Friday Food Bites: Chapman’s owners opening Italian spot; Begin Cafe, Mochinut, Blackened Coffee debut

There’s always a lot happening in the Columbus restaurant world! Here’s the latest news:

• This week the Columbus Foodletter broke the news that B.J. Lieberman and Bronwyn Haines, owners of Chapman’s Eat Market and Ginger Rabbit Jazz Club, announced that they’re converting the former Hiraeth restaurant into Metsi’s Wood-Fired Italian. Hiraeth had opened in the summer of 2023 in the Short North before converting to an events-only venue in early summer 2024. Metsi’s is projected to open early this summer.
• Blackened Coffee Co. makes its debut this Sunday, April 20 inside Ace of Cups in Old North (2619 N. High St.). The shop features coffee and breakfast items. For its opening day, hours will be noon to 5 p.m.
• A new coffee shop and cafe called Begin Cafe will test soft opening hours starting on Thursday, April 24. The shop is located at 8 E. Main St. in Uptown Westerville.
• The first Ohio location of Mochinut debuted yesterday at 994 W. Fifth Ave. in Grandview. The shop features mochi donuts, boba tea, Korean hot dogs, and more.
• A new retro-themed bar called VHS Social Club debuted last week at 520 S. Front St. in the Brewery District (former Brick American Kitchen and before that Handke’s). Brought to us by the owner of Basil Thai, the new outpost features 80s decor, arcade games, plus drinks and bar snacks.
• Koshary King, which served Egyptian street fare in SoHud, announced that they have shut down their food truck. In a message posted to social media, they said they plan to return in a different form.
• A new vegetarian-focused Indian eatery called Bikanervala debuted recently at 3677 Sawmill Rd. in Dublin.
• This week Tortilla Street Food‘s kiosk at the Columbus Commons opened for the season. (The Commons’ Thursday Food Truck Food Court returns on May 1.)
• A franchise of Juice Time opens this Saturday, April 19 at 1722 Hilliard Rome Rd. in Hilliard. The shop features juices, desserts, ice creams, and other treats. They’ll be open from noon to midnight on their opening day, and from 6-9 p.m. they’re offering free Dubai cups to the first 500 customers.

This week I’m also writing:

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