Hubbard Grille opens this summer in the Short North in Rosendales' space

clipped from www.columbusunderground.com Plenty of speculation has been swirling about the former Rosendales restaurant space in the Short North during the past month, and the details can finally be revealed. A new restaurant concept from the owners of Mezzo Italian Kitchen and Wine called “Hubbard Grille” will be opening at 793 North High Street this summer. Hubbard Grille will feature American Cuisine that ranges from steaks and seafood to sandwiches and salads, and will be open for lunch, dinner and late-night bar-menu service. “We’re about 85% finished with the menu at this point, and we’re still refining everything,” said Owner Sheila Trautner. “It’s going to be a new concept, and much different than what we’re doing at Mezzo in Gahanna.”

“‘Approachable’ is the most important descriptor for me when it comes to the menu,” added General Manager Jon Cohen. “To a certain extent, we’ll be offering comfort food… we have some great baby-back ribs that we think will become a staple, but we’ll also have vegetarian and vegan options for sure.”

The menu will have several additional signature items but will also rotate regularly to feature local and seasonal products.

“We already change the menu at Mezzo three or four times per year to offer seasonal items and we do our best to get the most local and fresh produce and proteins here,” said Jon. “That will be the same for Hubbard Grille as well.”

The restaurant space is getting a significant interior makeover that should carry the theme of approachability throughout.

“We want people to feel comfortable walking in in T-Shirts and Flip Flops in the summer and sitting at the bar and having a drink and a bite to eat, but also cater to a more formal business dinner going on a few tables over,” added Jon.

The new restaurant will occupy both spaces formerly divided into Rosendales and Details. The dividing wall in between has already been removed and the bar will be repositioned toward the front of the space.

“The most exciting part of this project is to be able to participate in being a part of the Short North community,” said Jon. “We want to contribute in anyway that we can to the community… we’re looking to move right in and immediately add to the Short North experience.”

Hubbard Grille is still a few months away from opening, but the online buzz is being followed closely by the management team.

“We had hoped to keep things quiet for another month or so,” laughed Sheila. “But we absolutely love and respect that people are already talking about us. We want to appeal to those folks who we hope will come in and enjoy themselves.”

“At this point in time it’s a little to early to give an exact grand opening date, but we’re planning on being open sometime this summer,” added Jon. “Until then, all buzz is good buzz.”

More information will be available soon at www.HubbardGrille.com.