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After spending just a weeeeee bit of time on the phone over the last three months with the four separate insurance companies handling his claim — it’s not every day that a car careens through the wall of your restaurant, after all — Keith Taylor is happy to be serving guests again.
But things are different. His restaurant at 79 S. Main St. (Ohio 48) is no longer called Savona Restaurant & Wine Bar. Taylor decided to switch things up a bit, starting with the name: The Twisted Root Restaurant, which opened June 11.
The intentionally ambiguous name frees him up from the limitation of Italian food, which was central to Savona’s concept. Gone are the white-linen tablecloths, although the atmosphere is still elegant and classy, not too casual — this isn’t a peanut-shells-on-the-floor kind of place. But the wine racks behind the bar are on their way out, to be replaced by one, and only one, flat-screen television. And Taylor has hired a chef de cuisine, Pete Zorotovic, so Taylor can be more visible in the front of the house.
Some of the favorites from Savona, including the Seared Ahi Tuna “Nachos” and Brie Flatbread with applewood-smoked bacon, apples, spinach and balsamic glaze, were retained on the new menu. New dishes include Chicken & Waffles, Grilled Shrimp Cocktail and Fried Green Tomato Salad.
The Fried Green Tomato Salad ($6) is a hit — a thick slice of tart tomato generously breaded and fried, topped with mesclun, goat cheese, toasted pepita seeds and anointed with a bit of apple cider vinaigrette. The Chicken and Waffles entree ($16) includes a robust portion of boneless, fried free-range chicken served on waffle halves and topped with micro-greens and sliced scallions. A sauce of honey, ginger and lemon grass provides a subtle blast of flavor. Taylor said the Dry-Aged Prime Steak Burger ($13), with white cheddar, caramelized onions and bacon jam and served with garlic Parmesan fries, has been a popular item during the restaurant’s opening week.
Twisted Root is developing a craft-beer list and a bourbon list to complement its wine list. Local artists will display their work on the restaurant’s walls.
Here are the bare necessities:
THE TWISTED ROOT RESTAURANT
79 S. Main St., Centerville
Open Tuesday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday.
Note: Taylor said he is considering expanding hours to include lunch service, perhaps later this year.
(937) 610-9835 (reservations accepted)
Prices: Starters range from $7 to $14, entrees from $13-$28
For more information, check out the Twisted Root Restaurant Facebook page.
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