It may be January in Ohio and all that implies, but inside her new restaurant Owner Tanitia Brown hopes customers can feel like they’re on a little beach vacation.
Drawing inspiration from that warmest and sunniest of places, Waves Bar & Kitchen is now open at 828 E. Long St. in the King-Lincoln District.
Tanitia is joined by her older brother, David Burke, and younger brother, Tim Brown. Each brings a different skill set to the operation. Tanitia has a background in accounting and finance, and has always wanted to run her own business. Burke has industry experience and is the chef for family gatherings, while Tim’s versed in inventory management. Tanitia saw a bar and restaurant as the perfect melding of their experiences.
It’s been a dream a few years in the making.
“It took us probably about two years to find this space,” Tanitia says.
As part of the new Adelphi Quarter development, they initially only saw renderings of their now-home but were immediately sold.
“We definitely want to have, like, a community type of feel,” Tanitia says. They wanted Waves to be in a neighborhood; a relaxing place where residents could walk.
And that’s exactly what they are doing. Officially opening on December 28, Tanitia says the first few weeks of business have brought in a lot of King-Lincoln residents that have said they’ve walked over or live right around the corner.
Waves’ menu is a mix between beach-themed and bar food. One of the most popular dishes thus far has been the Seafood Pizza with a cream sauce, shrimp, salmon, mozzarella and fresh herbs. Tanitia says the Ferris Wheel is a showstopper. The literal, five-basket contraption is stuffed with wings, boneless wings, mozzarella sticks, onion rings and fries.
Waves rounds things out with some snacks like chips & guacamole or chips & queso, a few other pizzas, burgers and desserts like funnel cake bikes and warm chocolate chip cookies.
In the drinks department, there are cocktails that pay homage to the neighborhood – The Bronzeville with cinnamon whiskey and ginger ale – and more beachy options like a Pineapple Sunset. There are also shareable cocktails like the Tidal Waves Rum Bucket, which features a trio of the signature spirit (white, dark and coconut).
Waves will also add a streamlined brunch menu in the coming months.
Once it’s warmer, Waves also plans to activate its extensive patio with corn hole tournaments and movie nights. They’ll also look to add more programming, in addition to their Tacos & Tequila Tuesdays, like bourbon nights, karaoke and trivia.
Waves is currently open from 3 – 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
For more information, follow Waves on Instagram.
All photos by Susan Post
