Scott Heimlich, who owns Barcelona, a fine-dining establishment in Columbus, Ohio, won the bid to take over the former Lovell’s Grille at the golf course. The new casual dining spot features a menu developed by chef Chris Gibbs, with 95% of all starters, salads, entrees and desserts made in-house.
Scott Heimlich, the owner of Barcelona, a fine-dining establishment in Columbus, Ohio, has opened Paddock Pub at The Links at Groveport (Ohio), a public golf course, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
It might seem like a sharp departure for Heimlich, the well-regarded host and restaurateur who also owns Red Brick Occasions, an event space downtown, and Sidecar Global Catering, Dispatch reported.
“This has an approach where we can be a touch more relaxed,” he said. “We still have to keep up the food. We still have to keep up the service.”
Paddock Pub, which takes over the former Lovell’s Grille space, is a casual dining spot developed by chef Chris Gibbs, former sous chef at Barcelona who makes “95%” of everything in-house. That includes the roasted red pepper hummus and sriracha lemon shrimp, both starters on the menu. Fresh salads, which customers can order topped with chicken, salmon or shrimp, come with a choice of dressings made on the premises, Dispatch reported.
No question, Paddock tries to appeal to all diners with a wide range of dishes including the Buffalo chicken wrap to something many duffers prefer—steak. The eight-ounce sirloin is well within many budgets at $18, Heimlich said, Dispatch reported.
“It’s still a great cut,” he said. “It’s got a lot of flavor.”
Most entrees are $7 to $15. One of the early big sellers is the Cowboy burger, topped with smoked cheddar, sweet mustard barbecue sauce and fried onion straws, Dispatch reported.
Gibbs said he brought over two desserts from Barcelona—the cheesecake and chocolate bread pudding—but the rest, such as the Key lime pie and apple crisp, were created from personal recipes. All are made at Paddock, Dispatch reported.
The golf course is owned by the city Groveport. Heimlich’s bid for the Lovell’s space was chosen from six other proposals. Paddock also handles events at the Links Event Center, a private-events space that can accommodate up to 250 guests, Dispatch reported.
The city pitched in some money for renovations to Paddock, which included new windows that overlook the second fairway. Heimlich said he likes the its clubby atmosphere, with dark woods, a tan color scheme, natural light and marble bar. It seats 95, plus 15 at the bar, Dispatch reported.
“We tried to create an experience that will be good for the golfers as well as the community, whether you want a snack or full dinner, something the community hasn’t had for a while,” Heimlich said.
It is open to all, not just members of the golf club. A current construction project on the exterior of the site is expected to be completed by Memorial Day, Dispatch reported.
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