Shuttered Brass Tap restaurant undergoing renovation for new Italian eatery

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A former central Ohio Brass Tap is undergoing a renovation to become a new pasta bar created by the family who launched a Short North eatery that was named one of Columbus' best restaurants.

Named "Flour Modern Pasta Bar," the new restaurant is opening in the shuttered Brass Tap at 1540 Polaris Parkway, according to a permit under review by the city of Columbus. The new pasta concept is being created by the owners of Rooh at 685 N. High St., an Indian cuisine eatery named the city's sixth-best restaurant in 2022 by Columbus Monthly magazine.

The permit calls for the restaurant's renovation to include the construction of an illuminated wall sign bearing "Flour." Inside, the new concept will be home to classic Italian fare, with a selection of craft cocktails, wine and beer for pairing.

The former Brass Tap space is one of several restaurants undergoing renovations in the Polaris Fashion Place area to welcome new tenants. A $1.5 million project is underway at the former O'Charley's at 1425 Polaris Parkway to become the first Ohio restaurant for a Brazilian steakhouse with locations across the globe, including in Dubai, Toronto and Istanbul.

Mackenzie River, a shuttered restaurant at 1515 Polaris Parkway that replaced Max and Erma's auctioned off its furniture earlier this year ahead of the building's demolition to make room for a new Chick-fil-A. The restaurant launched in 2016 after Montana-based Glacier Restaurant Group purchased all Max and Erma’s locations and transformed several into Mackenzie River eateries.

Other Polaris closures include Matt the Miller’s Tavern, a casual restaurant known for its pub fare and happy hour, which shuttered after 10 years of business. In addition, Winking Lizard Tavern closed last December, with the owners saying the location hasn’t thrived since businesses and offices in the area started vacating in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.