James Beard Semifinalist Chef BJ Lieberman, who co-owns Ginger Rabbit and Chapman’s Eat Market with his partner Bronwyn Haines, is opening a new Italian restaurant in the Short North, where smoke & fire are the stars (along with radiatori alla roma, egg plant parmesan, grilled artichokes, and tiramisu, of course).
Metsi’s Woodfired Italian, named after Leiberman’s son’s nickname for his grandfather, is opening its doors at 36 E. Lincoln St. on June 6 in the former Hiraeth space.
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The restaurant features three distinct spaces. The Upstairs Bar and lounge area pulls inspiration from the Italian coast and the happy hour from 4-6 p.m. offers a curated selection of food and drinks. The Main Dining Room, located down the stairs, provides a front-row seat to the wood-fired open kitchen. It’s flaming hot – both literally and figuratively – with moody lighting and the glow of the live-fire surrounding guests. There’s a private room for more intimate dining experiences, called The Parlor. It boasts a full bar and seating for parties between 8 and 20.
“I wanted to create a space that felt like home, somewhere that serves approachable food that was elevated in form but desired any day of the week,” said Lieberman. “I hope Metsi’s can be a go-to for anyone who loves great Italian food, delicious cocktails, and a beautiful ambiance. We feel right at home in the Short North and hope our customers feel the same when they walk through our doors.”
Starting on June 6, Metsi’s will be open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, 5-9p.m., and Friday and Saturday 5-10p.m. Although you can grab a seat at the bar as a walk-in starting at 4 p.m., if you know anything about a Lieberman owned restaurant, reserving a table is highly recommended.
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