When Scott Heimlich bought Barcelona Restaurant & Bar in 2002, his commitment to maintaining the history and tradition of the German Village space was evident. Consistently voted one of Columbus’ top restaurants, Barcelona’s take on Spanish flavors have long thrilled residents and visitors to the city.
It’s a practice that Executive Chef Jacob Hough has been skillfully perpetuating. A graduate of the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, Hough has been with Barcelona for three years. He began as a line cook, worked his way up to Sous Chef, and last year he took over the helm in the kitchen from longtime chef Paul Yow, infusing Barcelona’s style with his own personal flair.
“What I believe in is simple, good food, with lots of bold flavors going on,” states Hough when asked about his approach to cooking. “I like taking an ingredient, looking at the season, and going from there and seeing what sparks from that.”
What’s sparked so far are weekly tapas tastings, seasonal specials and pork dishes that Hough spends hours dreaming of and executing. A new menu of items packed with autumnal accents has recently been introduced, offering something for every taste and preference — such as Duck Legs with Dried Fruit Sauce and Roasted Salmon served with capers, onions, and garlic butter sauce.
Local farmers and growers like Michael’s Meats supply much of the rest of ingredients for courses like Arugula Salad with Chick Peas and Maple Dressing, Chilled Pear Soup, and Chorizo-Stuffed Baked Apples. Pastry Chef, Stephaine Kincaid, who came to Barcelona fresh from her stint at the Columbus Culinary Institute in 2010, backs up Chef Jacob’s culinary point of view by creating sumptuous desserts and appetizers like Pumpkin Hummus, Apple Spice Cake, and Pumpkin Cookies.
Of course, Barcelona still continues to host tastings and wine pairings on a regular basis. Their weekly Siesta Fiesta takes place on weekdays from 2:30 to 5pm and remains one of the most affordable options for enjoying small plates and big drinks.
More information can be found online at www.barcelonacolumbus.com.
Photos by Craig Ferance.