Barrio is a new restaurant which is opening downtown at the corner of Spring and High. Although the building used to be a giant Wendy's, I almost drove past the building because it looks completely different.
Barrio will be a traditional tapas restaurant. Actually serving traditional tapas as opposed to the "tapas style" we've seen in Columbus over the past few years.
I got a sneak peek at the space today and it is beautiful. There is definitely a feel of coziness and warmth throughout the open space, which features a semi-open kitchen and lots of wood.
About the wood - when you enter the bar space, you are greeted with 2 giant wooden tables. Made in Ashville, North Carolina from naturally-fallen trees, these tables beg you to sit:
The bar - which is very wide, and reminded me of the sort of giant table I'd expect to see in a monastary for some reason, is very wide and is also made of wood. It is Amish-built and features wooden peg construction (vs. nails, something the Amish are famous for. Did you know Central Ohio has the largest wooden peg, no-nail building in the US? It's true. Liberty church on 315 @ Home road). The benches and bar stools were built by the same Amishman:
The bar - which is very wide, and reminded me of the sort of giant table I'd expect to see in a monastary for some reason, is very wide and is also made of wood. It is Amish-built and features wooden peg construction (vs. nails, something the Amish are famous for. Did you know Central Ohio has the largest wooden peg, no-nail building in the US? It's true. Liberty church on 315 @ Home road). The benches and bar stools were built by the same Amishman:
bar stools detail:
The ceiling facades are made from reclaimed pallets:
Upstairs there is a lot of room for seating, including areas which will can be made semi-private by curtains and will be next to windows which - get this - actually open. I'm loving that new trend in Columbus.
The bar looking into the kitchen:
At any rate, the space is really amazing - truly unique in Columbus. I was so taken with the space I forgot completely to ask about the food! Fortunately they have a menu online. Maybe they'll have the lovely fried anchovies with fried egg on to which Husband and I loved at Amada in Philadelphia.
Bario will be opening very soon - probably sometime in the next 2 weeks. If you go to their home page, you can sign up for text updates.
Info: Barrio Tapas High@Spring (downtown) 614.220.9141
