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    Bites & Sips: Dragon Donuts, James Beard Awards, Bourbon & More

    Donuts and bourbon and awards! Oh my! Bites & Sips keeps you updated on tidbits of news from the world of imbibing and dining in Central Ohio. From openings to bottle releases, and the holy grail of culinary awards, read on to find what and where to eat and drink in Columbus.

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    Dragon Donuts Debuts in Fifth by Northwest

    Dragon Donuts has officially opened its second location. The donut shop is fueling mornings and sweets cravings from its storefront at 1288 W. Fifth Ave. Dragon Donuts will not only serve up its made-to-order cake donuts, but a selections of yeasted classics like Long Johns and Boston Creams.

    Stay tuned for final store hours. Dragon Donuts also has a location in Grove City and will be opening at Easton later this year.

    For more information, visit dragondonutshop.com.

    Delivery-Only Wing Joint Lands in Columbus

    Wing Squad is bringing its streamlined menu of wings, sides and sweets to Columbus doorsteps. The delivery-only restaurant utilizes DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats and Postmates to make its model happen.

    According to addresses on Grubhub, Wing Squad is delivering from Buca Di Beppo’s two central Ohio locations – 343 N. Front St. in the Arena District, and 60 E. Wilson Bridge Rd. in Worthington.

    Wing Squad offers five flavors of wings –  BBQ, Honey Garlic, Cajun, Sweet Chili and Buffalo. Sides includes mac & cheese, chips and side salads. For desert, there’s three classics: chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies and brownies.

    For more information, visit wingsquad.com.

    Two Columbus Chefs Named James Beard Award Semifinalists

    Like the Academy Awards for filmmakers, so are the James Beard Awards for the culinary world. For 30 years, the James Beard Awards have recognized the top chefs, restaurants, journalists, authors, and other leaders in the food and beverage industry. 

    This year, two Columbus powerhouses have been named Awards Semifinalists. Spencer Budros of Pistacia Vera is in the running in the Outstanding Baker category and James Anderson of Ray Ray’s Hog Pit is up for Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH).

    Finalists will be announced on March 25, followed by the James Beard Awards Gala on May 4.

    For more information, visit jamesbeard.org.

    Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Headed for Hamilton Quarter

    Michigan-based Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea will soon open its fifth Central Ohio location at Hamilton Quarter.

    Located at 5780 N. Hamilton Rd., the 1,800 square foot cafe will offer a globally-inspired menu featuring coffees, teas, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and more. It will also have a drive-thru.

    Sweetwaters also operates coffee shops near OSU’s campus, near Polaris and has two locations in Dublin – at Bridge Park and the Library. The Hamilton Quarter location is slated to open some time this spring.

    For more information, visit sweetwaterscafe.com.

    Goodbye, Los Potosinos. Hello, Alebrijes.

    Popular Columbus food truck Lost Potosinos is changing hands. As of Monday, February 24 a new chef has taken over and will operate the truck as Alebrijes. Hailing from Oaxaca, they’ll keep the Potosinos menu and add some new dishes to the lineup.

    Diners will find tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas and special dishes like whole fried tilapia and mole con pollo. The truck is parked at 1500 E. Long St. in The King-Lincoln District.

    For more information, visit Alebrijes on Facebook.

    Watershed Releases Single Barrel Bourbon for 10th Anniversary

    Watershed Distillery is ringing in ten years with its 100th batch of bourbon.

    Watershed distillers hand-selected their four favorite barrels of bourbon, which got a taste test and a vote from community members for one to earn the honor as the stand-alone barrel representing the distillery’s 100th batch.

    This Saturday, February 29, Watershed will release the single barrel bourbon to the public. Around 150 bottles will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis with a limit of two per person. Each bottle will be $39.99 pus tax.

    The bottles will be available for purchase starting at 2:30 p.m. at the distillery’s bottle shop, 1145 Chesapeake Ave, Suite D.

    For more information, visit watersheddistillery.com.

    Ohio Restaurant Awards Honor Local Food Leaders

    The Ohio Restaurant Association hosted its annual industry awards celebration on February 23, honoring restaurant and foodservice leaders across the state. Seven Columbus leaders nabbed awards in a variety of categories. Columbus winners included:

    • Kamal Boulos of The Refectory – The Claude F. Morton Lifetime Achievement Award
    • Julie Chuang of House of Japan – Outstanding Restaurateur (Central)
    • Ignacio Orduna of the Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern – Front of House
    • Dori Kay Strom of Jason’s Deli – Back of House
    • Zach James of the Central Ohio Food Truck Association and Paddy Wagon Food Truck – Industry Innovator
    • Letha Pugh of Bake Me Happy – Rising Star
    • Paula Haines of Freedom A La Cart – Nourishing the Community

    For more information, visit ohiorestaurant.org.

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    Susan Post
    Susan Post
    Susan is the editor of The Metropreneur and associate editor of Columbus Underground, and also covers small business and entrepreneurial news and the food scene in Central Ohio.Susan holds a degree in Communication with a minor in Professional Writing from The Ohio State University. She sits on the board of the Central Ohio Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and loves coffee, whiskey, cooking and spending time with friends and family.
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