Elsner's Steak and Steam, a popular men's health club and restaurant in Shaker Heights, has been offering relaxing spa services and hearty, delicious meals to men for 43 years. Unpretentious and com-fortable, this Cleveland institution offers high-class service with all the warmth of family attention. Elsner's has been owned and operated for the past 12 years by Allan Leuchtag with help from his wife Irit and his son Michael. Instead of smoothies and decorative adornments, Elsner's offers a “macho” option to men seeking a spa experience. As Allan explains, “It's a place for men to relax, take a steam or sauna and get a massage. If they want, they can smoke a cigar and drink a cocktail or two while they sit with the guys. Then they can eat dinner at the steak restaurant.”

Elsner's has been a men's tradition shared through generations. It is common to see two or even three generations of men spending quality time together in the comfortable atmosphere. On a typical day at Elsner's, regulars visit in groups of three, four or five. Stag and private parties are also popular here, and the club can accommodate up to 40 or 50 in the steam room and dozens more in the other rooms. Over the years, Elsner's has been a destination for many powerful businessmen. “If only those steam room walls could talk!” Allan humorously muses.

Elsner's health club has a steam room, sauna and four massage tables. Dennis Burns, the locker attendant, warmly greeted us at the door and escorted us to the lockers and then the steam room. As we toured the club, he let us know that he was there to make our visit as comfortable as possible. A testimony to this fact was that I never had to look for a warm towel, because he always seemed to know when I would want one.

The masseurs at Elsner's specialize in massages for athletic men who usually prefer a deep tissue, sports massage. “The men here aren't looking for Shiatsu or Reiki,” Allan explains. “They work out hard and then want something that will really get at the sore muscles.” Boris Belkin, the health club manager, gave me an incredible deep tissue massage. Afterwards I felt flexible and completely relaxed. My friend received an equally high quality and therapeutic sports massage from the other massage therapist, Jerry Blaken. Following our massages, we visited the roomy sauna, where our bodies fully relaxed in the pleasant dry heat.

In addition to his personable demeanor, Allan offers his guests superior service. He notes, “We will do whatever we can to make it easier and more relaxing for the men.” He insists upon full comfort and accommodation for his guests and will not close for the evening until they are ready to leave. I received top-notch service with the bonus of Allan's humorous and charismatic presence.

Elsner's Steak is an upscale family-style restaurant connected to the club. The menu features a wide variety of meat and potato dishes to satisfy the hearty male appetite. Adhering to Allan's insistence to please the customer, Elsner's Steak offers the highest quality meat along with generous portions. Allan describes their popular salad as “manly and meaty.” It includes a quarter head of iceberg lettuce, onion, bacon and hard boiled egg with a house French Roquefort dressing. Allan adds, “No frilly lettuce, and certainly nothing purple!”

After an introduction like that, I had to try the signature salad. Fresh and crunchy with a delicious saltiness, I had to agree that it's the “meatiest” salad I've ever eaten. I also had the meal special, a kosher rib steak with charred garlic and crispy hash browns. It was excellent! To finish the meal, Allan presented me with his wife's amazing Oreo ice-cream pie. This hefty, rich dessert is a regular on the menu. Allan also caters to those on a low-carb diet with a blueberry cheesecake that tasted like the real deal.

Elsner's Steak and Steam offers various levels of membership, but you do not have to be a member to enjoy their first-class services. Whether you are going alone or in a group, once for a special occasion or regularly for relaxation, I strongly encourage you to check out Elsner's Steak and Steam!

Elsner's Steak and Steam is located at 20116 Chagrin Boulevard in Beachwood. For more information please contact Allan Leuchtag at (216) 752-6700. The restaurant is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. and opens for dinner at 5:30 p.m. The health club opens Tuesday through Friday at 3 p.m. On Saturday, it is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. until noon. The closing hours are flexible, but both the health club and the restaurant are closed on Mondays.

Photos by Bob Perkoski: www.perkoski.com