EAT LOCAL MEDIA
June 07
Malisse Sinito is the leader behind some of the most iconic Cleveland dining experiences. (Courtesy of Eat Local Ohio)
LockKeepers, Marble Room Steaks and Raw Bar, and Il Venetian are three iconic spots known to be Cleveland's “must-try” spots, the places you recommend to out-of-towners, and all products of the mastermind that is Malisse Sinito.
Malisse Sinito, president of Savour Hospitality, oversees these memorable concepts and makes running a premier dining destination look easy. I had the honor of sitting down with Sinito over lunch at LockKeepers to discuss its history and her experience in the industry.
Locking It Down
In 1988, while Sinito was in college, she and her husband, Frank, ran a bustling neighborhood bar called The River Pub. The building was historic, the food was delicious, and the crowds were rough. It wasn’t until Sinito graduated from Baldwin Wallace that she began to take charge of transforming the pub.
“We closed down (The River Pub) for a week and turned this old, historic bar into the LockKeepers,” says Malisse Sinito. “It was totally renovated, and we changed everything. I was in the kitchen by default.”
The original chef Sinito had hired to run the kitchen didn’t work out, so she was left in charge. Without any professional kitchen experience, you’d think she’d be running around like a chicken with her head cut off, but Sinito did what she knew best: cooking food on a humble level.
“I had no formal training, so I cooked like I was at home. We bought really good ingredients and kept the recipes pretty simple: lots of steak, fish, and pasta. All of the things that my family had made for years.”
The new LockKeepers took off, with business bustling even more than it had been as a pub. Sinito saw through the beginnings of its success until her first pregnancy, when she stepped down to focus on raising her children.
“I came in after being retired for years and had this business that was not doing well.” “I had to rebrand LockKeepers to resurrect it and bring it back.”
Branching Out
With his primary interest in real estate, Frank Sinto began scoping out new properties in Downtown Cleveland. He’d outgrown his office space in Valley View and knew it was time for something bigger.
“(Frank) ended up purchasing office buildings and converting them to apartment buildings, one of which was the Garfield Building, which had an old bank hall attached to it,” says Malisse Sinito.
The old bank hall was on course to become a Jeff Ruby Steakhouse, with a deal nearing completion and a construction crew starting on the renovation. Like LockKeepers, mayhem hit a week before the final paperwork was signed, and the deal fell through.
“We had this idea to do a steakhouse, but not what you would expect. We knew that anyone who walked into that space would expect classical music, harps, and men in bowties– it seemed like such a fussy environment,” says Sinito.
In 2017, Sinito crafted Marble Room as we know it today, responding to the demand for a versatile restaurant where you can host an upscale business lunch and come back at night to grab sushi before a game.
Malisse Sinito’s innovation didn’t stop at Marble Room, which quickly became a Cleveland favorite as reservations flooded their phone lines. Only two years later, Sinito, with the talented hand of Executive Chef Alberto Leandri, saw through the opening of the intimate Il Venetian in Key Tower.
“Our Executive Chef, Alberto, who had been with us from LockKeepers, was born in Venice, and opened up Il Venetian,” says Sinito. “Alberto created the Italian feel, which is very seafood-heavy and includes all handmade pastas and pastries.”
From there, the Sinitos renovated the old Key Club in Key Tower into the St. Clair Ballroom, turning it into a romantic panoramic view that overlooks the city, perfect for any occasion. In the same building, you can find Savour Coffee & Creations, serving premium Lavazza coffee, handmade pastries, gelato, sandwiches, and salads.
“We don’t go out of our way to open up a location anywhere. We usually own a piece of property– a building with an empty space– and then we will bring hospitality to that space.”
Guests are Friends
You have to give credit where credit is due, though. Savour Hospitality oversees some of Cleveland's most well-known, upscale restaurants. Each location, especially the Marble Room, has seen its share of celebrities, famous athletes, and someone ready to write a bad review about the hype.
“We put a lot of emphasis on the guest experience,” Says Sinito. “In the handbook, it actually says, and it sounds cliche, but to ‘welcome a guest, like you’re welcoming them to your home’.”
Fighting the notoriety that their concepts are “overhyped” or “not what everyone makes it out to be” is done simply by providing an elevated, excellent experience. Yes, the Marble Room is iconic and the place you’d want to go to catch a glimpse of some A-lister, but there’s a dedicated staff behind the glitz and glamour with a desire to do it all better than they did the week prior.
And, don’t let some of the pricier menu items steer you away, you are paying for quality, and you certainly won’t be upsold a fancy dish you aren’t feeling. Sinito proudly explains that the word “upsell” isn’t just greatly despised in her kitchens, but isn’t allowed.
“If your friend came in and sat down, what would you tell them to order? Would you point out the most expensive thing on the list? No, you show them the deals,” says Sinito.
It’s how Sinito learned the craft: by treating guests like friends dining at her house. From my own experiences, I can confidently say that some of the best waitstaff I’ve ever encountered have been at Savour concepts. It’s a trickle-down effect from Sinito and her values, which are shared from manager to chef to server.
“You don’t steer a friend to spend money; to truly treat someone with respect is to welcome them warmly and be genuinely happy that they’re here and excited to see them.”
Tastes just like Nonna made it! (Courtesy of Eat Local Ohio)
Editor’s Eats
I promise you that you can’t go wrong with a single thing on any concept’s menu– there’s a reason why you’ll find Malisse herself eating lunch or dinner at these spots!
For LockKeepers, though, where I had the honor of sitting down and chatting with her, I would recommend you try the following:
Reflecting on the restaurant scene in Cleveland, I couldn’t help but ask Sinito what it’s been like as such a leading female figure in one of the most challenging business cultures.
“There were times when it was a disadvantage,” says Sinito. “Many years ago, I had been on the phone with people who weren’t very receptive to whatever we were discussing. My husband would pick up the same line, and I would notice an absolute change of attitude and tone. I used to get a little flustered about that, but I don’t really care anymore.”
Her remarkable confidence, sharp intelligence, and unwavering resilience have played a vital role in her success. Her exceptional leadership, combined with the dedication of the passionate team at each Savour Hospitality concept, truly shines as a cornerstone of their achievements.
“There’s definitely a female presence in (the Cleveland food scene). I have a lot of talented women that I work with, like the chefs here at LockKeepers, my marketing manager, and the assistant general manager at Marble Room.”
Executive Chef Lydia Boker is at the helm of the LockKeepers kitchen. She brings a wealth of experience from her time as Executive Sous Chef with Chef Alberto at Il Venetian. Last year, she took the opportunity to lead LockKeepers, showcasing her culinary excellence and creativity. Notably, she spearheaded the Happy Hour program, with delicious bites to pair with your drink of choice.
Looking Forward
One of Sinito and Savour Hospitality's newer ventures is bringing back print media with their fantastic read, Savour the Season Magazine. Published twice a year, the magazine is another vessel of creativity that urges Sinito and her staff to switch gears.
“With (Savour Magazine), everyone is thinking about next season, when in this industry, usually, you’re behind,” says Sinito. “We’re thinking in advance now. The chefs prepare dishes to be photographed so far in advance, and think about what we’ll be drinking and eating.”
Whether you click through the digital version or flip through a physical copy, the old-fashioned way, you’ll have eyes on next season’s food and hospitality trends. The Fall/Winter 2024 issue discusses upcoming table trends, features beautiful photographs of seasonal specials, and includes a master sommelier’s champagne alternatives.
However, curating a magazine is more than sniffing out the new trends. Savour Magazine has masterfully curated a vibe encompassing its concepts and the heart of its staff. It’s an elevated reading experience with a whole lot of charm.
“(The writing staff and I) agreed that nothing goes in the magazine that’s not interesting or exciting, no matter what it is.”
A voice of their own in a vessel of their own, Savour Hospitality has nailed it once again with their magazine. And, you’ll see them continuously nailing it every time you dine at one of their concepts.
If you haven’t been to any of these spots yet and aren’t sure where to start, my first recommendation is always going to be LockKeepers. It’s elegant, and the food is delicious. Come in for an upscale lunch, and then book a reservation for dinner in the glamour and showmanship of Marble Room.
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Visit LockKeepers!
8001 Rockside Rd, Independence
Are you our next featured spot? Please send all inquires, comments, and questions to mnader@eatlocalohio.com.