New Distillery Trail Continues Trend
Regular readers of Edible Columbus have already learned about the Columbus Ale Trail for breweries (Spring 2021 issue) and the Central Ohio Wine Country Passport Trail for wineries (Fall 2021 issue). The trend continues with the January introduction of a new Columbus Distillery Trail. Seven local distilleries are participating in the new venture, which has a passport and prize program much like the other trails.
“Columbus distilleries are defining one of the most exciting spirits and cocktail scenes in the country,” officials of Experience Columbus said at the launch. Distilleries taking part in the new program include Echo Spirits Distilling Co., Endeavor Brewing and Spirits, 451 Spirits, High Bank Distillery, Middle West Spirits, Noble Cut Distillery and Watershed Distillery.
The trail will help visitors experience a wide variety of tastes, from the small-batch experimental creations at 451 Spirits to Noble Cut’s limoncello and the reimagined classic genever at Echo Spirits. Middle West Spirits alone offers 15 types of spirits, including whiskies, vodkas and bourbon cream.
Making a purchase of liquor or food or souvenirs at any four stops will get you a custom Simple Times mixer, and visiting all seven earns a “The Proof is in the Proof” Columbus Distillery Trail T-shirt. Sign up for a passport at the trail’s website.
Emmett’s Café at Open Air
FORMER SCHOOL REPURPOSED
An unusual “open air” school built in the 1920s for local students at risk of tuberculosis has been transformed into a unique restaurant and bar complex bordering Tuttle Park. The historic building was designed by local architect Howard Dwight Smith, best known as the designer of Ohio Stadium.
In January, Wolf’s Ridge Brewing opened its new Understory lounge and bar concept at the redeveloped Open Air complex at Neil Avenue and West Hudson Street. They also maintain a space that can be rented for weddings and other events. Understory was quickly followed by Emmett’s Café, which opened its second location there and is serving an expanded menu based on the original Brewery District operation. As the weather warms, both operations will take advantage of a large outdoor patio overlooking the park and the Olentangy Trail.
Opened in 1929, the brick Open Air School replaced an earlier frame building but served the same purpose: to try to fend off the rampant tuberculosis of the era by providing students with abundant fresh air and outdoor play areas. As antibiotics helped stem the disease, the building became Neil Avenue Elementary before closing in 1975. The Columbus school district sold the site to the Kelley Companies in 2017.
FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL EXPANDS
The Columbus Food Truck Festival will return to the Franklin County Fairgrounds this summer and will expand to a three-day event. Now in its 11th year, the festival was based in Downtown Columbus until the pandemic shut down the event in 2020. It returned last summer and chose the fairgrounds location for better crowd management and safety protocols, as well as accessible parking. “We had an amazing turnout last year that far exceeded our expectations and our guests really liked the location,” said Mike Gallicchio, co-organizer of the event with Chas Kaplan.
More than 50 food trucks from Ohio and neighboring states are expected to participate in the festival Aug. 19–21. The event features two dozen artisans and crafters as well as live music throughout the weekend on two stages. There also will be an activity and play area for kids.
Admission is $5 per person for a single day ticket or $10 per person for all three days. Children 12 and younger get in free if accompanied by an adult. A portion of the proceeds from the festival benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio and Music Loves Ohio, a nonprofit group supporting opportunities for students to pursue their passion for music. Tickets are now on sale at ColumbusFoodTruckFest.com.
