Columbus has a growing fine-dining scene, with restaurants offering prix fixe dinners, chef-curated tasting menus, omakase experiences and multi-course culinary adventures. Whether you're planning a date night, anniversary dinner, family celebration or special occasion, these seven Columbus restaurants offer distinctive dining experiences featuring seasonal ingredients, innovative techniques, and globally inspired flavors. Featured restaurants include Agni, Veritas, Isla, Haru Omakase, Aubergine Private Dining Club, ['plas] and Pelino's.
There is something to be said about the power of choice. There is a sense of freedom in the simple act of decision-making. But when it comes to the notion of picking the next spot for dinner following an arduous day at work, the deed becomes more of a chore rather than a delight. The solution you might ask? Well, that is simple enough: enter the prix fixe dinner. Whether you are at a loss for the best way to impress your date, have tentative plans for an anniversary celebration, or are indecisive on where to take your parents, let the prix fixe dinner help to ease your worries.
Often available in restaurants during the holiday season, prix fixe (French for “fixed price”) menus typically feature pre-selected courses by the chef for a more curated tasting and dining experience. But here, in Columbus, Ohio, we are lucky to be considered a culinary destination and to be able to boast exciting flavors from such innovative minds. Consider any of the following for your next gastronomical adventure.
Source: Agni
Agni – Bengali American Tasting Menu
From the mind of two-time James Beard Award semifinalist® Avishar Barua is Agni, an intimate dining experience that serves up a multi-course menu featuring highlights from Avishar’s travels around the world as well as nostalgic and cultural flavors that he calls home. Starting at $165 per person, the current menu places spotlights on Bengali American flavors with a twist, such as a Midwestern chaat, bengala duck, doi brulee, and churro & chaipurrado. For those who seek a more intimate dining experience and a seat in the middle of all the action, join for dinner at the chef’s counter for $300 per person and be prepared for an evening of fun.
Source: PJ Ford for Veritas
Veritas – Contemporary American Fine Dining
The brainchild of acclaimed chef Joshua Dalton, Veritas brings to life a sophisticated fine-dining experience. Located in the heart of the historic Citizens Trust Bank building, Veritas caters to the diners who seek innovative fare. Each menu is evolved and inspired by Chef Dalton’s travels and passion for food. From the small plates to the carefully curated cocktails, each experience is an adventure in and of itself. At $115 per person, this season’s menu features contemporary American fall flavors such as rohan duck, sweet potato, chicory, and maitake. Curious to see how the flavors become harmonious? Book a reservation.
Source: Isla
Isla – Communal Supper Club Experience
Created by husband-and-wife duo Andrew Smith and Devoney Mills, Isla embodies the true experience of a supper club. Centered around warm hospitality, Isla serves up a tasting menu in an intimate and communal setting. Unlike the average restaurant, Isla aims to focus on the value of human connection and shared experience. With its humble roots as a home supper club, Isla serves to encourage the formation of friendships and connections over a shared meal and the act of slowing down and experiencing life through one good meal at a time. At $150 per person, grab a seat at the 14-person communal table and get ready for a dining experience unlike any other.
Source: Angela Lee
Haru – Japanese Seafood Tasting Menu
Step into Haru Omakase and experience the transformative tour of flavors curated by Executive Chef Yudi Makassau. As an omakase house, Haru boasts a culinary seafood journey that highlights the flavors of Japan. Created by Jeff and Yenny Tsao, Haru has helped to push Columbus further into the culinary scene through innovation and dining experience. Starting at $99 per person, the tour menu takes the diner through 5 courses of a curated seafood fete. It is highly recommended to grab a seat at the counter to watch all the action.
Aubergine – Exclusive Fine Dining
From owner, manager, and executive chef, Colin Gregory is Aubergine Private Dining Club located in the neighborhood of Grandview. Aubergine is truly an inclusive dining experience in and of itself by being a members-only experience that offers a unique culinary adventure that features reimagined flavors and dishes that will surely impress any palate. Refined and sophisticated, Aubergine boasts dishes that will round out any and all memorable evenings. Typically, dining at Aubergine requires a membership fee. But there is a current special for first-time diners to take an exclusive look at the whimsical culinary experience. At $250 per person, choose between the gallery room, patio, main dining room, or private chef’s table located in the heart of the kitchen.
['plas] – Seasonal Chef's Tasting Experience
Located in the Short North Arts District is ['plas]. Taking inspiration from the French culinary term mise en place (“everything in its place”), ['plas] serves carefully crafted and intentional dishes centered around classic old-world flavors. While the menu changes seasonally, the culinary influences still stem from flavors of the world. Diners can enjoy ['plas] via the à la carte menu or through the chef’s whim experience at $95 per person.
Pelino’s – Italian Multi-Course Dining
Experience the cozy Italian dinners offered by Pelino’s, an authentic homemade Italian pasta restaurant owned by husband-and-wife chefs and owners Vinny and Christina Pelino. Pelino’s is truly a carb lover’s paradise with the option of a $110 7-course chef’s tasting menu featuring hand-shaped pastas and homemade desserts. For the diners who seek a lighter fare, Pelino’s offers a lighter fare option for $55 and a Pelino’s dinner option for $69. So grab a reservation and take a seat at the family table.
It’s no secret that Columbus has become a culinary destination for food lovers. With restaurants and menus such as these, there’s no telling what else is going to emerge from this city. So let this serve as your incentive to go out there, expand your taste buds, and explore a little bit more of what good food this city has to offer. I assure you, you won’t leave disappointed.
