With the tagline “Travel the World Without Leaving the Table,” Traveler’s Table is set to open its doors next month, bringing a globally inspired menu and a deeper sense of a foodie community to Ft. Thomas.
The latest concept from Taste Food & Wine Group, the restaurant came to fruition after Challis and Lauren Hodge saw what they were able to accomplish with the former Conserva Wine & Tapas Bar in Ludlow. The pair were told by customers that they felt as if they’d transported to Spain by the eatery’s food and atmosphere. They closed Conserva last fall to focus on opening Traveler’s Table this summer.
“If Spain had so much to teach us, then what does the rest of the world have to offer?” says Challis, who serves as the restaurant group’s executive chef and co-owner. “That’s really the genesis of Traveler’s Table. Going beyond just the food and wine and creating an environment where people can journey together.”
Located in the old Grassroots & Vine space, The new restaurant will feature a rotating international menu, a thoughtfully curated wine list, and a commitment to sharing the stories and cultural history behind every dish and bottle.
The focus on education and exploration is central to Challis’s identity as a chef and a business owner. He describes himself as equal parts chef, cultural anthropologist, researcher, and storyteller, and it shows in the way that Traveler’s Table has been shaped.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF TASTE FOOD & WINE GROUP
While they’re still shaking out the details, expect a menu that changes frequently, with each item labeled by its country of origin. The research is ongoing, and Challis says that the entire planet is fair game.
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a menu, unsure about a dish you’ve never heard of, Traveler’s Table wants to meet you right where you are. The educational aspect—through events, dinners, and casual conversation—will push diners outside of their comfort zones, similar to what they do at Conserva. For example, the “Sherry 101” dinners there encourage customers to set aside their preconceptions and discovered the variety of Spain’s sherry wine outside of the cream sherry that most may think of. More recently, an agave-focused dinner introduced diners to spirits beyond tequila, paired with thoughtful dishes and a dose of storytelling. These events aren’t just about the tastings; they’re about learning, sharing, and sometimes even surprising one’s self. Challis and Lauren want to introduce people to something they might have never tried but end up loving.
“It’s about understanding each other and culture,” Challis says. “It’s about creating community connection and discovery through the world’s food and wine.”
That same sense of hospitality and curiosity will be on display at Traveler’s Table. Menu items will reflect the team’s own ongoing exploration, while some favorites will stick around, diners will always find new regions, new flavors, and new experiences offered.
Wine is, of course, a big part of the Travelers Table experience. The list will be global, with every selection chosen to complement the menu and encourage conversation. When it comes to how they will pair wines with dishes, Hodge prefers a more personal approach, relying on conversations with guests to guide them to the right wine pairing for their plate. Hoping to help them find something memorable.
Challis envisions Travelers Table as a place for locals to gather before a trip abroad, to reminisce about past travels, or to be transported by a dish that tastes like home.
“There’s no more joy for me than meeting someone and they’re tearing up because the dish reminds them of something they had back home in another country that their mom or grandmother used to make,” Challis says. “That makes you feel like you’ve done something very, very special.”
Travelers Table is set to open at 1011 S. Ft. Thomas Avenue in Ft. Thomas by the end of August.
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