Gay Street to get Tip Top dining
Plans to turn the Grapevine into the Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails will kick into gear next week. Owner Liz Lessner, who owns Betty’s in the Short North and co-owns Surly Girl Saloon, calls the theme for the new place “Columbus-centric.” “Not in the Ohio State Buckeyes sense,” she clarified, “but in a way that shows Columbus is cool and it’s got a lot of history and character.” With help from the Ohio Historical Society and the library, Lessner has been tracking down photos, political cartoons and other cool items from the last century of the city’s history. Plans include redoing the front facade and adding windows. Lessner’s mother, who came up with the over-the-top fabulous décor for both Betty’s and Surly Girl Saloon, will oversee the actual decorating. Lessner, whose mission is to help make downtown “better and cooler,” sees a niche in the scene for Tip Top to fill. “There’s a lot of new and hoity toity and nice, which is awesome, but there’s nothing that’s more for the working class,” Lessner said. “When you go to other cities, like Chicago, there’s always that cool bar that’s been there a million years and everyone just loves it-that’s the feel we’re going for.” Cuisine will be “super homestyle, super regional.” In the spring and summer, produce will come from a community garden tended by kids in a Godman Guild after-school program. “They’re even making a special pepper just for us,” Lessner said. Lessner and Co. will start work after they get the keys from the Grapevine’s owner, who is retiring after a great run. If all goes as planned, Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails should be open by the end of February.
