Bar Italia — Restaurant in Columbus

Bar Italia. Beautiful new addition to the Columbus’ ever growing and changing culinary experience. The atmosphere is wonderful, with floor to ceiling windows/doors creating a pleasant open-air feel in the front dining/bar area. The bar area includes several seating options, including: bar seating, high top tables, single-person low top tables, couch seating. Deeper into the restaurant you get a little bit more of an upscale dining experience with bigger tables and white linens. Absolutely love the visible kitchen and prep stations.

The food is fantastic in my opinion. Fresh pasta made in house and you can 100% taste the difference. The portions are generous to say the least, completely appropriate for the prices. The zucchini fritti was flaky and flavorful with long strips of stringy zucchini and a delicious house made lemon aioli. The heirloom tomatoes and burratta were also a hit with impressively fresh tasting tomatoes and pesto. An option to have a block of Parmesan grated into your entrees is also a real treat.

Now, the only reason this review is 3 stars is because of the service. I feel a little harsh since it’s only their second day open, but I think they have a few kinks to work out. It seemed as though they were so overstaffed that people didn’t know what to do with themselves. There were four different people behind the bar with about 12 patrons. Appetizers came out without silverware, and then when the appetizers were cleared they grabbed the silverware. Then the entree came without new plates or silverware and I had to wave down someone different each time. I was drinking sparkling water and my partner flat, they had them both in carafes and would keep accidentally pouring my partner sparkling water. It took more than 5 minutes for each cocktail to come out, which isn’t a long time, but when you’re watching the staff just stand there looking a little confused it makes you wonder what’s happening. I also counted at least 6 floor managers in blazers, a few in the dining room, one behind the bar, a few by the host stand. I didn’t see one of them talk to anyone except each other. No table touching or assisting. Again, that’s fine it just seemed a little odd for a place where a lot of the staff seemed, from my perspective, a little confused as to what was exactly going on while they’re still trying to find the groove of how the space operates.

This place I think has the potential to be a top spot in the city, but I think as of right now it’s lacking the personal/warm/inviting/smooth operating side of the dining experience that elevates a regular “nice” restaurant to the next level. I’m excited to return and see how they’ve settled in come...

Bar Italia Opens at Easton with Sophisticated Flair and Flawless Flavor

Tonight marked the grand opening of Bar Italia, the newest culinary addition to Columbus’s ever-evolving Easton Town Center. A modern Italian eatery with a rustic heart, Bar Italia makes a bold first impression — and, more importantly, it delivers.

From the moment I walked in, I could feel the buzz. The ambiance strikes a thoughtful balance: cozy yet elevated, with natural textures, warm lighting, and a spacious patio framed by garage-style doors that open directly into the vibrant hum of Easton. It’s the kind of place that feels like a tucked-away trattoria — but with a distinctly Columbus pulse.

Despite it being opening night, the service was nothing short of impeccable. The staff was composed, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about creating a memorable dining experience. It ran like a well-oiled machine, a rarity for a first day. There was a brief electrical hiccup at the bar, but the team handled it swiftly and professionally — a testament to their preparation and poise under pressure.

Now, the food.

I began with a classic Caesar salad, crisp and fresh with just the right amount of freshly shredded parmigiano reggiano and a perfectly balanced house made cesar dressing. From there, the 24-Layer House-Made Lasagna stole the show. Rich, deeply savory, and layered with precision, it was a dish that speaks to the soul of Italian comfort food, elevated with fine dining finesse. Each forkful was a harmonious blend of tender pasta, fresh whipped ricotta, and a slow-simmered bolognese meat sauce that tasted like it had been cooking all day — and maybe it had.

To sip, I opted for a Peach Bellini, which was delightfully effervescent and just sweet enough to complement the savory notes of the meal. I rounded out the evening with Spumoni, a classic Italian dessert that was indulgent without being heavy — the perfect nostalgic finish.

At around $60 for a three-course meal with a cocktail, Bar Italia offers tremendous value for the quality, service, and setting. It’s approachable yet refined — the kind of place that feels right for date nights, celebrations, or even an elevated solo dinner.

Bar Italia may be new, but it’s already proving itself to be a standout. If this is how they launch, I can’t wait to see what they do...

My husband and I wanted to try this place as it has ties to Lindey's in German Village. We went on a Thursday and the place was packed. Atmosphere was loud. It took our server about 15 minutes to greet us, even though he approached a table next to us several times.

Upon his return with water, he brought chilled water glasses, which mine was dirty on the outside and lukewarm water. We ordered a bottle of wine and I was brought a chipped wine glass. After discussing a few food options, we settled on splitting a Caesar, and ordering the Veal Marsala and Chicken Parm. If the Chicken Parm isn't good, then is this really Italian.

About 10 minutes later, the waiter returned and mentioned he would check into our mains. As he quickly turned and walked away, my husband and I were confused, as our salads never came out. A few minutes later and our mains came out. The Chicken Parm was very pedestrian and lacked flavor. The pasta did not taste freshly made. And for my husband to not finish bread, that says something. The Veal Marsala was a little tough, nothing special to want to come back to.

As we were finishing, the waiter asked about dessert and told us about half price wine night. Wouldn't you think this would be something you would discuss at the beginning of the dinner? I asked about desserts and we settled on Tiramisu, as the description sounded interesting. When the dessert came out, it was sitting in a pool of caramel sauce (why?!), the ladyfingers were not very soaked if at all, and why would there be Heath Bar pieces on top. Does not scream Italian to me at all. Simple things should not be complicated in taste.

Aside from half price wine night, there is work here to be done. I'm ok if I don't go back, and I'm ok if I...