The long-standing Cabin of Willowick gets a fresh start

A long-standing culinary institution in Willowick is getting a fresh start.

Carmen Paponetti, The Cabin of Willowick's new owner, has unveiled his plans for breathing new life into the eatery, beginning with a full redesigned menu featuring locally sourced ingredients and scratch recipes.

"This is where we return The Cabin to its roots and grow some new traditions," Paponetti said. While some changes are more subtle than others, from a new water system and streamlined back of the house to fresh linens and modern tableware, Paponetti insists, "It all matters."

The menu includes a lineup of appetizers and small plates in the bar, as well as seasonal specialties.
"We're not trying to do what's trendy, but we're also not stuck in the past," Paponetti said. "We cure and smoke our own pork belly in house, for a specific flavor profile. We can't get that from buying it from someone else."

Some of the new menu items are ancho tacos with mango salsa and a signature slow-roasted pork loin Cuban sandwich. Every section of the menu now offers vegan and vegetarian options like the roasted eggplant and falafel entrees and Burrata cheese board.  An all new dessert menu will be released later this month.

A graduate of the Cordon Bleu Program at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, Paponetti has spent the past decade learning the restaurant business with Chef Zack Bruell at Parallax and Kafeteria, before taking the reins at The Cabin of Willowick.

The Cabin of Willowick, established in 1931, is a member of Cleveland Independents. Visit www.thecabinofwillowick.com.