Columbus, Ohio USA
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Dis 'n' Data
By Margaret Marten, Editor
email margaret@shortnorth.com
September/October 2016

DIS 'N' DATA ARCHIVE

Short North Parlor Room
The Short North Parlor Room opened in late July at 1126 N. High St. next to Mary Catherine’s Antiques. The former tenant of that space, Surly Girl Saloon, closed in April 2015, leaving it vacant for over a year. In fact, it took just over a year for the new tenants to plan, design, and construct the Parlor Room. Eric Goodman, Greg Tishkoff, and Katie Frankl, comprise the 10-year-old Columbus Tavern Group that owns it. This is their fifth pub location and, according to Goodman, their biggest project to date when one considers the preparation and creative effort that went into it. Goodman and Tishkoff visited venues across the U.S. prior to opening, generating a “collection of concepts” that evolved into something not strictly a speakeasy, gastropub or cocktail bar, but embracing each of those elements. The detailed woodwork, burnished ceiling, and unique lighting with star-shaped pendant fixtures provide the warmth and intimacy of a tavern/parlor room with an element of art-deco sophistication that lends itself to their cocktail bar brand. Levi Warner (of Novak’s) and Jason Davis are currently managing the tavern. Craft beer, artisan cocktails, and pub food are served seven days along with a Sunday brunch from 10 am. to 2 p.m. The menu, like most independent eateries, provides some creative selections like sweet-apple and hot-chili spiced macaroni and cheese as well as traditional tavern fare. Visit www.shortnorthparlorroom.com or call 614-224-8821 for more information.

Zest Juice co.
A juice bar that started up in Grandview Heights less than two years ago recently expanded into the Short North and the Easton Town Center with plans for further expansion. Zest Juice Co. moved into the Donatos redevelopment project at 920 N. High St. next to Black Brick on July 27. The location is a comfortable stretch from an already-existing juice bar in the Short North, Native Cold Pressed, which is located on the other side of High Street further south. The small 700-square-foot Zest space functions mainly as carryout for bottled juice, smoothies and specialty menu items. Like many entrepreneurs, owners Jordan and Natalie Helman, sought a product for their personal consumption, namely cold-pressed juice, and after recognizing its local scarcity decided to sell the product themselves. Cold-pressed juice is processed differently than what one typically finds in a grocery store and lasts only a few days. It can be used for cleanse programs (of which Zest has three) to detox the body. The couple and their staff, which includes a nutritionist, Emily Fitz, and
exclusive chef Alyse Cho, are focused on promoting health through nutritious and flavorful items: wraps, salads, fruit bowls, noodles, toast, pudding, smoothies, shots, and juice. There is plenty to choose from in the cooler, display case and counter for a quick meal. The menu is expanding along with their family. Jordan and Natalie welcomed their first child, Mila Marie Helman, the day of the Short North store opening on July 27. Zest Juice Co. is open 7 days: M-F: 7am-7pm; Sat: 8am-8pm; Sun: 9am-5pm. For more information,
visit www.zestjuiceco.com or call (614) 826-4071.

Kaizaad Kotwal

Actor Viveck Vaswani (left) with Kaizaad Kotwal

One of our former freelancers, Kaizaad Kotwal, who also worked as an arts writer for the Dispatch, as well as a theater professor at OSU for some 20 years, continues to develop his career as an actor and producer in his hometown of Mumbai. Kaizaad appeared in the movie Rough Book which debuted a few months ago. The film fully illustrates the ongoing breakdown in the Indian educational system. It was awarded Best Feature at the Indian Film Festival of Houston last year. Kotwal, who was cast in the movie as a school administrator focused on bottom-line money issues, said the film (which would be classified as an independent film in the U.S.) was shown to students in schools prior to its mainstream release. “While this [marketing] was daunting and time-consuming, the strategy worked,” he explained. “More and more schools and colleges wanted screenings.” Working with director Anant Mahadevan and the cast and crew was superb, he added. Kotwal has appeared in over a dozen films, including Traffic and Simpatico. He and his mother, Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal, launched Poor-Box Productions, a theatre company, 20 years ago. Their production of The Vagina Monologues (first staged in 2003 at Juhu’s Prithvi Theatre) has had over 1,000 shows in English and Hindu. Another remarkable achievement for this pair involved their production of Agnes of God last October that erupted into a “surreal experience” after someone began a protest and tried to get them arrested for “offending the sentiments of a minority community.” The opening occurred under the protection of over 100 police officers and ignited a media frenzy. They suffered huge legal bills, many damages, including venues cancelling. “As it turned out, this man had a long criminal record,” said Kotwal, “and was trying to extort money from us and was using this as a platform to political office in the future.” By January, they were finally able to get the play “back up on its feet.” It was nominated in seven categories for this year’s META Awards, the highest theatrical honors in India. Meanwhile, Kotwal said he has just finished shooting for a “large super-hero blockbuster kind of film” with India’s biggest movie star. “I play one of the minor villains in the film, and it has been one of my best working experiences to date.” He also enjoyed a supporting role as a slightly over-the-top wedding planner in the Netflix series Sense8 directed by the Wachowski siblings. “It was a blessing to work with the Wachowski siblings,” said Kotwal, “having left America seven years ago, I have heard from many of my friends there once they have seen the series.”

Departures
Reverse Vanity Spa, a Short North business specializing in skincare service, closed on June 30 after four years at 861 N. High St. on the corner of West First Avenue. Owner Nicole DiTommaso wrote in a Facebook post that she accepted a job as national operations director at Waxxpot up the street at 1188 N. High, recently acquired by Salon Lofts founder Daniel Sadd. Waxxpot offers full-body waxing. The interior has been renovated to double the waxing rooms.

Fabrique, a hair salon at 136 W. Fifth Avenue in front of Alternative Auto Care closed a few months ago. TJ Reed opened the shop two years ago.

Exile Bar closed in August after many years at 893 N. Fourth St. Hopefully, a more detailed explanation and background on the place will be gathered for the next issue.

Opening Reminders
The following businesses have opened recently: Surprise!: Modern Party and Cocktail Goods (see p. 2), Oats & Barley Market, The Angry Baker, Buns and Brews Bar, Standard Hall, Eagle Food & Beer Hall, and Enso Tattoo.

SEE ALSO: NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS/NEWS (SELECT WRITEUP)

Email margaret@shortnorth.com or call 614-251-0656 with neighborhood news items for the Short North Gazette.

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