As restaurants and bars recover from the pandemic, we’re optimistic about what 2023 will bring. Four of the city’s most famous chefs are opening restaurants. The Junto hotel combines Beaucoup skyline views with new dining options. And hopefully at least five new taprooms will start pouring pints. Get excited, Columbus.
lovely revelations
trolley brew
In 2020, a taproom attached to the Westside production facility will open. Columbus Brewing Company We finally had our own bar, but it always felt out of the way. This year, the brewery will open a beer hall in the historic Trolley district next to East His Market. CBC’s brick beer hall in Franklin Park will transform the area into a bustling eatery.
The brewpub occupies a beautifully preserved 13,000-square-foot building that was once a Columbus trolley workshop. The renovation boasts stunning tilework, preserved brick walls, plenty of natural light, and expansive patios. With indoor and outdoor spaces with 24 taps, a fire pit, and a “globally inspired” food menu, CBC’s Franklin Park Taproom has become a staple of the city’s brewery scene, with It definitely creates new destinations. Owner Eric Bean hopes to open in the first quarter of 2023.
more beer
nevertheless North High Brewing has closed its original Short North location, and the locally-owned brewery will debut a sprawling taproom as part of COhatch’s revamped Westerville Armory location in late 2023. I plan to let you. Honest Friend BrewingSlated to open in the summer, Honest Friend occupies 7,000 square feet and features a line of beers branded with cartoon characters.
By this spring (fingers crossed), Athens-based Jackie Oars Finally establish a brewpub in Columbus. The brewery is converting a former elevator His Brewing Annex space into his two-story Downtown His Taproom with a huge 8,000-square-foot patio.Finally, no official update was available at press time, but we do know Bridges End Brewing will participate in a new development in Shawnee Hills, across the Sioto River from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
south side shippin’
New York-based Columbus’ South Side will soon have wine and music. City Winery Take root near the fort. Scheduled to open in late summer and fall, wineries, restaurants and concert venues will fill part of the former Vecchia he winery space. With locations in Chicago, Boston, Nashville and other cities, City Winery produces its own wines on site, offering both indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy them, and on stage showcases local and national wines. We host music activities.
Gimme Cocktail
The Understory and Ginger Rabbit Jazz Lounge were added last year, highlighting the atmosphere and cocktail creativity.Sommelier Gregory Stokes surprised everyone with his recent purchase bottle shop, a funky cocktail bar and a nationally renowned wine shop on King Avenue. I can’t wait to see how he adds his imprint in 2023. A new addition to the local cocktail scene is Roosevelt Room, a lively Bridge Park lounge from the owners of The Beeline at Easton. It is scheduled to open on December 30, 2022.
A new restaurant…and a poutine window?
go west
A new hotel under construction on or around the Saioto Peninsula, Hund will have some unique dining spaces and arguably the best views of the city from its rooftop bar. that bar, brass eye, offers a close-up of the Columbus skyline, with unobstructed views of the Scioto River, Leveque Tower, and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. On the first floor of the hotel, there is a space “Trade Room” where craft cocktail bars gather right by the lobby, Little West Tavern, a neighborhood restaurant with indoor and outdoor bars and a wooden hearth centerpiece. hotel cafe, Mordineis named after the Holstein cow who was homecoming queen of Ohio State University in 1926. (I heard there will be a cow cameo at the grand opening.) The café offers One Line Coffee and opens onto a green space with additional seating and a fireplace.don’t forget Little West Poutinea walk-up window offering gravy-covered goodness.
Burning & Smoking
In Columbus, the open fire cooking trend is set to explode. The cooking method features a specialized multi-level grill that allows chefs to roast, smoke and char ingredients over a wood fire. 2022 welcomes the expansion of the Hilton Columbus Downtown. Manis a Latino restaurant featuring a giant Grillworks grill.
And in 2023, two acclaimed Columbus chefs will add an open fire restaurant to their portfolio.First, Chef Abishal Barua will open Agni Named after the Hindu god of fire, Agni builds on Barua’s playful approach to the menu. Diners can expect the smoky, delicious enjoyment of Midwestern backyard barbecue.
come in spring or early summer longing, Chapman’s Eat Market and Ginger Rabbit is a two-story Short North restaurant with the Welsh names of chef BJ Lieberman and his wife, Bronwyn Haynes. The kitchen is centered around a custom 10 foot hearth by Atlanta’s Grills by Demant with adjustable grill, smoker and wood fired flat top. True to its name, Hiraeth, which means deep longing in Welsh, creates a cozy, homely atmosphere.
more cameron
This year is going to be a big year for restaurateur Cameron Mitchell. (Surprised?) What’s coming this spring hundredis an Italian restaurant that took over the former G. Michaels Bistro & Bar space in German Village. Named after the Italian word for “100,” the restaurant marks the opening of Mr. Mitchell’s 100th eatery in his 30-year career. Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, which also owns Martini and Marcella’s, cuts Italian food prices four times his. Valentina’s, inspired by a family-run northern Italian winery. The Bridge Park Restaurant will also open in the spring.
specs, finally
“When will the spec open?” is one of the most frequently asked questions. good news: spec italian eatery plans to complete its move from Delaware to downtown Columbus by mid-January. (The delay was attributed to critical equipment left behind on a ship somewhere.) The new version of the Josh Dalton-owned restaurant is named Best New Restaurant of 2020 for its modern twist on Italian cuisine. Chosen for one, it will be bigger than the original restaurant, but I hope it will be charming and tasty.
west side story
Readers may remember Chef Andrew Smith’s steady work at Rossi and Rockmill Tavern. This year, Smith plans to announce his first restaurant. Isla, on West Broad Street. Read Smith’s profile in the January 2023 issue.
Markets, trends and key questions
Market return
Growing up in Upper Arlington, Rob Lyttelton has fond memories of Huffman’s Market. The family-owned market at 2140 Tremont Center was sold to new owners in 2018 and finally closed last January. Now Lyttelton and his family are building their own marketplace in space.14,000 square feet when open Littleton’s Market It offers everything you’d expect from a local grocery, including meats, delis, produce, beer, wine, and dry goods, but the market also offers some special amenities. A cafe located in serves pastries, espresso, and other options. The cafe transforms into a wine bar later in the day.
One of the biggest highlights is outside the market doors. A covered, three-season pavilion with a fireplace where customers can enjoy dinner, beer, and attend special market events. “We have had many events in the past at the parking lot, and Mr. and Mrs. Huffman have done a great job,” Lyttelton says. “Really, her one of our goals is to catalyze the community.”
merry new bunny
Food hall concepts have exploded recently, from East Market to Bad Dairy Food Hall. Opening in mid-January bubbly hall, is the centerpiece of New Albany’s international business park development. Bubbly Hall’s food kiosks fill his 15,000-square-foot space that includes indoor and outdoor dining areas. The vendors announced include established local businesses such as Hoyo’s Kitchen, Fay’s Crêpes, Mr. Hummus Grill and Pit BBQ Grille, as well as newcomers such as Kiku Sushi Bar and Seoul Food on the Go.
birds are words
The city’s fried chicken wave continues, with local and national fried chicken outlets growing. hot chicken takeover A sixth Columbus-area shop recently opened in Grandview. just chicken Recently attended the East Market.Based in Ohio of OX-B Launched in Short North with a Westerville shop on the way. LA-based Dave’s hot chickenopened its first store in central Ohio last fall, and may have more than 10. That list doesn’t even mention the Korean fried chicken craze. CM chickenWith stores in Northwest Side and Pickerington, plans to add Westerville soon.and chain BBQ chicken We are opening restaurants in the campus area.
rich extensions
Several local facilities are expanding their footprint in 2023. creole 2 joeHaving gained a loyal following in the East Market, it adds a second location in the Arena District. slammersdowntown’s longtime lesbian bar and pizzeria, is adding siblings to its campus area called Slammie’s on High. Catalina’s Owner Kathleen Day plans to add a third store in Franklinton. in the meantime, fox in the snowThe popular pastry will soon be available in the cafe’s fourth location in Dublin.
burning question
alternative M at Milanova Along Saito? I think we’ll find out soon enough. (Our guess is Smith & Wollensky, who left Easton in December.) market, Last year’s shock closing in Italian Village? Can all the taco chains that have popped up in Columbus over the past few years survive?and independent will with serious potential for rocks bagel shopextend itself to new locales? Stay tuned.
This story is in the January 2023 issue of columbus monthly.