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    Bites & Sips: Comebacks, Closings, Birthdays, Honors, Tenders & More

    Memorial Tournament revelers will have their beloved watering hole back for one weekend only. Tenders are here to stay at Hot Chicken Takeover. There are ice cream pies to eat and new cocktails to sip. Catch up on some tidbits of news from the world of drinking and dining in Central Ohio.

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    Bogey Inn Makes a (Temporary) Comeback

    A bar and restaurant that has become synonymous with the Memorial Tournament, The Bogey Inn will make a brief comeback for this year’s event.

    The Dublin eatery closed its doors in late February following the death of Owner Jeff Studer Parenteau. But for five days this June, The Bogey will once again be the place to be. Festivities kick off on Wednesday, June 1 and run through Sunday, June 4, and the party will feature nightly live music, a rotating selection of 10 food trucks and plenty of booze.

    The event will be held outdoors with a daily cover charge and in-and-out privileges. The Bogey’s indoor space will remain closed.

    Hours will be 4 – 11 p.m. June 1; 11 a.m. – midnight June 2; 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. June 3 and 4 and 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. June 5.

    For more information, visit bogeyparty.com.

    BD’s Mongolian Grill Closes in Arena District

    BD’s Mongolian Grill closed its doors in the Arena District, 295 Marconi Blvd., as of May 1. The build-your-own stir fry chain has two locations remaining in Central Ohio: 3977 Worth Ave. at Easton and 6242 Sawmill Rd. in Dublin.

    For more information, visit gomongo.com.

    Harrison’s on Kenny Ends its Run

    Harrison’s on Kenny, 4510 Kenny Rd., quietly closed up shop in early April. The neighborhood bar opened its doors in June 2014.

    Sister-bar Harrison’s on Third, 335 W. Third Ave. remains open.

    For more information, visit harrisonsonthird.com.

    Aladdin’s Opening in New Albany

    Aladdin’s will soon open the doors to its fifth area restaurant. The Lebanese-American eatery will head to New Albany’s Hamilton Quarter, 6284 E. Dublin Granville Rd.

    Aladdin’s offers an extensive menu featuring traditional appetizers like hummus, tabouli and falafel, along with pita pizzas, pitas, specialty plates, salads and more. The menu includes dozens of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Desserts and a selection of Lebanese beer and wines round things out.

    The new location is expected to open later this month. Aladdin’s operates additional restaurants in Clintonville, Worthington, Grandview and Powell.

    For more information, visit aladdins.com.

    Sunny Street Cafe Rolling Out New Look, New Booze Menu

    Changes are underway for Columbus-based franchise Sunny Street Cafe. The breakfast and lunch spot is unveiling a new look which creates better efficiencies for carryout and delivery orders, while giving the interior and exterior spaces a refresh. The cafe will roll out the updated look at new-build locations and has remodel projects in the pipeline for local restaurants.

    Sunny Street will also become a spot for boozy brunch later this summer. In the coming months, a new beverage menu will debut featuring mimosas, beermosas and a michelada.

    Sunny Street has seven locations in Central Ohio, including Grove City, the Arena District, Blacklick, Upper Arlington, Polaris, Westerville and two spots in Dublin.

    For more information, visit sunnystreetcafe.com.

    Rusty Bucket Celebrates 20 Years

    Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern has officially been serving customers for 20 years. Since launching in Dublin in 2002, the restaurant has grown to 22 locations across five states.

    “It is such an honor to celebrate our restaurants with the communities that have embraced us for 20 years,” said Gary Callicoat, Rusty Bucket founder. “From the start, Rusty Bucket has been committed to breaking the mold for casual dining by providing high-quality food and upscale drinks served with our signature hospitality every time.”

    To celebrate their birthday, Rusty Bucket will bring back some throwback menu items through May 29, including Gary’s Belly Buster, Taco Salad and Shrimp Scampi.

    Rusty Bucket has 10 locations in Central Ohio.

    For more information, visit myrustybucket.com.

    3 Local Bars Named Regional Honorees for Spirited Awards

    Celebrating the best of the best in the world of cocktails, three local establishments have been named as regional honorees for the 16th annual Spirited Awards presented by Tales of the Cocktail.

    “Since its founding in 2007, the Spirited Awards have become one of the industry’s most sought-after awards, recognizing beverage professionals, products, and establishments across every facet of the spirits and cocktail community on a global scale,” a press release announcing the honorees read.

    Local honorees include:

    Best U.S. Restaurant Bar – U.S. Central
    Watershed Kitchen + Bar

    Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central 
    Law Bird

    Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. Central
    Vaso Dublin at AC Hotel Columbus Dublin

    The field will be narrowed down to the Top 4 Finalists in each category next month, with winners announced and honored at an awards ceremony in July.

    Click here for more information.

    Downtown Restaurant Gets a New Name

    As of late April, Downtown restaurant Pat and Gracie’s, 340 E. Gay St., underwent a name change and is now Matt and Tony’s Kitchen + Tavern. According to the eatery’s Facebook page, the name is the only thing changing. “Same great staff and same great food!!” a post read.

    Both namesakes fall under the same restaurant group and each has another location. The now sole Pat and Gracie’s Kitchen + Tavern is located at 138 Graceland Blvd. in Clintonville, while Matt and Tony’s Wood Fired Kitchen calls 525 Short St. in the Brewery District home.

    For more information, visit mattandtonyskitchenandtavern.com.

    A Downtown restaurant has a new name – Photo by Susan Post

    Old Bag of Nails + High Bank Partner on Cocktail Menu

    Two Columbus-based brands are teaming up on a new cocktail menu. The Old Bag of Nails Pub has partnered with High Bank Distillery for its first permanent cocktail menu. Adding a craft element to not only their beer selection but their cocktails, High Bank’s spirits are featured in sippers like the Blackberry Whiskey Bramble, Whiskey War Sour, Statehouse Gin Gimlet and more.

    “The Old Bag of Nails Pub is excited to be partnering with another local business because we have been local for over 25 years,” said Tim Miller, VP of operations at The Old Bag of Nails Pub. “This menu allows us to showcase a great relationship between two central Ohio based industry leaders in a partnership that will help us grow each brand both within the Columbus market and into other states.”

    The cocktails are available at all 15 Old Bag of Nails locations.

    For more information, visit oldbagofnails.com.

    Little Ladies Soft Serve Dishing Up Pies

    With Little Ladies Soft Serve’s permanent location in Westerville, 673 Worthington Rd., has come a new treat: the ice cream pie. Four signature sundaes – Aggie, Lola, Myra and Ruby – get the pie treatment. The mile-high pies need to be ordered at least 48-hours in advance (and check the website for sell outs and the next available pick-up).

    For more information, visit littleladiessoftserve.com.

    Tenders & Fries Here to Stay at HCT

    After introducing chicken tenders and fries for their birthday during the month of April, Hot Chicken Takeover is making the two permanent menu fixtures. Jumbo tenders come in orders of three and are available in the same spice levels at the rest of HCT’s menu, while fresh-cut fries add a fourth option to the chicken joint’s sides lineup, which also includes ma’s mac, ma’s slaw and baked beans.

    HCT has four area locations at North Market Downtown, Easton, Clintonville and Westerville.

    For more information, visit hotchickentakeover.com.

    Tenders & Fries – Photo provided by Hot Chicken Takeover
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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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