre, The Stables: 1764 Ben Fulton Ave. NW, North Lawrence; 330-525-2276, 1885farms.com

Gather at the Lakes

Say “I do” in a fairy tale forest, surrounded by a draped arbor, natural benches and twinkling lights, at Gather at the Lakes. Offering allinclusive packages, this venue features both outdoor and indoor ceremony areas, as well as an indoor reception space with a 20-foot chandelier over the dance floor, red brick walls and Chiavari chairs. Plus, it offers access to professional wedding consultants and complimentary decor, including vintage furniture, centerpieces, photo backdrops, greenery and floral swags. Whether you’re envisioning your wedding in the lush greenery of summer or the stunning golds and reds of autumn, having your ceremony in the forest is sure to create lasting memories of natural wonder.

4315 Manchester Road, Suite B, New Franklin, 330-607-3704, gatheratthelakes.com

BRIDAL

Peacock Ridge

As you recite your vows at Peacock Ridge’s pergola, your guests sit on restored vintage church pews situated on the secluded 85-acre venue’s property.

Outdoor ceremonies take place in front of a sparkling pond, encircled by a beautiful rose garden. Guests then move onto a Tuscan-inspired patio for cocktail hour, complete with a large sailcloth for shade.

Don’t miss peacocks roaming in their aviary. Your reception is held in a climate-controlled barn with overhead chandeliers and draped ceilings fit for Instagram.

Take photos in seasonal gardens and lovely flower fields complete with a vintage carriage, and cap off the night with a bonfire in the entertainment area. This versatile venue offers a romantic vision. //CG 3249 Alabama Ave. NW, North Lawrence, 330-936-1266, peacockridge.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

Create Timeless Wedding Memories at

Hale Farm & Village

A wedding is more than a single day. It is a moment woven into a larger story, and Hale Farm & Village provides a place where that story can unfold with depth and authenticity. Set within the natural beauty of the Cuyahoga Valley and shaped by over 200 years of history, the site offers a backdrop that feels both intimate and enduring. Every corner of the village invites couples to celebrate in a way that reflects their values, style and sense of tradition.

Hale Farm & Village features a variety of distinctive spaces for ceremonies and receptions, each offering a different atmosphere. Exchange vows inside the classic white Meetinghouse, framed by simple elegance and historic charm. Celebrate under the open sky at the Carriage Pavilion, where rolling hills and sunset views create a warm, romantic setting. For those seeking a balance of historic character and contemporary comfort, the Gatehouse provides a refined indoor option that’s ideal for gatherings of all sizes.

Beyond its beautiful spaces, Hale Farm & Village offers thoughtful amenities to ensure a seamless experience, including ample on-site parking, accessible facilities, a private bridal suite and countless scenic locations for unforgettable photographs. What truly sets a wedding here apart is the feeling of connection to place, to history and to shared celebration. At Hale Farm & Village, your wedding becomes part of a living landscape where meaningful moments have been celebrated for generations.

Discover the Perfect Setting at Hale Farm & Village Your wedding day deserves a setting as meaningful as the love story it celebrates and Hale Farm & Village offers exactly that.

Nestled in the scenic Cuyahoga Valley and enriched by more than two centuries of history, HFV provides a wedding experience that is both timeless and uniquely personal.

Eighty Eight Photo

Becca Mark Photography

Choose from stunning ceremony and reception spaces, each with its own charm.

Say “I do” in the picturesque white-chapel Meetinghouse, host a romantic open-air reception in the hilltop Carriage Pavilion, or enjoy modern comfort blended with historic character at the Gatehouse.

Hale Farm & Village also offers convenient on-site parking, accessible facilities, a bridal suite, and breathtaking historic backdrops perfect for photos.

Slow Morning Co.

Weddings at Hale Farm & Village feel extraordinary because the setting itself tells a story of community, tradition, and celebration. Here, your wedding becomes part of that story.

Chelsie Dawn Photography

2686 OAK HILL ROAD BATH, OHIO 44210 330.666.3711 | HALEFARM.ORG HALERENTALS@WRHS.ORG

JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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Tara A Country Inn Clark, PA | 724.962.3535 | Tara-Inn.com

TWO LEGENDARY INNS‒ INNS‒WHERE HISTORY & HOSPITALITY MEET D E STI N ATI O N WED D I NG S A N HOU R F ROM A K RON

Buhl Mansion Guesthouse & Spa Sharon PA | 724.346.3046 | BuhlMansion.com

✢ ONCE UPON A TIME YOU DREAMED OF A FANTASY WEDDING ✢ Your time is now! Be the king or queen in your very own castle for a day and be swept off your feet with old-world charm.

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T

com

rm.

BRIDAL SPONSORED CONTENT

BUHL MANSION GUESTHOUSE & SPA Our magnificent castle wedding venue will make you feel like royalty. Buhl Mansion Guesthouse & Spa — built by Frank H. Buhl in the 1890s as a wedding present for his wife — is sure to provide priceless memories for any couple.

The Castle for a Day Package offers the epitome of exclusivity for any couple and their guests. The mansion’s 10 overnight guest rooms, the carriage house, an elegant Victorian greenhouse and beautiful gardens are all reserved for a wedding. During the warmer months of mid-May through mid-October, this package also includes a tented courtyard and can accommodate up to 120 guests.

If a more intimate wedding is in the couple’s future, Buhl Mansion offers micro-weddings for up to 50, all-inclusive mini-monies for 25 or elopement packages for two — which include an officiant, photographer and cake, as well as Champagne, a bouquet and a boutonniere.

Named one of America’s top 10 most romantic inns and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this castle offers opulent guest rooms with fireplaces, jetted tubs, royal guest service and elegant gardens. The full-service spa, with dozens of indulgent spa treatments, provides the ultimate in luxury and pampering — and is perfect for bridal showers and bachelorette parties.

Buhl Mansion Guesthouse & Spa, 422 E. State St., Sharon, Pennsylvania, 724-346-3046, buhlmansion.com

TARA – A COUNTRY INN This 1854 inn is the ideal location for elegant and personalized weddings. Acres of gardens, a picturesque gazebo and an iconic columned veranda offer couples wonderful backdrops for their special day — as well as memories that will last a lifetime.

Mouthwatering reception meals are prepared by the same chefs who oversee Tara’s award-winning restaurants, and the inn’s overnight rooms provide guests with luxury after the reception.

Ceremonies can be held in several picture-perfect locations around the property. During the warmer months of mid-May through midOctober, a tent overlooking the beautiful gardens and pool area can accommodate 150 guests. The various indoor banquet venues can hold wedding receptions or bridal showers for 14 to 120 guests.

Tara offers a chance to enjoy the luxuries of days gone by. This Greek revival mansion exudes vintage hospitality with modern amenities. Each of the 27 luxurious guest rooms has a fireplace and most have jetted tubs. Overlooking Shenango Lake, the inn has heated pools, acres of spectacular gardens and walking trails and delicious dining. Perfect memories begin with the perfect venue.

There’s no better way to start your life together than at Tara — A Country Inn. Tara — A Country Inn, 2844 Lake Road, Clark, Pennsylvania, 724-962-3535, tara-inn.com

JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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EDUCATION

FORWARD THINKING

{ by Kelly Petryszyn, photos by Erin Gulling } These private schools teach life skills that prepare students for the real world. illustrations by Cameron Gorman

{ by Kelly Petryszyn, photos by Erin Gulling }

In the

Rene Gerschutz

Mix

Sacred Heart of Jesus School third and fourth graders were tasked with making kebabs from deli turkey slices, cheese cubes and pickles for a Thanksgiving lesson in their cooking and baking class in November.

“They had to figure out how to evenly cut those parts they had into the right pieces, and then on their kebab, they needed to come up with a pattern,” says Rene Gerschutz, a fifth grade teacher at the Wadsworth school. “It was amazing how many different patterns they came up with.”

The class is a one-semester, once a week enrichment elective for third and fourth graders, who complete a service project the following semester.

The Thanksgiving lesson also included making a no-bake pumpkin pie. Students whisked milk and vanilla pudding mixture together and folded in canned pumpkin before chilling the concoction, pouring it in a mini graham cracker pie crust and cooling it again. They served the pie with whipped cream.

The lesson involves math — adapting the recipe for five or six people. “They’re multiplying, which is doubling a recipe, tripling,” Gerschutz says. “Also dividing it up at the end — if you made a big batch and six of you want to eat it, how are we going to evenly split that?”

Cooking helps with other subjects too. “There’s also a lot of science. In the third and fourth grade level, they learn about different states of matter.

They learn about chemical and physical changes,” Gerschutz says. “We can make trail mix and get one kind of change, and we can make pumpkin pie and get a different kind of change.”

Kitchen techniques stick with students.

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EDUCATION

“I knew a little bit how to fold, but it really helped me understand it better,” says fourth grader Jude Metzin, who made the mini pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving at home.

“I learned how to properly use the electric mixer, and at home, I also practice with my mom,” says fourth grader Klarke Lamberg. “We had to make sure we didn’t do it too fast, made it splatter or lift it up.”

Principal John Czaplicki says enrichment electives are about teaching life skills — and helping students develop interests for when they get to pick electives, such as photography, Lego robotics and more, in fifth through eighth grade.

“They’re reaching that age where they’re given more responsibility,” he says. “This gives them a very practical, real-life way of living out those skills.”

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EDUCATION { by Cameron Gorman, photos by Erin Gulling }

Bridget Keener and Theresa Hoffman

Chill Out

When 12-year-old student Bridget Keener does her homework or takes a test, she employs techniques such as box breathing to calm down.

“You breathe in over the duration of four seconds. Then you hold it for four seconds,” Keener says. “Breathe out for four seconds, then hold for four seconds until you breathe in again.”

Often employed by Navy SEALs, box breathing is conducive to calming down the nervous system. It’s one of many techniques taught in Chill Skills — a unique elective class offered at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish School in Cuyahoga Falls.

Through teaching methods like brain dump journaling, using chunky fidget toys, coloring mandalas and more, Chill Skills gives students

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tools to identify and manage their stress levels.

“It feels nice that I can now recognize when I’m stressed, and now I know how to calm myself,” Keener says.

Instructor and occupational therapist Theresa Hoffman gives kids a toolset for decompressing.

“Middle school is a really good time to have a dedicated class for it,” she says. “There’s more expectations on the kids, more responsibility, a lot of emotions and changes in their lives.”

During the Friday class, Hoffman teaches various stress management strategies and discusses the science behind them. Then, the class practices them.

“They’ve done guided relaxation, it’s a form of meditation,” Hoffman notes. “We’ve done a whole day on sleep.”

EDUCATION Techniques also include belly breathing, which involves breathing deeply until the stomach moves outward, or appears to be full, from deep inhalation. This signals to the autonomic nervous system that it is not under stress, which can cause shallow breathing. Progressive muscle relaxation, another technique, helps students fall asleep. Starting at the feet, small groups of muscles are tensed, held and untensed — repeating up the body to the head, relaxing the body.

On days when students practice meditative techniques, Hoffman dims the lights, brings in blankets and creates a soothing atmosphere.

“When they’re done with that, they’re all so calm and quiet, and a lot of them are honestly smiling,” she says.

In a world where kids are busier than ever, a class like Chill Skills is a welcome change in the school day.

“It’s helpful to know these techniques to calm myself even more and to know them for the future,” Keener says. “I really like it. It helps me focus and feel better about myself.”

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EDUCATION { by Cameron Gorman, photos provided by Lake Center Christian School }

Bounce Back Failure, says Lake Center Christian School teacher Derek Ciapala, is an important part of learning. It’s one of the main lessons taught in the school’s Future Ready Learning Week — a course for multiple grade levels that introduces students to key life skills.

“In this case, the opportunity we’re trying to provide them is to develop their critical thinking skills in an environment where, Hey, it’s OK to fail,” Ciapala says. “Let’s take a look back at our creative process, our design process, and see how we can change that failure into something that’s successful for them.”

Once a year, Future Ready Learning Week is taught to fourth, fifth and sixth graders. Students have the opportunity to learn skills in weeklong seminars with different teachers.

“This gives them a chance … to build some resilience and persistence,” says elementary assistant principal David Wright.

Fourth graders are tasked with building a chair out of cardboard that can withstand the weight of a seated adult. Fifth and sixth graders, meanwhile, get a choice of different seminars. They might choose from subjects such as sewing, 3D printing, video game design or bridge building.

“We focus in on that subject to help build some mastery,” Ciapala explains.

Ciapala teaches 3D printing. He gathers information from teachers and employees about problems they are having in their classrooms or spaces, then compiles and presents the information to students — who are then tasked with designing solutions for those problems. In the past, students have designed, printed and tested out items such as spinners for games used by lower grade teachers and specially designed magnetic hooks for whiteboards.

“What most people do in life — a large portion of that learning comes from making a mistake and fixing that mistake and working their way out of a problem,” Ciapala says. “These are the critical thinking skills that we’re trying to build.”

Sixth grade student Harper Hutchings took the Future Ready Learning course in fifth grade. He was in the interior design class and was tasked with designing the inside of a room in miniature. It was fun, he says, to use his creative abilities — and important to learn how to bounce back from failure.

“You’re gonna fail in life. Everybody fails,” Hutchings says. “So, you gotta learn how to fail, accept it, and make it good. Make it better.”

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EDUCATION

St. Hilary School A Tradition of Excellence in Catholic Education

The Future Begins Here Leading the way to the future through faith and service, traditional and innovative teaching methods, cutting-edge science and technology facilities and equipment, three world languages, enrichment and extracurricular opportunities, and much more…

Plentiful scholarships and tuition assistance make tuition affordable for all!

OPEN HOUSE January 25, 2026 12:00 – 2:00 PM All K-8 Families are Invited to Explore our School!

REGISTRATION FOR 2026-2027 Grades K-8 Begins January 5, 2026 Details: st-hilaryschool.org

COMPREHENSIVE PREPARATION FOR A COMPLEX WORLD

645 Moorfield Road, Fairlawn | 330-867-8720, ext. 343 | st-hilaryschool.org

St. Hilary School admits qualified students of any gender, race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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EDUCATION { by Lydia Koszegi, photos by Erin Gulling }

Material

World

Seton Catholic School has taken a creative approach to teaching its eighth graders financial literacy. Its program puts students in the shoes of a married and employed 27-year-old.

“They get a salary. They find out what the education is on that job.

And then we go … from their gross salary to their net salary,” says Christine Bielecki, the facilitator and teacher of the program. “We talk about health insurance. We talk about contributing to your retirement.”

Bielecki teaches the five-day program every year to her eighth grade class. It starts with getting randomly assigned a job and going over general concepts — such as how you make money, what income is and how you get a job. Then Bielecki goes into specifics on taxes, credit, balancing checking accounts, investments, stocks and more.

“It really teaches them a lot of real-life economic principles, and they’re learning how to write checks, subtract things from their checking account and learning to pay bills,” she says. “It gives them a better sense of what money’s about.”

For the final lesson, parents come in to run different stations during a simulation. Students go to each station and use the salary from their assigned job to pay for one month’s worth of bills and expenses. Each station represents a real-world expense, and students must determine how much they can pay for each. The goal is for students to have enough money to pay their bills by the end — if they can’t, students go back and determine where they can cut back on spending.

Jacob Aurand, a 2025 Seton graduate, participated in the program in spring 2025.

“It really taught me how responsible you have to be about yourself and that small decisions with small parts of taxes and money can help determine your future,” he says.

The program introduces key financial concepts — but most importantly, it encourages conversations about financial literacy at home.

“The way I teach it through this program, it makes it more relevant to them,” Bielecki says. “The purpose of this is to really open their eyes, get them to understand that there is a bigger world out there, and they’re not that far from making those decisions.”

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Christine Bielecki

EDUCATION

2026-27

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE. INDIVIDUAL FOCUS. A multi-cultural school with a diverse student body that represents the inclusive values our school exemplifies.

750 White Pond Dr Akron, OH 44320

330.836.0419 The Lippman School is an EdChoice provider and financial aid is available.

ENROLL

NOW

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Visit Our Website

thelippmanschool.org

JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

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EDUCATION

8 NURTURING KG NEEDS IN RN A LE L IA SPEC

JULIE BILLIART SCHOOLS

ST. HILARY SCHOOL

The mission of Julie Billiart Schools is to nurture and empower students with special learning needs. As Catholic kindergarten to eighth grade schools rooted in the educational principles of the Sisters of Notre Dame, we welcome diverse faith traditions. Julie Billiart Schools strive to build self-confidence, inspire Christian values and empower students with skills, knowledge and enthusiasm for life long learning.

Our mission is to keep Christ at the center of all that we do. In solidarity with our parish and school community, we will inspire our students through inclusive, innovative and challenging academic and spiritual experiences to be leaders capable of making a positive change in the world.

FROM PRINCIPAL GABRIELLE REDOVIAN: Learn about the JB Way at our Admissions Info Sessions!

380 MINEOLA AVENUE JULIEBILLIARTSCHOOL.ORG

216.716.8318

The magazine of The 330 VOLUME 23

| ISSUE 7

JULY 2025

DECEMB ER

2025

derland Winter Won VOLUME 23

| ISSUE 12

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15 FEST

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akronlife.com | JANUARY 2026

Julie Billiart Schools is a K-8 network of schools that supports children with mild-to-moderate social and learning differences. With campuses in Akron, Brecksville, Lyndhurst and Westlake, JB provides a special place for students to learn, thrive and grow. Our small class sizes, individualized instruction and wraparound support services ensure that every child receives the attention they need to succeed.

We focus on the whole-child educational experience for students with ADHD, anxiety, autism, dyslexia and executive functioning needs, recognizing that academic growth is deeply connected to emotional and social development.

The JB Way features intentionally small classroom sizes with a maximum 8:1 student-to-staff ratio led by intervention specialists, as well as on-site speech, occupational, music and art therapists. Each campus also supports students with its own Registered Behavior Technician and board-certified Behavior Analyst to ensure consistency and meaningful progress.

Students practice problem-solving, self-advocacy, organization and emotional regulation through authentic learning experiences that mirror everyday situations.

These skills equip them not only for academic success, but for confidence and independence beyond the classroom.

For more information, visit juliebilliartschool.org or talk to our admissions team at 216-716-8318.

FROM PRINCIPAL JENNIFER WOODMAN: St. Hilary School empowers students by providing them with the tools, skills and confidence they need to become the next generation of competent, careerready leaders.

At St. Hilary, kindergarten through eighth grade students are fully immersed in experiential learning with courses and amenities that foster independent critical thinking, global awareness, leadership and character. Students can learn three world languages, perform service, practice public speaking, become fluent with technology and hold leadership roles. Classes and extracurricular offerings engage and challenge students of all ages and abilities.

A two-time Blue Ribbon School and a recipient of the Governor’s Thomas Edison Award for Excellence in STEM Education and Student Research, our school is a model of excellence in Catholic education. We are among the top-achieving schools in the Diocese of Cleveland, the state of Ohio and the nation, with our student proficiency as measured

by MAP testing outperforming Ohio’s public schools in every grade level. Differentiated learning is in practice in every classroom, and St. Hilary School is proud to welcome students with diverse learning needs.

The future begins here. Please join us for our open house on Jan. 25 from noon to 2 p.m., or call 330-867-8720, ext. 343 for more information.

EDUCATION

ST. SEBASTIAN PARISH SCHOOL

THE LIPPMAN SCHOOL

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL PARISH SCHOOL

For 96 years, St. Sebastian Parish School has provided a strong Catholic education that nurtures both the mind and the spirit. Our mission is to form students who are not only academically accomplished but also compassionate, thoughtful and equipped with the skills to succeed in the real world.

We provide a superior and individualized education steeped in Jewish values and a global perspective.

At St. Vincent de Paul Parish School, our mission is to develop young Catholic men and women with creative minds, a sense of understanding for one another and the ability to change the world with Christ in our minds, bodies and hearts.

FROM PRINCIPAL ANTHONY ROHR: From our Center for Early Learning program that serves students ages 3 to 5 to our kindergarten to eighth grade curriculum, students receive a foundation that balances faith, academics and personal growth. Daily religion classes, service projects and weekly Mass attendance for grades K-8 help children develop moral courage, empathy and a sense of service.

Across all grades, our students engage in rigorous math courses.

Our ELA classes are designed to help them develop a confident written voice. STEM lessons are integrated throughout the curriculum, encouraging curiosity, problem-solving and innovation.

Beyond the classroom, our students strengthen leadership, collaboration and critical thinking skills through a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities. CYO sports, school band, choir, Theatrical Terriers, Power of the Pen, MathCounts, Lego Club, Geography Club, Drone Club and more allow students to explore their passions, build confidence and apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

At St. Sebastian Parish School, guided by dedicated faculty and staff, students leave our school not only with strong academic achievement and growth but with the life skills, moral foundation and real-world experience needed to thrive in high school, college and beyond. Faith, learning and leadership come together to prepare every child for a future of purpose, service and impact.

FROM PRINCIPAL MATTHEW RUSS: The Lippman School is a transitional kindergarten through eighth grade multicultural Jewish day school with a curricular model focused on experiential, immersive and cross-cultural learning.

We believe that school should look like a microcosm of the community. That philosophy informs instruction, the resources used in the classroom, as well as our approach to working with students. A sound understanding of how we are both similar and different from one another has real-world applications in high school, the workplace and beyond.

Justice Pedagogy and Antiracism curriculum is one way we do this by creating classrooms that are cultural mirrors for students.

Lippman students also have two second-language choices to choose from in Hebrew and Spanish. They attend a Core Values class where they learn about universal human values through a Jewish lens with opportunities to connect them to their own lives and through other cultural and religious traditions.

Partnerships with outside organizations and other cultural groups, most notably the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, provide invaluable learning experiences. Getting students outside the classroom and bringing the world into the classroom are two ways to bring learning alive and help students make real-world connections with concepts they are learning in class.

Curricular field trips at every grade level — culminating in multi-day, overnight field trips in fifth through eighth grades — are some of the highlights of a Lippman School education.

FROM PRINCIPAL DIANE SALAMON: We would love to welcome your child and your family to St. Vincent de Paul Parish School, a vibrant learning community deeply connected to St. Vincent de Paul Parish. Rooted in Catholic tradition and strengthened by our parish partnership, we provide a faith-filled environment where students grow spiritually, academically and socially.

Serving preschool through eighth grade, our school offers a warm, Christ-centered atmosphere where every child is known, supported and encouraged to reach their fullest potential. Daily prayer, liturgy and service opportunities help students build strong moral character and a genuine sense of purpose.

As a STREAM-designated school, St. Vincent integrates science, technology, religion, engineering, art and mathematics into hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Our students engage in exploration, problem-solving and creative thinking, preparing them for success in high school and beyond. They discover, design and collaborate in meaningful ways.

What truly sets our school apart is our close-knit, caring community. Our dedicated teachers form personal connections with students, fostering confidence and encouraging academic excellence.

Families work in partnership with our faculty and parish, creating a welcoming environment rooted in shared faith and values.

We are committed to forming compassionate leaders who think critically, act with integrity and live out their faith.

JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

69

EDUCATION

PRIVATE SCHOOLS: BY THE NUMBERS SCHOOL Julie Billiart Schools (K to 8th Grade)

Lake Center Christian School

CLASS SIZE

TEACHER-TOSTUDENT RATIO

GRADUATION RATE

$36,100

K-2: 12 3-8: 16

K-2: 1:6 3-8: 1:8

100%

25

1:13

100%

20

1:20

100%

Pre-K: 12-16 K-8: 20

Pre-K: 1:7 K-8: 1:19

100%

Pre-K: 20 K-8: 25

1:20

12

Transitional K -K: 1:8 1-8: 1:10

(K to 12th Grade)

St. Hilary School (K to 8th Grade)

St. Sebastian Parish School (Pre-K to 8th Grade)

St. Vincent de Paul Parish School

TUITION

(Jon Peterson & autism scholarships & financial aid available)

$7,403 (K-6) $8, 216 (7-8) $10,362 (9-12)

OPEN HOUSE DATES Lyndhurst: Jan. 8: 9:30 a.m.; Feb. 9: 9 a.m.

Akron: Jan. 13: 9:30 a.m.; Feb. 4: 12:30 p.m.

Brecksville: Jan. 22: 9:30 a.m.; Feb. 24: 3:30 p.m.

Westlake: Jan. 27: 9:30 a.m.; Feb. 26: 5:30 p.m.

Contact Admissions Office at 330-877-2049 or admissions@lccs.com

$7,500

Jan. 25: noon-2 p.m.

(Scholarships & tuition assistance available)

(Tours available year-round by appointment)

$7,500

Jan. 25: 10 a.m.-noon

(Scholarships & tuition assistance available)

(Tours available by appointment)

100%

$7,000 (K-8)

(Tours available year-round by appointment)

100%

(EdChoice, Jon Peterson scholarship & financial aid available)

Contact 330-762-5912

(Pre-K to 8th Grade)

The Lippman School (TK to 8th Grade)

$12,325

A STREAM Education Grounded in Christ Faith-Focused Education that builds character and confidence STREAM Learning that sparks creativity and real-world skills Supportive Community where every child is known and valued

Register Today!

17 S MAPLE ST, AKRON, OH 44303

70

akronlife.com | JANUARY 2026

330.762.5912

STVINCENTELEMENTARY.COM

Contact 330-835-0074 (Tours available year-round by appointment)

PARTING SHOT { by Lydia Koszegi, photo provided by Summit Memory, Akron-Summit County Public Library }

Making Merry AKRON, 1960S

In 1935, in the Mayflower Hotel’s grand lobby, Bill Wilson made a famous phone call seeking help for alcoholism. It led to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous with Dr. Bob Smith. Opened in downtown Akron in 1931, the Mayflower Hotel had 450 rooms. In June 1938, child actress Shirley Temple and her family rented out the 16th floor and dined on pork chops and split pea soup in the downstairs Puritan Room restaurant. By 1955, the hotel was purchased by the Sheraton Hotel Co., and eventually changed its name to the Sheraton Hotel. In 1956, the hotel transformed its dining room theme into the Merry Man, pictured here in the 1960s. In 1961, actors George Maharis and Martin Milner stayed at the hotel for the All-American Soap Box Derby. After struggling, the hotel closed in 1971. Today, the Mayflower is on the National Register of Historic Places. It operates as the renovated Mayflower Manor apartment complex, housing those who are 62 and older or are legally disabled — finding a new purpose by providing homes in an Akron landmark.

JANUARY 2026 | akronlife.com

71

How Can I Attend To My Personal Financial Goals While Also Growing My Business?

Andrew Lamb, CFP® Financial Advisor & Partner

In my years of working with successful physicians, dentists, and other business owners, I understand their tendency to treat their personal finances as an afterthought. My role as their financial advisor is to help them prioritize their personal goals while balancing business expansion through an integrated approach that includes strategies such as: Setting Clear Financial Goals: Identify personal short-term and long-term objectives (e.g., paying off loans or building retirement savings) and align them with the business’ growth timeline so you can budget effectively for both.

Paying Yourself First: Establish a salary or regular draw from the business’ revenue and automate contributions to personal investment accounts, retirement funds, or savings plans.

Leverage Tax Benefits: Maximize tax-advantaged accounts (e.g., Health Savings Accounts, 401(k)s, SEP IRAs) to save for personal goals while reducing taxable income from the business. Take advantage of deductions and credits specific to business owners and medical professionals.

Providing personalized and integrated guidance and stewardship for both your personal finances and business needs is the cornerstone of W3’s full-service philosophy. As your personal guide, I help you define your goals, orchestrate the plan, assemble the required W3 specialists, and attend to every aspect of your plan’s development and ongoing maintenance…at every step along the way in your financial journey.

WEALTH MANAGEMENT | 330.836.3805

|

GLOBAL ACCOUNTING | 330.867.3578

|

W3FINANCIALGROUP.COM

Fee-Based Planning offered through W3 Wealth Advisors, LLC, a State Registered Investment Advisor. Third Party Money Management offered through Valmark Advisers, Inc., a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC. W3 Global Accounting provides only tax and accounting. W3 Financial Group, LLC,W3 Wealth Advisors, LLC, and W3 Global Accounting are separate entities from Valmark Securities, Inc. and Valmark Advisers, Inc. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.