CLEVELAND — Ristorante Chinato, the popular Italian restaurant on East 4th Street owned by well-known Cleveland chef Zack Bruell, will serve its last dish on May 20, according to a release from the restaurant.
Bruell says the closure comes after months of negotiations with the restaurant's landlord. According to a news release, the landlord and Bruell couldn't come to an agreement.
“This is unfortunate because Chinato is very popular, and many people consider it one of the best Italian restaurants in Cleveland,” he said. “But at the end of the day, this is a business, and the numbers need to work.”
Bruell said the 25 employees will be reassigned to other Zack Bruell restaurants, which include Parallax, L’Albatros, Cowell & Hubbard, Alley Cat, Table 45, Dynomite and Exploration.
Bruell said Chinato employees will be put to work immediately at his other restaurants due to the high demand of workers needed at his other restaurants.
“We really need the added help everywhere,” Bruell said. “It’s sometimes difficult to keep up because we only hire top talent, but now we have a fully trained and experienced staff ready to go. This will be a big help.”
