Kicking things up ‘quite a few notches’
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse to open in Easton area
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, where modern upscale dining meets the supper clubs of yore, is opening in a dual hotel concept near Easton Town Center. h The restaurant will occupy about 5,000 square feet in the combined Hilton Garden Inn/homewood Suites under construction at 3600 Morse Road, at Morse and Sunbury roads. h Another 8,000-square-foot banquet space will be serviced by Johnny’s, said Samuel Gregory, general manager of the hotel concept and restaurant. h The Easton-area Johnny’s is a franchised unit from the Heart of America Group – with corporate offices based in Moline, Illinois, and Des Moines, Iowa – which also operates restaurants and hotels.
Middletown Hotel Management is the franchisee. A Dec. 1 opening is planned for the hotel and restaurant, Gregory said. Johnny’s will be open for lunch and dinner.
Not counting the Columbus location, Johnny’s operates 13 locations including one in West Chester, Ohio, according to its website.
Ajay Singh, vice president of brand development for Heart of America, said the Columbus space will have contemporary lighting, high-backed booths, open seating, a fashionable bar and a spacious patio – in other words, a venue that would make the Rat Pack proud.
The steakhouse is upscale but not prime, with an affordable menu that makes it an “everyday indulgence.” Prices haven’t been set but they will be similar to the West Chester location, the only other Johnny’s in Ohio. Ajay Singh, vice president of brand development for Heart of America
Each location must adhere to design standards but also provide accents that favor regionality, he said.
“Our belief is no two should be the same,” he said.
The food, meanwhile, will make fans of hotel guests and local residents who want an optimal dining experience in a comfortable setting, Singh said.
And by locating inside a hotel, there is no hassle of meter parking and long walks, he said.
The steakhouse is upscale but not prime, with an affordable menu that makes it an “everyday indulgence,” he said. Prices haven’t been set but they will be similar to the West Chester location, the only other Johnny’s in Ohio.
“I think you’ll find that there’s so much diversity,” Singh said.
The steaks, aged for 28 days, are served with a house salad and homemade focaccia, and a choice of side. There are several options, from filet Oscar to a char-grilled ribeye.
Naturally, pasta dishes have a prominent place on the menu. The signature choice is Johnny’s “Chanel No. 5” – blended cheese ravioli topped with lobster, shrimp, artichokes and prosciutto, tossed in a garlic cream sauce.
Seafood is another attraction, Singh said. One dish, for example, places scallops and arugula over parmesan risotto.
The menu includes chicken and veal dishes, meal salads, appetizers, an array of burgers and homemade desserts.
The average ticket is around $35, Singh said.
“Johnny’s is kicking it up quite a few notches,” Gregory said.
onrestaurants@dispatch.com