When you're treating yourself to a nice restaurant meal, chef-driven establishments are known for creating food that reflects the chef's expertise and vision, often using fresh ingredients. Stark and Summit counties have many such restaurants where you can count on a great meal. Our real estate agents recommend paying a visit to one of the following establishments when you're looking for chef-driven excellence.

Chef-Driven Restaurants to Try in Stark and Summit Counties

Crave on Main and Crave on Front - Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Address: 156 S. Main St., Akron, OH 44308, and 2097 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221

With two locations—the original restaurant near Akron homes for sale and a newer spot near Cuyahoga Falls homes for sale—Crave is a convenient place to treat yourself to comfort food with a fine dining twist. Chef and co-owner Aaron Hervey aims to bring food from around the world to the area in a setting that's perfect for any occasion. Customer favorites include the following dishes:

• Cornflake Crusted Chicken
• Angus Burger
• Chicken and Waffles
• Pasta Bucatini
• Salmon
• Mahi Mahi
• German Chocolate Cake

Good Company - Akron, OH

Address: 60 S. Maple St., Akron, OH 44303

Known for serving fall-off-the-bone chicken wings and delicious cheeseburgers, Good Company puts extra care, flavoring, and expertise into every dish. The 72-hour wings are marinated in dry spices for two days before being slow-braised for an additional day. When you place your order, they're fried, then tossed in a house sauce or a dry spice blend. Equal care is taken with the cheeseburgers, made with two smashed certified Angus beef patties from the restaurant's custom blend of sirloin and beef, topped with griddled onions, malted pickles, shredded lettuce, and American cheese. 

The Industry Kitchen & Bar - Akron, OH

Address: 3492 S. Arlington Road, Akron, OH 44312

The Industry Kitchen & Bar has a comfortable vibe that meshes well with its memorable setting and meals. As one of its co-owners explains, his goal is to provide the industry's best experience, food, and more, along with the latest trends and a "big city" dining experience. The menu is small but focused, as everything is made from scratch with the freshest ingredients. Popular dishes include:

• Pan-Seared Duck Breast - with blackberry port reduction
• Steak - 8 oz. Wagyu Gold Denver cut
• Venison - pan-seared New Zealand venison with Buffalo Trace bourbon glaze
• Lobster Gnocchi - with butter-poached lobster

Astoria Grill - Canton, OH

Address: 4670 Everhard Road NW, Canton, OH 44718

Astoria Grill became popular at a previous location under different owners, but the tradition of excellence continues in its new iteration. Diners can now find it in Belden Village, near Canton homes for sale, where chefs prepare delicious Italian steakhouse cuisine. Try the Walleye Prima (with the fillet from Lake Erie), the Brasato Di Manzo (slow-braised beef short rib), or one of the restaurant's stone-oven pizzas.

Baker's Cafe '33 - Canton, OH

Address: 1927 Stark Ave. SW, Canton, OH 44706

If you're in the mood for some of the best steaks in the area, head to Baker's Cafe '33, a longtime Canton favorite. Even after a fire destroyed its building in 2016, the owner rebuilt and, with a newer, more modern atmosphere, still has as many loyal customers as ever. From strip steaks to ribeyes to filet mignons to T-bones, steaks dominate the menu, but orange roughy, lobster tail, spaghetti, and pork chops are also standouts. For dessert, peanut butter pie is a customer favorite.

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Contact us today if you'd like to see homes for sale in Stark and Summit counties. We'll put our years of experience to work and find the right home for you!