The Story of 19 Cleveland: From Concept to Cuisine
As you’re sitting at your favorite table in the corner of 19 Cleveland, tucking into your 19 Hamburger or Falafel Sandwich, you might wonder how all this came to be. How did this little piece of the authentic Mediterranean get transplanted into the heart of Manhattan?
Now, any Mediterranean restaurant in NYC will claim to have the spirit of the region running through its menu, but we have it in our veins. For 19 Cleveland owner Eyal Hen, our menu is a reflection of our story. It weaves the love of food together with zesty inspiration from other cultures and cuisines.
And this story begins not in the Big Apple but in a thriving cosmopolitan metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea…
The Mediterranean Origins
Hen grew up in a small city on the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. You could say he was born into a passion for food. As soon as he was old enough, he began helping out and learning the ropes at his family’s restaurant.
From there, he went on to take every restaurant role he could find, from busboy to barista. At every step of the way, he honed his culinary skills and learned more about the restaurant business. The dream that drove him was to follow in his family’s footsteps and put his own mark on the culinary world.
Eventually, that dream took him to one of the world’s food meccas: New York City.
Taking the Mediterranean to Soho
When the time came to storm the New York food scene, Hen knew exactly who he wanted on his team. Enter childhood friends Eyal Asulin and Shai Sudai, followed by New Yorkers Kfir Cohen and Asaf Maoz. Spoiler alert: Asaf would become the master chef behind the 19 Cleveland menu.
But it didn’t start at Cleveland Place. No, our beloved Nolita restaurant was still on the horizon. First, the dream team had to make a pit stop in Soho. Despite its more recent gentrification, this vibrant neighborhood has been associated with artists and innovators for decades. It was the perfect first proving ground for some young guns from the Med looking to prove themselves where it mattered: on the plate.
Meet Nish Nush: 19 Cleveland’s Big Sister
Nish Nush brings Mediterranean cuisine to the heart of New York, delivering the best of both regions’ flavors. Its success showed the team that there was an appetite for well-made, tasty food in New York City. Nish Nush eventually moved and expanded, with locations now in Tribeca and the Financial District.
While Nish Nush’s menu focused on Hen’s homeland favorites, he knew they could bring more to the table. A restaurant that took the Mediterranean approach to and love for food but expanded the menu to include other favorites and fusion twists. This is where Maoz took the reins for a minute, crafting a menu that drew on a career spanning innovative eateries, Michelin-starred dining in Italy, and even bringing Mediterranean cuisine to Panama.
And so, 19 Cleveland was born.
Putting Culinary Diversity on the Menu h
Since New York is known for being a melting pot of immigrant flavors and traditions, Hen and Moaz wanted 19 Cleveland to have a modern fusion feel. While the menu includes plenty of traditional treats, there’s also much more to explore.
Drawing on other influences like Thai and Italian cuisine, the team wanted 19 Cleveland to reflect the diversity of their childhood and adopted homes. Honoring traditional techniques while taking a contemporary approach to flavor and texture combinations. International cultural exchange creates fireworks on a fork – wholesome, mouth-watering food that keeps you coming back for more.
Taste Tradition & Innovation at 19 Cleveland
There’s something for everyone on our menu: modern dining fueled by passion and flair. The Mediterranean approach to food is also one of the healthiest in the world, often recommended for heart health, among other benefits.
But it’s more than the flavor; it’s the feeling when you walk in the door. You can tell that this Mediterranean restaurant in NYC brings the regional approach to dining – savored with family and friends, food as a catalyst for connection. Join us for brunch, lunch, or dinner and become a part of the continuing story of 19 Cleveland, the best of the Med in NYC.