Our Story
Where culinary passion meets community connection
Good Food, Great People
56 Kitchen was born from a simple belief: dining out should be an experience worth sharing. When we opened our doors, we made a commitment to craft every dish from scratch with quality ingredients and genuine care.
Our open kitchen concept creates an engaging atmosphere where food and community come together. When you watch our chefs prepare your meal with dedication, you're witnessing the care and craftsmanship that goes into every dish.
From our house-made sauces and dressings to our daily-baked breads, everything at 56 Kitchen is prepared with attention to detail and love for the craft of cooking.
Our Mission
"To create memorable dining experiences through fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, exceptional service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that brings our community together."
What We Believe In
Our values guide every decision we make, from ingredient sourcing to guest service
Locally Sourced
We partner with Ohio growers to bring you the freshest seasonal ingredients, supporting our local community.
Open Kitchen
Watch our chefs craft your meal from scratch in our open kitchen, where transparency meets culinary artistry.
Made from Scratch
Every sauce, every dressing, every dish is prepared fresh daily using traditional techniques and modern flair.
From 56 Salads to Farm-to-Table
A story of passion, evolution, and commitment to fresh, local cuisine spanning over 25 years
The Beginning
The Beginning
Izzy Schachner and Jay Leitson enter the restaurant business, bringing their passion for fresh, quality food to Ohio.
Cafe 56 Opens
Cafe 56 Opens
Opening of Cafe 56 in Mayfield Heights, featuring the famous 56 different salads that would become a Cleveland legend.
Growing Success
Growing Success
Cafe 56 expands to multiple locations across Cleveland, including Beachwood and Highland Hills, becoming known for healthy, fresh dining.
56 Kitchen Solon
56 Kitchen Solon
Evolution from Cafe 56 to 56 Kitchen begins with the opening of our Solon location, expanding beyond salads to full farm-to-table cuisine.
Mayfield Heights Transformation
Mayfield Heights Transformation
The original Cafe 56 location in Mayfield Heights transforms into 56 Kitchen, keeping the pewter mug salad and adding elevated dining.
Community First
Community First
During the pandemic, we supported our team with paid vacations and pivoted to serve our community safely with takeout and delivery.
Elle Opens
Elle Opens
Jay and Izzy open Elle, an elevated French-Italian concept in Solon, expanding the restaurant family.
56 Social Opens
56 Social Opens
Just opened in 2025, 56 Social in Shaker Heights brings a neighborhood café experience featuring the famous 56 salads tradition.
56 Tavern at Aurora Inn
56 Tavern at Aurora Inn
Opening February 11, 2025, Jay and Izzy partner with The Aurora Inn to bring 56 Kitchen favorites to Aurora.
Growing Restaurant Empire
Growing Restaurant Empire
With 56 Kitchen, Elle, 56 Social, and 56 Tavern, Jay and Izzy continue expanding while maintaining their commitment to fresh, local cuisine.
Today, we continue to honor our roots with the famous pewter mug salad from Cafe 56, while bringing you an elevated farm-to-table experience that celebrates Ohio's finest ingredients.
Meet the Visionaries
The passionate people who transformed 56 salads into a garden-to-table movement
Jay Leitson
Co-Owner & Founder
With over 25 years in the restaurant industry, Jay co-founded Cafe 56 in 1998 and has been instrumental in evolving the concept into 56 Kitchen. Together with Izzy, he's expanded their restaurant group to include multiple successful concepts while maintaining a commitment to fresh, local cuisine.
Izzy Schachner
Co-Owner & Founder
Partner since 1995 with over 18 years in the restaurant business, Izzy co-founded Cafe 56 and has been essential in growing their restaurant empire. Together with Jay, he's created multiple dining concepts that celebrate local ingredients and scratch cooking throughout Cleveland.
From 56 salads to a full farm-to-table experience, our journey has always been about one thing: bringing fresh, local, and delicious food to our community. Every dish tells a story of Ohio's farms and our passion for great food.
Jay Leitson
Co-Founder
Izzy Schachner
Co-Founder
Our Local Partners
Supporting Ohio farms and producers who share our commitment to quality
Local Produce
Fresh vegetables and fruits from Ohio farms
Grass-Fed Meats
Ethically raised beef and poultry
Artisan Cheese
Small-batch cheeses from regional dairies
Artisan Breads
Daily-baked breads from local bakeries
Experience 56 Kitchen
Ready to taste the difference that fresh, local ingredients make? Visit us at either of our locations and discover your new favorite dish.