Dine Originals Columbus is a community of independently owned and operated restaurants in the Columbus, Ohio area.

The Mission of Dine Originals Columbus is to celebrate, support and promote locally owned and operated independent restaurants by providing unique dining experiences for its patrons and collaborative services and benefits for it members.

The Association formed in the Spring of 2003 and most likely you are familiar with many of the restaurants on our roster. You have heard they are amongst the most frequently lauded eateries in Columbus. You frequently see our names sponsoring community and charitable events. Hopefully they are on your list of favorites and you would feel somehow bereft if any one of us closed.

But, you may not know these restaurants are members of Dine Originals Columbus and we belong for many very good reasons. If you’ve ever worked in the restaurant industry you know the restaurant business is tough. It is a competitive battle for patrons, for recognition, and for purchasing power. No one knows this better than our owner/operated independent restaurants and no one appreciates and relishes the rewards more than we do. These are Our restaurants in Our city and Our guests are members of Our community. We are vested in every way and our daily battle is to create a rewarding and personal dining experience for every guest every time.

Instead of competing with each other, we collaborate for ventures we could not afford to do alone. We participate in grass roots and main stream advertising, joint charitable and community events, group purchasing, and camaraderie. We provide discounted gift certificates as an illustration of appreciation to our guests. We provide joint benefits for our staffs. As of August 2009, we are 40 members strong and growing.

Dine Originals Columbus helps sustain the independent restaurant members and make them more viable. These restaurants help define Columbus, give it character and pizzazz, make it a memorable town to visit and live. We urge you to support our local independent restaurants here and across the country and we thank you for your patronage and your loyalty. Help us help you and Columbus thrive.

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Officers and Board Members

Kamal Boulos, The Refectory
President

Tim Lessner, The Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails
Vice President

Jeff Mathes, Due Amici
Treasurer

Scott Heimlich, Barcelona
Kevin Caskey, Banana Bean Cafe
Anthony Schultz, The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls
Alana Shock, Alana’s
Diane Warren, Katzinger’s Delicatessen
Matt Prokopchak, Trattoria Roma
Susie Cork, Shaw’s Restauant & Inn
Jeff Benson, G. Michael’s Bistro

At Large Community Trustees

Liz Williamson, Columbus Children’s Theatre
Christy McKinney, Community Member
Steve Gifford, Wine Trends, Inc
Lelia Cady, Columbus City Council
Walker Evans, ColumbusUnderground.com
Irene Alvarez, Experience Columbus
Michael Snyder, Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick, LLP
Karen Simonian, The Wexner Center