Happy Friday! Here’s the latest Columbus restaurant news:
- This Saturday, Feb. 28, Cincinnati-based Losanti Steakhouse opens at 440 W. Broad St. in Franklinton. Losanti is owned by Crown Restaurant Group in Cincinnati; it takes the place of Taft’s Brewporium, which closed in the fall of 2024.
- Also this Saturday, DaFuque Beer opens in their first stand-alone space at 1205 N. High St. in the Short North. DaFuque has been brewing since 2020, appearing at different breweries and collaborative spaces before settling on their spot. The opening is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday.
- Takumi Sushi is now open at 7370 Sawmill Rd. in Dublin, in the old Sunflower Chinese space. Takumi offers all-you-can-eat sushi and premium omakase services.
- Viva Mexican Restaurant opened last week at 220 W. Nationwide Blvd., replacing the old Nada in the Arena District.
- Casey Stevens, owner of Biscuit Boss food truck, announced on social media that they’re ending their run after six years. She cited a challenging business climate, including “rising costs, increasing operational demands, and shifting industry traffic” as the reason for the closure.
- Fired Up Pizza opens on Sunday, March 1 at 5601 N. High St. in Worthington. Fired Up has been a fixture of local farmers markets for a while; they take over the original Natalie’s pizza space.
- Gallo’s on High in Clintonville announced that they are under new ownership, who will open a similar concept under a new name and branding.
- Gold Coast Kitchen, a new restaurant described as a “fast casual Afro-American” eatery, has opened at 1475 Sunbury Rd.
- I don’t know how I didn’t realize this was opening, but a new donut shop called Glazed Over has opened at 240 N. Liberty St. in Powell.
- Multiple sources have reported that Beerhead Bar & Eatery at 6294 E. Dublin Granville Rd. in New Albany has closed.
- Buck City Sammies announced that they’re kicking off a new pop-up concept called Buck City Burgers at Bodega next week. They said they’re kicking off on Thursday, March 5. Buck City also operates a stall at a stall at East Market and a joint food truck with Hai Poke at Land-Grant Brewing.
- AJ’s Tacos announced that next week their truck will start parking at The Bar at Echo Spirits (985 W. Sixth Ave. in Grandview).
Some great culinary events:
- Chef Lara Pipia is hosting her next SoHud Squirrel bakery porch pop-up starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28. The porch pop-up takes place at 2362 Summit St. It’ll be a great opportunity to meet neighbors and enjoy good community. Get there early!
- The Columbus Independents restaurant group hosts its first Columbus Independents Weeks starting on Monday, March 2 and running through March 14. Participating restaurants will offer special prix fixe menus those weeks.
- While Mezcla restaurant is closed after a car crashed through their front doors, they’re doing a collaborative pop-up with Service Bar next week, March 4-7. Proceeds from the unique food and cocktail menu will benefit Mezcla’s employees. (You can also support them direct through their GoFundMe.)
- On Sunday, March 8 you can attend the I’m Not Really a Bartender amateur bartending competition at Natalie’s in Grandview. Proceeds from the event benefit Service Relief.
- Columbus Food Adventures’ next supper club is March 11 featuring chef Jack Moore of Black Cap Hot Sauce.
This week I’m also writing:
You can also me on Instagram at @breakfastwithnick, check out the news archives, read my guide to Columbus, or search for travel inspiration.