The transformation of Via Roma is complete—here’s what you can expect
By Mimi Vanderhaven
From 1963 to 2020, North Royalton’s Carrie Cerino’s Ristorante & Party Center was a regional destination for many occasions—from intimate dinners to family celebrations. Before that, the building was the home of Schuckert’s Chalet, a German smorgasbord that opened in 1949.
Now, a group of Cleveland-area entrepreneurs has transformed the facility into Via Roma Event Center and Ristorante, which opened its doors on August 29. The owners—Khadar Soussou and the DiFiore and Rababy families—also metamorphosed the 100th Fighter Group into The Aviator and will reopen Strongsville’s Michaud’s Party Center as Encore Event Center later this year.
“We are so proud that we can preserve these historic buildings and keep them a part of the community by giving them a breath of fresh air,” says Khadar, who serves as company president. “We maintain the integrity of the buildings but give them a more modern vibe with fabulous food and service. And that’s what it’s all about—we are super proud of the team we have put together here.”
A Restaurant and Event Center
The new Via Roma—named for a historic street in Palermo, Italy—features the restaurant on the main floor and the downstairs Grotto, a cabaret-style space with bright aqua chairs and booths, a bar, and a small stage for hosting shows, live music and comedy.
For your own event, you can choose from three different spaces: the Grand Ballroom, which accommodates up to 350 guests; the Florence Room, for up to 130 guests; and the Cantina Wine Cellar, a modern, intimate space for dinners of up to 20 people.
“We’re already booking the Cantina for rehearsal dinners,” Khadar says. “It’s the ideal space for small get-togethers.”
And like The Aviator, Via Roma is a one-stop shop. “For weddings, we handle everything,” Khadar explains. “Tables, chairs, linens, centerpieces, the meal, cakes, lighting, music, photography. All the bride has to do is send out the invitations.”
Meet the Chefs
The new team includes Executive Chef David Smith, who graduated from the Columbus Culinary Institute, apprenticed at Columbus’s legendary French restaurant The Refectory, then served at Jack Nicklaus’s Muirfield Village Golf Club and at Paws Up, a luxury resort and ranch in Greenough, Montana.
“I loved Montana—Big Sky Country,” Chef David says, “But it’s so nice to be back in Cleveland and have the chance to be a part of the excitement here at Via Roma.”
In addition to the featured food photos on this page, Chef David’s diverse menu includes an herb-crusted Australian lamb rack served with rolled vegetables, crispy polenta tots, Peruvian peppers and a sherry wine reduction. Already popular is the Spicy Vodka Gnocchi, featuring Calabrian chiles, parmesan and roasted tomato.
The downstairs Grotto has its own menu with more shareables like Wagyu Cheese Steak, Fig Toast and Wagyu tartare.
Via Roma boasts a scratch kitchen, meaning everything—everything—is homemade. That’s possible with help from Executive Pastry Chef Emma Scheer, who leads the group’s bakery program. She and her team make everything from cakes and pastries for wedding receptions to breads and desserts in the restaurants.
Chef Emma graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Minneapolis before preparing pastries at some of Cleveland’s most renowned restaurants.
“I like to use familiar flavors in unfamiliar ways, taking apart traditional desserts and putting them back together differently,” she says. “And everything we do is from scratch—no mixes, no buckets of filling.”
Chef Emma’s signature dessert is a 17-layer Chocolate Torte. “It’s my magnum opus,” she laughs, as Khadar interjects, “It’s the Rolls Royce of cakes.”
Via Roma is at 8922 Ridge Road, in North Royalton. Reservations are recommended. To book your table, visit ViaRomaCLE.com or call 440-672-7662. The restaurant opens every day for dinner at 4 p.m.