Mabella, CJ's Steakhouse bring unique dining to Columbus area

As Columbus continues to expand as an entertainment and dining hub, two area restaurants are trying to fill in missing pieces.

Mabella, an Italian Steakhouse at 11th street and Broadway, opened its doors Monday. Named after the old “Ma’ Bell” telephone supplies found in the building during renovation, Mabella combines small-town, intimate dining with affordable pricing.

“People like the standard of what they do,” said Buddy Nelms, owner of Mabella as well as the Loft and Ride on Bikes, “their place to park, a menu that they can get at any other town. But then there’s people looking for the art and the zest of things, and that’s our audience.”

The menu feature Italian classics like spaghetti and lasagna, as well unique fare such as the pistachio crusted Florida grouper with Brussel sprouts and Medjool dates. Entrée prices range for $17 to $39 for a bone-in 22-ounce ribeye steak.

“This restaurant is specifically targeted to what is not here,” Nelms said. “Being in the restaurant business as long as I have we’ve taken what we learned from that and we’ve upped the ante to fill what we feel like is a missing gap in Columbus and in this area: a small, unique, good value place to go that you can count on.”

Over in Phenix City, Josh Gregory is trying to bring the Columbus foodie focus across the river.

“To my knowledge, the only other thing in Phenix City is Applebees and El Vaquero,” Gregory said.

Gregory owns CJ’s Steakhouse and Spirits at the Pierce Crossing shopping center off of Summerville Road and Riverchase Drive, which underwent a major renovation in September and only reopened its doors in late December.

“It was a complete overhaul,” Gregory said. “I ripped everything out. The only thing that’s left is the roof and the exterior walls.”

CJ’s is a steakhouse, so the menu is protein packed. Gregory said everything is made in-house and all beef is 100 percent black Angus. Gregory brings five years of experience as a chef in Florida for the Marriot Corporation, and is enjoying the freedom of being his own boss, frequently changing menu items and running specials. CJ’s also has an active late-night clientele, with live music Thursday through Sunday.

“I don’t really want see anybody else [trying to bring similar dining to Phenix City],” he said with a laugh. “Basically this just allows the local community a place to go without crossing the bridge, or for Columbus to venture eight minutes out of their normal path to try something that isn’t available anywhere else in town.”

Nelms said he expects more unique options to be coming to the Columbus area. Between the huge advances in night life from when the Loft opened in the early 90s and Columbus State University’s continued investment downtown, more should be on the horizon.

“With CSU throwing their hat deeper in the ring that should give confidence, entrepreneurs should have more confidence to step forward and bring their A game now,” he said. “I think now is the time, I think our best days are in front of us.”

This story was originally published January 30, 2015 at 6:44 PM with the headline "Mabella, CJ's Steakhouse bring unique dining to Columbus area."