Gino's Italian Grill & Bar: Where the flavors of Italy come alive

By Mary Malik

Un a buona mamma vale cento maestre.

A little rusty on your Italian? It means, “A good mother is worth a hundred teachers.” Nobody knows this better than Gino Antonelli, chef and owner of Gino’s Italian Grill & Bar in Chesterland.

“All of my recipes are from my mother and grandmother,” says Gino. “I grew up eating this food at home every day, and making wine with my father. Sharing it now with my customers is a dream come true.”

Gino started on that dream as a dishwasher at Frisco Rose in Mayfield Heights. He worked his way up to kitchen manager, “learning from the back of the house.”

“I’ve done it all in this business,” says Gino. “I worked in corporate dining and college food service for Marriott Corporation and Aramark, among others. I knew how to cook and had that passion for food, but through these experiences I learned about bookkeeping, how to train employees, develop menus and design logos. You name it, I did it. It was invaluable to me moving forward.”

And move forward Gino did. He was the chef/owner of Aces Grille in North Ridgeville for 10 years, and Bratenahl Place Bistro is still a go-to spot for an upscale dining experience.

“When the old Brewster’s in Chesterland became available, I jumped in to bring my unique brand of family-oriented, casual, Italian dining to the area,” says Gino.

“The menu is full of Italian favorites, like pastas, pizzas and classic parmesan dinners. Others like Nonna’s breaded cauliflower, my grandmother’s recipe, are family favorites I’m proud to share. We’ve added burgers and wings, salads, pasta bowls and chicken, steak and salmon choices. It’s a wide variety with an Italian flare, especially our signature sandwich, the Panino.”

The Panino is Gino’s famous creation born out of a fateful trip to New Orleans, where he discovered the Muffuletta, a popular sandwich originating from Italian immigrants in that city.

“Soft brioche bread layered with meats and cheeses…I was hooked,” says Gino. “I came back home, put my own spin on it and called it the Panino.”

Paninos are 10 inches of house-baked, round, sesame-topped brioche bread generously stacked with combinations of pastrami, pistachio mortadella, Genoa salami, pepperoni, prosciutto ham, cheeses, veggies and Gino’s original olive salad spread. It’s one delicious mouthful.

“Sitting around eating, drinking, and enjoying family is how I grew up,” says Gino. “Sharing those experiences with my customers and their families is what makes me happy.”

And there’s room enough for everyone at Gino’s. The expansive bar has plenty of televisions and offers craft beers, private reserve wines and signature bellinis and martinis. Happy hour is 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., nightly, and features $5 plates and $5 bellinis and martinis.

For larger groups, a private room is available for up to 80 people with food served buffet, sit-down or family style. An outdoor patio, live music and arcade games including Keno round out the full Gino’s experience.

“My favorite thing is seeing the look on people’s faces when they’re enjoying a dish I’ve prepared,” says Gino. “Every cook knows that feeling, even when cooking for family. I take great pride in what I’ve created and look forward to sharing it with my guests.”

Gino’s Italian Grill & Bar is located at 8389 Mayfield Road in Chesterland. For information and reservations, call 440-688-4483, check the website GinosItalianGrill.com or find them on Facebook.