'Authentic' Italian restaurant to open first central Ohio location at Easton Town Center

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An “authentic” and “elevated” Italian restaurant is opening its first central Ohio location at Easton Town Center, according to the shopping complex.

Bar Italia will open its first Columbus eatery in 2025, Easton announced last week. A specific opening date has not yet been released. The new location will open in the shopping center across from Del Mar, a Cameron Mitchell restaurant that opened in June. 

The Italian concept currently has two Ohio locations, with one in Lakewood and one in Beachwood. It also has two restaurants in Florida, with eateries in Winter Park and Sarasota. While Easton's menu has not yet been posted to Bar Italia's website, other locations serve wood-fired pizzas, spicy vodka and pesto pastas, chicken parmesan and more. 

Bar Italia is a concept by Cleveland-based NCR (Next Cool Restaurant) Ventures. The restaurant group was founded by Rick Doody, who started his career in the industry at Lindey’s Restaurant & Bar in German Village, which was opened by his mother in 1981. 

“We want this restaurant to feel like an authentic, beautiful Italian restaurant on par with a Cipriani-like venue in New York, London or Paris,” Doody said. “We plan to use all authentic materials; Italian marble, beautiful walnut woods, modern Italian furniture and special artwork from Massimo Listri, a famous Florence photographer and artist.”

The newest Bar Italia will offer a “warm and inviting” atmosphere, a menu featuring both classic and contemporary Italian dishes and “meticulously sourced” ingredients, the restaurant group stated.