EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute

Second visit to EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute in 26 months. We scored street parking right on Shaker Square. Upon arrival we were promptly seated. Inside is tight seating but upscale, with dim accent ceiling lighting.

The meal was delicious and I got to try something new (pheasant). I did send the Pheasant back as it looked undercooked and a little too pink for me. It came back out perfect and they handled the situation perfectly. They even brought a cup of soup while my dish was being flash cooked. Loved that detail of the experience.

Service was wonderful. Rhonae S. was amazing, attentive, personable, and positively added to the occasion. The place is kind of pricy with a price point of 30+ per dinner entrees but we were celebrating our anniversary. We did 3 courses each and dropped about $150 for two, without drinks (pre tip) but we wanted to celebrate at a special location.

Overall, It was a perfect evening and would definitely recommend.

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Here is what we had for dinner if interested. Since this is an updated, second review, with previous 10 pics showing, I'll upload pics directly to the page.

Fromage de chèvre chaud McKenzie Creamery, mesclun de verdure, coings pochés et vinaigrette au champagne (Warm McKenzie Creamery goat cheese, mixed field greens, poached quince & Champagne vinaigrette) $14.

Bisque de homard (Lobster bisque) $13.

Faisan rôti avec purée de patate douce, épinards sautés & jus de faisan à l'Armagnac (Roasted pheasant breast with sweet potato purée, sautéed spinach & pheasant Armagnac jus) $37.

Cuisse de canard confite au sel, risotto aux girolles et trompettes noires (Salt-cured duck leg confit with Chanterelle & Black Trumpet mushroom risotto) $37.

Pouding au pain (White chocolate macadamia nut bread pudding with Ceylon cinnamon ice cream) $13.

Cheesecake au chocolat blanc et coulis de mûres (White chocolate cheesecake with blackberry coulis) $14.

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~Here is more interesting info on what makes this place so special if you want to learn a bit more:

*EDWINS 1s a 501(c)(3) and 100% of your contribution is eligible for federal tax deduction.

*EDWINS offers formerly incarcerated people a foundation in the culinary & hospitality industries. While students are enrolled in the program, they are in intensive training and gain hands-on work experience. No-cost housing, legal services, basic medical care, clothing, job coaching, literacy programs are provided in addition to and a support network necessary for long-term success.

Learn more on EDWIND's Mission at https://edwinsrestaurant.org/about-us/.

Just go here already!! If you like well done French cuisine, top-notch service and a great atmosphere, you will love this place! If you don't like those things...well I'm very sorry

From the moment we walked in I was in love! The staff here was second to none - outstanding service all around, while retaining a personalized, down to earth feel. We had Brittney as our server and she was a DOLL. Best server I've had in ever.

The food, the FOOOOD! Seafood sausage , best filet ever (plated very artistically), venison, table side bananas foster, champagne, great wine, a "happy Anniversary" plate in chocolate, amazing cocktails, are you convinced yet?

We went here for our 17th anniversary and I can't wait for another excuse to go back again

We went last night for a nice dinner with friends. The service was very good ( gracious, well timed and unobtrusive)and the food was well prepared. Especially loved the ramps in the gnocchi dish. My greatest disappointment was that there was horrible music at a very loud level. It would get turned down and then, as if someone loved the song, it would get cranked! Really "Red Corvette"? Then some banging rap....In a french restaurant.... I don't think so. Even if you choose poor music for the atmosphere, at least let us have conversations at the tables. It is why we are there. Oh and probably the guy singing to himself behind the bar really liked the music. I was exhausted from yelling to my friends by the time we left.

We came here on Valentine's Day and it's safe to say that we're absolutely in LOVE with Edwins! As most are aware, the story behind Edwins and what they stand for is beautiful. We chose the Valentine's Day menu which consisted of three courses with an optional wine pairing for each course. This may have been one of the best meals that we had in Cleveland. Each course was beautifully plated, and the flavors fit perfectly together. I was very impressed with the wine pairings as they complimented each course amazingly. Service was amazing and we felt completely supported the entire time. Our server was incredible and we could not have asked for a more knowledgeable and patient server. I highly HIGHLY recommend checking out Edwins if you have a chance. Between the amazing food and the values that they stand for, I could not have asked for a better experience.

I would give this place a 4.5 stars. I haven't been back since I moved away in 2015 so I wanted to go back while I was in town. Online you cannot make a reservation for one so I did it for 2. I wasn't sure if there was a bar I could sit at but there was. It was a Tuesday night I went. The host and hostess were great. The waiter was professional but could use a little more training in connecting with the customers. The artichokes were great in flavor, not quite as soft as I like, but I cook the heck out of them when I cook them. The duck confit was amazing and the meat fell off the bone. The pictures only show the food because my cameras flash was on. The tables were very dark and it was hard to see the food clearly. I love the mission of Edwin's, what they have accomplished and their great French cuisine. Great to be back after 8 years away. Still a staple for high end dining in Cleveland.

We came here for a date night and really enjoyed the experience. The staff was incredibly nice and efficient. Had a great meal and would definitely consider coming back for a date night. I love the concept behind the restaurant and it delivers on food and service. Give it a try!

Edwin's caters the fish fry at our parish and it is amazing! First off, to pull off an event away from your home kitchen is hard enough, but to pull it off and excel at quality makes me crave to visit their restaurant. It is truly amazing to see how much they care about everything they do.

We have always gone to Edwin's 2, but made reservations for Edwin's and absolutely loved it. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming and the people are absolutely amazing. We had Deonte as our waiter and I can't recommend him enough. He went above and beyond. We enjoyed our evening and will go back!!

Edwin's was an absolutely amazing experience. Every thing we ordered from lobster bisque, escargot, goat cheese salad, duck leg, rabbit leg, and the filet mignon to the orange soufflé, bananas foster, crème brûlée was exquisite. It seriously ranks up there with Michelin Star restaurants. The service was incredible and like nothing we have experienced anywhere in Northeast Ohio. The waiter paid very close attention to all our needs.. water, more bread, replacing silverware continuously, clean plates...unreal! The Head Chef and owner of the restaurant, Brandon, visited our table frequently throughout the night! what a great man and restaurant concept!. We will definitely be back to support the efforts of Brandon and the Cleveland Browns.
The Battista Family

The service is top notch. The food was awesome. Just a pleasure here! Go have fun here. You will love the food! Had 3 apps to split. Everything was perfect. 4th time here. Parking is tight. Who cares? Walk , you will be rewarded with excellent food! A must