Image courtesy Lemongrass Fusion Bistro on Facebook
Happy Friday! Here’s the latest Columbus restaurant news:
- After nearly 30 years, Lemongrass Asian Bistro in the Short North has closed. The restaurant, which offered a mix of Asian, Mediterranean, and American dishes, had been a mainstay of the neighborhood; their space at 641 N. High St. is up for lease.
- The owners of Fat Arnie’s Sandwich Shop announced they are opening Fat Arnie’s Provecho, a related concept doing sandwiches, empanadas, and more, coming to the DiCarlo’s pizza space in Uptown Westerville at 20 S. State St. Adjacent to that is a new bar called The Blind Pour, a partner concept between the Beardman family, which owns Fat Arnie’s, and local radio personality Dino Tripodis.
- Coffee Connections in Hilliard shared last week that they’ve been forced to move from their home of 10 years because of structural issues in their building. For now they have been invited inside the stall of Bakes By Lo in the Center Street Market.
- Koffee Paradise holds the soft opening its second store at 2285 W. Dublin Granville Rd. from 9 am. to noon on Thursday, July 2. This joins their original shop on the east side.
- Columbus Food Adventures announced that their Food Hall tour will be ending after July 30. It’s being replaced by their new Asian Eats tour.
- Park Service Coffee announced that the last day for their Short North shop will be this Sunday, July 5.
- The owners of Rishi Sushi downtown, which closed earlier this year, announced that they’re bringing a new concept to the space, called Sage. It will feature similar offerings like sushi and Asian dishes.
- The first central Ohio location of the Jeff’s Donuts chain is set to open on Wednesday, July 8 at 5717 N. Hamilton Rd. Jeff’s Donuts is known for being open 24/7; it originally started in Louisville, Kentucky, where it has about a half dozen locations.
- Subourbon in Linworth shared that their kitchen team is doing a special Salvadoran pop-up on Sundays from noon to 9 p.m., serving Campero-style fried chicken, burgers, pupusas, and other dishes. Learn more info in this Instagram post.
- Last week Harvest Pizzeria announced that it would be adding two new locations, one in Hilliard and one in New Albany. The New Albany spot replaces 24 Main at 24 E. Main St., while details on the Hilliard location haven’t been announced.
- A new revolving sushi bar, Saikou Revolving Sushi, soft opens on Tuesday, July 7 at 5414 Westpointe Plaza Dr. on the west side.
- The owners of Trek Brewing in Newark announced that they’ll be closing after July 12. (Read more about them in one of my 2019 Licking County itineraries.)
- A location of the upscale Indian restaurant Bombay House is set to open sometime this month in the former Westerville Winking Lizard at 496 Polaris Pkwy.
- The Brunswick-based Indian restaurant Khaao Macha is opening its first Columbus operations on Friday, July 3. They’re part of the cloud kitchens at 1282 Essex Ave.
- A new location of Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill has opened at 10726 Sawmill Pkwy. in Powell.
- At the Good Food Awards last week, central Ohio was well represented, with Black Radish Creamery and Crimson Cup each netting a pair of awards.
Some cool culinary events!
- The 11th edition of the Columbus Ale Trail launched this week on July 1! You have until June 30 of next year to visit the nearly 40 stops on the trail.
- Columbus Food Adventures’ next Taste Of dinner features Taste of the Ottoman Empire with the folks from Tulip Cafe on July 14.
- On Sunday, July 19, Studio 35 hosts a Santa Claus Conquers the Martians beer tasting that supports CrestFest.
You can also me on Instagram at @breakfastwithnick, check out the news archives, read my guide to Columbus, or search for travel inspiration.