Ørchard experience elevated

CATAWBA ISLAND — A restaurant continues to expand and enhance its amenities to provide an elevated dining experience for customers. After pursuing several upgrades in 2020 and 2021, when COVID-19-related restrictions lifted and then ended, those representing The Ørchard Bar & Table on Catawba Island recently unveiled their latest attractions. Bigger building Back in late 2021, ownership acquired an entire plaza, on NE Catawba Road (Ohio 53), where The Ørchard operates dating back to its debut in 2014. The plaza previously housed a dental office and an art gallery. The Ørchard now takes up all this space, providing more on-site culinary offerings. Construction, which began in January 2022 and wrapped up not too long ago, mainly involved renovating and enlarging this space. Most notably, The Ørchard jumped up from 6,400 square foot indoor space to 11,200 square foot indoor space with an additional 7,000 square feet of outdoor patio space. This extension broadens upon what The Ørchard already presents to guests. Just like at their other dining spaces on the premises — its main dining room, the sushi and raw bar and lounge areas — in this new space, people can order prime streaks, fresh seafood, handcrafted cocktails and a large selection of wine. New kitchen To accompany the growth, The Ørchard also recently unveiled a new state-of-the-art commercial kitchen. "Our new kitchen has the capacity to support a large culinary team of up to 20 cooks," business brand manager Hannah Vlk said. The Ørchard is open daily. Search the business name online and on social media for more detailed information, including a list of operating hours and a full menu selection. "This is a whole new experience for the Ørchard, but we are so excited to share it with anyone who would like to come and give it a try," Vlk said. What's in a name? Many might wonder why there's a slash in the "O" of Ørchard Bar & Table and the accompanying Ørchard Farm Stand. Even with the slash, it's still pronounced "oar-churd." Because the business owners are of Danish descent, the Ø also translates to the word, "island," in Danish. And, being on Catawba Island while operating an orchard there, the owners believed this made perfect sense, Vlk said. "It all came together with the original apple orchard — we still maintain the original trees here from at least 50 years ago — the Danish heritage and being on Catawba Island."