Since its opening in 2004, 7 Martini Lounge has straddled the line between trendy lounge, all-out dance club and upscale eatery.

When it comes to killer martinis and dance floor-friendly sounds, 7 nails it. But a reputation for dining? Not so much. 

A new chef and a new menu are helping redefine 7 as an “ultra lounge and eatery,” says Walt Stanislawski, who owns the lounge with Jeff David of the former Camelot Music fame.

Meet his man in the kitchen, 31-year-old Jason Roberts from Plain Township, who started on the line at 7 and cooked his way to the top.

Q. What’s your background?
A. I was 15 years old working in the kitchen at The Stables when it was brand-new and Chris Spielman owned it. I did all the dirty work, gopher, dishes. I just liked to cook and ended up staying in it.

Q. What is the biggest misconception about the food at 7?
A. That all we serve is sushi. It’s not true. We’ve got peppercorn crusted filet on the menu.

Q. What should diners know about the updated menu?
A. I’m not going to do food that you can get anywhere down the street. For instance, people love Buffalo wings, and a million places do them. So I put my take on it with Buffalo Chicken Satay skewers, and people can’t get enough of them.

Q. What three ingredients could you not live without?
A. Salt, pepper and a little bit of love. You gotta love what you’re doing to make it all come together.

A. I emphasize food with fresh ingredients, not frozen. Anything that can be made from scratch, I do, from our spinach artichoke dip to our crab cakes. We even cut our own shoestring french fries, one at a time, so they don’t get mashed. That’s where that little bit of love comes in.

Q. What do you recommend to a first-time diner?
A. From the sushi menu, the California roll, then Kobe Beef Sliders from the small plates and chocolate fondue for dessert.

Q. Kicking back at home, what do you like to eat?
A. I have a 21/2-year-old. I’m lucky if I get a dry bowl of Cheerios.

SEVEN FROM 7

• California sushi roll with crab, $8
• Shoestring fries with white truffle oil and Parmesan, $6
• Buttermilk breaded calamari with balsamic tomatoes and lemon aioli, $9
• Kobe Beef Sliders with onion rings, $10
• Peppercorn filet medallions with Cabernet demi glace, $20
• Potato-crusted grouper with ancho pepper butter, $16
• Adult macaroni and cheese with grilled chicken, bacon and Romas, $11
   

7 Martini Lounge
Thursday’s Plaza
4691 Dressler Rd. NW
Jackson Township
(330) 649-7777
Hours: Monday through Friday
4 p.m. to close, Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., kitchen closes at 10 p.m.

Ongoing specials: Wednesday Ladies’ Night with half-off sushi and small plates from 4 to 9 p.m., half-off drinks from 4 to 7 p.m., and complimentary mini salon services from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Saturday special is half-off any bottle of wine with dinner until 9 p.m.