Topic: Columbus: Restaurant News & Info

[subocincy]

 ^ So now you guys got LaRosa's & Jeff Wyler, huh?  Well, that's not so bad--especially for a city that gave us "White Castle."  Call it even, okay?  BTW, White Castle may well be the best thing Columbus ever gave Cincinnati.  (Unless, of course, one gives credit to Kansas City for the origins of that fine-dining establishment.)

[ColDayMan]

^Wichita, actually.  And I think Columbus has given better chains to Cincinnati than White Castle (Wendy's, Donato's, Brio/Bravo).

[Columbo]

Campus-area Qdoba opening Friday in La Bamba space
Business First by Dan Eaton, Staff reporter
Date: Monday, October 29, 2012, 12:50pm EDT

Here’s a nice, warm thought for a stormy, chilly week – free burritos from Qdoba Mexican Grill.  The chain has a date for its newest Central Ohio opening at 1956 N. High Street.  The restaurant is set to open this Friday, Nov. 2.
(. . .)
The campus-area Qdoba is about a block south of Lane Avenue across from Arps Hall and was previously La Bamba Burritos.

READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2012/10/campus-area-qdoba-opening-friday-in-la.html

[Columbo]

Mozart’s owner adding 2nd Clintonville bakery, with restaurant to follow
Business First by Dan Eaton, Staff reporter
Date: Friday, October 26, 2012, 12:17pm EDT

A new home for Mozart’s Bakery & Piano Cafe and the Vienna Ice Café is going to be far more than just a sweets shop.  Anand Saha and his wife, Doris, owners of Mozart’s and Vienna, have acquired the former Cord Camera site at 4784 N. High Street.  Its 11,000 square feet gives Saha plenty of room to play with and he’s got plans for most of it.
 
Phase one will relocate his ice cream shop from 2899 N. High St. and open a second Mozart’s bakery on the site.  Phase two is a restaurant to be called Wolfgang’s.  Those operations would occupy up to 7,000 square feet of the building.  Saha plans to lease the remaining space out to a tenant, possibly a retailer that would complement his operations.
 
Saha said he will continue to run the original Mozart’s at 2885 N. High Street.

READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2012/10/mozarts-owner-adding-2nd-clintonville.html

[ColDayMan]

World of Beer turns newest tavern into Easton debut



World of Beer is now on tap at Easton Town Center.

Franchisees Darren Greene and Mark Pottschmidt on Monday opened their second tavern in Columbus. The duo opened the first site outside Florida for the Tampa-based chain in October 2011.

Greene said they’ve learned a few things from their first World of Beer. The beer cooler is bigger and taller, as is the stage for live acts.

More below:
http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2012/11/12/world-of-beer-turns-newest-tavern-into.html

[ColDayMan]

Melt bringing grilled cheese specialties to Columbus



By many accounts, Melt Bar & Grilled’s cheese stands alone.

The Cleveland-based restaurant, which specializes in gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, has been racking up awards, accolades and television appearances since owner Matt Fish opened his first Melt in 2006. Now at four restaurants (including one across from the next World of Beer tavern), Fish is ready to show Columbusites what we’ve been missing. Fish let it slip that Columbus was in his plans at the recent opening of his Mentor restaurant.

More below:
http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2012/11/melt-bringing-grilled-cheese.html

[Columbo]

It's Dine Originals Week in Columbus.  Information and menus of the participating restaurants available at Dine Originals Columbus.  Also more information from Business First and Columbus Underground below:

Business First: 50 restaurants participating in Dine Originals Week

Columbus Underground: Dine Originals Week is November 12-18, 2012

[Columbo]

The Columbus Dispatch recently announced their Top 10 Columbus area restaurants (listed alphabetically):

Barcelona Restaurant & Bar
DeepWood
Kihachi
M
Refectory
Rigsby's Kitchen
Spagio
Till
Worthington Inn
Z Cucina di Spirito

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/food/2012/09/28/on-the-rebound.html

Columbus Crave Magazine also came out with their Top 10 list:

1. G. Michael's
2. Rigsby's Kitchen
3. Kihachi
4. Worthington Inn
5. Basi Italia
6. Alana's
7. Till
8. Sage
9. Refectory
10. DeepWood

MORE: http://columbuscrave.com/crave/blog/343/61959521-The-Crave-10-2012-The-Best-Restaurants-in-Columbus

[Columbo]

Some changes to one of the Dispatch's Top 10 restaurants.  The Executive Chef at Barcelona is leaving to start a new restaurant with his wife in the downtown area.  The new restaurant - Natalie’s, located at 79 S. Fourth Street - is serving Korean and American dishes in a casual setting.

Columbus Underground: Chef Paul Yow Leaves Barcelona to Launch New Downtown Restaurant

ThisWeek News: Natalie’s a casual spot for classic American, Korean fare

[Columbo]

As was mentioned in the previous post, the executive chef from German Village's Barcelona is leaving to start a new restaurant in Downtown.  The below article from German Village's This Week News edition talks to the new chef at Barcelona:

This Week News: Barcelona's new chef says he's ready for role

[Columbo]

Two reports about a new restaurant that opened across Georgesville Road from the new casino on the westside.  The alts.eats.columbus site provided a pretty in-depth review of the menu:

This Week News: Siem Reap offers late-night option for casino crowd

alt.eats.columbus: Siem Reap

[Columbo]

The couple that started the well-received DeNovo Bistro at 201 S. High Street across from Columbus Commons opened a second downtown restaurant last month.  Manifesto Tuscan Grato and Scotch Bar opened November 12th at 21 E. State Street.  That's the easternmost ground floor retail space in the Fifth Third Building along State Street.  It's also the closest retail space to the neighboring Ohio Theatre.  Lots more about Manifesto from multiple sources below:

CU Thread: Manifesto - New Scotch Bar & Tuscan Grato - Opening Downtown 11.12.12

CU Article: New Tuscan Grato and Scotch Bar Opening Downtown

Columbus Alive: Restaurant review: Manifesto

Columbus Dispatch: Manifesto’s destiny: to pair scotch with food

And it appears that the husband-wife owners of DeNovo and Manifesto aren't finished with ideas for downtown restaurants.  Once you get past that growner of a headline from the Dispatch, the article stated the following: "Manifesto is part of the couple's larger plans for Downtown.  They plan to open two more restaurants in the heart of Columbus in 2013, and are finalizing leases.  One of their concepts will be a French wine bar."

[Columbo]

Apparently, Cameron Mitchell’s new Short North restaurant - The Pearl - is on-track to open February 5, 2013 at 641 N. High Street.  Below is a non-subscription-required article from Business First about the new restaurant's general manager and executive chef being hired, as well as a scheduled hiring of restaurant staff later this month:

Business First: Cameron Mitchell’s Pearl restaurant begins hiring ahead of February opening

[ColDayMan]

Arch City Tavern nearly ready to debut in Short North



The owners of the Arch City Tavern aim to please with their food and drink selection, but it will be some of the aesthetic touches that’ll have visitors talking first.

Xhevair Brakaj and Koli Memushaj took over the space most recently home to the Havana Video Lounge at 862 N. High St. in the Short North this summer and have been building toward an opening expected to come in the next few weeks.

More below:
http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2012/12/arch-city-tavern-nearly-ready-to-debut.html

[baseballmn907]

Not sure if this was mentioned yet, but construction on the old Hoggy's on 5th and Grandview is for a new Winking Lizard's.  Yelled out my car at a construction worker today to find this interesting tidbit.  I'll definitely find my way there a time or two.

EDIT: And I see it has been posted.  My bad on the bump.

[Columbo]

The Pint House Beer Garden Coming to The Short North
By: Walker Evans, Columbus Underground
Published on November 25, 2012 - 1:45 pm

Construction recently began inside the former Voodoo Denim Lounge at 780 North High Street, which will house the new Pint House Beer Garden this March when it opens to thirsty Short North residents and visitors.  Crews are currently gutting the former clothing store and installing new plumbing to accomodate the new bar and restaurant.  The roof will soon be removed from the front half of the building to create a 1,000 square foot beer garden area, which was previously planned for the back.
 
“The beer garden will be a courtyard-type environment with exposed beams overhead and a decor that resembles the shell of a warehouse,” said Pint House co-owner Chris Corso.  “A lot of the beer gardens I saw when traveling in Prague were located in warehouse districts in older buildings, so that’s what we’re going for here.”
 
Corso and his partners Mike Gallicchio and Brian Swanson form The CGS Group, a local nightlife and entertainment company that owns and manages multiple venues including The Long Street District, Park Street Patio, Park Street Cantina and The Social.  The Pint House represents a departure from the nightclub scene for the group, as they are targeting a slightly older crowd.

READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/the-pint-house-beer-garden-coming-to-the-short-north

[Columbo]

Dallas-based Brazilian steakhouse 'Texas de Brazil' is opening in Easton today.  This is the second Brazilian all-you-can-eat steakhouse to open in Columbus this year.  Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse opened over the summer in the Arena District.

More about this newest Brazilian steakhouse from Business First at the link below:

Texas de Brazil to begin dishing out endless menu of beef at Easton Town Center

[Columbo]

Some changes coming to two of the more interesting local pizza places in Columbus.  First, Clever Crow Pizza is closing its operation in the North Market.  The Clever Crow operators say they will continue to provide pizza at Circus Bar in the Short North and might try some new things next year.  But for now, the only outlet for their unique cornbread crust pizza will be at Circus.

Second, the founder and long-time owner of bonoPIZZA has sold his pizza business in the Grandview/5xNW area to a new operator.  The new operator says he doesn't plan any major changes.  So hopefully bonoPIZZA's simple and as-authentic-as-possible Neapolitan-style pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven will remain unchanged. 

The selling of the pizza business will allow the founder of bonoPIZZA to launch a new enterprise: topoTACOS in the Short North.  He says he plans to open his taco shop sometime in January 2013, although he wouldn't divulge its location.  More about the comings and goings from the below article links:

Columbus Underground: Clever Crow Closing North Market Shop

ThisWeekNews: bonoPIZZA founder turns his attention to tacos

[ColDayMan]

Houlihan’s coming back to Central Ohio with eatery at Kingsdale

Houlihan’s is making a return to Central Ohio.

The Leawood, Kan.-based casual dining chain is building a restaurant at the Kingsdale Shopping Center in Upper Arlington, which is set to open in 2013. It marks a reappearance in Central Ohio for Houlihan's where it had more than 20 years of history dating to its days at the Continent in Columbus in the 1980s. Houlihan’s at that once-thriving northeast side development closed in 2001 and a second restaurant at 3580 W. Dublin Granville Road was shuttered in 2007, when the company pulled out of the market.

More below:
http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2012/12/houlihans-coming-back-to-central-ohio.html

[Columbo]

Pint Room offering 101 draft beers at new pub in Dublin
Business First by Dan Eaton, Staff reporter
Date: Friday, December 21, 2012, 10:40am EST



The Pint Room opened last Friday at 4415 W. Dublin Granville Road in the Shoppes at River Ridge retail center.  The 4,500-square-foot space had been vacant since the short-lived Wine Loft closed there in 2009.
 
Owner Derek Rapkin likes the visibility and proximity to Wendy’s Co. headquarters, which is adding jobs.  While the shopping center once struggled to attract tenants, a Montgomery Inn restaurant there has been a success and Wendy’s is moving a nearby eatery to a spot at the entrance to the center.

READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2012/12/pint-room-offering-101-draft-beers-at.html

[Columbo]

First Look: Smashburger bringing its signature style to Columbus
Business First by Dan Eaton, Staff reporter
Date: Friday, December 21, 2012, 12:56pm EST



With Denver-based Smashburger planning to open its first Columbus-area restaurant early next year, it’s fair to ask just what the heck is a Smashburger?
 
“We can’t get too far into the conversation without talking about the smash,” franchisee Drew Hansen told me during an interview for my story in this week’s paper on Smashburger opening at the Commons at Clark Hall in February. “The smash is where the flavor comes from.”

READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2012/12/first-look-smashburger-bringing-its.html

[Columbo]

A look back at the comings and goings in the Columbus restaurant scene during 2012 from Columbus Underground:

Good Eats: Over 25 New Restaurants Opened in Columbus in 2012

The List: 10 Restaurants Closed in 2012 That We’ll Miss

[Columbo]

Cameron Mitchell adding Pearl oyster bar in Short North



Cameron Mitchell Restaurants LLC will open its first new brand in five years this fall.

The Columbus-based restaurant company’s newest nameplate is the Pearl Restaurant, Tavern & Oyster Room and will fill the former home of the Burgundy Room at 641 N. High Street in the Short North.  This is Mitchell’s first new restaurant brand since he rolled out Marcella’s, coincidentally right across the parking lot from the Pearl, in 2007.

As the restaurant descriptor reveals, it will be a tavern and raw bar with a menu of local and organic comfort food inspired by “the country’s best cafes, corner taverns, neighborhood bistros, seaside shacks and roadside joints.”  The menu will have fresh oysters and big plates, plus house-made charcuterie and made-from-scratch pies.

More below:
http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2012/04/06/cameron-mitchell-adding-pearl-oyster.html

The Pearl is getting close to opening in the Short North.  Photo of the elegant new sign for the restaurant posted at the MyUrbanhood twitter feed:

[Columbo]

Some changes to one of the Dispatch's Top 10 restaurants.  The Executive Chef at Barcelona is leaving to start a new restaurant with his wife in the downtown area.  The new restaurant - Natalie’s, located at 79 S. Fourth Street - is serving Korean and American dishes in a casual setting.

Columbus Underground: Chef Paul Yow Leaves Barcelona to Launch New Downtown Restaurant

ThisWeek News: Natalie’s a casual spot for classic American, Korean fare

From Walker Evans at Columbus Underground:  "Update: I just spoke with owner Paul Yow, who said that they are changing the name from Natalie's to Hae-Paul's effective immediately.  The signage will be changing over the next week, along with menus and website."

[Columbo]

Fat Head's looks to open brewpub in Columbus
By Rick Armon, The Beer Blog
Published: January 11, 2013

Fat Head's -- the award-winning brewery in suburban Cleveland -- is interested in opening a brewpub in Columbus.  Partner and brewer Matt Cole confirmed the interest Friday, saying they are looking at the Short North, German Village, Brewery District and Polaris areas.  Cole said he'd like to open a brewpub with a seven-barrel brewhouse that could produce a "massive variety of small-batch beers."
 
Fat Head's would enter a Columbus market that is seeing huge growth in the number of craft breweries.  Over the last several years, the state capital has seen Neil House, Four String, Zauber, Seventh Son, Bru (now apparently going by North High) and a second BJ's location open.  There also are others planned and set to join mainstays Barley's, Gordon Biersch, Elevator and Columbus Brewing Company.

READ MORE: http://www.ohio.com/blogs/the-beer-blog/the-beer-blog-1.273124/fat-head-s-looks-to-open-brewpub-in-columbus-1.364194

[Keith M.]

Columbus Alive on Rehab Tavern. I was surprised I was one of the first on Yelp to review this place. It was definitely worth a visit while I was in town.

Bar profile: Rehab Tavern
 By Jesse Tigges   From the January 10, 2013 edition

As Franklinton continues its redevelopment efforts, former hole-in-the-wall Three Deuces Bar being transformed into a hip new hangout signals welcomed progress. The Rehab Tavern — a playful name derived from the bar’s renovations — opened about a month ago and is already seeing success. Manager John Crispi said there’s been a steady flow of patrons; neighborhood artists, downtown lawyers and even a couple dressed to the nines celebrating their wedding anniversary.
Most visitors to Rehab Tavern are coming to check out the spectacular renovations. If you’d ever hung out at Three Deuces, you probably won’t recognize much. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t remnants of the 40-year-old bar. An old Three Deuces sign hangs behind the bar and all the original furniture was refurbished with local artist Kevin Bickle’s custom designs.

More:http://www.columbusalive.com/content/stories/2013/01/10/bar-profile-rehab-tavern.html

[Columbo]

Any change to a German Village-area watering hole that has been open since the 1920's constitutes a big change.  Such as getting their first new chef in 30 years and adding a Yak Burger to the Hey Hey menu.  More about it at the This Week News link below:

ThisWeekNews: Hey Hey chef wants to broaden food horizons

[Columbo]

Till Dynamic Fare Launching Jewish Deli and Weekend Pop-Up Donut Shop
By: Walker Evans, Columbus Underground
Published on January 17, 2013 - 9:15 am

It’s been exactly one year since the opening of Till Dynamic Fare and owners Magdiale Wolmark and Cristin Austin are celebrating in a big way.  The duo will be launching a second dining space next door that they describe as being two concepts in one.
 
The new venue is called “Izzy and mo”, which will operate as an authentic Jewish deli Sunday through Friday for breakfast and lunch, and will switch over to operating as an artisan pop-up donut shop from Friday evening through late Saturday night. ... Izzy and mo is scheduled to open in early spring at 249 King Avenue.  For more information about Till Dynamic Fare, visit www.tillfare.com.

READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/till-dynamic-fare-launching-jewish-deli-and-weekend-pop-up-donut-shop

[yanni_gogolak]

The Saveur 100
Jan 10, 2013

Ohio Nachos

Instead of using tortilla chips, Ohioans festoon potato chips with cheese and other toppings for a deliriously good riff on nachos. Our favorite version comes from Cap City Diner in Columbus, which features thick-cut kettle chips drizzled with a garlicky alfredo sauce, topped with Maytag blue cheese and chives, and heated until gooey. Pungent, salty, creamy, and crisp, they're our latest guilty pleasure.

See the recipe for Ohio Nachos »

Cap City Diner
1299 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio
614/291-3663

http://www.saveur.com/article/Travels/Saveur-100-Ohio-Nachos

[ColDayMan]

Izzy & mo Jewish deli/doughnut shop set for spring debut



Bless the owners of Till for not settling on one new eatery idea. When Magdiale Wolmark and Cristin Austin converted the former Dragonfly Neo-V to Till last January, they promised the small space next to their restaurant at 247 King Ave. in Columbus would become an artisanal doughnut shop.

They’re following through on that plan now, but with a meaty twist. It’ll also be an old-school Jewish deli.

More below:
http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2013/01/izzy-mo-jewish-delidoughnut-shop.html

[Columbo]

On the eve of the opening of Cameron Mitchell's new concept the Short North - The Pearl - two interviews with the successful local restaurateur.  From Columbus Underground and its affiliate website, The Metropreneur Columbus:

Columbus Underground: Cameron Mitchell Ready to Unveil The Pearl

The Metropreneur Columbus: Cameron Mitchell on what he’s learned after 20 years in the restaurant biz

[Columbo]

And the opening of The Pearl, which occurred on February 5th:

Columbus Underground: The Pearl’s Gastropub Menu

Columbus Underground: First Look: The Pearl

Business First: Cameron Mitchell’s Pearl opens in Short North

[Columbo]

Panera Bread franchisee closes on Clarmont property, plans to open in September
By Brian R. Ball, Staff reporter
Business First - Jan 17, 2013, 3:51pm EST

The Warren-based franchisee of the Panera Bread chain has closed on the former Clarmont restaurant site in the Brewery District.  The Dacoh Holdings LLC real estate affiliate of franchisee Covelli Enterprises Inc. closed on the 684 S. High Street property a week ago with plans to open the Panera by mid-September.

READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2013/01/17/panera-bread-franchisee-closes-on.html

[Columbo]

Loose Goose Tavern Becomes Woodland’s Backyard
By: Walker Evans, Columbus Underground
Published on January 25, 2013 - 11:45 am

After a year in business, the Loose Goose Tavern has new ownership and will soon be getting a new name as well.  Jimmy Woodland, owner of the popular Woodlands Tavern, is giving the business a complete overhaul as it reopens and rebrands as Woodland’s Backyard.
 
“Better service, better beer, better music,” said Woodland when describing how the venue will be changing.  The outdoor bar space is being rebuilt, the interior is getting a makeover, the volleyball courts will get new restrooms and bocce leagues will also debut this year.
 
(Columbus Underground) recently spoke with Jimmy Woodland to find out more about his background in the bar business and why Woodland’s Backyard will be worthy of a re-visit this summer.

Full article with Q & A: http://www.columbusunderground.com/loose-goose-tavern-becomes-woodlands-backyard

[Columbo]

From Business First: "Trade publication Nation’s Restaurant News singled out the two Columbus-based chains, as well as a Cleveland restaurant with plans in Central Ohio and two non-Ohio chains that recently opened at Easton Town Center, in its annual scouring of the restaurant world for the 50 next big things."

Columbus creations Piada Italian Street Food and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams made the list.  Along with Cleveland-based Melt Bar & Grilled which plans to open a Columbus location this year, Countryside, Ill.-based Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurant which opened its first Ohio restaurant at Easton Town Center in November 2012 and Dallas-based Brazilian-style steakhouse Texas de Brazil which opened at Easton last month.  More at the article link below:

Business First: Piada, Jeni’s singled out as ‘breakout brands’ in nationwide ranking