The Explorers Club is more than a new restaurant — it’s a reunion for two one-time restaurant partners.
Tracy Studer and Ricky Barnes once teamed up for three restaurants in the 1990s and early 2000s, most notably the Galaxy Cafe in Powell and two offshoots in Grandview Heights and the Short North.
“We split in 2002, went our separate ways,” Studer said. “We lost touch with each other.”
Studer had been at the Golf Club of Dublin when he decided he wanted to get back to running a place of his own. A Merion Village resident, he saw that the long-time Crater’s Restaurant & Bar space at 1586 S. High St. was vacant.
“I wanted to do something in the neighborhood so I began working on a deal,” he said.
Then he got a text message. It was Barnes, catching up. The conversation moved to Studer’s Merion Village plans and the one-time business partners decided to revive that relationship. The Explorers Club opened Friday.
“I refer to it as the Galaxy all grown up,” Studer said.
He described the ingredients as “international peasant food” using fresh ingredients, Ohio-sourced as much as possible, with simple preparations.
“The whole idea behind the name is about exploring cuisine, exploring life,” Studer said.
Dishes span the globe, including chile rellenos, banh mi, beef brisket, linguini with shrimp, to name a few, among other sandwich, salad, pasta and entree choices. Nothing on the menu tops $11.75. Studer declined to share sales projections. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday; brunch and dinner Saturday; and just brunch on Sunday.
Dan Eaton covers retail, restaurants, manufacturing, automotive and the advertising/PR industry for Business First.
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