New Restaurant Traveler’s Table to Open Sept. 4 in Former Grassroots & Vine Space

Taste Food and Wine Group has announced that Traveler’s Table will officially open to the public for dinner on Friday, Sept. 4, at 1011 S. Fort Thomas Ave. in Fort Thomas. With the invitation to “Travel the World Without Leaving the Table,” the new concept brings guests authentic dishes, wine traditions and stories from cultures around the world in an experience rooted in discovery, connection and hospitality.

“Traveler’s Table is a concept we’ve been thinking about for a long time, and we’re excited to finally open the doors and share it,” said Challis Hodge, co-owner and executive chef of Taste Food and Wine Group. “The idea is not simply to put dishes from different places on a menu. We want to tell the story behind the food, but also why people eat it, where it came from, what traditions surround it, and what you might drink with it. Food has this incredible ability to connect people to a place, a memory or another culture, and that sense of discovery is really at the heart of Traveler’s Table.”

The menu takes guests from destination to destination, with dishes rooted in the food traditions of countries and regions including Spain, France, Peru, Morocco, India, Japan, Georgia, Argentina and Mozambique, among others. Rather than focusing on a single cuisine, each dish offers a window into the people, traditions and places it comes from.

Menu highlights include:

• Gilda | Basque Country, Spain: A classic Basque pintxo rooted in the bar culture of San Sebastián. The combination of anchovy, olive and pickled pepper became known as the Gilda in the 1940s, named for Rita Hayworth’s character in the 1946 film of the same name. Suggested pairings include fino sherry, Txakoli, sparkling wine or a Spanish-style gin and tonic.
• Flammekueche | Alsace, France:  Rooted in the communal bread-baking traditions of villages in Alsace, where families once shared village ovens. After the bread was baked, leftover dough was topped with simple farm ingredients and quickly cooked in the remaining heat, creating a dish rooted in thrift, community and gathering. Pairings may include Crémant, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, cider or beer.
• Ceviche | Peru: One of Peru’s most celebrated culinary traditions, ceviche reflects generations of knowledge shared among fishers, farmers, cooks and families. Recipes vary by region and are part of both everyday meals and celebrations. In 2023, UNESCO recognized the preparation and consumption of ceviche as part of Peru’s intangible cultural heritage. Traveler’s Table will complement the dish with pairings such as high-acid white or sparkling wines, a pisco sour or a citrus-driven zero-proof beverage.

The storytelling extends beyond the food. Traveler’s Table’s beverage program is designed to encourage discovery, with thoughtfully selected wines from both established and lesser-known wine regions, along with cocktails, beer and zero-proof options. The wine list gives guests the opportunity to explore bottles, varietals and winemaking traditions they may not typically encounter, while offering pairings that complement the dishes and stories represented throughout the menu.

“We want guests to feel comfortable being curious,” said Lauren Hodge, co-owner and director of guest experience. “You don’t need to be a wine expert or an experienced traveler to enjoy Traveler’s Table. You might come in because a dish sounds interesting, because you love a certain wine or because you simply want a great dinner on the patio. Hopefully, you leave having discovered something new and with a story to tell.”

The restaurant features an intimate layout with approximately 40 indoor dining seats, additional bar seating and approximately 50 outdoor seats. The patio and outdoor bar serve as a central gathering place, creating an inviting setting for dining, drinks and conversation. Music, atmosphere and hospitality also play an important role in the Traveler’s Table experience, with details designed to complement the food and beverage program and reinforce the sense of discovery woven throughout the concept.

In addition to its regular menu, Traveler’s Table plans to host seasonal dinners, wine-focused events and dining experiences exploring specific cultures and regions throughout the year, allowing the restaurant to continually introduce guests to new regions, ingredients, traditions and stories.

The opening comes as Taste Food and Wine Group continues to expand its presence in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky dining community. The company was recently recognized with the Fort Thomas Business Council’s 2026 Business Achievement Award for Taste Cellar & Pantry.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support this community has given us,” Challis Hodge said. “Traveler’s Table gives us an opportunity to create something unique while staying true to what has always mattered to us:  great food, great wine, genuine hospitality and bringing people together around the table.”

Traveler’s Table will be open for dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. For menus, reservations, event information and updates, visit TravelersTableKY.com, follow Traveler’s Table on Facebook and Instagram, or call 859-814-8391.