The founders of Brewfontaine, the popular and award-winning restaurant and taproom located in downtown Bellefontaine, Ohio, will open their newest restaurant and event space, The Syndicate, on August 27. Restaurant partners Adam Rammel, Brian Wall and Jeramy Fitzpatrick unveiled the 5,000-square-foot venue, which houses a fashionable full-service restaurant, entertainment center and event space on Main Street. The venue was designed and constructed by Mote & Associates, Revival Design Studio and Link Construction.
“We get so many requests from people who want to rent out space in Brewfontaine,” says Adam Rammel, co-owner and operator of Brewfontaine and The Syndicate. “Instead of simply expanding Brewfontaine, we decided to elevate things by offering a beautiful space in downtown Bellefontaine to host special events and offer residents and visitors alike a great restaurant and entertainment option for a fun night out.”
The Syndicate’s flexible space and big-city atmosphere are ideal for private celebrations and parties, elegant weddings, special events and corporate meetings.When it is not booked for private events, the venue converts into a fine-dining restaurant serving guests dinner and weekend brunch. It also offers a large outdoor entertainment venue with a lively beer garden.
Once serving as Jackson’s News Stand from 1946-1993, The Syndicate features decorative and historic pieces from its former life. A large, custom-built bar topped with salvaged glass windows and large quartz countertops resembles a New York-style newsstand, while the walls are adorned in local Bellefontaine newspapers from years past. The restaurant’s massive indoor center hall also features exposed ceilings and elaborate custom tile flooring.
Outside, garage-style doors open onto a large patio facing Main Street. String garden lights illuminate the patio offering a beautiful setting for evening weddings or for playing a game of cornhole after dark. The original Jackson’s News Stand sign, on permanent loan from the Logan County Historical Society, serves as the main centerpiece.
Aptly named “Off the Record,” the outdoor patio and beer garden offers plenty of space for ticketed live music concerts with local and national bands, beer pairings, wine tastings and other events. It also has a concrete pad for food trucks to pull onto for late-night food when the restaurant’s kitchen is closed.
“We wanted to curate a restaurant and event space that is stylish and inviting, and it was important to us that our menu followed suit,” Rammel said. “Our expert culinary team has designed a menu that features locally-sourced food dishes that people can enjoy for dinner or brunch, and a cocktail list that reflects the New York-style news stand theme of the restaurant.”
Signature dishes include:
Crab Cakes with Asian slaw, rice and mango sauce
Calamari with a sweet chili sauce, sesame seeds and cilantro lime drizzle
Mahi Mahi en Papillote with Caribbean seasoning, orange slices, mango pineapple salsa and cilantro lime drizzle wrapped in banana leaves, and served with red beans and rice
Salmon Ponzu with rice, ponzu sauce and bok choy
Steak Filet with truffle mashed potatoes, asparagus and a demi-glace
Fried Chicken with a sweet heat mix and chicken gravy
Chocolate Lava Cake, Classic Crème Brûlée and Cheesecake
Served from the lavish New York-style news stand bar, guests can choose from an extensive list of beer and wine, as well as newspaper-themed specialty cocktails:
The Syndicate Old Fashioned – Old Forester, smoked orange, cherry, sugar cube and orange bitters
The Journal – Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Aperol, raspberry rosemary syrup and prosecco
The Times – El Jimador tequila, fresh strawberries, lime, egg whites and Hummingbird bitters
Manhattan Mercury – Bulleit Rye, sweet vermouth, cherry and Angostura bitters
The Tribune – Tito’s Handmade Vodka, hibiscus tea, honey and citrus
The Globe – Hendrick’s Gin, simple syrup, lemon, grapefruit and basil
The Syndicate also serves brunch on weekends, the only restaurant in Bellefontaine to do so, which includes everything from shrimp and grits to chicken and sweet potato waffles to praline pecan French toast. The brunch cocktails list is extensive and features a fun twist on drinks like the Mimosa Margarita and Bourbon Brunch, which includes Makers Mark, coffee liquor, vanilla extract, heavy cream and freshly brewed coffee topped with bacon. In addition, fans of Brewfontaine’s signature Bloody Mary will find a more robust version of the drink on the menu.
The Syndicate offers both on-site and off-site catering for private events and features an extensive catering menu. People can choose from an off-site carving station or on-site steaks that include certified Angus beef, a variety of chicken, pork or seafood options, and an array of sides and vegetarian selections.
The restaurant occupies a 5,000 square-foot space at 213 South Main Street, situated directly next to Brewfontaine. The restaurant can accommodate 100 guests inside and 200 guests in its patio and beer garden but will be operating at 60 percent capacity in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.
Starting August 27, The Syndicate will be open Wednesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Friday from 4 p.m. – 1 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. – 1 a.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., with live music and entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.
