Astro Boy, Groot and Darth Vader guide down (or up) the stairs to the restrooms at Astro Restaurant at Tower City Center in Downtown Cleveland. They’re just some of the characters that liven up the family-friendly restaurant (KJP). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Former Hard Rock is Astro’s launch pad
Yes, a new restaurant at Tower City Center in Downtown Cleveland really is out of this world. And The Astro Restaurant is going to lift off at 11 a.m. tomorrow, one block from the neighboring RocketMortage offices. But since the restaurant will be open only for dinner, it may prove to be popular for people attending evening events at the RocketMortgage FieldHouse just down the street.
That rocket theme may have been on the minds of landlord Bedrock Real Estate executives when they suggested the cosmic concept to restaurant partners Jeremiah Burks, Ryan Gullatt, Andre Scott and Christopher Thomas. It’s not their first theme restaurant either, as NEOtrans noted last year when it broke the story of their plans for Astro Restaurant, 230 W. Huron Rd.
“We are thrilled to provide Clevelander’s and tourists with yet another unforgettable dining experience,” said Scott in a written statement, The Astro Restaurant. “The Astro will leave guests feeling as if they just traveled into outer space, while enjoying food and beverages from our sci-fi inspired menu.”
Three of the four Astro Restaurant partners posed outside the front doors to their future establishment last summer. From left are Christopher Thomas, Jeremiah Burks and Andre Scott. Not pictured was Ryan Gullatt (Christopher Thomas’ Instagram page mayor_of_bedford).
There’s lots of characters at The Astro. When you first walk in from the main entrance inside the third level of Tower City, you’re greeted by giant murals of Superman confronting The Alien. Nearby is Astro Boy, Groot and Darth Vader above the stairs to the restrooms and kitchen. The murals were inspired and created by local artists Isaiah Williams and Derek Walker.
There’s also life-size mannequins of Darth Vader, Kylo Ren and Storm positioned around the restaurant and even Star Wars light sabers for kids and adults to play with while they wait for their table. The employees are in on the act too, dressed in space-based clothing while space-themed movies like Mars Attacks and Spaceballs play on TV screens.
The restaurant held a soft opening April 18 — the first dining customers to enter the darkened space in nearly eight years. The Astro occupies the previous location of the former Hard Rock Café which moved out to Northfield’s Hard Rock “Rocksino” casino — rather than pay rent to competitor Bedrock, one of Dan Gilbert’s Rock Ventures companies.
There’s lots of characters at The Astro, including a few mannequins like one dressed as Storm from the X-men and played in the movies by native Clevelander Halle Berry (KJP).
“A partnership was cultivated from Tower City reaching out to us to bring a themed restaurant to the space,” Scott told NEOtrans last year. “When it comes to themed restaurants, I believe we have a great understanding as to what we need to deliver for guests.”
Two years ago, Burks, Gullatt, Scott and Thomas launched the Haunted House Restaurant at Cedar and Taylor roads in Cleveland Heights. The partners pursued another Haunted House Restaurant in Atlanta.
The local Haunted House Restaurant is located in Melt’s former Cleveland Heights spot. It features artwork and characters from scary movies and ghoulish TV shows like “Beetlejuice,” “Friday the 13th,” “Ghostbusters” and “The Addams Family.” Menu items also are topical, like Scooby Snacks, Chucky Rolls, Final Destination, as well as drinks like The Potion Bowl.
While they wait for a table at the April 18th soft opening, customers Martin and Iryna Tkachenko play with the restaurant-supplied light sabers at the entrance to the Astro Restaurant at Tower City Center (KJP).
At The Astro, patrons will have a dining experience that transcends the ordinary through the vast universe of iconic sci-fi movies. At The Astro, every bite and sip is a nod to the classics that shaped our imaginations — from Star Wars to Star Trek, and beyond. The Astro’s menu is a galaxy of flavors, each dish creatively named after beloved characters, starships and planets from the cinematic universe we cherish.
Not to be outdone, the “Men In Black” bar serves up interstellar cocktails so potent, they’re bound to have guests chatting in alien tongues. But it’s not just about the food and drink; it’s an immersive journey. With themed events, characters from your favorite sagas roaming the floor, and surprises at every turn, dining at The Astro is like stepping into your own sci-fi adventure. Prepare for a meal that’s simply out of this world.
The Astro has seating for up to 196 guests, plus another 30 seats at the Men In Black bar. There is also a large party dining area. Hours of operation on Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursday is from 4-9 p.m., Friday from 4-10 p.m., Saturday from 5-10 p.m. and Sunday 5-9 p.m. It is closed Mondays. For reservations or to book an event, go to www.theastrorestaurant.com.
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