Metsi’s, a new Italian restaurant, held its grand opening on June 6.
Metsi’s, which opened June 6 in Columbus, offers Italian-inspired cuisine, including tiramisu.
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Located at 36 E. Lincoln St. near Columbus’ Short North Arts District and Italian Village neighborhoods, Metsi’s is owned and designed by chef BJ Lieberman, 41, a James Beard Award semifinalist and owner of Chapman’s Eat Market and Ginger Rabbit Jazz Lounge. The restaurant functions as both a neighborhood bar and eatery, focusing on an Italian-centric menu that incorporates the use of smoke and fire, according to a news release.
“This entire menu is made up of the food I crave,” Lieberman, who lives in the Weinland Park neighborhood with his wife, Bronwyn Haines, said in the release. “Plus we have an incredible cocktail menu that’s anchored by a suite of Negronis that are the perfect standalone drink or complement to your meal.”
A portion of Metsi’s drink menu – the Sicilian 75, classico negroni, sottosopra, cosmopolitan and a margarita.
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Lieberman told the Columbus Jewish News in a June 5 email the restaurant’s opening weekend was poised to do “at least 160 covers every night.” Its menu features appetizers like sourdough focaccia, mushroom arancini, beef carpaccio and wood-fired olives; salads like grilled caesar and shaved fennel and strawberry; pastas like bolognese, green pea pesto and cacio e pepe; wood-fired entrees like a marinated flank steak, eggplant parmesan and smoked mushroom risotto; and sides of angel hair pasta, marinated peppers and grilled rapini.
The restaurant consists of three spaces – the Bar at Metsi’s, an upstairs bar and lounge area inspired by the Italian coast; the main dining room, located downstairs with an open kitchen; and the parlor, a private room for intimate dining experiences for parties between eight to 20 guests, located downstairs off the main dining room. The parlor also features a full bar. The Bar at Metsi’s opens one hour earlier than the main dining room, as well as for walk-in only happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. During happy hour, customers can order from a shortened menu and drink specials that are 50% off, including negronis, house cocktails, wines by the glass and beer. Once dinner service starts, customers can also order from the full menu at The Bar at Metsi’s, the release said.
Metsi’s mushroom aranchini, which consists of rice, wood-fired mushrooms and a pomodoro sauce for dipping.
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“I’m thrilled to welcome the community to this restaurant, which is named after my father, who my son lovingly calls Metsi,” Lieberman said in the release. “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.”
Metsi’s hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Reservations can be made at metsisitalian.com.
“I hope Metsi’s can be a go-to for anyone who loves great Italian food, delicious cocktails, and a beautiful ambiance,” Lieberman said in the release. We feel right at home in the Short North and hope our customers feel the same when they walk through our doors.