A new globally inspired dining concept is preparing to make its debut in Fort Thomas.
Traveler’s Table, the latest concept from husband-and-wife team Challis and Lauren Hodge of Taste Food and Wine, will replace Grassroots & Vine at 1011 S. Ft. Thomas Ave. The restaurant is expected to open in August following renovations, introducing a menu inspired by cultures and cuisines from around the world.
Speaking with What Now Cincinnati, Challis Hodge said Traveler’s Table is a natural evolution of the couple’s previous concept, Conserva Wine & Tapas, while expanding beyond Spanish cuisine to tell stories through food from across the globe.
“We’ve always maintained the philosophy that we do what we do because we love to build community,” Hodge said. “We love to teach, we love to learn, we love to share and bring not only great food, but authentic cultural experiences to our guests.”
The concept builds on the success of Conserva, the region’s first fully authentic Spanish tapas restaurant, by broadening its culinary scope.
“Traveler’s Table is really about taking people on an experience without leaving the table,” Hodge said. “We’re going to serve authentic dishes from around the world, and everything we do will have a cultural significance and a story behind it.”
Rather than focusing on a single country, the menu will feature rotating dishes from a variety of global cuisines. Guests can expect imported conservas from Spain and Portugal, internationally inspired flatbreads, empanadas, Moroccan dishes, Mediterranean fare, and French and Italian influences, with the menu evolving regularly to introduce new recipes and traditions.
“Our goal is to explore delicious food from around the world that has history and cultural significance,” Hodge said. “We want to provide an experience beyond just what’s on the plate.”
The beverage program will mirror that global approach. Lauren Hodge is curating a wine list featuring organic, biodynamic, and sustainably produced wines from smaller producers worldwide, alongside globally inspired cocktails, beers, and spirits.
The restaurant’s interior is also transforming. Hodge said the former Americana-inspired design is being replaced with an old-world aesthetic featuring travel-inspired décor, vintage spirits posters, and artwork reflecting cultures from around the globe.
“We want people to feel that they’ve entered the space and gone somewhere else for just a little while,” he said.
Creating opportunities for guests to connect remains central to the concept. The restaurant will continue to host curated wine dinners, cultural tasting events, and communal dining experiences designed to encourage conversation among guests.
“We intentionally create spaces where people interact,” Hodge said. “When guests leave having made new friends or shared an experience with someone they didn’t know before, that’s when we know we’ve been successful.”
Hodge said the response from the Fort Thomas community has been overwhelmingly positive as anticipation builds for the opening.
“I think people are ready for something new,” he said. “This elevated concept has received a lot of positive feedback, and we’re excited to bring it to the community.”
Although the team’s current focus is on successfully launching Traveler’s Table, Hodge said he and Lauren have additional restaurant concepts they hope to pursue in the future.
Ultimately, he hopes every guest leaves with more than just a memorable meal.
“I want people to feel like they’ve been transported,” Hodge said. “I want them to go home feeling like they’ve experienced a little bit of the world through our restaurant, our food, our people, and the stories we share.”
