Colony Square recently reached the latest milestone its $400 million redevelopment — the opening of its food hall, Politan Row. And with its debut came a few previously unreported surprises such as the venue’s private event space, The Blue Room, and The Chef’s Table, a full-service dinner option.
“With Politan Row at Colony Square, we really wanted to bring an old school, neighborhood restaurant vibe to the bustling Midtown area,” Will Donaldson, founder and CEO of Politan Group, said in a prepared statement. “In partnership with our women-led design firm Bell-Butler, we’ve sprinkled nods to the project’s history throughout the space to create an inviting, familiar atmosphere. In addition to its alluring personality, the food hall also has several thoughtful hospitality elements weaved into the operational side that will provide our guests with an exceptional dining experience. We are confident this project will deliver everything the Midtown food scene is wanting.”
Curated and operated by New Orleans-based Politan Group, Politan Row at Colony Square is the company’s seventh and largest food hall. It features space for 11 independent food and beverage concepts, a central bar, an event space, and a secret, hidden bar.
The nine open purveyors include Belli Pizzeria, Bun Mi Grill, Federal Burger, Gekko, Locale Cafe, Pretty Little Tacos, Tandoori Pizza, and Wing Co., Unbeliebubble, and YŌM. The last two concepts are in the works and will be announced soon.
More than half of the square footage at Politan Row at Colony Square is dedicated to outdoor dining. Interior space, which can seat 250 guests, makes up approximately 20,000 square feet, while outdoor space encompasses 22,000 square feet. The food hall also features a 24’ indoor/outdoor glass wall that opens up the interior space to engage with the outdoors. The outdoor experience includes The Plaza, The Patio, and The Grove.
The Midtown food hall is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and features several distinctive offerings, including Bar Politan, the Chef’s Table experience, and fully-equipped event space. Guest parking will also be validated for up to two hours.
Bar Politan is a 40-seat bar anchored at the heart of the food hall, surrounded by the food vendors and managed by hospitality industry veteran Quinton Anderson. The bar program is focused on craft cocktails, a wine selection, and local beer options. All syrups and shrubs are housemade, and signature draft cocktails include the Effervescent Margarita and Wheatclaw (housemade hard seltzer). Bar Politan specializes in classic cocktails, however, off-menu classics are also available upon request. The central bar offers a happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, with beverage specials starting at $7. On Sundays, Bar Politan will serve a full brunch cocktail menu.
The Chef’s Table offers a full-service, reserved dinner option for up to 12 guests. Prices start at $30 per person, with beverages available a la carte from Bar Politan. Daily reservations are limited, so guests are encouraged to book their Chef’s Table experience in advance or inquire with the ambassador team. Guests should allow two hours for the experience.
The Blue Room is an internal private event space offered by Politan Row. It is fully furnished and features a 40-foot ceiling with a retractable blue velvet curtain, a private bar, and A/V capabilities for meetings and presentations. The space is inspired by the legendary Jazz venue of the same name in New Orleans, where Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald were frequent performers. The Blue Room can accommodate up to 70 guests seated or 120 standing. In addition to The Blue Room, the entire Politan Row at Colony Square, including the covered outdoor Patio and stage area, is available for buyouts, creating the ultimate Chef’s Table experience for up to 600 guests.
