First Place: The Nut House Pub and Grille
A friendly atmosphere greets customers as they walk through the doors of The Nut House Pub and Grille. After opening in November, The Nut House has become a place for customers to come together over food.
The menu ranges from house wings and craft pizzas to power bowls, handheld sandwiches and burgers. The Nut House is a family-friendly restaurant, but it caters to the student crowd at night.
“At night, we try to cater our specials to the students, if it’s a drink cocktail, a fun theme night and stuff like that,” said General Manager Norm Jesser.
The restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Jesser believes that customers enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant, from the quality of service and food to the music.
“I think they like the atmosphere that we try to set, from as small as our music playlist, to the DJ to small things,” Jesser said. I have Uno cards I’ll throw on tables for them to play it [and] hang out.”
The cocktails also change depending on the month of the year to fit the vibe of the season, according to Jesser.
In addition, The Nut House has helped the Kent community grow, with different charity events in partnership with sororities and fraternities.
Of all the food served at The Nut House, Jesser said the steak quesadilla and the chicken power bowl are among his favorites on the menu.
“I’m kind of a basic eater, but I love our steak quesadilla,” Jesser said. “It’s usually just chicken, but I sub steak, and I do love our chicken power bowl. … It’s light and still refreshing at the same time.”
Jesser hopes people come in and try Nut House’s Saturday and Sunday brunch starting at 9 a.m., which he calls a “hidden gem.”
Throughout the week, there are some specials. On Monday nights, the restaurant offers a variety of vegan options. Tuesday night is the ladies’ night special, with fun drinks and a DJ. Friday and Saturday nights have a DJ as well.
“We’re a great place to have a family dinner, and then also at night for your younger crowd and students,” Jesser said. “We’re here to be closer with Kent and Kent State.”
The Nut House can be found at 295 S. Water St., and it can be reached at 330-548-9183.
Second Place: Thunderstruck Donuts
Thunderstuck Donuts has made a name for itself as Kent’s donut destination after opening only six weeks ago.
Two years in the making, owners Rose and Ben Bulman work day and night to offer the Kent community fresh donuts every day. They combined their creative and culinary backgrounds to open the donut shop they thought Kent was missing.
“Ben’s really talented. He has all kinds of baking [and] culinary background, and I’m creative, and it was something we could do together,” Rose Bulman said.
In order to prepare the donuts, Ben Bulman starts to make dough after the store closes at noon. He continues making the donuts until about 2 or 3 a.m., when he is usually glazing and decorating them. Rose Bulman comes into the shop before they open and does prep work like packing boxes.
“Then I get to be with the customers, which is something I didn’t know I would love, but I really have loved getting to know everyone in Kent,” Rose Bulman said. “I like when they know each other in line in their pajamas.”
The most popular donut varieties are peanut butter, apple fritter and Coca-Cola cream. Rose Bulman’s personal favorite at the moment is the lemon blueberry, while Ben Bulman likes the plain glazed.
People can order donuts ahead of time to avoid them selling out. Customers can also order hot coffee and hot tea. Thunderstruck Donuts is open from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
“We’re born and raised in Kent, and we’re just happy to be back in Kent and have a business here,” Ben Bulman said.
The shop can be found at 830 N. Mantua St., or reached at 330-256-7740.
Third Place: Gigi’s Ristorante and Market
Gigi’s Ristorante and Market offers an elegant dining experience combined with scratch-made Italian favorites. The restaurant opened in December, marking the first Gigi’s location.
Gigi’s is a part of Tap Root Hospitality Group, which manages restaurants like Sapphire Creek Winery in Chagrin Falls.
When looking for the next location, Kent suited the “scratch Italian kitchen” concept, said Leo Hines, director of operations. Hines believes Gigi’s is settling into the Kent community.
“I think we’re fitting into the community very well. We see about 1,400 guests a week and have since we opened in December,” Hines said.
Gigi’s serves scratch-made pizzas, pastas, entrees and desserts. The Market sells ready-to-heat meals, wine, breads and pastas.
Customers can order the popular Italian Old Fashion, other cocktails and Sapphire Creek wine from the bar. The restaurant’s wine club offers perks like a bottle of wine every month and on birthdays and anniversaries.
Fan favorite dishes include cheesy bread served with house-made marinara and the 17-layer lasagna, with ricotta and mozzarella cheese and a crispy outer layer.
Hines’ personal favorite menu item is the mushroom pizza, and he recommends customers try the tiramisu. He is grateful for the Kent community welcoming Gigi’s and invites people to come enjoy all the restaurant has to offer.
“Thanks for welcoming us into the community. We’ve enjoyed it so far, and we hope to continually do business here for many years,” Hines said.
Gigi’s can be found at 210 S. Depeyster St., and it can be reached at 330-548-9497.
Loreal Puleo is a beat reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
Kayci Balog is a reporter for KSTV. Contact her at [email protected].
