Powell playbook
Restaurateur’s Greek and Italian eatery his second spot in suburb’s emerging dining scene
Orion Trifoni has doubled down on his optimism in the Powell dining scene.
Trifoni has opened Koble Greek-italian Grill on West Olentangy Street, a stone’s throw from his other restaurant in the area, Kraft House No. 5.
Trifoni and Ilias Strovolidis, partners in the original Koble in Westerville, have created a rustic-yetrefined spot that flaunts an abundance of wood fixtures, a vaulted ceiling, tall walls displaying pop art and lots of windows.
Wide-screen TVS are positioned over a large bar — with beer, wine and liquor service — that is the centerpiece of the dining room, which seats nearly 100. A carryout station, complete with a full selection of wine, is situated at the main entrance.
A fireplace faces both a portion of the dining room and the patio, which seats 100 overall.
Part of a new development
east of Sawmill Parkway, Koble has a wide-ranging menu of Greek and Italian classics, with sandwiches and entrees ranging from $7 for a basic gyro to $15 for moussaka. Lamb shanks and lamb chops are sold at market price.
Dishes on a separate children’s menu are priced at $6 each.
“The atmosphere is for adults and families,” Trifoni said.
He said he is slowly adding steaks, kebabs, flatbreads, octopus and other fare, which should be in place over the next week or so.
For now, customers can sup on homemade dolmathes, pastitsio, fried seafood platter and meatballs with pasta.
Koble is one of the rare places in Columbus where customers can order fried smelts with garlic sauce.
“In Greece, on the islands, it’s like chips, French fries,” he said of the crispy little fish.
Trifoni’s first foray into the local restaurant business was in 2004, when he opened Greek Corner on West DublinGranville Road. He later sold the restaurant, which has since closed.
He said his customer base has followed him to his other restaurants, which include Panini Opa on Bethel Road, bringing the total to four. Trifoni and Kliton “Tony” Gjergji purchased and revamped Kraft House last year.
Strovolidis said the restaurant selection is impressive in the once sleepy hamlet of Powell.
“I think it’s a good thing more restaurants are coming to Powell because it’s becoming a destination,” he said.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. For more information, call 614-670-8270.
Turbo powered
In other news from the area, Mrs. Turbo’s Cookies has opened next to Koble in Powell.
The bakery seats 20 and offers up to 30 cookies per day— the signature choice is chocolate chip with premium Belgian chocolate— plus Crimson Cup coffee, milk, cane-sugar sodas, iced and frozen drinks.
Holly Schaffner, who owns the new location and the other store in Gahanna, said she bakes small batches to ensure freshness.
In addition to cookies, there are cakes, brownies and whoopie pies, costing between $2.50 and $5. There are discounts for larger orders, Schaffner said.
Party at Mardi
Mardi Gras Homemade Ice Cream has reopened for the season.
The independent ice cream parlor, known for its exotic flavors, many seasoned with ingredients from India, is located at 1947 Hard Road.
Flexin’ Tex-mex
Chuy’s is taking over the vacant Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill in the Polaris area.
A fall opening is expected for central Ohio’s second location, 1481 Polaris Parkway.
Chuy’s, based in Austin, is known for its scratch-made, affordable Tex-mex fare in a casual setting.
The first local store opened 3½ years ago in Easton Gateway.