The event team at The Aviator Event Center & Pub plans and hosts all kinds of custom events, from dream weddings and corporate events to showers, training sessions, and bar and bat mitzvahs

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The talented event team at The Aviator Event Center and Pub is dedicated to making fairytale weddings come true, as well as many other family and corporate gatherings. The team — led by President/Co-owner Khadar Soussou (center) — is (left to right) Sierra Thomas, Jen Seidel, Jenna Brock, and Roula Elias. (Photography: Felicia Vargo)

By Mitch Allen

Many couples become engaged over the holidays, making January the official launch of wedding planning season. That means coveted venues like The Aviator Event Center & Pub are right now bustling with brides-to-be making wedding plans for 2023, 2024 and well beyond.

Launched last April in the former 100th Bomb Group location overlooking Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, The Aviator has quickly become the hot spot for weddings and other family and corporate events.

The 6,000-square-foot, 400-person ballroom—known as the Flight Event Space—overlooks Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and features a white marble dance floor beneath a custom Italian chandelier.

“Since we opened in April, we’ve already hosted more than 400 events, and most key dates are already booked for 2023,” says President and Co-Owner Khadar Soussou, who opened the new venue in partnership with Cleveland entrepreneur Tony Di Fiore and the Rababy family of United Concessions Group. All partners have deep roots in the Strongsville community.

For their wedding reception dinner entrée, many brides-to-be choose the filet mignon with chargrilled salmon. The filet can also be paired with a Maryland-style crab cake.

All-Inclusive: Everything You Need
The modern, upscale event center is popular with brides and grooms in part because of its stunning décor, but also because The Aviator is a one-stop shop. Everything you need to bring your dream wedding to life is right there.

The 120-person Gabriella’s Space is ideal for weddings and many other events.

“We take care of everything,” Khadar says. “And we are always looking ahead and making investments in the latest technology, including a leading-edge photo booth and lighting. Every day we’re adding more and more services to make the fairytale wedding happen within our four walls. We have a phenomenal team of professionals who focus on the design process and execution of the day. We always try to say ‘yes’ to brides, and I feel comfortable making promises because I know my team will make it happen.”

The Aviator is so popular, the tea is now hosting weddings Thursdays through Sundays, even in the winter.

The hospitality specialists at The Aviator Event Center & Pub include (left to right) President/Co-Owner Khadar Soussou, Mitchell Brooks, Jen Seidel, Jenna Brock, Marissa Lanzara, Roula Elias, Sierra Thomas, Bill Gardlock, executive sous chef Robbie Harrison and executive chef Jon Standen.

“Saturdays in the summer are in high demand, so couples are looking for alternatives,” Khadar says. “And we are right there for them. Other days of the week at other times of the year are growing in popularity. It’s easier to find a venue and it’s often more affordable that way. Our brides and grooms are looking forward to one key moment—when they can go to sleep one night and know for certain they have a wedding date.”

Although Khadar’s chefs and event staff can create a customized menu for your reception, popular choices include braised beef short rib and herb-crusted lemon chicken, and filet mignon with your choice of Maryland-style crab cake or chargrilled salmon.

The oak wood Maria’s Place can host any type of event for up 70 guests.

“The menu possibilities are endless,” Khadar says.

Other Events, Too
In addition to weddings, The Aviator hosts parties, family events, corporate gatherings and more.

Sophia’s Room is perfect for family celebrations, bar and bat mitzvahs, showers, and corporate meetings of up to 40 people.

“Our corporate events business has become huge,” Khadar says. “We’ve created complete, full-service experiences. We host meetings, retreats, team-building exercises and more. We recently pulled off a murder mystery exercise for one company, a comedian for another, and a team-building event at a shooting range for yet another. We like to get out of the box to help companies build and strengthen their culture, whatever that may be.”

New menu options also include BBQ Salmon—Faroe Island salmon, Cowboy candy polenta, sprouts and broccoli slaw.

With four diverse event spaces available, The Aviator customizes your event based on size and theme. (See the sidebar accompanying this story for more details.)

Dining at The Aviator
The Aviator’s scratch-kitchen restaurant is open to the public for lunch and dinner seven days a week. The menu features both fine dining and affordable American classics, but it’s the hamburger selection—dubbed “Smashed”—that is blowing up. “Everyone loves our burgers because we use two 4-ounce Angus beef patties and smash them together to crispy perfection,” Khadar says.

The Aviator’s new restaurant menu features Beef & Peppers, which is filet mignon, blistered shishito peppers, smoked peppercorn demi, purple Peruvian potatoes, and crispy onion straws.

One example is the Jack Frost Smash, featuring a grilled Jack Frost donut as a bun, along with American cheese, bacon and caramelized onions.

Brand new menu items include Beef & Peppers, which is filet mignon, blistered shishito peppers, smoked peppercorn demi, purple Peruvian potatoes, and crispy onion straws. You’ll also find the new BBQ Salmon—Faroe Island salmon, Cowboy candy polenta, sprouts and broccoli slaw. New sandwiches include the House Smoked Reuben, which is smoked corned beef, classic thousand island dressing, crunchy kimchi, and baby Swiss on caraway rye.

For a quick lunch in the pub, try The Aviator’s new House Smoked Reuben, which is smoked corned beef, classic thousand island dressing, crunchy kimchi and baby Swiss on caraway rye.

And be sure not to miss The Aviator’s popular brunch buffets on Easter Sunday and Mother’s Day.

The Aviator Event Center & Pub is at 20920 Brookpark Road in Cleveland next to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. For lunch or reservations or to schedule a tour of the facility, call 216-770 5300 or visit AviatorCLE.com.

Categories: Westside Food & Dining