New restaurant by local wine shop opens in historic Dublin home

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- A more than 100-year-old building in historic Dublin is now home to a new full-service restaurant run by Coast Wine House, a central Ohio bar and bottle shop inspired by coastal California.

Named "Gene's," the restaurant opened in July at 91 S. High St. in Dublin, the wine house announced on social media. Gene's sits two doors down from Coast, which opened at 75 S. High St. in 2019, inside a home built in 1900 that has served multiple tenants, including an antique shop, a pizza parlor and a nail salon.

Expanding with Gene's was a natural next step, especially given Coast's intimate kitchen has limited the wine house's ability to serve food beyond snacks and smalls plates, said owner Dustin Snow said when he announced the new restaurant in March.

"We've been listening closely to those willing to share their feedback and the most common thing we hear is that folks wish we had more food," said Snow.

The building at 91 S. High St. underwent a full renovation, breathing new life into the historic property that make it appear as though Gene's has always called it home. Named after co-owner Molly Snow's grandfather, who was a World War II veteran and a Pulitzer Price winning journlist, Gene's is a spot for making memories, from date night to catch ups with close friends, Snow said.

"The experience in fresh yet familiar, sophisticated but unfussy," the restaurant's site states. "We offer a seasonal and new-American menu with a wine-forward beverage program. With a commitment to quality, every ingredient and bottle will tell a story."

Coast's expansion arrives as classic eateries are undergoing change in historic Dublin, including Tucci's, which opened its $2.5 million expansion in February that transformed the eatery’s patio into a four-season dining room. Around the corner, Oscar's Restaurant and Bar closed in January after more than 30 years of business.

A pair of Dublin cabins dating back to the 1930s are also undergoing renovation to become a wine bar and bourbon lounge. The neighboring properties at 30 S. High St. in Dublin will soon be home to "Apothecary Cigar and Bourbon Lounge" and "Uncorked Wine Tastings."

Co-working business COhatch is also taking part with plans to redevelop several historic homes and construct a 15,000-square-foot building along North Riverview Street. The development will include the company's new headquarters and feature bars and restaurants, indoor and outdoor event spaces, and more for year-round use and entertainment.