Tucked into the fabric of Berea, Ohio, the Eastland Inn has stood since 1940—first as a cozy tavern, and now as a reimagined gastro pub with Italian soul and Serbian warmth. When Domenic Ruggiero, his sister Daniela Bianchi, and close family friend Zoran Stojkov took over the space in 2014, they weren’t just opening a restaurant—they were picking up the thread of a community story that’s been 80 years in the making.
What they’ve built since is something both familiar and fresh. The original ambiance remains: a warm, nostalgic nod to the Inn’s storied past. But layered into it now is something deeply personal. “We added our Italian and Serbian flare,” says Domenic, “and we kept my mom’s cooking at the center of it.” Many of the specials—like hearty lasagna, tender eggplant parmesan, and stuffed banana peppers—come straight from her hands, adding a homemade touch you won’t find on just any pub menu.…