This stylized, graphically rendered jet aircraft was on the front cover of a 1960s menu for the Sky Way restaurant and lounge in Cleveland, Ohio.

Located directly opposite the city’s municipal airport ( now Cleveland Hopkins International Airport),  it offered a dining room decorated in colors of chartreuse and forest green, where patrons could dance on the large terraced floor and watch the nation’s ‘most celebrated stars’ perform.

There was certainly a diverse range of entertainers, from singers Harry Belafonte, Mel Torme and Nelson Eddy to burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee and her Revue.

Patrons were also welcomed to a cocktail lounge run by bartenders Joe La Rocco and Gordon Ashton and the Zebra Lounge for private parties.

The Sky Way was operated by brothers Gene and Art Tassi. Art had been assistant chef and maître d’ at the Cleveland Statler hotel and his brother Gene spent many years in the meat business. Gene’s hobby was growing orchids and they were used as decorations in the restaurant.

Gene’s wife Elpia and Art’s wife Ida were the hostesses, greeting and seating guests.

We don’t know when the Sky Way restaurant and lounge closed. If anyone has information about Cleveland’s dining past, we’d love to hear it.

Courtesy Private Collection.