By Deb Silverthorn

Dallas is toasting the Columbian Country Club. For those who spent summers and golf games at the Country Club Drive location in Carrollton, this is a new version in East Dallas, not the location where its inspiration first opened. The martini and tequila lounge, which opened in December 2023, serves up delicious bites, elegant drinks, music and memories.

“The Columbian Country Club was where Jewish connections happened. Where kids played, where business deals got made and where so many people celebrated all the lifecycle events,” said Brian Rutt. The original Columbian Country Club was the source of many of his family memories as well as summer camp and the site of his bar mitzvah reception. “Being Jewish has always been important to me. Outside of the synagogue, the club was a big part of my Jewish culture and roots.

“There are still typically Jewish clubs around the country in New York, L.A. and Chicago,” said Rutt, co-owner of the club with Justin Kallhoff, Jonathan Rosenberg and Juan Pablo Sanchez. “The group wanted to bring back the essence and spirit of what was years ago.”

Rutt is the son of Janelle and Larry Friedman and Larry and Michele Rutt and the brother of Heather (Ryan) Schamerloh, Jason (Nadia) Friedman, Eric (Ilona) Friedman, Jaclyn (Alex) Charap and Taylor Friedman. He graduated from J.J. Pearce High School and was raised at Congregation Shearith Israel. He was a member of Zeta Beta Tau at his alma mater, The University of Texas in Austin. He, his wife Jenny and children Meyer and Mason belong to both Temple Emanu-El and Temple Shalom.

A lawyer by education, in 2012, Rutt joined up with Rosenberg, also raised in Dallas, and a friend from UT and the two entered the hospitality arena with hotspots including Standard Pour, DEC on Dragon and Alice.

“We love entertaining and we love giving people a good time,” said Rutt. “I want people around me to have a good time, to be where I want to be.”

The logo of the lounge, which features elegant carpeting, dimmed lighting, plush seating and timeless décor, is fashioned after its predecessor, which opened its doors in 1891 and closed in 2004. There are memorabilia throughout the club: old membership rosters, menus, poker chips, posters and more. A modernized version of the club’s logo pays tribute to the original as well.

Rosenberg moved with his family from South Africa to Dallas in 1993. He is the son of Lorraine and Ian and the brother of Carla (David Reimer) and Robert (Sam). An alumnus of Solomon Schechter Academy (now Ann & Nate Levine Academy), Plano Senior High and The University of Texas at Austin, he was raised at Congregation Shearith Israel and Anshai Torah, where he and his wife Whitney and the family remain as members.

“I love the hospitality concept. Anything Brian wants to do, I want to be there with him,” said Rosenberg, also the founding partner of the White Unicorn creative agency. “When he brought this idea, the branding and marketing part of me wanted to run with it. I loved it, no question.

“Everyone has a story about their families and the Columbian,” Rosenberg added. “This is a high-end, great experience that all adults love.”

The Columbian Country Club’s menu includes a variety of tastes, many taken from the original. The CC Old Fashioned, Parmesan Bagels, Cobb Deviled Eggs (a nod to yesteryear’s famed Cobb salad) and Nonnie’s Doozies will bring guests back in time.

“I taught the chefs how to make my Doozies and they’ve been very popular,” said Rutt’s grandmother, Shirley Gardner, whom he calls Nonnie. “Brian was and is always a great kid. I love the nostalgia he’s brought to his hard work. When he does something, he does it all in. By gathering the mementos from the club and including some of the history on the menu, you get that he had good times there.

“We basically lived at the Carrollton club in the summers. It’s where the kids swam and played golf and where my husband Marvin taught them to drive,” said Gardner. “I’m so proud of our family and excited to see what Brian and his partners have built.”

With live music, poker nights and happy hours, the club is open Tuesdays through Sundays and available to rent for private parties.

“We are very fortunate to have designed this concept and to carry the torch of the name of the place we hold with such regard. We invite our guests to step into a world of sophistication, nostalgia and elegance unlike anything else in Dallas.” said Rutt.