First Look: Ale House Columbia Now Open

The Ale House Columbia opened its doors to the public on Tuesday.

"It has been an 8-month project," said co-owner Donald Kelly. "But now we're going to be here for 20-plus years. We're happy to be open and be a part of the community."

Inside, the finished restaurant has an industrial look, with aluminum bars, silver taps and exposed ventilation systems.

The menu, which co-owner Justin Dvorkin described as comfort food, includes items like the fried egg burger (served with maple bacon, American cheese and special sauce for $12.99), braised short ribs ($14.99), tacos al pastor (with roasted pineapple, avocado and chipotle remoulade $13.49) and four different flavors of mussels including a thai chile variety (sriracha, cocunut milk, lime juice, fresh pineapple for $13.49).

Behind the bar, the restaurant offers their signature Oliver Breweries beer. The owners of Ale House Columbia also own Pratt Street Ale House in Baltimore as well as Oliver Breweries. Each of the three bars inside the restuarant have access to all of the 30 beers on tap.

Olivia Kestenberg, the restaurant's manager, said there was a good crowd during lunch in the dining room on Tuesday and that the bar had been full throughout the day.

Outside of the restaurant, the patio looked mostly done, with outdoor speakers playing, and hookups for gas heaters waiting to be used.

The restaurant, which is located in Dobbin Center just off of Rouse Parkway, is in the former location of Rocky Run Tap and Grill. Jaun Valdez, the former executive chef of the District ChopHouse, is Columbia Ale House's chef.

A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for Friday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m.

The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. everyday and closes at 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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