MEDINA, Ohio — They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, and for Todd Whitman, the executive chef at Serenite Restaurant in Medina, that couldn’t hold more true.

“People come here for the mission once and then the food you gotta execute on the food correctly and we do, so they come back,” he said. “We are a culinary school for alcoholics and addicts.”

The restaurant is changing hearts and minds, one upscale, French dish at a time.

“This place is great if you just need to change your life,” said Cary Granakis, the general manager.