Over the course of the past year, we’ve been following along with the construction of the new Hilton Columbus Downtown Hotel, which is scheduled for completion this fall. While most locals probably won’t be staying inside hotel rooms there too often, the addition of a new tall building in our Downtown skyline is always something fun to observe.
Similarly, you don’t have to be an overnight guest to enjoy a meal at a hotel restaurant. The new venue located inside the hotel will be known as The Gallerie Bar & Bistro, and the local team behind the restaurant wants you to know that you’re more than welcome to join them for dinner.
“From a culinary perspective, people go to hotels in Europe for unique dining, and in America we don’t have the same view of hotel dining,” says Gallerie executive chef Bill Glover. “Hilton Columbus Downtown is focused on changing that perception. We have a destination restaurant that happens to be in a hotel, not the other way around.”
Glover, who also owns Sage American Bistro in Old North Columbus, brings a familiar face to the food at The Gallerie, but wants visitors to expect something new. The Gallerie is being described as a French bistro-inspired restaurant that balances French technique with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
“My standards and philosophy will be similar but the menu will be conceptually different,” he explains. “We’re focused on incorporating local ingredients in this menu, an important theme throughout the entire hotel.”
Another familiar face at the hotel is Michael Mejia, former general manager at Martini Modern Italian and new director of food and beverage operations at The Gallerie Bar & Bistro. He anticipates that both local and national trends will play a role in shaping the bar offerings at the hotel.
“In Columbus, there is tremendous access to local breweries and distilleries that play a role in enhancing beverage offerings to guests,” Mejia explains. “We’re taking a unique approach toward mixology to create classic cocktails from scratch.”
The Gallerie Bistro will serve breakfast lunch and dinner seven nights per week year round with additional food service in the Gallerie Bar.
The grand opening date for the Hilton Columbus Downtown has not yet been announced, but the restaurant is currently slated to open in October.
“We will create a destination restaurant that celebrates the bounty of Ohio agriculture,” said Mejia. “We will set the tone that hotels aren’t just a place to stay for the night, but a destination for fine cuisine and delicious beverages.”
For more news and updates on the new Hilton Columbus Downtown Hotel, CLICK HERE.
