Ultra Chic
Mozaik
By Kate Liebers |
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The high-heeled vixens of Vine Street are familiar with broken glass at their feet. The difference at Mozaik is that here, it's classy.
An ultra-hip ultra lounge, Mozaik, is Columbus' latest west side bar with east coast influence. Tiered glass shelves showcase the liquor, which includes about two dozen bottles of vodka. Sheet glass walls change from clear to clouded, glowing with multicolored LED lighting. Glass pebbles decorate the floor beneath the tables of the coved dining area.
The atmosphere is what sets Mozaik apart from other local bars, said bar manager Armand Hartig. "We're more of an upscale lounge," he said, expecting the bar to attract the local as well as a nationwide crowd.
Mozaik was created in part by Adam DeSimone, of Amp'd entertainment group. DeSimone owns Diesel Club Lounge in Pittsburgh and said he had been looking for another venue in Columbus when the Mozaik model manifested. Instead of a nightclub, the Mozaik modern lounge with tapas seemed better suited for the Vine Street location. At the grand opening last month, DeSimone said Mozaik is the test model and that he plans to open two more places by the end of the year.
"I love Columbus," said DeSimone. "It's one of those places where you feel like you're on vacation when you come here."
Well, maybe if you're at Mozaik.
"Maybe I don't get out much, but I've never seen anything like it," said Kevin Rogers, 38, as he gazed at the bar's hypnotic waterfall centerpiece. This faucet screen displaying colorful nature scenes was the main conversation starter around the elliptic center bar.
"I like the decor. That probably is the best part," said Kevin Paris. "Do the employees count as decor? The decor of the employees is a positive."
If the employees' uniforms counted as decor, Paris probably would have counted those, too. Diverging from the traditional black shirt, the male bartenders sport matching polos from Express and females wear white tank tops with full-frontal silver sequins.
One of the ultra chic drinks offered at Mozaik Ultra Lounge
Photo: Christopher Atwood
Despite the slowly shifting neon luminescence, from hot pink to bright blues, Mozaik is no dance club. Instead, as Hartig specified, it is "a place where you can go to talk to your friends."
Or to mingle.
Pondering her review of the new place, Patty Walton, concluded that she would enjoy a return visit "as long as the sports aren't on."
According to DeSimone, she can consider her wish as good as granted.
Televisions are positioned near the almost magical waterfall screen, yet they are turned off. A disk jockey booth sits in the back corner, but the records are still. DeSimone said the televisions are to be used only for special sporting events, and the live DJ is limited to Friday and Saturday night between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
"We cater to the ladies," DeSimone said.
Jessica Pallante agreed. "The owner said there was happy hour, so I'll be back for that," she said.
The happy hour specials include half-priced martinis and certain menu items, and the martini flight special offers three "martiniz" for $6.
The regular cocktail drink menu includes all fresh ingredients with mixes concocted on-site, according to Hartig. At the edges of Hartig's bar rest containers of pineapple and of mangos infused with vodka. On the counter, a blackberry sinks to the bottom of a champagne glass, while a cocktail server delivers a martini with watermelon juice and orbs of frozen melon.
While seasonal local fruits inspire the drink menu, its gastric counterpart is of Asian influence.
David Ostrander, executive chef, described the menu as "American artisanal" with an Asian fusion. The coconut shrimp with mango puree gives the tongue a taste of the tropics, while tiny crab cakes are packed with big flavor. The small plates hover around $8, while the larger servings range from $6 to $14.
As DeSimone projected, an evening at Mozaik would begin with tapas tasters coming in after work, then turning over to a "hip, swanky crowd" ordering evening drinks.
"We want to be the place where people come for happy hour and a place to come to end your evening," said Hartig.
"I think it's great. It will be one of my stops when I come into the area," said Paris.
Regardless of the time of day, DeSimone characterized his lounge as the place to see and be seen. And people are checking it out.
"It's pretty progressive for Columbus," said Nathan Brush. "I'll definitely be back."
Mozaik
51 Vine St.
(614) 469-1000
www.mozaiklounge.com
Originally Published: August 1, 2009
