Popular Italian Village eatery reopening following car crash closure; Owner launching new concept

An Italian Village restaurant has announced a reopening date about four months after a van crashed into the restaurant, closing it for the time being.

Owner and Executive Chef Garrett Talmage announced Mezcla will officially reopen Friday, June 5. The restaurant – at 1022 Summit St. – describes itself as a mixed latin kitchen and intimate cocktail lounge.

A GoFundMe page collected approximately $15,000 as of mid-May. Now that it’s reopening, Talmage told 614NOW people can help simply by coming by.

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“People can make reservations, show up, walk into the bar, enjoy the food and hang out with the staff,” he said.

While rebuilding Mezcla, Talmage has also been working on a new concept nearby. Talmage said a fine cocktail and cold tapas bar concept called Coldbar is planned for 1049 N. 4th St., near Fox in the Snow and Seventh Son Brewing.

Talmage said Colbar’s concept revolves around a 32-foot cocktail bar paired with elevated cold dishes and snacks. Although it’s “a little adventurous for Columbus,” he emphasized the goal is still rooted in hospitality and gathering.

“What I want is a great place for friends to gather, have great cocktails and great bites of food,” he said. “We won’t have a full kitchen as in like, a hood and fire to work with. So the framework is making cold snacks that are really exceptional.”

The menu could include everything from oysters and shrimp cocktail to crudos, carpaccio, caviar and even comfort food-inspired dishes like buffalo chicken dip and potato salad. A tentative opening for Coldbar is planned for early August.

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