Beachwood's Sanctuary

As you know, I am a fan of Driftwood Restaurant Group's restaurants that are scattered around town. Hodge's, Washington Place Bistro, and Cibreo have always been repeat stops for us. Driftwood Catering did our wedding, and they went above and beyond our expectations. So, when Sanctuary the restaurant + wine bar contacted me to come out to Beachwood to check out the new restaurant, I agreed. I had already missed two opportunities for a visit, and I wasn't going to let this one pass me by.

Located inside of the DoubleTree Beachwood, it offers hotel guests and other diners several options for seating. They have two large dining areas...

...a communal seating area...

...a wine bar, private event spaces, and room service.

I did appreciate the nod to Driftwood with the wall accents.

Mr. H and I ordered the Pork Belly Steamed Buns with pickled pear, arugula, and sriracha aioli ($8). There was definitely a little heat to this aioli, and the pork belly was nice and crispy yet moist. One side of the bun on each seemed to be a little dried out though.

I selected the French Wedge with tomato, hard boiled egg, pickled red onion, bacon, bleu cheese crumbles, and white French dressing ($7). The white French dressing was much better than your typical creamy bleu cheese. I also loved the tangy bite that the pickled red onions gave it.

For our entrees, Mr. H ordered the C.A.B, Filet Mignon with chive pommes puree, baby carrots, and a truffle demi ($32).

I went for the Seared U-10 Scallops with risotto, golden beets, caramelized apples, butternut squash, fried sage, and apple gastrique ($30). The scallops were a touch too salty, but I left wanting to recreate this risotto combination at home.

As if we weren't full enough, our server brought us his favorite dessert, the Bananas Foster Cheesecake.

Creamy and lovely, but not mild enough for this banana-hater to enjoy...

Folks, that was his true reaction, not staged for the camera. I promise. I was laughing so hard. First sniff after 10 years of no banana.

Overall thoughts...I wish that hotels when I traveled offered food like the west side's AMP 150 and Sanctuary Beachwood. I never seem to stumble upon anywhere good. It was a good meal, with some solid classic dishes and a few creative twists. I'll never be able to get over that "hotel" feel that these type of restaurants just can't avoid, but it was more private than AMP 150 inside the restaurant and bar. Service was friendly, casual and attentive. The house-made bread with honey butter and pesto was a highlight too. They'll just keep refilling it, but don't fill up!

Another nice addition to the trend of elevating the quality of hotel food in the Greater Cleveland area. This, I'm on board with.

Sanctuary restaurant + wine bar
DoubleTree by Hilton
3663 Park East Drive
Beachwood, OH 44122
216-910-1296

Disclosure: I was invited to bring a guest and enjoy dinner at the restaurant in exchange for this review and social media posts. All food and drink were complimentary, but the opinions stated are 100% my own. Thank you to Sanctuary for the opportunity to try their food!