Awful. Burnt bread ( That you have to pay for). I got the special that evening for dinner and it was inedible. The deviled eggs were ok but my mom make them better. Bad service. Basically NYC prices ( and I live there 6 months out the year) for food and hospitality that were horrendous. read more

Beyond our tastebuds! Not what we expected and such a wonderful surprise to our late night dinner! We will be back for these awesome culinary confections! read more

This long awaited restaurant lives up to the hype and was a solid five star experience from start to finish. Reservations were a breeze and our table was ready when we arrived. Absolutely stunning interior. An odd set up, but it works. The space is split down the middle, with a full bar on each side. Tables on one side of the wall, booths on the other. Our server was prompt and friendly. The cocktail menu has some really great seasonal offerings. I ordered Fall in Ohio and it was the perfect drink to sip on during the course of the evening. First up was an order of fries served with ketchup and aioli, and an order of Devils on Horseback. The fries were some of the best I've ever had and the aioli was outstanding! Devils on Horseback did not disappoint with a perfect blend of flavors - goat cheese-stuffed dates, wrapped in coffee-rubbed bacon with caramelized onions. Sweet and savory with great texture. For the main course, my mac and cheese was rich and filling. The cheese had a distinct ale flavor and a generous amount of breadcrumbs on top. My son ordered the short rib and said it was the best cut of meat he's ever had. It was cooked to perfection, fell off the bone and melted in your mouth. The mushrooms that came with it were out of this world and had a wonderful smoky flavor. For dessert, my son enjoyed a sundae made with several different scoops of Jeni's ice cream and a variety of toppings. I had the housemade S'mores Torte and it was so rich and sinful - definitely not to be missed. I cannot express how ecstatic I am that Johnstown finally has a quality restaurant with a creative dinner menu and full bar. I appreciate that the owners have made it their mission to work and partner with local farms and to serve responsibility raised beef and other local fare. Embracing the community is what will make this restaurant successful. I am looking forward to returning and sharing the experience with friends and family! read more

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Four of us has a 6:30 dinner reservation last night. We were greeted with warmth and seated immediately. No waiting on service / which was fantastic all evening. For starters we had the cornbread and pork rinds - all good. The table loved the pimento cheese that came with the rinds. I'll include pictures but each of us ordered different meals. All cooked perfectly - delivered hot. Preparations were unique and exquisite and tasty. We shared the ice cream desert and especially loved the port soaked cherries on top. The restaurant was full of people and extremely friendly and warm. I would recommend this place highly. My friends are going back tonight and already know what they want to try! Johnstown - look out. read more

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This one hurts! When I say I wanted to love this place I mean it. Skulls? Yes please! Spooky atmosphere? Sign me up! And locally sourced foods? Making my reservation now! A little over a year ago or so I found out about this place in Johnstown, and have been patiently waiting to go ever since. I have reviewed the menu many times, and saw all of the great reviews online. I was super excited, but being that it's in the middle of what some might refer to as "god's country", it just never seemed plausible. That is until tonight!!! We finally made it! And I loved the aesthetic of the place immediately. It was like Ma Barker meets Clive Barker in the middle of Nowhereballsville, Ohio! That's my jam! We sat down and reviewed the menu, and quickly ordered some locally sourced cheese curds. I decided on the smash burger and my hubs went for the Wagyu beef burger for our entrees. At $19 and $17 we expected burger magic. Unfortunately my burger was completely underwhelming as well as undercooked. It was nothing more than a soggy bun with a decent burger, a drizzle of cheese sauce (fondue on the menu), and some spicy pickles. No accoutrements that one would expect in a burger with such an exorbitant sticker price. My partner in crime's burger was basic as well, but he likes it that way. Although he ordered it well, this burger was so over cooked it was black all over. The bun had been literally burned. We waited to tell our server, and she didn't come. We waited. We waited...We waited some more. By this point we both had pounding headaches from all of the cackling coming from a relentless selfie taking group by the window. I didn't expect this to be a bachelorette party type of place, but I also expected a lot of things to be different. The voices echoed like we were in a gymnasium made of aluminum. The amplified acoustics were overwhelming. If obnoxiously loud atmospheres aren't your thing I'd suggest you avoid this place entirely. A server finally came, but as another human-being entirely. When we explained we'd been in a holding pattern for awhile she was quick to assume no fault. She had switched places with our original server and it was very "confusing" for her to know what tables she had. Seems legit in a room with maybe 5 tables total, (Yes! That's sarcasm). So overall I'll end it by saying this... Ya broke my heart a little tonight Ghostwriter PH. I wanted to sing your praises from the rooftops, tell everyone about this eclectic place I found, and bring our out-of-town guests to check you out. But you're pretentious without the quality of service, or atmosphere to match. So I think instead I'll just ghost you. read more

Really great experience. We camped in the area and stopped on our way back for lunch. We were a party of five and seated in a bigger party room. It was a live slab table and were spaced with lots of distance. It was my first time eating inside a restaurant in six Months during this COVID19 time. We all loved our food. The service was a bit slow but we didn't mind. Highly recommend! read more

Great new restaurant in Johnstown. The menu and the drink list are very creative and fresh. The atmosphere is great and there is a lot of excitement about the opening. The burger was great and there are a lot of things I'd still like to try on the menu. The smokey beef fat aioli that comes with the fries is amazing. Staff seems on top of their game even on opening night. read more

New hott spot in town!! The service was excellent! The atmosphere was modern with a lax country ambiance. Everything we got to eat and drink met our expectations for an upscale restaurant. Every cooked item came out as ordered and was beautifully presented. I hope they change up the menu seasonally to keep guests interested in trying new things. We will absolutely be back and soon! read more

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I absolutely love this restaurant! A coworker of mine's recommended it to me. So, my cousin and I came to try it. We were immediately greeted at the door. They were a little busy so it took a second for our reservation to get seated. However, in the mean time we were able to check out the beautiful decor and hang by the bar. Our waitress Sam was amazing! She knew a lot about the menu and was able to help us pick the perfect drink. I got the Curtain Call ($12) and the Specialty Cocktail ($12). They were both delicious but Curtain Call was good I had to get a second. For dinner we got the Deviled Eggs($10), the Wagyu Burger w/Fries ($19) and the 60 South Salmon ($28). Everything we had to eat was beyond amazing! The Deviled Eggs were sooo good and flavorful. The Wagyu Burger was the best burger I have ever had (So, I ordered one to go to have for lunch the next day. It was still amazing after being reheated in the air fryer!). The Salmon was so delicious and was cooked to perfection. I love everything about this restaurant, from the decor to it being spotlessly cleaned! I will definitely be back. read more

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Very clean establishment, good food and great service. We went here after Apple picking, found this place had so many great reviews on yelp, and people of yelp were correct. Value is good, nice outdoor seating. read more

What an amazing meal! Everything was delicious! . The drinks, (basil gimlet and a dirty martini) were perfectly made. The bread & butter board was the perfect mix of smoky grilled bread, salty ham and sweet maple butter. The entrees equally amazing (smash burger, fish sandwich and the 1/2 chicken). The corn salad served with the chicken may be my favorite thing I've eaten in a while. Can't wait to come back!!! read more

Ghostwriter Public House - Wood grilled chicken - New American Near Me - Johnstown, Ohio

My girlfriend and I decided to take a nice Sunday drive out of Columbus and have brunch here in Johnstown. We'd visited Ghostwriter a couple of times before (though not for brunch) and had good experiences each time. This occasion was no different! We arrived right before it opened, and there was already a line starting to form. By the time we got in, there were at least four parties behind us, which is a testament to the popularity of this local gem. We didn't have a reservation, but we were happy to be seated on the back patio which is lovely and partly enclosed. I was thrilled to see a variation of poutine on the menu (I'm Canadian, after all), and my girlfriend was quite taken with the coffee-rubbed burger. We also ordered a french press coffee to split. Our meals this time were both tasty, and the coffee is very good. I think my girlfriend's burger was a bit better than my poutine -- not because I'm a Canadian poutine snob (okay, maybe I am, but still!), but more because it was simply very salty. It's a variation of a poutine with mushroom gravy and an egg on top, but the salt content was a lot higher than I would have liked. My girlfriend's burger was great, however, and it's something I might consider getting on our next visit. We decided to order a pair of ube cinnamon rolls to go with the aim of eating them later in the day. When we got home a few hours later, we realized that there was whipped cream on them, and the consistency of the rolls was pretty awful. We both took one bite and realized they were inedible. This is *not* really Ghostwriter's fault -- we likely should have known that a pastry like that wouldn't travel well -- but it was disappointing nonetheless. All told, Ghostwriter is a worthwhile restaurant that is really not far out of the way. Like previous reviewer Christina H. says, it's worth the drive from Columbus, and for those who live a bit closer, you're lucky to have such a great spot in your area. read more

I went there for the first time and loved the atmosphere. We sat near the kitchen counter and watched the food come out. It sure made our decision of what to get hard. I chose the pork chop with mole sauce and it was AMAZING! I wanted to lick my plate but resisted. The cocktail was delicious and the cheese curds was a favorite. We ended dinner with the banana bread. Must go back!!! read more

Ghostwriter Public House - I had the pork chop with mole negro sauce and couldn't get enough. I wanted to lick my plate! - New American Near Me - Johnstown, Ohio

Ghostwriter is exactly the type of restaurant, or "public house", to revivify the beautiful, historic Johnstown Main Street. Immediately upon entering the front door you step into another era or realm - super funky decor and ambiance, but no surprises as they are owned by the neighboring company, Crow Works, which designs and builds American made commercial furniture for restaurants and hospitality businesses. Taking public house to heart, you can even stay in the same building strip that they now rent out suites! Food is seasonally inspired at the direction of executive chef Brett Fife, formerly of Lindey's in Columbus. Super unique takes and very flavorful, I have tried many things on the menu, including some of their daily preparations, like Crab Cakes, which have all been super delicious. Being a Johnstown native whom lived in Chicago and dives deep into the food scene, this establishment is a godsend to the local community and one of my favorite places in the Columbus Metro surrounding areas! Been making this a weekly ritual! read more

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Ghostwriter does it again. The reopening is nothing but grand. With the new outdoor patio and bar area, they just upped their game with new ambience. The chef's revolving menu leaves plenty of opportunities to try something different on a weekly basis. The staff is very friendly and efficient. I highly recommend Ghostwriter Public house. read more

Great food and service, but disappointed that birthdays are not special here like other restaurants. There is no free dessert for the birthday guest. This amenity is common throughout the industry but not here. read more

Not worth the drive or money. Super small portions... nothing fancy about the place other than the interior design. Unfortunately I came for the food and it was nothing special, especially the price to portion ratio. read more

One of the best meals I have ever had. Surprising yet amazing flavor combinations. Amazing home made dessert. Already made another reservation. read more

Tried to make it here 3 different times, so glad we didn't give up. Relaxing atmosphere, great service and delicious good size portions. Reservations are encouraged, the bar seating is first come first serve and they have curb side pickup. Highly recommend. read more

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Came out to Johnstown and found this hidden gem. Not only was the ambiance beyond description but the staff (Nicole at the bar) were absolutely amazing....Sitting next to other patrons (whom are from Johnstown) went on and on about the food...they were absolutely correct...the food....OUTSTANDING. We had the Tempura cheese curds and the spicy tomato jam as an appetizer....for dinner pork chops and Salmon dishes on the menu....the fire roasted brussell sprouts were off the chart the puree, to the vegetable hash again off the chart....food is seasoned to perfection....Nicole offered a none alcoholic blackberry habanero mule in this I've cold copper mug....DELICIOUS!!!! So the staff, the ambiance and the food get 10/stars....they're/packed to capacity every night and if you come you'll see why....make a reservation or sit at the bar and get with anyone behind there....they will knock your socks off....Oh and the creme brulee.....ask about how it's done....it speaks for itself!!!! read more

Ghostwriter Public House - Smoked vanilla Creme Brulee.... - New American Near Me - Johnstown, Ohio

We really enjoyed our recent dinner for four people on a Saturday evening. Ghostwriters is a wonderful addition to the Licking County dining scene. Service and food were great. We are looking forward to a return visit soon. The grain bowl was excellent, as was everything else. read more

The super rumors are true! Really good food, and they've got a system down between servers and food runners that contributes to great service. A must try if you haven't yet! read more

I can't hardly get last nights dinner out of my mind. The server Alaina was outstanding! The food was wonderful and prepared perfectly. We both had a half wedge salad that was awesome! I had the bone-in pork chop and my wife had the pesto primavera (it had just enough heat). The pork chop looked as amazing as it tasted. Both were excellent! My wife's mixed drinks was also outstanding. We shared the s'mores torte for desert that we both enjoyed though I am a little disappointed now that I didn't try the smoked vanilla creme brûlée. This is a beautiful restaurant with wonderful people working there. Johnstown is a little out of the way for a lot of people but it is worth the drive. I can't wait to go back. read more

We love Ghostwriter so much!! Great service, the food is always really good, awesome cocktails and dessert Regular date night spot!

This review is more of a culmination of all my experiences at Ghostwriter (these pictures were taken from several different visits). Ghostwriter is arguably one of my favorite restaurants. Everything they do is elevated. The service is always great. The interior design is stunning yet comfortable and relaxing. Finally, their food can't be beat. My favorites are the Ube cinnamon roll, Spicy chicken sandwich, Pork Chop, Duck (not pictured), Chorizo Hash, and any of their Desserts. Seriously, you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. It's truly a hidden gem in the heart of Johnstown read more

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Terrific service and the food was delicious! No need to expound. . . Just visit and be pleasantly surprised!

We just had an amazing brunch!! We loved the food as well as the ambience!! Our waitress Bree was spectacular!! I highly recommend this restaurant!! read more

A couple years ago I would have given this 5+. I've been with my family a couple of times this past year, and while service is still wonderful, the food is really hit or miss. Honestly 50/50, but a complete 180, horrible or amazing. Tonight we ordered the queso dip, atrocious, congealed rubber cheese with no flavor, chips also had no salt. But the cheese curds were good, not as good as usual though with an uneven fry. My sister's salmon was amazing however, and the salmon has always been good. I however got the burrata, it was a terrible presentation (sorry no picture) but imagine burrata, table spoon of pesto, oily fried shallots, and two huge pieces of focaccia bread over toasted and greasy. I didn't even understand how to incorporate the bread into the meal. The house cocktail was great however, lavender something, and my wine was decent. But it really has fallen off our go to list. Will not be recommending for a while, and will be taking family gatherings elsewhere. read more

Hard to get into here on Thursday,Friday or Saturday evenings. Food is unique. Dietary problems are not addressed so it can be a difficult meal for selections ( cheese, mushrooms are my limitations). It's an expensive restaurant but food is good. read more

Beautiful atmosphere. Delicious, one of a kind food. Great service. They do cater to kids. But I still prefer using this for date nights. You will not leave disappointed. read more

Quite delicious as I had heard! Even the salads had a little something special! Can't wait to try the pizza!

Beautiful decor, impeccable service, perfectly prepared food!! This is worth the trip. We came for brunch and the outdoor patio was cool and comfortable. Our server was friendly and greeted us as first time guests by sharing the story of the owners and how Ghostwriter came to be. I can't wait to come back for dinner! read more

Hi there. I want to write about my experience at ghostwriters. After seeing lovely posts on Fb for well over a year, and hearing good reviews from a friend who had dined with you, I was excited to have dinner with you all last Wednesday night. My friend who lives in J"town made a reservation for 4pm that night. We had plans for later. . We arrived to a hostess with no reservation for us. We were told by this young lady that the only way we could make a rez was digitally. And, that there were no reservations open for the rest of the evening. So, my friend gets on her phone to figure out why her rez failed. Finds an opening at 6 that night. Hostess still won't seat us. There is one table with a couple and one lady at the bar. It was opposition at every turn trying to spend money with you. We went next door to The Old Horseshoe and had a truly awful dinner. Johnstown. Please. read more