The wine will remain self-service, but almost everything else is changing when it comes to the experience at 958 N. High St. in the Short North.
Indianapolis-based wine shop Tastings called it quits after three years in Columbus in March 2020, and will now be replaced by DeVine Tastings & Dining.
Syam Duddela is taking over as owner, bringing a new food menu and some interior changes to the space.
Born in India, Duddela came to the U.S. in 2013. An IT professional by training, as he searched for jobs in the U.S., Duddela kept coming back to the idea of not only owning his own business, but using it to create jobs. He’d always been drawn to food, with his parents being farmers in India and a job that took him across the country and the world, introducing him to a variety of cuisines.
Duddela broke into the industry in Columbus last year, buying Danny’s Deli at 37 W. Broad St. Downtown in July 2019. Rebranded as Danny’s Delicious Deli, the restaurant feeds Downtown diners a menu of deli classics for breakfast and lunch.
He’ll bring some of Danny’s popular dishes with him to DeVine Tastings & Dining. The wine bar will feature a wide variety of fusion eats with influences of American, Asian and Mediterranean cuisines. The menu will include Reubens, paninis and shawarma, as well as happy hour snacks like a cheese board, chicken wings, spiced nuts and more. There will be desserts, too, to pair with the wine selection.
DeVine Tastings & Dining has space for 72 self-service wines. They’ll carry some exclusives for special events and also have a section dedicated to wines from local wineries.
Renovations are underway to change up the seating. DeVine Tastings & Dining will swap high-top tables for booths and lower tables for a more comfortable experience, Duddela says.
DeVine Tastings & Dining is aiming for an August opening. They’ll have more limited hours to start – likely 5 – 10 p.m. Thursday to Sunday. Eventually hours will expand to the mornings with plans for a brunch menu.
For more information, visit DeVine Tasting & Dining’s website.