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38º | Cloudy | 10% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:53 a.m. | Sunset 5:23 p.m.

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🍽️ Meet the man behind the meals

Q+A with executive chef Sebastian La Rocca of the Hilton Columbus Downtown

Chef Sebastian La Rocca incorporates his Latin background into his dishes. | Photo by Ryan Benyi Photography

Some amazing new restaurant concepts have come along with the opening of the Hilton Columbus Downtown. We sat down with Sebastian La Rocca, the executive chef of the Hilton concepts FYR, Stories on High, and Spark, to learn more.

How did you end up in Columbus?

I used to own three different restaurants with three different concepts. The United States for me was always a cycle that never was closed. When I got this offer about Columbus, Ohio, to be honest with you, I didn’t know what to expect. I had never been in Columbus. I never been in Ohio before.

Do you like it in Columbus?

We love it. A small, big city, with everything to offer you. The people are super friendly, nice people. I think Columbus is starting to bloom in the culinary space.

FYR grills — The use of fire and smoke is incorporated into every dish on the menu at FYR. | Photo by CBUStoday

Can you tell us about FYR?

FYR is about celebrating the fire, of course. We have an open kitchen where we have seven different techniques of cooking with open fires between the oven and the grill. It’s about my roots and being proud to be South American. I make my own cuisine about my memories, my experiences, my childhood. It’s about being proud of my DNA and being Latino. I want the people to come here, try something different, and get out of their comfort zone.

What about Stories on High, the tallest rooftop bar in the city?

Upstairs we are a bar with food, when downstairs we are a restaurant with amazing drinks. Upstairs has an amazing cocktail program with a tapas-size menu about American-Asian fusion. So I took some of the classic American dishes and remade them and tweaked them with the Asian ingredients.

Tomato FYR — The wood oven roasted tomato is served with panela honey, goat cheese, charred onions, and sumac. | Photo by CBUStoday

If it’s your first time at FYR, you have to try the wood oven-roasted tomato made with panela honey and goat cheese. Upstairs, try the chicken hearts or our beef sliders with waygu.

Is there anything else you want people to know?

We don’t sell food, we sell the experience. To be as comfortable as possible I always recommend making a reservation. FYR reservations here. Stories on High reservations here.

Learn more about Sebastian

Events

Tuesday, May 2

Columbus Clippers vs. Iowa Cubs | Tuesday, May 2 | 6:15 p.m. | Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Ln., Arena District | $8-$21 | Cheer for the Clippers in the opening of another homestand with Dime-A-Dog Night.
Trivia and A Movie | Tuesday, May 2 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Land-Grant Brewing Co., 424 W. Town St., Franklinton | Free | Enjoy pop culture trivia followed by a movie played on the big screen in the beer garden.

Wednesday, May 3

Free Fitness: Yoga | Wednesday, May 3 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Columbus Commons, 160 S. High St., Downtown | Free | Relax on the lawn of the Commons for a guided yoga class.

Thursday, May 4

Taste of Westerville - 2023 | Thursday, May 4 | 6-9 p.m. | Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel, 409 Altair Pkwy., Westerville | $60 | Sample wine, beer, liquor, and meals from local restaurants + participate in a raffle and silent auction.
How Museums Prepare and Preserve Specimens | Thursday, May 4 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus | $0-$16 | Learn about taxidermy and preservation of flowers, fungi, and other living beings as a part of the COSI Science Festival.

Friday, May 5

El Vaquero’s Cinco De Mayo Celebration | Friday, May 5 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | El Vaquero Mexican Resturant, 3230 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus | Cost of purchase | Enjoy specials on Mexican cuisine and alcoholic beverages.

100+ more events

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Concert

Old Dominion, a Grammy-nominated country group, is coming to Nationwide Arena for their “No Bad Vibes Tour” on Wednesday, Dec. 13 with special guests Chase Rice, Priscilla Block, and Kylie Morgan. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 5 at 10 a.m.
Get ready to dream on, CBUS. Aerosmith, a four-time Grammy Award-winning rock band, is coming to the Schottenstein Center on Tuesday, Jan. 23 for their farewell tour. Grab your tickets Friday, May 5 at 10 a.m.

Plan Ahead

The Columbus Recreation and Parks events calendar is planned for the summer, and more events will be added as they become available. From free mobile produce markets to youth and adult sports leagues, there’s a Cap City event for everyone.

Legacy

Bob Kennedy, the PA “voice” of Ohio State Athletics for the past 23 years, passed away over the weekend. Bob will be remembered for his love and commitment to the Buckeyes, and we will always remember his voice ringing through the arenas.

Celebrate

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and there are many local ways to celebrate. The Asian Festival will be at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens on Saturday, May 27 with performances and food. Experience Columbus has also shared 50 Asian-owned local businesses you can support.

Award

The local, all-natural cocktail mixers brand Simple Times Mixers was nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards under the Best Craft Mixer Brand category. Cast your votes by Monday, May 15 and the winner will be announced Friday, May 26.

Holiday

How to win Mother’s Day? Send the mother figure in your life iconic meals and desserts from across the country with Goldbelly. Think: Ina Garten’s coconut cake, a New York bagel brunch kit, and a chef’s steak dinner for four. Yup, it’s all on Goldbelly.

Development

🏗️ Here’s the breakdown

Construction updates and plans for the 800-acre development in Obetz, OH

Berardi Partners is the architect for the massive development. | Renderings via Berardi Partners

Construction is underway for portions of the 800-acre, multi-use development in Obetz dubbed Buckstone, and we have details on the progression of the billion dollar project.

With this massive transformation, you may be wondering how the 800 acres will be divided:

247 acres: Recreational and public space, including a disc golf course that is now open, walking paths that should open in 2024, and sports fields that are planned for 2025. Other projects are further out, like a canoe livery planned for 2028 and a kayak park that is expected for 2030.
238 acres: Single-family homes and luxury apartments including Flats at Buckstone, which will feature 288 units that are expected to open this summer.
127 acres: Retail and commercial space, which is still in early planning stages.

“As the Buckstone development progresses, the project team will continue to engage with residents and stakeholders to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are addressed,” said Obetz City Administrator Rod Davisson.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Hanna

From the editor

One of my favorite weekend brunches is at Pint House, where they have a build-your-own mimosa bar with a wide variety of juices, fruits, and even candy to add into your drinks. So if you’re already dreaming about the weekend, I suggest you add that into your plans.

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