Steven Schwartzinger has been in and around the restaurant industry for 20 years. The dream to open his own restaurant had been on his mind for a number of years when Schwartzinger and his wife, Shannan, moved to Forks Township seven years ago and jumped at the chance to start a community restaurant in neighboring College Hill.
Their Cattell Street location was formerly home to Josephina’s at Cattell’s. But a new vision and menu are breathing life into the College Hill restaurant, which opened Dec. 16.
Flavor: Schwartzinger calls his menu American — not the stereotypical meatloaf and apple pie deal — but a melting pot of cultures and influences. His menu features Asian, Italian and French dishes, but Schwartzinger doesn’t want to limit himself to one cuisine. The beauty of the diversity is on the menu — osso buco listed alongside vegetable lo mein.
“It’s fine dining food in a casual atmosphere,” says Shannan Schwartzinger. “It’s American food done right.”
View full sizeA plate of the restaurant's Beef Short Ribs -- boneless, tamarind blazed short rib with creamy grits and stir fried vegetables.“It’s not the fine dining stigma where you have to dress up for good food,” Schwartzinger says.What’s in a name? The restaurant is named after the owners’ daughters, Megan and Madelyn, and is family-friendly.
“It’s casual but not pub food,” Shannan Scwartzinger adds.
“(It’s) where Mom and Dad can come in and have a steak and salmon, while the kids aren’t forgotten,” Schwartzinger says.The kids menu is covered in games to keep kids busy and has classics such as pigs in a blanket, mac and cheese and popcorn shrimp.
View full sizeSalad of Baby Lettuces has mixed greens, Humbolt Fog Chevre dried cranberries, candied walnuts and truffle honey at MeGs AND MaDs Casual Dining.Restaurant ethics: Schwartzinger says he wants customers to leave satisfied, stressing quality over quantity.
“It’s good food versus turn-and-burn service,” he says.He aims for the balance of affordable prices but still delivering a good, quality product.
“I think people are surprised,” he says of their first wave of customers. “This place has changed hands a few times, so people don’t know what to expect. I want people to feel they’re getting a good value.”
View full sizeMeGs and MaDs' Warm Apple Tart features puff pastry, Dulce de Leche gelato and candied walnuts.