Friday Food Bites: Yogi’s goes to Grandview, Johnson’s joins Powell, FYR does Italian

Image courtesy FYR Short North

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

• Yogi’s Bar & Grill is getting ready to open its fourth location next week Thursday, March 6. Their new Grandview store is located at 955 W. Fifth Ave. in the old Rye River Social space; it joins two Yogi’s near Dublin and one on Henderson Road on the Northwest side.
• Johnson’s Real Ice Cream kicks off its big 2025 expansions with the opening of a Powell shop next week Thursday, March 6. The new store is located at 4290 Home Rd. (by the new Parlor Doughnuts). They’ll be offering free scoops that night from 6-9 p.m.
• Also starting on Thursday, March 6 FYR in the Hilton downtown transforms for a limited time to FYR Italy, with a specialized menu that hearkens back to chef Sebastian la Rocca’s Italian roots.
• A new sushi restaurant called The Blue Sushi opened up recently at 1436 Gemini Pl. near Polaris.
• This Saturday, March 1, the new owners take over the Hills Market downtown and rename it Charmy’s Market. Sherry and Rezi Bayegan, owners of Charmy’s Persian Taste, are familiar faces around the market already; they’ve been operating out of the market’s kitchens for years. They said they plan to expand the market’s offerings, including international dishes, hot foods, and grab-and-go items.
• This is the weekend of some big closings, too. Block’s Bagels is closing its last original store at 6115 McNaughten Rd. after business this Sunday, March 2. The decision was announced earlier this month. Over recent years Block’s other stores were sold and are now Fox’s Bagels & Deli. Block’s founder Hal Block also passed away last month at the age of 91. The Block family said they hope to continue the deli’s legacy in some way, although they haven’t shared any specific plans.
• This is also the last weekend of the Grill & Skillet diner on East Main Street. After more than 40 years in business, it’ll close on Sunday, March 2.
• Tim Hoffman, the owner of The Coffee Mess, shared that the roastery is under new ownership starting this week.
• One Line Coffee in Franklinton said that they are discontinuing their made-to-order breakfast menu and their draft beer program effective Saturday, March 1. They said they’ll focus instead on pastries baked at each location, with a larger revamp launched at the end of March. In addition, they’ll be adding a slow bar to the coffee experience at the Franklinton shop.
• The Columbus location of On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina at 4175 Morse Crossing has closed.
• Flavor & Fire hot sauce purveyor has closed its North Market Downtown stall and its Uptown Westerville storefronts. Its hot sauces are still available online, for local pickups at their production facility, and through various restaurants.
• Last week Brandon Bir of Crimson Cup Coffee took home the award of Overall Champion at Golden Bean World Series Roasters competition!
• And don’t forget that next week Tuesday, March 4 is Mardi Gras. Consult my list of Where to Find Paczki in Columbus!

This week I’m also writing:

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