First Look: Understory Commons – Columbus Underground

The final piece of the Understory puzzle makes its debut tomorrow. Understory Commons opens at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 31.

The restaurant-centric Commons joins Understory’s previously opened events space and Lounge at the Open Air building, 2571 Neil Ave. in Old North. 

A project of Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, the Commons brings the beer to the Understory equation. There will be 10 drafts – eight reserved for a rotating lineup of Wolf’s Ridge beers and two for cocktails. Co-Founder Bob Szuter says to expect a very seasonal lineup – a few stouts and winter beers now, moving into lower ABV and lighter beers for spring.

Understory will also house the brewery’s custom-made foeders (essentially oversized oak barrels used for aging beers), giving the spot a couple of oak-aged lagers and other oak-aged beers exclusive to the location.

The Commons will debut a new food menu, separate from the Lounge. Szuter says while the focus upstairs is cocktails and maybe having a few bites but not a full meal, the Commons is for the more traditional dining experience.

There’s a number of shareables and appetizers – cheese plates like burrata and a goat cheese croquette, dips from salsa to smoked salmon, potstickers, pickled vegetables, pork rinds and more. There’s also a smattering of salads like tabbouleh or Hawaiian pasta salad, bowls like firecracker chicken and handhelds including a cold cut and grilled cheese.

Szuters says it all will start out relatively simple, and they’ll look to diversify the menu and get a feel for what guests want out of the location over the next few months.

Understory Commons will be open from 3 – 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 3 – 12 p.m. Friday and Saturday (kitchen closes an hour before closing). Revelers will have to hold just a few more weeks for the attached patio which overlooks the ravine down to the Olentangy Trial. It’s targeting a late-April debut. Once the patio opens, Szuter says they’re hoping to expand hours, adding days and potentially lunchtime hours.

Open Air is also home to the second location of Emmett’s Cafe, which opened in January.

For more information, visit understorycbus.com.

All photos by Susan Post