July 7, 201113 yr Two articles looking at the new restaurant - Milestone 229 - going into the revamped Bicentennial Park. The new restaurant and the revamped riverfront park are part of The Scioto Mile, which is having its grand opening today: Scioto Mile: Location everything for restaurant Scioto Mile: Milestone 229: A sampling of menu offerings
July 8, 201113 yr <b>Review: Aloha Hawaiian BBQ & Asian Bistro</b> By: Morgan Kelley <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/hawaiian-bbq-4.jpg"> <i>First, a little background. Aloha Hawaiian BBQ & Asian Bistro is a family business. Restaurant Manager Sammi Tsai explained that her father-in-law runs the kitchen and has a background in the restaurant business. Originally from Thailand, the inspiration for the restaurant comes from the many types of Hawaiian BBQ restaurants in the Los Angeles area. The owners of ‘Aloha’ wanted to bring this type of cuisine to Central Ohio, where it currently doesn’t exist.</i> READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/review-aloha-hawaiian-bbq-asian-bistro
July 8, 201113 yr <b>zpizza Expanding to Clintonville, Planning Five Additional Locations</b> By: Walker <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/zpizza-steve-curtis.jpg"> <i>zpizza is about to get much larger in Columbus. While the company is based in Southern California, local entrepreneur Steve Curtis is putting his back into turning his regional franchise operation into something the community can be proud of. After piloting his single store in the Short North for the past three years, Steve and his wife and business partner Erin are working on developing additional locations throughout Central Ohio, starting with Clintonville, the neighborhood that they also call home.</i> READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/zpizza-expanding-to-clintonville-planning-five-additional-locations
July 8, 201113 yr <b>Sidebar Restaurant Coming Soon to Downtown Columbus</b> By Walker | June 9, 2011 <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/sidebar-5.jpg"> <i>According to a blog update at DaytonDailyNews.com, the Sidebar restaurant located in Dayton’s Oregon Historic District will be expanding to Downtown Columbus this summer and opening a second location in the former Brownstone space at 122 E. Main Street. According to their website, Sidebar serves “Mediterranean-style small plate tapas, with a South American influence”. They also feature unique and classic cocktails.</i> READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/sidebar-restaurant-coming-soon-to-downtown-columbus That's a nice looking locale! What is it about brick streets that make them so awesome?
July 13, 201113 yr <b>The Drexel Radio Café is Closing for Renovations</b> By: Walker <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/cafeinside.jpg"> Next Monday, July 18th, The Drexel Theatre Radio Café will be closing for renovations with no reopening date yet determined. The cafe space is being reviewed by Friends of the Drexel, Inc. to determine the best use of that portion of the building. READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/the-drexel-radio-cafe-is-closing-for-renovations
July 13, 201113 yr <b>Yabo’s Tacos Sets Sights on University District, Short North and Beyond</b> By: Walker <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/yabos-tacos.jpg"> Yabo’s Tacos opened their first location in Westerville in mid-June, and the owners have already got their sights set on quick expansion. “The Westerville location is killer with lots of traffic and great demographics for our concept,” explained Scott Boles, Co-Owner and Operations Director at Yabo’s. “Our plan is to try to do seven locations in Central Ohio in five years.” READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/yabos-tacos-sets-sights-on-university-district-short-north-and-beyond
July 17, 201113 yr Five Guys set to run 10 Central Ohio shops by July Business First Monday, June 6, 2011, 1:16pm EDT It’s a double-decker of openings for Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Tampa, Fla.-based franchisee TCH Restaurant Group Inc. continues its roll through Central Ohio, scheduling to open a Blacklick-area restaurant on June 13 and a shop on Bethel Road in Columbus set for a late-July debut. The restaurant going into the Blacklick Shopping Center, at 6951 E. Broad Street on the city’s Far East side, will take half of a storefront vacated by a former Hollywood Video outlet. The site at 761 Bethel Road in the Olentangy Plaza most recently was an office for Robert W. Baird & Co. financial advisers. TCH Restaurant Group entered Central Ohio in 2009. The two new sites will bring the chain to 10 outlets in the region. READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2011/06/06/five-guys-set-to-run-10-central-ohio.html
July 17, 201113 yr Tommy’s Diner owners taking over Statehouse cafe Business First - by Dan Eaton Thursday, June 30, 2011, 12:18pm EDT A new operator is coming to the Capitol Cafe and they’re bringing a full bar with them ... for special events. Milo’s Catering and Banquet Services will take over the cafe from Catering By Design, starting Friday, when it will close for renovations and reopen July 11. Owner Louie Pappas, in a release from the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, promised classic deli and diner food and speedy service. Deli and diner food is what the Pappas family known best, also being the owners of Milo’s Deli & Café and Tommy’s Diner, both popular Franklinton dining spots. The Capitol Cafe will offer full breakfast and a lunch menu including soups, salads, sandwiches, daily specials and grab-and-go options. The increasingly ubiquitous Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams LLC is the dessert of choice. Prices will be between $4.95 and $9.95. The cafe, located on the ground floor of the Statehouse, will be open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/06/tommys-diner-owners-taking-over.html?page=all
July 17, 201113 yr King Gyros nearly tripling in size with renovation Business First - by Dan Eaton Thursday, July 7, 2011, 11:34am EDT Take a picture of King Gyros now because owner Yanni Chalkias said the Whitehall institution won’t look the same in three months. Approaching his 20th year in business, Chalkias decided to give his restaurant a present — an extensive renovation that will almost double the dine-in seating, give a new sheen to the exterior, and cover the patio. The fast-casual Greek restaurant at 400 S. Hamilton Road will remain open during the project. It is closed Sundays already and Chalkias said the major work will be done on those days to minimize the impact. READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/07/king-gyros-nearly-tripling-in-size.html?page=all
July 18, 201113 yr Tommy’s Diner owners taking over Statehouse cafe Business First - by Dan Eaton Thursday, June 30, 2011, 12:18pm EDT A new operator is coming to the Capitol Cafe and they’re bringing a full bar with them ... for special events. Milo’s Catering and Banquet Services will take over the cafe from Catering By Design, starting Friday, when it will close for renovations and reopen July 11. Owner Louie Pappas, in a release from the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, promised classic deli and diner food and speedy service. Deli and diner food is what the Pappas family known best, also being the owners of Milo’s Deli & Café and Tommy’s Diner, both popular Franklinton dining spots. The Capitol Cafe will offer full breakfast and a lunch menu including soups, salads, sandwiches, daily specials and grab-and-go options. The increasingly ubiquitous Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams LLC is the dessert of choice. Prices will be between $4.95 and $9.95. The cafe, located on the ground floor of the Statehouse, will be open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/06/tommys-diner-owners-taking-over.html?page=all Oh man, if the bar was permanent, it'd be hilarious to be a regular there even though you weren't involved with state government at all. "Where's your husband?" "Getting hammered in the Statehouse... again."
July 22, 201113 yr Dickey's Barbecue Pit gets new life with new franchisee For information about Dallas-based Dickey's BBQ coming to Delaware, click below: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2011/07/22/dickeys-barbecue-pit-gets-new-life.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
August 8, 201113 yr Tommy’s Diner owners taking over Statehouse cafe Business First - by Dan Eaton Thursday, June 30, 2011, 12:18pm EDT A new operator is coming to the Capitol Cafe and they’re bringing a full bar with them ... for special events. Milo’s Catering and Banquet Services will take over the cafe from Catering By Design, starting Friday, when it will close for renovations and reopen July 11. Owner Louie Pappas, in a release from the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, promised classic deli and diner food and speedy service. Deli and diner food is what the Pappas family known best, also being the owners of Milo’s Deli & Café and Tommy’s Diner, both popular Franklinton dining spots. The Capitol Cafe will offer full breakfast and a lunch menu including soups, salads, sandwiches, daily specials and grab-and-go options. The increasingly ubiquitous Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams LLC is the dessert of choice. Prices will be between $4.95 and $9.95. The cafe, located on the ground floor of the Statehouse, will be open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/06/tommys-diner-owners-taking-over.html?page=all Oh man, if the bar was permanent, it'd be hilarious to be a regular there even though you weren't involved with state government at all. "Where's your husband?" "Getting hammered in the Statehouse... again." At least one republican lawmaker agrees with GCrites: Special events bar at Ohio Statehouse draws lawmaker’s ire Business First - by Dan Eaton Date: Thursday, July 21, 2011, 9:38am EDT A bar in the Ohio Statehouse intended to service special events is drawing fire before its first drink is poured. The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board said in June that Milo’s Catering and Banquet Services would become the operator of the Capitol Cafe. The plans included installing a full-service bar that would be used during special events, such as public or private socials where Ohio products could be showcased. But one state legislator sees the watering hole as a punchline, not a promotional tool. Rep. Rex Damschroder, R-Fremont, said he doesn’t oppose drinking or seeing alcohol offered at special events, but he is worried about public perceptions. READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2011/07/21/special-events-bar-at-ohio-statehouse.html
August 18, 201113 yr Tommy’s Diner owners taking over Statehouse cafe Business First - by Dan Eaton Thursday, June 30, 2011, 12:18pm EDT A new operator is coming to the Capitol Cafe and they’re bringing a full bar with them ... for special events. Milo’s Catering and Banquet Services will take over the cafe from Catering By Design, starting Friday, when it will close for renovations and reopen July 11. Owner Louie Pappas, in a release from the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, promised classic deli and diner food and speedy service. Deli and diner food is what the Pappas family known best, also being the owners of Milo’s Deli & Café and Tommy’s Diner, both popular Franklinton dining spots. The Capitol Cafe will offer full breakfast and a lunch menu including soups, salads, sandwiches, daily specials and grab-and-go options. The increasingly ubiquitous Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is the dessert of choice. Prices will be between $4.95 and $9.95. The cafe, located on the ground floor of the Statehouse, will be open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/06/tommys-diner-owners-taking-over.html?page=all The Statehouse Cafe opened late last month. Columbus Alive reviewed it: Restaurant Review: Capitol Cafe by Milo's
August 18, 201113 yr Cup O’Joe joins growing crowd in downtown dining scene Business First - by Dan Eaton Date: Friday, July 22, 2011, 6:00am EDT The newest Cup O’Joe/MoJoe Lounge is brewing thanks to downtown’s new parks. The Columbus chain on July 18 opened its ninth operation and its fourth cafe-bar combo in the Lazarus building across from Columbus Commons park and within walking distance of the Scioto Mile. Cup O’Joe signed up for the 3,000-square-foot space last November, and President Mark Swanson said he’s been happily surprised at the pedestrian traffic he’s seen. (. . .) His coffee shop-nightspot combo is the latest addition to a downtown that has experienced a surge in restaurants serving an evening crowd, including the Little Palace and Jury Room, both of which got new owners last year; Lexi’s on Third; Burgers Dogs and Fries; Market 65; and Milestone 229. MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2011/07/22/cup-ojoe-joins-growing-crowd-in.html
August 18, 201113 yr Capital Crossroads SID posted a YouTube video that shows the space renovated in the ground floor of the Lazarus Building for Cup O' Joe/MoJoe Lounge:
August 23, 201113 yr Couple more videos from Capital Crossroads SID about the construction of two new downtown restaurants. The first is Burgers, Dogs and Fries - which located is a kiosk on the new Columbus Commons park. The second is Lexi's On Third - which is located on the ground floor of the Chase Tower at Broad and Third. Lexi's was created from former interior lobby space in the Chase Tower and also features a beautiful new patio on Chase Tower's exterior plaza.
August 24, 201113 yr Element Pizza recently opened at the southeast corner of N. Third and Chestnut Street in Downtown Columbus. It took over the building formerly occupied by the Plugged Nickel Bar. Columbus Crave Magazine reviews Element Pizza's menu offerings and its new downtown location: First look: Element Pizza 250 N. Third Street, Downtown www.elementpizzabar.com MORE: http://columbuscrave.com/crave/blog/1/53083239-First-look-Element-Pizza And Capital Crossroads SID has a quick 32 second video about Element Pizza:
September 6, 201113 yr Couple more videos from Capital Crossroads SID about the construction of two new downtown restaurants. The first is Burgers, Dogs and Fries - which located is a kiosk on the new Columbus Commons park. The second is Lexi's On Third - which is located on the ground floor of the Chase Tower at Broad and Third. Lexi's was created from former interior lobby space in the Chase Tower and also features a beautiful new patio on Chase Tower's exterior plaza. More about Lexi's On Third. A sampling of some photos from a Columbus Underground meetup at Lexi's: MORE PHOTOS: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39706870@N08/sets/72157626979513182/
October 1, 201113 yr Arena District eateries debuting just as hockey season kicks in Hockey fans flowing into the Arena District this fall will notice a few changes to the lineup of restaurants vying for their cash. Cotters restaurant on the west end of the arena closed this summer and was replaced by a Tim Hortons. On the east end of the arena, the O’Shaughnessy’s Public House shut down in mid-April after more than 10 years of service. The owner of the nearby R Bar at 413 N. Front St. will reopen there this fall as a soccer-themed venue called Three-Legged Mare. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2011/09/30/eateries-making-arena-district-debuts.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 1, 201113 yr White Castle testing new store design with moved grill, movable seating White Castle’s newest dining room design is as much about the aroma as it is the look and feel to customers. The Columbus-based fast-food chain has tinkered with the interior of its Lewis Center restaurant – including getting its famed burger “cravers” closer to the cooking action – and thinks it has found a traditional-contemporary balance. “It still feels like a White Castle,” spokesman Jamie Richardson said. “We’re not trying to masquerade as something we’re not.” More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2011/09/30/white-castle-testing-new-store-design.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 1, 201113 yr New Grandview-area shopping center attracts new (restaurant) names New challengers in the hotly competitive pizza and sandwich trades are coming to the Grandview Heights area. A new retail center at the corner of West Fifth and Norton avenues will include Romeo’s Pizza and Firehouse Subs among the first tenants, along with Blake Rose Salon & Spa and Darren Nail Salon. Romeo’s franchisee Garry Hager isn’t intimidated. He said Romeo’s victories in the annual Slice of Columbus contest show Central Ohioans like what the Cleveland chain produces. Romeo’s came here three years ago and will have eight pizzerias in the area with its Fifth Avenue shop. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2011/09/30/new-grandview-area-shopping-center.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 1, 201113 yr De-Novo Bistro & Bar opened this month at 201 S. High Street. This new downtown restaurant is different in a few ways. First, it's an upscale lunch and dinner spot in an area of downtown that doesn't have many. There are plenty of grab-and-go lunch spots (the recently opened Cup O' Joe/MoJoe Lounge in the ground floor of The Lazarus Building is a half block north), but De-Novo is offering a sit-down lunch service, as well as extended dinner hours. Second, it's in one of the storefronts recently renovated across High Street from the new Columbus Commons park on the former City Center Mall site. Third, is that the restaurant owners already operate a successful suburban restaurant and jazz club. Fourth, and most interesting, is that after looking thoughout the entire city for a second restaurant venue location, they decided to locate downtown - and also live downtown as well. Below is a link to a review of De-Novo from Crave (a local food magazine) which looks at the new restaurant exterior, interior and menu. And below an article from Columbus Business First, which talks to the owners. Crave Magazine: First Look: De-Novo Sarbers head downtown with De-Novo bistro near park Business First by Dan Eaton, Staff reporter Date: Monday, October 10, 2011, 1:36pm EDT Yavonne and Wade Sarber are so confident in their new Columbus restaurant they’ve moved downtown to be nearer to it. “We were suburban people,” Yavonne Sarber said. “We honestly didn’t realize downtown was so nice.” The owners of Vonn Jazz Supperclub, a restaurant and jazz club at Crosswoods north of Interstate 270, were looking for a second restaurant site, and until six months ago, the likely landing spot was the suburbs, Sarber said. Swayed by the openings of Columbus Commons and the Scioto Mile and activity they saw around the developments, they took a 4,000-square-foot space at 201 S. High St., where their eatery’s patio will have a view of Columbus Commons park. MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2011/10/sarbers-head-downtown-with-de-novo.html
November 4, 201113 yr <b>Mozart’s Cafe Adding Full Bar Service</b> By: Walker <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mozarts-cafe.jpg"> Last month, Anand Saha, owner of Mozart’s Cafe and Vienna Ice Cafe announced that they would be closing the Mozart’s location at The North Market to refocus on their Clintonville locations. Today we find out that part of that new focus includes the addition of beer, wine and liquor to their menu. READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/mozarts-cafe-adding-full-bar-service
November 4, 201113 yr great news - mozarts was one of my favorite places in columbus. booze in the coffee will only make it better - ha!
December 6, 201113 yr Grab bag of older restaurants articles and updates: For Roosters, casual is a winning recipe: Dispatch article about Roosters - a restaurant chain that started in Dayton in 1989, expanded to Columbus in 1991 and is now headquartered in Dublin. Roosters now has 26 locations throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana and plans to open its first West Virginia location this year. Hal & Al’s Opens for Weekend Lunch: Hal & Al’s, the bar located at 1297 Parsons Avenue that specializes in vegan bar food, announced they are now open for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Village landmark - Schmidt’s Restaurant, celebrated for its brats and cream puffs, has thrived as a family business for 44 years: Dispatch article about the venerable German Village restaurant and tourist spot. The restaurant is part of the Schmidt family business, which began a meat-packing company in 1886, and is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Java Jan Opening New Downtown Coffee Shop: Columbus Underground report about a new coffee shop locating on the ground floor of 175 S. Third Street (aka 175 On The Park) facing the recently completed Columbus Commons. This is the second coffee shop opened by the owner. Her first location was in downtown Dublin.
December 6, 201113 yr Hello Columbus (from Cleveland): I spent a few days in C-Bus for a conference my wife was attending and I must say, I had the BEST espresso and latte, this side of the Pacific NW, that these lips have ever tasted. Cafe Brioso delivered on such a high level of craft, it left my head spinning. Any knowledge on the origin of the place would be most appreciated. Columbus has it goin on!
December 7, 201113 yr Texas de Brazil Coming Soon to Easton Meat lovers rejoice – Brazilian steakhouse planned for Easton A little slice of carnivore heaven is coming to Easton Town Center in the spring. Dallas-based Texas de Brazil plans to bring its all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse, also called a churrascaria, to the 7,500-square-foot former home of Martini Park, which closed last summer. Spokeswoman Candyce Hedlund said the growing chain, which has 22 restaurants with three more opening next year, looks for high-traffic retail centers like Easton. “We’re a good fit in environments like that,” she said. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2011/12/07/meat-lovers-rejoice---brazilian.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 22, 201113 yr Hello Columbus (from Cleveland): I spent a few days in C-Bus for a conference my wife was attending and I must say, I had the BEST espresso and latte, this side of the Pacific NW, that these lips have ever tasted. Cafe Brioso delivered on such a high level of craft, it left my head spinning. Any knowledge on the origin of the place would be most appreciated. Columbus has it goin on! I don't have any inside information about Cafe Brioso, but I like it too. I was working downtown when Cafe Brioso opened in 2000 or 2001 (can't remember the exact date). It was one of the first restaurants to open in the now flourishing Gay Street corridor. Many coffee shops have opened and closed downtown since then, but Cafe Brioso has definitely stood the test of time.
December 22, 201113 yr A couple of older updates: Restaurateur picks downtown for first venture Big Bites: Business First blog article about Big Bites - a restaurant that opened in September at 79 S. Fourth Street, which for the past 11 years was Serenity Café. Upper Cup Coffee Opens in Olde Towne East: Notice from Columbus Underground about a new coffee shop at 79 Parsons Avenue.
December 22, 201113 yr Few more older updates: Benefits of flaxseed touted at new spot in downtown Columbus: Article from ThisWeek Newspapers about Flaxella Cafe & Deli at 89 E. Long Street. The Ethiopian-born owner opened Flaxella in the small pavilion-like building at the southwest corner of Third & Long in September. The restaurant features the ground seed in everything from fruit drinks to espresso and also has muffins, cakes, bagels and Ethiopian-style breads that contain flaxseed. Comfort food that soothes owners’ pain: Dispatch article about Sweet Raine’s on Main, a restaurant that opened in November at 1053 E. Main Street. The restaurant is near the corner of Main & Ohio on the Near East Side and is located down the street from Smothered Gravy, a carryout restaurant at 1114 E. Main Street that opened in February.
December 22, 201113 yr Couple of articles about a new cafe/pastry shop in the Olde Towne East neighborhood east of downtown. Didier Alapini and his wife Minervia opened L’appât Patisserie & Café at 1159 Oak Street. Just down the street from the Angry Baker which opened in 2010 and Yellow Brick Pizza which opened in 2009. That's interesting enough for us urbanophiles. But even more fascinating is the back story of one of the owners. Didier Alapini is a native of Benin, a small, French-speaking country in West Africa. Didier earned a Masters Degree in Biochemistry in the Ivory Coast and moved to New York to pursue a PhD. But, after watching a Food Network show about a biochemist applying his knowledge in his kitchen, decided to go into the catering business instead. He moved to Columbus when his wife got a job with Abbott Laboratories. L’appât specializes in less sweet European-style pastries and has a revolving breakfast to early dinner menu. Below is a ThisWeekNews article and a Columbus Underground piece about the cafe opening: ThisWeekNews: Mutual love of food leads to new bakery in Olde Towne East Columbus Underground: L’appât Patisserie & Café Opens in Olde Towne East
January 5, 201213 yr Dragonfly Neo-V, one of Columbus' most recognized and celebrated vegetarian restaurants, is undergoing some major changes. The owners Magdiale Wolmark and Cristin Austin have decided to close their restaurant at 247 King Avenue on January 1st in preparation to reopen as a new restaurant - Till - in mid-January. The new restaurant, Till, will continue to focus on vegetarian and vegan dishes made from local and organic ingredients - although it won’t be an exclusively vegetarian menu. In addition to the launch of Till, the former On The Fly space located next door will reopen as Glaze, a small bakery that features artisanal donuts made from organic ingredients. More information can be found online at http://tillfare.com. Below are some links to local media reports about Dragonfly Neo-V turning into Till: Columbus Underground: Dragonfly Neo-V Closing in January, Reopening as Till Nothing Better to Do (Vegetarian Dining Blog): Dragonfly changes The Columbus Vegan Meetup Group: Dragonfly Neo-V Open House Columbus Monthly: Dragonfly Neo-V changing to Till in January
January 5, 201213 yr Restaurant changes to the beautiful old two-story brick building at the northeast corner of South High Street and Morrill Avenue. This building was the long-time home to Crater’s Restaurant & Bar and then the short-time home to Coyote Jane's. Now it's the home to a new restaurant, The Explorers Club. The new restaurant is also a reunion for two restaurant partners that had success in the 1990's and early 2000's with the Galaxy Cafe in Powell and two its offshoots in Grandview Heights and the Short North. They look at The Explorers Club as a continuation of the Galaxy Cafe, with dishes that span the globe. Below are a number of reports and reviews for The Explorers Club: Columbus Business First: Galaxy Cafe vets open Explorers Club in Merion Village Columbus Alive: Restaurant review: Explorers Club Columbus Dispatch: Galaxy chef back on map with new venture Breakfast With Nick: Explorers Club | Columbus, OH Nothing Better To Do: Explorers Club CMH Gourmand: Explorers Club: My First Expeditions
January 10, 201213 yr A new lunchtime spot - Zoup Fresh Soup Co. - opened last November at the base of the Huntington Tower at 41 S. High Street. Below is an article from Business First and an article from the Columbus Dispatch about it: Business First: Soup chain stirring up downtown debut Columbus Dispatch: Zoup is on Downtown - Downtown lunch spot offers salads, sandwiches and rotating array of gourmet soups for people who want their meal in a hurry
January 10, 201213 yr The owner/operator of Cafe Lola at Broad & High has opened Streetfare by Lola in the lobby of the Fifth Third Building at 21 E. State Street. Streetfare by Lola opened in December. This is the fourth restaurant for Kevin and Lori James near the Capitol Square in Downtown Columbus. In addition to Cafe Lola, they also operate Burgers Dogs and Fries in the Broad & High development and the seasonal Burgers Dogs and Fries at the kiosk in Columbus Commons park. Business First: Cafe Lola operator setting up in Fifth Third tower Columbus Underground: Streetfare by Lola Opens Downtown on Wednesday Columbus Dispatch: Food cart comes inside at Streetfare by Lola - Couple with three other Downtown ventures is serving up quick lunches from Fifth Third Center
January 10, 201213 yr HORRIBLE NEWS!!! I used to live two blocks from the one in Grandview. LO SIENTO MUNDO!!! Hoggy’s closes all but 1 restaurant as it enters receivership Hoggy’s Restaurant & Catering has closed all but one of its seven locations after filing for receivership in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. The Columbus-based barbecue chain will keep open its Gahanna location, where it will honor all outstanding gift cards, as it restructures, said said A.C. Strip, the lawyer representing receiver Jack Harris. Catering that was once done at those stores now will operate out of Gahanna as well. “They were underperforming, frankly, and not meeting expectations of management,” Strip said of Hoggy’s Strip said assets from the closed locations, which includes four in Central Ohio, likely will be sold, and that the Linworth location already is garnering some interest. Hoggy’s also operated Central Ohio restaurants at Polaris and in the Grandview area. The others are in Cleveland and Kentucky. Hoggy’s closed its Delaware restaurant last year, selling the site to the chain’s former chief operating officer. More bad news below :(: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2012/01/10/hoggys-closing-all-but-1-restaurant.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 11, 201213 yr That's too bad about Hoggy's. It wasn't for everyone's taste - but it was a decent locally grown option for the carnivore crowd. Speaking of carnivores - there goes my working theory that 2012 was going to be the year of the carnivore in Columbus. First, trendy vegetarian restaurant Dragonfly Neo-V closes to be re-opened as a new meat-serving restaurant. Then, not one but two Brazilian Steakhouses announced they would be opening in Columbus in 2012. First, Texas de Brazil announced an opening in Easton. Then, Rodizio Grill announced it would be opening at the corner of Nationwide & Marconi in the Arena District. More about those steakhouse announcements from Columbus Underground (link below): Columbus Underground: Restaurant Roundup: Brazilian Steakhouses & Arena District Updates
January 11, 201213 yr That Marconi space was desperately needed. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 13, 201213 yr Vice President Joe Biden was in Columbus yesterday. He gave a speech about college affordability at Gahanna Lincoln High School - a new high school that combines its curriculum and shares space with Columbus State Community College. But that's not why this is being posted on the restaurant thread. After VP Biden left the event, he went to the North Market. There he was met by Mayor Coleman, who bought him a coffee at 'A Touch of Earth' in the market and proceeded to tour the place. They each had ice cream at 'Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams' - served by Jeni herself. And Biden finished with a bit of fresh waffle at 'Taste of Belgium'. Here's some of the local coverage with photos: Columbus Underground article: Biden mixes it up at the North Market Columbus Underground thread: Joe Biden at The North Market Columbus Dispatch: Biden samples local fare at North Market
January 13, 201213 yr Awesome. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 24, 201213 yr The folks over at Columbus Underground looked at the new restaurants that opened in Columbus last year: Good Eats: Over 50 New Restaurants Opened in Columbus in 2011 They also voted on some the best in Columbus restaurants for 2011 - broken down into multiple categories: Best New Restaurant of 2011: Milestone 229 Best Fine Dining of 2011: Basi Italia Best Everyday Restaurant of 2011: Northstar Cafe Best Cheap Eats of 2011: Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace Best Brunch of 2011: Skillet Best Bar of 2011: St. James Tavern Best Happy Hour of 2011: Bodega Best Food Truck of 2011: Mikey’s Late Night Slice
January 24, 201213 yr Columbus Underground also marked some of the major restaurant closings in 2011 to go along with the openings noted above: The List: 10 Restaurants Closed in 2011 That We’ll Miss And unfortunately, there was one more notable closing today: CU: The Clarmont Closes Dispatch: The Clarmont restaurant closes after 65 years
January 29, 201213 yr shocking news. old school steakhouses are not allowed to close! i hope the top is still hanging in there?
February 2, 201213 yr Yeah, that's too bad about the Clarmont. In a business where places open and close with regularity, 65 years is an eternity. Some of the blame has to go to the current owner though. He renovated the interior a few years ago and it lost alot of its old charm. Sometimes poor management can ruin a good thing. The Top is apparently still going strong. No renovations, no menu changes. Just old school steakhouse charm. They even advertise it that way.
February 2, 201213 yr Speaking of restaurant changes, I just got the latest Columbus Monthly. The issue features CM's choices for the 10 best new restaurants of 2011. There's no link to article at their website, but here are their 10 choices. The Hubbard Grille in the Short North was their top choice. The remaining nine are listed alphabetically: HUBBARD GRILLE 793 N. High Street - Short North, Columbus www.hubbardgrille.com BUCKEYE PHO ASIAN KITCHEN 761 Bethel Road - Northwest Columbus www.buckeyepho.com DE-NOVO BISTRO & BAR 201 S. High Street - Downtown Columbus www.denovobistro.com EXPLORERS CLUB 1586 S. High Street - Merion Village, Columbus www.explorersclubmv.com MARKET 65 65 E. State Street - Downtown Columbus www.marketsixtyfive.com MILESTONE 229 229 Civic Center Drive - Downtown Columbus www.milestone229.com MOJOE LOUNGE 149 S. High Street - Downtown Columbus www.mojoe-lounge.com RIVAGE ATLANTIQUE 652 High Street - Worthington www.rivageatlantique.com T. MURRAY'S BAR AND KITCHEN 560 S. High Street - Brewery District, Columbus www.tmurrays.com TWO FISH BISTRO 721 N. High Street - Short North, Columbus www.daeoh.com
February 6, 201213 yr Speaking of restaurant changes, I just got the latest Columbus Monthly. The issue features CM's choices for the 10 best new restaurants of 2011. There's no link to article at their website, but here are their 10 choices. The Hubbard Grille in the Short North was their top choice. The remaining nine are listed alphabetically: HUBBARD GRILLE 793 N. High Street - Short North, Columbus www.hubbardgrille.com BUCKEYE PHO ASIAN KITCHEN 761 Bethel Road - Northwest Columbus www.buckeyepho.com DE-NOVO BISTRO & BAR 201 S. High Street - Downtown Columbus www.denovobistro.com EXPLORERS CLUB 1586 S. High Street - Merion Village, Columbus www.explorersclubmv.com MARKET 65 65 E. State Street - Downtown Columbus www.marketsixtyfive.com MILESTONE 229 229 Civic Center Drive - Downtown Columbus www.milestone229.com MOJOE LOUNGE 149 S. High Street - Downtown Columbus www.mojoe-lounge.com RIVAGE ATLANTIQUE 652 High Street - Worthington www.rivageatlantique.com T. MURRAY'S BAR AND KITCHEN 560 S. High Street - Brewery District, Columbus www.tmurrays.com TWO FISH BISTRO 721 N. High Street - Short North, Columbus www.daeoh.com Wondering what this Denovo is like? I saw it downtown and it looks interesting.
February 11, 201213 yr ^ Here's a little more about De-Novo... De-Novo Bistro & Bar opened this month at 201 S. High Street. This new downtown restaurant is different in a few ways. First, it's an upscale lunch and dinner spot in an area of downtown that doesn't have many. There are plenty of grab-and-go lunch spots (the recently opened Cup O' Joe/MoJoe Lounge in the ground floor of The Lazarus Building is a half block north), but De-Novo is offering a sit-down lunch service, as well as extended dinner hours. Second, it's in one of the storefronts recently renovated across High Street from the new Columbus Commons park on the former City Center Mall site. Third, is that the restaurant owners already operate a successful suburban restaurant and jazz club. Fourth, and most interesting, is that after looking thoughout the entire city for a second restaurant venue location, they decided to locate downtown - and also live downtown as well. Below is a link to a review of De-Novo from Crave (a local food magazine) which looks at the new restaurant exterior, interior and menu. Crave Magazine: First Look: De-Novo
February 11, 201213 yr Round-up of some new Columbus restaurants: Sidebar 122: New downtown restaurant at 122 E. Main Street that previously housed the Brownstone and Out on Main. Three-Legged Mare: Three-Legged Mare replaced O’Shaughnessy’s Public House next to Nationwide Arena in the Arena District. Fresh 50: Fresh 50 fast casual asian restaurant replaced Spinelli’s Deli at 50 N. High Street in the downtown. And finally a report from Columbus Underground about a popular food cart looking to expand into a bricks-n-mortar restaurant: Kolache Republic Plans to Grow from Food Cart to Retail Store in 2012
February 17, 201213 yr Dragonfly Neo-V, one of Columbus' most recognized and celebrated vegetarian restaurants, is undergoing some major changes. The owners Magdiale Wolmark and Cristin Austin have decided to close their restaurant at 247 King Avenue on January 1st in preparation to reopen as a new restaurant - Till - in mid-January. The new restaurant, Till, will continue to focus on vegetarian and vegan dishes made from local and organic ingredients - although it won’t be an exclusively vegetarian menu. In addition to the launch of Till, the former On The Fly space located next door will reopen as Glaze, a small bakery that features artisanal donuts made from organic ingredients. More information can be found online at http://tillfare.com. Below are some links to local media reports about Dragonfly Neo-V turning into Till: Columbus Underground: Dragonfly Neo-V Closing in January, Reopening as Till Nothing Better to Do (Vegetarian Dining Blog): Dragonfly changes The Columbus Vegan Meetup Group: Dragonfly Neo-V Open House Columbus Monthly: Dragonfly Neo-V changing to Till in January Columbus Underground interviewed one of the owners of TILL, the new restaurant in the Dragonfly space: TILL Dynamic Fare Takes Culinary Standards to the Next Level
February 19, 201213 yr <b>89 Fish & Grill Opens Downtown</b> By: Walker <img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/89grill.jpg"> <i>Do you still find yourself mourning the loss of R.J. Snappers in the Short North? Well, mourn no more. Restaurateur Richard Stopper is back in action with the new 89 Fish & Grill, located at 89 East Nationwide Boulevard in the former Michael O’Toole’s space.</i> READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/89-fish-grill-opens-downtown
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