This week Worthington welcomes The Nine, a new restaurant and cocktail bar to the former Light of Seven Matchsticks space! The intimate subterranean eatery features a menu of cocktails, small plates, entrees, and desserts.
For those who don’t remember Seven Matchsticks, the cocktail bar was an underground companion to the original Natalie’s Coal-Fired Pizza, which closed up and moved to Grandview several years ago. (The Natalie’s space was briefly home to the Sahara Lounge, which was closed when damaged by a fire; it will soon be home to Fired Up Pizza.)
Like its predecessor, The Nine is accessed down a staircase just to the right of the doors to the upstairs restaurant.
While the space is still very cozy, it’s been opened up into a single room, with the bar on the right and rows of tables along the opposite wall.
There’s small lounge/waiting area just inside the door, behind the host’s stand.
Of course, the bar seats are the spot to watch the accomplished bartenders at work.
It’s worth emphasizing that The Nine is not just a cocktail bar; they serve a full menu of small plates, salads, entrees, and desserts.
But the cocktails don’t play second fiddle! I was impressed by the creativity of the drink menu. We tried The Scholar’s Mate (on the right) with Elijah Craig, Santa Teresa, PX Lustau, and Laphroaig, as well as the I Feel Bonita (on the left) with Agricole, Cachaca, Ancho, pineapple, and Licor 43. Both very fun to drink.
For food we started with the generously portioned charcuterie and cheese board.
The beet salad is nicely dressed with blue cheese, fennel, and pickled veggies.
For our entree we tried the braised short rib over mashed parsnip and celery root with a red wine jus reduction. I like how it balanced the sweetness of the parsnips with the savory short rib.
We finished off with a limoncello tiramisu, a lovely combination of the citrusy kiss of a lemon bar with the decadence of a tiramisu.
We’re so excited to see this space activated once again! I’m sure The Nine will become a regular hangout.
The Nine is open Tuesday to Thursday, 4–11 p.m. and Friday to Saturday, 4 p.m. to midnight.
The Nine
5597 N. High St.
Worthington, OH 43085
(614) 515-1064
Web: thenineplated.com
FB: The Nine
IG: @theninecolumbus